Location: United States
Member Since: Aug. 21, 2011
Donna Lawrence
Books
This member has not published any books.Smashwords book reviews by Donna Lawrence
- My Perfect Wedding
on Sep. 27, 2011
My Perfect Wedding by Sibel Hodge can be described as 'chick lit'. Remember that before you pick up this book. It is a great book for a beach day or a lazy day at home. The book is an easy, quick read. You can read it in an afternoon. I read it while sitting outside my son's school waiting for him to get out. On the way to her wedding, Helen Grey ends up in jail. Yes jail.. What a way to start a marriage! This book will have you laughing out loud. Think Lucy and Ethel...I still get a kick out of them.. Timeless humor. Sibel Hodge has mastered this kind of humor. Most of Helen's problems are of her own making. She perpetually has her foot in her mouth. Unfortunately, I read this book without reading 14 DAYS. The first book in the series. I have since purchased it and will reread Helen's story after reading book one. Helen and Kalem are great characters. Reading this book has made me wish for a vacation in Cyprus. Ms. Hodge did a great job describing the place, now I would like to see it for myself...someday.
- Driving to BelAir: A Novella
on Sep. 27, 2011
Driving to Bel-Air is a book full of wonderful characters. Real characters, people the reader can understand, sympathize with, feel anger towards and finally, accept. This book would make a great TV movie--hear that LIFETIME? Dale left behind his dysfunctional family for a better life in , where else but New York City. After the death of his father, he returns to the family he left behind. His father requested the family bring his ashes to Bel Air.. Dale is slowly persuaded to take the journey. What a journey. I don't want to give away spoilers. The journey is a time of growth for everyone. Dad is probably watching from heaven saying 'about time'. Read this book. It's a quick read and an enjoyable one.
- Weezie, the Elephant with Allergies
on Sep. 30, 2011
Weezie The Elephant With Allergies. What a wonderful book. Weezie is, as the title suggests, an elephant with multiple allergies. He lives in an orphanage. Everytime prospective parents come to meet him, he sneezes all over them.. I can see small children laughing hysterically at the descriptions of snot puddles on the floor. Acceptance comes Weezie's way when he is eventually adopted by someone who doesn't care about his allergies or his sneezing fits. A wonderful childrens' story certain to entertain. Illustrations were wonderful.
- Weezie, the Elephant with Allergies
on Sep. 30, 2011
Weezie The Elephant With Allergies. What a wonderful book. Weezie is, as the title suggests, an elephant with multiple allergies. He lives in an orphanage. Everytime prospective parents come to meet him, he sneezes all over them.. I can see small children laughing hysterically at the descriptions of snot puddles on the floor. Acceptance comes Weezie's way when he is eventually adopted by someone who doesn't care about his allergies or his sneezing fits. A wonderful childrens' story certain to entertain. Illustrations were wonderful.
- Denibus Ar
on Oct. 22, 2011
Received this book from LibraryThings member giveaways for an honest review. Books with an archaeology theme are my downfall. I just can't get enough of them. Throw in a paranormal aspect and I'm in heaven. This book was no exception. The author has an impressive ability to combine Egyptian archeology and the paranormal aspect of a "mystical connection with a long dead Pharaoh of UpperEgypt". I enjoyed reading this story and hope for more from this author. I liked the main character of Carl Langley, the Australian archeologist. He reminded me a bit of Indiana Jones (always a good thing!)
- The Devil of DiRisio
on Nov. 02, 2011
I enjoyed this book. I read it without the benefit of reading the first in the trilogy. I was unfamiliar with the challenges Sonya faced throughout her early life. This book begins when she is 17 years old and studying at the DiRisio. Her boyfriend has joined her in Italy and is a basketball player. I found the characters to be likable, but I felt Sonya was a bit too naive to be matriculating in Rome at her young age. Overall, an enjoyable read. I have purchased the first in the trilogy and look forward to the last book.
- Effie At The Wedding
on Nov. 02, 2011
Effie at the Wedding is a very short, quick read. The story chronicles the wedding day of older sister, bride to be. "The thin and pretty one" and the maid of honor, younger sister, not so pretty, insecure and slightly overweight Effie. Effie likes to make lists, her lists are witty. Most of the story takes place in the bathroom where Effie is hiding away her insecurities, until her sister arrives and she realizes that she (older sister) will always be there for Effie. -love the cover -should have been longer -want to see what happens to Effie now Perhaps this could be a series of short stories
- Twenty-Five Years Ago Today
on Nov. 10, 2011
This is not my normal genre. I saw this book on LibraryThing and thought it sounded good. Boy, am I glad I read it! Very well written and fun read. I was hooked from the beginning. It's been a very long time since I've read a who-dun-it without figuring out (before the last page) who did it! It is always fun to be surprised at the end of a story. The characters in this novel were wonderful. The dynamics between Kris and the members of the newspaper staff is one of the better aspects of this book. I love reading about power struggles! The writing is straight forward. This is a quick, easy read for mystery lovers. Definitely worth your time. On a cold winter night, curl up with a cup of steamy hot chocolate and read this book. Just remember, to paraphrase Kris Langely (via Stacy Juba) "It's hard to understand tragedy if it hasn't been part of your life" I loved this line and wanted to somehow incorporate it into my review.
- Gears of Wonderland
on Nov. 29, 2011
Let me begin by saying, I love the cover of this book. I am automatically drawn to a book with a great cover, and this one's a winner. I am also new to the entire steampunk movement but I find it's a lot of fun! I love the combination of steampunk and wonderland in this book. Jason Anderson has created a story that Lewis Caroll would like. I don't like to reveal or spoil the story with my reviews, just buy this book- it's a gripper! You won't want to put it down until you're finished. When I was finished, I found myself looking for more pages, and rereading passages. This wonderland has kingdoms with wars, flying ships and other fun stuff. James is a wonderful character (no pun intended). He visits a land he believed to be just a story from a book. He becomes involved in an amazing journed. I hope to read more from Mr. Anderson. I can see more adventures for James in Wonderland.
- Saturation
on Dec. 30, 2011
I've had this book for a while. It was given to me by the author for an honest review. I've put off reading it because I thought it might be a difficult read. I've had first hand experience with dealing with alcoholics, and it is not a pleasant experience. I've become somewhat jaded as I've seen the 'falling off the wagon' far more than success with sobriety. Jennifer writes about her struggles overcoming alcoholism. Have you ever been driving and come upon an accident, seeing the police and ambulance at the scene? You know how we all slow down to 'peak' at what's happening? That's how I felt while reading this book. I was watching as Jennifer went through her voyage of self discovery. I don't think I would have been able to express myself as well as she has. She doesn't hold anything back. I found myself rooting for her to maintain sobriety- I want to see her succeed. I would love to read about her a few years down the road, Good Luck to you Jennifer!
- The Devil's Legacy
on Jan. 18, 2012
A wonderful story! This book is full of 'what ifs' and 'maybes'. Imagine what would happen today if the Elgin Marbles are discovered to be fakes? The real marbles having been stolen over 200 yrs ago. A "Pandora's Box" exists with information about the true marbles and the theft. Everyone is involved from the monarchy to the Prime Minister and museum director. This books goes back and forth between multiple times in history to explain the story of the marbles. The book involves a colorful cast of characters from Napoleon to Winston Churchill to Queen Victoria. A fantastic exciting debut from author Tom Jackson