"Resist" by Ilima Todd

By Kathy Lipscomb

            I’ve been waiting for this YA Dystopian Romance sequal since I finished the last page of “Remake.” It was well worth the wait, and you only have to wait until July 5^th! J

            Theron, my poor Theron. Ilima Todd certainly knows how to stick her characters in a tree and throw rocks at them. Theron goes through the ringer both in “Remake” and now “Resist,” but I love it. Don’t get the wrong idea—Theron is my favorite character in this series. It’s not that I want him to suffer, but instead about the conflict and pacing of the book. Conflict drives a story, and Ilima Todd does this well. The pacing kept me reading well past my self-imposed curfew of nine. Guys, I stayed up until 11:00 pm the first night and then 12:00 am the next night. That’s right, me up at midnight. Unbelievable, right? That's how much I couldn't put this book down.

            Theron and the other characters are as lovable (and sometimes realistically frustrating) as ever. They stay true to themselves in all situations, and their flaws make them feel real. Characters have always been what gets me in a story. If there is a book where I can tell the ending from the beginning (NOT this book), I’ll still read and love it if the characters are fantastic. I loved reading about Theron and Pua, and some of the more minor characters.

            The romance was adorable. There’s an initial spark and then the relationship grows at a believable rate. Theron and Pua’s interactions are cute and fun. The only spot that felt a little too forced for me was their kissing scene later in the book. *takes cover in case anyone starts throwing things at me* Okay, so there’s a LOT going on in this scene, like life and death things, and there’s been a huge sense of urgency. Right? Like any climax. But then Theron and Pua take their sweet time. I mean, yes, I want some amount of a kiss here, but it felt too long and like they were no longer in danger. Which they were.

            The other thing I didn’t love was the cliff-hanger. I’m all for a cliff hanger. There’s a huge one in “Mark of Athena” by Rick Riordan that had me all, “Wait? WHAT? What the heck was that? When does the next book come out!?” and etc. It solved the main arc of that book and then whacked me over the head with a major thing left not finished. I’ll admit that I loved it. I’m okay with cliff-hangers. “Resist” felt like I got to the middle of a climax and then figured out I’m missing the last twenty pages of the book. Don’t get me wrong—the book and the climax is still fantastic. I just would’ve liked a tiny bit more resolution. That could be because I have an unhealthy love for Theron. J

Usually when I hear the word “world-building,” I think high fantasy, and sometimes world-building can be a little, well, boring. But I’ve learned through authors who do it well, that world-building is anything but. It’s about how the facts are presented in the book. I loved learning all the aspects of the world in “Resist.” I soaked them in and wanted more. Ilima doesn’t throw the information at you like a textbook, but instead weaves the elements throughout the story in a way where I couldn’t get enough. And the world itself? Awesome. It was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

            Then, as with the first book in the series, there’s that emphasis on the importance of family. I don’t think there are enough books out there that show families for who they are supposed to be, especially in young adult books. Showing how important having family is for each member, how it’s in place to help us learn, grow, and be happy, is an element that takes a great book series and makes it outstanding. I promise, it won’t beat you over the head with preachiness. It’s a fictional book that weaves it in with grace and beauty.

            I loved this book, this whole series, and can’t wait for the final one. Way better than chocolate, my friends. 

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale

I first found out about this book at a writer’s conference. Shannon read a little excerpt from it, and I instantly thought my son would love it. Here is a story about a “perfect” princess who seems dainty and in need of saving, but she’s actually…wait for it…The Princess in Black! She’s a monster fighting princess who inspires others simply by doing. She’s a super hero who my kids can relate to.

So I bought the book for my birthday (yes, for my birthday), and the day it came in the mail, I read it to my son. He was hesitant at first, because he wanted me to read one of his already favorite books. I promised to read that one to him after, and despite his grumpiness (hey, he’s three), I started to read. 

My son went silent, captivated from the first page. The voice in the book is not only darling, but daring, adventurous, and funny. My husband, an avid reader like myself, kept looking up from cooking dinner (isn’t he awesome?) and chuckled over the awesome dialogue and adventurous story. My husband even looked through the book later on his own because he missed out on the incredible illustrations.

