Inevitable, Jonathan Nace

Synopsis: Your world’s water supply is reaching its finite end. Aquifers are drying, and water is being divided between production of food, medicine, and agriculture. When America found itself on the brink of Malthusian catastrophe, population control was installed for the greatest good for the greatest possible number of people. 

Benjamin Zachary expects to receive his Fairness In Nature And Life Act (FINAL) letter from The Office of Population Management, but he grows suspicious and nervous when he fails to receive it within the customary days after turning twenty one. 

Ben soon learns that his hope is unwarranted and he is being accused of a crime he did not commit for a second time. He is wanted for immediate trial by Panel Hearing. Once he is caught, he struggles to face his own death, knowing that he has little chance of defeating The Office at its own game. He has no lawyer to represent him, no knowledge of the rules of the hearing process, and he finds that the Panel that is going to decide his fate is hand-picked by his adversary, Office Director Dante Ringer. His only hope is his friend, Patricia Mullins, whose cold acknowledgment of The Office's necessity juxtaposed with her feelings for her friend, twist her into conflicting directions. As Ben and Patricia fight to overcome The Office's powerful organization, they learn the only way out for Ben is at the expense of others. 

Up against a nearly unlimited government agency created to deal with a dramatic environmental crisis, Ben and Patricia fight against the Inevitable. 

Thoughts: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions which follow are entirely my own.

This is a real page-turner. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. The main characters are all very likable, the story is believable, and it is very well written.

The Boleyn Reckoning, Laura Andersen

Synopsis: Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir! After presenting readers with an irresistible premise in The Boleyn King (what if Anne gave birth to a healthy royal boy who would grow up to rule England?) and returning to the dangerous world of the Tudor court in The Boleyn Deceit, Laura Andersen brings to a triumphant conclusion the enthralling tale of the Tudor king who never was.


Elizabeth Tudor is at a crossroads. After a disastrous winter, the Duke of Northumberland has been executed for treason while his son, Robert Dudley, claims from the Tower that the true traitor has not yet been caught. And though her brother, William, has survived smallpox, scars linger in the king's body and mind and his patience is at an end. 

As English ships and soldiers arm themselves against the threat of invasion, William marches to the drumbeat of his own desires rather than his country's welfare. Wary of this changed royal brother, Elizabeth assembles her own shadow court to protect England as best she can. But William, able to command armies and navies, cannot command hearts. 

Minuette and Dominic have married in secret, and after an ill-timed pregnancy, they take to flight. Faced with betrayal by the two he loved most, William's need for vengeance pushes England to the brink of civil war and in the end, Elizabeth must choose: her brother, or her country? 

Thoughts: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions which follow are entirely my own.

A fabulous ending to this trilogy. We FINALLY got to see Minuette be strong, decisive, and no longer torn between two men. William, like his father before him, was led by his heart and his jealousy throughout this book, and it caused several disasters. My only real disappointment in this alternative history of the Tudor family was the way Mary's story was played out. I've always felt bad for her in the real scheme of things, and this book just made that worse. 

All in all, a fascinating book, and series, that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or the era of the Tudors

Larger Than Life, by Jodi Picoult

Synopsis: A researcher studying memory in elephants, Alice is fascinated by the bonds between mother and calf—the mother’s powerful protective instincts and her newborn’s unwavering loyalty. Living on a game reserve in Botswana, Alice is able to view the animals in their natural habitat—while following an important rule: She must only observe and never interfere. Then she finds an orphaned young elephant in the bush and cannot bear to leave the helpless baby behind. Thinking back on her own childhood, and on her shifting relationship with her mother, Alice risks her career to care for the calf. Yet what she comes to understand is the depth of a parent’s love. 

Thoughts: Short 78 page novella, a prequel to the novel coming out in October. Loved all the information about elephant behavior, as I've always found them fascinating. Anxious for October now, so I can read Leaving Time.

The Church Of Mercy: A Vision For Church, Pope Francis

Synopsis: In the year since he was elected, Pope Francis simple message of mercy, service, and renewal has spread to every corner of the world. Through his gentle demeanor, selfless actions, and welcoming call for service to others, he has captured the attention of a world longing for an authentic message of hope we want to hear what he has to say.

Collected from Pope Francis speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy, "The Church of Mercy" is the first Vatican-authorized book detailing his vision for the Catholic Church. From how to be citizens of the world to answering God s call for evangelization, Pope Francis deep wisdom reminds us that the Church must move beyond its own walls and joyfully take God s mercy wherever suffering, division, or injustice exists.

