A Bookworm's Book Reviews

The Hearts of Horses – Molly Gloss

Title: The Hearts of Horses

Author: Molly Gloss

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Martha Lesson is a horse trainer in 1917 Eastern Oregon. Some take her on since many of the farm hands are fighting ing WW1. Martha travels around to a few farms going in a circle, switching out horses along the way. At first, the ranchers are skeptical of her quiet ways of breaking (teaching them how to be ridden) horses. Slowly, the ranchers see how effective Martha’s teachings are. She starts earning their respect. They start sharing their lives with her. The ranchers also ask for her help around the farms if she stays for more than a day. Along the way between two farms, something spooks (scares) the horse she’s riding. Martha and her horse take a tumble off the road and down a small cliff. Both miraculously escape with scrapes, and a broken leg. How will Martha be able to continue training the horses? How will she be able to help the ranchers?

Rating: 3.5 – a good book with a slow and steady pace

Opinion: This book is a great read. Though it’s not the most thrilling book that I’ve ever read, it’s still a good book. It tells of the daily life of a girl of a small community. As a horse lover, it’s accurate about how horses are trained properly and what horses need to live. Molly Gloss is an accurate historian, too. She is a horse person and knows what she is talking about. She is also a local author, writing about life in Eastern Oregon, where she grew up and near where I live. She writes well and keeps the plot flowing nicely. As I said, this book’s not the most action packed book I’ve read, but it still keeps you reading. You want to know more about Martha, her life, and the lives of the people she comes to know. If you’re looking for a local author, read then I suggest this book. I’d also suggest this book for any horse lover or a historical fiction lover.

The Shadowy Horses – Susanna Kearsley

Title: The Shadowy Horses

Author: Susanna Kearsley

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Plot: Verity Grey is an archeologist searching for the lost Roman legion, the 9th. The 9th vanished after being sent to fight against the northern tribes of present day England and Scotland. She and some other researchers found some evidence of Roman life near the Scottish and English boarder. A boy who lives near the archeological dig says he’s seen the ghost of a Roman soldier who has connections to the 9th. Verity is skeptical. Her boss is not. He’s insistent that they’ve found a site where the 9th were last camped. Soon after Verity arrives at the site, she starts hearing things. At first, she hears hoofbeats. Then she hears soldiers. Then she finally believes when she actually sees the Roman soldier. As they find more and more evidence of a Roman encampment, the ghost becomes more and more apparent and visible. Will Verity and her boss find evidence of the lost legion? What does the ghost want? Is he a friend or foe? Or is he simply searching for something?

Rating: 4.0 – a good mystery mixed with history and ghosts

Opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though it took me a little bit to pick up on all of the British and Scottish terms, as Verity is English and most of the people she works with are Scottish. I enjoyed trying to read what the characters said in their proper accents but gave up as it became too distracting. I am still skeptical of ghosts, like Verity was at the beginning of the book, but the addition of ghosts in the story gave it a very unique perspective. The mystery surrounding is very good, it keeps you reading. There are enough twists to keep you reading and interested. I enjoyed learning more about Roman life in Britain. I also enjoyed learning some things about archeology as well as life in England and Scotland. If you’re looking for a historical fiction book about a less well known time period, then I suggest this book. This book also good for those looking for a good mystery.

Beyond All Dreams – Elizabeth Camden

Title: Beyond All Dreams

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Anna O’Brian is a librarian with the Library of Congress who specializes in maps. One day, she learns of a ship that’s disappeared at sea. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she searches for answers. In Anna’s search for answers, she meets Luke Callahan. Luke is a congressmen, one who’s past haunts him. At first he is hesitant to assist her. Anna wants answers and funds for the new Library of Congress. Luke thinks it’s a waist of money. He brushes her off at first. But Luke is the one of the few people who can help her. Slowly, he starts helping Anna. But some secrets are hidden behind the disappeared ship. People are trying to stop them. What secrets are hidden? Who wants the ship to remain disappeared? Can Anna and Luke ever learn to fully trust each other?

