Two more book reviews from me on the Heroes of Quantico series by Irene Hannon:

Book 2:

Irene Hannon's second installment in the Heroes of Quantico series, An Eye For An Eye, kicks off with danger, excitement, and sparks. F.B.I. Hostage Rescue Team member, Mark Sanders runs into Emily Lawson, an old friend, in the park while jogging. While they are talking, a sniper takes shots at Mark and Emily, but which one was the intended target?

Mark and the St. Louis F.B.I. office scramble to try to find the shooter and keep Emily safe. Thrown back into each others lives, Mark and Emily find themselves feeling out the romantic relationship that they once had and now seems to be growing again.

This book is filled with suspense and passion. The author's writing leaps off the page and brings her characters and her settings to life. The mystery unfolds keeping the reader in suspense both in the search to find the shooter and in Mark and Emily's relationship. Everything starts to come clear at the end. A great second installment with a third book scheduled to come out in April.

Book 1:

FBI Hostage Rescue Team members Evan Cooper and Mark Sanders are sent to protect Monica Callahan. Callahan is the estranged daughter of a U.S. diplomat currently working to get several hostages released in Afghanistan. She refuses to allow the terrorist threat to affect her life until it encroaches upon her home.

Cooper finds that he has a personal stake when he realizes he has feelings for Monica. Cooper also has to come face to face with God and comes to believe during the trials he faces. Monica comes to rely deeper on her faith as she struggles to forgive her father and mend fences with him before it is too late.

Against All Odds by Irene Hannon, the first book in a new series, is story of bravery and courage on the parts of the characters. Whether it is facing life under fire or coming to grips with emotions, Hannon’s characters come to life in the story as she introduces her readers to the Heroes of Quantico.

The one for book 1, I wrote quite a bit back. Yes, I know, I seem to primarily read Christian Fictio, but I've got a small side job writing reviews, so I thought I'd share some of them with y'all. :"> With my current schedule, I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep it up, but I have plenty of material on my bookshelf to go through. lol.

Oh, after quite a while writing a wonderful post I lost it in the most stupid way trying to add different smilies . So now, I'll make it brief.
Mar_girl, It's the Attolia books I am going to read when they arrive, but thanks for the recommendation. In fact, I've been thinking or reading them for long, so I'll add them to my to-read list.
Very interesting discussion on Jane Eyre, one of my favourite books ever. Although the first time I read it - when I was ten or twelve - I didn't like him, now Mr. Rochester is one of my favourite characters, and I agree with what wisewoman and 220 have said about them.

Methinks we need a Jane Eyre Special Feature — or perhaps a Bronte sisters SF. Would you guys be up for that?

I would! I would! By the way, I loved your review of The Yellow Room. I agree with Lysander, don't read anything at all about the sequels, if you are spoilered it is not as fun.

That bio of Miyazaki sounds great W4J . I can't wait to find a copy.

And it is amazing how someone who animates such beautiful stories can lead such a depressed life. But we artistic types often seem to have problems with depression or other emotional/personality issues . Perhaps that is why Miyazaki is drawn to such uplifting tales though. I know that's why I prefer to read or watch things with Happy Endings or Eucatastrophres

GB

Hello all!
It's hard to choose just one favorite book. I'm an avid reader and love many different authors. Some of my favorites are: George MacDonald, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Jan Karon, Ted Dekker, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and many more.

I love to talk books, so if anyone has a favorite book from these authors, feel free to PM me!

I love the Lord of the Rings series, plus the Hobbit.
Probably my favorite books in the Bible are both first and second Timothy. They're written to a young man, exhorting him to stay strong. I need to hear that sometimes. (Actually quite often!)

Anyway, that's my short answer on the question, "What's your favorite book?"

Lindir

220:

[spoiler=Jane Eyre]I see what you’re saying, but even though if he just said that to make Jane jealous or not—he still did that, and it’s quite annoying, to me. I know she has a conscience, but really, why would she go marry someone who’s had a wife, and had so many mistresses before that? Is there much assurance he won’t do the same to her? Granted, he was blind and in a way an invalid, but he didn’t seem trustworthy.
For the age difference- in the Sound of Music, I hadn’t noticed that. But, Jane was only a teenager and he 40-45. That, if you ask me, is far too much.
About St. John, yeah, I now see why he wasn’t right for Jane, or right for anyone in that matter. He wasn’t emotional, and he did get rather annoying.
I understand what you mean about Jane going back to Mr. Rochester. I understand he was humbled, but it’s hard for me to see past his faults, since the main thing he seemed sorry for was sorry he lost Jane. He, sadly in one aspect, just comes off as a shallow character, to me.

