Review: The Gook Kings by Kara Cooney

Going into this book with an open mind, compared to my last experience with When Women Rule the World, my thoughts were better on The Good Kings. From that beautiful cover, there is something so compelling of the history of ancient Egypt. In this book, The Good Kings, author Kara Cooney shares her perspective regarding the authoritarian governments evolving through the five pharaohs. She also interjected parallels shown over the course of our history.

Throughout the book, it is evident from the information that she put time and effort into giving us as much information as she could gatherer from historical records and ancient texts. There is a romanticized perspective that movies have portrayed ancient civilizations to be such as this. Having a book that shares insight about power from a patriarchal perspective and how its authoritarian influence shaped civilization was interesting to read as well as the similar parallel moments that have occurred throughout history.

Overall, the book presents an interesting perspective highlighting these five famous kings. This would be an ideal for someone who enjoys reading about history, especially ancient Egypt.

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Review: Our Way Back to Always by Nina Moreno

To All the Boys I've Loved Before meets Morgan Matson in this effervescent romance about childhood best friends reconnecting that's full of sunny days, warm nights, first kisses, and mended hearts.

Luisa (Lou) Patterson grew up across the street from Sam Alvarez in the small, quirky town of Port Coral. They used to be inseparable—spending every holiday together, shooting silly YouTube videos, and rescuing stray cats. But then middle school happened, including the most disastrous (and embarrassing) serenade ever, and Lou and Sam haven't talked in the four years since. Sam is now the golden boy with plenty of friends, while Lou is an introverted romantic who's happy playing video games and writing fan fiction. But it's also the summer before their senior year, and life is knocking on Lou's door.

With her older sister having given up a scholarship to Princeton to have a baby and work at the local botanica, all of their mother's expectations are now riding on Lou's shoulders. She's retaking her SAT's, signed up for way too many AP classes, and her sights set on colleges with fancy names like Duke and Vanderbilt. But when she finds the bucket list she and Sam wrote together as kids, before Sam's father was diagnosed with cancer, she's shocked to see that she hasn't accomplished any of the goals she'd set for herself. Go to a party? Nope. Pull the greatest prank of all time? Still no. Learn how to be a really good kisser? Definitely not.

Torn between the future that her mother, sister, and younger self planned for her, Lou sets out to finish the list, and in a stroke of destiny or fate, Sam decides to tag along. Still trying to stay afloat amid the grief of losing his father, Sam himself is staring down a future that feels all too close, and is coming far too fast. But with the bucket list to guide them, Sam and Lou might just be able to find a way through the future, and also a way back to each other. –

This was so much more than a story about friendship, and it was a privilege to have read this book. Simply saying Our Way Back to Always was good, just isn’t enough. It was an experience that I would recommend a thousand times over. It was clear that there was so much heart and love put into this story.

I loved every single character. Especially the mains- Sam and Lou. It was an instant love of these two characters from the beginning. 

Both of them are dealing with incredible realistic issues. Sam is dealing with the loss of his father. And Lou is trying to figure out how to learn her life for herself and find where she wants to go to college.

Honestly, they both were just trying to do their best. After not speaking to each other for years, in a quick second that all changes. And suddenly, they sort of find their way back to each other, and develop a strong friendship and something more at the end. They were incredible characters. And there were so many moments throughout the book that I wanted to give them both a hug.

As much as this is a story about friendship, it’s a story about family. Both Lou and Sam had these incredible, supportive and positive relationships with their family. It warmed my heart.

Final Analysis

Our Way Back to Always is a beautiful story about friendship, grief, expectations, and family. And most importantly, it is a book about finding yourself. 

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Review: The First Christmas by Stephen Mitchell

In The First Christmas, Stephen Mitchell brings the Nativity story to vivid life as never before. A narrative that is only sketched out in two Gospels becomes fully realized here with nuanced characters and a setting that reflects the culture of the time. Mitchell has suffused the birth of Jesus with a sense of beauty that will delight and astonish readers.

