Sunday, May 31, 2009

THE VANISHING SCULPTOR by Donita K.Paul


***Good morning, Blog Buds! This Middle Grade novel is reviewed by a real Middle Grader, my daughter, whom I will refer to here as Kimber An, Jr. She's reviewed MG SciFi for me at my Young Adult Science Fiction blog, but this is her debut review here.***

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*Take it away, Jr!*

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Say, have you ever read a book where you think, “Uck. I love the characters, but the story is hardly worth reading!” In the first 11 chapters or so, (it’s 48 chapters, easily the longest book I’ve read so far) I was thinking this was that kind of book. But as I read on, I realized it was much more. The author even interwove some Christian elements into this, so if you can pick them out, this is a very useful book for Christians.
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Now for the review. The book opens with Beccaroon, a giant parrot and the main character’s best friend, watching the main character, Tipper, sell one of her father’s statues. See, her father disappeared, and Tipper’s family had begun to run out of money, so she’d been forced to sell them.


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Beccaroon, ( Bec for short) quite frankly, doesn’t like it. Tipper’s father, named Verrin Schope, was his best friend, and Bec had been left to help Tipper run the mansion.
Then, one day, Verrin Schope returns! The only problem is, he’s been sucked through a sort of magical gate-sort of like a black hole-in-get this-Tipper’s mother’s closet! And now, every so often, he keeps being sucked back through the gate into the closet.
The only way to stop this is to find three statues that, when put together, forms a flagstone that will stop it.


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So Tipper, Bec, and Verrin Schope, (he’s able to go because he pulled up the floorboard the gate was on and now has it with him) and plus an old librarian named Libettowit and a wizard named Fenworth, set out to find a artistic tumanhofer (it explains this and also the other “races” you encounter in the book at the back) Bealomondore, who possibly knows the whereabouts of the three statues.


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While there, Tipper makes friends with Zabeth, Grandur, and Junkit, three “minor dragons” that have accompanied them on the trip. She also meets Hue, a purple dragon who’s a very good singer.
From there the group, plus Bealomondore, heads to a mountain where larger riding dragons live. There they meet Prince Jayrus, a talented dragon handler. After consulting Sage, the oldest living dragon, they head out on four riding dragons to find the first statue, Morning Glory. It’s in the hands of a old enemy of Bealomondore’s, Bamataub.


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Needless to say, Bamataub gives them a hard time. First he has some of his henchmen kidnap Verrin Schope. Then, while Tipper and Prince Jayrus try to get in to get the statue, they kidnap them and take away Beccaroon’s tail! (Don’t worry, he’s okay and eventually gets a new tail.)
Finally, Prince Jayrus manages to take care of Bamataub, and they depart that town, statue in tow, (or, actually, in one of Fenworth’s “hollows”) searching for the second statue, Day’s Deed. But to find out if they get it and the last statue, Evening’s Yearns, you’ll have to read the book, which I hear is due in the stores on Tuesday!
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No, don’t go grab you shoes yet-for two reasons. One, it’s not due until Tuesday! Two, it’s time for that part of the review where I say what’s good about this book and what’s not. So without further ado-
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WHAT’S GOOD AND WHAT’S NOT!
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WHAT’S GOOD: It’s a very good story, and the characters are fun (Especially the wizard and librarian!) And, as I said before, it has some parts where there’s some good stuff for Christians, if you can pick it out and “clean” it, so to speak. Also, I like that the author included a sort of dictionary to the world of The Vanishing Sculptor. It includes a list of characters, including the various dragons, and also a dictionary to the various things you may be confused with. For example, a lollipop. In The Vanishing Sculptor, it’s referred to as a lickick.
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AND WHAT’S NOT: I was rather bored in the beginning 11 chapters because nothing much was happening except some dialogue and a few surprises. Fortunately the rest of the book came to the rescue-to put it exactly, about from the point where they actually leave their house. I think maybe they should’ve put a move on earlier. And lemme tell you, the first one or two chapters ought to cast a little preview of what’s going on. And they ought to have a little excitement, too!


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(Still, I strongly suggest you read those 11 chapters. Otherwise, you might miss some important details, like info about Tipper’s father the famous artist Verrin Schope.)
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All in all, this is a good read that I find is not only fun to read, it’s sort of like Dinotopia books: they’re fantasy that’s really more than that: it’s a book that makes you think deeper about yourself and the people around you.


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***THE VANISHING SCULPTOR will be in bookstores on Tuesday, June 2nd. Click on this link to learn more- http://www.donitakpaul.com/

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P.S. In case you think I made Jr. do this review to keep up her smarts during the summer, I didn't. She can does this kind of thing for fun. She was reading at age 2. Maybe I should have her start her own (strictly moderated by Mom) book review blog. Hmmm...***

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Book Review Blog Mix-Up

Guess what? I just received an ARC today for THE VANISHING SCULPTOR by Donita K. Paul. It was addressed to The Fantasy Debut and sent to my snail-mail address. Well, I didn't request it, but there's no way I wanted to send it back! So, I emailed Tia, the real moderator of The Fantasy Debut http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/ and she said she didn't request it either. Sometimes publishers and authors send books without asking if we want them and without our requesting them. This is cool with me, especially if it's from publishers and authors I've reviewed for before and they know what I like. This books from Random House and it's due out June 2nd. I'll try to get up a review of it by then because it looks really fun and adventurous.
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I am so sick of 'Dark & Sexy' I could just puke. And, please, no Kick-Butt Heroines unless they actually get knocked up from all that wild monkey love.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

THE BRIDEGROOM by Linda Lael Miller

It's the early 1900's, but the Old West is dying hard. Early twentysomething Gideon Yarbro is on his way home, hired to disrupt a miners' strike before it gets started. Meanwhile, Lydia, a little girl he once knew, is 18 now and about to marry a dirty old goat because he's rich and can keep her aunts out of the ditch. Of course, she'd rather roll in the hay with a young studmuffin, but she's rather immature for her age and can't figure any other way out. Besides, girls still didn't have much opportunity for education or career in that time period, you know.
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Lydia's an orphan raised by her aunts and a sharpwitted housekeeper. The aunts' fiances both died and neither ever married. In spite of enduring a jackass husband for years, the housekeeper retained her belief that Happily Ever After is possible. So, even though these three foster moms are pretty much clueless in helping Lydia figure men out and decide how to navigate relationships, they do love her and they do all believe in True Love. Unfortunately, Lydia won't open up to them about her true feelings and only the housekeeper figures it out. She hounds Lydia to call off the wedding.
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Gideon checks on his mail and is stunned to receive a letter from Lydia, a letter he'd written for her to send him if she ever needed help. Now he hasn't seen her in a decade, but he's a man of his word and also more than a little curious about what kind of lady she's grown up into. And so he rushes to her side just before the wedding. She's a little freaked out about that and the housekeeper's pushing her to jump him and run. Gideon visits her fiance, realizes he's a dirty old goat, and asks him to postpone the wedding while Lydia rethinks her choice. The fiance won't, of course, because he's a dirty old goat about to get his hands on a pretty little virgin.
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You're probably thinking Gideon rescues the Bride. Well, he does, but he's not just any Old West Hero. He also takes the aunts and the housekeeper too. Talk about a trainfull!
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To keep the fiance from using his political and financial power to get Lydia back, Gideon marries her on the spot. That night they go to bed husband and wife after having not had any contact with each other since they were kids. But, don't start thinking, 'Oh, right, another great nookie equates true love which ensures Happily Ever After story.' I know you're too smart for that. I told you Gideon wasn't your average Old West Hero. Even though he could easily take advantage of her and the law of the day would be on his side, he won't go all the way with her. He's been brought up proper like and realizes she may want an annullment later on, which she can only get if the marriage isn't consummated. So, while he's going on like the honorable dude, she's thinking her new husband doesn't love her. Although, she does have to admit to herself it's better to be in a loveless marriage with a gorgeous studmuffin who's also a good kisser. Of course, if she would just sit down and discuss things with Gideon, it would all quickly work out. But, I've known plenty of girls who married young and were too self-conscious to talk to their husbands, and they were already in love! And, remember, the women who raised her didn't know a darn thing about marriage-building either. Meanwhile, poor Gideon's your average clueless male who's mama wasn't around to explain things about girls.
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And so this lovely young couple need to fall in love and build a relationship AFTER they've gotten married. It's all believably done if you're familiar with the culture way back when. Except, I was terribly curious to know where Gideon learned so much about what a girl likes in bed. In that time and place, the wife's sexual needs were rarely considered. Maybe his happily married big brothers told him. Anyway...
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Anyway, the fiance catches up with them and, of course, he couldn't care less about Lydia's feelings, because she's just property to him, like a prize cow or something. He's only worried the studmuffin who carried her off has gotten to the cherry before him. Luckily, the law is on Lydia's side this time. She insists she loves her new husband and that they are married in the eyes of God and man, even though they actually haven't completely Done The Deed. The fiance's really ticked off, but the law dudes make him leave. But, now, Lydia's afraid the ex-fiance will come back, 'cause he's really, really ticked off now. Meanwhile, Gideon's learning the miners he's been sent to stop from striking are on the verge of starvation because of working conditions. Ah, the trials of young love.
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You know, I can't remember the last time I've read a Western of any kind. Hey, I was born and raised here. I already know how to bag a moose, field-dress it, and have it on the barbecue pit by sundown, although I have a Heroic Husband to do all that for me now. I prefer stories set far and away. However, Ms. Miller has such an engaging style that I couldn't resist.
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THE BRIDEGROOM is due out in August. Don't miss it. Pop over to Ms. Miller's website to learn more- http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/ She has a huge backlist.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