I just made a really amazing discovery. Apparently audible.com, an audiobook download site, has started offering a month's trial that includes a free audiobook you keep even if you cancel your subscription. I'm definitely going to take advantage of this offer. Due to wisewoman's outpourings, I'm thinking of getting the Anna Massey-narrated Rebecca, but then again there are so many goodies on there ... Jonathan Pryce doing My Cousin Rachel, Amanda Root doing Jane Eyre, Stephen Thorne doing Cadfael, Alan Rickman doing The Return of the Native, and perhaps best of all, Derek Jacobi doing various Tolkien children's stories!

Now, I can agree with you on that. Of the four or five Eliot I've read, Middlemarch was the one I enjoyed the most and liked the best.

Well, I'm not quite sure I can agree with that. I'd have to reread Silas Marner before I could decide whether that or Middlemarch is my favorite, and even then I might not be able too. Regardless, they're both among my favorite books ever.

Would The Mill on the Floss be a good one to read next? Daniel Deronda is a bit too much to tackle right now.

Probably. Most people who don't consider Middlemarch Eliot's best novel go for Mill. There are certainly some remarkable things about it I love, principally the childhood scenes and the romantic sections in the Red Deeps, but as far as I'm concerned it rather drops in quality for the last two thirds of the book. Maybe it was due to my rather high expectations ... another reread, I fear?

I agree with Lysander

Smart girl.

220: I'll have to read the Bedier. Honestly, I'm not all that fond of the basic Tristan and Isolde story, which isn't about "true love" at all, love potion or no. Interestingly, Rosemary Sutcliff shares your views on the potion, and refused to include it in her retelling, which I absolutely loved. She even makes Isolde of the White Hands fairly sympathetic.

Bella: This is the passage that convinced me maybe Rochester "deserved," if you can call it, a second chance:

220chrisTian: Yes, my copy of The Pilgrim's Progress has both Christian's and Christiana's parts. I think we'll just be reading Christian's for school, though. I haven't read anything else by him, but those books sound interesting. Oh, dear, I put that I'd have to start The Pilgrim's Progress for school, didn't I? I meant The Pilgrim's REgress. I am going to read TPP too, just not next week.

Welcome to the New NarniaWeb, mara!

Thanks! I'm not sure if it's possible to upthumb a review twice. The last time I read it I clicked on the thumb icon, and it added another number to your count. Then I couldn't remember if I'd already done so. That's why I said I think I upthumbed it twice. And thanks, about the Hot Reviews! I don't get on LT every day, though, so I missed seeing it there. I feel so flattered.

Aslanisthebest:

I love it when I'm assigned books I already wanted to read!

Me too! That's part of the reason I'm so looking forward to my C.S. Lewis class. And thanks for telling me how to quote people. I meant to ask everyone in general, not just you, but it appeared that way in my post.

Books I've bought recently:
Emma (library booksale for 50 cents)
Believing in Narnia: A Kid's Guide to Unlocking the Secret Symbols of Faith in the Chronicles of Narnia by Natalie Gilespie (I'm rather weary of books that claim to unlock secrets/secret symbols in beloved classics, but this sounds interesting. I'll let you know what it's like.)

Books I've read recently:
I finished Sorcery and Cecilia and loved it. What is the sequel called? I probably won't read it anytime soon, though.
The Unicorn and Other Poems by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (very good, but I didn't get into this one as much as the other poetry books I've read this summer. Maybe because I'm sick and can't find a good, quiet place to read...)

I see that the Pilgrim's Progress was brought up in the conversation. I don't normally get...mushy...over a book, but this is one that really hit my heart in all the right places. It's a beautiful tale. I discovered that following Christian's journey that he encountered people that I have met, and gone to places I've been to, and been in jams that I oftentimes find myself in. It's a very heartening book and has an almost urgent tone about it. The part where I usually break down is when...

I've read novels where I can identify with characters easily, but never quite like TPP. Anyone you've ever met in your life, Christian or not, will likely have a representative character in the book.

The second portion is a tad bit more lighthearted in tone, albeit not bad because of it. The sense of urgency in the first book is replaced by a sort of "take it easy" kind of pacing and many of the sites and places Christian went to in the first book are revisited with different results. It's good although not as good as the first book. I'm thinking it's perhaps time to go dig up my copy and do a reread. Really good book.

It's a good book and probably the first true modern fantasy novel. PP is a bit too strict in it's allegory for me but the story and message are very good.

LadyLiln: It makes a great deal of sense that you wish you could have read The Lord of the Rings without any preconceived notions or spoilers. It makes sense now.

*is also in the Silas Marner fan club* I didn't think it was amazing, but it was good and such a sweet story of redemption.

What's up with the title, though? It is fun and charming, but Kate (that is her name, right?) gets no love?

I wondered that too. I suppose they liked the (sort of) alliteration.

