For the Squidoo version, I have also added an author Q & A you won't want to miss. So, swim on over to my latest lens for the Disrupted Lives Book Review and Interview with Author Brenda Youngerman.
Showing posts with label Disrupted Lives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disrupted Lives. Show all posts
Friday, July 22, 2011
2nd Disrupted Lives Book Review
For the Squidoo version, I have also added an author Q & A you won't want to miss. So, swim on over to my latest lens for the Disrupted Lives Book Review and Interview with Author Brenda Youngerman.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Book Review: Disrupted Lives
Prologue: Hmm ... Have you ever read a prologue to a book review? Hey, somebody's gotta go first and it may as well be me! My friend Brenda will confirm that I do not care for prologues in books ... smiles. With that in mind, here's my introduction to my review of "Disrupted Lives" by my friend and author, Brenda Youngerman:
I am going to break my self-imposed rules for writing a book review. Rarely do I get personal in a book review; seldom will you see me use the word "I" in a book review; and, it is an extremely rare occasion when I review the author as opposed to, or along with, reviewing the book. In the case of this particular author, this particular book title, I have made the decision to review both the book and the author -- from my personal point of view. I justify my breaking of my review rules by the fact that my author friend is worthy of my doing so, which I shall explain further in the review.
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"Disrupted Lives" by author Brenda Youngerman is the telling across generations of the lifespan of the Lake and Kane families. It is a work of fiction with a purpose, as all of Youngerman's novels are appraised to be.
Having read a few of Youngerman's novels and many of her other writings, I have come to expect and appreciate her desire to make a difference with her writing talent. Brenda seldom scribes for pleasure and even in so doing, social issues rise within her writings. Her compassion for others, for society as a whole, is evident in each of her works.
"Disrupted Lives" touches on matters that directly or indirectly affect not just the characters in the family of the book, but these are also concerns you and I live with every day. Adoption, culture, racism, relationships, family values, and family secrets are just a few of the topics we take a look at through the pages of this historic journey Youngerman takes us on.
From Fiona, the matriarch of the Lake family on down to her grandson of the Kane clan, we see generations of the families affected long term by their own decisions and by the choices of other family members. The life of family was torn apart by paths chosen.
Need and Greed are the two major implied forces battling within the Lake and Kane families. I was pretty sure the adopted grandson managed to affect change until the ending of the story of these families. In the end, I feel Youngerman failed somewhat to convince me that the parents sought their long lost son for any reason other than need and greed. Sure, I was convinced they loved him; I was more convinced they loved their daughter more -- her Need was their Greed. The wheels of the unjust are a perpetual motion, thriving and harmful across generations.
However, I do not believe this is the reaction author Brenda Youngerman hoped for, wrote for. It is my belief that her words for her characters, Darren and Amelia, on two or three separate occasions, could have been chosen more wisely, more precisely, to her purpose.
On the back cover of "Disrupted Lives" you will read: A name does not make a person, a person makes a name. Without a doubt, Brenda Youngerman is making a name for herself in her novels. I do not pretend to be an expert on the art of writing, but I know enough to be able to say this author has talent. She writes with a passionate pen. Each book of this author's I have read has shown writing growth and improvement. (I like this in an author and it may well be the reason I prefer to read and review newer published authors as opposed to renowned authors.)
"Disrupted Lives" has a style all its own, a passion all its own. This Brenda Youngerman title is one you will want to own.
----------
This book review was written as part of the Disrupted Lives - Blog Tour.
I received a copy of the book from the author for review purposes.
For your convenience, I have provided you with a link to purchase your copy of this book from Amazon.com:
I am going to break my self-imposed rules for writing a book review. Rarely do I get personal in a book review; seldom will you see me use the word "I" in a book review; and, it is an extremely rare occasion when I review the author as opposed to, or along with, reviewing the book. In the case of this particular author, this particular book title, I have made the decision to review both the book and the author -- from my personal point of view. I justify my breaking of my review rules by the fact that my author friend is worthy of my doing so, which I shall explain further in the review.
----------
Having read a few of Youngerman's novels and many of her other writings, I have come to expect and appreciate her desire to make a difference with her writing talent. Brenda seldom scribes for pleasure and even in so doing, social issues rise within her writings. Her compassion for others, for society as a whole, is evident in each of her works.
"Disrupted Lives" touches on matters that directly or indirectly affect not just the characters in the family of the book, but these are also concerns you and I live with every day. Adoption, culture, racism, relationships, family values, and family secrets are just a few of the topics we take a look at through the pages of this historic journey Youngerman takes us on.
From Fiona, the matriarch of the Lake family on down to her grandson of the Kane clan, we see generations of the families affected long term by their own decisions and by the choices of other family members. The life of family was torn apart by paths chosen.
Need and Greed are the two major implied forces battling within the Lake and Kane families. I was pretty sure the adopted grandson managed to affect change until the ending of the story of these families. In the end, I feel Youngerman failed somewhat to convince me that the parents sought their long lost son for any reason other than need and greed. Sure, I was convinced they loved him; I was more convinced they loved their daughter more -- her Need was their Greed. The wheels of the unjust are a perpetual motion, thriving and harmful across generations.
