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AKirisheyes

AKirisheyes

Full time wife and mother to five fabulous little people. I home school my kids and love every minute. I can't go a day without reading, it feeds my soul and keeps me sane. My ideal day is spent at Barnes and Noble basking in all the books. My tastes run from fiction to horror to chick lit to inspirational and memoirs. I'm also a book reviewer... more »
  • AK, USA
  • member since March 1 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 51 reviews
  • Exposure: A Novel
    • Rated 2 stars

    “Wanted to love it, but too predictable. ”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Breaking Dawn
    • Rated 5 stars

    “In the final tale in the TWILIGHT SAGA, Bella Swan has made her decision whether or not to stay human, or embrace becoming a vampire and living eternally with Edward Cullen. The powerful passionate love Bella and Edward share has been pulling her in one direction and the devotion to her friend, Jacob, in another. After the intense tumultuous events in Bella’s life, all the pieces will come together at last. But will it mean a happily ever after, or devastating consequences shattering all she holds dear?

    In the long awaited conclusion to Bella’s story, BREAKING DAWN was really all I hoped for and more. This is probably the most difficult review I’ve ever had to write, because I’m very sensitive to spoiling anyone. I had one small aspect of the story accidentally spoiled and out of context the information could have ruined the entire book for me. I believe it’s important for the optimum satisfaction and enjoyment of this novel to let it unfold with no hints as to what you’ll expect. So I’ll write about the mechanics of the book instead!

    One thing I’ve always adored about this series is the utterly incredible layering of the characters. There is so much time spent on relationships and dialog and it goes a very long way to create characters that readers can feel extremely ebullient about. Yes, it’s a young adult fantasy about vampires and werewolves, but Meyer has created such emotion embroiled within the world of Forks, it’s easy to relate to and get caught up in the drama. The style of writing is detailed in with delicious intensity.

    In BREAKING DAWN, Meyer really takes things to the next level. The cover of the book featuring the chess board and pieces are a fantastic visual of what the last half of the book is about. It’s complicated but not too much so. It’s surprisingly easy to follow all the different directions the story takes us in.

    I always recommend that readers new to the TWILIGHT SAGA read the books in order. It’s important to see the characters grow and mature, coming full circle in BREAKING DAWN. Starting at the end would lack real fulfillment.

    Some may argue when I say that I find the books refreshingly innocent and not gratuitous in nature. Unfortunately, I can’t often make that claim with Young Adult fiction in general. It’s been a joy to be able to share Bella’s story with my daughters. Intense debates have erupted over Edward and Jacob and choices Bella has made, providing us with invaluable opportunities to share personal values and points of view.

    I am thrilled to be able to recommend BREAKING DAWN giving it a well deserved 5 Klover rating.


    Review courtesy of:

    www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
    ”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Wednesday, September 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Odd Mom Out
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Marta has never been the sort of woman to conform. She’s sassy, independent, and successful, all without a man in her life. One broken heart is all she needed to decide she doesn’t even need a man to have a child and becomes a single mother on her own. After her mother becomes ill, Marta decides to come home to be closer to her and give her daughter a chance to know her grandmother before it’s too late. Fitting in has never been an issue to her, but it certainly is to her daughter who begs her mother to come to PTA meetings in pearls instead of combat boots. Pleasing her daughter while staying true to herself is a struggle, which is the perfect time for the first man she’s ever been attracted to in ten years to appear!

    Although I didn’t have a lot in common with Marta, I loved her and admired her and found enough common ground to become completely riveted by her story. I found the relationship she shared with her daughter to be particularly touching and very real.

    When Marta was attempting to become more active at her daughter’s school, I inwardly cringed as the other mom’s kept her at arm’s length making every conversation agonizing. I could feel the conflict with each word. Then there were the hilarious moments when Marta tried to make sense of the other alpha mom’s and their need to be one of the in-crowd. ODD MOM OUT was the perfect blend of a light read, thanks to the quick witted dialog, and pondering the consequences of conformity and individuality. Four hundred plus pages never passed by so quickly.

    Seattle is one of my favorite places to visit, and I particularly enjoyed the settings of familiar restaurants and areas I adore. It brought even more realism to the story. I could easily see Marta riding her Harley through the picturesque North Bend and Snoqualmie area.

    Jane Porter has given us a gift with her unique and poignant story of family, love, relationships and being happy in your own skin. My favorite books are the ones that inspire thought and taking a deeper look inside. ODD MOM OUT has certainly become one of my favorite books!


    Reviewed courtesy of:

    www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
    ”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Wednesday, September 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Fuzzy Navel
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I have a list of authors or books in a series that I must have the moment they come out. It’s a compulsion bordering on obsession. I keep a close eye on release dates and budget accordingly. J.A. Konrath has found his way to the top of this list, which means budget be damned, I need me another hit of Jack Daniels!

