The Reno Kid

It's been a long time since I've updated this blog and I've read at least 50 books during that time . . . oops.




My dad and his friend, Tom, came up with the key characters in the book and much of the plot. Allen Russell wrote the book and added to the plot. Tom and my dad came up with the cover, and Tom produced the trailer at www.TheRenoKidBook.com. My dad edited the book and created the Reno Kid Publishing Group which he now runs. 


The Reno Kid: The Beginning is the first book of a series. The second book is now being written, The Reno Kid: The Gray Walkers.

He has about a 100 copies, if you want to buy a hard copy of the book at a discount ( $12.95 plus s&h if needed). Cash, or check, we cannot handle credit cards yet. Let me know.

My review: I would not normally read a Western, or a book with paranormal activity or time travel; however, I could not put this book down.  I initially read it as a favor to my dad, but I can say that I actually enjoyed and am looking forward to the next book.

The book is great for men, women, young or old.  There is romance, mystery, politics and more all wrapped up neatly.

The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts

Yes, I have admitted in the past and will admit it again, I read romance novels occasionally.  My mother started me on them when I was in college.  I think it relates to watching General Hospital as a child, teenager and adult. At least I am not a reality tv junkie!

Anyways, Nora Roberts published this 4 book series starting in April 2009 with "Vision in White" then in October 2009 "Bed of Roses" followed by "Savor the Moment" in April 2010 and last but not least "Happy Ever After" in November 2010.  It follows the journey of 4 women who have been best friends since childhood, the building of their successful business and falling in love.  During the time I was reading the series I was engaged and then married, which just added to the books. (Engaged in April 2009, married in December 2009.)  And what girl doesn't like a love story, and multiple that by 4 separate but intertwined love stories!

These are also quick, easy reads.  I will admit I stayed up way too late with all 4 books, because I wanted to see how they ended up falling in love.  Of course this meant finishing them in just a few days and then having to wait MONTHS for the next book to be published.

So sit back, relax and read about Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker.  Get lost in their world: their work in weddings, their love life or lack there of, and how loss has shaped their lives.

Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs

Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs is the third installment in her fiction series that started with The Friday Night Knitting Club, then Knit Two.  It's been awhile since I have read the first two books, but I remembered that I liked them enough to download this third book.  And being that it is Christmas time, I felt it was the perfect time to read it.  Once I started the book, the other two books came flooding back to my memory.  Knit the Season is a perfect read for this time of year.  It dives into the real reason for the season . . . family, friendship, new beginnings, and the awesome possibilities of what the future may hold.  This book takes place a few years after the second book, and the main character, Dakota, is now in college.

This book is a quick, easy read, that is somewhat predictable.  If you've already read the first two books, pick this one up at the store, borrow it from a friend or the library.  If you haven't read the first two books, and have extra time of your hands, go ahead, dive in. They are not a must read.

Safe Haven

I believe this is Nicholas Sparks' 15th book and most of them have similar themes - small southern coastal town and what basically is a damsel in distress.  The majority of his books deal with secrets and the finding of true love in an unexpected place or in an unexpected way.  Nicholas Sparks does not disappoint in his newest book, Safe Haven.

I do give Sparks credit for writing another book that is a page turner.  I finished in just 2 days, because I wanted to know what happened next.  It has the perfect amount/combination of mystery/suspense, tragedy, love, heartbreak, friendship and self-discovery.

So if you are looking for a quick read that is typical Nicholas Sparks' style, pick up Safe Haven or better yet borrow it from a friend.

"The White Queen"

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory is a must read!  This book is what is called historical fiction.  Gregory mixes fact with fiction to create a story that you cannot put down.  Since the story takes place in the 1400s in England, Gregory utilizes the historical facts that are available and fills in the missing pieces, mastering a wonderful fictional story. 

A friend recommended this book to me because her book club is reading it for their November book.  She had read Gregory's famed The Other Boleyn Girl and had already started this book and said she could not put it down.

So I went home and downloaded the book to my Kindle and flew through it!  I couldn't put it down.  I will say that the ending left me wanting more and wanting it to wrap up.  The next book, The Red Queen, does not appear to be a continuation, but it begins in history before The White Queen, but I am happy to see that there is a third book, The White Princess, which might wrap it up for me. 

I already knew that I loved reading biographies and autobiographies, but now I realize that I love historical fiction as well.

As much as I want to read another Philippa Gregory book immediately, I was given a (physical) book by my mom to read, and since I have read all of  Nicholas Sparks' books, I will now read Safe Haven. 

"The Help"

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is an AMAZING read!  More than once I had to make myself put it down and go to bed.  The author tells the story so that you feel like you are present during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi.  She twists together the lives of the of the white southern families (especially the women) with the lives of their black help, mainly their maids. 

The book has 3 story tellers within it, 2 maids: Aibileen and Minny, as well as one white woman, Miss Skeeter, who does not agree with the segregation and discrimination that is all around her.  Miss Skeeter is young but strong willed. She is an unmarried, college graduate whereas all her "friends" left college to marry and start families.  She wants to be a writer and make a difference in the world.  Even though the book is a work of fiction, it definitely shines a light on the history of the south, the relationships between the help and the children they tend to, as well as the relationships dynamics between the help and their employers.

Take the time and read this book . . . you won't be able to put it down.

What am I currently reading?  The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, which is incredible so far!

Finally Finished the Stieg Larsson Triology

Most everyone has heard about the first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but it is actually the first of three books.  The 2nd book is The Girl Who Played with Fire, and the 3rd is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

I started reading the books this summer and flew through book 1 and book 2; however the 3rd book was a challenge.  I actually put it down half way through because I needed a break.  I didn't want to review the books until I could review all three together.  As with past reviews, I will not go to much into detail because a)you can read the book synopsis online and b)I hate when people tell the whole story, it defeats the purpose of reading the book.

The author is Swedish, so the books have been translated.  Steig Larsson was a political activist and journalist who wrote these books in his spare time, and all three books were published posthumously.  (The author died at the age of 50 of a heart attack.)  Rumor has it that it was originally going to be a TEN part series, but only these three were finished and published.  Apparently the fourth book was around 75% done and books 5, 6, & 7 had been outlined.      There is already a Swedish movie for the book and supposedly they are about to start shooting an American version.

The first book I flew through, it is dark and is definitely a thriller. Most people I've discussed the book with have also enjoyed it, but there have been a few that have stopped reading it and refuse to read more.  The book is very wordy and give a lot of detail in regards to Swedish life, government, location, etc.  Sometimes you can get lost in all of this, but in the end you realize how important it all is.  It has set the stage for you and given you all the information you need.  To me the books reads like it is happening at that very moment.  Due to Larsson verbiage, I was able to picture it all as I read. There are multiple story lines going on, but they all weave together through the central characters, Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander.

The first book was the best in my opinion and a must read. 

The story continues with the two main characters in the second book, with the same in-depth details and verbiage.  Unlike the first book, this book dives deeper into the character of Lisbeth Salander, her past and how if affects her presently and shapes her future.  If you thought the first book was dark, this one is darker.  The book falls somewhat short of the first book in overall standards, but you will see how the second book differs in regards to thrill.  There is a lot more going on, so you will have to pay close attention and keep all the new characters straight.  Trust me, start the book and make sure to finish it, definitely worth it!  It picks up steam at the end and makes you want to start book 3 immediately.

I wasn't sure I was going to make it through Larsson third and final book.  I had heard it was the best of the three, and I was excited to see where the story would go.  It started out where the second left off, which engaging and thrilling as a reader; however, it slowed down in the middle.  I actually stopped reading the book for a month and was unsure I'd finish it.  I finally picked it back up and trudged along through the middle of the book, because ultimately I wanted to know how it ended.  Boy, am I happy that I did!  I could not put the book down towards the end (probably the last 25% of the book.)

You will not be disappointed with the time you spend reading these three books, as long as you like thrillers!