Goodreads.com

I love it. Really love it. And what's more, if you want to keep up even better on what I'm reading, and what I've read, you can become my friend on Goodreads! Now, I review virtually every book I read right here, on Austenitis. But there, you can see what I'm actually currently reading, read short reviews of what I'm reading, and see a 1-5 star rating. Plus, once you're my friend, I can see what you're reading too! What's not to love?

Goodness, this really sounds like an ad. It's not. I just really like this website. :) Oh, and they have reading challenges and bookshelves that you can put on your blog! I have both on here. :) So check out http://www.goodreads.com/! I think you can click here to go to my profile. Let me know if it doesn't work.

Oh, another great Goodreads thing: they have quizzes and trivia questions! They are SO much fun to do...I've wasted, er, used a lot of time on them. :) So check it out!

***Added bonus:***  Giveaway coming up, remember? You can get at least one extra entry IF you're my friend on Goodreads!

In the Camps: Teens who Survived the Nazi Concentration Camps

Author: Toby Axelrod

Genre: Holocaust

Series: Teen Witnesses to the Holocaust (but I'm not sure it's a series, rather a set)

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Non-fiction, children's book (technically. See below)

Number of pages: 64

Time period: 1940's, World War II

My overall opinion: It's a book with pictures about teens who survived the concentration camps! I'd really not say it's for young readers, but I found it very interesting.

The Bridge

Author: Jeri Massi

Genre: I'm not actually sure? Maybe fantasy

Series: Bracken Trilogy

Number in series: 1st, I think

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 116

Time period: Fantasy

Main characters: The Princess, the Woman, Herron, others

Exciting events: Escaping the bad guys...

My overall opinion: It was okay. I won't re-read it. But there was nothing bad in it.

Not My Will

Author: Francena H. Arnold

Genre: Life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 262

Time period: Early 1900's

Main characters: Eleanor

My overall opinion: Another good story! I really don't know what to say about it except that it's perfectly clean and altogether good.

Mother

Author: Kathleen Norris

Genre: Family, life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5

Type: Fiction, story with a moral

Number of pages: 202

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Margaret

My overall opinion: A sweet story with a moral. A young girl goes out to try the world and returns a wiser woman.

Movie: The Taming of the Shrew

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Main characters: Petruchio, Katharina

Genre: Comedy, romance

Primary actors: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton

Length: About 2 hours.

Based on: The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare

Time period: 1500's

Exciting events: Chases and taming

Quote(s): Of all things living, a man's the worst!

Year it came out: 1967

My overall opinion: It's a good movie! There are some things that aren't for young viewers, and I recommend that you read about it here before watching. I'd say have your parents watch it first just in case. And the dresses are very immodest...well, like they are on the cover. I suppose they could be worse. However, it follows Shakespeare's story and is very fun!

Song: You're Still You

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Singer: Josh Groban

Type of music: Goodness, no idea

Length: 3:40

My overall opinion: I enjoyed this song. :) Sure, when you really think about it, the words are a bit silly, but I still recommend it. I don't know if it's on youtube or not, but you can check!

Iron Thunder

Author: Avi

Genre: Adventure

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: 192

Time period: Civil War

Main characters: Tom Carroll, Ericsson

Exciting events: The battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac! Is that exciting enough?

Passage from book: Yes, we often missed the Merrimac, but again and again we struck her dead-on. But though she kept losing her flag (and replacing it), and despite our close range barrage, she didn't retreat. Nor did we. And with neither ironclad retreating, the battle thundered on.

My overall opinion: Wow, way to get me interested in those two ships like never before! How much do you know about them? Unless you're an expert, this book is an enlightening one! Very interesting.

Cannons of the Comstock

Author: Brock and Bodie Thoene

Genre: Western, adventure

Series: Saga of the Sierras

Number in series: 5th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 203

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Tom, Mont

Exciting events: Mont (age 9) is captured, Tom is shot at, much more!

