Book Review: Storming the Black Ice

Storming the Black Ice by Don     Brown

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Once again, I feel like I'm in the minority because I didn't love this book.  To sum up, the book is based around the idea that the British have found a huge oil deposit in Antarctica and have a base set up researching and protecting it.  They are attacked by Venezuela who is working with Argentina and want to take control of the deposit as they are worried about another country getting a piece of the fuel money pie in South America.  The book follows various characters, my favorite being Austin Rivers, a Leftenent in the British army I believe, who is stationed at the base in Antarctica. His story was the most interesting to me as he has a son (from a one-night-stand he has begun a relationship with as well as keeping in touch with the mother.  The author does a great job of painting the picture of the big burly army dude baby talking at his son. Various other characters are introduced, though often fairly quickly dismissed as their subs are sunk! I thought there would be more suspense and espionage, though this really is a very much a military novel, following the attacks and defense of subs as well as Rivers, his fellow army man, and the civilian engineers' capture and subsequent treatment.  This book is published through a Christian publishing house, though  honestly, I found very little Christian content in it, other than a character or two who are or have become Christians (not in the novel's timeframe), and people occasionally talking about praying. Overall, I did enjoy the book even though it wasn't what I was expecting.  However, it was one of the other main characters, Pete Miranda, who really kind of ruined the book for me.  I was ok with Pete, although he really is a ladies' man but at the beginning of the book meets a girl who then follows through out the book as his love interest.  However, I really felt their relationship was more of a lustful one that anything with substance.  Its frequently mentioned about how amazing she looks, how he feels when he looks at her, but really nothing to substantiate any kind of solid relationship is presented at all.  The whole thing felt unnecessary and silly, especially when he invites her to visit his family in Texas at the end.  The whole relationship is very sexual, and yet he (though never showing any spiritual inclination) wants to avoid a sexual encounter with her when she tries to seduce him over peach pie at her apartment.  One of the last sentences of the book has Pete saying that they are going to "finish that peach pie".

Honestly if you are just looking for a fairly clean military novel, you'll probably enjoy this. But if you pick it up thinking its going to be a Christian military suspense novel, i think you'll be sorely disappointed. I won't read it again, and won't be rushing to pick up any more of this author's books either. Not to say I wouldn't read one at some point, but its definitely not my favorite.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my  honest review.

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Book Review: Life Support

Life Support by Candace Calvert

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this story. The book follows Lauren Barclay, an ER nurse who has returned to her home town to help her parents deal with her irresponsible sister who is also bipolar (though no one in the family admits this). Eli is a physician's assistant dealing with his own issues, an overbearing arrogant father who degrades him about his profession and professional opinions, especially with regard to his older brother who is mentally and physically handicapped from an accident when they were children.  The story follows them as their problems collide and magnify and their relationship changes.  It's pretty much a romance and family drama, with a peek into the ER atmosphere which (most likely due to the author's career as an ER nurse) seems very realistic.  I enjoyed the story and the characters for the most part though I was SO frustrated with Lauren's wishy-washy, defensive attitude about her sister.  It seemed like she was so quick to fear that her sister had done something wrong, very enabling to all her sister's irresponsiblity, but also very quick to become angry at any insinuation that her sister needed help. I imagine though that this is fairly true to life as many normal, well-educated people don't see or refuse to see the things going on in front of them. My only other criticism would be that at the end of the story, it seemed like I blinked and everything was wrapped up and over.  All the issues were solved without any effort or drama, everyone just suddenly admitted their issues and it was over.  It was a little anticlimactic for me.  But i enjoyed the process and it was a book I would recommend to lovers of Christian dramas/romance.

I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

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Pattern Testing: Georgia Twirl Dress

I did snag a pattern test for L in this last batch, the Georgia Twirl Dress. This is the last of my pattern tests for Shwin & Shwin for this round.  The pattern includes both top length and dress length.

Photo by Shwin & Shwin

Here's L's:

This is such a simple and cute pattern.  Its hard to tell, but the entire thing is a wrap, the skirt is split down the back as well, so it is SO simple to get on.  The two buttons hold it together and the full circle skirt wraps over itself enough that there's no panty views!  Always a good thing...

 She includes an option to make it fully reversible by making the two skirts the same length or using a fabric with no wrong side for the underskirt. Everything is very well constructed and the seams are all hidden. 

The bodice construction above makes this so simple to put together. No armholes to hem and sew, just the slightly curved pieces that overlap.  

I actually meant to follow Shauna's lead and have the top skirt and bodice match, but I accidently cut the bottom layer as the longer one, and didn't have enough fabric of the smaller print anyway.  I'm ok with it, I like the way it turned out and still coordinates together.  

And speaking of fabric, this is the first one in a while I didn't upcycle!  I actually won a fabric giveaway and had picked this out to do something for myself... oh well. It look so cute on her, i can't really complain!

This pattern goes from 12-18 months to 8 years old, so still tons of usage!  Several options included and you could even take the layers even shorter if you like the peplum look... 

I believe this is my last pattern test to blog... finally!  So we'll see what comes off the machine next!  I have quite a list/pile in my sewing room/dining room... The first ones will probably be practical projects before I get to more clothes, sale stuff, or other fun things...

Pattern Testing: Apple Loungewear!

I think the very first thing I did for Shwin & Shwin was the Apple Loungewear Top and Leggings.  It's a sweatshirt type top with leggings. I wanted to do the high/low hem option but it didn't fit on my "fabric"... I upcycled... a womens top I think?  I can't even remember... I believe the leggings and cuffs and neck cuff were from a pair of women's large capri leggings I got for a couple bucks at the big W. 

