Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth is the first book of a trilogy set in a dystopian future. The setting is Chicago which lies next to a marsh that used to be a lake. A fence surrounds the city - and the locks are on the outside of the fence!

Inside are five factions and one group of factionless people. Each faction plays to one personality trait. One is joy and creativity, one bravery, one selflessness, another knowledge, the last honesty. At age 16, each person must choose which faction they want to be in for the rest of their life. They can stay in the faction in which they were raised, or they can choose any other faction. After they choose, they go into training and pass through an initiation.

Beatrice (selfless faction) chooses to become Tris of the Dauntless faction (bravery). The training is intense. She makes both friends and enemies. During her training, she discovers corruption on such a scale that it threatens everything she knows and everyone she loves. She is one of those very few who will be able to do anything about this threat because she has more than one ability - she is divergent.

This book does not close her story. Please see future posts for more of this story.

Kathi Linz

Walking on Water by Richard Paul Evans

I had not picked up any of Richard Paul Evans' The Walk series until I read A Step of Faith for the Fantastic Fiction book discussion group.  It was a thought-provoking journey and I enjoyed it immensely, but realized it was book number 4 in the series.  Since I try to never start a book series in the middle, I went back and began the series from the beginning.  In Walking on Water, the fifth and final book in the series, Alan Christoffersen prepares to finish his walk across the United States from Seattle to Key West.  Like the rest of his journey, he deals with many personal issues using faith and humor.


Walking on Water by Richard Paul Evans

Brink of Chaos by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall

Brink of Chaos by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall is book three in The End Series.

Joshua Jordan has so far saved New York City from being nuked and his wife Abigail saved Washington, D.C. from a similar fate. The government is so interested in becoming part of the global economy/one world government that the Jordans are put on trial. Joshua currently lives in Israel, having fled the United States. His wife is about to be imprisoned for not accepting a BIDtag on her right hand.

A Presidential campaign is coming up to the primaries and Senator Hewbright looks like he might win the Presidency. That actually would be good thing for the country since the last President was poisoned at the command of Vice President Tulrude. She takes the oath of office and becomes the most corrupt President in the history of the nation, determined to win the election at any cost. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is no gem either. He manipulates global events without any concern for the life of his enemies or his friends. Meanwhile, certain Arab militants are working on nuclear and biological weapons that will kill off "the infidels".

This book is a wild ride on a global scale. It bares no resemblance to Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series. These books are separate and distinct from those.

Kathi Linz

Formatting Tips for Publishing a Createspace Book & Kindle Direct eBook by John J. Sullivan

If you have a book manuscript in your bottom drawer just aching to be sent out into the world, but you have had trouble finding a publisher, this book might be the answer you were looking for. There's no longer any need to persuade a traditional publisher that you have a brilliant book which is going to make you tons of money. Rake all that dough in for yourself by epublishing through Amazon.

The main trick to putting your book on the market is to format the manuscript correctly. If you follow the instructions in this book your manuscript will pass the test. Each new instruction comes with a screen shot showing you exactly what to do each step of the way. By the time you finish going through this book, you will have your book available in POD and Kindle-ready format.

Kathi Linz

Fairy Quest: Outlaws by Paul Jenkins

    Fairy Quest: Outlaws

What's a fairy tale character to do when they don't want to tell their story anymore? Join Red Riding Hood as she make the perilous journey to Realworld. Expressive illustrations, larger than life fairy tale characters, Grimm and the Thought Police make this graphic novel intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable.

Lola

Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I loved Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children so I was really looking forward to the sequel Hollow City.  I was not disappointed. The book picks up exactly where Miss Peregrine's leaves off with the children fleeing their home to find a place of safety. The book centers on the children's quest to find help for their beloved caretaker Miss Peregrine who is stuck in bird form and can only be helped by another like her. There is much drama, nail-biting action, and plot twists as the children make their way to London. You won't be bored. I can't wait for the next!

Lola

Craft Business: Sewing Books, Quilting Books, Knitting Books Compilation by Mary Kay Hunziger

Craft Business: Sewing Books, Quilting Books, Knitting Books Compilation by Mary Kay Hunziger is very little explanation and several lists of websites you can go to to sell your crafts. If you are looking for resources to sell your work, try this book. If you are looking for "how to", this is not the one for you.

Kathi

Any Other Name by Craig Johnson

Any Other Name

Ten years ago, Craig Johnson published the first Walt Longmire novel, The Cold Dish. The third season of the A&E series based on the books will begin in June.  I love them both!