What Kimber An is Reading Now

Being on semi-bedrest, my posting of reviews is in spurts right now. However, I assure you, I am reading. The following should give you an idea of my wide range of reading interests. THE BRIDEGROOM by Linda Lael Miller. Although I adore Historicals, I rarely go for Westerns. However, Ms. Miller has a style impossible to resist and my writerly self is so insanely jealous.
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GIFTS by Ursula K. Le Guin
I bought this one new, full price, with my very own money because I just had to have it when I read the blurb. Remember, I can get just about any book free and sent direct to me, so buying new means I wanted it really bad NOW.
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WHAT KIMBER AN WISHES SHE WAS ALSO READING RIGHT NOW
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THE KING'S DAUGHTERS by Nathalie Mallet.

Ms. Mallet's first book, PRINCES OF THE GOLDEN CAGE, was my favorite book last year.

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WARLORD'S DAUGHTER by Susan Grant
Been trying to get this one done since it released! Drumming my fingers waiting for her next book, a lady space pirate mama one.

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CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran.
Ms. Moran's first book, NEFERTITI, was my favorite book of the previous year. Geez, lots of daughters this year. Not that I'm complaining.

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WHAT KIMBER AN WILL BE READING SOON
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I have a few more coming, but they're new-to-me authors. The ones coming from favorite authors include SIZZLING SEDUCTION by Gwyneth Bolton and
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FROM FRIENDS TO FOREVER by Karen Templeton. Sadly, no cover art yet. Sigh.

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Saw this one on Gwyneth's blog, ROAD TO SEDUCTION by Ann Christopher.
Haven't requested it yet, but I am so tempted. I swear, Kimani has the best cover art at Harlequin. Isn't this gorgeous?

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So, there you are. Remember, I can never find enough YA Science Fiction and I'll gobble up any book with a baby on the cover right now. If the baby's being held by a really gorgeous guy, all the better.

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***ePublished books happily accepted!*** Been meaning to ask for KEEPER OF THE LOCH by Candace Sams for a while now. http://www.jasminejade.com/p-4565-keeper-of-the-loch.aspx

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

HEART OF THE RONIN by Travis Heermann

My husband swiped this one from my stack of ARCs and I only just pried it out of his hands. While it reads like Young Adult Fantasy, it's borderline with graphic content. HH read this, not me, and he calls it 'PG-13' according to the movie rating system. It probably isn't anything a 13 year old wouldn't see at the movies, but, you know, use your discretion. If it's a gift and you don't know how the parents feel, ask them first. Show a little respect. On the Enduring Romance Heat Level, I'd rank it as Sensual, but very well done.
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Anyway, on with the review.
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HEART OF THE RONIN is Fantasy inspired by and set in the Japanese Middle Ages and the author is a confessed Star Wars fan. If the ending doesn't please you, don't lose heart. This is the first in a trilogy.
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Ken'ishi is an orphan raised by a stork-like creature who taught him how to fight and the ways of the sword. Ken'ishi has no idea the sword in question belonged to his father. He grows up and sets out to find a lord to swear his loyalty too, because a warrior without a lord to be loyal to is nobody. On his wonders he meets up with a constable and is challenged in honorable combat. He defeats the older man, but the powers that be don't respect that it was honorable and so Ken'ishi flees.
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Ken'ishi encounters a beautiful Samarai's daughter, Kazuko, and her maid, and rescues them from attacking demons. The maid is injured. Ken'ishi and Kazuko carry the maid home on a stretcher and fall in love along the way.
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Once the they arrive to Kazuko's home, they find her father grateful for her rescue, but not at all pleased with their romance. Ken'ishi is just a Ronin, a warrior without loyalty to any lord. And the Samarai has arranged for Kazuko to marry someone else, a powerful lord more than twice her age. The husband-to-be isn't a bad guy, but, hey, she doesn't love him. The Samarai won't have Ken'ishi swear loyalty to him, because he knows Ken'ishi is in love with his daughter and will mess up the marriage he's arranged for her. This is the Japanese Middle Ages we're talking about and girls, especially noble ones, didn't get to marry who they wanted. It's her duty to marry who her father tells her to and dishonorable to refuse and all that. However, before the young couple are parted, they discover the difference between making love and just having sex.
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And so Ken'ishi is parted from the girl he loves and with no lord to be loyal to he is still a Ronin, a nobody.
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This book was released in February and should still be at Barnes & Noble. Here's the author's very cool website- http://www.travisheermann.com/

