Fiction

Sami's Big Secret
'Sami's Big Secret' is a children's picture book written by W.J. Armstrong-Bungay. Animals of all kinds have all kinds of feelings and Sami is trying to figure out her feelings as well. Sami is a girl rabbit who is unhappy with her family life. She lives in a big family where it gets quite busy and one day it just seems like just too much. Sami needs a friend that understands, but will she find one and feel better about herself and the others in her life. W.J. Armstrong-Bungay is a show and tell writer using words that describe the pictures for when the reader sees the artwork and the detail for each of the characters the reader will get a sense for what Sami is going through in trying to fit in somewhere. The artwork is very detailed using various shades to depict the woods that seemed to come alive in many ways for it was like walking through the woods.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Meatball's Snow Day
'Meatball's Snow Day' is a children's picture book written by Jen Willett. Who doesn't like a Snow Day? This is the story of a little mouse named Meatballs and he lives on a farm with his mom and his friends. One day he wakes up and finds out that it is a snow day and his adventures begin, but not thanks to his mom has a good breakfast and a snack to take on while on his adventures. Meatball has a small friend by the name of Moe and they find many ways to have fun on the farm during winter. This is a book with glossy pages and pictures that have to me vivid colors that are also very detailed, as can be seen as the walk he takes with his friend as well as all the other activities that they do. At the end of the book there is a recipe that parents can make with their kids.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Bedtime
'Bedtime' is a children's picture book that was written by Nanette Newman and illustrated by Flora Daneman. Oh, sleepy time and a chance to dream 'Bedtime' is a story written as if a poem and even something else for a good night's sleep and pleasant dreams or a wish for a parents wish for their child. The words are written throughout the book as to me a breeze that blows through the clouds and trees that are floating by. It also has a sing-song manner about itself for as you read the words and enjoy the pictures it is quite relaxing. Flora has drawn the pictures using it seems muted colors and blending the colors blue, purple, tans, browns and a few primary colors. My favorite pictures if I had to choose would be and are when the mom is holding the baby with the teddy bear and the book along with the last page with the sleeping baby and the teddy bear. This is a book of love and hugs.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
If Grace is Dead I Killed Her
Why do people bully? T.G. Starr has written a teen novel entitled 'If Grace Is Dead I Killed Her- Teen Bullying Gone Bad'. This is the story of a character named Maddie who has so much angst in her that so goes too far in her teasing of another girl over something that happened that really did not happen. Maddie is the head girl of the 'Scarlet Squad' a group of girls who seem to follow whoever is doing the wrong thing. This is a period in everyone's life that requires a lot of patience that at the time we do not have a lot of this. T.G. Starr has written a story that will tug at your heart and make you remember your high school days and trying to fit in somewhere and making various right and wrong decisions. This would make a good group discussion reading.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Angels at the Table
Debbie Macomber has written a short Christmas novel entitled 'Angels at the Table'. This is the story of four angels or as they call themselves Prayer Ambassador's named Goodness, Mercy, Shirley and Will. They are sent down to earth in order to answer various kinds of prayers and even to give humans a little push now again, but these four ambassadors seem to make good decisions but in a wrong way. Debbie Macomber has created a novel that one will want to read over and over again especially during the Christmas season for this is when the story is set. Merry Christmas and enjoy 'Angels at the Table'.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Full House
'Full House' written by Janet Evanovich is one of her early works of literature. This is the story of Nicholas and Billie and a mystery of love and murder. To me this is also quite humorous when other family members get mixed up in the story as in Nick's niece and nephew and dealing with a wedding or two and solving some very interesting family issues. Janet Evanovich is a writer that writes romantic comedy novels in my opinion and are quite fun to read.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
One Season of Sunshine
Julia London has written a family romance novel entitled 'One Season of Sunshine'. This is the story of a woman and a man by the names of Jane and Ash. Jane is a second-grade teacher who knows she is adopted but wants to find out more about the mother who gave her up. Ash is a father and businessman who wants to keep his family together in working through losing his wife in a car accident. This is a story of adoption and trying to accept what has happened in the past in dealing with mental illness of a family member and how it is affecting others one way or another. Julia London is a show and tell writer for the reader will be able to picture all the various surroundings from Jane's family in Austin to Ash's mansion to the playhouse along with all the emotions exhibited by the characters.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Irish Rebel
Nora Roberts has written a short novel entitled 'Irish Rebel'. This is the story of Keeley and Brian and the world of horses in many ways. Each of these characters has choices to make in order to move on in their lives one one way or another. Nora Roberts writes scenes that are picturesque even in words for the reader will be able to see Keeley at her school as well as Brian working in the other facets of the world of horses.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Captivated and Entranced
This is one of those Nora Roberts novels that are two novels in one book. The first one is 'Captivated' this is the story of Morgana and Nash, a witch and a screenwriter. They each have to make several decisions in how they want to keep this relationship going. Nora Roberts has offered the reader a romance along with a family story as well. This is the start of a series of a family of witches and how they deal with the many ways that mortals see them. In the second book entitled 'Entranced' this is the story of Mel and Sebastian, a PI and a psychic working on a baby stealing racket. Nora Roberts is a writer that is quite visual in both these stories. She is a writer for those who like romance but also likes mystery and family stories.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Dork Diaries
Rachel Renee Russell along with Nikki and Erin Russell have conspired to write and illustrate ' Dork Diaries Tales from a No-so Dorky Drama Queen'. This is a female version in my opinion of the 'Wimpy Kid' books by Jeff Kinney. The 'Dork Diaries' in a way show how some girls see and survive middle school drama of all kinds even though they seem quite mean and dramatic as in the theme to this sequel to Dork Diaries. It is also a story that will show how rumors start and even hurt all involved somehow. On the technical format of this book for it is written as if a middle school girl wrote it and drew it. In my opinion the illustrations could be used as coloring pages too.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Dog Days
Jeff Kinney has written 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days. 'Dog Days' is the one where Greg is on summer vacation. Greg has to deal with Rowley, Rodrick, and his other mom and dad in how he spends this vacation and how each of the sees what 'FUN' is all about. Jeff writes this book in a journal format as if Greg has written his inner most feelings. The illustrations are even drawn as if Greg drew them. There will be times that readers whether adult or youth will remember living and even surviving what Greg is dealing with during his summer vacation.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Harlequin Romances
Who has read Harlequin Romance novels out there? I know I am a man but I was very bored and looking for some quick reads, so I picked up one of these books and started reading. For some reason some of these books made sense in a way if you can get past all the romantic scenes and just focus on the family side of the story. There are a lot of lessons that one can learn from these kinds of novels, believe it or not. There are many authors who write these stories that are quite show and tell for the reader can visualize the story as they read. They are quite escapist literature for those who just want to get away from things for just a little while for they are quick reads.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique