The New Kindle Fire

After much reading of all reviews and much pondering and much deliberation, I bought a Kindle Fire this weekend with my birthday money.  Even in the store, as I stood waiting for the employee to see if they had any of these left in the back, I was undecided.

After a few days with my new toy, I must say I absolutely LOVE it.  But, I still don't think it is exactly what I expected.

So, here's the scoop:  I would NOT replace my regular Kindle with this.  I would replace my ipod with this any day.  And, at $199, it beats the pants off of an ipad price.

What I love:
*  It is so pretty.  The color is wonderful.  The graphics are great.  I watched YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon streaming video on it, and I love the video quality.
*  Amazon's music platform is sooo much better than itunes.  After repeated problems, I have quickly become an itunes hater.  And as much as I've enjoyed my ipod, that's one thing I won't miss.  Most of my current music converted without problems.  I'm not a serious music connoisseur, so if you had hundreds of dollars worth of itunes music, you might have some troubles.  Most of my music has been ripped into my computer from CD, so it wasn't a big deal if I couldn't convert it.
*  I love the display.  With categories for books, documents, and apps all displayed on "shelves" on the screen, I found the display easy to manage.  Recent things I've opened are added to a carousel that is prominent on the display.  And favorites can be added to a favorites tray for easy access.

What's not so great for me:
*  It is hard for me to read for long with a backlit screen.  That's why I love my old Kindle.  I read.  Lots.  If you only read once in a while, this might be just fine for you.  But hours looking at the glare of a backlit screen gives me a headache.  I need the e-ink technology of the original Kindle that make it look like a print book.
*  I can't categorize my books.  This is yet another reason to keep my regular Kindle.  I have over 250 books waiting to be read.  I don't want to scroll through all of them to pick the book I want.  I want to be able to choose from a category.
*  There don't seem to be as many apps to choose from in the Android platform.  This may be changing?  I'm not a tech person and have only used an ipod up to this point, so I can't be sure.  But, I did notice that I couldn't find a few of my favorite ipod apps for the Kindle Fire.

What I've heard:
*  If you have lots of your own movies on your computer, they can't be watched on your Kindle.  I haven't tried this because I don't have any movies.  I don't mind watching them from Netflix or from Amazon streaming (which I get free as a Prime member).  I don't need movies stored on my device.

For me this was the perfect device.  I've wanted a tablet for a while now but really couldn't afford an ipad for something that would really be mostly used as a toy for me.  The Kindle Fire is obviously an Amazon product that works well with other Amazon products- MP3s, streaming video, ordering from the Amazon site.  But, I'm good with that.  I've never had problems with Amazon and have been more than happy with their products and services. For me the Kindle Fire is a great fit!

52 Books in 52 Weeks Update

Even though this past week was Thanksgiving, I didn't read as much as I thought I would.  I did finish two easy reads- both were recent Kindle freebies.

The better and more uplifting of these was Lady of the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes was a Christian historical romance.  Set in the tumultuous times surrounding the War of 1812 when Americans were being pressed into service in the English navy, the novel follows the lives of a village midwife and an indentured English servant.  When Tabitha discovers what may be a condemning secret upon the death of one of her patients, her life may be in danger.  Dominick, serving as an indentured servant in the new country of America needs Tabitha's help to further his own cause.  The two come together through their adventures, even as they both learn how God is directing their paths.  I really enjoyed this read.  It wasn't particularly earth shaking in depth, but it was a light, easy, and interesting read.

A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray

Book One in the Heart of a Hero series, A Texan's Promise (which I reviewed here) was a really good read by an author new to me.  This second installment in the series, A Texan's Honor, was even better.

Jamie finds herself unloved and unappreciated after her brothers are killed in the Civil War.  When her parents are dead, she travels to live with her old maid aunts in Kansas where she plans to marry a young man with whom she has been corresponding. But, when outlaws take over the train Jamie is on, her life takes an unexpected turn- especially when one of the outlaws turns out to be more than he appears.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I thought some of it was a little predictable and seemed to drag in the middle of the story.  Not so with this installment.  Jamie was the perfect character- a sweet, innocent young women who needed the protection of our hero- Will, yet a fiery and determined personality.  The story was fast -paced and really not predictable.  I loved finding out more about Scout Proffit- the infamous brother of hero Clayton from Book One.  And, I found myself oohing and aahing over the sweet romance that bloomed between Jamie and Will.  The story is inspiring- a Christian fiction read that teaches and encourages without preaching.  I am really hoping for further books in the series!