(again, terrible pictures... thankfully Shauna at Shwin & Shwin is not picky about pics and just wants to see fit...)

The sleeves were a little long on her so they are rolled up, but I really loved this one! I don't think L has worn it since, but I'd totally wear it in my size! I think it looks like the comfiest thing ever, and so cute on her!  

She really seemed to enjoy wearing it that night... one of these days I'm going to force it on her!  A great thing about this top pattern is that its actually designed to be used with woven fabrics.  Its so loose fitting that it doesn't really need to stretch. So you have so many choices for fabric if you aren't cheap and mostly upcycle...!

And there are pockets!  Sneaky pockets in the side. Anything with pockets is a definite yes in my book... While pockets may be intimidating at first, they are really so simple to add in, especially this kind in the seam.  And who doesn't like places to store your treasures...

I love that its nice and long. I'm definitely in the "leggings are NOT pants" camp.  I figure there's no use allowing it now, when she's six and skinny as a stick if I'm going to be not allowing it later...

Super simple and cute.  We have a new baby on the way, in case you haven't heard, and if she's a girl, this is definitely on the list.  Especially for the years where she has no say in what she wears and can't hide it away in her closet...  The pattern goes from 3-6 months to 8 years.  These pdf patterns are amazing in terms of how much use you can get out of them if you start early, so if you haven't tried one yet, you should!!

Pattern Testing: Desmond Jacket

Another pattern test!! I was so excited to test this one, I have loved this pattern... also from Shwin & Shwin, the Desmond Jacket!

This pictures are horrendous... I'm obviously not a pro blogger!  but anyway... I upcycled a very large pair of women's pants for this jacket, and lined it with some fleece I've had stashed away for awhile. 

 The jacket has this cute rounded yoke at the back with a tab detail. I love the look of it.

If I remember correctly, the pattern actually doesn't have the seam down the middle, I think this was actually an original seam from the pants leg... yup, they were a VERY large pair of pants... the extra large women's clothes section is the BEST place to get fabric...

Funcional welt pockets (lined with fleece, yum!) and cute button tabs on the sleeves.

I sewed this for E, but actually sewed L's size 5. He actually did wear the jacket some though not so much now that it is so cold! However,  L modeled it for the fitting review.  So, another great unisex pattern if you girly it up!

Book Review: Distortion

Distortion by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This review has a couple spoilers so if you really want to read this book, don't read the part in light grey towards the end! 


This book was a fast read for me, it's a mystery novel mainly concentrating on four siblings, 3 of whom dabble in working for a private detective (who is dating one of them) and who are drawn into another mystery when Juliet's successful doctor husband is executed before her eyes.  They conduct their own investigation, partly working with the police and FBI. This book is a tough one. I liked the story idea, I was drawn in and wanted to know what happened.  The idea of the hidden life of the husband was intriguing.  Now, if you typically enjoy Christian mystery novels and Blackstock's work in particular, and are not super detail oriented when reading,  stop reading this review right here and go get the book.  You'll probably enjoy it immensely. I'll give you a second to click the little x at the top of your screen...



For me however,there were just too many things that seemed illogical or tweaked to fit what the author wanted to happen. The first was that Juliet as sent home the night of the murder with a bag of her husband's effects, cell phone, wallet etc. She is the first to hear a message threatening her husband and their family. Now, I'm not in law enforcement, but I have never read a book or seen a movie where the victims personal items were not kept as evidence. It seemed like the author just wanted to advance the story and give Juliet a reason to start digging. There were many similar things. The police did not gain access to his computer files, home office, work office, etc until Juliet and Co. had a chance to search it and offered it to the police because of what they found. When Juliet is wired by the FBI to talk to her husband's mistress in hopes of gaining information, she is allowed to decide where they go afterward and who she tells what she found to (she includes the PI and her sister) and the FBI just follows her around like puppies. There were so many things like this that took the enjoyment out of the book for me. And the end of the book was terrible. Spoiler: Everything wrapped up so quickly and when the FBI come in and start executing everyone, there is never any explanation of why or how they were involved in the drug ring. I did appreciate Juliet's "sacrifice" at the end, but again it felt just thrown out there, and that the author could have done a better job of fleshing it out. 

I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them but I don't think I would recommend this unless you are a reader who can whiz through and not focus on the details!


I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

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Book Review: A Stillness of Chimes

A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent novel. The book follows Laura (after some reminiscing about experiences in her youth) as she returns to her hometown to get her mother's affairs in order after her death.  Laura finds out that there are rumors that her father, a Vietnam Vet with PTSD, who was to have drowned in a lake ten years prior, may not be dead and has been surviving in the mountains.  She spends time with her old friends, Carrie, who is like a sister to her, and ex-boyfriend Sean as she tries to determine whether the rumors are true. I definitely was engaged in the book and couldn't wait to find out whether the rumors were true and what was going to happen!  The book has quite a few twists and turns and is more of a book about the relationships in the story than a mystery book, though there is a bit of that as well.  I really enjoyed this book and cried my eyes out at the end.  The only criticism for me, is the fact that Laura gives up her relationship with Sean because she can't imagine having his abusive father as a father in law.  It seemed slightly unbelievable that, even though she obviously loved him, and still has feelings for him, she can't see past this point and wonders what genetics would affect their children despite the fact that Sean is a wonderful, loving, kind man who has obviously overcome his upbringing. This is a Christian novel, though it is not at all overwhelming and rarely discussed; It actually seemed like a very minor point in the story which is actaully a bit of a second criticism. I think that anyone enjoying clean romance/mystery would enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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