Telly Says.....

The House of Balestrom

7:00 pm 23 September 2011

I thought my family was strange but this Balestrom family beats even us. Not by much mind you! Sisters Sara and Susan could not be more different and the secrets, well all I can say is WOW. Sara is called to the island where her sister lives due to the unexpected death of her husband (or was it unexpected?) and as soon as Sara sets foot on the island she is stepping into another world. A world of lies, secrets, not so nice people, murder? and all around strangeness. And what kind of person is Susan? Is she a cold blooded killer or just getting a raw deal? Oh, we find out and I will not give it away.

All of the above for me is just about a guarantee of a great book. I like families that have skeletons and are not your Leave it to Beaver type of family. Trust me, the Beaver could never have been part of this bunch!

We get a hint of what will be happening in the chapter titles. I really liked that. Before I started the chapter I would try to figure out what was about to take place. I was wrong more than I was right!

The twists and turns had my head spinning at times, a good spinning, I had to keep reading and never did I see what was coming at the end. The only complaint that I had and again, it's just my opinion is that at times the writing was hard to read, didn't flow smoothly in some places and I had to re-read.

A great suspense book with a touch of what I call Gothic horror and creepiness added in. I look forward to more from Mr. Butler.

~this book was received free from the author for review consideration~

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Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat

7:00 pm 23 September 2011

Absolutely wonderful book. See what Telly Says....

This Bird Flew Away

7:00 pm 19 September 2011

When you open the pages of this book you do not step into a world of pretty flowers and sunny skies, you walk into the world of sexual abuse, violence, trauma and more heartache then any young girl should know. All this from a man who is suppose to love and protect her, her step-father. This is the world of Bria Jean. The things that happen to her are not fair but she has courage and hope and she survives and thrives.

I really liked Jack. He was much older than Bria but there was always a connection between them. I could feel the struggle that went on in Jack's mind, his muddled feelings towards Bria. Were his feelings deeper than just brotherly/fatherly love? No matter what, Jack never gave up or turned his back on Bria. He was her rock, her friend, someone she could count on to always be there. Yes, I liked Jack.

This Bird Flew Away is a tough book to read due to the mature situations. For some readers this may be a turn off but unfortunately, this subject is not one we should turn a blind eye to or dance around. Children live through these abuses every day, Ms. Martin did a good job of opening my eyes a bit more and helping me see things from a victim's point of view.

The Diva Haunts the House

7:00 pm 17 September 2011

Review TBA, read for Suspense Magazine

Commune Of Women

7:00 pm 13 September 2011

I enjoy books that not only tell a good story but take us deep into the minds, thoughts and lives of the characters in the story. A Commune of Women takes us on that journey. Seven women who could not be any different are tossed together under extremely dire circumstances and must find a way to endure by working together to survive. Can you imagine being locked in a fairly small room with six other strangers, sharing food, water, trying to help the woman who is injured and not think about the chaos and death that is going on outside that door? I sure can't.

I admired every one of these women for different reasons. I have to say my favorite was Sophia. I would love to be as able and calm as she was in such a high stress time. She never panicked and seem to be very confident as to how to go about things. I couldn't wait to find out more about her. I hung on her every word imagining myself in her shoes.

Pearl, the street lady was my least favorite. I very much wanted to like her but I had a very hard time reading her. The author wrote her using the back woods talk that is very real but was hard for me to understand. When her narratives came around the story stopped the smooth flow because I had to read very slowly and re-read a lot of her conversations. BUT, I think she had the most common sense and the brightest way of looking at things. Pearl's cup was always half full!

The plot is really right out of the news with a terrorist attack at an airport. It was scary in many places because it could happen, has happened. I don't know if I could be as brave as these women.

Get ready for be in for the long haul once you open the cover. The story takes off with a bang and never slows down until the end.

Want to see what Telly Says

Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty

7:00 pm 12 September 2011

Very thought provoking little book. Full review can be found on my blog

The Band That Played on: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic

7:00 pm 12 September 2011

I have read a lot about the Titanic but this is the first book that I've read devoted to the musicians. W. Hartley, C. Krins, R. Bricoux, W.T. Brailey,
J. Woodward, J.F. Clarke, J.L. Hume, P.C. Taylor

I learned some things that shocked me. Families actually had to pay to get their family member back. If they were lucky enough to be found and identified! Families had to pay for embalming and transportation of the body home. Since the Titanic did not finish it's voyage, full pay was not sent, deductions were made for the remaining days. This is sickening.

We learn about each member if the band, their background, the way they wound up onboard and where their families are today.

Did they play voluntarily or was it under the order of their band leader or the captain? That is a question that will never be answered. Did they really play Nearer My God to thee as so many reported? My question.....does it really matter?

Tor me, regardless of the what's and whys, these men gave their lives while trying to help others. Their playing of music no matter what kind or what songs, helped people to feel calmer in the midst of chaos. They, like the captain,went down with the ship. Only three of their bodies were recovered. They are heros.

I especially liked the photos. They tell their own story about the people and places in them. The book was well researched and includes lots of interesting trivia.

Recommended for any one who has an interest in the Titanic.

Telling Lies

7:00 pm 11 September 2011

Action, suspense and a plot that includes the 9/11 tragedy.

Click for full review and to see what Telly Says

2BR02B

7:00 pm 9 September 2011

I have to say this was interesting. It was my first read by Vonnegut and I do understand now why my son loves him.

It's a short story about population control. For every child born that is going to live, a volunteer must die. Imagine what goes through a father's head when his wife is about to have triplets!

I enjoyed it and it really makes me stop and think. I didn't think I would enjoy it and I was pleasantly surprised. I think I will give something else by this author a try.

Missing in Mexico

7:00 pm 8 September 2011

Nice little mystery, lots of interesting lessons on Mexico. Full review can be found on my blog

Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris

7:00 pm 7 September 2011

Can you say sicko? This book turned my stomach. Read the full review on my blog

The Human Spirit: Apartheid's Unheralded Heroes

7:00 pm 4 September 2011

Very inspiring book. Full review on my blog

Play Dead

7:00 pm 2 September 2011

I really enjoyed this creepy book.

Full Review Here

House of Shadows

7:00 pm 1 September 2011

I love a good creepy read, listening to a creepy read is even better. House of Shadows certainly had elements of both. Yes, it was very predictable but the spooky factor was still there. It is one of those books that is not out and out blood and gore but has those subtle undertones of creepiness.

I loved the mysterious old woman whom Riana befriends. She was the highlight of the book for me. Her comings and goings, her desire to have her husband's name cleared of horrible charges all made her quite interesting. Riana was a little too over the top for my liking. She certainly had no problems speaking her mind. I love the ghost hunting weekends and the quirky people that showed up in the hopes of running into one.

The story was a bit complicated at times and didn't always flow smoothly, at least in my opinion. The narrator did a grand job of bringing it to life. Not the best ghostly mystery that I have read but certainly one that is worth a listen.

Pinch Me

7:00 pm 18 August 2011

Very cute book. Nice easy read.

Article first published as Book Review: Pinch Me by Adena Halpern on Blogcritics.

The Fatal Gift of Beauty: The Trials of Amanda Knox

7:00 pm 13 August 2011

I think I am in the minority with my feelings on this book. I did not love this book. I knew next to nothing about Amanda Knox and the horrible crime that she was found guilty of. Normally when you read a true crime book you learn so much more about the crime and the people involved. I did not find that to be the case with this book. I finished it not knowing anymore than I did when I started it.

The author did a lot of research and the book is filled with information but for me, it seemed like unnecessary information or redundant information. It told a lot about Italian history and Perugian history but it was too much. I would have liked to have had more detail on the crime and on Meredith and Amanda Knox. I came away feeling lost and confused.

I think the author did a good job of trying to show Amanda Knox as innocent and unfairly sentenced. That could be, but I didn't come away from the book feeling one way or the other.

If you are a true crime fan and familiar with the case it is worth reading. For one not so familiar with the case I don't know it this is the book to start with. As usual I say, read it yourself and then decide.