A Tree, A Book, and A Breeze

It's not often that I get an opportunity to review anything other than books, so when I saw the chance to review Focus on the Family's radio theater presentation of Les Miserables , I definitely had to get it. I have listened to some Lamplighter productions, but never any from Focus on the Family, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I've never read the book, but I'm familiar with the musical. So I can't really say which is more accurate, the radio presentation or the musical, although there were things in the radio performance that I thought were odd- they cut out a lot  and sometimes even changed things. The biggest probably the fact that Eponine didn't die. ??? The voices? Sometimes I felt the acting was a little melodramatic, and I didn't like Fantine's voice at all. Jean Valjean's was okay, as was Cosette's; I liked the the Thenardiers and Marius. And Enjolras and Gavroche *sob* However, this performance wasn't just as emotiona...

Heartless Anne Elisabeth Stengl Bethany House Publishers My friends and readers, try to hold in your amazement: I have found it. What, pray tell, have I discovered? A fantasy I actually like. No, not one I tolerate, not one I find passable, but one I actually like . As in, I want to read the next books in the series pronto . The storyline was engaging and easy enough for even me to understand; it had some great characters and some not-so-great ones, and overall, I really want to read more of the Tales of Goldstone Wood . This book takes place in a fantasy world. I have pretty strict requirements about fantasies in regard to magic, and I was happy to say that, though I could certainly be wrong, I don’t remember the word “magic” even being used. Yes, there were crazy creatures, and people turning into dragons, and weird abilities and beings called faeries; however, it was all a part of this fictional world, and there were no spells/sorcery or such. As for characters, I ...

  Against the Tide Elizabeth Camden Bethany house Publishers   As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy. However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head. Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his p...

The Messenger Siri Mitchell Bethany House Publishers I received a Barnes and Noble gift card for my birthday, and when it comes to actually buy a book, I’m incredibly selective. I research, I read reviews…I want this book to draw me in and not be a waste of my money. That may be because I get so many free books for reviews that are not really my first choice, so that when I do get to make a choice, I’m very picky. (Actually, I did get a chance to review this book for free, but picked another. Sad mistake on my part…) Anyway, back to the subject. I have read three other of Siri Mitchell’s books: A Constant Heart , Love’s Pursuit , and She Walks in Beauty . I read the first two and neither of them struck my fancy, as I found them both to be, shall we say… depressing. For me, anyway. Also, because Siri Mitchell often writes in first person from both main characters' side, I found it confusing. However, I then read She Walks in Beauty and really enjoyed it. So ...