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mjtorres's reviews
9 reviews
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Scene of the Grind by Tonya Kappes
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Theodore Boone: The Accomplice by John Grisham
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Grisham brings the gavel down on this true to life series for middle graders. Theo is the main protagonist and will do everything in his power to help his friends from their court dilemmas. The author doesn't shy away exposing an unforgiving system where justice is not always equal for all.
A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander
2.0
A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery Book 2)
This could have been one of the better cozy mystery reads for me, but the “woke” culture narrative was something that I don't enjoy reading about.
I would highly recommend an author to alert readers if they are going to have this dialogue in their story. This would avoid the wrong person to invest their reading time in their book and in turn leave a bad review.
Chapter 12
Page 119
He folded his arms across his chest. “I told Hal that I would make sure you got home safely, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“What about you? Who’s going to make sure you get home safely?” I challenged.
He glanced away, looking like he was stifling a smile, before turning and meeting my eyes with a heated intensity that sent a flush of heat screaming up my neck. “Look, you don’t need to make this a thing.” He shifted his body weight like he couldn’t decide if he should just leave.
“It’s not a thing. I don’t prescribe to outdated gender roles, that’s all.” I found my keys and pulled them out of the tote.
Chapter 13
Page 132
For nearly a year now Pri had a crush on a customer she had nicknamed Double Americano, though her crush’s infrequent visits to Redwood Grove only heightened the obsession. I had often teased her that “DA” was a figment of her imagination since none of the rest of us had ever set eyes on the coffee client who made Pri’s cheeks flush crimson.
Page 133
“Priya, it’s so good to see you again,” a soft lilting voice said behind me. “I’ve been dreaming about your coffee.”
I turned to see a woman about our age, dressed immaculately in cream linen pants, a silky tank top, and a teal sweater. She was tall with striking features and a broad, inviting smile.
“Hey, yeah. Hi.” Pri stumbled over her words. “Hi. Hey.”
I noticed her hands shaking as she tried to tamp down ground espresso beans. I needed to do something to rescue her. All kidding aside, she obviously hadn’t been exaggerating about finding herself at a loss for words when Double Americano was around and I wasn’t going to let her flounder.
“I don’t think we’ve met yet,” I said, introducing myself and extending my hand. “I’m Annie Murray. One of Pri’s biggest fans. You’re not wrong about her coffee. It’s so good.” I took another taste to prove my point.
Double Americano extended a slim hand in return. I checked to make sure she wasn’t wearing a ring. She wasn’t. That was a good sign.
“I’m Penny Shurr. How wonderful to meet a friend of Priya’s. I rave about Cryptic to everyone I meet.” She pronounced “Priya” with the slightest hint of a Southern accent. Her voice was smooth, effortlessly fluid like spreading soft butter on toast. There was a soothing quality about her tone and her entire aura. No wonder Pri was attracted to her; their energies had a symbiotic balance.
Citation (MLA): Alexander, Ellie. A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery Book 2). Storm Publishing, 2024. Kindle file.
This could have been one of the better cozy mystery reads for me, but the “woke” culture narrative was something that I don't enjoy reading about.
I would highly recommend an author to alert readers if they are going to have this dialogue in their story. This would avoid the wrong person to invest their reading time in their book and in turn leave a bad review.
Chapter 12
Page 119
He folded his arms across his chest. “I told Hal that I would make sure you got home safely, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“What about you? Who’s going to make sure you get home safely?” I challenged.
He glanced away, looking like he was stifling a smile, before turning and meeting my eyes with a heated intensity that sent a flush of heat screaming up my neck. “Look, you don’t need to make this a thing.” He shifted his body weight like he couldn’t decide if he should just leave.
“It’s not a thing. I don’t prescribe to outdated gender roles, that’s all.” I found my keys and pulled them out of the tote.