Passage from book: From the shadows at the sides of the room, two more blackshirts rushed forward. They seized Mont and carried him suspended by the arms out of the room through a door behind the platform. Once in another dim passage, they opened a heavy oak door and threw him in.

My overall opinion: This one was definitely better than the last one! It had some very unique twists to it. :)

The Boys' Sherlock Holmes

Author: A. Conan Doyle (technically, Sir Arthur)

Genre: Mystery

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 336

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Sherlock Holmes, Watson

Exciting events: Chases, escapes, stories, so much more

Passage from book: "It was easier to know it than to explain why I know it. If you were asked to prove that two and two made four, you mgiht find some difficulty, and yet you are quite sure of the fact. Even across the street I could see a great, blue anchor tattooed on the back of the fellow's hand. That smacked of the sea. He had a military carriage, however, and regulation side-whiskers. There we have the marine. He was a mn with some amount of self-importance and a certain air of command. You must have observed the way in which he held his head and swung his cane. A steady, respectable, middle-aged man, too, on the face of him -- all facts which led me to believe that he had been a sergeant."

My overall opinion: I really enjoyed this book! It's got a variety of great Sherlock Holmes stories, which is always fun. Oh, btw, Sherlock Holmes is obviously the one speaking above, explaining to Watson how he knew what a certain man was.

Promise Me Tomorrow

Author: Lori Wick

Genre: Romance

Series: Rocky Mountain Memories series

Number in series: 4th and final

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 553 (but mine was large-print)

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Rusty, Chase

My overall opinion: Note: mine had a different cover. :) I loved this book! As well as the others in the series. I really recommend it. :)

Wall of Fire

Author: Gilbert Morris

Genre: Life

Series: The Appomattox Saga

Number in series: 7th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 338

Time period: Civil War, 1800's

Main characters: Mark, Allyn, Jason  --- Allyn is the girl, pronounced Ay-leen, weird, I know

Exciting events: War, injuries, bombs, boats, much more

My overall opinion: I am enjoying this series so much! While this one didn't become my favorite from the series, it certainly was a good one and I recommend it!

Stars in Their Courses

Author: Gilbert Morris

Genre: Romance, adventure

Series: The Appomattox Saga

Number in series: 8th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 302

Time period: Civil War, 1800's

Main characters: Frank, Carmen, Lorna

Exciting events: Spying...!

Passage from book: A pale white sun poured heat over the ditch where the six sweat-soaked soldiers crouched. From time to time one of the Federal cannon would fire, and the men would blink and look upward. Sometimes it was possible to actually see the missile or at least a faint black line, as it scored the summer sky. When it struck with a muffled whump, they would all relax. That was when one of their own cannon fired; but when a shell rose from one of the Confederate batteries, that was a different story!

My overall opinion: Another unique story in this series! Recommended. :)

Song: Wild Horses

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Susan Boyle

Type of music: Opera? Can you tell I'm terrible at choosing a type of music? ;)

Length: Over 4 minutes.

My overall opinion: This is the first song on Susan Boyle's I Dreamed a Dream CD, and it has become one of my favorites, second only to I Dreamed a Dream itself. Really a great song! I think you could find it on youtube without a problem! I'm short on time at the moment, so you'll have to do it yourself. :)

Sequoia Scout

Author: Brock and Bodie Thoene

Genre: Western, adventure

Series: Saga of the Sierras

Number in series: 4th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 239

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Will

Exciting events: Tons!

Passage from book: When Will Reed came to his senses, he looked up into the low ceiling of the tiny brush shelter and knew immediately where he was. But when he tried to leap to his feet, he discovered that both his hands and legs were bound with rawhide thongs. His lunge upward accomplished only a clumsy lurch, and he fell forward on another man. "Get off me," screamed Aubrey, "my leg's broke!"

