Sarah Butland

My Book Review of Wondrous Strange by Leslie Livingston

Sarah Butland — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:23:05 +0000

Not my typical choice for a novel I am very thankful I won it and had the pleasure of reading it.
Wondrous Strange takes its readers on a wonderful adventure of faeires, magic and mystical creatures while expanding our imagination and wonder.

Becoming accustomed to reading possible real life scenarios, feasible murders and crimes, I had a difficult time during on particular action scene but got through it and read the tale in its entirety. I was reminded of The Host by Stephenie Meyer but faster paced and a mythical book that actually kept my attention throughout. Directed to young adult readers I quite enjoyed this story and often times couldn’t wait to get back into it.

We follow Kelley, a mere mortal by the perspective of the Janus and Faeries, as she blossoms into adulthood and takes on responsibilities she never thought possible in a million years. Being promoted to lead actress in a Shakespearean play was something she thought would take all of her focus until she met Sonny.

Swept off her feet with the gift of a peach rose in late October then stalked by the man of her dreams, Kelley was confused and distracted with the idea of a horse in her bathtub and a roommate who strictly forbid pets in their apartment.

Wondrous Strange indeed had Central Park turning into a much more magical place than we imagine it today. Livingston’s writing style, fast paced action and beautiful romance made this novel a recommended read in my opinion. Of course it helps that she’s a fellow Canadian author.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

My Book Review of Random Acts by Taylor Smith

Sarah Butland — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:12:28 +0000

I fell in love with this story long before realizing it was written by a fellow Canadian author and then fell in love with it all over again when I did.

Throughout this story of a serial baby snatcher I looked down at my son and thanked the universe for protecting my first born and keeping him healthy and beautiful. I couldn’t imagine the heartache, and don’t want to yet this book made me, of losing a child to death, to adoption, to a psychopath. Laurel has to face two of these but one may have been by her own hand.

Claire started this tale with the heartache of losing a loved one to the Russian mob, or so she thought and thinks throughout but questions the idea many, many times. I had my doubts about each character and yet fought for, defended and felt sorry for some and didn’t get the ending right until I read it.

Taylor took me on so many random thoughts in the duration of this novel yet tied it all up nicely at the conclusion. I’m not sure if I would have ended some things the same way she did but, then again, every writer tells a different story.

Definitely a recommended read so I passed it along.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

The Chance to Win Big with Big Universe!

Sarah Butland — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:20:23 +0000

I just discovered that someone is giving away a 6 month premium home membership to Big Universe and wanted to share the opportunity to win with you. If you haven’t heard of Big Universe you may be missing out.

I’ll let Soleflor Mom explain it and the way to win. Just visit her site at SoleflorMom.com and read her article. Don’t miss out this is a value of $6.95 per month!!!

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

My Review of Roses Are Red by James Patterson

Sarah Butland — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:31:23 +0000

Patterson did it again! He wrote an Alex cross series and didn’t tie up every lose end like I’ve become accustomed to reading. I quite enjoyed this read as it was a novel, a story line, an author I was more familiar with and enjoy the temporary relief of not having to decide if I’m enjoying the novel or not.

I am getting bored of the series and, once again, grabbed something different off the shelf for my current read. I do love having the option of going back to a simple read once I’ve been through more involved stories. Roses Are Red had me learning much more about Jannie then ever before and added a new dimension to the story which I enjoyed and hated at the same time (it wasn’t something very good I learned of Cross’ daughter).

On to the next book and review.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

Literacy Needs Your Votes

Sarah Butland — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:15:43 +0000

When my son held on to my book, Sending You Sammy, for the first time at 2 and a half months I was astonished! I immediately shared the picture with family and friends and knew when I discovered a photo contest where a newborn can be on the cover of a Canadian magazine I had the winning picture.

This shot of William is a cherished one and has taken the lead in the Baby Stages contest which I am so very grateful for. Because of you, my friend, my fan, my family my son is going to be a star in Canadians eyes, not just his parents eyes.

