Mocked by Destiny - inside the characters

Welcome to the second day of Armchair BEA. Did you make it through all the blogs yesterday? I still have many more to go, but today is an extra fun day. It's GIVEAWAY DAY!! In addition to the swag being given away at Armchair BEA Central  many blogs are hosting their own giveaways today. This blog is no exception. You could win 1 of 5 ebook copies of Mocked by Destiny. This giveaway is open internationally and all you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post with your email address. I will use Random.org to select the 5 winners at 8 pm US EDT on Thursday. 

Today's topic is Books in 2011. Instead of me telling you about a book (you get that all the other weeks) I have a special guest post today. Michele Richard shares about her debut novel Mocked by Destiny, which was published February 2011 by The Writer's Coffee Shop. Please welcome Michele to Girl Who Reads. You can check out her author table under the Armchair BEA link above.

The logic behind this book from the author

It’s no secret that towns with military bases have a higher teen pregnancy rate, even more so in places like Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach’s base is a vacationing base. It’s a base for military families to spend time with their families. The base itself has a campground, hotel, townhouses, and bungalows.

In the evening hours, the visitors flood the boardwalk to shop, eat, drink, and of course, get ice cream. Though it’s unavoidable to interact with the locals, some locals resent what their visits do to their beautiful town.

Stella Richards

Stella grew up knowing nothing good comes from those who visit her home town of Virginia Beach. The outsiders only want to use and abuse the serene setting and the friendly people who work there. There is only one guarantee from those visiting, they will leave and most likely never come back. She herself learned this early on during her first unsupervised summer on the beach.

After being left heartbroken by the flurry of friends she made, she vowed to never do it again. Cutting herself off from those who could hurt her, she left herself lonely and uninterested in the flocking vacationers.

Coming from a long line of teenage, unwed mothers, Stella’s family consisted of all females who were either left pregnant or were children of those who visited the beach and left without looking back. Stella had plans that didn’t include becoming a teenage mom. She strived to break the streak that had plagued her family for generations starting with being the first in her family to attend college. 

All those plans changed when she encountered a young man on the beach. Stefan Sterling. She tried to out run her destiny several times and it always came back to bite her in the butt. When Stella handed him his ice cream cone, she handed him her heart and future.

Stefan Sterling

Stefan grew up on a military base in Germany. In a life where you never knew when you’d be shipped off to another one. He had friends, but like him they all knew they could wake up the next day and they’d be gone. As Stella had done, he kept his friends at a distance to avoid being hurt when they had to leave.

He, too, wanted to change the way his life seemed to be headed. He wanted out of the strict upraising he had. Determined to follow in his brother’s footsteps he planned to go to college as far removed from the military as he could. 

The stories of how the generations in his family had known the moment they met their loved ones had been passed down. Stefan wasn’t a believer in love at first sight. Until it happened to him.

Passing through on his way to Washington, DC for his father’s new posting, his life changed in an instant. Who knew a chocolate ice cream cone could change his destiny?

Stella and Stefan

Pulled together by destiny, these two will learn to love, sacrifice, and grow up before it’s time. Forced to make decisions that take them further from their goals, they learn to lean on each other. Mistakes are made, but can love conquer all?

For that answer you’ll have to read and find out.

Review:

When I was first offered Mocked by Destiny I was a bit skeptical with the whole pregnant teen thing. But boy did she blow the lid off I absolutely could not put the book down... Even though I really needed to seeing as it was 1AM on a school day. The twists and turns were unexpected and kept you immersed in the story line. The story will keep you on your toe's. The end goes through two generations and I was not big on that I would rather have the story continue from after Italy. No That actually didn't give any thing away. The end did have a little to much going on with all the generations and it was hard to tell who was saying it. Fast paced and drama city. Defiantly a must read! 5/5

-Kati (The Jagged Edge)

Welcome to Armchair BEA week!

Hi Everyone! I'm interrupting my normal book reviews to participate in Armchair BEA. If you are a first time visitor WELCOME! I hope you will look around, particularly take a look at the author tables under the ARMCHAIR BEA tab up above. I decided to offer free space to authors to advertise this week. When I go to vendor shows and conventions, my favorite part is meandering through all the booths and I wanted to try to recreate that here on my blog.

A little about me....

I "review" whatever I am reading. I put review in quote because I'm pretty sure that some of my post are more my ramblings about the book rather than a true review. I like to share what a book made me feel or think. I read a lot of psychological thrillers and my favorites always leave me questioning my preconceived notions of morals, society, etc. You will notice that my reading taste are wide-ranging and I like to try new genres and authors.

I love books. I have always read and often as a child would be frustrated that I couldn't read faster because there was always another book I wanted to get to. Now I share my love of books with my online friends (I think my real life friends sometimes grow tired of all my book ramblings). My interest in books has lead me into a new career direction. A few months ago, I took on a job with an up and coming small press working with their authors and marketing their books.