Chapter 13
Page 132
For nearly a year now Pri had a crush on a customer she had nicknamed Double Americano, though her crush’s infrequent visits to Redwood Grove only heightened the obsession. I had often teased her that “DA” was a figment of her imagination since none of the rest of us had ever set eyes on the coffee client who made Pri’s cheeks flush crimson.
Page 133
“Priya, it’s so good to see you again,” a soft lilting voice said behind me. “I’ve been dreaming about your coffee.”
I turned to see a woman about our age, dressed immaculately in cream linen pants, a silky tank top, and a teal sweater. She was tall with striking features and a broad, inviting smile.
“Hey, yeah. Hi.” Pri stumbled over her words. “Hi. Hey.”
I noticed her hands shaking as she tried to tamp down ground espresso beans. I needed to do something to rescue her. All kidding aside, she obviously hadn’t been exaggerating about finding herself at a loss for words when Double Americano was around and I wasn’t going to let her flounder.
“I don’t think we’ve met yet,” I said, introducing myself and extending my hand. “I’m Annie Murray. One of Pri’s biggest fans. You’re not wrong about her coffee. It’s so good.” I took another taste to prove my point.
Double Americano extended a slim hand in return. I checked to make sure she wasn’t wearing a ring. She wasn’t. That was a good sign.
“I’m Penny Shurr. How wonderful to meet a friend of Priya’s. I rave about Cryptic to everyone I meet.” She pronounced “Priya” with the slightest hint of a Southern accent. Her voice was smooth, effortlessly fluid like spreading soft butter on toast. There was a soothing quality about her tone and her entire aura. No wonder Pri was attracted to her; their energies had a symbiotic balance.
Citation (MLA): Alexander, Ellie. A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery Book 2). Storm Publishing, 2024. Kindle file.
Trailing a Killer by Carol J. Post
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
This book did not have any redeeming qualities. The characters were cold, which is surprising for Christian fiction. One of the books they kept talking about was "Jesus Calling", In which the author used automatic handwriting. This is writing through a spirit guide. Please see my article clips below. I would definitely caution against this book.
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: A False Jesus?
https://ses.edu/jesus-calling-by-sarah-young-a-false-jesus/
"Another major red flag is Young’s positive acknowledgement of the book God Calling. Writing about the two women who authored this work, Young states, “These women practiced waiting quietly in God’s Presence, pencils and papers in hand, recording the messages they received from Him.” [20]Young’s fondness for this book and use of it as inspiration for her communication mode with God is deeply disconcerting when one examines the history, method, and content of this “treasure.”"
"Terms related to New Thought and Spiritualism are seen in God Calling entries for (but not limited to) Feb. 27, March 10 and 13, June 19, July 29, Aug. 18, and Nov. 17 and include terms such as “material manifestation,” “Spirit-life,” “Spirit-communication,” “Spirit-Kingdom,” “the material plane,” “Sprit Sounds,” “spirit understanding,” and “Spirit-world.” This language indicates a Gnostic-based spirit-material and spirit-body duality. Even taking into account when this book was written, these terms are not Christian and never have been. "
"There are numerous passages where Young’s Jesus tells the reader to go within to hear and know Jesus, such as
I am central to your innermost being. Your mind goes off in tangents from its holy Center from time to time….the quickest way to redirect your mind to me is to whisper My Name. (Aug. 25)
The above message is fraught with problems. How is Jesus related to “our innermost being?” All who trust in Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but He is not part of our being. The Holy Spirit is never part of man’s nature. And what “holy Center” is Young referencing? This is not a concept found in Scripture; Scripture teaches that man is fallen, in sin, and needs a Redeemer. A redeemed Christian still does not have a “holy Center.”"
"For Dec. 25, this Jesus says, in part:
Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby.[….]…I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions — a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me. [27]
These statements do not reflect the character of Christ; Christ does not seek our sympathy or thanks via self-pitying remarks."