    This fifth installment in the series presents our heroine in one dilly of a pickle. First, she’s got snipers killing sexual offenders and cops alike with no motive in sight. Next, the deadliest villain (dare I say nemesis?) Jack has ever faced is holding her mother and fiancée hostage. Before the night is over the snipers will find their way to Jack’s house, then Jack, her partner and couple of friends who stopped by to lend a hand find themselves in the middle of a bad guy sandwich, with themselves as the filling!

    Maybe I’ve been missing Jack Bauer and need a “24” fix, but I daresay Jack Daniels puts Mr. Bauer to shame in her own 8 hours of non-stop hell on earth. I wonder how fond J.A. Konrath is of this fantastic character he created because he really puts her through the ringer this time! Fortunately, Harry McGlade and her mom’s cranky killer cat make an appearance to provide plenty of hilarity because the reader needs it to break up the relentless tension. Holy cow. I have high blood pressure for Pete’s sake! This series should come with a Surgeon General warning. I love it! I’ve never cringed and laughed so much in one sitting. This is a wonderfully unique series that is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone while you test out your nightlight.

    Sorry, folks, but Jack isn’t one for short cuts. Enjoy your introduction to the series from the very beginning with WHISKEY SOUR on the house at www.jakonrath.com. That’s right. You can download the first book for free!

    I don’t ever remember reading a book that left me wanting more quite like FUZZY NAVEL. Once you’ve finished, you’ll want to go to Konrath’s website and read the author’s special message to the readers he adores to torture so! I’m already counting the days until CHERRY BOMB in June of 2009.

    Review courtesy of www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
    ”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Wednesday, September 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • When the Day of Evil Comes (Day of Evil Series #1): A Novel of Suspense (Day of Evil Series)
    • Rated 5 stars

    “It’s time again for Dylan Foster to shape young minds. A Texas psychology professor, Dylan has always enjoyed respect of her colleagues. But after a strange encounter with an oddly pale, bald man, all that could change. Soon, she finds herself spending her time wrestling with nightmares in a spiritual battle as her career, family and faith are put to the ultimate test.

    I’m thrilled to discover this series! I love suspenseful books. Books that keep you awake at night because you just have to find out what happens next are on my short list of favorite things. Discovering Christian suspense is a special treat and a real character such as Dylan, with strong faith yet relatable short-comings is even more so. I never felt preached at, but rather uplifted as Dylan turned to scripture to equip her in her demonic battle. She is an intelligent, courageous, lovable rebel type I loved spending time with.

    This was my first experience in the genre with a female protagonist and I found it extremely refreshing. The strange events leading Dylan to investigate are at the height of creepiness and it only escalates as the plot thickens. However, she never loses hope as she strives to put up a serious fight against a supernatural evil, arming herself with Ephesians six, her faith, and relentless determination. The war Dylan fights would be almost too scary if it weren’t for her charismatic personality and resilience.

    With snappy dialog, a tight plot, and mysterious happenings, WHEN THE DAY OF EVIL COMES is every nightmare come true. And I mean that in the best possible way! I couldn’t recommend it more. THE SOUL HUNTER and MY SOUL TO KEEP, books 2 and 3 in the series are all I want for Christmas!

    Courtesy of www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
    ”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Wednesday, September 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Accidentally Dead
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Nina Blackman is dead. And not just your ordinary dead, but UNdead. She didn’t start out that way. Oh, no. One minute she was a dental assistant minding her own business when a patient, hopped up on laughing gas turns around and bites her. Starting out with a craving for blood instead of hot wings with blue cheese dip was a rude awakening and her new fangs are just cumbersome. But her friends are there to help her though. And Greg, “HawtMortalityStealer” an honest to goodness vampire, is going to guide her. Whether she wants him to or not!

    ACCIDENTALLY DEAD is second in this hilarious and sexy paranormal series. It’s not required for you to read THE ACCIDENTAL WEREWOLF first, but why deny yourself the pleasure? There’s lovely character development to be had as you meet Marty, Nina’s friend, Color Wheel mentor and moon howler and Wanda, Nina’s own personal and very human Jiminy Cricket. These characters grow with each installment.

    Nina wasn’t initially my favorite character. I was a bit worried about spending a whole book with her. Honestly? She scares me a little. I think she could intimidate Rambo and The Terminator combined. That’s part of what made this book so fun! Discovering what made Nina-Nina was more touching than you would expect from paranormal chick lit. I grew to adore her as a character.

    Labeling Nina ‘Stubborn’ doesn’t even begin to cover it, ’cause she’s on a quest to get UN-undead. I found myself more than once laughing out loud (okay, snorting on occasion) at her tenacity. Dakota Cassidy has a gift for humor in her writing and who couldn’t use a good sidesplitting laugh? She also manages to leave us guessing, using just the right amount of suspense to keep the pages turning.

