Book Review: Lullaby Road by James Anderson

I love a good thriller, and Lullaby Road by James Anderson is unlike any other I've read. It's a beautifully woven tale that moves at its own pace but keeps pulling you in with each turn of the page.

*Disclaimer: This book was sent to See, Shop, Love! via Blogging for Books.

The novel follows Ben Jones, a delivery man and long-haul trucker, during winter on Route 117 in the deserts of Utah. He's entrusted with the care of a small child (with another baby coming into the picture soon after) whose origins are not entirely clear.

What I loved most about this book is how beautiful the imagery was. I truly felt immersed in the setting, as if I was in Ben's truck with him as he went along his delivery route and interacted with all the eccentric people of the desert.

Since this book was classified as a thriller I was expecting a mystery or dramatic storyline to grab me from the get go, but that doesn't happen here. That's not to say that this book wasn't interesting, though. I just want to let it be known that if you're looking for an action-packed story this one will deliver, but just not at the speed you may be used to.

I think the pace perfectly fits the book. Meeting each character and going through the small subplots makes it feel more realistic. The climax comes towards the very end and it is gripping and disturbing. If you find yourself getting frustrated while reading this because you aren't sure where it's going, just keep reading, because the end is well worth the time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. James Anderson's writing is eloquent in its simplicity, and as previously stated, the imagery is beautiful. I've never been to the desert, but I could picture the open road and the small, run down towns that Ben visits clearly in my mind.

• Learn more about Lullaby Road
• Learn more about James Anderson

Bottom Line: Lullaby Road is a different kind of thriller, and it's refreshing. I highly recommend this book and I think anyone who likes a book that challenges you will enjoy it.

Book Review: The Massacre of Mankind by Stephen Baxter

I've been reading way more science fiction novels recently than I ever have in the past, and when I saw that The Massacre of Mankind continued where War of the Worlds, the H.G. Wells classic, left off, I had to read it.

*Disclaimer: This book was sent to See, Shop, Love! through Blogging for Books.

The Massacre of Mankind is written by Stephen Baxter and is the sequel to War of the Worlds, authorized by the H.G. Wells estate. Baxter is on of the U.K.'s most acclaimed science fiction writers and War of the Worlds is one of the most well-known classics, so I was very excited to start this book.

I was somewhat familiar with Stephen Baxter prior to reading this, as I had read his book Proxima. The writing style there was a bit different than in The Massacre of Mankind, as he was writing it in a style similar to its predecessor. I think he did a great job of keeping the voice of the original story while simultaneously creating a new tale.

All that being said, unfortunately I did not enjoy this book as much as I was hoping I would. It took me quite some time to read, partially because it is 482 pages long, but mostly because the story just didn't grab me. I kept waiting for that moment where you get completely sucked into a book, but it never happened. It was an entertaining read, but I didn't feel compelled to devour every page and chapter the way I have with some other books.

The story takes place 14 years after the initial invasion in War of the Worlds and follows Julie Elphinstone, a journalist and sister-in-law to Walter Jenkins (the narrator of War of the Worlds), as the martians return to Earth. Although I didn't love this book the way I was hoping I would, I still think anyone who considers themselves a science fiction fan should give it a try. Just because it was not quite to my liking certainly doesn't mean it was by any means bad or boring. You can clearly see the amount of work and passion that Stephen Baxter put into crafting this tale, and I did appreciate the balance between the style of War of the Worlds tied into this new story.

If you'd like to check out The Massacre of Mankind, you can read an excerpt here.

Book Review: The Tunnels by Greg Mitchell

My favorite subject in school was history and I love a good historical nonfiction book. The Tunnels by Greg Mitchell is an excellent read about events that took place in Berlin during the Cold War.

*Disclaimer: This book was sent via Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit that the Cold War is not a conflict I know much about. Of course, I know the basics and the things you learn about it in school, but I never delved deeper into it beyond that. The Tunnels was a great read because I learned about something I didn't know of previously, and any book that teaches you something while still being entertaining and interesting is my favorite type to read.

