Category: Reviews

Review: Wai-nani High Chiefess of Hawai’i (and Free Giveaway #13) »

Wai-nani High chiefess of Hawai’i: Her Epic Journey By Linda Ballou
Release date: 2008 / 262 pages
First lines: “The red apple of the ohi’a tree tasted sweet in my mouth as I watched the drifting plumes of Pele, Goddess of the Volcano, cast shadows upon the shimmering sea.”
Synopsis (from back cover): “From the cauldron of controversy [...]

Sunday Salon: Garden Spells »

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Release date: 2007 / 290 pages
First line: Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood.”
Synopsis(from back cover): “In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small house in the smallest of towns, is an apple tree rumored to bear a very special sort of [...]

Review: The Good Person Guidebook and Free Giveaway #12! »

The Good Person Guidebook: Transforming Your Personal Life by Richard Bayer, PhD
Release date: 2008 / 274 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): “What type of person should you be? What should you do when faced with a decision of ethical importance? Those are the two key questions that everyone should answer, and The Good Person Guidebook helps [...]

Sunday Salon: We Need to Talk About Kevin »

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
Release date: 2003 / 400 pages
First lines: “Dear Franklin, I’m unsure why one trifling incident this afternoon has moved me to write to you.  But since we’ve been separated, I may most miss coming home to deliver the narrative curiosities of my day, the way a cat might [...]

Review: comfort food »

comfort food by Kate Jacobs
Release date: 2008 / 325 pages
First line: “Gus Simpson adored birthday cake.”
Synopsis(from jacket cover): “Shortly before turning the big 5-0, hostess extraordinaire and Cooking with Gusto! TV personality Augusta “Gus” Simpson finds herself planning a birthday party she’d rather ignore — her own. She’s getting tired of being the hostess, the mother [...]