Books, books

Today I’m doing a couple of book reviews from completely different genres.

The first book is an adorable children’s book that I won from Stephanie at Bah! to cancer. Be sure to check out Stephanie delightful blog.

STUNT BUNNY by Tamsyn Murray

STUNT BUNNY is the story of a cute grey bunny that was named Flopsy for a short while before becoming Harriett Houdini, the lovable pet of eight-year-old Susie. Harriett lives with Susie’s naughty little sister, Lily; her mother, Mrs. Wilson; her Dad, Evil Edward - EE for short; and the family cat, Smudge.

Life is pretty good for Harriett even though EE doesn’t seem to like her. That is until Susie enters Harriett into a pet show and EE realizes how much the prize is. As they wait for the show to begin they encounter a magician set up in the next tent.

While at the pet show Harriett is spotted by Gloria Goodwood, host of the television show Superpets. She invites Harriett on the show and the competition begins. Harriett is soon in a head to head competition with Doodle, an opera-singing Poodle.

Just when life is getting good, the magician pops back and attempts to steal Harriett away from her loving family.

Along the way you’ll discover why Harriett’s name was changed and laugh at the crazy stunts she pulls, especially her hutch antics. The book is also filled with beautiful illustrations by Lee Wildish.

The book doesn’t say what age group it’s designed for (Stephanie noted ages 5 to 10), but it is a wonderful book for parents to read to their children. As the child ages, they will be able to follow Harriett’s journeys for themselves. In addition, Harriett will return in February 2011 as the star of SUPERPETS LIVE.

A great book to add to your children’s library or the library of any youngster you know.

Stunt Bunny by Tamsyn Murray, Illustrated by Lee Wildish, Simon & Schuster Childrens Books, @2010, ISBN: 978-1-84738-727-1, Paperback, 112 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - I won this book and wasn’t asked to do a review of it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

MEN AND DOGS: A NOVEL by Katie Crouch

I have to be honest and say that had I been reading this book instead

of listening to it, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. That would have been my loss.

First, let me say I normally don’t read stories that have a lot of flashbacks in them. An occasional flashback woven into the story doesn’t bother me, in some cases it enriches the story. But when the story goes back and forth so much you have to stop try and remember if you’re in the past or the present, that’s too much.

MEN AND DOGS is told in continuous flashbacks and from several different points of view. However, author Katie Crouch makes it work. Flashbacks are needed to connect the present to the past.

After the first few flashbacks I thought about not finishing the book, but I was hooked and couldn’t help myself. I had to know what happened next, had to know how it was going to end, had to know if Hannah found the answers she was searching for.

When Hannah was 11 years old her father, Buzz Legare, went fishing with his dog and was never seen again. The boat and the dog were found drifting toward the sea. Hannah’s family and the town accepted that Buzz had drown, but she couldn’t. All of her life Hannah has believed that her father was still alive and would return.

Hannah is now 30-something, lives in San Francisco and has made a mess of her marriage. After falling three stories while trying to break into her estranged husband’s house, Hannah is sent home to stay with her mother and step father in Charleston, SC, in hopes of getting her life back on track.

While in Charleston Hannah begins to investigate her father’s disappearance again while reconnecting with people from her past. Her ex-boyfriend is now a pastor and married with a family. As she digs into the past she begins to uncover secrets that are best left in the past.

Seems the disappearance of their father has effected Hannah’s brother, Palmer, as well. Palmer, who is gay, is hiding secrets from his past that he doesn’t want uncovered. He is unable to completely commit to his partner, Tom, who desperately wants a baby. 

Hannah goes on a journey to discover the truth behind her father’s disappearance and almost destroys herself along the way.

I was glad I listened to the entire book. However, the ending wasn’t what I was expecting. After thinking about it, it was a fitting end in a typical Hannah fashion.

Men and Dogs: A Novel by Katie Crouch, Read by Gabra Zackman, Hachette Audio, @2010, ISBN: 9781607881834, Unabridged, 7 Discs, 8 Hours

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Author James Hayman was scheduled to be here today, but was unable to. Hopefully, he will be able to reschedule later this week.