In Any Other Name, the 10th installment in the series, Johnson still delivers.  Walt is involved in an investigation in a neighboring county as a favor to Lucien, the former sheriff, just as his daughter Cady is expecting her first child in Philadelphia.  With obstacles such as missing women, an officer's suicide, hit men, snow and buffalo, will Walt close the case in time to make his flight to Philadelphia?

Death of a Policeman by M.C. Beaton

 

In Death of a Policeman, Macbeth has to find the killer of a policeman who was sent to spy on him. Inspector Blair is up to his old tricks of trying to get rid of Macbeth. Even though we know that Blair is unbalanced, this book goes farther into some of the things happening inside Strathbane police station. Macbeth deals with the murders and secrets in ways I did not expect. I understand why he did the things he did and the results were good, but I am not Machiavellian enough to appreciate his methods in this story. There should be a clear difference between the good guys and the bad guys.

Kathi Linz

Half Bad by Sally Green

Half Bad by Sally Green

I have conflicting feelings about this book so let's start with the bad and get it over with.

Bad: I understand the literary choice of writing first person and that this first person isn't very educated but the halting short sentence narrative drove me bananas. I nearly stopped reading. The story is a bit slow and is mostly important for background information on Nathan our horribly abused protagonist. And worst of all, it's yet another trilogy.

But... 

Good: It's a good story. I think it might be one of the few trilogies where the second book might be more enjoyable than the first. Nathan has an indomitable will to survive, couple that with the ability to heal quickly and it makes for some pretty awful scenes of brutality which are well written and don't feel gratuitous. There are some pretty interesting characters, my favorite is Celia. She's fascinating. You want to learn about the motivations behind these characters behaviors. 

Like I said, it's a good story; one you will want to finish. And you will HATE waiting for the next installment.

Lola Snyder, MLS
Head of Youth Services

Sell It Online: How to Make Money Selling on eBay, Amazon, Fiverr and Etsy by Nick Vulich

Sell It Online: How to Make Money Selling on eBay, Amazon, Fiverr and Etsy by Nick Vulich is similar to the Freaking Idiots Guides: 4 Book Bundle by the same author. Nick Vulich covers the big four in each book but includes information on other ways to make online money in each. Sell It Online has a section on blogging and life coaching besides selling items and services in Amazon, eBay, Fiverr and Etsy. He gives very clear instructions for setting up accounts and listing items. He thoroughly covers customer service.

If you have a notion to try selling online or posting ebooks to Kindle, check out this book for more information.

Kathi Linz

Freaking Idiots Guide to Selling on eBay, fiverr, Public Domain, and Kindle by Nick Vulich

This book is four guides in one package. If you have any plan to try eBay, fiverr, writing for Kindle, or using public domain works, this is a good place to get information.

The four titles by Nick Vulich are:

Freaking Idiots Guide to Selling on eBay
Freaking Idiots Guide to fiverr
Freaking Idiots Guide to Making Money with the Public Domain
Freaking Idiots Guide to Writing a Kindle Bestseller.

The author has been selling on eBay for 15 years and making a living at it since 2004 and that is the largest section in this book. The other titles are also very helpful.

Kathi Linz

Quilting Happiness: Projects, Inspiration and Ideas to Make Quilting More Joyful by Christina Lane and Diane Gilleland

Quilting Happiness: Projects, Inspiration and Ideas to Make Quilting More Joyful by Christina Lane and Diane Gilleland is written for quilters who use traditional designs working with modern fabrics. The authors say that this book isn't for beginners, but explain that the designs are fairly simple and they give tips and tools in the back of the book to make it easy to understand what they are talking about.

This book is currently in the New Book section.

Kathi

Ornament Extravaganza by The Decorative Arts Collection Museum

Ornament Extravaganza is a great book for artists who would like to paint ornaments for various holidays.
Many of these designs would work beautifully on a Christmas tree. There are also designs for Valentine's Day, Fourth of July and Halloween.

If you are handy with a paintbrush, come and check this book out for some new ideas.

Kathi

Little Aran and Celtic Knits for Kids: 25 Designs for Babies and Young Children by Martin Storey

If you are a passable knitter and have little ones to keep warm, you will enjoy Little Aran and Celtic Knits for Kids: 25 Designs for Babies and Young Children by Martin Storey.

Most of the patterns are sweaters and jackets with cabling, Celtic knot designs, or little animals knitted into the piece. Some have hoods, some are slip-overs, and some are button-down. There are also socks, blocks, and an alphabet blanket.

It's currently in the New Book section.

Kathi Linz