My overall opinion: I'll say it up front: I was disappointed in this book. Most of the Thoene's books I have loved, as y'all know, but this one...there was some weird stuff in it. Don't get me wrong, there wasn't immorality or anything, but some of the phrasing was a little hard to understand. And, what's worse (almost), the picture on the front is SO unnatural. No real Western man would ever sit on his horse like that. Just sayin'. :)

Song: Amazing Grace

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Singer: Hayley Westenra

Type of music: Opera? Classical?

Length: 3:40

Lyrics: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, // That saved a wretch, like me! // I once was lost, but now am found // Was blind but now I see.

My overall opinion: HW's rendition of this is stunning and so beautiful! One of my favorite versions of Amazing Grace. Worth buying!

Red Bird

Author: Stephanie Grace Whitson

Genre: Romance, life

Series: Prairie Winds

Number in series: 3rd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 276

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Carrie, Soaring Eagle

Passage from book: Everett Higgenbottom indeed! Perched on the edge of her chair on the lawn of Chouteau Preparatory School in St. Louis, Missouri, Carrie Brown made a tiny motion with her left hand to ward Everett off. He had leaned forward to whisper to her, but when she raised one tiny gloved hand, he sat back abruptly...

My overall opinion: I am falling in love with how Stephanie Grace Whitson writes. It really draws you in and I love it! Highly recommended.

The Envoy

Author: Alex Kershaw

Genre: Holocaust

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Non-fiction

Number of pages: 230, plus another 64 of appendix, notes, bibliography

Time period: 1940's, World War II

Main characters: Raoul Wallenberg

Exciting events: Rescue!

Passage from book: The two men, wearing suits taken from murdered Dutchmen, scrambled out from their hiding place beneath a pile of wood and into the cold Polish night. For a second or so, the two men sat on the pile of wood and looked back at the most notorious death camp in history -- Auschwitz. "The brilliant lights painted a soft yellow patch in the darkness," recalled one of the men, twenty-year-old Rudolf Vrba, "giving the whole place a mysterious aura that was almost beautiful. We, however, knew it was a terrible beauty, that in those barracks, people were dying, people were starving, people were intriguing, and murder lurked around every corner."

My overall opinion: Oh. My. Word. What a book! Raoul Wallenberg is said to have rescued far more Jews than Oscar Schindler, and he got less benefit from it too. Schindler had his Jews work for him. Anyway, if you're interested in the Holocaust at all, this is a must-read! As you know, the Holocaust is sad, heavy material, so it's not for young readers, but it is an amazing book. Definitely a recommended book!

The Shadow of His Wings

Author: Gilbert Morris

Genre: Romance, life, war

Series: The Appomattox Saga

Number in series: 6th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 270

Time period: 1800's, Civil War

Main characters: Lowell, Rooney, Josh, Rena

Exciting events: War!

Passage from book: Rooney stood in the fragile wicker basket, watching as the bag began to swell. Soon it was a small mound, and then it swung upright. She stared upward at the swaying canopy and then heard Lowell call out, "Let go -- slowly, now!" The basket jerked, causing her to grab wildly at the rim, but then there was a smoothness and she knew she was seperated from earth!

My overall opinion: Wow, I'm really enjoying this series. This one was about a guy (and his helper) who built one of the first hot air balloons, planning to use it for spying. However, there's a tragic accident...and to learn more, you'll have to read the riveting book.
For some reason, I think I should say that I don't completely approve (for those of you who actually read it) of the way Clay and Melora behave together before marrying. I think they go a little too far, too passionate. Just sayin'. That makes no sense, probably. What I mean is, I don't know why I'm mentioning it. It's not dirty or anything, it's just not what I would have done.

To Know Her by Name

Author: Lori Wick

Genre: Romance

Series: Rocky Mountain Memories series

Number in series: 3rd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 588 (but it was large-print)

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: McKay, Pup/Callie

Exciting events: Capture, escape, intrigue...

