Friday, April 30, 2010

Book Review: Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

Relief Society president Ida Mae Babbitt never meant to break the law or become a spy, but when she discovers that one of the members of her ward is in trouble, and the woman denies it, well, a little investigation doesn't seem out of line.

As Ida Mae and her presidency, Arlette and Tansy, become embroiled in adventure and deep secrets between taking care of the needs of various members of the Omni 2nd Ward, the murder of one of their suspects shakes them to the core. But with no cooperation forthcoming from the sheriff's office despite their best efforts to enlist that aid, they press forward to untangle the mystery, helped out by Ida Mae's techno geek nephew and Arlette's charming granddaughter.

Secret Sisters is a whimsical departure for LDS author Tristi Pinkston. Her previous works have been serious historical fiction, with one romance thrown into the mix. Now she has built a unique world peopled with interesting characters and sprinkled with delightful, laugh-out-loud-at-the-library repartee between Ida Mae and her cohorts. That's a good thing, because Secret Sisters is just the beginning of a cozy mystery series featuring Ida Mae and her friends.

Tristi Pinkston put a lot of effort into publicizing this book before it ever appeared in March. Ida Mae is all over the Internet: she has her own blog, Facebook profile, and even tweets through Twitter. In fact, she participated in the recent Whitney Awards live blogging coverage. Ida Mae has become quite the personality, and Tristi's effort is paying off. Everyone I know wants to read this clean, entertaining book. I'm looking forward to reading the second installment of "The Secret Sisters Mysteries," Ida Mae Rides Again.

Secret Sisters is available here.
Price: $15.95
Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC (March 16, 2010)
Genre: Comedic Mystery
Binding: Hardbound
Pages: 260 Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1-935546-09-2
Product Dimensions: 5 x 7.5 inches

Tristi’s website
Tristi’s blog

FTC Disclaimer: I have known Tristi Pinkston for several years, and received a copy of Secret Sisters from her publisher. However, as always, my review is my own opinion, and is not influenced by my friendship with Tristi, nor the free copy of her book.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Book Review: The Thorn by Daron D. Fraley

Some time ago I was asked if I would participate in the Blog Tour for Daron D. Fraley's recently released debut novel The Thorn: Book One of The Chronicles of Gan. I agreed, even though I don't read speculative fiction for pleasure. My tastes run more toward mysteries, Regencies, and historical fiction.

I began reading the pdf file the publisher, Valor Publishing Group, provided. This had its difficulties, because epic works of this type have a multitude of characters and often, an off-world setting. Although there was a Glossary containing both places and characters (for which I was very thankful), flipping back to it in a computer file was not an easy task. Later, the physical book arrived, and I was much more comfortable in accessing both the Glossary and the Map of Gan, which the pdf had lacked.

Before I received the physical book, however, for ease of carrying the novel with me, I converted it to a format that could be read on my iPod touch. This made the reading go faster, as I wasn't tied to my computer. I even got used to the fact that I had inadvertently stripped out much of the formatting, so the chapter breaks and italics were gone. As I got immersed in the book, that didn't matter anymore.

I was gratified to find my fear of being bored was unfounded. Fraley weaves a grand story of action, intrigue, and loyalty that is not boring. Crisp writing and interesting characters mingle with a well-conceived plot.

Although it occurs in a galaxy far, far away, the tale is not set in the distant future, but in the past, concurrent to the period in Earth's history slightly before the birth of Christ.


Three tribes are at war on the planet Gan, unaware that the sign of Christ's birth on an unknown world--Earth--is about to appear in the heavens.

During a bloody skirmish with Gideonite troops, Jonathan of Daniel spares Pekah, a young enemy soldier, gaining his trust forever. These distant brothers from estranged tribes covenant with each other to end the war being waged by a self-proclaimed emperor, and soon discover the intentions of a far more dangerous foe--a sinister general bent on ruling those he can bring into subjection and destroying all others.

I did have occasion to wonder if Fraley's children are all boys, because some of the horse-play between a few characters seemed a mite juvenile, but that was a minor niggle. I look forward to reading the second book in the three-book series, Heaven's Garden.

The Thorn may be ordered here.

Price: $16.95
Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC (March 16, 2010)
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 300
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1-935546-11-5
Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches


FTC NOTICE: I receive both an advance pdf file of this novel and a physical book from the publishers. However, my judgment of the value and writing quality of the novel is entirely my own.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Contest/Book Giveaway

Author Rachael Renee Anderson is giving away six books in a month-long contest on her blog. Go take a look, and guess the number of jelly beans in the jar.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...