Although we are currently in the lead you can show your support by taking a minute of your time to cast your vote. Please do to show how much you care about literacy.Baby William for Baby Stages

My Review of Black Water by T.J. MacGregor

Sarah Butland — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:23:32 +0000

Black Water captured me much like an episode of Medium. It grabbed me with the first chapter by having me connect with Mira and her daughter Annie and then suddenly shook me so hard I was confused.

MacGregor took me from a simple time in 2003 which I could relate very well to and then floated to a time without cell phones, computers and GPS. Only Peter took some technological advances back in time to 1968, hiding them from everyone except for the children he adopted into his family.

This novel takes time travel to a whole new dimension as Mira sees the past and the future with the touch of a hand. I was feeling sympathy for a character who was the brunt of racial treatment which was relevant in the 60’s. I met Janis Joplin and heard about other historical figures and questioned the idea of knowing what I know now to change the past which, in turn, would effect the future.

I do find myself wondering what ever happened between Mira and Shep but, now realizing this is a series, believe maybe my questions would be answered if I read another of T.J. MacGregor’s Tango Key mysteries.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson Book Review

Sarah Butland — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:28:36 +0000

A little tired of Alex Cross and his crime busting moves I stayed away from the series for a few books and then went back. I’m happy I gave him another shot as this book had me curious from page one (of course part of that curiousity was due to reading the books out of order) and spellbound until the very last page.

In this book Cross finds himself up against not only suicidal criminals, gamesman and personal issues but professional conflicts, too. A fast paced, easy to follow story of Alex Cross, his family and his career, Pop Goes the Weasel was something out of the ordinary which was like a chocolate ice cream cone on a warm day.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

My Book Review of Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay

Sarah Butland — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:39:54 +0000

A book I picked up only because a friend recommended it which was the only reason I continued through the first 150 or so pages. Fortunately, I knew my friend wouldn’t let me down and I read on resulting in my being won over by Elizabeth Hay.

A tale of employees working at a radio station in the Canadian Territories I found the introduction of each character to be tiring and difficult to get through but ended up being a vital part of the novel. Normally, with so many books on the market, I no longer trudge through stories I don’t connect with immediately but Late Nights on Air was one I happily forced myself to read until the end.

We meet the much loved Dido who every man who meets her falls in love with, Eddy who Dido decides to be with, Gwen who struggles to enjoy life, Harry who falls in love with two woman at once but doesn’t realize it, Ralph who is an avid reader and Eleanor who touches everyone’s lives. There are other minor yet colourful characters mixed in which make this tale a Canadian masterpiece.

Thankful the author quite nicely pieced the story together the conclusion to this, the message it spoke to me will be long-lasting and heartbreaking while heartmending all at once. Definitely a recommendation to a lot of my friends but with the strong suggestion they keep at it.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

My Book Review of Sandra Brown’s Play Dirty

Sarah Butland — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:09:18 +0000

For my first Sandra Brown novel I am hooked. She tells a compelling story which had me doubting my instincts, loving the characters and hoping/ trusting friends would resolve their deep rooted problems, personally and as couples.

Play Dirty describes the tribulations of Griff, a former NFL player who was found guilty of cheating during the Super Bowl. In the first chapter he was just released from prison and Brown’s telling of his tale introduces her readers to characters who surprised, delighted and terrified me. Please let me know if this happens to you as well.

Brown brilliantly had me engaged and made a 560 page novel seem short. Although she included some descriptions I found to be long and unnecessary I quite enjoyed the entirety of this book and will read another one of hers.

Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland

My Review of Idle Thursday by Kelly Moran

Sarah Butland — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:53:11 +0000

Throughout this books entirety I had to keep checking Facebook to ensure there wasn’t an RIP Kelly Moran group created. It’s description of life and death was so beautifully composed that I was worried for the health of the author, not to mention her husband and children.

This short novel is filled with questions we all must have asked ourselves but not in phrases with such honesty and power. In Idle Thursday we don’t even learn the main characters name which isn’t important as we can all picture the woman and sympathize with her.

A heavy read but one that can be done in one sitting, Idle Thursday has me pondering my own life after death and has helping me reflect on the important aspects of how I’m living now.

Thanks Kelly for sharing your insight.

And thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland