Review: The Pain Eater

The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this book down. It is not an easy subject matter. It is definitely not an easy book to read. I do think it is an important one. It is one I would tell friends to read with their teenagers and talk about it. It is one that I would tell those moms and dads listen carefully and with an open, no judgment mind when they talk to their teenager. Nothing will be easy about that. The act and what happened after will make you uncomfortable. Listening to your child may make you, and them, uncomfortable. That’s okay because that is how you know growth and change are not only possible but happening. Read this book. Talk about it. Pass it on.

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Review: Starboard Secrets

Starboard Secrets by Hope Callaghan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really had fun with this book. I thought it was humorous. I really like Millie. No. I think I love her. She has so many good qualities including a fantastic sense of humor. I did wish she would stop saying her name is Mildred but call me Millie. Fair warning: this is another cozy where it may not be for you, if you aren't willing to suspend reality. I can easily do that and so I had fun. I'm looking forward to reading more!

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Review: Final Sentence

Final Sentence by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed it but there were things that bothered me. I would actually rate this a 3.5 because of them. I didn't really understand the how and why of some scenes. I don't want to give away anything but there were 2 things that happened that needed better explanations. One involved Jenna's husband and the other her dad. Little by little I did understand it more but I think it started too vague.
I enjoy cooking and love cookbooks. This book has a lot of references to them. That was fun for me. I enjoyed trying to match mine with those mentioned. I thought it was funny that Jenna really has no idea about cooking. It just goes to show that partners in a business may have different roles and experience to offer in making a business successful. If you are the type of reader who wants their story absolutely grounded in reality, this might not be the best fit. I suspended reality and just enjoyed the story. I can't say if I really like Jenna or not. I think she needs a bit more development. However I love Aunt Vera who I thought was fun. I am looking forward to seeing this series develop. I liked the concept of the cookbook shop and the culinary classes. I enjoyed the references to the entertainment industry. That was fun to see. I had an enjoyable night with it.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Facebook. A review was not required or requested.

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Review: The House that Death Built

The House that Death Built by John Llewellyn Probert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It wasn't what I was expecting but I did enjoy it a lot. I was expecting it to be a bit scarier, though I did find it scary. I wasn't expecting how funny it was. The dialogue was truly awesome. Perhaps that is what kept it from being too scary for me. If you are looking for a haunted house to spend a chilly, dreary day in, get this book. I read it on a windy night and the howling wind just made the atmosphere perfect!

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Review: Haunted Inside Passage: Ghosts, Legends, and Mysteries of Southeast Alaska

Haunted Inside Passage: Ghosts, Legends, and Mysteries of Southeast Alaska by Bjorn Dihle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Interesting book about hauntings in Alaska's Inside Passage which includes Juneau, where I live. I was very happy to read the stories told by Renee Hughes, a Juneau local. All the stories were fun to read. Some I had heard of but did not know the full story. I loved reading the history about the sightings and the areas. Definitely a book you want to read if you are interested in ghost sighting and folklore in Southeast Alaska. I would recommend it!

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Review: Good Naked: Reflections on How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier

Good Naked: Reflections on How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier by Joni B. Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have wanted to write since I was a child in school. It seems like there was always another world going on in my head. I wrote out some stories in school. As life went on I continued to write but not sharing. I never thought I was good enough or knew enough to truly write. This book was perfect for me! I used an entire pad of sticky notes. Page after page have little pink squares on them. There is a wealth of information in between the covers. The best part? It is written so you understand and are encouraged. You are encouraged to take the writing class. You are encouraged to write. You are encouraged to share what you write. You are told not everyone will like it. You are told you probably won't be great. You are told to write anyway. The author is herself a writing instructor as well as author. She truly gives a solid look at writing. More important she gives a solid look at being happy writing. It is the most motivational and helpful writing book, I have read. You come away encouraged and ready to start writing. You may have already started by doing the exercises in the book. I did which is why it took so long to finish the book. In honesty, I am not done with it. I don't think I will ever be done with it. I keep going back and over things and doing the exercises mentioned, this way then that way. If you write, want to write, are intimidated to write, buy this book. You will grow from it and will probably use it over and over.
I was offered this book for review purposes. Thank you to Joni B. Cole for providing a copy of it for an honest review. I am giving copies for Christmas to a my son and a few others who want to write but aren't confident. I know they will find it to be a writer's treasure.

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Review: Strange Weather

Strange Weather by Joe Hill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed Joe Hill books before. He does horror very well.
Strange Weather is a collection of four short stories. My favorite was Loaded. All of the stories were good creepy reads. Not the horror I was expecting but I enjoyed the book the same. The stories are the kind of scary that creeps up on you. You know something is wrong. Then, 'bam!' there it is. Different from what you expected so you are surprised at the turn of events. I truly enjoyed that.
The stories are not connected so you can read them in whatever order you choose. All of them will offer you an escape into another place, not necessarily away from reality though. I don't do spoilers and, with short stories, I'd rather you read them. Especially these. Grab the book and settle in. If your on a plane, you might choose 'Aloft'. I think that would be heart stopping.
Thank you to William Morrow Books for the giveaway. I am so excited to have won this amazing book!

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