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beverlyjean

beverlyjean

has 41 followers and is following 41 people

I'm a former teacher, and now I write stories for children and young adults. My young adult novels, Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept, Rebel in Blue Jeans, and Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines are available at Amazon and the publisher, Twilight Times Books. (Caves is in print or Kiindle and Nook.) Just Breeze, my novel for tween/teens, is ... more »
  • TX, USA
  • member since August 3, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 41-50 of 65 reviews
  • The Book of Lost Fragrances
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Do you enjoy a bit of history and a touch of mystery? Or do Buddas and the Dalai Lama fascinate you? Is mythology and reincarnation more to your taste? Or do Cleopatra and perfume intrigue you? Oh, and there’s also the ghost. What if you could find all of these in one story? Well, you can.

    The Book of Lost Fragrances, a novel by author M. J. Rose, takes the reader from Egypt to New York, from China to France, and from the past to the present with a cast of characters you won’t soon forget. There are way too many to mention them all here, so I won’t even try. At first I wondered how the different people would fit together. The Book of Lost Fragrances is the story of Jac L’Etoile and her brother, Robbie, who is searching for the Fragrance of Memory. Then Robbie goes missing and it seems others are interested in pottery fragments that could be proof of reincarnation. The story gets even more complicated as Jac and her former lover, Griffin, attempt to find Robbie.

    In alternating chapters we meet the other characters, sometimes traveling centuries back, as the author ties each of them into Jac and Robbie’s story. At times, the switch from one time and setting to another interrupted the story that I was following. It was necessary, I guess, to bring in the background for Jac and Robbie’s story. I enjoyed the read and recommend Ms. Rose’s latest for lovers of adventure, history, and even romance.

    EBook courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Atria Books and NetGalley

    ###”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, January 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Princess of Las Pulgas
    • Rated 5 stars

    “ If you’ve ever lost a family member, you know how devastating it is and how your whole life changes. Then, if circumstances cause you to have to leave the home you’ve grown up in and live in a new place totally different to what you’re used to, it’s understandable that you’ll be bitter and hate your new life. At least at first.

    Author C. Lee McKenzie’s latest novel for young adults, The Princess of Las Pulgas, deals with such a situation. When Carlie Edmund’s father dies, she loses not only the father she loves but also her home and her friends. Unable to afford their expensive beach house any longer, Carlie’s mother sells it and they move to Las Pulgas, the worst place in the universe Carlie can imagine living. Even the cat, Quicken, is upset and runs away. Carlie and her younger brother, Keith, also have to attend a new school where Juan, the boy with the big smile, gives her the nickname Princess because he says she acts like royalty. Carlie has a lot to learn about the students in her new school as well as her old friends from Channing. And along the way little whispers in her heart remind Carlie of advice her father gave her. To me, these whispers show how close Carlie and her father were and how she is hurting for him.

    Ms. McKenzie has written a touching story about love and loss, family and friends, and how we can misjudge people when we don’t really know them. This book would make a great addition to school libraries to help students that may be going through a situation similar to Carlie’s and also for your own personal library.

    ###

    I won a copy of this book in the author’s contest.

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, January 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Dig
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Most people’s lives are fairly routine: school, work, entertainment, family. Even if we’re a bit of a rebel and like to break the rules, there is a pattern to each day. But what if our world suddenly changes? What if we meet unusual creatures and find ourselves in another time, another place? I don’t know about you, but I’d want to get back home, to my life. Of course this would be after I freaked out and went a little crazy at first.

    In Audrey Hart’s debut novel, The Dig: Zoe and Zeus, Zoe, the misfit at school, spends the summer with her aunt and uncle, geologists, in Greece, where they discover an ancient temple that promises an exciting summer for Zoe. Little does she know just how weird the next few weeks will be. The first clue is a seven-foot-tall iPhone leaning against the wall of a mystery room in the temple. And that’s just the beginning. Zoe’s summer is one to write about, if anyone would believe her. She learns a lot about herself and also about the gorgeous guy she calls “Blondie,” as he calls her “Curly.” You’ll have to read the book to find out why. Floods, tornadoes, fires, and the gods that live on Mount Olympus challenge Zoe as she faces each obstacle, sometimes with courage, other times with doubt and fear.

    If you like Greek Mythology, I think you’ll enjoy Audrey Hart’s novel. Humor, romance, danger, and likeable characters make The Dig: Zoe and Zeus, an interesting story. This book is the first of a trilogy. Mythology stories are new to me, and I’m really enjoying learning about the gods and goddesses and the world they lived in. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.

    eBook courtesy of the author

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Monday, January 9, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Spurs for José
    • Rated 5 stars

    “It’s easy, at least for me, to forget about the courage of the men, women, and children that settled our land. Then when I read historical fiction, I’m reminded of the hardships our ancestors suffered in their daily lives. Because of the bravery of the people before us, however, America today is a great nation.

    In author Wanda Snow Porter’s novel, Spurs for Jose, the reader travels back in time with twelve-year-old Jose Rodriquez as he faces one challenge after another on the way to becoming a vaquero and taming the wild horses like his papa and brothers. The year is 1846 and when Jose’s papa tells him it’s time for Jose to ride the young colts, Jose is excited, but he also wonders if he has the courage that he needs to follow after his papa.

    The author takes us on a journey that will appeal to the adventurous nature in young and old alike. Through Jose, we learn how to tame a wild horse the way the vaqueros did years ago. Since I love horses, and we once owned several quarter horses, I found this information especially interesting. Jose and the other characters are well developed. We see their desires and bravery, along with their doubts and fears. Spurs for Jose would make a good addition to classroom libraries, especially history classes, as well as for personal libraries for readers who enjoy historical fiction, one of my favorite subjects. So pick up a copy of the book and ride along with Jose and his family where you’ll get a taste of the past.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, January 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Destined
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Take a boy, a girl, and a mother who wants to see them married. Mix. And you have a typical romance story, right? Well, sometimes. Other times you have romance, sure, but also adventure, sister rivalry, mortals, gods, and betrayals.

    Author Jessie Harrell’s debut novel, Destined, has romance all right. It also contains much more. The boy, Eros, is a god. The girl, Psyche, is a mortal. Aphrodite, the mother of Eros, has chosen Psyche to serve as her daughter and also to marry her son. There are problems from the start, however. The two would-be lovers are strongly opposed to the marriage and make their feelings known. What’s a poor mother to do? Will Aphrodite find a new bride for her son? Will she punish Psyche for her unacceptable behavior regarding Eros? As the story unfolds, the reader follows the characters, sometimes wanting to shake them, other times wondering if the two lovers’ fates are destined or if they can change the future, at least these were the thoughts of this reader. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, the story would take a turn and introduce something totally unexpected, and I had to keep reading to see how the new developments worked out.

    Now I know very little about mythology and gods and goddesses, but I loved Eros and Psyche, even though they weren’t always nice which made them more interesting, and I so wanted them to find happiness. Jessie Harrell raised the tension with each page, keeping the reader guessing what would happen next. She also threw in a couple of twists along the way, so I never was quite sure what to expect next. Whether you’re new to mythology, like me, or know all about the gods and goddesses, I think you’ll enjoy reading Destined. It’s a story well worth your time. I’m looking forward to more novels from this author.

    ###

    I won the eBook in a contest
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, December 31, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Wounds

    Wounds

    by Barbara Bockman
    • Rated 4 stars

    “A mother’s death and a father’s abuse can make a teen angry at the world. Unable to deal with anger and frustration, the young person sometimes lashes out at others, including the people that are innocent and are only trying to help him.

    In Author Barbara Bockman’s tender story, Wounds, Craig Reeves, takes out his feelings of guilt and helplessness for the loss of his mother and for his father beating him on a neighbor’s tree that he attempts to destroy. In doing so, he cuts his leg with the saw and passes out. When he awakes, Siegfried, the neighbor’s dog, is licking Craig’s face. The neighbors, Nelson Ark and his mother, take Craig to the Emergency Room, where the doctor discovers bruises and cuts on Craig that were not caused by the accident. Craig then is put in the care of Family Services for temporary shelter, until his father, who has disappeared, can be found and matters straightened out. What follows is a teen’s awakening to the truth about life, death, and family. For Craig, many questions need answers. Will the Ark family forgive him for trying to destroy their tree? Will the Arks and the town, working together, save the tree. Will the police find Craig’s father? Will Craig be able to forgive himself for causing so much pain?

    Ms. Bockman has written a story that could be about many young people today as they try to understand their lives. It isn’t always easy. The teen years can be difficult, especially when abuse is a part of it. Wounds is a novel that answers some of the questions teens might have about themselves and those around them and would make a nice addition to middle school and high school libraries.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Wednesday, December 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Fallon O'Reilly and the Ice Queen's Lair
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I won the EBook in a contest.

    How would you like to attend a school with brownies that don’t like to be seen by humans or with a ghost called six-toed Sam. What if you took flying lessons on a horse, and a mysterious Ice Queen seemed to be watching you? Sound intriguing? Add the discovery of a girl’s body, drained of blood, and a bully named Ophelia, and you enter the lives of three young characters determined to solve the mysteries surrounding them. And these are just for starters. You’ll also encounter more unusual happenings at the Borealis Academy of Magical Arts. So come on in and see what adventures await you.

    Author Debra K. Dunlap’s novel for tween/teen readers is a fantasy story about Fallon O’Reilly, who, along with her cousin Ardis and friend Eddie, meet some weird creatures in their quest to get an education. The Alaskan setting with its snow and mountains is the perfect place for the story to unfold. From the opening scene with the birth of the babe “born with the mark,” to meeting the professors of their new school, to being attacked by an odd creature, the children’s experiences are anything but dull. The author takes the reader on a fantastic journey through unexplored places in the school as the kids learn more about the people and creatures inhabiting it.

