Mari by I. M. Telling

   Mari is an educated, beautiful young woman from Nairobi. She dreamed of one day being a very successful model in New York City, America.  She knew then she would be able to provide for herself and her family. Like most young women, Mari has a Facebook account and enjoys talking to people there. It gives her a glimpse into the world beyond Nairobi.  It was there she met Ronald.  Their conversations were polite, sweet, and caring.  Mari asked Ronald for a photo of himself. In return he asked for nude photos of Mari.  Although it wasn't easy for her, Mari did get the partial nudes and sent them to Ronald.  He immediately told her she'd be able to get modelling jobs easily in the United States. He was going to arrange for her to fly to Raleigh, North Carolina where he'd meet her.  A day or two later  Ronald told her there was a problem and he couldn't afford to send her the money to get her to North Carolina. Mari sold her clothing and laptop to get the money needed to make the trip.  She just knew it was going to be wonderful for her life.  She had no way of knowing the hell she was walking into. Yes, there were red flags, but Mari was excited and fancied herself in love.  Now, it would take all of her strength and knowledge to combat this modern day Civil War.  Mari couldn't believe places like this compound existed in the United States.  Would she survive? Only time would tell.


    This book takes you to a place none of us ever thought would exist in today's world. It shows us the inside of a group of twisted minds.  The story could essentially happen to any young woman who didn't really pay attention to the red flags.  The characters are strong and reach inside themselves for even more strength than we'd think humanly possible.  The book is graphic, but in keeping with the story.  I cringed, I cried and I cheered Mari on.   I applaud I.M.Telling for daring to reach into an area most would prefer to see shoved in a closet and locked away.  This book is one you will enjoy and it will stay with you long after you've finished it. I highly recommend this one.


   I didn't find any issues.


   I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it haunted my mind to think this could really happen in today's world. 

AWARD TIME!!

  I am THRILLED to announce Have You Heard My Book Review has received 3 awards!  Thank you to Karen at  http://karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com  for the awards! We've been doing the happy dance all morning.  I'm new to these awards so forgive me if I forget to add something or do something that is required.  The awards are as follows:

As with any award there are rules and these are they:

1. Include the award logo somewhere in your blog.
2. Answer the 9 questions below
3. Nominate 10 to 12 blogs you enjoy. Or you pick the number. I’m going with 5 for this award and 5 for the other award

4. Pay the love forward: Provide your nominee’s link in your post and comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been included and invited to participate.

5. Pay the love back with gratitude and a link to the blogger(s) who nominated you.

http://audreyhollandblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.tatumsreviews.com/

http://bookmonsterreviews.blogspot.com/


http://brinacourtney.blogspot.com/

http://mchanson714.blogspot.com/




Questions for me to answer. 

What is your favorite colour?

Pink and green

What’s your favorite animal?

Rabbit 

 What’s your favorite non-alcoholic drink?

Tea

Facebook or Twitter?

mostly Twitter but I keep Facebook fresh

What is your favorite pattern?

I prefer a flower pattern

Favorite number?

25

Favorite day of the week?

Wednesday

Favorite flower?

Pink Roses and Daisies

What is your passion?

Writing and my children!


Seven things about myself  that you don't know yet. Nominate 5 blogs that inspire me.


1. I'm allergic to all flowers but three.. Roses, Daisies and Carnations.


2. I'm a children's book writer.


3. I'm 50% Cherokee.


4. I'm actually 48.


5. I've lived in every state but 6.


6.  My favorite place is the beach.


7.  I once worked in a clam factory ( allergic to clam juice..lol).


http://liladipasqua.blogspot.com/


http://modokkerbookpicks.blogspot.com/


http://bonafidereflections.com/


http://www.charityparkerson.com/


http://douglaswickard.blogspot.com/


Another award we've been given I nearly missed. Because I didn't understand what to do for it. Thank you to Ninette   http://www.ninetteswann.com/2012/06/liebster-blog-award.html.  It means so much to me! 