Rating: 3.5 – a good read with some good twists, and sappy romance

Opinion: This was a good book. I love Elizabeth Camden’s books for their history, mystery, and sappy romance. It was filled with accurate historical fiction, mystery, and sappy romance. I wasn’t sure how much political stuff there would be, but there wasn’t. Anna and Luke show a realistic past and overcoming past hurts. They are slow to talk of their pasts and to trust each other with their pasts. I enjoyed that character growth. There was also a fair amount of mystery. There seemed to be more plot twists than other Elizabeth Camden books, but that could’ve been me. If you’re looking for a great book about history, mystery, and sappy romance, then read this book.

Immanuel’s Veins – Ted Dekker

Title: Immanuel’s Veins

Author: Ted Dekker

Genre: Fantasy, Thriller

Plot: Toma Nicolescu is a highly regarded soldier in the Russian Army. He is tasked with protecting two sisters, Lucine and Natasha Cantemir, and escort them back to Russia. They are staying with Vlad van Valerik. Both Toma and Vlad are taken by Lucine’s beauty. Both try to win her heart. Natasha is instantly taken with the freedom and power Vlad and his people offer. She embraces it wholeheartedly and is slowly transformed into someone else. Vlad offers Lucine the same freedom and power. She is hesitant and can tell something is off. Especially when Toma returns to Vlad’s castle to make sure that the sisters are alright. He feels like something is off. He doesn’t completely buy into Vlad’s story. Vlad and Natasha slowly win her over. While Vlad and Natasha win Lucine to their side, Toma learns more about Vlad and his people. What he discovers shocks him. He rushes back to Vlad’s castle to fight for Lucine’s life and love. But will it be too late? Will Toma be able to save Lucine from a fate worse than death? Is it possible to save the others under Vlad’s control as well? Or will Vlad fully convince Lucine to join him and his people? Will Lucine accept his freedom and power?

Rating: 4.0 – this story is weird but fascinating and it keeps you read

Opinion: I’ve always loved Ted Dekker’s books. This one is no exception. This book is oddly fascinating. There were many times I was thinking uh, this is really weird but this is so fascinating, I want to know more. Ted Dekker took a classic monster legend and made it his own. I loved what he did with it. There were plenty of plot twists to keep me reading. Over the years, I’ve realized that Ted Dekker’s books deal with blood. The book revolves around saving or destroying people with blood. I don’t mind it because Ted Dekker does it in a non violent, non gory way. If you’re looking for an interesting read about history, love, and thrills then I suggest you read this book.

The Red Tent – Anita Diamant

Title: The Red Tent

Author: Anita Diamant

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Plot: Dinah is Jacob’s only daughter. He has twelve sons between four wives, this is early biblical times. But this is Dinah’s story and told through her eyes. She is loved by her mothers and is delighted whenever she is allowed to help growing up. There’s lots of work to do, taking care of the animals, washing clothes, etc. Her closest friend is her brother Joseph. Dinah envies the times the mothers and other women in Jacob’s camp get to go to the red tent once a month. When she hits puberty she understands the significance and a great ceremony is held. Hard times hit some time later. Jacob moves the family to Egypt with her grandfather Abraham. There, Dinah is married to a wealthy Egyptian’s son. She spends a short while with him before all of the Egyptian men are circumcised. Her brother’s, fearing for her safety and their own, attack and kill all of the men of the family, including her husband. Dinah flees with the remaining Egyptians. Her family thinks she’s dead. Dinah learns she is pregnant shortly after. She bears a son. Her mother-in-law is insistent that Dinah’s son be raised in the Egyptian culture. Dinah reluctantly accepts and becomes no more than a servant in the Egyptian’s household. Slowly, Dinah realizes that she can make her own way in the world. She leave’s her son’s household and lives among friends. Dinah finds her brother, Joseph, who’s become second only to pharaoh. She makes peace with her life and finds love again.

Rating: 3.5 – a good story, and a slow and steady one.

Opinion: This is an accurate historical fiction book. It carefully weaves the history of the time with biblical history. Though I don’t know my old testament as well as I should, the timeline fits, as there is only a brief mention of Dinah. The bible mostly focuses on Dinah’s brothers. I enjoyed learning more in depth about the lives of people in the bible and what life was really like. There were a few things I had questions about, that most people gloss over in the bible, but was able to see the reasons for them. This book was a little slow for my liking, but still a good book. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy ancient history and want to learn more about other culture’s pasts.

