A Deadly Game is a seriously good, fast-paced, must read for any mystery fan that lives in Kentucky or enjoys a good scavenger hunt. This one is a race against the clock to save a kidnapped child. I relished the clues, trip around the state, and the budding romance. I will definitely be on the lookout for more Virginia Smith. Do you have a favorite Virginia Smith read? 4 stars
O.K. so Belly Laughs didn't actually make me belly laugh. But it does provide honest and candid information about what really happens to a woman's body during pregnancy. The stuff no one likes to talk about and What to Expect When You're Expecting glides right over, is the stuff Jenny happily reveals. I must say her take on several aspects really stuck with me and that makes Belly Laughs a quick must read for first-time expecting mommies. 3 stars
Baby Changes Everything (Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35) is geared more towards second (third, fourth, or fifth) time moms. This one tries to be supportive and encouraging but came across as more of a downer with minimal real advice dispensed. While it didn't work for me, I could see it being helpful to Christian mothers of grown children who are suddenly expecting again. 2 stars
While Anya's Ghost definitely has cool art, I found neither Anya nor her ghostly friend likable. In the end I was relieved. Not for Anya but for the poor people (her mom and brother) that love her. 1 star
O.K. so Belly Laughs didn't actually make me belly laugh. But it does provide honest and candid information about what really happens to a woman's body during pregnancy. The stuff no one likes to talk about and What to Expect When You're Expecting glides right over, is the stuff Jenny happily reveals. I must say her take on several aspects really stuck with me and that makes Belly Laughs a quick must read for first-time expecting mommies. 3 starsBaby Changes Everything (Embracing and Preparing for Motherhood after 35) is geared more towards second (third, fourth, or fifth) time moms. This one tries to be supportive and encouraging but came across as more of a downer with minimal real advice dispensed. While it didn't work for me, I could see it being helpful to Christian mothers of grown children who are suddenly expecting again. 2 starsWhile Anya's Ghost definitely has cool art, I found neither Anya nor her ghostly friend likable. In the end I was relieved. Not for Anya but for the poor people (her mom and brother) that love her. 1 starWhippersnappers: The story doesn't hold back. There is teen smoking as well as mentions to murder, sex, and sexual identity.
Reviews Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
Credit: Thank you Tea Time with Marce for making this review of Belly Laughs possible.
Haha! Well I see you're reading baby books now!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check my book lists to see if i have any good recommendations.
Walltowall: A little bit. Comes with the territory. But I must admit, I think I prefer doing my research online. ;) Let me know if you think of anything grand.
ReplyDeleteIf Belly Laughs tells you everything that happens to your body during pregnancy, I can see why it didn't make you laugh - it would probably be enough to make you cry! lol Thanks for the reviews.
ReplyDeleteBermuda: LOL True true! :D I also spent allot of time nodding in agreement or grimacing.
ReplyDeleteDeadly Game sounds good, I do love playing scavenger hunt.
ReplyDeleteBelly Laughs - i'm glad you appreciated her direct advice even if it didn't make you laugh. I found online advice the best. iVillage was the ultimate 5star site in my opinion.
O you are SO right. I don't know how mama's did it before the net ;)
DeleteI've heard quite a bit about Belly Laughs, but haven't read it. I can imagine Jenny McCarthy's bluntness could be a little scary.
ReplyDelete& thanks for the heads up on Anya's Ghost. I was hoping the biggest kiddo would enjoy that one. Now I'm thinking maybe not. It sounds a little mature for him.
How old is your oldest? :)
DeleteThanks, Juju! That first one sounds awesome, I'll have to grab it!
ReplyDeleteDeadly Games sounds really interesting. Belly Laughs has me worried...and a bit scared. lol
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that Jenny says the things some of the other pregnancy books gloss over. When I'm pregnant, I want someone to just tell me like it is:)
ReplyDeleteOh that was Wham bam alright ;) Deadly games does sound good and so does Belly lough I think I'll read the first one and save the second one for later :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun reviews! I love Love Inspired books so I'll definitely have to try A Deadly Game!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteXOXO~ Renee
Not many hits in that bunch!!! I think I'd be scared to read that McCarthy book!!
ReplyDelete♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Deadly Games sounds good but anything involving harming a child gives me the heebie-geebies, unfortunately. And Anya's Ghost? I'm glad I read your take on it.
ReplyDeleteI feel ya! I'm the same way with children, animals, and old people. But don't worry this one is clean and safe.
DeleteWow, I had no idea Anya's Ghost was so loaded with teen material. I'm glad you reviewed it.
ReplyDeleteYou rock at Wham-Bam!
ReplyDeleteHuh. Why would What to Expect When You're Expecting gloss over anything. How can you really know what to expect? Good to know that Belly Laughs doesn't hold back, but I'm sure there is also a lot of maternal instinct involved too.
I hate Anya's Ghost was disappointing! I've been curious about it. I think I'll pass, though!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the wham bam reviews...short and too the point, unlike my posts. LOL. Surprised on the last one there...especially by the straight forward content. Hmm, curious. Thanks for the share!
ReplyDeletelove the baby book reviews LOL , haven't read those books yet and thanks for the honest reviews :)
ReplyDeletethe first one looks good to me since it's set in Kentucky!
ReplyDeleteRight? Me too. You don't find many of those.
DeleteA Deadly Game sounds good, and I'm definitely a fan of a good scavenger hunt :)
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews! Interesting to hear another take on Anya's Ghost because all I've heard is positive things. It's definitely moving to my "library" pile as opposed to my "to-buy" pile. Thank you for the great honest review!
ReplyDeleteGood call :)
DeleteBelly Laughs looks and sounds like a fun book. I should remind me of that book when I know someone is pregnant. Anya's Ghost, ooh, 1 star = bad! Not going to get that book.
ReplyDeleteYour reviews are short and to the point. Love that! That first one looks like a great read, and since I love mysteries, I'll have to try it out one day.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Anya's Ghost, but I'll steer clear. And I'm kind of in the mood for a good mystery (maybe because it's almost winter and mysteries seem like good books to read when I'm cozy and warm inside--is that strange?), so I'll be on the lookout for Virginia Smith books!
ReplyDeleteI love how you did these reviews! I've heard so many good things about Anya's Ghost, but I'm glad to hear your take on it. I don't think I would like it either. I'm really glad you enjoyed Belly Laughs! I loved McCarthy's startling honesty throughout the whole book.
ReplyDeleteGreat shorties :D
ReplyDeleteJUJU- I loved those minis...straight and to the point perfect...;)
ReplyDeleteI read Belly Laughs when I was prego with number 2, the snail trial chapter cracked me up!!!
LOL OMG yes! I remember that chapter.
DeleteI read and reviewed Belly Laughs as part of my Quest for a Pregnancy Book that doesn't suck. I really enjoyed it, like you said it really provides a unique point of view.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tina - really liking these short reviews!
Off to write my review for Sweet Inspiration. I'm linking to you on the review since I never would have heard about that book if not for your blog!
http://www.deadtreesandsilverscreens.blogspot.com
You're so sweet :) Thank you!
DeleteShort and to the point, excellent! It's a shame that you were unable to connect with the characters in Anya's Ghost because I've been looking at some sample images and I really like the animation. Oh well!
ReplyDeleteIt does have excellent graphics. You should check it out. Good luck!
DeleteI've been curious about Anya's Ghost. Thank you for your honest review!!! :)
ReplyDeleteNow I am curious about what "honest and candid information about what really happens to a woman's body during pregnancy" (not that I am pregnant or have ever been :) I like that you called this wham bam 4-3-2-1 lol :)
ReplyDeleteI love the short reviews. I want to do something similar for books I didn't have much to say about. I think it's so sweet that you are reading up on being a mom. Hope you are doing well!
ReplyDeleteFun! I think that I am going to give the Belly Laughs book to a young friend who is expecting for the first time. I never would have if not for your review. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by and entering the Nell Hill Book give away.
~Liz
Thank you Mam'm! I would imagine the jenny McCarthy book to be honest and down to the knitty gritty. She doesn't pull any punches.
ReplyDeleteA Deadly Game sounds like a great mystery! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry that Baby Changes Everything wasn't a good source. My daughter has a 9 month old and is expecting twins - she needs all the help she can get.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Oh wow. Congratulations! Twins? I recommend tons of coffee (if she's not breastfeeding of course)
DeleteI love these Wham-Bam reviews! I'm interested in reading A Deadly game.
ReplyDeleteDude!!! I LOVE it! Short and sweet! Deadly Game sounds good!
ReplyDeleteOh I like these Wham-bam reviews. I've seen Anya's ghost somewhere but it isn't coming to me right now. It doesn't sound like my type of read.
ReplyDeleteShort and quick, I like these reviews. I thought Anna's Ghost would be better too.
ReplyDeleteJuju, you say the most succinct and eloquent things in but a few lines. You, m'dear, are a genius :)
ReplyDeleteHope you're well!
*blush*
DeleteI like these tiny reviews!! great idea. I liked Belly Laughs okay, you are right that it does go into what "What to Expect" does not. Baby Laughs was good too and I thought that one was better.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine when I was pg. I thought it was funny and gave me the real scoop on what to expect. Although I think afterwards, there were probably some things I didn't want to know after all.
ReplyDeleteLOL Now you have me wondering what those things were.
DeletePS I miss you! ;)
A Deadly Game is not my genre but might just pick this one up :)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Belly Laughs I immediately called my sister who is a mother of two to ask her "Really, does this really happen?" I did get a chuckle or two out of it. What to Expect was a little to much for me.
ReplyDeleteLOL I know what you mean. My jaw dropped a few times. ;)
DeleteAww.. I just loved Anya's Ghost so much! Esp the graphics!
ReplyDeleteIt does have great graphics :)
DeleteI love this concept, Juju - - I have some books that I have read that I simply have not had time to review yet. I might steal your idea - - giving you full credit, of course.
ReplyDeleteAre you expecting???
I was yes :)
Delete