the start of a good life

Welcome back to SGL, friends. I’m surprised by how many books I read, considering how much Other was occurring – and four of them were from my To-Read stack(s)!

I’ve been thinking these past few months of starting to do star ratings. What do you think? Would it add anything to my reviews, in your opinion? Or is there something else you’d like me to add to them?

On to the reviews!

Red Heart Cafe by Rebekah A. Morris (e-book)- During an enforced vacation, Ford Merrick’s truck breaks down outside of a small desert town. He has lunch at a small cafe, and ends up with a bruised jaw and the town bully getting arrested. He hadn’t planned on his defense of a harassed waitress putting not only the cafe’ at risk, but also Ariana’s farm. For the town bully’s father is the owner of the bank, and that man keeps a tight rein on those whose mortgages he holds. As things spiral into further chaos, Ford wonders if his presence has only hurt those around him or if he can help these people find justice.

~I’ve read one other book by this author years ago, so was excited to read another one. First – a male lead with the name of ‘Ford’ is perfection every time. Love it. I enjoyed the small town and how Ford’s perception of it shifted during his stay there. Since I read it as an e-book, it took me a little bit to get into it, but then I couldn’t get stop reading. It was a sweet story of standing up for what’s right and following God’s guidance. I liked how polite Ford was, well, so many of the people were really. It made it feel like it was set back in the 1950’s or something – very lovely. The only thing that made me wonder was when Ford considers a fairly serious step in a relationship that, to the reader, doesn’t yet feel fully mutual. It had a slightly too old-fashioned feel for a modern setting. It wasn’t enough of a thing to put me off though and the story ended sweetly and satisfactorily. A light cute read with good Christian themes throughout.

The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea (The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder #2) by C.L. Miller – Freya Lockwood and her Aunt Carole are called in when a painting goes missing and a body is found behind a museum. The newly-formed Lockwood Antique Hunter’s Agency goes on the case to find out why such a seemingly worthless painting was taken… and that investigation leads them to an antiques cruise sailing the Red Sea. But some of the items in the ship’s art gallery are stolen antiquities – listed in a journal that was left to Freya from unsolved cases. But chasing the thief and murderer turns into a much more dangerous and sinister game than either woman was expecting

~I admit it – I got this from the library because of the title. Did I even look to see if it was a sequel so to then read them in order? Nope. Murder mystery. Antiques. Sign me up (apparently). Because I knew nothing about it- or the author- I was a little trepidatious in whether it would be *clean* – on that score, there were a few swear words and one or two instances of immoral comments… But that was it. For the story and plot – I loved it. While there were definitely moments of ‘girl, think! you’re going to get yourself killed!’, there was another character thinking/saying that as well. Which takes it from an annoying thing about the character to a character trait that they *hopefully will learn from. The twists and turns kept me guessing and I appreciated the satisfying not-too-cliche’ ending. I do have book one on hold at the library. If you like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers or the like, I think you’d like this one.

The Book Of Three by Lloyd Alexander- I had only seen the movie “The Black Cauldron” that was based off of this series, so I had no real knowledge of the story.
I found this story to be a fun adventure, following Taran, assistant pig-keeper, as he sought the escaped oracular pig, Hen-Wen. He’s realizing that his dreams of being a hero are easier than actually being one.
But Gurgi, Fflam and Eilonwy are there to hinder and help him along the way!
All in all, a cute story of good and evil battling it out. I am curious about the rest of the series now! I found this at a library book sale almost a year ago, so I’m glad I finally read it.

Han Solo’s Revenge (Star Wars: the Han Solo Adventures #2) by Brian Daley – Short on funds, Han Solo and Chewie take on a no-questions-asked job that will pay them 10,000 credits. But once they make planetfall, Solo learns that it’ll also earn them both quick executions from the Corporate Sector Authority. The Authority can overlook many crimes, but the slave trade isn’t one of them. Thankfully, due to quick thinking on Blue Max’s part, they’re able to turn the tables on the slavers. But Solo figures that someone still owes him that 10,000 credits, so he keeps the appointment the slavers had with their boss. But who he meets with doesn’t seem to fit who he had in mind…Except of course, she wasn’t. Fiolla’s an officer of the Sector Authority. . .

~ Basically, these Han Solo adventures are swash-buckling rides in space where Solo survives with quick thinking, luck and his crew’s own skills. I liked seeing Blue Max and Bollux as part of his crew- despite how Solo feels about droids. I liked the bit where Chewie flies. Fiolla was an interesting surprise throughout. I enjoyed this wild ride through different planets, space and spacships.

Han Solo and the Lost Legacy (Star Wars: the Han Solo Adventures #3) by Brian Daley – Unable, for different reasons, to resist the allure of the lost treasure of Xim, Solo and Chewie join up with some old and new friends to locate it. Along the way, they’re hunted by a notorious hitman, the Millenium Falcon is stolen and a strange cult in the mountains kidnap them. And let’s not forget the killer robots that are hot on their trail.

~Sound fantastic enough for you? This one finishes off the trilogy with all the thrills and almost-deaths that you could want. Is it kind of ridiculous? Sure. But that’s some of what you want in a Solo adventure, isn’t it? I was kind of sad with the ending because I wish there would’ve been more to the series. But it was satisfying all the same.

~both of these were found last year at a thrift store – which means I’ve read three of the ten Star Wars books I own!~

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook to Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson (audiobook) – When a man wakes up in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he’s from or why he’s there, he has to act quickly to regain his memories, because people from his own time are after him. Working to regain his memories, he makes allies with some of the locals and even starts to wonder about trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only other hope for survival should’ve been a handbook from the real world titled “The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England” but it was torn to shreds during his entry into this world. The pieces he has have clues on them – but will he figure them out in time?

~How have I never reviewed this on SGL before? This was probably my second, maybe third, read and its ridiculous tongue-in-cheek style is just… fun. It’s a light-hearted tale with themes of truth, loyalty, friendship and becoming who you want to be. I liked that you learn who the main character is along with him, as well as how the world works – its similarities and differences to our own. This is different than Sanderson’s normal style, so keep that in mind!

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1) by L.M. Montgomery (audiobook) – Anne Shirley is an awkward, gangly redheaded orphan that is adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, siblings who live on their childhood homestead, Green Gables. Anne is prone to get into more scrapes and adventures than any other youngster in Avonlea, which proves for an interesting time for all.

~Somehow, I hadn’t read this in ten years. I adore Montgomery’s writing style so much. After so long, it was fun and interesting to read this beloved tale again – how Rachel Lynde is the first character you’re introduced to; understanding Matthew’s reticence in talking with people; Marilla’s softening over time; Diane’s staunch love and loyalty to Anne. Sighhh, bliss.

The First Fast Draw by Louis L’amour – Drawn back to Texas despite the bad reputation he has, Cullen Baker goes home to his land – the land that his parents put their sweat and tears into before they both died – to build a home and life there after years of wandering. But his homecoming is anything but welcoming. The Reconstructionists are greedy, his worst enemy has teamed up with a vicious outlaw and people have long memories. But instead of backing down and moving on, Cullen decides to fight back – and that includes a new style of gunfighting- the fast draw.

~I always love me a Louis L’amour book. But this one had something lacking for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it, unless it was something about Cullen himself…? I’m not sure. All the same, an interesting story on how the fast draw was ‘started’.

DNF’d: (did not finish)

Lust for Life by Irving Stone

Currently Reading:

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire (confession, read 20 pages and haven’t picked it up again.)

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (audiobook)

Upcoming Possibles:

Prequel: The Adamah Series by Nick Michael (re-read)

The Last Hero: a biography of Gary Cooper by Larry Swindell

Ten Days in a Madhouse & Other Stories by Nellie Bly

And just to repeat – I’ve been thinking these past few months of starting to do star ratings. What do you think? Would it add anything to my reviews, in your opinion? Or is there something else you’d like me to add to them?

~Laura

Tags: anne of green gables, anne of green gables series, book review, book reviews, books, Brandon Sanderson, brian daley, c.l. miller, christian book reviews, han solo and the lost legacy, han solo's revenge, L.M. Montgomery, lloyd alexander, louis lamour, rebekah a morris, red heart cafe, star wars: the han solo adventures, the antique hunter's death on the red sea, the antique hunter's guide to murder, the book of three, the first fast draw, the frugal wizard's handbook to surviving medieval england