My Armchair BEA plans...

In addition to the author tables on the Armchair BEA page, I also will have two authors stopping by with  guest posts and giveaways. I also plan on blogging on the suggested topics each day. If possible I will take part in the Twitter parties. This is my first year participating in Armchair BEA so with my work schedule and all I'm not sure what all I will get to, but I am hoping to meet many fellow bloggers and readers and, hopefully, a few new authors and find some new reading material.

Please introduce yourself by leaving a comment. If you are also blogging, let me know so I can stop by this week.

Follow Friday

So I'm trying out another weekly meme. Let me know if you like it or not. It's a recap of sorts for my week of reading. I might play around a bit and add in a little video to my blog with these weekly memes. Would you watch it?

My review for the week: 

Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell
If you are looking for a book to enjoy with your elementary aged child this summer (have you signed up for your library's summer reading program?) I recommend giving this book a try. I give it 4 tail shakes (ok, that was my attempt at funny). Also check out Anne's website for instructional material - http://www.buddystail.com





Reading on my Nook:

Lethal Remedy (Prescription for Trouble) by Richard L. Mabry

I received my Nook on Monday and already love it. I've played several games of Sudoku, but also started reading my ARC from Netgalley.com. It is kind of ironic that I am reading a fictional tale about an experimental drug trial, when I'm also reading a non-fiction book on why we shouldn't vaccinate our kids.




Listening to:

It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Not sure if I'm going to make it through this audio book. I can't remember why I thought I might like it. It is off to a very slow start. I'm on the 4th chapter and if the story doesn't start moving soon I might call it quits. I'm taking suggestions for my next audio book choice.




In my hands (traditional printed books):

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

This is such a phenomenal read. I should finish it up this weekend. Unfortunately you won't see my review until sometime in June when I am the featured Little Known Blog. I'm just going to go ahead and tell you - get your copy NOW, you won't regret it.





Vaccine-nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time by Andreas Moritz

I'm reading a little each day so I should eventually finish it. I just noticed the price on Amazon.com for this book. Only a couple of chapters in and I don't think you should waste your money. It has the feel of an infomercial that plays on late night TV. 





Question of the week:

What are 5 quirky habits or facts about you?

1. I don't like my food to touch, unless it is food that is meant to be mixed together (ie chicken pot pie). Chinese food is the only exception.
2. I love to cook, but I hate touching raw meat.
3. My guilty pleasure is reading Twilight fanfiction
4. I'm kind of anti-technology, but I got a smartphone and a Nook this weekend (use the Nook a lot, the phone not so much).
5. I will read horrible and scary stuff in a book, but I won't watch a horror movie.

An animal tale that isn't too sad: Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell

by Donna Huber

April 2011; 978-1456411954
audio, ebook, print (178 pages); children's

After signing up with Book Blogs, I started receiving emails about books for review and one of them happened to be a 4th-grade level book. Though I typically stay far away from animal stories (I was traumatized by Old Yeller as a child), I chose to review Buddy's Tail for a couple of reasons. One, I have a niece that will be entering 4th grade in the fall. Two, I can't really remember what I read as a 4th grader, but I sure haven't recognized the titles my niece and nephew talk about. Three, on a related note, I wanted to have a book that I could talk to my niece and nephew about - my niece isn't really into books due to a slight reading disability, but my nephew loves books. I am really glad I chose to review it. It was a really good read.


Like I said, I can't really remember what I read when I was their age (I guess this might have been the age I was reading The Bobbsy Twins). When I received it in the mail. I remember thinking it was kind of long for a children's book (I have adult books that are only 10 - 20 pages longer). I mentioned it Mom (who has worked with kids all her life) and she reminded me that kids are reading Harry Potter at this age. 


The summary of the book pretty much tells you everything about the book so there were no surprises. I prepared myself for the dogs to die. It was a little sad, but since their story continues after death, it wasn't like they disappeared. Also, there isn't a lot of human interactions to make me feel attached to the dogs on that level. I did get a little teary eyed at the end, but I won't spoil for you.


Buddy's Tail would be great to use in a classroom when studying the southwest US as there were many geographically specific references. I was a little disappointed with the stereotyping that Russell used with the dogs. A chihuahua that "speaks" Spanish, lives with a Hispanic family and likes Taco Bell seemed contrite. Maybe 4th graders are assumed by it, but I thought it condoned stereotyping. The book is also good for a vocabulary lesson. I'll admit that I had to look up a couple of terms - granted they were architectural terms. Again, the southwest influence of language was present which would easily lead to discussions of sense of place. Russell has a website with additional classroom tools. The book (which I think this was supposed to be the main point) deals with animal neglect and responsibility of having a pet - lessons a child should learn. This is the fourth reason I wanted to review this book. In the overview that came in the email announcement, it was mentioned that the book was to teach children about animal cruelty - I was curious about how the subject would be handled to be age appropriate. I thought Russell did a good job. I think in the back my mind I thought it might push for vegetarianism or more extreme PETA-like propaganda, but it didn't. Like I said it touched more on being a responsible pet owner.