However, I do not believe this is the reaction author Brenda Youngerman hoped for, wrote for. It is my belief that her words for her characters, Darren and Amelia, on two or three separate occasions, could have been chosen more wisely, more precisely, to her purpose.
On the back cover of "Disrupted Lives" you will read: A name does not make a person, a person makes a name. Without a doubt, Brenda Youngerman is making a name for herself in her novels. I do not pretend to be an expert on the art of writing, but I know enough to be able to say this author has talent. She writes with a passionate pen. Each book of this author's I have read has shown writing growth and improvement. (I like this in an author and it may well be the reason I prefer to read and review newer published authors as opposed to renowned authors.)
"Disrupted Lives" has a style all its own, a passion all its own. This Brenda Youngerman title is one you will want to own.
----------
This book review was written as part of the Disrupted Lives - Blog Tour.
I received a copy of the book from the author for review purposes.
For your convenience, I have provided you with a link to purchase your copy of this book from Amazon.com:
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
WoW 100 - What kind of a mother does that?
"Amelia," Tyler leaned forward again, "I want you to listen to me very carefully. You were eighteen years old. You were sent away to a home that handled situations like yours. The likelihood that you 'fell asleep' is probably more that you were drugged into a deep enough sleep for them to take the baby away from you. Most women after giving birth have an adrenaline rush and are alert...
The 100-word excerpt above is found in chapter TWENTY-NINE, page 184 of Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman.
This will be my last share from the book "Disrupted Lives", although I will be posting my book review for this title this coming Sunday, July 17th, as part of Brenda Youngerman's Disrupted Lives Blog Tour beginning at Fiction With A Purpose.
I have a pile of books on my TBR list and will begin next week sharing 100 word excerpts from three books I am currently reading! I also hope to begin getting back to writing and posting my book reviews, as I am way behind on that ToDo List, too.
I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Welcome Disruption
With the receipt of a new book to read and review, I've had my reading of The Book of Ruth disrupted! Never fear, I shall return to the book and continue sharing excerpts as soon as possible.
WoW Weekly 100 Words:
Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.
I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.
Now, on to the sharing of the welcome distraction: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. Since I do not care for prologues in fiction work and generally do not even bother to read them, I decided to read and share an excerpt from the PROLOGUE of Disrupted Lives. Why? Because Brenda made me read it and it is worthy of sharing! (smiles..:-)
Darren gently pulled her down to him and stroked her back as she placed her head on his chest. "Amelia, I know. But we were just kids and it wasn't like your parents gave you any choice." He felt her tears fall onto his chest. "We have to be fair to Emily and Nate. What do you think would happen if all of a sudden we sprang on them that they had an older brother?"
Amelia didn't answer. She never had the answer. She just knew that her heart broke every time she went back to the rainy night that she gave away her baby.
Note: That was actually 105 words, as I just didn't have the heart to not share those last five words of that last paragraph.
Although this is a Wednesday book blog hop, you are welcome to hop in at any time throughout the week. Just grab the button and link for your blog post where you share exactly 100 words from your current read(s) and add your post URL to the linky list provided at the end of this post. Feel free to share anything else you'd like on your post, especially book-related items. And be sure to visit and/or introduce yourself to others on the WoW list during the week.
I use The Word Count Tool to count my book excerpts. I type in the box provided, then once I have 100 words, I copy and paste it right into my blog post.
Now, on to the sharing of the welcome distraction: Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. Since I do not care for prologues in fiction work and generally do not even bother to read them, I decided to read and share an excerpt from the PROLOGUE of Disrupted Lives. Why? Because Brenda made me read it and it is worthy of sharing! (smiles..:-)
Amelia didn't answer. She never had the answer. She just knew that her heart broke every time she went back to the rainy night that she gave away her baby.
Note: That was actually 105 words, as I just didn't have the heart to not share those last five words of that last paragraph.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Mail Call a Delightful Disruption
Generally, I don't get too excited about the postman and his mail delivery. However, every now and again the mailman brings something other than bills and that is a welcome disruption to my day.
Today, the postman brought me a new book to read! I received Disrupted Lives by author Brenda Youngerman. I'm truly excited to read and review Brenda's latest book title.
Stay tuned for the Disrupted Lives Blog Tour which takes place on July 17, 2011! You can read all about the tour by visiting Fiction With A Purpose. Introduce yourself to author Brenda Youngerman, if you've not yet met her. You can tell her Ruthi sent you!
I've previously read and reviewed two of Youngerman's novels: Private Scars and Public Lies.
Stay tuned for the Disrupted Lives Blog Tour which takes place on July 17, 2011! You can read all about the tour by visiting Fiction With A Purpose. Introduce yourself to author Brenda Youngerman, if you've not yet met her. You can tell her Ruthi sent you!
I've previously read and reviewed two of Youngerman's novels: Private Scars and Public Lies.
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