Serenity- A Serialized Young Adult Novel

www.realbuzzstudios.com
www.serenitybuzz.com
www.thomasnelson.com

RealBuzz Studios releases their 7th serialized SERENITY book. This latest outing, SPACE CADET VS. DRAMA QUEEN, has Serenity and her friends in a bit of trouble when they take Sally to see a rated R movie. Sally's dad is not happy, but eventually Sally is able to worm out of some of her punishment because the church group decides they could make a better movie than the one they just saw. Sally's up for the starring role, and the rest of the friends all find their parts within the movie.

Meanwhile, Serenity finds herself questioning her mother's lack of parental guidance. She's tired of having a mother who acts "more like a bossy older sister." She sees how Sally's dad is involved in Sally's life and wonders why her mother has to be so different. In the end, Sally will learn a very important lesson.

For a Christian anime comic, I never found SERENITY: SPACE CADET VS. DRAMA QUEEN to be even remotely preachy. Granted, I'm an adult, so my viewpoint my be a little skewed, but the one thing I didn't like was the anime. In general, I can't stand the big eyes and pointy noses that are trademark in this genre. My kids are also not into anime, so I couldn't have them offer their insight. I can say the illustrators do an excellent job with the anime, as it is very similar to the anime you see on television.

I will comment on the storyline. It will certainly appeal to the younger teen and 'tween crowd. The message throughout the story in regards to parenting styles is minimal, but the details into the movie making are excellent. The comic book then breaks off in the cartoon version of the sci-fi movie the kids are making. In essence, the serialized young adult book is really two stories in one.

Would I buy this book for my children? Providing they liked anime, I would not hesitate. It is a nice length for most children who have other hobbies, yet still need to stick to school reading requirements for their homework.

And Baby Makes Five - Gail Gaymer Martin

Felisa Carillo, a young widow, is about to give birth in the same fields where she works. Chad Garrison is visiting his fields when he sees Felisa. Chad quickly comes to her aid, rushing her to the hospital. He determines that all is well and his job is done; but Chad cannot seem to walk away.

Felisa has lived a difficult life as a migrant worker. She knows how others see her, so her boss’ attempts to help her seem too good to be true. She wonders about his motives and what will happen to her baby. Felisa appreciates the help Chad offers, but is not sure if she should really be accepting it.

This is the premise behind Gail Gaymer Martin’s AND BABY MAKES FIVE, a contemporary romance novel. The story explores two people struggling to trust the unfamiliar. As they learn to trust, they also learn to love one another.

This is the second time I have read one of Gail Gaymer Martin’s romance novels. I enjoyed this novel just as much as I enjoyed FAMILY IN HIS HEART. One of my closest friends loves romance novels, and I am excited to have found two great reads to recommend to her!

Family In His Heart - Gail Gaymer Martin

Rona Meyers is a woman running from her past. She has come to Les Cheneaux in Michigan for her escape. Rona’s search for a new life lands her at a small diner where she finds employment and new friends. One of these new friends is more intriguing than the rest. Nick Thornton’s good looks and chivalric act immediately capture Rona’s attention.

Nick Thornton is dealing with his own past, when he meets Rona in the diner. He wants to get to know her more and begins to make plans to do just that. As they both struggle with the difficulties of their past, Rona and Nick slowly begin to develop a friendship. However, they must face the things they have both been running from, if they are ever to have a future together.

I have to admit that I used to be a huge fan of romance novels. There was something alluring about getting swept up in the fantasy of the romance. However, I also have to say that I wanted there to be something “cleaner” for me to be able to enjoy. I believe I have found my answer with Gail Gaymer Martin. Curling up on my sofa with the pocket-sized paperback, was a real treat.

FAMILY IN HIS HEART is a sweet read! It would make a wonderful gift for anyone on your list who may enjoy a romance novel. I liked that the book included questions for discussion. Gail also gives her readers a little note at the end of the book reminding them of the power of forgiveness and second chances. I’m looking forward to my next Gail Gaymer Martin novel!

The Legend Of St. Nicholas - Dandi Daley Mackall

THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS: A Story of Christmas Giving
Author: Dandi Daley Mackall
Illustrator: Guy Porfirio
ZonderKidz
ISBN-10: 0310713277
October 2007
Fiction: Children's Fiction/Picture Book Ages 4-8
www.zonderkidz.com
Reviewed by L.L. Woodard

THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS poses a problem for this reviewer: It is impossible to know which to praise higher—the story or the illustrations. Having read the book with its bright, colorful pictures accompanying the author's story illustrating the joy of giving, it is tough to picture one without the other. The story, told beautifully, includes a rendition of the original St. Nick as well as the Christian theme of the wise men.

Not only was I delighted with the book which delivers its message without preachiness, but so were my grandchildren, ages three, four, and eleven. True enough, the eleven-year-old found the book to be “kiddish,” she nevertheless enjoyed it, ooohing and ahhing at the delightful illustrations that fairly pop from the pages. The faces of the people in the story seem lifelike enough to be photographs.

And although this is a Christmas story, it is a book that could be enjoyed throughout the year. Parents and children alike will be delighted with THE LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS.

Your Chariot Awaits - Lorena McCourtney

Andi McConnell is not having a great week. She was just laid off at her job and feels there are no new prospects for her career. Her boyfriend has decided they should stop seeing each other. To top it all off, this just happens to be the same week that Andi is turning sixty.

Adding to the craziness of her week is a surprise visit from a distant relative who gives Andi an unexpected and strange inheritance. A rich uncle Andi knew nothing about has left her a limousine. She has no idea what to do with such a gift. While still trying to figure out how to proceed with her jobless state and her new vehicle, Andi receives the biggest shock yet. A body is found in the trunk of her new limousine.

Andi quickly finds herself in the midst of her own investigation guided by Keegan Fitz, a quirky former T.V. private investigator. What follows is a surprisingly fun attempt to solve the mystery that has brought itself to Andi’s front door.

I tend to shy away from the mystery/suspense genre because I simply don’t have the stomach for it. With YOUR CHARIOT AWAITS, Lorena McCourtney has taken the concept of a murder mystery and created a clean, entertaining novel.

YOUR CHARIOT AWAITS is described as the first in the Andi McConnell mysteries. I am looking forward to additional novels from this series and more from McCourtney!

Till Morning Is Nigh - Leisha Kelly

If you've never read any of Leisha Kelly's novels, there are a series of books revolving around Julia Wortham and her husband Samuel. Falling upon hard times, Julia and Samuel are befriended by a charming older woman and wind up owning her home. So while food may be scarce in the 1930s, the couple are lucky enough to be given a roof over their heads. Over the years, the couple have not only raised their own children, but they are also raising their abandoned niece and helping to raise a neighbor's children--the Hammonds. After George Hammond's wife died, he would rather spend his time alone, drunk than acknowledge he has ten children who need him.

TILL MORNING IS NIGH is a Christmas novella. The plot moves swiftly and there are two main conflicts. One occurs when a number of the Hammond children become sick. Obviously, this evokes fear because their mother's illness led to her death. The other issue occurs when Samuel goes to round up George Hammond to go with him to fetch the doctor. Samuel returns with the doctor following, but no George. George disappears in this novel, taking the family's money with him.

One thing I like about Leisha Kelly's novels is that nothing is cut and dried. Sure this novel is set in Christmas, but this series is also set in the Depression. As much as we'd like to make everything sunny, life throws curve balls that make existence seem futile at times. TILL MORNING IS NIGH is no different. I won't tell readers how it ends, read it and find out, but there is definitely a trace of realism that today's men and women will be understand. While salaries for many today have not changed in years, heating bills, electricity bills, gas (auto) bills, car payments, and mortgages have skyrocketed. By no means are things as bad as they were in the depression, but they definitely are not great either. In a way, TILL MORNING IS NIGH helps put today's woes into perspective--things are bad, but they could be worse.

If you want a thought-provoking Christmas novel, Leisha Kelly's novel is a great choice.

An Irish Christmas by Melody Carlson

This September, Melody Carlson offered her inspirational Christmas tale. In the story, a mother and son are both hiding important secrets that once revealed threatens to change their relationship entirely. Colleen Frederick is a recent widow and her son’s silence as he nears his college graduation date bothers her, but she realizes she cannot push him. Now that she is all alone, she decides to sell her late husband’s shoe store and their family home and settle for something smaller near the ocean.
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Meanwhile, Jamie, her son, is hiding the fact that he dropped out because he never wanted to get his business degree, music is all that matters to him. When he learns that his mom has sold the store and is planning to sell their home, he is furious, but most of this is an act. He simply doesn’t want to reveal the truth about his own future. On a whim, Colleen books a trip to Ireland for the two of them. She has a secret to share about Jamie’s past that she feels is best told in Ireland.

I love Melody Carlson’s books, but found AN IRISH CHRISTMAS to be harder to get into. The writing was just as emotional as always, but I think my compassion for the characters was lacking. Had they been up front from the start, they could have saved themselves a lot of pain. Either way, by the time they headed for Ireland I was totally engrossed to the storyline. The reader is aware of secrets far before the characters so it is enjoyable to see how they play out.

I have to admit that I was all ready to argue the legal drinking age in this review, but I always research items first. Turns out the author knows her stuff and I learned a thing or two. The legal drinking age was 21 until the 70s when it was lowered for a little more than a decade. So this is an eye-opening piece of history that I never would have known had I skipped reading AN IRISH CHRISTMAS.

Moving Things Over

While WordPad might be the preferred blog for many, I found them to be a pain. It would not take my HTML codes and images due to some conflict with the template I was using and though there were instructions on changing it to allow for HTML, it wasn't working. I'e never had a problem with Blogger, so I'm moving things to this format.