The Wood's Edge

A review by Spencer

“Now I make no claim to prophecy, but this I know: it is a matter of time before my waking eyes see that which haunts me in the night.”

Well, I’ve got to say, what initially drew me to read The Wood’s Edge, by Lori Benton, was the cover art. Lovely. It tells a story on its own. The blurb also intrigued me.

I have to admit it took me a little bit to get interested. Several chapters, in fact, but I resisted the urge to close the book and continue later. As the pacing picked up, and I became more familiar with the 1700 time period and the language nuances throughout, I became more absorbed.

Okay…as far as the plot, this story is strong. It has good pacing—at times intense, and others more subdued, but my mind tended to wander during the slower parts. Perhaps it was my frame of mind while reading it. (I’d heard from another reader that the ending leaves you hanging, so it lessened my interest.) But the characters are compelling and the storyline is fresh and captivating.

I’d have given this book a higher rating if the ending had been more satisfying. The author is a talented writer with a unique storytelling style that I grew to enjoy very much, but I yearn for a more satiated feeling upon closing the book.

Publisher: Random House LLC

Page Count: 400

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Rating:

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Disclosure of Material Connection in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: BloggingForBooks has provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

The Wood's Edge

A review by Abi

Remorse and self-loathing battered from within, tempting him to open his coat and invite this bloody-minded heathen staring him down across the embers to try for his heart.

The blurb of The Wood's Edge intrigued me. Living in Upstate New York, I'm aware of the plentiful history surrounding my neck of the woods. However, this book brought that history alive with splendor, grief, adventure and daily life in the 1700's. I loved the varied cast of characters, and though there are many, I never once got them mixed up. Every character is well-developed and believable. I became absolutely engrossed while delving into the world rich with history.

Sometimes the timeline had me going back a page or two in order grasp where I was, because it sometimes moved too swiftly. However it didn't take much to be invested again. I felt like I was living the story as it unfolded right with the characters…and I must admit, I'm a tiny bit in love with Two-Hawks, but I'm sure Anna won't have any of that nonsense, so I'll have to settle for swooning.

I won't reiterate the blurb, but I will say the choices Reginald made affected every character in the book, which goes to show how his decision to steal a child, no matter the reason, will have life-long repercussions.

Lori Benton's writing is visual, her voice soft and gentle. I loved this book.

In the interest of an honest review, I must also state what I found lacking, or didn't like about the book. The Wood's Edge kept me on the edge of my seat—then dropped me on my butt with the last scene. I was left blinking, wondering what the heck just happened. I needed closure and only then did I realize this story was left with a major plot unfinished. I love series books. Heck, I even write them. However, I prefer a book to have closure, series or not. The Wood's Edge left me hanging and to tell the truth, a bit frustrated.

 However, now that you know this will leave you hanging, you won't come across this by surprise. Therefore, I still highly recommend this book. Lori Benton's creation is amazing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth?

A Review By Abi

It's not spit. It's not. But it's kind of like spit.

This Is What You Just Put in Your Mouth, by Patrick Di Justo, isn't what I expected. I figured it would be full of so much gross information that I'd probably never attempt to eat anything other than vegetables from my garden and water after reading . However, I was too busy chuckling at the back-story section of each product to really care what the heck I put in my mouth.

Yes. I just said that.

The witty back-stories are more entertaining than the sleep-inducing ingredient list of the products—and saved me from falling asleep.

The first half of the book is about stuff you put in your mouth, but the last half is full of anything from shampoo to flu shots. I found out a whole lot more than I wanted to know about things I put on or in me.

Yes. I just said that too.

In all seriousness, I did enjoy this book. However I am left with a quandry, I must use something to wash all the knowledge I gleaned out of my brain. I wonder…what I can use that doesn't have something harmful or gross as an ingredient? I guess I'll have to leaf through the book again to find out.

Book Rating:

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Publisher: Three Rivers Press

Page Count: 272

Purchase Link: Amazon

Disclosure of Material Connection in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: BloggingForBooks has provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth?

A review by Spencer

"Cherry cordials are predigested for you."

This Is What You Just Put in Your Mouth, by Patrick Di Justo, is unlike most other non-fiction informational books I’ve read. With a mixture of facts, formulas, and humor, it’s actually a fun read. I was a little surprised at how the author’s witty comments made this an enjoyable book.

I must say the title is a tad deceiving, because it contains much more than food you eat. The second part of the book includes random things such as flu shots, dandruff shampoo, and Noxzema.

The book is separated into two sections. Part One: This is What You Put in Your Mouth, and Part Two: This is What You Don’t Put into Your Mouth.

Part One and Two consist of the many ingredients included in each product (which I found a little mind-numbing) and closes with a Backstory section. The meaty backstory part contains fascinating, surprising, and amusing input that gives this book it’s entertainment factor.

Overall: I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Some of the information is kind of gross and I hope I can soon forget it, but if you relish in grossing people out with random food (and non-food) product facts, then this book is for you.

Publisher: Three Rivers Press

Page Count: 272

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Rating:

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Disclosure of Material Connection in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: BloggingForBooks has provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Q&A a day

Review by Abi

What motivated you today?~ Q&A a day

The last time I actually kept a consistent journal was…well, never. I have great intentions, and religiously fill it with my thoughts, adventures, and even boredom for the first month—maybe even two if I'm extra determined to do better than I did the year before. After the spurt of energetic I-will- write-every-single-day, the rest of the journal gathers dust instead of thoughts.

Q & A a Day by publisher Potter Style makes this task easy to complete —and I like easy because I'm basically lazy. It's a neat little five-year journal, with questions on each page. There's just enough room to write a couple of sentences each day. Tah-dah! Quick, easy and pretty dang fun! Every page has a spot for each year. Kind of a cool way to see your progress, huh?

Here are a few examples of the questions:

What can you live without now?

What is your favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning?

What can you smell right now?

If you could acquire a talent (without any effort), what would it be?

I believe I will actually keep consistent entries with this journal. The questions are a mixture of silly, serious and thought-nudging inspiration to prod at least a couple of sentences out of me.  

The compact size (approx. 6x4"), and gold-edged pages, (I like shiny) are a plus. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can't seem to fill a journal from front to back.

Book Rating:

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Publisher: Potter Style

Page count: 368

Disclosure of Material Connection in accordance with Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255: BloggingForBooks has provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.