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers and Liebster is a German word which means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

The Rules:

1. Each person must post 10 facts about themselves

2. Answer 10 questions the tagger has given you and give 10 questions for the people you’ve tagged.

3. Choose 10 people and link them in your post.

4. Tell them you’ve tagged them.

5. Remember, no tag backs.

Here Are My Questions to You:

1. What is your favorite opening line of a book?

2. What is your favorite blog post of your own and why?

3. If you couldn't read for a week, what would you do with your time?

4. Who is your least favorite author?

5. What elements does a story need to have to keep you interested?

6. Have you ever not finished a book? Which ones?

7. What book do you consider your best kept secret (something you love, but no one else has heard of)?

8. You're at a dinner party with three book characters. Who are they?

9. You're at a dinner party with three authors. Who are they?

10. Has a book ever changed your life?

1. Don't really have a favorite.

2. http://haveyouheardbookreview.blogspot.com/2012/03/perfect-husband-by-douglas-wickard.html

3. I'd be crafting.

4. I'd have to think about that for a long time.

5.  I like a story to flow well. Make sense.

6.  I have a rule with myself. If you start it, finish it.

7.  Most have been discovered by friends.

8. Rhett Butler, one of the Cynster men, and a rouge pirate.

9. Eloisa James , Shana Galen, Veronica Scott.

10. No.

A Dead Red Oleander by RP Dahlke

   Planning a wedding and trying to run a business is difficult at best, but Lalla Baines is doing just that.  Everything seems to be going smoothly until Lalla hires a pilot to help out with the family Aero Ag business.  Dewey Treat seems okay. He's likable even though he doesn't know much about what he's doing.  Mad Dog, another pilot has a bad feeling about Dewey though.  At the final company BBQ, everyone is having a great time, then Mad Dog shows up with some guy no one knew. He was asking questions about Dewey and just before he and Mad Dog leave the party, Dewey drops dead.  Lalla finds herself wrapped up tight in a mystery that just won't go away.  With the help of her cousin Pearlie and her soon-to-be husband, Sheriff Caleb Stone, Lalla might have it all figured out before her wedding day. Unless something goes wrong.  


    A terrific book with humor, down home fun and characters you just have to meet.  The book is well written and solid. I found it an easy read and fun.  It's not a deep dark murder mystery, it's more of a what could possibly happen next kind of mystery.   You'll enjoy getting to ride along with Lalla while she tries her best to figure things out. 


   I found no issues.


   I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because it's title is misleading I believe. 

Sail With Me by Chelsea Heights

  Detective Delaney Davenport is a good and experienced cop.  She wants to move up in the department but the 'good ole boys' club finds any reason they can to keep her right where she is.   Delaney's private life wasn't going any better. Her ex husband cheated on her for years and it seemed Delaney was the last to know. Then a year after their divorce, her ex, Kevin died. His death was embarrassing and very public.  After that she stayed pretty much to herself.
   The Chief loved giving Delaney the minor, petty cases. He never let her work anything that needed real work.  Until she started looking at one particular file, Caroline O'Sullivan.  Being a small town, everyone knew everyone else. Delaney knew Caroline and she didn't seem crazy like neighbors and towns people had been saying for years. A close look at her files reveal more going on that anyone expected. Certainly more than Delaney thought she'd find. It might even require assistance from outside sources. Delaney begins what could be the biggest case of her career.


  AMAZING is the best word to describe this book. Just 111 pages long, but it moves quickly, is well written and the characters can be found in any town.  The story is an old but good one.  Chelsea Heights did a very good job of capturing small town America in this book.  I enjoyed this and recommend it, especially to those who want a quick summer read.


    I did have an issue with the way the ending came about.  We were in the middle of the action and suddenly it was over the book was finished. I felt the ending was too soon.


    I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because the ending came up like an unexpected curve in the road. 