Passage from book: Feeling she had nothing to lose, Pup boldly took the wig that still hung from Duncan's fingers and put it back on her head. Again the banker was impressed but tried not to show it. A moment later, she was taken away, each of the men at the door holding one of her arms. Escape was impossible. Nelson led them upstairs. He did nothing to disguise his loathing as he opened a bedroom door and watched her walk in. He slammed it a little too loudly, and Pup listened to the turn of th key. This was no time to lose her head, but her knees suddenly turned to water. She sank down on the nearest chair, her mind racing with what she should do next.

My overall opinion: That's part of the capture. I'm absolutely adoring this series and recommend it to anyone over 14! :)

Lando

Author: Louis L'Amour

Genre: Western

Series: Well, it's not exactly in a series. Unless....I'll say it's in The Sacketts series.

Number in series: 5th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 156

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Lando, the Tinker, Caffrey, Marsha

Exciting events: Gun fights, fist fights, all the "normal" Louis things

Passage from book: His lips curled from his teeth and the whip drew back for a mighty blow at my face. Those wire-twisted whipends would tear at my eyes. His own hatred had mastered him -- I saw it in his face...

My overall opinion: Louis L'Amour writes the most amazing western fiction. And there's usually a VERY light romance in each book too. ;) But his writing style is fantastic, though there are fairly frequent editing errors. Still a worth-while read!

We. Are. There!

I have 25 followers! A special thanks to Tasha, the 25th. :) I'm not sure when we'll start the giveaways, so keep your eyes open! It will probably be either the week of the 20th or the week of April 3rd. We'll see. :) Coming soon! Get excited, there are some great things coming!

Liberty Letters: Elizabeth Walton and Abigail Matthews

Author: Nancy LeSourd

Genre: Life

Series: Liberty Letters

Number in series: I get the impression it's more of a set of books, letters from various time periods between approx. 13 year old girls.

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: 244

Time period: 1600's

Main characters: Elizabeth, Abigail

Exciting events: Several!

My overall opinion: Well, the only reason I really gave it a lower rating is because it didn't really hold my interest. But some of that may be because it was aimed at girls younger than me. It's a book of letters between the pioneer Abigail and the British Elizabeth from about 1610.

Soaring Eagle

Author: Stephanie Grace Whitson

Genre: Life, romance

Series: Prairie Winds series

Number in series: 2nd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 297

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: LisBeth, David, Jim, Soaring Eagle

Exciting events: Serious injuries, long journeys by wagon

Passage from book: "Are they all killed?" Sitting Bull asked. Soaring Eagle dismounted and approached the chief. "Wicunkasotapelo! (We killed them all!)" Sitting Bull nodded and turned away. "Then let's go back to camp." Soaring Eagle held in his dancing pony and followed Sitting Bull to where the women scurried about treating their wounded and erecting scaffolds for their dead.

My overall opinion: I am so enjoying the way SG Whitson writes! It's really delightful and great reading. Highly recommended!

Quick Explanatory Post

...just to tell you all that I am still reading books like crazy and reviewing them too. But the reviews aren't being published as quickly because I've been having trouble putting in pictures. I've got something like 16 reviews in my drafts, so look for a bunch of them coming soon! And thank you for your patience. :) Oh, FYI, if you want to keep up with me better...check out goodreads.com! It's really terrific, I love it. You may have noticed I have a goodreads bookshelf and I'm doing the book challenge. If you just click on my name on the bookshelf where it's a link, you can become my friend. :) I highly recommend that you get on goodreads! I love it. :)

Birthday Blog is READY!!!!

Yes, you read that right! The Birthday Blog is up and running and I'm terribly happy with how it's turning out! Click here to check it out and give me your opinion! I love knowing what you think! :)

Among the King's Soldiers

Author: Gilbert Morris, Aaron McCarver

Genre: Life, romance

Series: Spirit of Appalachia

Number in series: 3rd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 298

Time period: 1700's, Revolutionary War

Main characters: Sarah, Jacob, Seth, Amanda

My overall opinion: A good one! Loving this series. :)

Walks the Fire

Author: Stephanie Grace Whitson

Genre: Life, romance

Series: Prairie Winds series

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 301

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Jesse, Rides the Wind, others

Exciting events: Capture by Indians, bad Indians, good Indians, much more

My overall opinion: Great book! I really enjoyed it a lot. Definitely recommended!

