Books For Young and Old

You may have noticed most Monday's I have been doing Book Reviews, well today I have two reviews and a giveaway!

I received ACR copies of both of these books to review.

The Ruby Pendant 

The first book The Ruby Pendant by Dorine White is great for the young middle school age and is the second book in a series.   I reviewed the first book The Emerald Ring here.

From the author:

  Book Two: The Ruby Pendant 

  "Welcome to New Orleans- home of Mardi Gras, jazz music and voodoo. Eighth grader Melanie Belaforte is home for Spring break and itching for excitement. Late one night she discovers a hidden chamber and a secret journal in her deceased Aunt Florence’s bedroom.

            The diary contains the writings of a mad woman, along with vague clues to the whereabouts of a ruby necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. The ruby bestows upon the wearer the power to hear other people’s thoughts- even the thoughts of the dead!

    And so the hunt begins. Melanie, her best friend Sybil, and a haunting specter unravel clues that take them from crumbling graveyards, to the busy streets of the French Quarter, and then into murky swamps, all to find the prize. But they need to watch out, because a murderous cult is matching them step for step, and they won’t give up, ever."

Often the first book in a series is the best, but I actually enjoyed this book even more than the first.   Even though this is a continuation of the story, this book introduces a new characters and the original book and characters don't even come up until halfway through the book, making this almost a stand alone book (though I recommend reading in order). 

This book is a very quick and exciting read. The characters are developed just enough to help you know who they are but not too deep, just perfect, for the intended audience (10+ crowd). I appreciated that this book also brought up subjects such a prejudices and what that means for friendships. 

This is a very clean book and great fantasy style book for the young audience it is intended for.

You can find the author at the following locations:

Author Website- http://www.dorinewhite.com/

Blog- The Write Path- http://www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com/

Twitter @Dorinewhite- https://twitter.com/DorineWhite

Facebook Author Page- https://www.facebook.com/dorinewhite

You can purchase The Ruby Pendant at the following locations:

  Amazon// Desert Book// Barnes & Noble

Now for the Grown up book Patchwork Reality: Happily Married to a Schizophrenic by Pauline Hansen 

Patchwork Reality 

Your life is good, you are happily married with children and life seems to be just as you planned.  One day your husband tells you some exciting news, something big and exciting is about to happen to your family, your family will soon be getting a lot of money.   

This day is actually the beginning of a path that will lead to your life never being the same.  

For Pauline, this was her reality.   Pauline's husband Curtis reveals to her that they are part of what he calls "The Game", which if they play correctly will lead to them winning a lot of money. 

At first The Game doesn't affect things too much, but slowly Curtis behavior changes affecting so many of those around him; finally it gets to a breaking point where Pauline realizes there is something truly wrong.

This book reads like a fiction book, meaning it does not get into the science of schizophrenia but instead tells a first person experience dealing with a spouse that has it. As a psychology major and also knowing the ending diagnosis as I read I kept thinking, why couldn't you see that? But Pauline does a great job of explaining how she was able to overlook or try and make excuses for a lot of the signs. 

I cannot imagine going through what she did and was amazed at her resilience and her ability to save their marriage and her husband in the process. 

For anyone that has ever dealt with someone in their life who suffers from any kind of mental illness, I think this book would be a fascinating read, one which is filled with hope. 

You can find Pauline at the following locations

  Author's Website: http://www.paulinehansen.com

  Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pollysdoodles/

  Goodreads: 

You can purchase Patchwork Reality:

  Cedar Fort//Amazon//Barnes and Noble// 

Today I am giving away a paper back copy of Patchwork Reality!   The giveaway will be open through Sunday, with the winner announced next week.  

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What book have you read lately?

Disclaimer: I was given an ACR copy of both books to review, all feelings and opinions are my own and truthful.