In this version, we see the world through the eyes of a Whitmanesque ox and a visionary donkey, starry-eyed shepherds and Zen-like wise men, each of them providing a unique perspective on a scene that is, in Western culture, the central symbol for good tidings of great joy. Rather than superimposing later Christian concepts onto the Annunciation and Nativity scenes, he imagines Mary and Joseph experiencing the angelic message as a young Jewish woman and man living in the year 4 bce might have experienced it, with terror, dismay, and ultimate acceptance. In this context, their yes becomes an act of great moral courage.

Readers of every background will be enchanted by this startlingly beautiful reimagining of the Christmas tale.

Review

As a Christian, you have a certain perspective of the Nativity that has been taught and accepted. As someone who prides themselves on being open to different perspectives including within spirituality and religion, The First Christmas truly had me inspired and enlightened. Allowing myself to suspend all that I've known to embrace a narrative that took another religion and perspective to place you in the minds of not only the characters but feeling and embracing the moment as if we were there.

What I loved most about the book was the breakdown of each perspective pertinent to this narrative including interludes after each chapter to breakdown down the comparative references. I can see how this might be perceived as breaking the flow of the book but it served a purpose. Each perspective not only told by the people but how amazing to get to experience the point of view of the animals. Those were someone of the most poignant moments in the book, most especially my favorite, the donkey. It's amazing how little people think of how they feel but underestimate the important role they played. They all collectively brought something to the story that will make you feel a bunch of emotions but hopefully takeaway an inspired inner peace and faith in humanity.

The First Christmas was a beautiful narrative that will inspire and expand your imagination. Now, I can understand where others may not be open but keep in mind this is religious fiction. I did my best to judge this objectively purely based on that fact and not allowing my personal beliefs to overshadow my thoughts. It was better than I expected and I believe no matter what your faith or not, you will enjoy this book.

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Review: A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale by Karen Schaler

After reading Christmas Ever After, I’ve been patiently waiting for the next holiday novel from Karen Schaler. From the first chapter, there’s something magical that grabs your attention with her books. There’s this sweet inviting feeling that makes you excited to dive right in and not want to put the book down. A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale, like her other books, features her beautiful storytelling, bringing us a book that inspires hope, love and what magic can happen when you believe.

When news reporter Kaylie Karlyle gets dream crushing news, with the upcoming holiday on the horizon, she’s left uncertain of what she will do with her immediate future. Anticipating a bummed holiday, an unexpected opportunity comes from her former boss that has her intrigued. What she thought was just a regular freelance assignment, she got the shock of her life when she saw where she arrived at a big beautiful castle. Shocked but embracing the opportunity of a lifetime, she finds herself in the presence of the royal family of Tolvania.

Nothing could’ve prepared her for this moment. At first thinking they were joking about being royals, she was taken back by the beauty and warmth of the princess and Queen. Then here comes the Prince. They didn’t exactly get off to a great start prior to her arrival. (You’ll understand when you read the book) What makes matters worse is that he hates reporters from his experience in the past, so she isn’t exactly winning any brownie points with him.

In an attempt to ease his mind, the Queen shares the nature of Kaylie’s assignment which is not to be a reporter but to write a fairy tale for his daughter. Easing some of the tension, he still distrusts but Kaylie finds herself in an uncomfortable situation. As a reporter, she is good with telling a story but fairytales, no idea how to pull this off. With her confidence slim to none for the assignment and the looming perspective of the Prince, she finds some reprieve from the Queen that she has all the faith in the world and believes in her that she can complete the task.

In an attempt to inspire Kaylie, the queen encourages her son to show some of their holiday traditions. Kaylie has had a real Christmas in a while and the Prince hasn’t enjoyed one in some time either. As they spend more time together, the traditions aren’t the only thing that sparks. Having fun and enjoying their time together, they are slowly breaking down their walls and embracing the Christmas spirit. When a secret is revealed that threatens one of their biggest traditions, will this ruin this happily ever after?

This was sweet, fun and all the moments in between will make you not want to stop reading. It had the kind of romance that you want and keep rooting for to have their hea in the end. The princess and the queen definitely bring some sweet and sassy to the book that make you smile and laugh. Karen truly knows how to tell a story that makes you feel good. I loved this new addition to her collection. This was a great start to my holiday reading. I'm really hoping this book gets turned into a Hallmark movie. As a bonus there are a couple of recipes thrown into the back of the book. Make sure you add this one to your holiday reading list.

