Book Review: Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne

Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne by Cody Young

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Golden Bay Press (October 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0473194031
• ISBN-13: 978-0473194031

I’m seventeen and he’s twenty-one. That’s okay… isn’t it? He drives a Lamborghini. So what? He was born in 1462. Uh-oh. He seeks revenge, but there is one person standing in his way. Me. On a high school trip to London, Madison Lambourne meets seductive stranger Johnny De Vere, who believes he knows her already, and is torn between love and revenge. Eager to learn more about this beautiful, lonely young man, Madison agrees to go with him to a re-enactment at the Tower of London. Dressed as a highborn medieval lady in a black velvet gown, she accidentally slips through a doorway that leads to the past. Knowing she will not last long on the streets of medieval London, Johnny must follow her… with devastating consequences for them both. A wild time-travel adventure full of love, lies, mystery and betrayal.

Ok, first of all the cover is good but it’s not that eye-catching at all.. actually what lures me to request the book is it’s unique and interesting title. And the book really lived up to that expectation.

Vampires have been all over lately, but with “Johnny doesn’t drink champagne”, paranormal meets historical. It’s hard to imagine without expecting it to have characters which lived from the 15th-18th, but this book surprised me by adding another theme- time travel. So you get the picture, the heroine time-traveled back to medieval London and see the mysteries uncovered.

The book was well-researched with historical details of the princes, the tower, beheadings, and the early London. I’m always been a lover of historical, and I devoured this right til the end. It’s very descriptive that I feel like I’m in medieval times, the poverty, etc. The writing style is easy to follow and really sounds like Maddie (the 17-year-old heroine). Also the author manage to keep the reader’s waiting and thinking things out.

I love the characters, although I love to see more of Maddie’s bff. It seems she was there to faint and complain… anyway, I really loved all of the characters in the time-travel part (medieval time), both primary, antagonists, and even those ordinary people they met seemed to be unique and real to me.

There’s a lot of twist that somehow I am expecting when it happened but I haven’t really seen coming at all. I know I sound confusing but believe me, this book is hard to put down, once you start reading the unique love story, you can’t really stop until you know what happens.

The ending meanwhile really left me hanging..and I really wish I could read the second book now.. I’ll be looking forward to reading the next in the series. I would love to know what would happen to Maddie and Johnny. Romance, medieval London, mystery, vampires complete Johnny Drinks Champagne into another YA book females and males alike would read. Highly Recommended!!!




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Book Review: By the Light of the Silvery Moon

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616265515
• ISBN-13: 978-1616265519
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches

Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get onboard. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damian. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?

For the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic, Tricia Goyer had written another great novel that would make any readers reminisce the love and tragedy of the Titanic accident. This Titanic-based story is not just for its 100th anniversary though, this book is for all seasons. So I do hope, I wasn’t too late of posting this review.

With refreshing new characters, a take on the prodigal son from the bible, a dramatic love story, this book deserves to be called outstanding.

As for me being a Christian, I was really moved by the religious moments in the book, but it isn’t over the line, so readers who are believers and non-believers alike could enjoy this classic tale of tragedy and love.

Each of the characters’ fate is interwoven beautifully. They have pasts that will tug at everyone’s heart, and they have to make decisions that are totally unselfish and hard. the author gave us glimpses to better incorporate in us why things happen and why the characters act the way they are. It made it easy for me to really get to the characters and feel with them.

The writing was phenomenal; there’s a lot of emotion in it, the plot was perfectly thought of and the mixture of fiction and facts made me think that the book was well-researched and is given emphasis up to the littlest detail. As a lover of historical fiction, I was satisfied and fed by some more..:D

Actually, it’s easy to think that the book wouldn’t be so interesting or suspenseful since we know what happened, right?—the Titanic sunk. But that knowledge only made it painful as we love and care for the characters. The question keeps popping at the back of my head, “When would the ship sunk?” Anyway, when it eventually happened, I was in tears, the brave orchestra players added to it when they still played even when the ship was sinking. I really felt like I was there with them, thinking of my love ones and the things I haven’t done yet. It was really tragic.

By The Light of The Silvery Moon is a heart-wrenching novel set in a dark time of human history—the Titanic. Packed with emotions, drama,love, action, forgiveness, faith and tough decisions for life, this book would surely keep you turning the pages. I couldn’t put it down, read it in one sitting! Actually, I was thinking of reading “Chasing Mona Lisa” another book from the author :D Highly Recommended!

I received the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." Thanks so much Ms. Goyer..:D



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Emeralds Never Fade

Emeralds Never Fade by Stephen Maitland-Lewis

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Glyd-Evans Press (November 30, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983259631
• ISBN-13: 978-0983259633

Before World War II, two German boys enjoy playing piano, and one visits each week to teach the other. When the Nazis seize power, the lessons must end -- one of the boys is Jewish.

Leo Bergner, the Jewish pupil, escapes Germany while his piano teacher, Bruno Franzmann, is called to serve the Fatherland. His assignment to work at a concentration camp turns to peril as the war nears an end. With the Allied forces closing in, he risks capture and prosecution as a war criminal.

After the war, Leo begins a career in banking and uncovers a conspiracy of further Jewish persecution, involving the assets of concentration camp victims. His investigation into the corrupt dealings of his own bank puts him in direct opposition to his beloved Israel, while also jeopardizing his career, his marriage, and his life.

Bruno escapes to Buenos Aires and must begin anew, lost in a strange land where only his wits can save him. He hatches an unscrupulous plot to finance a multi-national corporation, and in time, his efforts require a business trip to London -- his first visit to Europe since he escaped.

After forty years, a lost family heirloom will decide their fate.

First and foremost I love the cover, it hints historical theme and adventure.. it’s the first thing that caught my attention to read this book..:)

Emeralds never fade is an amazing trip through historical era’s of time, especially World War II. As a Christian, I am well aware of what happened during Hitler’s time, this book is thoroughly researched and laid, that it’s hard to believe this is fiction!

The characters and scenes depicted the perspective of Jewish people at that time, it still shock me to the core like the first time I read Anne Frank’s diary, the story is sad, horrible and at the same time uplifting.

The story line is another thing, I just wish though that Mr. Lewis should have given us more of the character’s past and their real attachment to each other. The plot is wonderful and its fascinating to think that a lost family heirloom is the key. A perspective to both worlds- as of a Jewish and a Nazi, it’s a great play of fate there by the author.

The story depicts a subtle message about one’s past decisions and attitudes could completely alter ones future. A lot of conspiracy, deceit, and political issues are dealt in the story. It’s hard to understand, how war happens and why would people support people who are responsible for violence?

In addition, this book deals also with abstract knowledge, about life, faith and hope.

A really well-written book and descriptions are vividly presented. Recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and are mature enough to read the realities of war…Highly recommended!



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Blessed Are the Merciful

Blessed Are the Merciful by Joyce Shaughnessy

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1456898183
• ISBN-13: 978-1456898182

Tragedy strikes…

Nine hours after the Pearl Harbor bombing, the Japanese attacks the Philippines, starting a war against the United States that was to last four years.

Despite the horrors of war, Elton and Susan fall in love.

The American soldiers fight desperately for six months on the Bataan Peninsula, with the Army nurses at their side, rendering aid when possible.

Finally, dying of starvation and disease, the Army discovers that the United States cannot send any supplies or men to fight the Japanese because they are committed to the European campaign first.

They realize there is no escape from the Japanese. The Army ultimately must surrender.

Elton is forced to walk the Death March and to witness horrifying atrocities during the rest of the war at Camp O’Donnell, Cabanatuan, and on the Hell Ships, where Americans are murdered by Japanese cruelty and neglect.

Susan is interred at Santo Tomas and secretly aids the Filipino Guerilla movement. Following his escape from a Hell Ship, Elton becomes involved with the Sixth Army Rangers when they free Cabanatuan Prison Camp behind Japanese lines.

But their love still survives…

I’ve never been proud of my country..lol…and the people, both Americans and Filipinos who fought for freedom and peace at that time.

Ms. Shaughnessy depicts what it looks like at that time, how war really is.. Through her words, I am transported to a world of bloodshed.. I cried at some of the episodes..I felt the fear everytime they heard gunshots.. I also felt how hopeless one can get.. I’m so into this book, since I always heard what happened at World War II from my history classes, but it’s never been as descriptive as this… Like disconnected parts of the bodies everywhere, and the doctor yelling for the nurses to find the missing parts in case they could connect it again…how gross ,,yet so true…

It was a wonderful merging of fiction and history, the letters, poetry and military documents added up flavor to the book. This book is thoroughly thought of.. The author spent a lot of her time, for research and the dates are so accurate. So the resulting masterpiece, really counts as a really wonderful one..

This is truly better than my history book.. I get to relate with the characters, see and feel things in their own eyes. I could almost believe that the book is an autobiography of the war veteran.. Full of action, romance, hope and belief in God.

It made me see how war didn’t bring any victory but loss and casualties at both sides.

Blessed are the Merciful is a powerful historical romantic novel. “Love amidst war”…

A heart-touching story of bravery, romance and hope…. A great read!...




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