The Tunnels begins in the summer of 1962, the year after the Berlin Wall was constructed. A group of West Germans risked prison (or worse) by digging tunnels under the wall to help liberate friends, family, and strangers from East Berlin. It also talks about two documentaries funded by NBC and CBS about these daring escapes, and how President John F. Kennedy wanted to silence them so as to not spark any kind of confrontation with the Soviets.

What I loved most about this book is that even though it's nonfiction it read like a fiction story. By that I don't mean it seemed fake, but just that author Greg Mitchell did an amazing job of weaving the facts into a captivating narrative. I felt invested in the stories of the people who were involved with these tunnels and enjoyed learning about them, their motives, and their lives under Communist rule in East Berlin.

The book also had maps of Berlin and the tunnels at the beginning, as well as a section in the center with black and white photographs of the people involved. It was a fascinating read and really comprehensive.

• Learn more about The Tunnels and purchase a copy here
• Learn more about Greg Mitchell at his author page

Bottom Line: The Tunnels is an excellent book for history buffs and newbies alike. I think it was an accessible read and it really pulled me in from the get-go. If you're looking for a great story of real-life events, definitely pick this book up!

Book Review: Photographs From the Edge by Art Wolfe with Rob Sheppard

I love a good coffee table book. Browsing through big, beautiful photographs is really calming to me because I love immersing myself in the images. Photographs From the Edge by Art Wolfe showcases 40 years of Art's photography and includes plenty of stories behind all of the images.

*Disclaimer: This book was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review through Blogging for Books.

As soon as I saw the cover image for this book I knew I had to see more. I love nature photography, and Art Wolfe is one of the best nature photographers in the world. He's worked with National Geographic, Smithsonian, BBC Wildlife, and many more. Check out his biography page on the Random House site to learn more.

I couldn't wait to dig in to this book! It's a sturdy hardcover and would look great on any coffee table or bookshelf. The photographs are printed beautifully, but what I really like is how much background is given about each of the photos.

Some of the photographs are printed as two-page spreads, but most are layed out like the pages pictured above. As you can see, there's a full page of text where Art provides the story behind each photo. I loved reading about the places and subjects themselves. Just looking at the photos is a great experience, but knowing how each image was captured provides so much more depth. There's also a photo tip accompanying each image, which is great for any aspiring photographers.

Here's another shot of the text, to give you an idea of what you'll find inside the book. I also like that the technical specs are provided (underneath the title of the image).

The book features a total of 288 pages of photos and text, beginning with Art's work from the 1980s all the way up to 2015. Obviously all of his photos are spectacular, but it was interesting to see the progression of his style and subject matter, which he also talks about in the book's preface.

• Learn more about Photographs From the Edge

Bottom Line: Whether you're into photography as a hobby or just have an affinity for beautiful nature photos, you should definitely check out Photographs From the Edge! I loved browsing through all of the photos and learning the stories behind them made the whole experience even better.

Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion

I love to read and I've always been a fan of historical fiction. When I was contacted by St. Martin's Press about a new novel titled Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion by Jan Moran I was instantly intrigued because it is set during World War II.

*Disclaimer: A copy of the book was sent to See, Shop, Love! for review purposes.

One of my favorite time periods to read about is World War II, and I've been interested in military history and that era in general since middle school. I was interested in Scent of Triumph because it's set during WWII but the story was unlike any I had ever come across before!

Author Jan Moran

Jan Moran brings her extensive knowledge of perfuming to the forefront with this novel, which follows French perfumer Danielle Betancourt (I was also interested in this book because the protagonist and I share the same first name!) during the war. It begins with a bang, quite literally, but I don't want to give too much of the plot away. From there, Danielle's family is scattered across Europe as the war marches closer and closer to their doorsteps.

Danielle and her family eventually find themselves in Los Angeles during the 1940s, where she sets out to become a successful perfumer and designer to the stars. One of my favorite things about this novel was how well the author interwove the harsh realities of war with the glamour of Old Hollywood!