Song: Backwoods Boy

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 10

Singer: Josh Turner

Type of music: Country, I think

Length: 3:42

Lyrics: Woke up at 5 a.m., put on my camouflage // Wiped off my .243 and fired up my Dodge // Headed out to my ol' deerstand back in the pines // Gonna get me a ten point buck with 11 inch tines. // Cause I'm a backwoods boy, grew up on a dirt road, // I'm a backwoods boy with no better place to go // Waitin' on a deer, wishin' on a star, I'll always be true to my heart // Cause I'm a backwoods boy, I'm a backwoods boy.

My overall opinion: I absolutely love this song. :) *melts in a puddle* ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e17I__jp9c&feature=related

Out of the Whirlwind

Author: Gilbert Morris

Genre: Romance, war, life

Series: The Appomattox Saga

Number in series: 5th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 316

Time period: Civil War

Main characters: Burke, Grace, others

Exciting events: Memory loss because of war, fighting, unknown identity...

Passage from book: [Suddenly he was] trapped in a fierce melee and began clubbing with his musket as the blue-clad men rushed toward the position. He was striking furiously when a thunderous sound came from overhead, and Burke Rocklin's world suddenly exploded into a million points of pain -- and a fathomless darkness.

My overall opinion: Wow, another unique book in this series! Each one has such exciting and unique twists to it. :) This one included a Quaker, a soldier, a socialite and much more.

Question for ALL!

If you are a reader of this blog, I'm asking you to vote in the poll I'm puttting up right now on my sidebar. Here's the general idea: I love knowing who has a birthday when. For example, I share my birthday with the former President James Garfield. Very interesting. ANYWAY, I thought it would be kind-of fun to post a blog where I would post...probably not more than once a week, but maybe, with the birthdays of famous people including presidents and authors, primarily. Also, if you have a blog and I follow it, you can tell me and I'll do a special "presentation" about your blog.

Explaining again: for each person with a birthday that week, I'd do a post. Or I might do one big post per week with all the people in it, I'm not sure yet. For the authors, I'd include their name (naturally) and the books that they wrote that I've read. I might link back here for the ones I've reviewed. I did a post similar to this on Jules Verne's birthday (click here). Also a few facts about them. Like I did on that post. So my question: would a blog like that interest you? Vote in the poll on the sidebar, then tell me why you voted for what you did. Agreed? Good. :)

Oh, first, a little more on the blog thing. I think it would be something like an advertisement for your blog. I realize this is a little comical, I'm a small-time blogger in the blogging world. However, I do have some readers. ;) Thank you, readers. So...I would link to your blog, maybe interview you (?), link to a few posts of yours that I like...all of this is very tentative. I'm typing as I think of it. So, tell me what you think about my newest idea!

FYI, I want 24 votes in that poll. Which means you ALL HAVE TO VOTE. Including me. So I will.

Gold Rush Prodigal

Author: Brock and Bodie Thoene

Genre: Adventure, western

Series: Saga of the Sierras

Number in series: 3rd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 223

Time period: 1800's, Gold Rush

Main characters: David, Keo, Strawfoot

Exciting events: Capture!!!!

Passage from book: His hands tied together, David was placed back on the black horse and his feet bound underneath its belly. If he slid off, he could certainly be trampled to death......The black horse fell over on its side and lay still for a moment. Its corpse then began a slow slide down into the canyon, dragging David's bound form along with it...ahead lay the lip of a dropoff into a hundred foot crevice....Gunshots tore into the ground near him, and one struck him in the thigh, making him cry out.

My overall opinion: Such an exciting story this was! I had the genre as western, but I changed it to adventure, though I suppose it is part western. Okay, both. :) The main character is part of the gold rush, sails on a whale ship, and encounters a terrible and insane captain. Very exciting.

