The 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge Results

Here is the only other challenge I participated in for 2013. My goal was to not take on many new requests so that I could concentrate on my enormous TBR Pile. I did better than in the past, but 2014 needs to be even better.

You can still find the original list--at least for a few days--on this challenge's page. Here, I have shortened the list to reflect only the books I have promised reviews for--though there might be a few others since this list was created. The titles with the strikethrough are ones I read this year.

• Brotherhood by Jerry Jenkins
• The Queen’s Vow by C. W. Gortner
• Help! For Writers by Roy Peter Clark
• The Kensei by Jon F. Merz
• Love Your Husband Love Yourself by Jennifer Flanders
• Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease by Eric M. Osanksy
• Zero Day by Mark Russinovich
• Water to My Soul: The Story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney by Pamela Bauer Mueller
• The Map Across Time by C.S. Lakin
• Blood: The New Red by David S. Grant
• Anasazi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• Mayan Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• Montezuma Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• Desert Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• For the Birds by Aaron Paul Lazar
• FireSong by Aaron Paul Lazar
• Resonances by Mary Andrews
• Rose of the Adriatic by K. M. Daughters
• The Second Republic: Trapdoor by Steven Bradley Clarke
• The Covert Element by John L. Betcher
• Fur Ball Fever by Maureen Fisher
• Fire Men by Gary R. Ryman
• The Pull of Gravity by Brett Battles
• Angels Don’t Die by Soren Petrek
• Patience by Soren Petrek
• Snow Burn by Joel Arnold
• Dominic by Hazel Statham
• Assumption of Right by Annabel Aidan
• Little Girl Gone by Brett Battles
• Outside the Ordinary World by Dori Ostermiller
• Uncertain Ground by Carolyn Osborn
• Why I Left the Amish by Saloma Furlong
• Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardiff
• The Moses Quilt by Kathi Macias
• American Patriots by Rick Santorum
• A Step in the Writer Direction by Donna Clark Goodrich
• Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble
• What Did Jesus Say by Rev. Terry Allan Christian

Book Review: The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner

Filled with political conflict, religious tensions, intrigue, and romance, The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner portrays the early life of the woman known to history as Isabella of Castile.

Barely a teenager, Isabella and her brother, Alfonoso, are taken from their mother's home to live under the watchful eye of their half-brother, King Enrique, and his conniving queen. When Isabella becomes a pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique, she is suspected of treason and held captive. At the age of seventeen, she finds herself heiress of Castile and is plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, while determined to wed the man she loves, Fernando, prince of Aragón.

Isabella and Fernando face difficult times: an impoverished Spain beset by enemies, the demands of the inquisitor Torquemada to punish relapsed conversos, and a declaration of war from the Moors. Isabella's resolve and courage are put to the test as she moves toward fulfilling her God-given destiny.

The Queen's Vow is such a superb book, I'm sorry I didn't read it sooner. I'm even more upset that it's finished, because I want to experience it all over again. Rich descriptions, stunning settings, and a fascinating plot filled with a host of historical figures spring to life through Gortner's masterful hand. While a bit of a slow starter for me, once the puzzle pieces were in place for Isabella to inherit the throne, I became totally engrossed. From the fights to secure her crown to wedding the man of her choosing at a time when women were not given the power to do so, Isabella proved a force to be reckoned with. Her deep faith and willingness to put herself in harm's way led to much admiration.

Reading The Queen's Vow also helped me to have a greater understanding of the origins of Gortner's earlier book, The Last Queen, which is about Isabella and Fernando's daughter, Juana, the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country's throne.

What I was pleased to see with The Queen's Vow is that Gortner ends it at a what I would say a perfect place. After years of war and division, Isabella can look toward the future.

Highly recommended!


Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (July 2, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345523970
ISBN-13: 978-0345523976

I received a free hardcover version of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

This is the 11th book I've read for the following challenge:

Catching Up!

And, we're back! North Carolina was wonderful. Though we had more rain than usual, the family still managed to have a nice time. We went to the beach, ate some great food, and finally took the ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke Island, where we walked around the village area. We stopped by the Ocracoke Preservation Museum, checked out the British Cemetery, enjoyed ice cream at The Slushy Stand, and visited the Books to Be Red bookstore. If you're on the island, you really need to check out this neat bookstore. It's much larger than it looks from the outside and has a slew of interesting titles and gift items, as it shares space with Deepwater Pottery.

I picked up a journal for each of the girls and treated myself to Portsmouth Divided: Portsmouth Island and the Civil War by James E. White, III. This is just one of a series of books the author has written about Portsmouth.

We had never been to Ocracoke in all the years we've vacationed on the Outer Banks, so this was a nice day trip. Next time we go, we'll rent a golf cart to travel around. The island isn't very large and it's much more peaceful than Kill Devil Hills, where we stay on the mainland. I would love to visit one time with just the hubby and take the boat out to Portsmouth.

In addition to this day trip, we visited Manteo a few times. The first was to take in the fireworks on July 4th, but toward the end of our first week we stopped at the Island Gallery Christmas Shop, which is probably my favorite place on the Outer Banks. I usually buy myself a new Christmas ornament, but this year books were on my mind. At a 60% discount I picked up a copy of Tom Wolfe: A Writer's Life edited by Ted Mitchell. I recently heard of this book, even though it was released in 1999. It was a recommendation, so I figured I would check it out. The editor is an authority on Tom Wolfe.

As for books from my TBR Pile, I reviewed Anasazi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke here on July 1st. I also started The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner, and I am almost done with Strong Rain Falling by Jon Land.

Book Review: Help! For Writers by Roy Peter Clark

As a writer, my bookshelves are filled with various craft and business books. While I don't feel like I read enough of them, I also wonder what else can be said that hasn't already been said about writing.

Now that I've read Help! For Writers by Roy Peter Clark, I have my answer. Vice president and senior scholar at the Poynter Institute, Clark shares his decades worth of experience with writers in this engaging and valuable volume that includes 210 solutions for problems writers face. From generating ideas to finding your focus to strategies for writers block and more, Help! For Writers is a must have text.

Clark speaks with authority from his vast experience, but he never talks down to the reader. Bits of humor are sprinkled throughout. While some of these ideas I had heard before, several were new and definitely ones I will put into practice.

Whether you're writing article, short stories or full-length novels, you'll find more than one tidbit of advice to but to good use.

Highly recommended.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (September 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316126713
ASIN: B00AK2P1HA

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

This is the 9th book I've read for the following challenge:

Book Review: The Brotherhood by Jerry Jenkins

A fascinating police thriller from one of the most recognizable names in Christian fiction.

Boone Drake has the perfect life. A young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, Drake has it all: a loving wife, a young son, a nice home, and a focused career plan. But when tragedy strikes, Drake's life spins out of control. Mired in guilt and bitterness, he struggles to put the pieces of his life back together and deeply questions his faith. When he comes face-to-face with Chicago's most vicious gang leader, he learns God is a God of second chances and can change even the hardest heart.

Jerry Jenkins has been one of my favorite authors since the Left Behind series was released. His masterful storytelling and engaging characters have captured my attention for years. The Brotherhood, the first book in the Precinct 11 Trilogy, blends the author's knowledge of growing up in a family of police officers with a fictional character's transformation.

This is a slowly evolving thriller. While there are definitely spots of action, it's not the typical action-packed, breakneck speed of many thrillers. A good deal of time is spent delving into Drake's character, witnessing him deal with the effects of a horrific, graphically described tragedy that changes his entire life. It explores his crisis of faith in all its ugliness as he turns away from God and seeks comfort in other ways.

The Brotherhood is a deeply emotional story. It's less car chases and shoot outs than one might expect from a police procedural, but I got to know Drake up close and personal, which I enjoyed. Part of me wishes the lengthy conversations between Drake and this gang leader were shortened a bit, but overall, it intrigued me enough that I plan to read the other two books in this series.

If you enjoy emotional stories and books that dig deep into a character's psyche, you'll enjoy The Brotherhood.


Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 24, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414309228
ISBN-13: 978-1414309224

I received this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

This is the 7th book I've read for the following challenge:

Book Review: A Step in the Write Direction (Student Edition) by Donna Clark Goodrich

Volunteering in our local schools, I'm amazed by the ability of many of the students to create meaningful stories and articles. Some express a desire to write professionally in the future. Thankfully, for budding Christian writers, multi-published author Donna Clark Goodrich has created an excellent resource.

In A Step in the Write Direction, Goodrich has compiled helpful information on many aspects of publishing:

• How to get started,
• Where to get ideas,
• Manuscript formats,
• Fiction writing, nonfiction, poetry, and more
• Editing tips,
• How to sell what you write,
• How to tackle obstacles,

and helpful resources all writers need. I've been writing almost ten years and I found information within this book's pages I could put to good use. A variety of "Assignments" help the reader learn more about her motivation to write, compile a list of important resources, spark inspiration, and more.

What I loved most about this book is Goodrich's encouraging style. Her passion for writing and helping others become successful writers shines through on every page. If you're serious about a writing career, pick up a copy of this book to help you get started. If you're already writing with the goal of being published, A Step in the Write Direction can help guide you along the way.

Highly recommended.

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Upwrite Press (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414119992
ISBN-13: 978-1414119991



I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I was not compensated in any way.

This is the 5th book I've read for the following challenge:

Amazon VINE Review Posted: Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

I am a member of Amazon's VINE program, which allows me to review a few products each month. Unfortunately, I feel behind, but now that I am playing catch up, I was able to make room to review Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble. Here is an excerpt from that review:

"Having read Coble's The Lightkeeper's Daughter, I thought I would give her Lonestar series a try. In this stand alone novel, we find a young couple torn apart by the loss of their daughter after she is kidnapped and thought to be drowned. Clay has never given up on finding his daughter, even though the tragedy meant the end of his marriage to Eden. When Clay receives an anonymous picture of what is supposed to be one of his daughter at the Bluebird Ranch, they decide to pose as a married couple to obtain jobs as counselors. The past and the present collide as Eden fights her rekindled feelings toward Clay and demons from their past put all of them at risk."

To read the entire review, please visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3K6FXL68M7IED?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_pr_pdp

This is the 3rd book I've read for the following challenge:

Book Review: What Did Jesus Say... by Rev. Terry Allan Christian

Following his mission to H-E-L-P (Help Everyone Live Peacefully), Reverend Terry Allan Christian compiles Scriptures that reveal the teachings of Jesus. Using the red-letter edition of the New King James Bible, the author has isolated these teachings from the religious and political conflicts of Jesus's time; citing each book, chapter, and verse.

What I think is most unique about this book is that it is meant to be seen as the reader taking a journey with Jesus, walking along the beach, as Jesus reveals His teachings to her.

The book opens with the "Footprints in the Sand" poem by Mary Stevenson that was re-written by the author. Then the author breaks into chapters each of the seven messages, Jesus's teachings on: the Christ, the Father and Son, the Word, Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Kingdom of Heaven, the End Times, and the Holy Spirit.

While some authors offer additional commentary when they compile Scripture, there is very little of that here. There is an author's note in the beginning and at the conclusion of the book, but other than that, the reader is allowed to focus solely on the words of Christ.

What Did Jesus Say... by Rev. Terry Allan Christian would make a lovely gift and is a powerful devotional.


Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Divine Publications (October 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0983984816
ISBN-13: 978-0983984818

I received a copy of this book from the author's publicist. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

This is the 2nd book I've read for the 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge.

Book Review: The Kensei by Jon F. Merz

Writing this review feels like such an accomplishment for me. It was this book that began my downward spiral into owning a TBR pile that rivals Mount Everest. This book came to me in 2011 and I planned to review it right away, but I took on too many book tour requests and my pile grew and grew. I am finally catching up and it feels great.

Lawson is a wise-cracking vampire charged with protecting the Balance between vampires and humans. A shrewd and deadly opponent, he rids the world of bad guys and hopes to live long enough to make it home.

