Melissa M

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• Rated 5 stars

“I have been a fan of Dean Koontz for around 25 years. I have read most every book he has ever written, though I think I may have missed a recent one or two. At any rate, my hubby purchased this book back in the fall for one of his airplane reading books. I am finally getting a chance to read it.

As usual, Dean Koontz does not disappoint. He takes his well-known love of golden retrievers and combines it with his ability to write page turning novels and creates a great read! If you like golden retrievers or are a dog lover in general, you will love this book. If you like a fast paced, page turner that keeps you guessing up to the last chapters, you will like this book.

This is a story of love, sacrifice, revenge, mystery and spiritual growth.”

Melissa M wrote this review Thursday, July 31 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Today, I read Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I believe I picked this book up at a book sale. I have seen the movies The Notebook and Message in a Bottle and I have read the book, Message in a Bottle. I love the depth of the characters in Sparks' writing. He writes about real people in real situations in such a way that the reader becomes part of the story, becomes entranced by the story.

Dear John is an excellent book. It is a love story. It is a growing up story. It is a story of sacrifice. From a rebellious teenager who doesn't understand his father to a gentleman who learns how to show love, this story will capture you and hold you until the very end.
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Melissa M wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This book combines unusual characters (preachers, deacons, mobsters, and detectives) in a quirky story. There are several threads in this story.

1. Mark Hogan has always longed to own a boat, and when his pastor predicts the day for the Rapture, he sees this as his chance...after all, once he's gone, he won't have to worry about the bill, right? (or the mobsters that he borrowed the money from).

2. Reverend Daniel Glory - a crackpot minister who is trying to convince everyone that he has figured out the day of The Rapture. His conviction leads to problems for Hogan and for the mob. Too bad, he didn't pay more attention to his bible reading.

3. Detective Charlie Paschall is an intuitive and smart detective with great skills on the job, but who becomes a bit flustered when he tries to figure out just where he should volunteer at church. Not only does he figure out who kills the minister, but he does finally find the perfect place for him to volunteer.

4. Massey - the mob boss is trying to acquire some land before prices skyrocket...little does he know one of his employees wants in on the action.

5. Detective Griggs - Paschall's partner. Dealing with a failing marriage and the loss of a child, he makes progress in the book towards overcoming his past.

6. Cleaver and Lamb - these are two guys in the employ of Massey. Lamb comes off as dumb and he is intimidated by Cleaver. Cleaver is trying to make some money on the side (and under the nose of crime boss, Massey). He thinks he is smart, but he is dumb as a stick.

So, as you can see there is plenty here to keep you entertained! I liked the book. I find the way that Well brings together characters in unusual ways and has an underlying inspirational message to make for a good read.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book is in like new condition and if you would like to read it, I'll be happy to mail it to you for the cost of postage. First come, first serve.
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Melissa M wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Kathy is not afraid to tackle tough issues and this book tackles one of the toughest...racism. It really struck a chord with me because a friend and I had been recently discussing racism. For some of us who don't have racist feelings, it is a huge surprise to find out that there are those out there who still do and who have strong ones. I grew up with a grandmother whose best friend was a black lady. One of my best friends was a black girl, one of my mom's favorite co-workers was a black man and one of the best carpenters my dad worked with was a black man. There was a biracial kid I went to school with who I remember people saying ugly things to him. I actually attended school with two biracial kids that I knew. And one of them, no one ever said anything to her that I am aware of. The boy had a personality that left him the butt of much ugliness. Would he have been picked on because he was biracial if he hadn't had that personality? I don't know.

Anyway, this story addresses the fact that while a lot of us say we aren't prejudice, deep down, we are. We are fine with black people as long as they stay in their place and out of ours. Kathy brings back the horror of the 60s that many of us have only read about in history books and she makes us aware that it is a very current and contemporary issue. Changes have been made, but we have a long way to go.

This story centers around Guy and Ellen Jones' son, Brandon, who is looking for a new direction in his life. He has tried being a big wig in the corporate world (and did very well at it), but inside he was 'dying' because this wasn't the career he wanted for himself. It was the career he had chosen because it would make his Dad happy.