“The Princess in Black” captivated my whole family. It’s a great transition book from picture books to chapter books, and it’s something we can read again and again. We look forward to adding the rest of this series to our book collection as well. This book is totally better than chocolate. 

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Twelve-year-old Hope lives in White Rock, a town struggling to recover from the green bombs of World War III. The bombs destroyed almost everything that came before, so the skill that matters most in White Rockk—sometimes it feels like the only think that matters—is the ability to invent so that the world can regain some of what it’s lost.

But Hope is terrible at inventing and would much rather sneak off to cliff dive into the Bomb’s Breath—the deadly band of air that covers the crater the town lives in—than fail at yet another invention.

When bandits discover that White Rock has invented priceless antibiotics, they invade. The town must choose whether to hand over the medicine and die from disease in the coming months or to die fighting the bandits now. Hope and her friends, Aaron and Brock, might be the only ones who can escape through the Bomb’s Breath and make the dangerous trek over the snow-covered mountain to get help. Inventing won’t help them, but the daring and risk-taking that usually gets Hope into trouble might just save them all.



Sky Jumpers is a fun, quick read for any ages eight and up.

First of all, I appreciate any great Children’s, Middle Grade, or Young Adult novel that has both parents of the main character alive. This is a hard thing to do, since the main character, a minor, needs to be the person who solves the conflict. Peggy Eddleman does this well with both parents alive. Without giving anything away, both parents are realistically out of the picture for Hope to accomplish what she needs to.

The characters are fantastic. Hope is a well-rounded character with a lot of depth and drive. She’s really easy to relate to. Society often has expectations of all of us, especially of children, and it’s difficult when they feel like they’re failing because they aren’t good at a particular thing. Hope shows that we can succeed in our own ways. I love that this is portrayed to a younger (and older!) audience. Although I wouldn’t consider Aaron a flat character, he was the typical best friend who would do anything for Hope. Don’t get me wrong. I love Aaron. I’ve seen this in many books and in my own writing as well. He’s not a flat character—It’s just done a lot. Brock is a fun character who is Hope’s rival. His mysterious backstory adds to his characterization and makes me love him all the more. He has strong motivation and goals that I can also relate to.

The pacing was perfect. There is conflict from the beginning with clear goals and motivation. Peggy Eddleman also did a fantastic job with letting Hope, a minor, play an important part throughout the entire novel. It’s easy to let the adults fix things, but it’s so much better when the kids learn to do it themselves. I was impressed with how it all played out.

There weren’t twists and turns that surprised me, but the story was an excellent read without being too complicated. I think that’s perfect for the age group that is the author’s main target audience, and as an adult, I really enjoyed reading it as well.

The world-building is well-done and not over descriptive. I was interested in all the aspects, and I didn’t get bored with too many details. There were also exciting aspects of the world that are fun and unique—like sky jumping.

Overall this book was a fun read. I will definitely add it to my collection and read it to my children. It’s better than chocolate, and I’m excited to read the next book in the series.


Kathy Lipscomb

The Unhappening of Genesis Lee by Shallee McArthur

By Kathy Lipscomb            

           This debut novel had my attention from the first page to the last. The pacing was so perfectly written that I could never find a “good spot” to put it down, even though I have children. I HAD to put it down several times. The characters felt alive by their actions, their quirks, and their distinct voices. They each had motivations that made sense and drove them to do what they needed to even when faced with impossible situations. Everything flowed, from dialogue, and narration, to why characters chose to do what they did.

Despite guessing at some of the twists, I did not guess them all. The book had a complicated plot with supporting subplots that allowed me the satisfaction of being surprised. Then there’s the romance. From the way Gena and her people are designed, a romance would not happen over the course of a few pages, and it didn’t. The relationship with all the many complications grew in a way that felt realistic while still giving the satisfaction of a good sub plot romance read.

            There were some confusing parts. A couple of sections were difficult to understand or picture, but not bad enough to deter me from reading or understanding the book as a whole. There were also a few parts where it felt more like an info dump rather than letting me experience the world with Gena. I must emphasize that those parts were few. I experienced most of the world and situation with Gena, and that is an incredibly difficult thing to do as a writer.

All the amazing things I mentioned in the first couple paragraphs made me like this book, but what made me love it was the feeling I had as I read. I loved the emotions this book put me through, from the beginning when I feared for Gena and her best friend’s lives, to the middle when it broke my heart to see Gena forget Kalan, and to the end…which I won’t say. I hate it when people spoil endings for me, so I won’t do it to you. But it was GOOD. Emotion drives me to read books, and this one definitely gave me a lot to experience for myself.

The Unhappening of Genesis Lee is a book I’ll read again. And again.

It’s most definitely better than chocolate. 

Summary: 

Seventeen-year-old Genesis Lee has never forgotten anything. As one of the Mementi—a small group of genetically enhanced humans—Gena remembers everything with the help of her Link bracelets, which preserve them perfectly. But Links can be stolen, and six people have already lost their lives to a memory thief, including Gena’s best friend.

Anyone could be next. That’s why Gena is less than pleased to meet a strange but charming boy named Kalan who claims not only that they have met before, but also that Gena knows who the thief is.

The problem is that Gena doesn’t remember Kalan, she doesn’t remember seeing the thief, and she doesn’t know why she’s forgetting things—or how much else she might forget. As growing tensions between Mementi and ordinary humans drive the city of Havendale into chaos, Gena and Kalan team up to search for the thief. And as Gena loses more memories, they realize they have to solve the mystery fast…because Gena’s life is unhappening around her.

Wishing on Baby Dust-- By Lydia Winters (Lindzee Armstrong)

(Read through for the Give-A-Way Information!)

This novel holds a special place in my heart for multiple reasons. 

I met Lindzee Armstrong (AKA Lydia Winters) when I joined her writer's critique group back in early 2013. She sent out chapters of this novel during that time, and I immediately fell in love with the novel. 

Infertility seems to be a rising problem, but in actuality, women are being more open about it. There are so many couples who struggle to get pregnant, whether they have "small" issues, larger ones, or don't even know why they aren't getting pregnant. This is a heart-breaking time. 

For me, it took a year and a half of trying before I got pregnant, and then I miscarried. I was devastated, and I was terrified that something was wrong, that I may never have children. I cried and I begged God to give me children--a righteous desire--for years. After over two years, I got pregnant with my sweet (and now 3!) Caleb. When trying for our second, it took a year and another miscarriage to get pregnant with my daughter. The time it takes, being unsure if it will happen at all, and the heart break when losing a baby, are things many women go through.

This book deals with all that. It deals with the fear of infertility, the frustration, the questions that run through our minds, the tears, and the heart break. These characters and their similar frustrations of infertility, though each unique in the hows and whys, made me laugh, made me cry, made me want to throw my book against the wall, and made me get on my knees and thank my Heavenly Father for the children I have. For the experience which taught me patience (Heavenly Father knows that I need a lot of trials that give me patience. Sigh), and taught me to have faith and hope. 

I believe this book is for those who struggle with infertility AND for those who don't. It's hard to understand what other people go through, but reading enlightens our minds. Reading gives us a bit of experience we wouldn't otherwise have. Wishing on Baby Dust does exactly that.

Back of book:

Infertility stinks. No one knows that better than Megan. After six years of insanity-inducing hormone drugs and desperate prayers, all she has to show for her efforts are enough negative pregnancy tests to fill a bassinet. All around her women are accidentally getting pregnant—like her star piano student—while Megan remains hopelessly barren. Megan’s never felt so alone. But she’s not the only one struggling. 

Christina has just entered the world of infertility, made worse by the fact her husband isn’t ready to be a father. Their marriage, already hanging in the balance, is being torn apart. 

Then there’s Kyra, the mother of a precocious three-year-old. She’s shocked to be struggling with secondary infertility. A baby is priceless, but sometimes Kyra feels like she’s being forced to choose which commandment to keep: stay out of debt, or multiply and replenish the earth. 

