Jivin' Tango by Connie L. Smith

     Thomas Jefferson High School never had a better dance team than Lila and Trent. Best friends since forever, they were like one well oiled machine.  Dance is the reason Lila stayed in Colorado when her parents moved to Arizona.  She was staying with family friends until she graduated from high school.  Lila had no way of knowing her sophomore year was going to be one of change.  Question is, can she keep up with the changes?

     This book involves several lessons many women need to learn.  It's also a well written love story.  The characters are relate-able and fun.  The energy is palpable. I could feel Lila's determination and love of dance.  Ms. Smith gives us a front row seat to events pretty common in the high school world.  You'll enjoy being right there cheering Lila and Trent on as they dance.  The realization of heartbreak and relationship problems are made clear in this one.  Grab your copy and let me know what you think.

     I didn't find any issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I think the life lessons are important ones. 

Transcending Queen by S.K. Thomas

     Melissa is still trying to come to grips with the death of her husband. It was shocking and violent.  Jack, her friend, asks her to help him with a case.              There is a priest who isn't who he says he is. Jack and Melissa use the fact she'd just lost her husband as their "in".  She needed counselling.  Things seldom go as planned.  No one expected her to fall in love with the questionable priest.  The next question is, can she still do her job effectively? 

     This story is a good one, it just needs a little help.  I applaud Melissa. She's trying to deal with her personal issues and work a case. It is difficult at best.  The lessons herein, whether she can remain on the side of law and order, or will she protect her priest. I felt her pain and her joy. It's a very quick read.  

     I did find issues.  Conversations need to be made easier to read. Start a new paragraph for each person talking. It makes it hard to follow the way they are now. It also needs to show more clearly Father Clayton's misdeeds.  

     I gave this one 3 cheers out of 5 because the story is a good one. 

COMING SOON FROM: PAUL M. KRAMER

     Dottie is three now and it's time to start potty training.  Daddy bought her a brand new, red and white potty. They explain number one is potty.  Number two is poop or doo doo. Dottie seems to get the hang of potty pretty quickly but is scared to try number two in her new potty.  Mommy and Daddy decide to let her sit on her potty for five or ten minutes, several times a day.  They found allowing Dotty to watch Mommy was helpful too.

     This is a great help book for parents. It's never easy to potty train every child. As a mother of 3 and Aunt to 12, I know first hand how different they can be.  You'll like how easy this book to share with your child. It's one you'll want as part of your parenting section of your library.  

     The only issue I had was when Dottie got scared to poop in her potty. I think I would have handled it differently. Removing all fear.

     I gave this one 4 out of 5 because of the fear portrayed inside.







GRANDMA WENT TO HEAVEN 

       Grandma joins Grandpa in heaven. We love and miss Grandma very much. She was our best friend, best secret keeper and she always had a special smell.  We needed each other. Grandma knew all my favorite foods  and stayed with me when Mom and Dad went out or away.

     I love this book! What a wonderful way to keep Grandma alive.  Having lost one grandma before I was 2 and another in my 40's, I know how it can affect littles. This book has a beautiful poem in the back. It should be framed and posted on the child's wall. This is another great addition to any library.  

     No issues with this one.

      I gave this book five cheers out of 5.




Thumb Suckers

      Would you suck on a carrot or a plum? Then why suck on your thumb? Germs are on your thumb and then get into your tummy. Suck on a flower. Does your thumb taste good?  

     This book is cute and will help some, but don't expect a lot from it.  I have two younger sisters, both who sucked their thumbs. My mother tried everything. Now in their 40's at times they still suck them. *smile*  This is not an easy thing for parents to deal with. I had one child who used a binky (pacifier) for her first 1 1/2 of life. The other two couldn't be tempted with either.  Still your kids will begin to get the idea with this book.

    I found no issues.

    I gave this one four cheers out of five because it's adorable.

Kaplan's Quest by Richard Steinitz

     Samuel Kaplan was named after his great-uncle Samuel. While growing up, there were many comparisons between the two. It only stood to reason the younger Samuel would write his thesis about his uncle's disappearance.  The elder Samuel was an outstanding athlete and had managed to get out of Germany before WWII started.  His family could not figure out why he went back to Berlin when he could have gone with his family to Jerusalem.  After WWII, there wasn't any more information to show his whereabouts. His family had no idea what happened to him.  The younger Samuel begins digging into historical documents, photos and books. His hope was he'd find his uncle.  He never knew his journey would take him to many places and provide him with an abundance of information.  

     First let me say I read this particular book five times. Yes, you read correctly, five times.  Mr. Steinitz takes us on a journey few will ever make.  The writing is solid and the characters three dimensional. I was lost in the story each time I read it! I decided to read it so many times because I didn't want to miss any detail.  I'm a history buff but I still learned many new details while reading this.  You'll be amazed at the historically accurate book.  Your emotions will be pulled in many directions as you follow the information Samuel discovers. Mr Steinitz has the uncanny ability of storytelling without making it seem like storytelling.  This is a keeper and should be on your TBR pile immediately.

     The only thing I would change is the charts. I think you can explain them very well without diagrams.  It's the only issue I found.

     I gave this book 5 cheers out of 5 because it's very in-depth.

Dangerous and Desirable by C. Michael Bennis

    This is where I would normally post a blurb about the book. Giving the reader a sense of where this book goes. I  can't do that with this book. You'll understand as you read on.

     I read this book 4 times. I pondered it and I didn't know what to do.  The characters seem unrealistic.  The plot is difficult to figure out. It's disjointed. This book also read very awkwardly.  Some areas of the book need more details. Others, less.  I can't even tell what the story was trying to say.  There was also some rather disturbing details. Read at your own risk!

    I did find issues, look above.

    I gave this one 1 cheer out of 5.

Aberrant by Douglas Wickard

     December 2014 and two men's lives will change forever.  Both men have had a rough time getting where they are in life.  It's never easy to be different though.  One man, an author whose hey-day has come and gone.  He is merely existing now.  A small apartment and very few friends were all he had now.  The other man, considerably younger, yet facing some of the same things the older man had faced.  Neither knew where life would take them next.  
     This look at the path each man has taken, is filled with secrets, heartbreak and danger. Ellery Flynn and Chance met in a small bar Ellery was known to frequent.  Their conversation is centered around their journey to this moment in time.  

     A book that is perfect for this time in our history.  So many have had to hide who they really are from others, but now, they can open their hearts.  Mr. Wickard's book is incredibly insightful and powerful.  I found it sad so many have had to live this way.  Now, perhaps, we can all open our minds a bit more.  You will enjoy the way these two men are drawn together.  It truly is a moving and wonderful read.  This book will make you wonder at those in your own life. If they are waiting to share more of themselves with you.  You will share this one with everyone. I know I have.  It is the first book in the series and is a marvelous stand alone book.  Check it out.  Douglas Wickard poured a great deal of himself in  this book.

     I found no issues with this one. 

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I was moved to share this with everyone.