I would recommend this to teachers and parents (it would make a good summer read for all those summer reading programs). For the parents: what are your kids reading? For my readers without young kids: what books did you read as a child?

Buy Buddy's Tail at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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It's Monday! What are you reading?

 

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is weekly meme hosted by Book Journey to tell everyone what you have read or planning to read. If you would like to join in or see other blogs participating click on the icon above.

I had a good weekend reading. Here is what is on my plate this week:

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker

I'm about half way through it after starting on Friday night. If I hadn't had somewhere to be on Saturday morning, I might have stayed up all night reading. After just 20 pages, I thought this might just be the best book I have ever read. My blog is going to be the June feature for Little Known Blogs and I will be posting my review there (I post a link on my blog when it is up).

Vaccine-nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time by Andreas Moritz

I haven't made it very far into this one. My opinion of it might be a bit biased, but I am really trying to read it with an open mind. When the titles was sent to me by email I choose to review it because I like to see different opinions on a subject. It might be a few more weeks before this review goes up.

Lethal Remedy (Prescription for Trouble) by Richard L. Mabry

This book is my first request from Netgalleys.com. My Nook is suppose to be delivered today so hopefully I will be able to load it on there. It sounded good. It is a Christian fiction novel dealing with medicine and government conspiracy/cover up. 

It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Philips

I'm listening to this book this week. Not sure if it will be something I like or not, but thought I would give it a try none-the-less. 

Okay, that is my round up of what I'm reading this week. A peek at a review that will post later this week:

Buddy's Tail by K. Anne Russell

This was good book. A bit sad (it involves animals so that was a given) but not overly so and has a sweet message. I look forward to sharing this book with my niece and nephew.

What are you reading this week? 

A Fun Chick-lit Novel: Twenties Girl

Cover of Twenties Girl: A Novel

Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sohie Kinsella
audio book
Published July 2009 by Books on Tape
ISBN 9781415962978
Listened May 2011

Ok. I decided to give audio books another go. By listening to books, I can get more in during the week (because I can listen to it while at work). This book came up on a suggested read based on something else I read and also happened to be available at the digital download library. I have never read her Shopaholic series, nor saw the movie.

I liked this book from the start. I could so relate to Lara as she came to terms with her break up with Josh and trying to make her career a go. The jury is still out on whether I liked Sadie or not. When her character was introduced I was reminded of the paranormal romance I gave a try a month or so ago - Spirit Intervention. However, the things that irked me with that story were no where to be found in Twenties Girl. I always knew we were in England,  had a clear background story on Lara, and I couldn't necessarily guess what would happen next.

If you read my post of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you might remember that I said I had trouble paying attention. I had that problem again with this book. BUT this time it was work that I found myself distracted FROM as my attention was fully focused on the story. It had moments that were funny, times that were frustrating (Sadie acting like a petulant 5 year old grated on my nerves), occasions I could totally relate to ("There was the real Josh and then there was the Josh in my head"), and there was happy endings.

The scenes with Ed were almost always good for a chuckle. The whole "you didn't want to be my girlfriend, did you?" interactions between them had me rolling my eyes at times, because you just wanted to shout "WAKE UP". But at the same time, it was sweet and totally realistic as both had unresolved issues with past relationships. I was cheering for Lara when she finally grew a backbone and stood up for herself (or maybe she just grew up and the maturity lent itself to her new self-confidence). I love the 1920s era and often wished that I could have experienced it, particularly the clothing. So it was an added bonus for me that Sadie kept demanding Lara relive the era with her. Speaking of Sadie, I am not sure what I think about her. At times, she truly acted like a toddler (throwing a tantrum because Lara kissed Ed because Sadie wanted Ed to be her's - HELLOOOO! Sadie, you're dead) and at other times her acts brought around positive changes for Lara. You also feel a bit sad for Sadie (and like Lara, forgiving her childish outbursts). I don't know anyone that has lived to be 105, but Sadie probably is an accurate portrayal of those who have long outlived their heyday and are all but forgotten by family.

This was a light and fun listen, bit like Jennifer Crusie's Anyone but You. However, there is no described sex, though there is reference to Lara and Ed getting to know each other in the bedroom (that is almost word for word how Lara explained it). So I'm happy to find a light and fluffy author that doesn't see the need to include sex. I will definitely be adding Sophie Kinsella to my list of authors to turn to when my other reading has become to heavy.

Related articles

• Life can change...with a ghost's help! (dihsbooks2010.wordpress.com)
• Easy Excess: the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella (vulpeslibris.wordpress.com)
• Sophie Kinsella: 'You can be highly intelligent - and also ditzy and klutzy' (guardian.co.uk)