Not to burst your bubble, but the sequel to S&C, The Grand Tour, is really not very impressive. I quit a bit less than halfway through. It was boring, confusing, and I missed the banter between the cousins. I also felt that parts of the characters' personalities became exaggerated.

My dad came to me and asked me if he should read The Pilgrim's Progress in Today's Language or the original [The Pilgrim's Progress. I'm surprised that he even had to ask me my opinion. He tried to defend himself by saying that he cared more for the theology of the book than the writing. I didn't even know they "translated" books into "Today's Language"!

My ILL for "Smith of Wootten Major" came in today, so I'll be making a trip down the hill to the library. I love living 5 minutes from my University Library.

I judge a book by the picture on the cover and the synopsis on the back. Then I'll open it and read the opening couple of pages. If I'm bored within seconds, I'll put it back and keep looking. If I like what I read, I'll keep reading for the first chapter. If I'm still interested, I buy the book.

In 1983 (shows how old I am), I was browsing the fantasy section of B. Dalton Booksellers (again, shows how old I am) and came across a novel by Steven R. Boyett entitled "Ariel: A Book of the Change." I performed my ritual above. Two hours later, I was sitting on the floor of the bookstore, completely engrossed. Needless to say, I bought the book. It went out of print a few years later and I still have my old copy, taped, laminated, ripped up, but still readable. Last week it was reprinted and is back out in stores, probably to celebrate its sequel, "Elegy Beach," which will be published in November. I can't wait.

It basically is a post-apocalyptic fantasy - one day, at approximately 4:30pm, the Change occurs: life as we know it stops. Electronics and conveyances - cars, bikes, etc. - stop working. The lights go out. And magical animals start wandering the earth. A young man meets a unicorn, whom he names Ariel, and they travel together. The very first line is "I was bathing in a lake when I saw the unicorn." I was hooked. In fact, I have a brand new copy in my purse right now.

Be warned - the story is definitely for older readers. Lots of strong language, some nasty violence, and some pretty graphic sexual situations. I realize it's probably not the proper reading material for some of the folks on this site. But I consider it a wonderful fantasy/action novel for the ages. I really do recommend it.

Thanks lys and Amira, I'll stay away from everything Leroux-related until I read The Perfume of the Lady in Black (and incidentally, isn't that a fantastic title? So mysterious and evocative!). I did like Yellow Room better than Phantom, but I think I will reread the latter eventually and see if my "eh meh" opinion has changed at all. Thanks for the comment on my review, Amira!

FF and lys, regarding Jane Eyre,

Wow, lys... rereading that passage you quoted made me think of the Psalms. Sin, pride, rebellion, and God afflicts the sinner mightily to punish him but also — and this is the amazing part — to redeem and restore him. Wow!

And AitB, it's perfectly okay for you to maintain your opinion! But will you promise me that if, some years later, you reread and suddenly find yourself understanding and sympathizing with the characters, you will let me know? I would absolutely LOVE to hear again from you on this if you ever choose to reread. Same for you, FF!

Amira, would you be up for opening the Bronte sisters SF when its turn comes? If not, that's okay, I can open it. Just thought I would give you that opportunity if you wanted it!

Poor Professor Bhaer. Everyone I know (including myself) prefers Laurie to him!

I'm glad you enjoyed the Sproul book, Jo-Anna. Todd is still working his way through it. It's a nice book to leave out on the coffeetable

I was just looking over our bookshelves and thinking I really should organize them ... again.

*whispers "LibraryThing" gently in Jo-Anna's ear* You know what would be fun? If I were to come visit you and help you organize and input your library into LibraryThing

Nice book reviews, kat!

But we artistic types often seem to have problems with depression or other emotional/personality issues .

Interesting... Dorothy Sayers would say you have a scalene trinity . I just finished (and reviewed) her excellent book on human creativity, The Mind of the Maker. I highly recommend it to all artists and especially Christians. Some of her insights were so profound. She quotes Lewis a lot, too.

Welcome to the Books thread, Lindir! I like how you picked your favorite book of the Bible, too. I think mine is Ephesians... but it's really impossible to choose.

Oh lys, what a hard choice for your free audiobook! I am rooting for Rebecca though

I finished Sorcery and Cecilia and loved it. What is the sequel called? I probably won't read it anytime soon, though.

It's called The Grand Tour, and it's not quite as good as the first book. I enjoyed it though. Recently someone in Australia sent me that one and the third in the series, The Mislaid Magician, through BookMooch. I was so happy to complete the series!

I haven't read Pilgrim's Progress in ages. SL, you are making me want to reread . It made a little ill to see someone saying William P. Young's book The Shack is PP's modern equivalent

Hi Tierza! It's nice to see you in the Books thread . I will keep an eye out for Ariel and its sequels; it sounds fascinating.

