WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

I have wanted to see this movie since it came out in the theaters. I missed that opportunity, and anxiously awaited its arrival at the store…and purchased it. But before I did so, I bought the book. Big mistake. I was determined to read the book before I watched the movie. Not an easy task when I have the movie sitting on my shelf and several books I’m committed to read and review. Last night I gave in and popped it into the DVD player.


Wow, it was everything I hoped for and move. LOVE it! I love both Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, so I was sure I’d like it, if for no other reason than having the two of them as the main characters.

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous, hearing there was some abuse of animals. That always gets to me. Other than that, there wasn’t a bad scene in the movie. It was fast paced, kept my attention, never lagging, with a wonderful ending.

Product Description

ACADEMY AWARD® Winners Reese Witherspoon* and Christoph Waltz** join Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga) for this epic tale of forbidden love based on Sara Gruen’s acclaimed best seller. Against all odds, a veterinary student (Pattinson) and a beautiful circus performer from a bygone era (Witherspoon), meet and fall in love through their shared compassion for a special elephant. But their secret romance incurs the wrath of her dangerously volatile husband (Waltz).

KISSED YOU GOOD NIGHT by GLORIANA

As an inspirational romance writer, this video and song screams a scene begging to be written in a novel.

I dropped you off


Just a little after midnight

Sat in my car

Till you turned off your porch light

I should have kissed you

I should have pushed you up against the wall

I should have kissed you

Just like I wasn't scared at all


I turned off the car

Ran through the yard

Back to your front door

Before I could knock

You turned the lock

And met me on the front porch


And I kissed you

Goodnight

And now that I've kissed you

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight


You couldn't see me

Watching through the window

Wondering what went wrong

Praying that you wouldn't go

You should have kissed me

You should have pushed me up against the wall

You should have kissed me

I was right on the edge and ready to fall


So I turned off the car

Ran through the yard

Back to your front door

Before I could knock

You turned the lock

And met me on the front porch


And I kissed you

Goodnight

And now that I've kissed you

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight


I turned off the car

Ran through the yard

Back to your front door

Half scared to death can't catch my breath

Aren't these the moments we live for


And I kissed you

Goodnight

And now that I've kissed you

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

It's a good night, good night, baby goodnight

SOME NIGHTS by FUN

SOME NIGHTS by FUN inspires me as a writer. The lead singer has so much emotion in his voice and actions as he sings. He inspires me to create scene as emotionally charged as he sings SOME NIGHTS.

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck; some nights, I call it a draw


Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle

Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off


But I still wake up, I still see your ghost

Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for

What do I stand for? What do I stand for?

Most nights, I don't know anymore...


This is it, boys, this is war - what are we waiting for?

Why don't we break the rules already?

I was never one to believe the hype - save that for the black and white

I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style


That's alright (that's alright).

I found a martyr in my bed tonight.

Stops my bones from wondering just who I, who I, who I

a-a-a-am, oh who am I, m-mm, m-mm.


Well, some nights I wish that this all would end

'Cause I could use some friends for a change

And some nights I'm scared you'll forget me again

Some nights I always win (I always win)


But I still wake up, I still see your ghost


Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for

What do I stand for? What do I stand for?

Most nights, I don't know...


So this is it? I sold my soul for this?

Washed my hands of that for this?

I miss my mom and dad for this?


No. When I see stars, when I see stars, that's all they are

When I hear songs, they sound like a swan, so come on

Oh, come on. Oh, come on.


That is it, guys, that is all - five minutes in and I'm bored again

Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands

This one is not for the folks back home; I'm sorry to leave, mom, I had to go

Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?


My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called "love"

But when I look into my nephew's eyes...

Man, you wouldn't believe the most amazing things that can come from...

Some terrible lie


The other night, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had about you and me

I called you up, but we'd both agree

It's for the best you didn't listen

It's for the best we get our distance...

RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES by NIKKIE AND SCOTT ROYER

Title: Raising Beef Cattle for Dummies

Author: Nikkie and Scott Royer
Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (July 3, 2012)
Pages: 360

If you could have seen the look on my families face when they spotted RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES, by NIKKIE AND SCOTT ROYER, sitting on my desk… We may live in a small suburban community, but cattle are not permitted. That left one blaring question…what on earth was I doing with a book on how to raise cattle.

I’m an aspiring Christian fiction writer, and one that loves a good story that often includes a ranch or farm, where the hero wears a cowboy hat and boots. My reason for ordering this book was to gain knowledge for my stories. And yes, a not so hidden dream to one day living on a ranch or farm.

RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES has everything you expect to find in a DUMMIES book. It’s packed full with everything you’d need to know and more, about raising cattle, including diagrams and charts. As always with DUMMIES, it’s written in simple terms.

As an author doing research, RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES can provide you with the correct verbiage for cattle names, such as the list on page 24. You can also come up with little tidbits to incorporate into your story, for example a steer curling their lips, as on page 326.

I spotted on the cover the name of the authors farm, and looked up their website. There you can find a video about the Royer Farm Fresh Beef, Lamb, and Pork, getting a glimpse into what they do. After watching the video, I was reassured that the book was written with not only knowledge, but heart.

So whether you are new to cattle raising, or would like to start from scratch, or just looking to gain knowledge of what’s involved with raising cattle, RAISING BEEF CATTLE FOR DUMMIES is the book for you.