Guest Book Review – This is the Day

Thank you That Dad Stuff for another post. For all the sports lovers out there. Here’s Tim Tebow’s biography.

“Bookworm Dad: Tim Tebow This is the Day: My kids are bookworms. They love to read. They did not get this trait from me. I hated reading when I was a kid. Fast forward 25-30 years to today, if I find something I am interested in, I will read it. I still don’t read a lot, but I do Audible. Does that count? Is that “reading” a book? Kinda? Well, I do Audible A LOT! I recently came across a book by Tim Tebow – This is the Day.

“We went to our local chain bookstore, and I let the kids go off with their mom to find some new books to read. As I was wandering in the sports section, I came across a book by Tim Tebow. I picked it up and just started skimming it. I read a few pages and was really hooked. There are several situations that Tim writes about on how he used his fame or his foundation to help those in need. There are many references to God and bible passages. That did not surprise me. If you know Tim Tebow, you know he is a very religious man. (Look up, Tebowing.)

“While reading this book, I really like how he discusses the transition from Football hopes and dreams to his Baseball hopes and dreams and how sometimes you need to trust your gut. There are several personal stories with biblical principles throughout the book. Several situations that Tim found himself in made me think to myself, was it his gut telling him to do something, or was it God telling him to do something? I felt this way through most of the book. One thing is for sure if you’re a believer like me… you know what, check that… you know who was pushing him to do something.”

Here is a link for the post original post: This is the Day

Guest Book Review – The Sweetness Followed

Thanks to That Dad Stuff for this review. The Sweetness Followed by James Morley III

“Sweetness Followed is not some feel-good romp but rather an exercise in the slow dramatic burn. It’s an esoteric tale that can best be described as a hybrid of John Irving and Chuck Palahniuk. The sweet and the sour to use a food analogy. It is a small-town drama that looks at life with the glass as having a huge jagged dark crack in it. Or, to shoot higher, an alternate mythology as to why the world appears so fallen. Yikes.

“This is a book you want everyone you know to read, but they have to take it on faith because you cannot tell them what it is about. This is a work that seems to be entirely character-driven without an appreciable plot. This will never be in Oprah’s book club, not because it is not worthy, but because it is too deep. Not deep in the way pseudo-academic literature pretends to be; the book is quite clear and quite obvious. But it will hit you in your soul.”

The Siege – Arturo Pérez-Reverte

English Title: The Siege

Original Spanish Title: El Asiedo

Author: Arturo Pérez-Reverte

Translated from Spanish by: Frank Wynne

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Plot: The city of Seville is under siege by Napoleon’s army in 1811. The French navy is blockading the city. The ships send cannons on an almost daily basis to remind the citizens of Seville that they are there. Police Comisario (high ranking captain) Rogelio Tizón is chasing a serial killer. The killer is placing bodies where bombs have gone off in the city. With limited resources and no outside help, Comisario Tizón is charged with finding the killer. In a city where anyone could be a suspect, the story also follows a taxidermist (who’s also a French spy), a businesswoman looking for a ship’s captain brave enough to run the French blockade, a captain who’s falling for his boss, and an academic who’s studying the French navy’s tactics. All of their paths cross. All of them are connected to each other in some way. Time is running low for the Comisario. The bombings are becoming more frequently, and so are the bodies. When Comisario Tizón is close to catching the killer, the games changes. A body is found right before a bomb goes off, instead of after. Who is the killer? Will Comisario Tizón catch them? Or will they escape? And will the French ever end their siege? Will they get what they came for?

Rating: 3.2 – a slow and steady mystery with a fun twist and a sad one

Opinion: Artruo Pérez-Reverte loves his eloquent words and this book is no exception. I’m glad that I read it in English instead of Spanish. I know a fair amount of Spanish, but it would’ve taken me so much longer because of all eloquent words and long descriptions. It is a steady with twist in all of the right places. I enjoyed reading this book but some parts seemed to drag. Throughout the book, I had a few guesses of who I thought the killer was and a few characters I for sure knew who it wasn’t. Maybe I’m not good at reading mysteries, or maybe Arturo Pérez-Reverte is an amazing writer, or some combination of the two, but I didn’t guess who the true serial killer was. The Comisario’s explanation of why the killer did what they did made sense. Arturo Pérez-Reverte does an awesome job of describing what life looked like during the siege of Seville. He is an expert at researching what he needs to write an accurate book. This book is no exception to that either. If you’re looking for an eloquently written book than look no farther. This book is an accurately written book about history. It is also a great mystery that keeps you guessing.