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Review: Make Me Hate You by Kandi Steiner

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

Every sip of air is shallow and burning, because in the arms of my best friend’s brother, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to sin.

His eyes flick to my lips, and I remember the first time I tasted him, seven years ago before I left this town and vowed never to return. His hands grip my waist, and I remember the pain when he rejected me, when my entire world crashed down at his command. His jaw clenches, and my senses come alive with one stinging reminder.

I’m not his to kiss, and he’s not mine.

I tried to stay away from Tyler Wagner, putting an entire country between us. But when his sister’s wedding brings us back to the same town, to the same house, I can’t avoid him, no matter how hard I try.

He’s always there, his dark eyes bewitching, luring me into their depths. The memory of us pulls me under like a rip current, and when he flashes that smile, I lose my breath, along with my will, unable to escape his grip and find the surface.

Now, hours before our plus ones arrive for the wedding, I’m in his arms, begging him to make me hate him, knowing he never could.

If he kisses me right now, I’ll drown.

And I’ll take him down with me. - 

Review

I hadn’t read a Kandi Steiner book in so long. I forgot how good she is at emotion and angst. Make Me Hate You is an angsty second chance romance/forbidden romance book. Each page is gripping, and despite the main characters not always making smart decisions, the book always feels real.

The characters have wants, needs, and are yearning to feel loved—to be together. They were best friends. Did basically everything together. And unfortunately, despite having this wonderful friendship Jasmine and Tyler end up messing it up the first time. He says something hurtful, and she ends up leaving the state. 

 And now seven years later, they are forced to be in the same place with each other because his sister- Jasmine’s best friend- is getting married. They haven’t spoken to each other since that night and now have their own respective relationships and careers. They are older, but somewhat still those teenagers they once were.

There’s a lot of unresolved issues and unspoken words and anger. It’s a lot of emotions going on between them, and Kandi does a great job of keeping you hooked on their story. It’s the writing. It’s one of the best. She has a wonderful way with words and knows how to capture a feeling in a few words that makes a powerful punch.

The connection and history between Jasmine and Tyler leaped off the page, and it was impossible not to want these two people to be together. There was this intense passion between them.

Final Thoughts

Make Me Hate You is a captivating story featuring a roller coaster of emotions about longing and love.

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Review: Write Me Off (USW Series Book 1) by Brandy Davis

Abby Ryan has her whole life planned out, up until graduation that is. As a journalism major at the University of Southern Washington, she has one goal in mind for her last semester of senior year: secure a scholarship for grad school. But when a scholarship opportunity arises that requires her to write a feature article on USW's star basketball player and notorious playboy, Tristan Beck, lines start to blur and Abby soon realizes that staying focused can be hard when you're trying not to fall in love.

Tristan Beck has been focused on one thing since he started at USW on a full-ride scholarship: put up the numbers and bust his ass to get drafted into the NBA after graduation. With only a semester standing between him and the draft, he knows that this is his last chance to impress the scouts. When Abby Ryan, a witty and magnetic journalism student, asks to interview him for an article, he knows the publicity will be beneficial, but when they start spending time together and he realizes that he might want her in more than his typical hook-up-only fashion, he has to remind himself of why he refuses to date, and where his priorities need to lie. -

This was a typical college romance book. Think Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus Series but with basketball instead of hockey. It’s hard to talk about this book without talking about what happened beside the scenes.

Short and simple, the author is problematic. And people are rightfully so upset about the actions and comments of the author. It’s something that should be known prior to reading the book. Everyone has the right to read what they want, but please do research beforehand. Below are two articles that give a much better summary of the situation then I could ever do:

Article: https://www.fanficable.com/post/wattpad-stars-brandywrites-racism-controversy-brandy-davis

Article: https://www.reddit.com/r/Wattpad/comments/ky1b89/brandywrites/

If I had read prior reviews before reading this book, I wouldn’t have read 500 pages of an average college sport romance book.

Final Analysis

Write Me Off is an excessively long sports college romance book that loses its spark within the first 10% of the book. In addition, it is written by someone who fails to realize how damaging their actions can be and take responsibility for their actions.