    A helpful glossary at the end of the book explains Latin words, Alaskan words, and others. Fallon O’Reilly and the Ice Queen’s Lair has many similarities to the Harry Potter books, but the Alaskan setting and the characters with their own unique personalities have a story to tell and they tell it very well. The book should appeal to fantasy lovers, young and old, and make a nice addition to school classrooms and libraries.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Wednesday, December 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Rock Bound
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Imagine the U. S. Constitution being repealed. Imagine going to Washington DC to protest to have the Constitution restored and have free elections, but soldiers fire on you and you’re soon under arrest, accused of treason. Sounds terrifying, right? Could it happen?

    This is exactly what happens in Author Rochelle Weber’s novel, Rock Bound. The year is 2051. Annie Peterson and her husband Paul leave their baby boy with Annie’s mother in California and set off across the country to take part in the protest even though they realize chances are good they’ll be arrested. They cannot visualize the horror that awaits them, however. Many of the protesters are killed. Annie and others that survive are sent to the moon where they’ll be indentured for ten years to the Freezeland Mining Corporation as punishment. Even after completing their sentence they must pay their way back to Earth, which is highly unlikely. Now I’ve never thought much about what life on the moon would be like. The author, however, paints a vivid picture of the hardships and trials the prisoners face in their new world. They have to grow their own food. No supermarkets exist where they can shop for bread and milk. At first they eat a lot of A-Rats. When a second wave of prisoners arrives, Annie and the new friends she’s made learn that the people on Earth want their constitution restored so fighting is still going on and the supplies they need likely will not arrive. Add a meteor that causes damage and death to their group and you have a story with constant action that makes the reader wonder if they will survive in this new world. Will they ever return home to the families left behind? Or is the moon their forever home?

    The author goes into great detail about what the characters must do to survive on the moon. It’s fascinating. How much of the facts are accurate I do not know, but Ms. Weber has written a story that held my attention. I think you will enjoy it, as well.

    I won the paperback in a contest.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Wednesday, December 28, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Fallon O'Reilly and the Ice Queen's Lair

    Fallon O'Reilly and the Ice Queen's Lair

    by Debra K. Dunlap, Karen McGrath, Delilah K. Stephans
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I won the EBook in a contest.

    How would you like to attend a school with brownies that don’t like to be seen by humans or with a ghost called six-toed Sam. What if you took flying lessons on a horse, and a mysterious Ice Queen seemed to be watching you? Sound intriguing? Add the discovery of a girl’s body, drained of blood, and a bully named Ophelia, and you enter the lives of three young characters determined to solve the mysteries surrounding them. And these are just for starters. You’ll also encounter more unusual happenings at the Borealis Academy of Magical Arts. So come on in and see what adventures await you.

    Author Debra K. Dunlap’s novel for tween/teen readers is a fantasy story about Fallon O’Reilly, who, along with her cousin Ardis and friend Eddie, meet some weird creatures in their quest to get an education. The Alaskan setting with its snow and mountains is the perfect place for the story to unfold. From the opening scene with the birth of the babe “born with the mark,” to meeting the professors of their new school, to being attacked by an odd creature, the children’s experiences are anything but dull. The author takes the reader on a fantastic journey through unexplored places in the school as the kids learn more about the people and creatures inhabiting it.

    A helpful glossary at the end of the book explains Latin words, Alaskan words, and others. Fallon O’Reilly and the Ice Queen’s Lair has many similarities to the Harry Potter books, but the Alaskan setting and the characters with their own unique personalities have a story to tell and they tell it very well. The book should appeal to fantasy lovers, young and old, and make a nice addition to school classrooms and libraries.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, December 17, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Through the Portal (Through the Portal Trilogy)
    • Rated 3 stars

    “THROUGH THE PORTAL (Review)

    Justin Dennis

    Ebook courtesy of the author

    Some kids get teased a lot at school. Some kids defend those that are teased. Friendship is a beautiful thing. Everyone needs a friend they can depend on.

    In Justin Dennis’s debut novel, Through the Portal, we meet Jem Surwae and Oliver Pautelle. Jem is poor and often the victim of the bullies at school. He isn’t looking forward to entering high school next year. Oliver lives in a mansion and takes up for Jem.
    On the last day of school, at 1 AM, the boys decide to go scuba diving. When they discover a hole in the bottom of the lake, their whole lives change and they’re soon on an adventure that takes them through a portal to another world. A 4-foot tall man, a giant bear, and Red Dragons are just the beginning. The boys meet sisters, Sierra and Rimaya, who use magic even though the Regime has outlawed magic for the people. Jem and Oliver want to help fight the Regime before they take control and kill everyone opposed to them, but they soon find themselves in big trouble. You’ll have to read the book to find out how, or if, they succeed in their goals.

    Likeable characters and interesting encounters with unusual creatures in a fantasy world make for a fast read. At times the wrong words were used, such as “but” instead of “butt,” “past” for “passed,” and “where” for “wear” for example that distracted me. (This is the English teacher in me, I suppose.) Given that, the author has written a story that will appeal to fantasy lovers who like characters with spunk. This is the first book in a trilogy, so join in the fun and follow Jem and Oliver on their travels.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Wednesday, December 14, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 41-50 of 65 reviews

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