Of Giants and Other Men by Caspar Peek

Sometimes I like to wait to review a book to let to absorb the whole idea and let it sink in. I am sure other book lovers will know what I mean :) I have to admit I was distracted by the cover of this book and thought I had made a mistake requesting it but I ended up completely enthralled by the first sentence. This is a beautifully well-written novel that just takes you by the hand and brings you along to meet the main characters and their world. Tomas Delacorte's world is shaped from the day his father's ashes arrive with a visit from a General and other soldiers. His mother tries to make sure in her own flawed way that her son never goes along the same path his father did but is not wise enough to understand that her son is hurting just as much as she is. The place is Nicaragua during the reign of Somoza. Tomas has a cousin named Fausto and they decide to become blood brothers but end up leading different paths as adults during this tumultuous period in Nicaragua's history. The descriptive writing literally draws you into the book and you see, feel, and smell what the characters do. I have to admit that I knew next to nothing about this subject and it was a fascinating eye-opener. It is a fantastic family saga and also is much more than that. My only regret is that it ended almost too abruptly for my taste and I was not prepared to finish the book on that note. Highly recommended. Four out of Five Stars

The Babylon Code: Solving the Bible's Greatest End-Times Mystery by Paul McGuire and Troy Anderson

"The Babylon Code" was a fascinating read although it seemed to rehash certain subjects over again (which would be an editing issue and as such I will not base my review on that). The history is very interesting and well researched. I took my time reading the book as there was much to think about and absorb. I did find the end a bit preachy and would have preferred to stick to the main facts of the book. All in all, I found it to be well written and would recommend it to anyone who wonders about secret societies and the connection to the End-Times. The biggest thing to take away from this book (to me anyway) is not to be afraid of the Book of Revelation at all but to see it as a book of hope and not despair.
I received a copy from the publishers via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

Three out of Five Stars

Memories of Heaven: Children's Astounding Recollections of the Time Before They Came to Earth by Wayne W. Dyer, Dianna Hicks-Garnes

"Memories of Heaven" is not an analysis of what may happen after we die or are between lives but is a collection of anecdotes of young children's recollections as to what they "remember". There is no proof offered but the children's voices speak loud and clear on their own. I actually found it very sweet and touching. In between the recollections, Wayne W. Dyer adds his thoughts on the subject. All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and took my time to let it absorb.

Three out of Five Stars

Petrocelli by John Rachel

At first I found this book confusing but once I got the names straight and an idea of what was going on, I was quickly engrossed by the book which happens to be first in a series (yay!). What happens when we die? Do we go to Heaven or Hell? Is there a Heaven and Hell? What comes next? This novel is a fascinating (for me anyway) attempt to imagine what it might be like. If this had been just one novel it would have fallen short but because it is the first in a series, it is a wonderful lead in to a very interesting series. I loved learning all about the variety of people in the afterlife and the attempt by a few to control it and also others who want to use it as an experiment to "better" people. I don't like to make comparisons but this book reminded me in a way of "The Riverworld Saga by Philip Jose Farmer which I loved. I am definitely looking forward to book two in this new promising series.

Four out of Five Stars

The Pit: Watchmaker's Hell: Book One by L.A. Barnes

At first I found this book confusing but once I got the names straight and an idea of what was going on, I was quickly engrossed by the book which happens to be first in a series (yay!). What happens when we die? Do we go to Heaven or Hell? Is there a Heaven and Hell? What comes next? This novel is a fascinating (for me anyway) attempt to imagine what it might be like. If this had been just one novel it would have fallen short but because it is the first in a series, it is a wonderful lead in to a very interesting series. I loved learning all about the variety of people in the afterlife and the attempt by a few to control it and also others who want to use it as an experiment to "better" people. I don't like to make comparisons but this book reminded me in a way of "The Riverworld Saga by Philip Jose Farmer which I loved. I am definitely looking forward to book two in this new promising series.

Three out of Five Stars

Mercy by T. Fox Dunham

This horror novel was different than any other horror novel I have read and I found it surprisingly refreshing. William Saint is dying from cancer and is brought to Mercy Hospital against his wishes. There he finds not only is he is dealing with demons from his past but a very real horror that has changed the medical staff and the hospital itself. Now William is fighting not only the visions from his past but a very real evil that wants to use him to gain access to our world. I really liked this novel. I found it to be very different from anything I have read before and also very unsettling at times. All in all, I didn't want to put the book down (but had to as I do have a non book life lol) and didn't want the story to end. It is very well written, informative, and the author also has a talent with keeping a growing sense of unease and suspense. Highly recommended. Four out of Five Stars

Purple Kitty: A Serena McKay Novel by Chariss K. Walker

I have to admit that I took my time reading this one. It is a new and refreshing take on the female PI genre and I personally think it has great potential. Serena McKay is a private investigator who left the police force to work on her own terms. She is definitely a complex character and the author takes on social issues that young people deal with every day; namely childhood sexual abuse and neglect. Serena also has a tantalizing gift that I am sure will be explored in this series. I read an unrelated novel by this author and enjoyed it so much that I jumped at the chance to read this one. Highly recommended to anyone who likes private investigator series.

Four out of Five Stars