I was intrigued by this book and what it exposed regarding views about people, especially children, who are disabled. The stigma was palpable especially set in rural Romania. Not just how individuals viewed these vulnerable children, but how the culture on a whole did not see value in supporting their needs when it came to basic necessities. The author did a good job in describing this.

The reading of the book, however, was difficult for me to connect with. It was overly descriptive and a little too wordy for me. The story line is good, but it took a great deal to continue reading and see past writing. I always promise honesty in a review and unfortunately that is it. I am glad that I persevered through the wordiness of the writing because the story was worth it. One thing I would have liked was a bit of a deeper ending. That also seem a little stodgy.

A wonderfully delightful fairytale that is easy to read, fun to follow, and full of interesting characters. If you like strong female leads who know what want and who they are then you will enjoy this book.

What a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale of intrigue and deception and can hardly wait for the next one to come out. Written in a manner that takes you through time, introducing the background stories of each of the characters at exactly the correct time was great. Information flowed into the story when it needed to, rather than at strange and bizarre moments that made no sense. Full of descriptive language that brought forth the beauty and enchantment of Scotland, and some of the everchanging weather as well, I never got bored while reading. Highly recommend this one to anyone who needs an escape. Oh yeah, there are enough "twists" and loose threads to make you hungry for the next book about The Keeper of Scotland.

Asa James was a book that I didn't expect. From the moment that I started to read I was introduced to a world born of secrets, deception, and lies. However, there is a softness within the why of these deceits that shape the world of Asa James. The help him learn that becoming an adult means more than taking a trade or learning a skill and that people are not always who or what they present. In the end its about learning that there is more to the world and to people than can ever be stated in a conversation.

Jodi Lew-Smith has created a classic tale of betrayal and redemption in the most intriguing way. This story starts in the upper regions of Vermont and slowly moves south only to gain momentum in a manner that I couldn't have imagined. I was never bored with this book, as a matter of fact it was a comfortable read that painted the landscape of both New England and the Caribbean. In the end, it is a well written story of coming home and understanding that home is not a place but completely within the heart.

This book was a nice surprise that I didn't expect. I'll admit that the story didn't "grab me" right away. I don't know why, it just didn't; however, it didn't turn me away either. It was just nice. Yet, the more I read the more invested I became in seeing it through. I anticipated it to be very formulaic with a story line that we all have seen of sisters at odds with one another, a would be lover, and a resolution where one big happy family takes the stage at the end. I'm not going to give any spoilers out with saying I was wrong. The book took some twists that were quite wonderful; outcomes and surprises that I did not see happening. That in my mind takes this from a nice, good book to a wonderful read. I must say though, for me, the best part of this book is learning after the fact that it is deeply based on the folklore and beliefs of the Cornish people of times gone by. That earned my respect due to the research taken to utilize these old stories in creating something new. Job well done!

From the moment I read the Prologue I was hooked. This is not the repeated theme of witch families and their powers, but a captivating tale that looks at family dynamics and how bigotry and its hatred affects both individuals and communities for generations. With each generation believing the rationale handed down whether true or not.

The characters are intriguing and Thompson weaves a tapestry that allowed me to see into the motives, hopes, and misunderstandings of each generation. She also writes very real struggles between mothers and daughters and the often broken or impossible communication that exists during the teen years. This is what I found the most realistic. Each generation believing that the one prior has no idea what they are experiencing. In turn, when each daughter becomes a mother, they understand their own mother in a way they could not have imagined. Overlaying the familial dynamics is the ever present power of a society 400 years in the past and the struggle to break free of its deeply held culture, especially when someone is completely isolated.

As a resident of New Hampshire, her description of the weather and wildness of New Hampshire's coast, and state in genera, is spot on. I could almost see such a place actually existing in our Live Free or Die state.

Well worth picking up and spending an evening with the Cole women.