Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Friday, October 31, 2003

Poetry Review

At the Feet of Jesus
by Daisy Augustine
ISBN-10: 1591608783
Review by Heather Froeschl

A beautiful collection of poetry that expounds the author's dedication to her religion, "At the Feet of Jesus" is a tribute to Christianity and Jesus in particular. Daisy Augustine's verses are heartfelt and inspired, full of love and feeling. She holds nothing back, it seems, in representing her beliefs and in the touching proclamation of her joy.

In loose chapters she compiles poems that reflect the feelings of Grace, Growth, Praise and Worship, and Prayer. Each chapter opens with quoted text from the Bible that relates to the poetry that follows.

Many Christians who feel deeply in, and enjoy their religion would cherish this book. It is a soothing and uplifting voice that carries the reader through from page one to the final poem in the collection, The New Millennium.

Poetry Review

At the Feet of Jesus
by Daisy Augustine
ISBN-10: 1591608775
Review by Heather Froeschl

A beautiful collection of poetry that expounds the author's dedication to her religion, "At the Feet of Jesus" is a tribute to Christianity and Jesus in particular. Daisy Augustine's verses are heartfelt and inspired, full of love and feeling. She holds nothing back, it seems, in representing her beliefs and in the touching proclamation of her joy.

In loose chapters she compiles poems that reflect the feelings of Grace, Growth, Praise and Worship, and Prayer. Each chapter opens with quoted text from the Bible that relates to the poetry that follows.

Many Christians who feel deeply in, and enjoy their religion would cherish this book. It is a soothing and uplifting voice that carries the reader through from page one to the final poem in the collection, The New Millennium.

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

Historical YA Fiction Review

Maggie's Door
by Patricia Reilly Giff
ISBN-10: 0440415810
review by Heather Froeschl

It is the great potato famine of Ireland and everyone is starving, save the rich Englishmen. Surviving on seaweed and scavenged eggs from the seabird's nests, Nory knows it is her turn. Her family has gone on, and she has nothing to hold her back.

Nory Ryan sets out, down the road to Galway, alone. She hopes to find her young brother and her neighbor Sean Red Mallon, and together set sail for America. Her sister Maggie has already arrived in Brooklyn, and waits at 416 Smith Street for her family to join her and her new husband, Sean Red's brother.

Nory's tale and Sean's are told in alternating chapters and sometimes with connecting moments that demonstrate the synchronicity of life. Sean is forced to leave his Mam and Nory's brother Patch, and when he returns they are nowhere to be found. Distraught, he hopes to find them again and manages to gain passage to Liverpool as ballast in the hold of a ship. From there he is to be the cook's assistant on another ship to America. It is the only way, and he is lucky to have found it.

Will Nory find her brother, and perhaps even her father and sister at the docks? Will she find passage on a ship, and if she does, will she survive the trip? And what of her friend Sean - they were destined to be together, or so she thought.

In a tale as old as America herself, Patricia Reilly Giff gives us a glimpse into the realities of our immigrant forefathers and mothers. My own great great grandfather an immigrant to New York, the story hits home for me, as it will most Americans. Giff's understanding and interest in the era shows and her gift of story telling shines. Maggie's Door awaits at 416 Smith Street and the journey is unforgettable. The book is suitable for older readers and adults alike, bringing history to life before your eyes.

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Fiction Review

Cerulean Blue
by Wray Miller
ISBN-10: 0972394818
Review by Heather Froeschl

What would happen if the powers of the world told us that the world was truly going to come to an end? What if they told us that there was a way to save our planet and life on earth? What if that meant that you, and every person in your family, had to be stored in suspended animation for thirty years? What if they never intended to re-animate you?

Cerulean Blue is the tale of how Uni-Corp Network is ruling the world, saving it for themselves. It isn't a matter of prestige that allows one to be placed on the real re-animation list. It is a matter of genetic makeup. Whose genes will be best for the world to build on in the future? Could it be the hard working common man who is striving to understand the habits of seals in the Antarctic? Or maybe a genius scientist who bowed down to the power and willingly went under the blue liquid with his wife and son, to be stored in a tube?

There are rebels in this book. Decent, upstanding folks who might not have fit into the gene pool of the future, and others who took a wrong turn when dealing with the United Nations Corporation. They hide out in jungles, they try to survive and they rescue others from the tubes. They might be looking for lost daughters or they might really be trying to save the world from the "saviors" in power.

Cerulean Blue is an interesting "what if" kind of book. At times it rings a little too true to reality for my comfort. Wray Miller had created an alternate reality to the present day, and it is one on which I am glad I can just close the covers of the book on. Her writing is detailed and precise, entertaining and a bit scary!

Cerulean Blue will find you turning pages and anticipating more from this author.