I found Scent of Triumph to be quite captivating and very interesting. It struck the perfect balance between historical fiction and romance, and I found myself rooting for Danielle as she created a new life for herself and her family.

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a great read, I recommend picking up Scent of Triumph by Jan Moran! I think it appeals to a wide variety of readers, so if you like history mixed with romance and heart, I don't think you will be disappointed by this wonderfully crafted story!

• Learn more about Scent of Triumph at the St. Martin's Press website
• Learn more about Jan Moran at her website

What do you think of Scent of Triumph? Does it sound like something you'd like to read?

Book Review: One Blink At A Time

I think that everyone on social media became aware of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this past summer.  If you haven't heard of it, it was a viral sensation where people filmed themselves being doused in ice water in order to raise awareness for ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).  If you were challenged by someone, you had 24 hours to film yourself being doused in ice, or you could choose to make a donation to ALS research.

I'll admit that when the whole craze was going on I thought it was a bit silly.  I thought, "What does pouring ice on yourself have to do with ALS?  Why not just make a donation?"  I figured that a monetary donation would surely do more in the end for those living with ALS than filming a video and posting it online.

But then I read One Blink At A Time by Ismail and Cheryl Tsieprati.  Ismail has been living with ALS for 30 years, and in his book he talked about what an amazing thing the Ice Bucket Challenge has been for ALS research.  Regardless of whether people donated or filmed a video, the fact that so many people participated really helped to spread awareness of the disease.  I was aware of ALS before I read the book, but Ismail pointed out that many people weren't until the Ice Bucket Challenge happened.  Many celebrities participated as well, which of course provided tons of exposure for the cause.  Ismail, Cheryl, and their friends Phil and Jane even filmed their own video, which you can view here!

Cheryl and Ismail with their friends Phil and Jane in January of 2014

I learned a lot about ALS through reading One Blink At A Time, and I even found an answer to my earlier question about what pouring cold water on yourself had to do with ALS.  Since ALS is a neurodegenerative disease, those afflicted lose control of the motor neurons in the brain.  Without the use of the motor neurons, the brain can no longer control the muscles, thus leading to muscle atrophy.  Ismail explains that he is always cold, even in 70 degree (Fahrenheit) weather because he does not have the muscle mass that a person without ALS has to keep him warm.  So, dumping cold water on yourself for just a few minutes creates a feeling that Ismail lives with constantly.

Ismail with his team of nurses and the Ismail's Supporters team mascot, "Lou"

Although one might be inclined to feel bad for someone living with a degenerative disease, Ismail and Cheryl don't want anyone to feel that way.  Ismail doesn't want people to feel bad for him because he says he has so much to live for.  Many people with ALS don't live long after their diagnosis, but Ismail has beat the odds and has been living with the disease for 30 years!  Cheryl, their doctors, and team of nurses provide excellent care for Ismail.  I could never imagine what it would be like to have ALS or care for someone who does, but I'm thankful I was able to read their stories because they taught me so much.

I think it's also important to realize that people with ALS do not lose control of their minds.  Their motor neurons aren't firing anymore, but that doesn't mean they aren't as intelligent as they were before their diagnosis.  In one of the chapters Cheryl tells of a time when a doctor kept asking her questions about Ismail and his medical history, even though Ismail was fully capable of answering them himself.  He told the doctor, "I am not stupid. You are stupid."  It can be awkward or uncomfortable to be around someone in a wheelchair or otherwise, but it goes a long way to treat them as you would like to be treated, regardless of their condition.

Cheryl and Ismail

Cheryl and Ismail developed an "eye blink" system that allows Ismail to communicate with her and his nurses even though he has become paralyzed, hence the title of the book.  He blinks once for "yes," twice for "no," and they also have a letter chart he uses to spell out words.  He wrote his chapters of the book using this system.  I can imagine that using this system takes a lot of dedication and patience for everyone involved.  I'm thankful that Cheryl and Ismail developed it, otherwise this book may not exist otherwise!