This read would be a PG rating because of some adult content, and I would give it a definite five star rating!  So good!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.

A Texans Promise by Shelley Gray

When Vanessa is a victim of her stepfather's attack, Clayton, her family's ranch foreman, takes her away to save her from him.  As Vanessa and Clay travel to safety, Clay realizes what it means to keep a promise and the two grow closer to God and to each other through their trials.

This was a sweet, though sometimes predictable, Christian romance.  The author, Shelley Gray, is new to me.  I enjoyed the characters.  Vanessa and Clayton both made an interesting hero and heroine.  The story line, with its setting in the Old West, was exciting enough to hold my interest.  The characters' spiritual journey was inspiring without preaching at the reader.  There were some predictable parts in Vanessa and Clayton's relationship, and a few times I thought the story dragged out a bit.  But, for the most part, I really enjoyed this read from a  new author, and I look forward to reviewing the second book in the series- A Texan's Honor.

I give this one a firm four stars with a PG rating (due to relationships of an adult nature).

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

Eden and Clay lost their daughter five years ago, and Eden thought her marriage was over.  But when Clay shows up with the information that he's never signed the divorce papers and that their daughter may still be alive, Eden decides to trust him and look for her.  They'll find intrigue and trouble, but perhaps they'll also be reunited with their daughter and each other.

I enjoy Colleen Coble's suspense/romance/Christian fiction.  Lonestar Angel did not disappoint.  It is a quick, easy read filled with enjoyable characters that face personal trials as they grow closer to God.  Eden and Clay are easy to like, and their relationship drama is enough to hold the readers interest without frustrating.  Complete with an interesting mystery and Christian encouragement that feels natural, not "preachy," Lonestar Angel was a really good read.

I'd give this one a strong four stars (only because there's not lots of depth here), and I'd rate it PG because of the relationship issues involved.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are always entirely my own.

The Gospel According to Twilight- Elaine A. Heath

If any of my readers were around last year, you will remember my obsession with the Twilight series.  I read each book multiple times.  I really pondered over and over what exactly so delighted and intrigued me about the series.  I know there were many critics decrying them as foolish or even downright evil.  But, there was a draw for me.  It wasn't the whole vampire/werewolf dimension.  In fact, I usually avoid dark things.  But, I love a good romance. And, for me, that is exactly what Twilight was - a really, really good romance.  The fact that the main characters were the undead wasn't really the point.
 
To say I was excited to see The Gospel According to Twilight may be an understatement.  I think there is much to learn about God and ourselves through popular culture.  And, of course, there are those, oh so dreamy vampires.

Elaine A. Heath examines the themes of the popular series- the good and the bad -for Christians in general and for women in particular.  There were many conclusions that Heath made that I really found to be quite interesting and accurate.  I must admit to a few ah ha moments as I read.  There were a few negative things that I thought she exaggerated- such as the stalker/batterer personality of Edward.  I've heard others state this but never really heard an explanation.  After Heath's explanation, I do understand the concerns much more- even though I'm still not quite in agreement. 

Heath spends some time in each topic comparing the mainstream Christian view with Mormon doctrine.  (Stephenie Meyer, the author of the series, is a Mormon.)  I found this look especially fascinating because there were things I didn't "get" as a Christian which made much more sense when I understood the Mormon doctrine.

So, I really enjoyed the book.  Did I agree with all the conclusions?  No.  But, it was thought-provoking and interesting.  I would definitely recommend it- both for the naysayers who see no redemptive value in the series and for the Twi-hards who are totally obsessed.

My rating would be a strong 5 stars for this informative and interesting read.  I'd consider it a PG rating because there are references to some of the material in the book series that is not appropriate for all readers. 