CD: Jim Brickman: the Disney Songbook

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type of music: Piano with a few other instruments occasionally, some singing on a few

Composer: Jim Brickman

From the movie: Various Disney movies

List of songs:

• Beauty and the Beast
• Mary Poppins Medley (love this one!)
• Cruella de Vil
• Beautiful
• Reflection
• When I See an Elephant Fly
• Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
• Baby Mine
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight
• A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
• Someday My Prince Will Come
• I'm Amazed
• When You Wish Upon a Star
• (also a music video of Beautiful, which I didn't watch [short on time])

My overall opinion: I really loved this CD!

Beyond the Quiet Hills

Author: Gilbert Morris, Aaron McCarver

Genre: Romance, adventure

Series: The Spirit of Appalachia

Number in series: 2nd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 348

Time period: Revolutionary War, 1700's

Main characters: Abigail, Hawk, Jacob, Andrew, Elizabeth

Exciting events: Fights!

Passage from book: FYI, this is the opening paragraph. :) As Elizabeth MacNeal stepped outside the small cabin, she took one startled look at the glistening bear standing not ten feet away and froze in her tracks. Hawk had warned her that the bears around Wataugawere prone to wander close to the settlement, but she had only seen them at a distance since coming to the Appalachian Mountains. Now her heart leaped up into her throat at the enormous size of the bear. Suddenly he reared, his beady black eyes meeting hers...a shiver of fear ran through her at the sight of the long claws and sharp white teeth as he slightly opened his mouth.

My overall opinion: A good book. I say that a lot. Oh, about the time period. Everybody know that the Revolutionary War was in the 1700's, and usually I wouldn't put both. But this book doesn't concentrate on that fact that there's a war going on. It covers a span of about five years (the book, not the war) and included in there is the R. War. There is an occasional mention of men who side with the king, but the book's location is over the Appalachian mountains, so there isn't much fighting. Complicated explanation, I know. ;)

The Westing Game

Author: Ellen Raskin

Genre: Mystery, definitely

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 182

Time period: Present

Main characters: Many!

Exciting events: A murder...supposedly, mystery people, much much more. It's a mystery, for goodness' sake!

My overall opinion: A fun mystery, unique too.

Riders of the Silver Rim

Author: Brock and Bodie Thoene

Genre: Western

Series: Saga of the Sierras

Number in series: 2nd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 204

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Callie, Joshua

Exciting events: Many!

Passage from book: Josh didn't wait for his assailant to fire, but blasted off the second barrel, immediately rolling to the other side of the road as he did. His fire was met with an agonized scream and a wild return shot that ricocheted off a rock beside the road and went singing off into the dark. An instant searing pain, like a hot iron, leaped across Josh's forehead. A second later, Josh heard the sounds of feet running clumsily and a continuous string of curses.

My overall opinion: I enjoyed this book! It was a great read.

Over the Misty Mountains

Author: Gilbert Morris, Aaron McCarver

Genre: Adventure, life

Series: The Spirit of Appalachia

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: 344

Time period: 1700's

Main characters: Hawk, Patrick, Elizabeth

Exciting events: Indian battle, a very vengeful Frenchman

Passage from book: Three war-painted Indians burst out of the woods and fell upon the Simmons family. Elizabeth and Patrick and the children watched in horror as tomahawks rose and fell, and all four of the Simmonses lay dead...

My overall opinion: A good book! I'm kind of into Gilbert Morris right now, had you noticed?

Land of the Shadow

Author: Gilbert Morris

Genre: Romance, war

Series: The Appomattox Saga

Number in series: 4th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 338

Time period: Civil War

Main characters: Frankie, Paul

Exciting events: Frankie (a girl) gets shot, photography!

My overall opinion: This was an exciting story! Paul Bristol is hired to take pictures for the Southern side of the Civil War, but he needs an assistant. All that can be found is Frankie...and so this stunning story goes! I really enjoyed it!