    The foreshadowing for Cassidy’s next book in the series, THE ACCIDENTAL HUMAN left me frothing at the mouth. Wanda’s story promises to be just as snarky, touching and fun.

    Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Sleeping Beauty Proposal
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Genie Michaels boyfriend of four years is finally proposing….On National television no less! Unfortunatly, just not to her. But since everyone thinks he proposed to her, and he has left her to deal with the aftermath, she decides to just go with the flow.

    As her mother plans the reception and wedding gifts start flooding in, Genie begins to blossom. A new trainer to get her in shape for her dress, new knickers for the wedding night are just a few things that bring out the confidence Genie’s been missing. Unfortunately, she’s getting “married” just in time to meet Mr. Right.

    This book was so much fun! From the cringe-worthy beginning when Genie realizes her boyfriend wasn’t actually proposing to her to all the moments after where she changes into the confident woman really deserving of a Happily Ever After.

    I enjoyed the flawed and interesting characters Strohmeyer created. It makes them all the more realistic and easy to relate to giving the reader someone to cheer for. There are just enough plot twists to make the story familiar yet unpredictable.

    One could even go deeper and think of this book as a bit of a character study. Why do we wait to give new brides a shower to start their new life with Cuisinarts and cutting boards? Why do we wait for a prospective husband to give us a diamond ring? I didn’t really buy the feminist aspect of the story, but it made for fun reading and gave the characters justification for their actions. I also didn’t agree with the point that I think the author was making regarding the importance of marriage. I didn’t think that the end justified the means as far as the deception went, but it was a light-hearted read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

    Review Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Even Now
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Emily Anderson lived her life wondering why her parents deserted her. Although being raised by her loving grandparents, growing up there was always something missing. Then there’s Shane Galanter, a man about to get married, but one who can’t forget the one girl he’s always loved. Finally meet Lauren Gibbs, a renowned war correspondent not afraid to take chances because she’s lost the only thing that ever mattered to her. Her daughter and her childhood love. Before any of these people can move ahead in life, they have to go back.

    This is my first book by “The Queen of Christian Fiction”, Karen Kingsbury, and it certainly won’t be my last. Planning to only read a few pages, I was immediately transported and lost myself in the story.

    The flashback in the beginning of the novel seamlessly flowed into the rest of the plot giving us a hint of what to look for and still hungry to discover how the events unfolded.

    The characters were tangible and very relatable. These people had flaws just like anyone else and paid terrible prices for their decisions. The reader isn’t preached at, as is sometimes a complaint with Christian Fiction, but is simply told a story.

    Fraught with beautiful sentimentality, Kingsbury weaves an intricate tale of love and loss, forgiveness and faith. The only flaw in this having to swallow the reasons why these people haven’t been able to find one another in this day and age. But the overall storytelling more than makes up for the suspension of disbelief one must sustain.

    Handled with delicate non-partisanship, current issues of Afghanistan and the Iraq war are woven into the story , bringing even more realism. This is an integral part of the story as we’re asked to believe two families have spent 18 years looking for each other with no success.

    I’ve already recommended this book to friends and family and look forward to sharing more of Karen Kingsbury’s stories of faith and hope in the future.

    Review Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Sarah: How a Small Town Mom Turned Alaskas Political Establishment on Its Ear
    • Rated 4 stars

    “This is a biography of Sarah Palin, Alaska’s current and most popular Governor. It details her upbringing and shows the building of the foundation that made her the woman she is today. From her childhood in a small Alaskan town to becoming the state’s youngest and first female Governor.

    Although I became familiar with Mrs. Palin and her grass roots effort in her run for Governor, I knew little of her family life before politics. This was a delightfully comprehensive telling of how she started out as a girl learning principles and ethics from her close-knit supportive family.

    While there were interesting details new to me, the book was a bit of a lightweight from her time as Mayor of Wasilla to her current administration. Especially considering how Sarah turned the state on its ear as the title suggests. I was hoping for more substantial information regarding her ethics reform, her primary win against big incumbent Frank Murkowski and the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA). It did give us good basic information and a good overall feel for who Sarah Palin was before she became Governor. She is so very much more than a pretty face, and this book helped make that point.

    The pictures and quotes from people who knew Sarah way back when were a delight. It’s easy to see why she is so popular and well loved. This would be a fantastic addition to any school library and would be invaluable to Alaskan children in particular.

    Review Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Fantastic Mr. Fox
    • Rated 5 stars

    “When my younger children haven't wanted to read on their own, I pull out Fantastic Mr. Fox and it never fails to break down that wall. I've read it to the kids aloud in one setting more than once! Have a glass of water handy. :)”

    AKirisheyes wrote this review Saturday, May 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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