paperbacks_n_frybread's reviews
398 reviews

*Find my full review and interview with Intisar Khanani at: Mama Bear Reads*

Good fantasy work is hard to find. Many that are out now in the YA world are just true carbon copies of one another. You have to have a special talent in order to create unique worlds, characters, and of course just the right conflict.

I have the worst time digging into a highly acclaimed book only to have to be completely predictable and all around boring. This has happened to me too much this year. I almost took a "fantasy" hiatus, until I read the blurb for Intisar Khanani's "Sunbolt". It drew me in by page one and did NOT disappoint. "Sunbolt" is filled with action, adventure, and absolutely 0 instalove.

The story follows a young orphaned girl named, Hitomi in the land of Karolene, who is not only a spunky street thief, but also one who is holding a very magical secret (And yay for non-European fantasy characters!).
I know, I know! Orphaned chick with magical powers? What a typical fantasy trope!
Not so, I tell you! Tropes don't necessarily HAVE to be a bad thing, when they're done well. And Khanani does this extremely well. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the second half and almost threw my iPad across the room when the book ended so abruptly. Nothing that I expected to happen-did. There are some pretty noteworthy characters in this book too (*cough*cough* Val). My only complaint-the book was too short! It IS a novella, but still. I wanted to stay and hang out with Hitomi a little longer. Thank the Lord that the second book in the Sunbolt Chronicles, "Memories of Ash" will be released on May 30th.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

I can NOT imagine being locked up for a crime I didn't commit. I especially could not do this, with a child on the outside. It honestly gives me anxiety even contemplating such a thing.
But, this is exactly the case when it comes to Allie Marshall, in Laura McNeill's "Sister Dear". And if you're like me and you get emotionally attached to your characters-then your anxiety will heighten to with this read.

This is a suspense/mystery novel with a very slow burn. I consider this a good thing, because finding out the truth is as difficult for the reader as it is for the characters! There are multiple point of views from chapter to chapter, which kept my interest peaked. The writing was really well done. It caught and held my attention from the very first chapter!

I don't care how old you are-reading children's books are just so much fun! Ones with a message? Even better.
This is insanely true about Kristi O'Callahan's "Jacob and Sam: A Friendship Story". Her story is about a new kid at school named Jacob who tried to befriend Sam, a child with autism. My kids loved it! Even asking them about things they didn't like-they couldn't come up with anything.

The story is great and it was easy for my kids to understand. I think any parent could use this as a teaching tool to talk to their own children about how to handle those kids they might not fully understand.

The illustrations may not be a favorite for some-but my kids love them and isn't that what matters??? It's a full color book with lots of little details that kept the littles scanning the pages over and over again.

It's just a perfect kids' book! You've gotta check it out yourself!

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

This reads like a super quirky TV show. It has it's good points, but I just couldn't commit to this. However, I have no problem recommending this to anyone who is looking for a clean "boys meets girl" kind of romance. We all know that most romances can be pretty raunchy, but this one has a really good message with clean content.

My biggest complaint? The cover. It bugs me in the worst way. WAY too much going on, and the main character is said to have curly hair. What's that chick on the front have?

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

I haven't gone through this entire book in depth, but man! Just the parts I have gone over are just wonderful. The "Saturate Field Guide" is a HUGE spiral book with tons of color on every single page. There is nothing boring about the layout of this book, which is awesome since most studies I've done-the books are just black and white.

Discipleship is a lost art in many churches let's face that, and this is could be a huge help for those that are feeling like they need just a bit... more. I can't wait for the hubs and I to take this together week by week. I know we won't be disappointed.

If I could be completely honest, the fact that this book had anything to do with Scotland was one of the biggest selling points for me. And no. I've never seen nor read Outlander. I just simply have a love affair with all things Scottish (or Irish for that matter). It's on the top of my "to-visit- places.
This book isn't the easiest of reads, but its one that you'll be thankful you stuck it out for. You can tell right from the start that Michael Phillips really knows what he's writing about. The reader isn't thrown into an unknown world, but instead, is eased into it with rich writing and deep character building.

Full Review: Mama Bear Reads

After tearing up during this first paragraph, I knew this would be an amazing read-no doubts about that.

I'll be honest, I really wish this book would have been written a year ago.

Seriously.

Hope is something I continually struggle with, but last year (i.e. the year we experienced everything going upside down) I could have used Nika's story to cling to. It's a must-read for anyone going through hardship. Her story is one that'll prove how powerful hope truly is.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

Agatha Christie fans, come gather 'round. I have a story to share that I'm sure you'll drool over.

Let's take a trip back in time to a place where the wealthy have week-long costume parties, give up anything and everything that does not fit in with the party's chose era, schmooze each other endlessly, while also covering up a drug smuggling scheme, and of course murdering those who find out about said scheme.

This is just an average day in the life of Drew and Madeline Farthering. Newlyweds that were looking for just a fun time together with friends, end up getting much more than they bargained for.

In "Dressed for Death", you get all the elegance of a Jane Austen novel, with a dash of Murder She Wrote. This wasn't my favorite book of all time, but it definitely has its appeal.

The beginning was a bit slow, (I'm pretty sure it took 100 pages before someone actually died) and that bothered me quite a bit. For a "murder/mystery", I kinda expected for some action to happen a little earlier. Once it did, the pace was pretty good, but I'll be honest-most of the happenings were pretty predictable.

Then again, isn't that the beauty of these kinds of novels?

Not sure, but I do know that Mr. Drew Farthering has a pretty decent fan club. Julianna Deering has written a few previous books about him like, "Rules of Murder" and "Death by the Book". So maybe, I just don't have the emotional connection to him because I started in the middle of his story?

Nonetheless, I'll have to pass on reading the other books. I am finding that this isn't my favorite time period to read about, but that is not to say this isn't a good book for someone else.

I will also add, that these books do have a inspirational/faith element that is done extremely well. It's not all in your face-but seems very intentional and thought out. I did enjoy that aspect.

I give this 3 out of 5 stars.

*I received this book in exchange for my review*

5 stars!

First off-that cover is completely swoon-worthy. It's one of my favorites from this year! The colors, font, lanters-there isn't a single component I don't like! Well done!

The story has real value and it's so easy to connect and invest in the characters. The romance isn't cheesy and develops well.

If you're wanting a book that'll leave you better off than when you started-this is your pick!