New Orleans Gangster

I usually read fantasy and science fiction. Today I met David "Blackie" Steece. He totally hooked me on his three books about his life. Going from gangster to hero, David's life has me wanting to read all his books. I only bought the first one today "Paradox" but I am sure I will want to read and know more. I cannot wait to read this book and share my thoughts with you all.


**** Update*****
**** Review****

I don’t know how to review this book. I loved the story or stories behind the book. Blackie the gangster, cop, and family man all rolled into one person with a whole lot of messed up. I met David Steece at a book signing. We had a wonderful conversation about his life and children. He was a very nice man to talk to. The book paints a very different picture of a man struggling to raise five daughters, using women as needed, and not sure what side of the law he wants to be on. I had a hard time following what was going on in the main story with all of the flashbacks. It took me longer than expected to read this book because I found myself getting lost. I would have to go back several pages just to figure out what the main story was. With all that said, I really did like all the flashbacks. My favorite flashback was about his daughter and vacuuming the water out of the bathtub. This book was funny, entertaining, and a good book. I as a mother and a woman had issues with the treatment of women in this book but what did I expect from a gangster?

Teardrop by Lauren Kate

I enjoyed this book. I love the idea that a young woman can cry an entire continent into the sea. The tears of Eureka Boudreaux can do so much damage that seedbearers demand her death before fate can play out what could happen. The story starts from Ander’s point of view as he has to watch his aunt and uncles kill Eureka. Ander has watched her from the day she was born and has fallen in love with her.  Ander’s family try to kill Eureka but Ander saves her. Sadly, Ander cannot save her mother. She is killed by the wave that hits the bridge. After her mother’s death, Eureka is forced to stay with her father and step mother. Eureka has a difficult time dealing with her mother’s death and tried to commit suicide. Eureka’s mother leaves her a secret message through the items that she has left for Eureka. Eureka does not even cry at her mother’s funeral. She has been told from a very young age that she must never cry. The only other time that she has cried was when her parents were fighting. Her tears caused a hurricane. This book is full of twists and turns that leads to the death of a friend or three. Brooks, Eureka’s best friend, is being controlled by the Atlantenas. One young girl’s broken heart makes Atlantis disappear into the sea and another girl’s tears bring Atlantis back. Eureka does cry and brings Atlantis back. The questions that goes through my head while reading this book is “Would you kill someone for something that they might do?” If Eureka can bring about the end of the world then do the seedbearers have a right to kill her? She does not even know she can bring Atlantis back. What would you do to protect your family? I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

 

As a mother this book torn at my heart. I loved and hated this book all at the same time. The story is about Hazel Lancaster. Hazel a 16 year old with thyroid cancer with mets in her lungs. Her mother believes her daughter is depressed and needs to go to local support group for children that have cancer. The idea that these children are described and identified by the type and location of their cancer really bothered me. It is explained in the book that depending on the stage and the likelihood of survival of the cancer some parents remove their children from school. The easiest way according the Hazel to determine how sick someone is based on if they go to school and how long they have been out of school. In Hazel’s case she has been out of school for three years. So at Support Group you meet Isaac and Augustus Waters. Isaac is going to have surgery which will leave me blind. Augustus has   osteosarcoma which as claimed part of his leg. Here is the love/hate part of the book. I really am happy that Hazel and Augustus fall in love on their trip to see Peter Van Houten in Amsterdam. So my issues. One, I hate to say it but Hazel is so selfish in almost expecting Augustus to give up his wish so she can go to Amsterdam. Then Peter Van Houten is a jerk to them but they fall in love with each other anyway. Second, how can you be happy for them? You know the ending. Someone is going to dying leaving the other heartbroken. Then on the other hand you want your child to find love before they die. Anyways, so twist here is that Augustus dies. Finally, the kicker for me is that the book leaves you hanging about Hazel just like the book in the book.

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