This is another well-crafted story with terrific characters and one that will make you do some soul-searching of your own.
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Melissa M wrote this review Sunday, July 20 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Yesterday I finished the third of Kathy Herman's Seaport Series. The title of this book is All Things Hidden and it is another winner! Each of Kathy's books always address events that can affect our spiritual life and growth. This book centers on how the past can come back to haunt you, even if you are now saved and a Christian. In this book, the main family that the series follows, the Jones family, is dealing with problems on two fronts.

Owen, the son was a real rabble rouser, but now has settled down, married, gotten a great job and has an adorable son. But even though God forgives us of our sins, we reap what we sow and Owen's past comes back to play a major role in his present.

Owen's mom, Ellen, learns that her aging and estranged father is suffering from Alzheimer's, one of the worst diseases people experience in my opinion. This disease is bad enough in the best of circumstances, but in this case, Ellen and her father are estranged and Ellen struggles with this and her father's nasty attitude throughout the book.

And if that wasn't enough...Ellen's father is witness to a murder...and until the murder is solved, no one in the Jones family is safe...

Kathy continues to exhibit her amazing ability to craft a well written story with characters you will care about and to provide spiritual encouragement at the same time.

Now I am off to read the conclusion of the Seaport Series...I can't wait to see what's going to happen next!
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Melissa M wrote this review Saturday, July 19 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Kathy tackled the tough issue of prejudice in this book and of how people make assumptions about others based on appearance and perceived social status instead of taking the time to get to know the person. To explore this issue, she used the very current and real concern of terrorist attacks.

When I first started reading this book, I found myself wanting to say that people don't really think like this...people are smarter than this....people don't pigeonhole all people based on their religion....but Kathy has a knack for forcing us to be honest with ourselves. One of the things I like most about Kathy's writing is the way she portrays the good and bad in people. She delves into the fact that we all do things or think things that our Creator would not be proud of. She creates characters that are real people who don't have it all figured out, but who are trying, day by day to be better neighbors, better people.

It requires more work to get to know someone and to reach out to people who we may be nervous about. However, Kathy does a great job of showing in the reader that the effort is often repaid a hundredfold.

If you enjoy suspense, real characters in real situations, and an inspirational message, you will love this book! I look forward to reading number three in the series.”

Melissa M wrote this review Tuesday, July 15 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“The Welkening: A Three Dimensional Tale - is an amazing book! And has the complexities that endear us to other similar tales such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books, Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series, Brooks, Magic Kingdom Series, and The Chronicle of Narnia series. All of these books create other worlds that are on the other side of our own. They are full of flawed characters who rise to the occasion and end up doing amazing things.

The Welkening is a tale of four teen misfits. It is a tale of overlapping worlds that are all related. I was drawn into this tale. I related to aspects of the characters (especially Lizbeth), and I was suprised to learn who the villian of the story was. If you enjoy epic fantasy tales, I believe you will enjoy this book. I give this book four out of five stars. Why not five? Well, if I give everything five stars, you will begin to doubt me! BTW, on the back cover, this book has an enjoyment guarantee. If you are not totally satisfied with the book, you can return it (with original receipt, note as to why you didn't like it, name, address, and you must do it within 60 days of purchase). You don't see those kinds of offers very often!
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Melissa M wrote this review Wednesday, July 9 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I recently read Never Look Back by Kathy Herman and I really wanted to see how things would turn out for these characters, so I purchased The Grand Scheme. I loved the book!

Kathy has an amazing way of writing an inspirational book that isn't preachy yet gives the reader wonderful examples about how to live the life of a Christ follower. She addresses tough issues in this book - envy and anger being the two top ones. And as if it wasn't enough for her to write a story that will inspire you in your Christian walk, she writes a story that includes mystery, suspense and real world issues. And she creates characters that you really care about and will have emotional responses to.
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Melissa M wrote this review Saturday, June 28 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This book is a wonderful book. Someone recommended it for my teenage son several years ago. I am currently trying to figure out what I want to do with my life career wise and this book really helped me to take a good look at where I've been, the skills I have, and how many possibilities are open to me out there. Before reading the book, I was feeling a bit like I didn't have much to offer.

The book is easy to read and follow and I highly recommend it.”

Melissa M wrote this review Wednesday, June 25 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I found this story to be a bit confusing in parts because point of view changed without warning and it made it hard to follow in places.

I found the characters to be believable and I cared about what happened about them.



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Melissa M wrote this review Wednesday, June 25 2008. ( reply | permalink )