In The Kensei, Lawson escapes to Japan for a well-deserved and needed vacation and advanced training. He no sooner sets foot in the country when he is dropped into the middle of a Yakuza turf war orchestrated by a shady figure know as the Kensei. With the help of former KGB assassin, Tayla, who is also his human girlfriend--just don't tell the Council that--Lawson attempts to put a stop to the Kensei's organ trafficking networks and hopes to prevent the creation of an army of vampire-human hybrids; that is if he doesn't get killed first.

In the late '90s, Buffy the Vampire Slayer became a cult phenomenon. One of the more interesting aspects of the series was Buffy's wiseguy vampire boyfriend, Angel, who had a curse placed on him that gave him a soul. The character became so popular he earned a spin-off titled, Angel.

Lawson's sarcasm and mannerisms remind me of Angel. Both are tall, dark, and handsome. Both are quick-witted and funny. And both can kick butt.


There are a lot of elements to this story. Lawson's destiny as a Fixer. His on again-off again relationship with Tayla. His friendships in the States and Japan. The gangs in Japan. The organ trafficking networks. The Kensei's role in organ trafficking and his interest in Lawson. The mysterious Council who Lawson is defying by having a secret relationship with a human, in addition to Lawson beginning to take stock of his life to determine what matters.

The Kensei is a fast-paced, exciting read that draws you in from the first moment. A masterful storyteller, Merz blends rich descriptions, well-developed characters, and a superb plot to create a mesmerizing novel. With several twists and turns, the tension increases. Tons of action, witty banter, and a dash of romance fill the pages of this unique paranormal novel. I couldn't put it down.

You'll find a different type of vampire story in this one and you'll be hooked!

Highly recommended.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312662238
ASIN: B005EP1XKC

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

This is the 1st book I've read for the 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge.

Freedom!

I cannot tell you have liberating it feels not to have to worry about reviewing books on a schedule. Beyond the Valley by Rita Gerlach is my last scheduled book review until the end of April, when I review two poetry books by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. After that, I only have Harkness by Michael Bigham to review on May 23rd. The rest of the year my plan is to review books already in my possession. My goal is to be able to open The Book Connection up for new review requests in November or at least by the end of the year.

That doesn't mean things will get boring around here. I need to update my Upcoming Events page, but it is fairly full for the next couple of months. And I'll be working on the 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge, which means I'll be reviewing books from my TBR pile--and there are tons of them. Check out this post if you want to see some of them.

The past six years, I haven't had a ton of time to read solely for pleasure. I've almost always had books to review for book tours. I'm glad I decided to slow down a bit.

My other blogs will be busy. At The Busy Mom's Daily, I'm participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. My Christian book blog, Cheryl's Christian Book Connection, is now part of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, so it is updated a minimum of twice a week. I'll be reviewing, Last Chance for Justice by Kathi Macias there in May. I'm still hosting authors at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. I review books there from time to time, in addition hosting authors. Though I don't talk about this blog a lot, I have a spicy romance blog that I update from time to time. There is a publisher whose books I promote there and I host the occasional book tour.

Thank you for your loyal readership. I hope you continue to enjoy all I have to offer at my blogs.

Catching Up on Reading

Yesterday, I went to place my cordless phone on its base and not only toppled the base and handset over the side of the bookshelf in my office, but tripped over the large pile of books on the floor. Two years ago, life began to get crazy. I took on more review requests than I could handle. Even as I saw the TBR pile becoming an insurmountable task, I kept saying yes. I know how hard it is to get word out there about your book. Free e-books and self-publishing have made it even more challenging. And honestly, saying no never has been one of my strong suits.

When reviewing books became more of a duty than a pleasure, I decided it had to stop. That's why I've been closed to anything other than reviewing first chapters of books for over a year now. I simply have to catch up. After next month, my gift to me is to start working through my electronic and printed TBR pile. I'm even participating in the 2013 Catch Up Reading Challenge sponsored by Books, Bones and Buffy.

Here are some titles I look forward on catching up with. Those in bold are the ones I wish to tackle first, since they are reviews I owe to people. 