When Megan and Christina are assigned as Kyra’s visiting teachers, they all realize that what you see isn’t necessarily what’s beneath the surface. Some secrets aren’t worth the cost of keeping them. 

This book is definitely better than chocolate. 

Lindzee Armstrong now has four novels and three novellas published. If you're ever looking for a clean romance, hers are excellent! 

http://www.amazon.com/Lydia-Winters/e/B00R3KYWK4/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

http://www.amazon.com/Lindzee-Armstrong/e/B00UJVLI88/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1450203506&sr=1-1

Good news! I have a copy of Wishing on Baby Dust for one lucky person. :) Free give-a-way to a random draw. To enter, all you have to do is comment below. Tell me an experience you have with infertility or with someone you know who has infertility. Tell me something you love about being a parent, or maybe something that is so hard about being a parent. Or if you've read this book, tell me what you like about it. :)

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

By Kathy Lipscomb

Alas, with the craziness that a beautiful baby girl brought to my life, the business a loving but strong-willed toddler keeps in my life, and my own lofty goals of vacation, birthdays, holidays, and writing novels, I’ve been sorely behind on this blog. Honestly, I’ve been behind on reading period, which I miss way too much.

So I’m going to pull a book from my all-time favorite group, one that I read as a child:

Ella Enchanted.

 

First of all, please don’t think it’s the same (or remotely close) to the movie. It’s not. The movie took a girl with a curse and put her in a completely different story. A horrible story with weird music and tacky people trying to be king. Bleh.

Second, I know there are SO many Cinderella remakes now a days, but this one is my favorite. Others feel the same. And while I get that retellings are hard, because they follow a plot already laid out, Ella Enchanted gave Cinderella much needed magic (better magic) and spunk.

Now, who doesn’t love the combination of magic and spunk? Okay, there are people, but I LOVE it.

I felt that a lot of the plot holes of Cinderella were explained. It showed how her mother died, and the great relationship they had. It showed why Ella does as she’s told in a fun, creative way that I believed. It also gave Cinderella a lot more personality, and it showed why the dad married the horrible woman who becomes the evil step-mother. Even better, I felt it captured all the essence of a young girl that most girls of any age will enjoy.

I’ve always been the fairy tale princessy girl, and this story gave me more spark, more life, and more reason to question why the girl needs to be saved. How can we be the princess and find ways to solve our own problems (while still getting the hot prince, hello!).

Oh and the prince? So much better than prince Charming. While he is Charming, he’s also funny, brave, intelligent, and yeah, a little drool worthy. J Everything a princess needs in a prince, right?

LOVE this book! So much better than chocolate. 

Miss Match by Lindzee Armstrong

Oh, Miss Match.

I've mentioned before that I'm not your typical romance novel reader. My mother in law is. She LOVES them. She's the kind of person that watches all the Hallmark movies, then goes back and watches all the "good parts." You know, the best romantic scenes.

But me? Most romances all have the same story, through no fault of the writer. Romances have rules. To be a romance, it must have a happy ending where the girl and guy end up together. I like my novels with twists and turns and emotions and feels--to the point I'm okay if it's not always happily ever after.

But my writing buddy and amazing published author, Lindzee Armstrong (AKA Lydia Winters for LDS Fiction), writes fantastic romance novels.

It's about the feels, you know? The characters and the story make or break a romance and Miss Match certainly has great characters and a fun story.

It's about Brooke who is a professional matchmaker (and she's engaged) who tries to match-make her best friend Luke to keep the company she works for afloat. Problem is, Luke is madly in love with Brooke.

It leads to great scenes that are funny, cute, and sometimes heart-wrenching. Luke obviously has issues from the beginning, but he's so lovable and I loved watching his character grow as the story progressed. Also, the best friend? I want her as my own best friend. :)

The characters are realistic and lovable, the plot is fun and adorable, and the pacing is perfect. This is a great romance that is Definitely More Tempting than Chocolate. And isn't the cover beautiful?