Review: The Unfailing Light By: Robin Bridges

The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Gathering Storm continues with The Unfailing Light.
The adventure continues, the deceit, the mystery, the secret orders, the supernatural world of 1825 St. Petersburg. The Courts of Dark and Light have use of Katerina and her powers as a necromancer. Her powers though through a spell of protection have left her unprotected, from being able to help and heal, to remove a dangerous ghost on a mission that has darker meaning than one originally thought, to save her loved ones, and protect the throne. With her heart belonging to George and Danilo bonded to her through blood, the truth of what is needed and what must be done isn't as clear.
I really enjoyed this continuation, I found myself lost in the imagery and the vivid characters. I am glad that this story continues and look forward to it.

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Review: The Five Love Languages How To Express Heartfelt Commitment To Your Mate By: Gary Chapman

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How full is your "Love Tank" or that of your mate? How is it that you each love, but differently and how you express that sometimes gets misinterpreted or taken for granted?
I felt as though there might be something starting to get lost, by reading this book I found exactly what my love language was and that of my mate (and my children). This book has exercises that if you do, you will find results. Remember Love is a choice, and it is your choice to speak a language that the ones you care about need.
The five languages include : Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Receiving Gifts - amazing and simple.
I have noticed an amazing difference in the house and how I communicate with others it practicing this for the last two weeks.

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Review: Three Minute Therapy Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life By: Michael R Edelstein

Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Michael R. Edelstein
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you change your thinking, your expectations, and realize that the only thing you can control is your thinking and reaction -- well, that is the basis of this book.
Very repetitive with the same formula, you almost have to stop reading - same story, different "cases". I really think that the true basis and idea behind the book could be expressed in 10 pages or less, yet I continued with a lingering thought that repetition does work - but with 200 pages of it, that could be insanity.
Want to learn the therapy, read the first few pages and use the exercise for three minutes a day, changing your "must" and "should" thoughts from demands to preferences.

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Review: Toxic Parents Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life By Susan Forward

Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life by Susan Forward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes you have to look at where you came from to make a fresh future. I found great insight into myself and my family, I also was made to look very hard and do exercises to heal.
I recommend this book highly - whether you have had an absent parent to a severely abusive one, you will find comfort and survival within these pages.
Although this was written 20+ years ago the basis of behavior and human beings are still very reliable and relevant.

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Review: The Burgess Boys By: Elizabeth Strout

The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To be fair, I think that 3 1/2 stars would be more accurate.

Welcome to the story of Jim, Bob, and Susan Burgess. Growing up in a small town in Maine with a tragedy upon their heads of their father's death brings their adulthood to a standstill when Susan's son is in legal trouble.
Both Burgess boys escaped to New York, one with high profile clients, the other legal aid - one with 30 years of marriage but deep dark secrets that eat away at him every day and the other with a guilt that has left him with broken relationships and a broken life. Now that their nephew is in trouble they must go back to where they come from knowing they never truly escaped.
So many characters come into play and although they can make brief appearances within the book, they also show the haunting and actions of the Burgess family and how they affect everyone around them. I found the characters development through situations very enlightening and found them to be very human and vulnerable.
A family so raw, so pained comes off the page and hits the reader's compassion and anger all at once.

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Review: Falling Kingdoms By: Morgan Rhodes

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the world of Mytica three kingdoms rule. The Kindred Stones have been lost for generations, the Watchers hide within the Sanctuary (which through the generations and lost stones have caused a slow death), the stars prediction of one that will come and hold the sorcery of the four elements, each kingdom having some sort of problem all collide at the moment a wineseller's son is murdered by a Lord of another country.
Rich in characters, minor and major with three dimensional writing, come off the page, the lands of Turanos, Palasia, and Limeros also come alive. A great story of the legend is held within the storyline and just when you think you can predict - you are surprised.
A wonderful fantasy novel that you won't want to put down.

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Review: Blood Magic By: Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A mysterious book arrives on the doorstep of Drusilla Kennicott months after her parents deaths. This book will cause Silla to question her father and everything/everyone she knows. It came with a letter from a person named The Deacon.
With flashes into a diary from the past and the book in her possession all lines intersect for her, her family, and her new neighbor Nicholas Pardee. Evil lurks and wants the power and secrets within the book and will not stop at anything to get it.
I think I really wanted to like this book, but could not feel the depth of the characters in it or their problems. It is an interesting storyline, but it could not carry the book itself.

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