Ozarks Mystique

Ozarks Mountain Country | It Grows On You!

Wilda’s Outlaw | Velda Brotherton, author

I like the unusual plot line of this book, placed in 19th century Western Kansas after the Civil War. The main female English characters are immigrants under very luxurious circumstances, especially after being found in English workhouse/orphanages. The main male American characters would probably be diagnosed with post traumatic stress from their raw Civil War experiences. No shrinks in pioneer Kansas, so they just have to muddle through.

Author Velda Brotherton has a large following and has written many books, with plans for more, including at least one sequel to this book. I read it as a gift download to my Kindle because I wanted to read some of the author’s work and I appreciate the opportunity Velda Brotherton gave readers, old and new to see what she offers. The author  researches and can see a potential story in history then go on to develop the characters in times that were painful for the land and for each of them.

The filler for most of the book wasn’t my style of preferred pleasure reading after the main plot was clear.  A plethora of readers who follow the author disagree with me, making it a matter of preference and perhaps not a statement on the writing.  But, readers will have to look to someone else for a recommendation.  You can learn more about the author at VeldaBrotherton.com.

Books I Don’t Like | To Review or Not Review

It is always a quandary for me when I get into a book that I don’t like.  It is so easy to write a recommendation for something that I really enjoyed.  How do I acknowledge a work that someone worked hard on to produce only to find it is not my cup of tea?

A new post at The Author in the Mirror discusses this situation and has given me some solid ideas. The post is entitled “Reviewing a Book I Didn’t Like | Quieting the Critique Harpies”.

A bad review shouldn’t be sniping, hyper-critical copyediting.  If the book didn’t please, accept responsibility that it just doesn’t please and say so.  Picking on the small editing and staging things after the book has gone to press is non-productive and terribly discouraging to authors.  Tearing the book apart isn’t necessary to produce a statement that the book may have appeal to other readers and represents hard work by the author.

There are situations, I agree, when candid, critical reviews are justified — when someone is writing for us to learn and their information isn’t valid, for example.

Reviewing “Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks”, K.D. McCrite, Author

In the pages of Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks, April Grace Reilly faces social challenges that are totally different from those she handled with her witty opinions in the first book in this series, In Front of God and Everybody.

Cliques in April’s middle school carry the odor of bullying, while injury slows the dramatic Isabelle. Family members are all under stress as April tried to solve the mystery of her mother’s health. April also has to take a look at her own critical opinions that may not be fair or kind. She just matures fanatically through this very empathetic book…I like her better and better as we go along.

Author K.D. McCrite brings out the best in everybody and brings tears to readers’ eyes along with the smiles April Grace’s analogies always stimulate. April Grace and Myra Sue do some major maturing as they deal with changes in their family. They get a chance to develop sensitivity both the bullied and the insecure potential of the bullies. Cliques is a book that will help the younger reader understand that there are other kids in the world working through growing up while the grown-ups can be assured of a clean, upbeat read for their kids. A read that is also a good read for grown-ups.

I’m looking forward to the next book, Chocolate Covered Baloney, scheduled for release in November, 2012. I am personally acquainted with the author and our conversations have included the points that she feels April Grace has much more to bring to young readers about issues and conditions in their lives. Now is a good time to learn that it is okay to laugh about things like this and more healthy than letting them get the best of you. Life skills stories that can be applied to their experiences.  Special information, including teaching notes, are available on April Grace’s website.  April Grace Reilly

I reviewed this book at Amazon.com and LinkedIn.com. April Grace’s adventures take place in the Ozarks, giving the story even more appeal to this Oxarks blogger.

 

Harvest Time | Cornbread Muffins with Real Corn

This is the time of year that we’re enjoying the harvest of garden and farm.  Cornbread goes so well with cold weather soups and other foods.  It is not difficult to make with your favorite recipe.  This recipe has a little variation with real corn in the muffin to create a chewy consistency.  Different flours such as whole wheat and sorghum have been successful with the recipe.

    You can print the recipe with some of the pictures for your convenience at this link:  CORNBREAD MUFFINS with REAL CORN

Reviewing “In Front of God and Everybody”, K.D. McCrite, author

The search for decent reading material for kids in the young adult stage is an ongoing challenge.  Among the many good reads out there, the Confessions of April Grace, author K.D. McCrite stands out for the readers at our house.  The first book, In Front of God and Everybody” introduces the characters in the culture along Rough Creek Road and in the family of April Grace Reilly.

April Grace has a sharp wit that will make readers of all ages take a ‘grin break’.  I recommend “In Front of God and Everybody” – Confessions of April Grace | K.D. McCrite for young readers and their grandmothers.

Naturally, the Ozarks setting makes this series especially appropriate for Ozarks Mystique

Life and Death at Hoover Dam | New Review

We enjoyed reading Life and Death at Hoover Dam  by Jerry Borrowman  on the Kindle Fire recently.  Historical fiction that puts faces and personality on the people who were involved in the actual construction.

The book is extensively researched and well put together with sympathy for the characters. We recommend this book.  It is not an extremely long book, full of interesting logistical and social information.