• Learn more about Ismail and Cheryl and purchase a copy of their book at OneBlinkAtATime.com
• Follow Ismail on Facebook and read more at their blog

Bottom Line: I don't want to give away too much of the book because I think everyone should read it.  Ismail and Cheryl are doing great work in spreading the word about ALS, and profits from each sale of the book will be donated to ALS research.  Even though they don't like to be called heroes, I think Ismail and Cheryl are just that because of all of the work they do to spread awareness about ALS, and the fact that they cherish what's important in life.  Luckily they have an amazing support system, and I hope that this blog post will encourage some people to purchase the book!  Not only is it a great read, but you'll help fund ALS research through your purchase as well!

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Blue Point Books. Press sample received for review purposes.

Whip Smart: Lola Montez Stars a Revolution Review

I don't often post book reviews here, but I've always been an avid reader.  I love reading all different types of books, from military history nonfiction to fantasy and science fiction novels.  One genre I've always enjoyed, even since I was a kid, is historical fiction.  Whip Smart: Lola Montez Stars a Revolution by Kit Brennan fits perfectly into that category and is a really fun read!

The Whip Smart series is based on the life of Eliza Gilbert, a young dancer who became Lola Montez.  She was known as "The Sensation of Europe" and charmed her way into different seats of power during the 19th century.  Lola Montez Starts a Revolution is the third book in this series.

Kit Brennan was inspired by Lola Montez's story and wanted to tell of her real-life adventures to the modern audience.  She was a strong, independent woman, the type of character who always makes for an interesting read.  In this book, Lola has perfected her Spanish dance and is using her moves to her full advantage.  She travels through Europe seducing men, including King Ludwig I of Bavaria (or Luis, as she comes to know him as).

But the book isn't just about Lola's romances; while she is having her affair with Luis she becomes the target of a witch hunt.  Now she's faced with the challenge of saving herself and the man she loves, since the city becomes entrenched in social upheaval at the same time.  

I thought this book was a really great read!  Kit Brennan does a great job of pulling you in to Lola's story, and she quickly establishes her protagonist as a feisty heroine that the reader can really root for.  I found Lola to be intelligent and relatable, even though on the surface she's much more adventurous than I am!  What I could relate to was her strong personality--she uses her beauty to charm the men around her, but she's also incredibly "Whip Smart" and is in control of herself and her surroundings.

• Learn more about Kit Brennan and the Whip Smart series at her website

Bottom Line: I would say that this book would make a great beach read, but it's winter and here in Rochester we don't go to the beach when it's snowing.  So instead, I'll say it's a great book to cozy up with on a cold night!  It's an entertaining page-turner and I think all readers will be able to cheer for Lola.

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.  Press sample received for review purposes.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and "Praying in Rome"

I don't usually post about books, but when this opportunity came along from Blogging For Books, it piqued my interest.  Cardinal Timothy Dolan was recently on The Colbert Report, a show that I don't personally watch but I know is popular with a lot of people.  I'm a practicing Catholic, and my faith is always evolving.  I know not everyone agrees with the church's stance on a lot of things, but I believe that religion is deeply personal, and that identifying with a sect doesn't necessarily mean you agree with every single decree.


That being said, I watched some of Cardinal Dolan's appearance and I liked that he was good humored and entertaining.  I think it shows that religion doesn't always have to be stiff and serious.  You can watch his interview below:



Praying in Rome contains Cardinal Dolan's personal reflections on his time in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis earlier this year and is available in e-book form.  You can purchase a copy at the Image Books website.

*Disclaimer: I received a free book in exchange for this post, sponsored by Blogging For Books.  I was not monetarily compensated.

Howard B. Wigglebottom Review [CLOSED]

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I received a copy of Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship: Winning Isn't Everything to review through Mom Blog Society.  Being selected for this review and giveaway made me smile because I've checked out Howard B. Wigglebottom and the We Do Listen foundation previously after learning about them on other blogs, but being able to review a hardcover copy of one of their books was really great!

I shared this book with my cousin, who is 7 years old.  Aside from our mutual love of bunnies, I thought it would be great to share with her because she's active in sports.  I didn't even know this before receiving the book, but the story centers around Howard and his soccer team, and my cousin plays soccer.  I think she really enjoyed the fact that "her" sport was featured in the book.  When I asked her what her favorite part was, she said the ending because Howard and his team worked together to win.

This book introduces children (targeted at ages 4-8) to the concepts of respect, camaraderie, teamwork, and the joy of playing the game.  It was created by the We Do Listen Foundation, which is a non-profit group of writers, artists, educators, parents, caregivers, and teachers who share a vision of a world where life is harmonious for all.  They provide resources such as the Howard B. Wigglebottom books to convey these lessons to the young minds of society.

What I especially like about the We Do Listen Foundation is that they also provide plenty of free resources for parents and children!  The Howard book I received retails for $15, which is a fair price for the excellent quality, but not everyone has extra money around so the free resources on the foundation's website are still great for all types of uses.  Such resources include, but aren't limited to, posters, songs, and animated books.  Currently, the hardcover books are on sale for only $6 (or you can buy all 10 for $50) at the We Do Listen website.

Bottom Line: The Howard B. Wigglebottom series of books and online resources is a dynamic way to empower children to be well-rounded and conscientious people.  The book itself was well-written and beautifully illustrated.  I highly recommend checking out the We Do Listen Foundation and Howard B. Wigglebottom for yourself and your young one(s)!

• Visit the We Do Listen Foundation and browse the whole line of Howard B. Wigglebottom books and online resources
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

If you're interested in winning a copy of one of the Howard B. Wigglebottom books then enter my giveaway after the "read more!"

Blue Honeycreepers: Volume 1 Review

I have a confession to make: I am a total bird nerd!  I love birds and everything about them.  I'm really just a beginner, but that just means there is so much more information out there for me to learn.  My interest in birds began when I was younger and my dad would take my brothers and I out on nature walks.  I feel blessed to have woods in my backyard, which always meant there was plenty of wildlife to observe.

When I stumbled across the Blue Honeycreepers: Volume 1 book by Deborah Carney and Vinny O'Hare, I was interested in learning more because I don't know much at all about Honeycreepers.  This coffee table book is full of gorgeous photographs and information about Red-legged and Yellow-legged Honeycreepers.

I learned that "Blue" Honeycreepers are actualy referred to by the color of their legs, and sometimes known as Sugarbirds.  Deborah titled the book "Blue" because of the brilliant blue plumage that male Honeycreepers possess.  Their scientific names are Cyanerpes cyaneus (Red-legged) and Cyanerpes caeruleus (Yellow-legged).  I also learned that the main reason why I had never heard of them before is because they're indigenous to tropical areas from southern Mexico to Peru, Bolivia, central Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Cuba.  I'm a resident of western New York and have never been outside of the country other than north to Canada, so no Honeycreeper sightings for me!

The photographs in this book really impressed me.  I also enjoy photography and consider myself to be at the intermediate level.  I've shot backyard birds before, and it's no easy feat.  You need to have high-quality equipment and a trained eye to be able to catch birds living out their natural tendencies.  The Honeycreepers remind me a bit of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds I see frequently because they eat similar foods: nectars, fruits, and insects.

• Learn more about Blue Honeycreepers
• Purchase a copy of the 36 page book for $12.99 on Amazon
• Enter to win a free print copy of Blue Honeycreepers

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed looking through the PDF version of Blue Honeycreepers!  I would love to get my hands on a print copy, because I bet the photographs are even more beautiful up close on the page.  The book is the perfect mix of informative text and lovely pictures.

Fit Moms For Life Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]

I was recently approached to host a review and giveaway for Fit Moms For Life, by Dustin Maher, America's Trainer To Moms.  When I got the initial email about the review, I wasn't sure I was qualified because I'm not a mom.  But Dustin's program, while targeted towards moms, is applicable for women of all ages, so I figured it would be interesting to learn more.

The title of Dustin's book is Fit Moms For Life: How to Have Endless Energy to Outplay Your Kids.  He believes in an approach to fitness that is "well-founded and sustainable, and one busy moms can fit into their lives."  His program is built on five pillars of health: mindset, nutrition, strength training, burst training, and environment.  The book then includes stories from 31 moms who have used Dustin's program.

I think this book has a lot of great information for someone who is looking to start a fitness regimen.  It was less informative for me, because I have been interested in fitness and have learned a lot of helpful tips from my own mom, coincidentally.  Either way, Dustin's program is easy to follow and I think anyone with a busy schedule, mom or otherwise, would definitely benefit from his book.  It contains information on proper eating habits (which I found especially useful), exercises, and inspiration from women who have succeeded through his program.

• Learn more about Dustin and his program at his website
• Connect with Dustin on Twitter
• Visit Dustin's Facebook pages: I Love Being a Mom and Fit Moms For Life

Bottom Line: The Fit Moms For Life program is an easy and informative way for busy people to stay healthy!

Dustin's team has generously offered a book to one of my readers, so if this sounds like something you'd like to try, then enter here to win a copy for yourself!  You can do so by using the Rafflecopter form behind the "read more."

Sleeper's Run by Henry Mosquera Review

This is the first book review I've ever posted, and (in my opinion), it's a good one.  I just finished reading Sleeper's Run by Henry Mosquera, which is classified in the "political thriller" genre.  I found it to be action-packed, fast-paced throughout most of the story, and really interesting.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot, because I think the book is the most exciting when you don't know what's coming.  It's about a man named Eric Caine, who unbeknownst to him, becomes embedded in a political agenda.  Caine is a former Special Operations airman in the Air Force and IT specialist, and throughout the novel he utilizes his quick wits, intelligence, and combat skills to evade his enemies.

This book was a real page-turner for me.  It started out a bit slow, but after about 30 or so pages the plot really picks up.  The middle chunk has tons of twists and turns, which makes it exciting.  Even though there are a lot of plot twists, I still found that the story was easy to follow.  It started to slow down a bit for me in the last 100 pages, but it was never boring.  I found the ending to be slightly predictable, but it wasn't unsatisfactory.  I was especially interested in Eric Caine's story because I've always been interested in military/political type stories.

The only real gripe I had about this story was that it switched points of view.  The English major in me would have preferred a more fluid story told from only one perspective, instead of jumping from Caine's point of view to an omniscient narrator, and back to Caine again.

• Learn more about Sleeper's Run at the book's website
• Connect on Facebook and Twitter

The novel is 350 pages long, and available for purchase on Amazon.com, Kindle, iBookstore, Nook, Sony Reader, and Kobo.  It costs $9.99 for paperback, $2.99 for ebook.  Below are the ISBNs:

ISBN: 978-0615505442 paperback
978-1-937563-05-9 MOBI
978-1-937563-06-6 EPUB

Bottom Line: I highly suggest reading Sleeper's Run if you're a fan of thrillers.  If you like stories like the Bourne movies, I think you'll really like this.  It's a great read and really intriguing.



Check out the trailer for Sleeper's Run


More about the author...from Henry Mosquera's profile:

I'm a writer and artist born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I attended the University of Miami, Florida, where I obtained a double major in Graphic Design and Film. As a writer, I enjoy researching my novels extensively, including gaining first-hand knowledge of some of my characters' skills. I currently reside in Los Angeles with my wife, dog and cat. Sleeper’s Run is my first novel.


*Disclaimer: I received an ebook copy of Sleeper's Run from Henry Mosquera free to facilitate my review. I was selected to review this novel through Business 2 Blogger and will receive a $10 stipend for posting a review on my blog, on Amazon.com, and BarnesAndNoble.com. The honest opinions here are entirely my own.