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: A False Jesus?
https://ses.edu/jesus-calling-by-sarah-young-a-false-jesus/
"Another major red flag is Young’s positive acknowledgement of the book God Calling. Writing about the two women who authored this work, Young states, “These women practiced waiting quietly in God’s Presence, pencils and papers in hand, recording the messages they received from Him.” [20]Young’s fondness for this book and use of it as inspiration for her communication mode with God is deeply disconcerting when one examines the history, method, and content of this “treasure.”"
"Terms related to New Thought and Spiritualism are seen in God Calling entries for (but not limited to) Feb. 27, March 10 and 13, June 19, July 29, Aug. 18, and Nov. 17 and include terms such as “material manifestation,” “Spirit-life,” “Spirit-communication,” “Spirit-Kingdom,” “the material plane,” “Sprit Sounds,” “spirit understanding,” and “Spirit-world.” This language indicates a Gnostic-based spirit-material and spirit-body duality. Even taking into account when this book was written, these terms are not Christian and never have been. "
"There are numerous passages where Young’s Jesus tells the reader to go within to hear and know Jesus, such as
I am central to your innermost being. Your mind goes off in tangents from its holy Center from time to time….the quickest way to redirect your mind to me is to whisper My Name. (Aug. 25)
The above message is fraught with problems. How is Jesus related to “our innermost being?” All who trust in Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but He is not part of our being. The Holy Spirit is never part of man’s nature. And what “holy Center” is Young referencing? This is not a concept found in Scripture; Scripture teaches that man is fallen, in sin, and needs a Redeemer. A redeemed Christian still does not have a “holy Center.”"
"For Dec. 25, this Jesus says, in part:
Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby.[….]…I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions — a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me. [27]
These statements do not reflect the character of Christ; Christ does not seek our sympathy or thanks via self-pitying remarks."
Hunting a Killer by Nicole Helm
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A surprisingly good read with character depth and adventure.
The Summer House by Brendan DuBois, James Patterson
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The book’s writing style is on the grade level of a middle schooler! I read another James Patterson book and wanted to try one more to see if the writing style changed. This will be my last one by this author.
It baffles me that people say this is fast paced because you have to read 60% of the book to finally start it. In other words, the first 50 or 60% could be skipped and you never miss anything.
It baffles me that people say this is fast paced because you have to read 60% of the book to finally start it. In other words, the first 50 or 60% could be skipped and you never miss anything.
Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Beyond Ivy Walls
Rachel Fordham (Author)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 13, 2024
The characters' love story was truly organic! The author did an outstanding job of avoiding cliches and the typical "insta love" plot themes.
However, I feel the story got bogged down with a subplot of finding a missing family member only to be found with the quintessential perfect foster care family. For someone like myself, who has been through foster care and then adoption, this storyline rings hollow.
To the author's credit, she did say that everyone's situation would be different, but I find it more often than not that adoption or foster care make for bad triggers for anyone who has been through it as it does not usually turn out well. The child grows up to be an adult having permanent scars of a rough life.
I would recommend this book for teenagers, most definitely, but would advise readers about the adoption or foster care subplot.
~ Faith Bites a.k.a MJ Torres Book Reviews
Rachel Fordham (Author)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 13, 2024
The characters' love story was truly organic! The author did an outstanding job of avoiding cliches and the typical "insta love" plot themes.
However, I feel the story got bogged down with a subplot of finding a missing family member only to be found with the quintessential perfect foster care family. For someone like myself, who has been through foster care and then adoption, this storyline rings hollow.
To the author's credit, she did say that everyone's situation would be different, but I find it more often than not that adoption or foster care make for bad triggers for anyone who has been through it as it does not usually turn out well. The child grows up to be an adult having permanent scars of a rough life.
I would recommend this book for teenagers, most definitely, but would advise readers about the adoption or foster care subplot.
~ Faith Bites a.k.a MJ Torres Book Reviews
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurst
informative
4.0
This book has some good advice from Lisa's therapist.