The Awakening of Abraham Brown by Graeme Richard Smith Review

Abraham Brown, Patch Hancock and Indigo Templeton are three American servicemen, separated from their platoon, biding their time in southern France during the Second World War, when they are captured by a group of Renegade Nazi soldiers. This is a meeting that will change the lives of all three men, their captors, and those of the many people they will encounter in the days, weeks and years following that fateful day.

Abraham and his two compatriots manage to escape from their bonds, into an adventure which is both violent and spiritual, causing each man to examine his inner self and become closer to his associates. The people they meet, including those who may not survive, will affect them all profoundly, and even shape the strategies of entire countries.

My Review;

This is a book that is close to my heart. My Great Uncle was a Prisoner of War during World War II, and the Battle of the Bulge. Because he was captured, they sent my grandfather home, and a few years later he had my mom. I completely understand about chance encounters and how every action has a reaction. That is what I think this book is about. How soldiers give their lives for our freedom and they risk it all. Their lives and their futures are only part of what they risk. I love the quote "Freedom isn't Free". I also recently learned the story behind the Star Spangled Banner, and This book made me think of all the different things that can happen to a soldier and all the different people that they can meet. This book is a great read about family. A soldiers family with his fellow soldiers, with his country and with his relatives. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, from RMS, however all opinions are my own.

Blue Sun, Yellow Sky by Jamie Jo Hoang Review

Title : Blue Sun, Yellow Sky
Author : Jamie Jo Hoang
Date Published: December 12, 2014
Genre:

Fiction, Women's Fiction

Hailed as “One of the best technical painters of our time” by an L.A. Times critic, 27-year-old Aubrey Johnson is finally gaining traction with her work. But as she weaves through what should be a celebration of her art, a single nagging echo of her doctor’s words refuses to stay silent—there is no cure. In less than eight weeks Aubrey is going blind.

Traveling on a one-way ticket around the world with childhood friend Jeff Anderson, Aubrey is in complete denial. But a blindfolded game of tasting foreign foods in China jolts her into confronting the reality of her situation. So begins her quest.

In this adult coming-of-age story, Aubrey struggles to make sense of her crippling diagnosis. But on her journey she finds a deeper understanding of herself and her life—sometimes fragmented and complex, but always with relentless truth.

My Review:

I could relate to this story because my father had a stroke during open heart surgery and it left him blind. I often wondered if it would have been easier if we had time to adjust and prepare for his handicap. Aubrey is lucky in a way because she has the time to earn braille and to set up her routine. She decides to see the world while she still can. She has her friend Jeff with her, and they were good travel companions. Aubrey starts to realize her other senses play a part in her everyday life too. Like the smell of certain cultural food. There is also a lot of traveling and site seeing, which was interesting to read about. With her sight gone she can't do her job like she used to. However what she is able to do is see life from the inside, rather than through her eyes. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from RMS, however all opinions are my own. 

Courage Comes by Daniel Thomas McDonald Review

Title : Courage Comes
Author : Daniel McDonald
Description : Creeping out of their sleepy little village on an idyllic summer morning, all Mort and his best friend Nihlus wanted to do was play games of heroes and villains, clashing swords in imaginary worlds fraught with danger. Though on this fateful morning, their play is interrupted when they see smoke on the horizon.

When the men of Hamlet vanish without a trace in the wake of an unlikely attack, those who remain are left with far more questions than answers. As the hours turn to days a shadow of fear creeps over their village and the boys realise that someone has to act, someone has to do something - that they must answer the call.

Accompanied by their young friend Tesa, and the allies they make along the way, the pair embark upon a dangerous journey that takes them beneath the perilous canopy of Goldleaf Forest and beyond - quickly realising that there is a larger world beyond their quiet village and there are far worse monsters out there than anything their vivid imaginations can conjure.

A tale of friendship and bravery in the face of adversity. The discovery that no matter how afraid you are, if you persevere and fight onwards - ultimately Courage Comes.

My Review:
This was a really good book about not knowing what you can achieve until you are put to the test. Mort and his friend had no idea what they escaped when they left their homes that day, but they were determined to find out answers. I liked that these characters were not born heroes, but rather had to become heroes. Courage can mean different things to different people. There were a few different ways that Mort was courageous. I definitely think that not everyone has all of them but I do hope that we all have some courage inside. You always know why there is smoke, however I am not sure that I would want to know how it got there. I am giving this book a 4/5. I can not wait to read more books in this series. I was given a copy to review from RMS, however all opinions are my own.