Website: http://www.royerfarmfresh.com/  

HER HOMECOMING COWBOY by DEBRA CLOPTON

Title: Her Homecoming Cowboy

Author: Debra Clopton
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 24, 2012)
Pages: 224

Wow, what a great story. One would think a person could only read so many of what I like to call “Cowboy stories”. I don’t know if I’d ever tire of them…as long as they are well written, with a fresh plot and characters, and that is exactly what DEBRA CLOPTON has accomplished in HER HOMECOMING COYBOY.

Annie Ridgeway has wrestled with the idea long enough. Now she needs to act on it, even if it goes against her sisters dying wish. Even if it means picking up what little she has and moving near the cowboy in question.

When a woman with a kid shows up in Colt Holden’s life, the last thing he expects is to discover he’s the kid’s father. The kid may think of him as his bull riding hero, but Colt isn’t worthy to be call his daddy. Not when he’d committed such a horrible act. One he couldn’t forgive himself for.

I’ve read every single book by MS CLOPTON. Each is just as good as the next. Her characters are unique, with well thought-out situations. She always has that right amount of tension between the hero and heroine. I marvel at the great lines she delivers.

Page 144:

“When Annie stepped into view, her silken golden hair glistening, his stomach tightened, his heart suddenly plunged to his boots, and his hands dampened. He knew without calling the doctor that he had a major aliment.

Oh yeah, he was sick all right. Sick in the head. What had he been thinking? That she was beautiful, full of fire and coals, and spunk.”

Okay, I’m ready for the next one. Bring it on.

CRAZY GIRL by ELI YOUNG BAND

Baby why you wanna cry?


You really oughta know that I

Just have to walk away sometimes



We're gonna do what lovers do

We're gonna have a fight or two

But I ain't ever changing my mind



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?



I wouldn't last a single day

I'd probably just fade away

Without you I'd lose my mind



Before you ever came along

I was living life all wrong

The smartest thing I ever did was make you all mine



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman, come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?

Like crazy, girl



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like



Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately I love you like crazy, girl?



Like crazy

Crazy girl

Like crazy

Crazy girl

THE RANCHER’S SECRET WIFE by BRENDA MINTON

 

Title: The Rancher’s Secret Wife
Author: Brenda Minton
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 24, 2012)
Pages: 224

BRENDA MINTON is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read just about every book she’s written, and love them all. THE RANCHER’S SECRET WIFE was no exception. As soon as I saw the cover I was hooked. The title was an extra bonus. Those things are important tools to draw me in with books by other authors, but when it comes to MS MINTON’S books, I know what awaits me inside.

Cheyenne Jones is just stopping by Dawson, Oklahoma to check on the man she married six months ago. She has no plans of sticking around, even though she has no one to count on and nowhere to go. When the grandmother of the man she came to see, insist Cheyenne opens up the old Barber Shop in town, she finds the offer too hard to refuse.

Reese Cooper is known for taking in strays, but when he up and marries a woman he only knew for a few hours, his family doesn’t know what to make of the news.

When Cheyenne unexpectedly shows up at Reese’s parents, he isn’t about to let her walk out and face life alone. Not when he can take care of her…or can he? Even if they did have an agreement and even if that agreement didn’t include love.

I just love Reese Cooper. Then again I love all of BRENDA MINTON’S heroes. I really like her heroines as well, which isn’t always the case when I read a book by other authors. In THE RANCHER’S SECRET WIFE, MS MINTON delivered many amazing lines that had me sighing.

I loved the uniqueness of Reese’s situation. I now have a new found awareness of those with his “disability”. I can’t tell you how many times I said, “Wow, I never thought of that challenge.” Many of us have thought briefly about what it would mean to lose our eyesight, yet in reality we have no clue.

You know when you read that special line in a romance novel that sends tingles down your spine. In THE RANCER’S SECRET WIFE, I felt that sensation so many times I lost track. Reese was that tender.

I can’t wait for the next relationship to blossom in Dawson, Oklahoma. If you have yet to read about the other wonderful characters in this quaint town, do yourself a favor and pick up the other stories.

HOMEFRONT HERO by ALLIE PLEITER

Title: Homefront Hero

Author: Allie Pleiter
Publisher: Love Inspired (May 1, 2012)
Pages: 288

I must say that ALLIE PLEITER continues to amaze me with her historical novels. Her writing style for them is so different then her contemporary, yet there is still that touch of Allie, that makes her books so great with the wonderful lines she delivers.

Leanne Samples is a Red Cross nurse with a job ahead of her that doesn’t include a handsome Captain who doesn’t intend to stick around. When she gets a glimpse into the real Captain John Gallows, her heart softens towards the man.

John Gallows may be injured, but there’s no way he’s going to let that stop him from getting back on active duty. This nonsense of being the poster boy for the war effort won’t cut it. When faced with an opportunity to knit a pair of socks in trade for his early medical release to active duty, he takes it. The last thing he expects is to fall in love with the woman giving him knitting lessons.

HOMEFRONT HERO is a delightful read with a unique storyline. ALLIE PLEITER was able to incorporate her skills and knowledge of knitting to the story to add authenticity. The hero was not your typical hero, with an injury that made his character come to life.

HOMEFRONT HERO is not only an pleasurable read, but educational. I really enjoyed learning about the Red Cross, the knitting of socks during the war, and the devastation of the influenza epidemic. The way MS. PLEITER wove different aspects of the characters journey, was remarkable. The story seemed to evolve more than your typical Love Inspired book, with an ending that was phenomenal.