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Babylon's Falling- William G. Collins

Biblical historical fiction is a demanding genre.  When I read a book about a Biblical character that is written as a fictionalized story, I either love it or hate it.  I want it to be well-written.  I want historical accuracy.  And, I want as much Biblical accuracy as can possibly be concluded from the amount written about the character in Scripture.  I chose this book to review with some hesitancy.  And, indeed, even after I chose it, I have put off reading it for quite a while.  But, this is the story of Daniel- one of my favorite Bible characters and a most interesting one.  From his early life as an Israelite exile in a strange land, to the courage of his three friends in the fiery furnace, to his amazing prophecies, to his later faith in the face of roaring lions, the life of Daniel should be an easy one to make into a great, historical novel.

But, it was not to be.  Collins's telling of this great man's life was mediocre at best.  It was written in a very dry style- almost a simple telling of events instead of a rich account of relationships and conversations.  The characters were dull and dry- certainly not the compelling people I expect from the Bible accounts.  I'm not a great historical scholar, but the events and conversations and reactions of characters did not seem accurate for the time period.  For example, the roles of men and women, servant and king, conqueror and conquered, seemed really wrong.  And, of course, the differences in the story version and the Biblical version were there.  I realize that an author wouldn't have enough for a full novel if some information were not added.  But, adding wives and significant other relationships to the characters of Daniel and his friends just made the story less believable to me.

I was disappointed in what could have been a really good read.  I give this a mediocre three stars.  I'd say this was a G rating- appropriate for anyone.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

I must insert a small disclaimer here at the beginning of this review.   I love, love, love (is that enough "loves"?) Scottish historical fiction.  I dream of wandering the bonny hills one day myself and seeing all of those wonderful places.  But, until then, I live vicariously through wonderful books.  I also greatly enjoyed Liz Curtis Higgs retellings of the life of Jacob and his wives and his family (also set in historical Scotland).  And, I've enjoyed her nonfiction Bad Girls of the Bible books also.  So, unless something had gone horribly awry, I was destined to love Here Burns My Candle.

I was not disappointed.  In this retelling of the story of Ruth set in historical Scotland at the time of Bonny Prince Charlie (1745), Elisabeth Kerr lives with her husband and his family in Edinburgh.  When Elisabeth's husband and his brother decide to join the Jacobite cause, Elizabeth is left, along with her sister-in-law to be a companion to her mother-in-law, Marjory.  Both of the women have secrets that come to light throughout the story as they face personal loss and the loss of the Jacobite cause.  The book has a definite unfinished ending, leaving the reader wanting more.  But, there's not so much of a cliffhanger that one feels angry at the non-ending.

True to what I've come to expect from Higgs' books, the characters were compelling, and the plot was extremely interesting.  The historical Scottish setting was the icing on the cake for me, as I plunged deeply into this page-turner that kept me up at night wanting to read more, more, more.  I'll certainly be looking for the conclusion of Elisabeth's story!

I give this one a strong 5 star rating.  It's a PG book due to some delicate subject matter that is handled very discreetly but is present.

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Press for review purposes.  All opinions are always entirely my own.

For Time and Eternity- Allison Pittman

For Time and Eternity is a story set in the 1800s of Camilla, a young girl who joins up with a group of Mormon's headed to establish Salt Lake City when she meets her true love- Nathan.  Through the years of their early marriage, especially after the death of their infant son and Nathan's decision to take another wife- Camilla comes to realize that the faith she abandoned everything for is false and the faith of her childhood was true.

This was a very interesting book for me to read as I have recently been watching a TLC series- Sister Wives -about a modern day Mormon polygamist family.  The main difference between Camilla's fictional situation and the real life situation of these women is that Camilla did not know the faith when she was baptized into it and married Nathan.  The women in the real life show were already in the Mormon faith and fully understand that this would be the situation.  Overall, it was an interesting story.  There were parts that were pretty slow, and I thought several times that I would be glad to see the end.  But, the end was a HUGE cliff hanger, not really an ending at all.  So, I'm not sure if I will find it worth while to find the other books in the series or not.  Even though I'd like to know what happens, I'm not sure I enjoyed this one enough to read more.

How's that for an undecided review?  I'll give this one a wishy washy three and a half stars.  It is PG rated- only for the fact that it does talk about plural marriage and the intimacy in marriage is implied, though never spelled out.