The Debtor's planet

Author:  W.R Thompson

My recommended age: 11+ (or any true trekkie)

Their recommended age: NA

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster

Number of pages: 274

Publisher’s description:

When a Vulcan space probe reports that the Ferengi are advancing the people of the planet Megara from a primitive agricultural state to a sophisticated technological society, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Starship Enterprise? are ordered to transport an unlikely passenger to the system, a ruthless twentieth-century businessman who is now a Fed...  more »eration ambassador.
The Ferengi have been changing Megaran culture, turning a hard working and honorable people into vicious xenophobic killers. But the Ferengi are only hired hands. They have hidden masters, with plans to use the Magaran people as a powerful weapon against the Federation.
Now Picard must find a way to use the talents of this new ambassador to free the Megarans. But the ambassador is hiding a deadly secret of his own -- a secret that could unleash an unstoppable destructive force on the Federation.

My thoughts:

·         Characters:  LOVE them.  I simply fell for Offenhouse.  Wesley was great, as normal.  Picard was true-to-movie.  Pretty much all the characters were superb.  The only problem I had was with Riker.  He kinda seemed, different then the shows, a bit more Klingon loving then he should be.  I think Thompson took more poetic license then was needed, but I'm not angry.  It was ok.

·         Plot:  Great!!  It had you thinking you'd gotten it all figured out, then, changed who was REALLY at the roots.  Plus, it kept with the normal Gene Roddenberry style.  Which is a 5 thumbs up for me!

·         Writing: Like I said in plot, it kept with Gene Roddenberry's movie style, and was quick flowing.  You just didn't want to put it down! Which meant, for me, staying up till almost 2 on a school night.

·         Cover:  I really liked it.  Picard looks real, Worf looks real, Offenhouse is, well, dramatized.  He looks a lot younger then he should, but thats ok, for me.

·         Ending:  ♥♥♥  If I try to tell, I'll give it ALL away.

·         World building  Perfectly perfect.  Sci-fi can be hard to bulid worlds on, but Thompson does it wonderfully.

Cons:

Uh, there is some drinking.  Mostly the harmless synthinol.  Thats it. 

Pros:

All of it is one big 'pro'.

Language:

None, oh, wait, Work curses in Klingon, but you can't understand whatever he is saying, cuz it is in Klingon.

Romance and sexual content:

There is a Ferangi that is said to have raped (no details, just small talk)

Violence:

There is a battle.
multiple phaser scenes.
There is an Alien named SHiv that attacks Holograms on the holodeck with a knife.  It is part of her culture.

Drugs and drink:
Synthinol is used a lot.  But, (for non Trekkies) it is completely harmless.  Much like drinking alcohol flavored water.


Ambassador Offenhouse accidentally gets  Diana drunk.  All on accident, mind you.  He had no idea what a bit of Vodka would do to her. 


So, you all want to know what my rating is, right?  At least, I hope you do...

5 shining stars!!  I loved this book 101%.  I think EVERY trekkie should gobble it down as I did.  Or, if you're not a trekkie yet, maybe you should give it a try!  I did, and look at me now!  Can't tell where the trekkie stars, and the star wars fan ends!



What are you?  Trekkie or Star warsi?

Sunrise on the Battery

Author:  Beth Webb Hart

My recommended age: 12+

Their recommended age: NA

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

Number of pages: 320

Publisher’s description:

Now that she’s arrived at the ultimate address, can Mary Lynn’s view of the harbor – and success – satisfy the deeper longings of her heart?
After decades of carefully working their way up the social ladder, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living their dream: a life of luxury and ease in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Jackson made a small fortune selling low country real estate, so now the couple is determined to provide for their three daughters the life they both longed for as kids.
But lately the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood has been trying to get her attention in ways so unusual that she can no longer deny His presence. When she prays for Jackson to open his heart to God, something radical happens. Jackson has a dramatic conversion that leads to street witnessing, giving away money, and inviting less-than-reputable people into their home.
Starring out into the harbor, Mary Lynn ponders whether or not she is willing to give up her life of luxury to join Jackson in his new-found faith. What would it look like to go “all out” for God…to allow Him to lead their family regardless of the cost? Just when Mary Lynn felt she had all the desires of her heart – she finds herself being called into a much bigger story of true faith and love.

My thoughts:

·         Characters:  Excelling!  The only problem is, I felt Jackson's change was a bit, unreal.  NO one, except Pual, had such a conversion, and I think Paul had some baggage from being who he was before.  It seems slightly unreal for a person to have such a conversion, and NO baggage or past temptations from the way they were before.

·         Plot:  It was good, but kinda meh.

·         Writing:  Beth Webb Hart's writing style is really good, she pulled you into the character's life's, and really makes you think, "What would it be like, if we completely tuned into God, and forsook the world's idea of us?"

·         Cover:  Cute.  I liked it a lot.

·         Ending:  It was a happy ending, but I rather wanted a slightly different ending.  But, that was an unrealistic one I wished for.  The one that took place, was more to real life, than fancy wishing.

·         World building Charleston is a real place, and Ms. Hart's descriptions made it even more real.  It was like I was THERE, in Charleston society, not just a random viewer.

Cons:

 The plot is rather expected.  It carried almost no surprises.

Pros:

It made you think about your Christian life.

The Characters were mostly ok.

Ms. Hart's ability to pull you in was wonderful.

Language:

None.

Romance and sexual content:

None.

Violence:

None.

 Drugs and drink:

Mary Lynn and Jackson's oldest daughter gets into taking medicines as drugs.  After making her self sick and probably coming close to killing herself, she flushes the habit, and pills, down the toilet.

Wine is drank often.  And one of their neighbor's sons drinks Vodka against his parents wishes.

Ratings:

It was a good read, I really liked it, even though the plot was pretty normal.  The plot isn't what mattered. The book made you think about your own Christian walk.  Are you a Mary Lynn?  Or a Jackson?  Or, are you a Bev?  What are we, and how to do show the world we are who we say we are?  Do we carry God in our pocket, or on our head like a crown?

I give this book a:

  Yeah, ok, the plot was so-so.  The depth made up for it, though.

The Crossing

Author:  Serita Jakes

My recommended age: 13+ If not even older.

Their recommended age: NA

Publisher:  Waterbrook press.

Number of pages: 304

Publisher’s description:

Imprisoned by memories, Claudia Campbell lives each day in the shadow of a ten-year-old murder. Who can set her free?
On the way home from a football game, a decade earlier, a masked gunman opened fi re on a Texas school bus.  Cheerleading coach B.J. Remington was killed, but her murderer was never found. Claudia, who had a close friendship with the young, spirited teacher, constantly relives the anguish of that day, caught in one moment in time. When her husband, the assistant district attorney, becomes determined to uncover the mystery of that tragedy, the secrets buried over the years threaten to tear their family apart.

Officer Casio Hightower will never forget the day his dreams were destroyed. A star quarterback with a promising future, Casio was on top of the world—until one bullet changed everything. He is eager to help Victor Campbell find B.J.’s killer, the man who shot him. Maybe solving the case will help silence the demons driving Casio to hurt the woman he loves.

As the Campbells and Casio teeter on the brink of losing everything, will they be able to discover that what begins at the crossing ends at the cross?

My thoughts:

·         Characters:  Superb.  They each had their own life, set of difficulties and ghosts from the past.  Instead of being a make believe murder case, this could be straight from the newspapers, the people were so real.

·         Plot:  Like I said about the characters, straight from the paper, it was so real.  It had the twists and turns that kept me trying to plot out the mystery as any good mystery novel should.

·         Writing:  Jakes' writing style was very good.  She was very clear, and painted the picture perfectly.

·         Cover:  I think the lady if B.J...but I can't be positive.  I like it.

·         Ending:  A little sad over Casio...but rejoicing over the Campbell's triumph and Claudia's new found hope.

·         World building I don't remember if it named a town, but I could picture every location perfectly, even though Jakes gave little in depth detail. 

Cons:

 This book was a GREAT mystery.  I loved the turns and twists, the never knowing, but one thing ruined it for me.  

The Adult content.  

There was so much immodesty in it, I nearly cried.  What is the point of putting it in there?  Yes, it is a part of this world, and ungodly people's lives...but please.  This was supposed to be a Christian novel, published by a Christian publisher.  Why?

Pros:

 It was a excellent mystery, and if the adult content wasn't in there, it might've been moved up to my favorites list.  It was hard to put it down. 

Language:

God's name was wrongly used at some parts.

Romance and sexual content:

Ok, there was A LOT of this.  Sadly.  It was the only bad thing I saw in this book.  But, sadly, it isn't a small thing.  Sexual content is NOT something I take lightly in books.  I try to steer away from novels with such in them. 

Violence:

It is a murder mystery.

One of the main characters commits suicide after killing someone else.

 Drugs and drink:

A vast part of the novel are in a bar.  Nothing bad or immoral happens there.

Random Preview:

 No matter that the train had come and gone, still she sat, staring at the bare metal tracks. Her body shook all over. Vehicles sped around her, blaring their horns. People glared at her, some even shouting obscenities at her, but it was no use. She’d become paralyzed. She didn’t know how many minutes she sat there while the world swept by her, a still body in a raging storm.
   A dull tap registered in her brain. She turned toward the sound and tried to focus on the man outside her window. He reached out and made another clipped, three-rap knock on the glass. Finally, recognition flashed, trying to convince her that everything was okay. She pressed the button and lowered the window for the waiting police officer.
   “Claudia?” His voice sent a shiver down her spine. Images sped through her mind, blurring her focus. “Is there something wrong with your car?”
   His voice was a little deeper now than it had been ten years ago, but she could still hear it screaming, “Leave her alone!” And then the gunshot. She could feel herself fading again…
   “Claude!” He reached in through the window and shook her shoulder. “Come on, girl. I know what this is. I’ve been there too. But snap out of it. You’re in the middle of the street.”
   She felt herself slowly ascending, as though swimming from the bottom of a deep lake. At the surface, a ragged, cold breath filled her lungs. “Casio.” Tears filled her eyes.
   “It’s okay, baby,” he said, his voice soft, taking her back to the days when he was quarterback, she was cheerleader, and everyone said they’d be America’s sweethearts. “Can you drive the car into the parking lot?” He pointed to the right where a mom-and-pop café sat practically empty.
   She nodded.
   “I’ll be right behind you.”
   It took every ounce of willpower to slide the Tahoe into gear and drive toward the parking lot. Once she stopped, her lungs screamed and she could feel the breath-stealing, muscle-seizing horror of hyperventilation coming on. Casio appeared at the passenger side door. Clutching her chest, she pointed toward the glove box. “Bag,” she managed to gasp.
   “What?”
   “A bag. In there!”
   “Oh! Okay! Are you okay?” Hang on.” Casio opened the glove box and pulled out a paper bag, then brought it to her mouth. “Breathe. In-out-in-out.”
   She did. Her lungs felt like they might burst as the panic spiked. “Oh, God. It’s just like that night.” A scream vibrated in her throat, and she squelched it before it could pierce the air inside the Tahoe.
   “No.” Casio’s hand pressed against her clammy neck. “Now, listen, Claude. Keep breathing.” His smooth-as-silk tone calmed her and evened out her breath. She tried to focus on his tone. “This isn’t like that night on the bus. No one is after you. The person with a gun was after BJ. No one else. It wasn’t a random act or I wouldn’t have just been shot in the arm. Right? If that man was on a killing spree, we’d all be dead right now.”
   His voice was beginning to soothe her, and slowly, the words sank into her muddled brain. She set the bag in her lap and filled her lungs with a cleansing breath. “Thanks, Casio,” she whispered and tried to smile. “You’re a hero.”
   His jaw clenched as he inhaled from a freshly lit cigarette and then passed it to her. “Yep, that’s what I am.” He expelled a stream of smoke. “A real hero.”
   At the sarcasm in his tone, Claudia regretted her choice of words. She reached across the seat and took his hand. “We did what we could.”
   “Too bad that doesn’t make the dreams go away.”

Ratings:

I really liked the mystery, but because all the Adult content, I'm going to have to give it a:

The only thing that saved it from becoming a 2 star is the GREAT mystery.

Please, Ms. Jakes, just stick to mystery.  You'd ace it.

Cinderella Cleaners: A change of A Dress.

Author: Maya Gold

My recommended age: 9-11

Their recommended age: 9-12

Publisher:  Scholastic Press

Number of pages: 224

Publisher’s description:

Behind the counter at Cinderella Cleaners, Diana watches the clothes come and go. She loves to imagine the exciting events that the different outfits might be worn to. Then one day, Diana reaches into the pocket of a fancy coat - and finds an invitation to a glittering gala in New York City. Since the coat's owner is out of town, Diana gets a wild idea. With the help of some savvy friends, one glamorous dress, and a lot of improvising, Diana pretends to be someone she's not, and makes it into the party! Will she be discovered, or will her disguise come off without a hitch?

My thoughts:

·         Characters:  The Character development was amazing.  Each person was their own, person.  And the ones meant to be lovable, were. Except Adam.  I couldn't get into the groove with him.

·         Plot:  Eh. ok.  I'll admit, it was a page turner, but I had bigger expectations for it, than it gave.  There was pretty much no deep moral, which is a big bummer for me.

·         Writing:  Maya Gold's writing style is perfect for her age group.   I found it a bit under me (what can I say?  My fault for reading a younger aged book), but it was a good, fast paced, yet clear, style.

·         Cover:  Pretty cool.  Only thing, my OCD kicked in, the dress Diana is wearing on the COVER isn't at all like the one she wears in the book.  Sorry, Ms. Gold's designer.

·         Ending:  I was kinda let down.  I wanted Diana to clear things up with her Dad and Step-Mom, and learn something bigger than, 'Dreams DO come true!'.  But, she didn't.  If you want a book with learning, and values, you're not gonna get it here.

·         World building: Maya Gold used really good, but not overbearing descriptions, thumbs up for that.

Cons:

 Diana does have a crush on an acotor, and another guy.  All innocent, though, nothing comes from it.

She lies and deceives her parents, which is a BIG no-no.  but, she does get punished, if that is any balm.

No moral learning.

Pros:

 Fun read.  

Diana does fet punished for her wrong doings.

Beautiful writing and descriptions.

Good character development.

Language:

None.

Romance and sexual content:

Diana has a crush.

There is a school play where one girl must kiss a boy.  There is a big scandal because of that.

Violence:

None.

 Drugs and drink:

None.

So, without further ado, I give my review:

Ok, not a MUSTREADNOW, but ok.

Don't you hate it when a book is less than you expect?

*NOTE*

O recieved this book free for reviewing purposes from Scholastic press. All views are entirely, absolutely and completely my own.