Tessa's Treasures: Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll by Callie Hutton

  Lucas Raven had been married to the wrong woman for years. An unexpected pregnancy put his plans on hold for twenty five years. Then his wife died and he was free to move on.  He'd been in love with Annie Jordan since she was 17. She was his best friend's little sister and off limits then. Annie Jordan was hoping Lucas would wait for her to grow up. When he didn't, she moved on with her life.  Married to an abusive cop, Annie lived in terror.  Finally the two of them are in their hometown, unmarried and ready to admit and explore their feelings for each other. Annie a little gun shy since her marriage, moved very slowly toward Lucas. Strange things started happening to Annie. She thinks she knows why but isn't sure until the fire. Lucas is certain it's her ex husband trying to terrorize Annie and he's determined to find out why. One thing for sure, the love they share is as strong as ever.


   A loving and tender story about regaining trust both of self and others.  I think the approach to Annie's abusive marriage is done in such a way that it doesn't dominate the story, but you can tell it's an intricate part of it. The characters are real and very solid. I enjoy the fact Lucas isn't afraid to take things slow with Annie and loves her enough to put her first.  You'll enjoy this book.  The basic lessons learned in this one are ones we all need to keep in mind. As an ex abused spouse/girlfriend, I know how difficult it can be to find someone like Lucas. Thanks for this story Callie!


   I didn't find issues.


   I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it touched my heart in a positive way. 

Devious by Lisa Jackson

   New Orleans has always been a place where anything seems possible, but no one expected to find nuns dead in a chapel.  It seems someone has a grudge. Rick Bentz and his partner Reuben Montoya  are called to St. Marguerite's church and the site of the first murder. Unfortunately, Montoya knows the deceased and several others at St. Marguerite's.  He should let someone else work the case, but this is personal. These people were from his past.  The investigation starts off rough and just gets rougher. Nothing is as it seems at St. Marguerite's.  The first body is Sister Camille, an ex party girl getting ready to take her final vows, or was she?  Soon a pattern become evident and working on every lead they get, Bentz and Montoya do their best to figure out this mystery before the killer strikes again. 


   This book is FILLED with characters. I'd be so bold as to say they could have their own who-dun-it dinner party. The story is solid and intricate.  That being said, let me move on to the issues I found.


   I did find issues. The book is long winded and full of unnecessary things. This one is 527 pages. You read it right...527. Out of that, Lisa Jackson could have cut about 200 pages at least and had a better book.  There are at least 5 stories being told in this one book and I believe it takes away from the basic story of nuns being murdered.  It also drags in places. 


    I gave this one 3 out of 5 books because it just simply wasn't bestseller quality. 

Insane Circumstances by Brenda Smith

    Brandi got a scholarship to attend college but the college is further north.  Her family is concerned about her being so far from home, but Brandi is ready. At least she thinks she is.  From the moment she steps off the bus at Claxville,  Brandi encounters situations she might never have experienced.  Working hard to keep her grades up and make everyone proud of her, Brandi is living through circumstances no one should have to live through.  Finding friends is difficult because of her skin color, Brandi doesn't give up though. She soon learns how to be herself and deal with the white girls who make her life so miserable at every turn.  Brandi learns lessons she then shares with someone going through very similar things.


   Explosive, powerful, moving and disturbing are all great ways to describe Insane Circumstances by Brenda Smith.  The writing is solid, characters well defined and the lesson is one society still needs to learn.  I found this book to be eye-opening in many ways.  As a human being, I was ashamed and disturbed by some of what is contained in this book. To think someone lived through this nightmare is heartbreaking. You'll love the spirit of Brandi Leigh Brown though! She's not one to give up easily and she will fight back. This should be required reading in every school in the world. Brenda Smith has shed light on a situation most would prefer be hidden forever. Bravo Ms Smith!! 


    I found only a minor issue with this. The time period being what it was, I can't imagine they used some of the eloquent words Brenda Smith uses. 


   I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it will become one of the classics.