Do Hard Things

Author: Alex and Brett Harris

Genre: How-to, inspiring

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Non-fiction

Number of pages: 241

My overall opinion: I don't think I have ever called a book inspiring before, and I've read a lot of books! But this one really was. I recommend it to every Christian teen who wants to use their teen years as the important time God intended them to be. A book worth buying! Amazing. I can't say enough about it! Find a copy and read it soon!

Whispers of Moonlight

Author: Lori Wick

Genre: Romance

Series: Rocky Mountain Memories

Number in series: 2nd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 423

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Rebecca, Travis, Garrett, Wyatt

My overall opinion: An interesting book! I didn't give it as high of a rating as I had been hoping to because there were some things that I didn't...really enjoy, but overall, it was a good book!

Jacob's List

Author: Stephanie Grace Whitson

Genre: Life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 299

Time period: Present

Main characters: Pam, Michael, Rainelle

Exciting events: Car crash, various other things

My overall opinion: An interesting book. It's about a couple of parents dealing with their struggling marriage and the loss of their son. It's different from what Mrs. Whitson usually writes, I think, and I didn't enjoy it as much as some of her others.

CD: The Two Towers

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Isabel Bayrakdarian sang one

Type of music: Soundtrack

Composer: Howard Shore

From the movie: Two Towers in the Lord of the Rings trilogy

List of songs:

• The Foundations of Stone
• The Taming of Smeagol
• The Riders of Rohan
• The Passage of the Marshe
• The Uruk-Hai
• The King of the Golden Ha(I know there's more to that word, but I don't know what!)
• The Black Gate is Closed
• The Evenstar (with IB)
• The White Rider
• Treebeard
• The Leave Taking
• Helm's Deep
• The Forbidden Pool (couldn't listen, see Overall Opinon)
• The Breath of Life (couldn't listen, see Overall Opinion)
• The Hornburg
• Forth, Eorlingas
• Isengard Unleashed
• Samwise the Brave
• Gollum's Song

My overall opinion: I enjoyed this CD! Okay, the problem with not listening: I borrowed the CD from a friend, and  unfortunately the CD had several scratches on it. Originally, there were six songs that got stuck and I couldn't listen, but with a little cleaning, four of them played mostly fine. However, numbers 13 and 14 (noted above) had a definite scratch and I wasn't able to hear them. All the other were great!

Dead End

Author: Jerry B. Jenkins, Chris Fabry

Genre: Mystery, adventure

Series: Red Rock Mysteries

Number in series: 15th and final

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 235

Time period: Present

Main characters: Ashley, Bryce

Exciting events: Mysterious letters, secret meetings, creeping terrorists, chases, escapes...much much more. :)

Passage from book: Mom looked in the rearview mirror and gasped. Two headlights pierced the back windshield. "We're being followed."

My overall opinion: Ooo, an exciting one. :) It was a great book. There is more boy-girl stuff in this one than the others.

150th post!

Yes, I am up to my 150th post!!!! Can you believe it...all those reviews! And other things too, sprinkled through out. :) And as of today, I'm up to 23 followers...which means when if I get two more followers, we'll be having a giveaway! It may not happen exactly when I have the followers, since I'm still finding prizes, but it will be soon after!!!

A big thank you to each of you who follow my blog! I really am delighted that you all enjoy (and comment on) my reviews! I have so much fun writing them. And a special thanks to those of you who have been following me from the very beginning, especially including (but not limited to) Angelica, Elegance of Fashion, Melody, and Miss Laurie. Thank you for your support! :) Once more...

Thank you!!!

The Rider of Lost Creek

Author: Louis L'Amour

Genre: Western

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 153

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Kilkenny

Exciting events: Gun fights, fist fights, etc.

Passage from book: [Kilkenny] went around the bend at a dead run, drew up sharply and hit the ground, Winchester in hand, running all out. Flattening himself behind a hummock of sand and sagebrush, he peered through. He moved, trying to see better and a bullet kicked sand into his eyes. He slid back into the wash.

My overall opinion: A good one!