Blogs

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17323431-caged-warrior" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Caged Warrior" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387654183m/17323431.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17323431-caged-warrior">Caged Warrior</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/76789.Alan_Sitomer">Alan Sitomer</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1021538424">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
McCutcheon has been groomed since a very young age to be a prize winning fighter (something his father wasn’t able to accomplish) by a very controlling, evil, and selfish father.  The one person McD would do anything for is his little sister, Gemma.  Life doesn’t get much worse.  Sitomer has crafted a disturbing, totally believable story about a young kid, who despite the odds, is able to hope for a better life for his little sister and himself,  reach out for help, and try for a better life that includes an education  and a family that includes love.  Gritty Detroit could also be Philadelphia, Los Angeles or any city in America.  Teens will not be able to put this honest, thought provoking book down!
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411-bjneary">View all my reviews</a>

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20945097-haatchi-little-b" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Haatchi & Little B: The Inspiring True Story of One Boy and His Dog" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1400987846m/20945097.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20945097-haatchi-little-b">Haatchi & Little B: The Inspiring True Story of One Boy and His Dog</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6887358.Wendy_Holden">Wendy     Holden</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1021036009">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
A great nonfiction read about a dog who was cruelly beaten and chained to railroad tracks and run over.  He is rescued and as a five month old Anatolian Shepherd is able to survive the trauma of losing a back leg and tail and saving Owen’s (Little B) life.  Haatchi is such a wonderful dog, he changes many who come in contact with him.  This is a compelling, inspiring read.  Highly recommended.
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411-bjneary">View all my reviews</a>

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my sister-in-law, Donna, for recommending this wonderful, compelling, thought provoking read. There are so many threads and themes in this can’t put it down read (I couldn’t sleep and turned the light on at 4 am and read until I finished at 6am!!!) I loved, loved Tom Sherbourne, the tortured soldier and light house keeper who finds peace and love in life with Isabel Greysmark. As the lighthouse keeper of Janus Rock, Tom knows how important the strict adherence to rules is and it is this honor that is crushed when a dinghy washes ashore with a dead man and a baby. Isabel has suffered 3 miscarriages and persuades her husband they must take care of this little infant. As their life with baby, Lucy provides love, contentment and happiness beyond their wildest dreams, Tom is tortured by his decision not to report this incident. The repercussions are felt later and oh how devastating they are. This is a must read, I loved the author’s words, her characters, and the wild and natural settings in Australia of this tug of war. What happens to these three compelling characters? What would you do? You have to read this book and I assure you, you will not be disappointed. There are so many good discussions to be found in this story of fierce and tragic story of love, sacrifice, and forgiveness; a great book club title to be sure.


View all my reviews