Named "Time" magazine s 2013 Person of the Year, Pope Francis is helping the Church continue toward an authentic Christianity that is faithful to the Gospel and resonant with the world s greatest needs. "The Church of Mercy" encourages each of us to ignite the flame within to help share the light of Christ and revitalize the Church."

Thoughts: An inspirational collection of homilies and speeches from the first year of the papacy of Francis. It was fascinating for me to listen to his vision of mercy, and how Christians should be spreading it around the world. 

Helping the poor and downtrodden is a huge service that the Pope pushes (for lack of a better word). Not getting caught up in money or things. I appreciated the sections about trying to get the hypocrisy out of the church so people respect the Catholic church again (which could also apply to "the church" in general, not just Catholics). Getting rid of gossip among the parishioners. These are all things everyone can work on to improve everyone's lives.

My Rating:  Four Stars

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? August 4, 2014

And yes, I KNOW it's Tuesday....better later than never.

What I read last week:
1)  Don't Try To Find Me, by Holly Brown
2) Why Ruin Another Life, by Anthony Weathers (for review on Goodreads/Amazon)
3) Timeshock: I Want My Life Back, by Timothy Michael Lewis (for review on Goodreads/Amazon)


What I listened to last week:
1) A Captain's Duty,by Richard Phillips
2) Freezer I'll Shoot, by Victoria Hamilton

What I'm currently reading:
1) The Boleyn Reckoning, by Laura Andersen (for review on Goodreads/Amazon)
2) Hotel Apocalypse, Volume I, by Bennett Gavrish (for review on Goodreads/Amazon)
3) Inevitable
4) Star Cursed, by Jessica Spotswood

What I'm currently listening to:
1) The Church Of Mercy: A Vision For The Church, by Pope Francis

What I plan to read this week:
1) In The Age Of Love And Chocolate, Gabrielle Zevin
2) Trailer Trash With A Girl's Name, by Stacey Roberts (for review on Goodreads/Amazon)
3) Assaulted Pretzel (An Amish Mystery #2), by Laura Bradford 
4) Hotel Apocalypse, Volume II, by Bennett Gavrish (for review on Goodreads/Amazon)


What I plan to listen to this week:
1) Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls #2), Maggie Stiefvater
2) The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens, by Claire Tomalin

Freezer I'll Shoot, Victoria Hamilton

Synopsis: Trying to escape her overbearing mother, vintage kitchenware enthusiast and soon-to-be columnist Jaymie Leighton retreats to her family's cottage on Heartbreak Island. While there she hopes to write an article about the Ice House restaurant, owned by good friends and neighbors, siblings Ruby and Garnet Redmond. Once an actual icehouse, the restaurant is charmingly decorated with antique tools of the trade, including a collection of ice picks.

One night, while working on her article, Jaymie overhears an argument and, ever the sleuth, sets out to explore. But when she stumbles upon a dead body her blood runs cold. It's Urban Dobrinskie, whose feud with the Redmonds is no secret, and he's got an ice pick through his heart. Now Jaymie's got to sharpen her sleuthing skills to chip away at the mystery and prove her neighbors' innocence—before someone else gets picked off.

 Thoughts: I love this series more with every installment...hope there is a new one soon!!! Jaymie's love life is nearly getting to be as complicated as the murders she finds herself solving in each book. After meeting Daniel's mother in this book, as well as finding out Daniel has not been sharing major details of his life with her, I'm almost hoping she chooses not to stay with him after the six months they discussed. 

Solving this murder was again, full of twists and turns. Although the actual murder was in fact one of my first suspects, the story had me second guessing myself several times before confirming the truth. Lots of interpersonal relationships, plus you really get a good feel for the area in Michigan where the stories take place

Hotel Apocalypse (Volume I), Bennett Gavrish

Synopsis: Hotel Apocalypse is an action-packed dystopian adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world. One corporation controls the last shelter on Earth, and those inside are subject to its laws and lies. With each episode, you'll uncover more of the tower's mysteries and get to know the group of heroes fighting for a brighter tomorrow.

Thoughts: I loved this book! It's divided into four episodes, like a continuing serial. I enjoy all the many interpersonal relationships,as well as the various subplots that wind through the episodes.

I received a copy of this from the author in return for an honest review.