The Wyvern Mystery is slow going. I have already picked up another book while in the middle of it —The Blue Sword, on total impulse yesterday. I am nearly done with it. I had some time this morning so I wrote my review. I can never decide if I like this one or The Hero and the Crown more...

Tierza, post-apocalyptic stories are fascinating stuff, aren't they? I've read some myself including a couple that I will only lightly mention here because they've got lots of the above offensive material you listed. It's difficult (if not impossible) to write such a book without putting in some gory depictions of icky stuff.

The Stand by Stephen King is an excellent work, some say his best work. King has one of the most twisted (many would say "sick") brains I've come across in the book world and the man thinks things and writes about things that boggle the mind, and sometimes he will push a book out the door to keep the dollars flowing. And he definitely needs a better editor! But The Stand is one of the most engrossing books I've ever read. A human-engineered strain of the flu, called the ""Super Flu" in the book is accidentally released at a research location in the western deserts of the US and blows across the world, killing 99.4% of the populace outright. The .6% of the population remaining begin to have mystic-like dreams and separate into two factions, the "good" going to Boulder, CO under the leadership of a 106 year old black woman named Mother Abigail, the "bad" going to Las Vegas, NV to follow a shadowy and evil entity in human form known as Randall Flagg. The tension in the book is ratcheted up as it becomes clear that at some point the two groups are going to get into a big fight and only one will survive. It's filled with the same problems you described in the book above, so this is probably not fare for most folks here. Trust me on this.

Another one I'd recommend would be Swan Song by Robert McCammon. The book was written in the late 80's and remains that author's most popular work by far. In it the US and USSR launch the nukes and the world is predictably demolished. The survivors do their best to make due in the post-nuclear world filled with death, psychos, villains, and mutated animals with nasty dispositions. The story centers around a young girl named Swan who has a unique ability to talk to plants and can amazingly make them grow just by touching them. The antagonists are an ad hoc group of survivors who have formed an army (there are half a dozen of such militaristic outfits listed in the book) which roam the wastes searching for manpower and the last remaining resources so they can forcibly subjugate all survivors under their banner. Meanwhile an evil entity in sometimes human form searches the wastes too, looking for a girl named Swan, whom he very much wants to destroy. I haven't described it very well, but the book (which gets compared to The Stand a lot), while gory at times, takes a slightly more gentle approach, if this is possible, because it develops the characters in a more personal way and makes you care very much about them. I've read it twice and each time I felt it was a very well written book which really put you into the story with its descriptions of post-nuclear holocaust life. Again, this isn't going to appeal to most people I know here, but for the rest it is definitely a gripping book and a real page turner.

I might go check out this book you've mentioned above since the genre really appeals to me and it's been a while since I last read from it. You make it sound like it'd be my cup of tea!

malkah:

The Mill was the first Eliot I read, and for the most part I enjoyed it, although if I recall it correctly, I found the ending was slightly unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, I wouldn't say don't read it, as it was an enjoyable book.

ww: Thanks! Yes, I will by all means share when I read Jane Eyre again, I think it'd be only fair. I know there's been movies, and other books, I'm sure, that I did not exactly like when I first read them (when I was first introduced to Jane Austen through films I didn't like the stories, , but now, when I was able to appreciate the story and what was happening, I obviously am now a fan.) but now that I've grown and been able to understand concepts and relate to characters more, I've begun to like them. So, I'm sure that I will change my opinion of Jane Eyre in some way when I re-read it.

Bella: You did a nice job in expressing yourself as well- and I can understand what you're saying and where you're coming from. (And agree in some aspects, although I'm a bit stuck in the middle now- not exactly liking Mr. Rochester but not disliking him as much as I used to. Perhaps in a few more days I'll get it all figured out where I am, but I'm hesitant to do that until I read the book again. It's important to me to get accurate ideas and what not, so...)

Lys: Well, at least we agree that we liked Middlemarch quite a bit. [

Thank you for sharing that passage (not only because it saved me from looking it up myself, when I would have really no idea where to find it), it was nice to read.

Welcome to the books thread Lindir! I think my favourite book of the Bible is James, and also 1st John. (To name just two, I've profited greatly from all the books, I'm sure).

I'm currently reading more Sherlock Holmes, I'm on The Return of Sherlock Holmes. So far it's been quite interesting, although I think my favourite collection of stories has been by far The Adventures. I also finished reading A Study in Scarlet (which, interestingly, I started years ago but never exactly finished, and didn't even know it was one, oddly.) and The Sign of Four. Both were interesting to read, but I think I like the short stories better. I'm not exactly sure why, though

The Stand is wonderful, I've heard King's upcoming novel Under the Dome has a similar feel to it. Have you read the uncut edition, Shadowlander?