LONE RIDER BODYGUARD by Harper Allen

The next one's YA Fantasy, I swear. It's just that with all these awesome pregnancy hormones raging through me, I can't resist a Romance novel with a hunky guy and a baby on the cover. And I don't even read Romantic Suspense, which what this book is.
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Dang. Don't you just hate giving birth on the side of the road? Help finally arrives and he's the hottest guy you've ever seen. Well, I've given birth with the hottest guy I've ever seen beside me going on four times now, but he's my husband and I already know he can handle the blood and screaming. Poor Susannah's on the run, a new widow, and Tye shows up to catch the baby, but she doesn't know who the heck he is and nearly blows his brains out with her trusty revolver.
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Having helped deliver baby horses, Tye isn't too freaked out by the process. Susannah didn't really love the father of her baby, so she gives her son Tye's name for a middle name. He takes her to safety, but winds up coming to her rescue a few more times.
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Seems Susanna had a good reason not to love her husband, though she didn't realize it at the time. He was mixed up with some shady characters and now they're after her. She recovers from childbirth and a friend who took her in gets murdered coming after her. The bad guys almost kidnap the baby. And, goshdarnit, those awesome breastfeeding hormones are getting the better of her around Tye.
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The plot expands when some legendary dude named the Skinwalker appears to have an interest in her baby, a Navajo horse guy is discovered beaten up.
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The romantic tension lasts longer than many Romance novels, simply because the Heroine has just given birth and can't yet enjoy the physical act and the Hero is man enough to understand that. And so they find, ahem, other ways to make love in the meantime.
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Like I mentioned, I don't normally read Romantic Suspense, but this was a feel-good, heroic read with plenty of romantic tension, noble hearts, and a baby too. What a deal. Couldn't find a website for Harper Allen, but here's her bio at Harlequin- http://www.eharlequin.com/author.html?authorid=6

Thursday, May 7, 2009

THE BRIDE FINDER by Susan Carroll



The St. Leger men are cursed. Part of this curse says when it was time to mate, they will know it and they'll only have one shot at pairing up with their destined loves. If they blow that chance, they're out of luck. For all eternity.

Yeah, I know. No big pressure there!

To help them with this crucial task, they employ the Bride Finder, a man (or at least, it has always been a man) with a talent for finding the perfect mate for St. Leger men. Usually the two of them work as a tag team to sweet talk the bride into marrying into the crazy, I mean, cursed family.

Usually. Anatole St. Leger, the head of the family, believing himself unlovable, sends the Bride Finder out solo. He isn't good looking. He doesn't have a sparkling personality. He also isn't fussy about what the woman looks like as long as she's hardy (i.e. built in generous proportions – as he's a large, rough guy) and doesn't have red hair (as he foresees his doom being at the hand of a red haired woman).

The bride the Bride Finder returns with has… you guessed it, red hair and is a dainty little thing. She also believes that her groom-to-be is a dashingly, romantic poet-type figure.

So Anatole is torn. He recognizes immediately that she is his destined mate but he is also aware that she will be his downfall.

The Bride Finder, published a decade ago, is one of the early paranormals. The characters are rich and wonderful and oh-so-tortured. The story is Beauty and the Beast (my favorite storyline) with a twist. It also has one of my favorite lines. “The thrilling consciousness of having tamed something wild and dark to one’s side…” There's a reason it sits on my keeper shelf and has been re-read for years.

As far as I know, Susan Carroll doesn't have a website which is both quaint and irritating. There are at least two other books in the series (Midnight Bride and The Night Drifter). I haven't read them because these deal with the children of Anatole and Madeline and I'm not a big fan of reading about my fave characters getting older (or dying as the only way, Anatole's son can become head of the family is for his dad to die).