• Brotherhood by Jerry Jenkins
• The Queen’s Vow by C. W. Gortner
• Help! For Writers by Roy Peter Clark
• The Kensei by Jon F. Merz
• Love Your Husband Love Yourself by Jennifer Flanders
• Dead Reckoning by Caitlin Rother
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease by Eric M. Osanksy
• The Third by Abel Keogh
• Zero Day by Mark Russinovich
• Water to My Soul: The Story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney by Pamela Bauer Mueller
• The Map Across Time by C.S. Lakin
• Miracle Play by Lynn McMonigal
• Forsaking the Call by Lynn McMonigal
• The Ladies of Faith by Lynn McMonigal
• Mama’s Comfort Food by Rhett DeVane
• Blood: The New Red by David S. Grant
• Anasazi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• Mayan Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• Montezuma Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• Desert Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
• For the Birds by Aaron Paul Lazar
• FireSong by Aaron Paul Lazar
• Resonances by Mary Andrews
• Rose of the Adriatic by K. M. Daughters
• The Second Republic: Trapdoor by Steven Bradley Clarke
• The Covert Element by John L. Betcher
• Fur Ball Fever by Maureen Fisher
• Fire Men by Gary R. Ryman
• The Pull of Gravity by Brett Battles
• Angels Don’t Die by Soren Petrek
• Patience by Soren Petrek
• Snow Burn by Joel Arnold
• Dominic by Hazel Statham
• A Dream Unfolding by Karen Baney
• A Heart Renewed by Karen Baney
• A Wedding to Die For by Heather Haven
• Alone by Lisa Gardner
• American Lion by Jon Meachum
• Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib
• Assumption of Right by Annabel Aidan
• Cabal of the Westford Knight by David S. Brody
• Calling the Dead by Marilyn Meredith
• Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson
• Dancy's Woman by Lori Copeland
• Daughter of Liberty by J.M. Hochstetler
• Dead Man's Gambit by Frank Scully
• Deadly Omen by Marilyn Meredith
• Deadly Trail by Marilyn Meredith
• DeadMistress by Carole Shmurak
• Exiles on Main Street by Lisa Kleinholz
• George Washington Stepped Here by K. D. Hays
• Godchild by Vincent Zandri
• Here's the Story by Maureen McCormick
• Hide by Lisa Gardner
• Intervention by Marilyn Meredith
• Lilly's Wedding Quilt by Kelly Long
• Little Girl Gone by Brett Battles
• Little Mountain by Bob Sanchez
• Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan
• Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
• Native Son by J. M. Hochstetler
• Never without Hope by Michelle Sutton
• Obsession by Sally Royer Derr
• One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber
• Outside the Ordinary World by Dori Ostermiller
• Possession by Rene Gutteridge
• Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
• Property by Valerie Martin
• Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider by Ellen C. Maze
• Red Dust by Fleur McDonald
• Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig
• Silenced Cry by Marta Stephens
• Starting Over by Laura Rittenhouse
• Texas Roads by Cathy Bryant
• The Case of the Mystified M.D. by A.K. Arenz
• The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher
• The Confession by Beverly Lewis
• The Fairy Tale Bride by Kelly McClymer
• The Fire in Ember by DiAnn Mills
• The Fisherman's Wife by Dianne Sagan
• The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
• The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis
• The Remains by Vincent Zandri
• The Shunning by Beverly Lewis
• The Spies of Warsaw by Alan Faust
• Uncertain Ground by Carolyn Osborn
• Unequally Yoked by Marilyn Meredith
• Valeria's Cross by Kathi Macias and Susan Wales
• Walking through Walls by Karen Coiffi-Ventrice
• When Pigs Fly by Bob Sanchez
• Why I Left the Amish by Saloma Furlong
• Wing Beat by Marilyn Meredith
• Devil's Hand by M.E. Patterson
• The Chosen by Andrea Buginsky
• Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardiff
• The Next Best Bride by Kelly McClymer
• The Moses Quilt by Kathi Macias
• American Patriots by Rick Santorum
• A Step in the Writer Direction by Donna Clark Goodrich
• Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble
• What Did Jesus Say by Rev. Terry Allan Christian

What is a book sitting in your TBR pile that you would like to tackle this year?