There Will Be Stars by Billy Coffey

When one of the blurbs on the back speaks of the lyrical writing, you know this is going to be a different read.

And, to be sure, it took me a while to get comfortable with the style of Coffey's writing.

The setting is down south. Bobby Barns is a father of two boys and not exactly the assumed hero. He has a lot of character flaws.

After an accident, Bobby discovers he's in something akin to the movie, Groundhog Day. And he finds others who are in similar situations.

This is a very deep book. It will take you a while to get used to the writing style and the way the characters talk. You might even have to reread the first few chapters. But if you stick with it, you may find yourself deeply moved by the ideas Coffey explores with Bobby and his fellow "turners"

The reader's guide at the end provides a little assistance in understanding some of the themes within, but these are real-to-life presentations of people. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, a bit of dark and a bit of light in them.

You may not even fully comprehend what you read once the book is over, but you will be pondering this story long after it's over.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Curse by Steven James

This is the conclusion to James' Blur Trilogy. But not really.

We've followed Daniel Byers through his bizarre blur experiences - seeing dead people who help him solve horrendous crimes. Now he is with a group of his friends and they will be thrust into situations that anyone else would be calling their parents over.

But these kids can't because that wouldn't make an enjoyable story.

Steven James is extremely talented in storytelling. I have enjoyed his Bowers Files series. This trilogy was a bit weird but engaging as well. He built an interesting yet slightly off-center world with these books and I was hoping for some fantastic, head-whipping reveal about the blur abilities.

I just don't think I got it.

Don't get me wrong, the story is great and the pacing is right on the money - keeping me reading through all hours. The way he wrote the interactions between the teenagers returned me to "those days". He captured some of the awkward goofiness too.

The ending was even left slightly ajar so that more stories could told if James feels the need to return to this world and most people, I bet, think he will at some point because he's done this before - The Bowers Files series was supposed to come to this climactic conclusion and then he still writes more stories with the characters.

This is a good book. I didn't think it was as good as the first one. But the characters came to a kind of end of this arc.

I will obviously keep reading whatever he produces.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Skyscape Publishing

The Never-Open Desert Diner by James Anderson

I must have been in just the right mind-frame to read this book. Once I finished it, I thought "I don't typically read this kind of novel but it was really good. Until the end."

This is the first novel by James Anderson and it has a film noir quality to it. It's one of those things where it feels slightly off. (At least to me) Not even in a small way but just enough to cause you to think it's not normal.

The desert of Utah is a strange place but for truck driver Ben Jones, it's his home and job as he drives up and down Route 117 making deliveries for the inhabitants.

Not a lot really happens for 90% of the book. You meet the characters through Ben's eyes and his opinions of them and Anderson does a fantastic job with words and prose to make you feel like you're sitting in the cab with Ben as he makes his rounds.

The owner of the titled diner and his grumpiness, the brothers who seem to not be entirely all right in the head, the preacher who carries a cross as he walks the route, a couple other characters, and then a strange woman who plays the cello.

You slowly learn more about them and particularly the cello playing woman, to whom Ben becomes a bit attached.

The progression of the plot is slow but satisfying.

Then the climax builds near the last 10% of the story and things come into focus and upsetting.

I remember thinking, "What in the world is going on?" as I finished up the last three chapters.

I'm glad I read this book. I think Anderson has a real talent. The Utah desert was a unique setting for a slightly offbeat story.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Crown Publishing.

VeggieTales League of Incredible Vegetables

VeggieTales has their over version of The Avengers.

There was another group of heroes back in the day called The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which this title is based off of but most of the kids will think of The Avengers when watching this movie.

A new villain wants to freeze the city in fear. LarryBoy can't tackle him on his own so he needs the help of more heroes.

Junior is the character that learns the lesson about fear and turning to God.

The animation is solid. The acting and message are top notch like they typically are from a VeggieTale flick.

The most important thing for parents to know is that my two boys were glued to the screen when this was playing. In fact, they request it now for every movie night. It isn't too scary for young eyes and they learn a well-known but valuable lesson in turning to God when afraid.

The theme song is performed by The Newsboys so you know it will get your kids up and dancing.'

The bonus features were surprisingly substantial.

The only thing of critique is, from an adult point of view, I thought the Silly Song was a bit weak this time. Hairbrush song, it was not.

This DVD was provided for review, at no cost, by FishFlix.

You can find Veggietales: The League of Incredible Vegetables for only $5 and hundreds of other Christian Movies at FishFlix.com.

The Art of People by Dave Kerpen

I think I understand why Kerpen put the subtitle to this book: 11 Simple People Skills That Will Get You Everything You Want.

I don't like it though. It put in my mind the stereotype that this is just another surface level How-to-get-ahead-with-people gobbledeegook.

I say that because after reading this book, which was fantastic by the way, I don't believe the skills explored inside will get you everything you want.

With all of these John Maxwell wannabes, there is something to their persona that not everyone who will read their books have. Kerpen has it and it has worked out well in his art of the sale.

Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book. It revolves around gaining success and influence. Going in with hesitancy, I wasn't expecting such a fun read!

The chapters are very short and to the point. Inside you'll find eleven parts: Understanding Yourself and People, Meeting the Right People, Reading People, Connecting with People, Influencing People, Changing People's Minds, Teaching People, Leading People, Resolving Conflict with People, Inspiring People, Keeping People Happy.

Four or five chapters make up each part.

Reading this feels like sitting down with Kerpen and having him chat with you about his experiences. You'll find yourself underlining and highlighting parts of this book.

The anecdotes are fun and informative. The advice is fairly straight forward but helpful in their own repeatable way.

The subtitle could have been changed but all in all this is a great, quick read.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Crown Business.

Heroes of the Bible Treasury 6 Books in 1

This is a fantastic collection of books for your young reader.

It's part of the I Can Read level 2 so get ready for complete sentences and bright illustrations from David Miles.

Inside you'll find the stories of: Noah, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Queen Esther, and the Paul. They are the perfect length for my son to remain engaged.

I've found that they create good starting points of conversation about these characters. Many times my son has asked follow-up questions when we finish the story.

This is a great collection and I would recommend it to anyone with a young reader.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Zonderkidz Publishing.

The Progeny by Tosca Lee

Tosca Lee has written a story that feels like she mixed Memento with something from Dan Brown.

Emily has no memory of who she was but someone wants her dead. How's that for a tag?

There are many twists and puzzles throughout this first book in a series. (Be prepared for a cliffhanger ending) For the first section, you'll find yourself playing catch-up with what's going on with Emily and why she is where she is and why in the world did the author start the story as if you've already read a prologue.

But it's all for the purpose of the story.

You will find yourself questioning every character: "Are they a friend of Emily's or do they secretly want to kill her?" In fact, there are so many characters that you may need a "cast of characters" list in order to keep them all straight.

This is a globetrotting book so be ready to go to places you aren't familiar with. And if Eastern Europe isn't your thing, you may be getting a bit bored with the confusing locations.

The constant flipping of sides on the part of the characters really dropped me out of the plot. I think her fans will gobble this book up, but I'm not sure if it will win her too many new ones.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Howard Books.