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Grown Up Tales for Children

8/19/2014

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Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

*****
In The Wrath of Siren, by Kurt Chambers, part two of the Truth Teller Series, readers find Charlotte, the Truth Teller, back home with her family, believing her memories of the other realm and of her friend there, Elderfield, to be but dreams. But when the elf, Goffer, provides Elderfield with a pendant, which acts as another Gateway between the worlds, Elderfield determines he must warn Charlotte not to re-visit his world: the Dark Druid, Siren, is on the move. As luck would have it, upon returning back to his realm, Elderfield loses his Gateway. Tragic events follow, the consequences of which are that Elderfield’s Gateway winds up in Siren’s hands. Following the Dark Druid’s visit to Charlotte’s world, he believes he has incapacitated the Truth Teller, making it possible for him to wage a successful war back home. When he attacks the Stronghold, using an army of trolls and the winged beasts known as terrorhawks, inhabitants have little hope for survival. Will Charlotte, the only one capable of stopping Siren, arrive in time? And if she does, will she be able to access the power she will require to save the realm?

Kurt Chambers provides young readers with a decidedly “grown up” story. By that I mean that his writing is solid and his word choices are meaningful. Too often times, stories for young readers lack these things, succumbing to the use of slang and allowing the rules of grammar to go to the wayside. Not so with Chambers. Young readers also will experience a bit of the terror and violence typical of a more grown up story, yet the author does not dally with these issues, nor is he too graphic. Rather, he uses them to add credibility to his tale. Chambers develops characters that middle-graders are likely to identify with—or to fear, as the case may be. Along the way, they will learn of the value of friendship, of the worth of heroes, and of the importance of discovering that sometimes those different from them in some ways might also be like them in others, as the search for freedom and goodness is largely a universal one.



Also posted on GoodReads and BookLikes, added to my Facebook Page and Tweeted and cover pinned.

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S. D. Michael - A Force for Change

8/16/2014

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Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

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S. D. (Samantha Doris) Michael, seriously injured in a car accident at 18 years of age, tells her story in The Beauty of My Shadow. When Doris, who just left home for college, goes out with friends one night, the sister of one of her friends is to drive them home. Drunk, the 21-year old woman causes an accident in which Samantha Doris is the only person injured. She is brought, via helicopter, to a Toronto emergency room where her parents and Aunt Gisele meet her. In a coma, they learn that she suffered a severe closed-head injury. Her face also, was severely scarred. Sometime after the event, unable to re-connect with her life as “Doris,” the young woman changes her name to Samantha. The injury causes a “disconnect” between her and her former friends and between her new self and “Doris,” the young woman she once was. Though her journey is accompanied by many difficulties, her family and new friends help to usher her into a new life. Also, Princess Diana’s legacy lives on when readers learn of her visit to the recovery hospital where Samantha Doris spent some time. After years of legal disputes over the extent of her injuries and of undergoing medical procedures, Samantha emerges triumphant, organizing her own organization, An Aid to Help Foundation, dedicated to providing important life skills to young people to help them to make good decisions. 

The Beauty of My Shadow is a story of injury and recovery, pain and perseverance, anger and forgiveness, and emotional pain and healing. S. D. Michael walks readers through her journey with an honesty that is sometimes painful and always insightful. She provides information for hope and healing to others who have suffered similar injuries. Through her Foundation, S. D. Michael offers her memoir, books for children, and a CD to promote meditation, an exercise that was instrumental to her recovery. While Samantha Doris will always know some loss, the gains she made in finding herself are the themes that readers will hold and carry forward. With her efforts to assist others and her finding the means to forgive others, Samantha Doris is more than just a survivor—she is a force for change.

Find out more about S. D. Michael and her Foundation at http://anaid.org

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History and Honor

8/15/2014

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Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

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I have now had the pleasure of reading Trinity Icon, the third installment of Steve Wilson’s Michael Neill Adventures. The story opens with a tale from days long gone, when the Swedes invaded Poland. The story of the Swedes’ raid is passed through the ages, as survivors’ descendents continue to search for an icon missing from the church where Father Jakob was murdered on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1655. The story then picks up with Marine Captain Michael Neill. This time Neill is required to assist with events unfolding in Poland—events that include the antics of the Russians. Meanwhile, assassins pursue the lovely journalist, Viktoriya Gavrilenko, whom Neill met some time previously in Odessa, Russia. Viktoriya follows the story of the missing icon—a mystery that may finally be resolved, as an archeologist has found the sunken and long lost Swedish vessel on which he hopes the icon rests. Neill and others, including his love-interest, Marine Staff Sergeant Christina Arrens, seek to protect Viktoriya. At the same time, they endeavor to get the leaders of the surrounding countries to join together in opposition to Russia’s bully tactics. Throughout the tale, Wilson takes readers on a tour of beautiful and historic city and countryside venues in Poland and along the way, clues to the events of that dreadful murder in 1655 are revealed and the mystery of those days long gone, is ultimately solved.

I spent some time thinking about what I found most enjoyable about Steve Wilson’s Trinity Icon. I will identify the most notable points. First, I sincerely appreciate reading a work like this, which draws on my understanding of history and politics. The tale, with its frequent use of those “musical” Russian names, stirred my memories of long ago days, when I studied so much Russian history, politics and philosophy. Wilson has a thorough understanding of these things. For the well-versed, it makes for an enjoyable read. But even the lesser-informed reader could enjoy these tales—and learn something in the process. Second, I appreciate Wilson’s expertise regarding the military as an organization, and the weapons and tools (including aircraft) at their disposal. A reader is sure to gain some knowledge in these areas. (This one certainly did.) Third, it is rare to find a “leading man” of such authority and integrity as Michael Neill. At times, he seems almost unreal, as so few such men seem to exist today. But is that not the point of a great tale—to inspire and to challenge? Trinity Icon most certainly does so. Finally, I quite enjoyed the give and take between Neill and Arrens and those little touches that could only be dubbed “romance.” While military rules prohibit certain relationships, the story reveals their true affection for one another. This reader expects they will make decisions in the stories to come, such that they may fully entertain their feelings. But for now, this reader also is delighted to know that honorable men and women, though rare, do still exist.


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Chrissie's Run

8/8/2014

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Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

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Just sixteen, pregnant, betrayed by boyfriend and family, alone . . . and an outlaw, Chrissie is in big trouble.  So opens Chrissie’s Run, by S. A. Mahan, a story sure to have readers turning pages quickly and furiously. In the dystopia world of the New Republic, Chrissie does the unthinkable. When ordered to show up for an appointment at which the authorities will abort her child, one they say would be born handicapped, Chrissie runs. She finds her way to the underground of the city. Vulnerable, in part due to the hefty price upon her head, Chrissie struggles to protect herself and her child. Enter Moses, a gifted man and a protector, who helps Chrissie on her journey to find the mythical land of Haven. He is followed by Samson, Angel, and others, each of whom is willing to risk death in an effort to protect life. Meanwhile, Chrissie’s pursuers become more plentiful and stronger. How many will be willing to pay with their own lives to protect the single life of an innocent.

I thoroughly enjoyed S. A. Mahan’s Chrissie’s Run. I was encouraged by the strength of a young woman who found value to life—to any life—including one deemed expendable because of a physical handicap. I was comforted knowing that Chrissie drew strength from her memories of her mother, though Chrissie had lost her years before. I was enamored with the fact that Chrissie could recall how her mother had introduced her to another way, a way represented by the “sign of the cross” the woman made out on her daughter’s forehead from time to time. Without any knowledge of what it meant, for talk of God was not allowed in the New Republic, Chrissie drew on her memories of love and found a faith that spurred her on to seek freedom. I was delighted to see Mahan recognize the value of characteristics far more important than mere physical “perfection.” Finally, I was reminded, once again, of the dangers that come of allowing those with power over us to make decisions for us . . . 


Also posted on GoodReads and BookLikes, added to my Facebook page and Twitter and cover pinned.

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    Patricia Reding

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