The Masterpiece – Francine Rivers

Title: The Masterpiece

Author: Francine Rivers

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Christian Fiction

Plot: Roman Velasco is a handsome, well respected artist. But he keeps everyone at arm’s length. No one can be trusted. He’s been hurt too many times. He sulks about his grand house. Grace Moore is Roman’s newly appointed secretary. She’s been searching for a job for some time and this is the first one to come along. Grace is desperate to get on her own two feet. She relies on her friends and her steadfast faith in God. Roman trusts only in himself. Both Grace and Roman are hurting from the past. Neither know if they can trust each other. Both try to work out their differences. Roman offers Grace a place to stay when he learns she’s struggling with money. She reluctantly accepts. Slowly their walls come down. They learn to trust. Still they hide their feelings. Roman insists Grace go on a road trip with him so he can talk with people who want him to paint a mural. On the way down, they open up to each other. They talked of their troubled pasts. On the way back, they stop for food and Roman drops dead. Grace saves him with God’s help. Roman experiences during his stay give him perspective on faith. Will that be enough for Roman to become a Christian? Will he and Grace overcome their troubled past? What will become of their new found friendship?

Rating: 4.8 – a great book, pulls at your heartstrings

Opinion: I’ve always loved Francine River’s books. This book is no exception. I’ve always been a sap when it comes to romance. This book tugged at my heart numerous times. It deals with childhood trauma. As I work with children, it hit that much closer to home. There were many times that I was very caught up in the book and many times that I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters were well written and fleshed out. It can show people that Christians aren’t perfect. They make mistakes, the same as everyone else. The book can show that everyone can change. It may take a near death experience, but they can. Everyone is searching for something. Everything can be found in Christ. Will everyone accept the truth? There seems to be a good ending point but the story continues. In the end, everything is wrapped up with a pretty bow. Francine Rivers does a great job explaining how relationships work in the real world. She gives good reasons why the characters act the way they do. There are sappy moments, but it still rings with truth. If you love Francine Rivers, then I suggest this book. This book is also great for those who love sappy books but are realistic with relationships then this also a good book.

The Only Pirate at the Party – Lindsey Stirling

Title: The Only Pirate at the Party

Author: Lindsey Stirling and Brooke S. Passey

Genre: Autobiography

Plot: Lindsey Stirling is a well known violinist and dancer. She got her fame from America’s Got Talent and Youtube. In her book, Lindsey talked about her childhood and her rise to fame. She was originally from Arizona. She came from a family of four who often struggled to buy luxury items. Lindsey credit’s her inspiration for learning violin was to be a better instrumentalist than her sister. While she was happy to have violin lessons, she often noticed that that her parent’s sacrificed so she could have them. She often credits her faith for helping through a lot of her struggles. Her main struggle throughout her life was anorexia. It started while she was attending BYU. While it took control for a long time, she thankfully overcame it. Lindsey often times still struggles with it, especially when she gets stressed. While she talks about going on America’s Got Talent (and struggling with the loss), and working briefly with Andrea Bocelli (and his assistant asking her to leave), she talked of her family and friend’s unconditional love and support. As her fame grew, she talked about gaining new friends and going on tour. She also talked about meeting some of her fans and that it’s made her sad that it costs so much for fans to meet her.

Rating: 3.4 – an interesting read and I’m glad to know more about an amazing artist

Opinion: Lindsey Stirling is an amazing violinist and dancer. I’ve enjoyed learning more about her. Although we have similar, but different, faith I’m glad that she has kept her faith and that her fame hasn’t made her lose or compromise it. It’s nice to remember that stars are humans too, and have struggles, too. She has a spark and spunk that I admire. Although her bio wasn’t as amazing, I enjoyed learning about what makes Lindsey, Lindsey. I give her many kudos for overcoming an addiction as hard as anorexia. I applaud Lindsey for her violin playing, dancing, and staying true to herself. This is a good book for anyone wanting to learn about a well loved violinist. Or about someone who’s overcome anorexia. This is a good book for anyone who wants to learn about someone who’s stayed true to themselves.