Reviewed by Desere Steenberg, South Africa
359857
First of all let me start by saying this book is not for the faint of heart, it involves a lot of heart wrenching , gut tearing real life happenings that will make the strongest of strong brake down in tears.

Princess Al- Saud teams up with author Jean Sasson and let's the reader in on every single detail of life in Saudi Arabia as a woman. It's a hard life , there are no nice days, no good things, no understanding from the male race at all, only the hope that someone will take pity and help you get out of the everyday hell.

Ladies , take  a moment and think about how easy your life is when you get up in the morning, you can wear what you want, eat what you want, drive to work, go to school, become whatever you want to, and there is not such thing as having the fear of giving birth to a girl and then because your husband wants to avoid any embarrassment befalling the family name , he goes out to the desert and buries the child in the sand and you never see her alive again, there simply are no basic human rights for any of the woman in Saudi Arabia.

The author and Princess take you through the lives of the woman who suffer at the hands of men and the absolute disgraceful manner of having to be told to not this and to this and that each day of their lives. Such as the story , which I will tell you will forever remain in my mind- of the abandoned mother of twin girls , alone , desperate and at the end of her rope, she was rescued by the Princess and now has a life of her own , and best of all she lives in safety with her family.

Many innocent woman's stories are discussed and dissected and really puts the reader at the front row, I felt every emotion, cried every single tear with these woman and felt my heart rejoice for those who make it out but my heart also shattered for those that simply are not as lucky.

As I said this book is not for the faint of heart, but if you want to know what life is really like for other woman, or if you feel your life is miserable , then read this book you will find that your life is not half as bad as the lives of these woman , trapped in an endless battle of being ruled but those who they cannot fight.

5/5 star review - Highly recommended read

" Life behind the veil hides more sorrow than the world will ever know"

** Copy received in exchange for a honest review
2033829
Hot off the Press was a quick, sweet and entertaining read! I love that it's set in Cape Town, amazing city! The writing is good, feels like you are in the moment, good use of all the senses. I'm left wanting of more dialogue though, story feels rushed at times, and some heat! The action bits were entertaining, and I hope I never meet someone like the villain in this story. The plot also includes creating awareness of LGTBI issues which I think is awesome. Can't wait for Ridgemont University book part 2!
1779117
Very informative rags to riches and beyond story of South Africa at the turn of the century - the century that began in 1900.  Our hero goes through all kinds of adventures with South African beasts, both 2 legged and 4 legged.  He always prevails, sometimes being hurt, sometimes losing friends. In between the shooting and trekking adventures he finds lovely women to bed and has no compunction to seduce the wives of his friends.  Not to worry, it all turns out well in the end --- for some of the characters.

I enjoyed the insights into the Boer history.  The story includes real people, including the young Winston Churchill.  It enlightens the reader to some facts about the bad treatment given Boer civilians by the British, the toughness of the Boer population, and the way the Boers fought the Brits.  It appears that soldier volunteers could ride home almost whenever they wanted to.  On their return to the fighting they could join whatever unit happened to be in the area.  It is a fun read.  I recommend it for adventure readers and those who would like to know about a war that was little publicized in America.
2185584
I like the book and would read more of S.S. Lange!!
2185059
I have known Henda for many years and she is a dear friend. I heard her story before I read it and its better the second time. She speaks with a lovely South African accent and she writes just as beautifully. The book allows you to stop, think, reflect and reread portions that resonate. Bravo my friend!

SRD
3097438
I thoroughly enjoyed your story about being camp Manager at Tau Camp in Botswana.  I laughed, almost  cried, shared the fear you experienced and  many other emotions you had during your year in the Bush.  Your descriptions of the camp and guests were so vivid I could almost feel like I was there.  Wonderful adventure story which I thoroughly enjoyed!!!!
4877365
Have you ever thought about leaving everything behind and stay on a farm in South Africa - well, I did. If you wonder how it would be, then read this book.

 This book follows an important section of South African literature: plaasroman (farm novel), based on the platteland. It started with Olive Schreiner's novel, The Story of an African Farm (1883), and many others followed. I might glimpse the reason for it: while living in Joburg, I always thought that life would have been better on the platteland, the farm areas of the (old) Transvaal: that is the soul of the country, which directed its political course, not the multi-cultural but impersonal cities, abundant with western values, detached from traditional South African values.

This book was thus illuminating, as it depicted in the first part the microcosm of a rural town in the Karoo - with all its contradictions and difficulties. Like Adam in the book, I also though that the nature of rural South Africa would have probably saved me: it is of no avail, when your soul is lost and you are a looser. The book describes brilliantly a group of disenfranchised individuals with a past but not a future - I think the first part is actually brilliant, the one based in the little karoo town - the section which is based in the city, is again impersonal, as much of life there.

I give it 7 starts for the first part, and 3 for the last one - in total 5. Good read. Enjoy it!
361593
I'm delighted with the Amazon Kindle which I received as a Christmas present.  Was a little worried what the reading experience would feel like, but although it's obviously not the same as the real book, you also have that special feeling of ownership of the text.  Particularly nice to order a book (at a reasonable price) and receive it immediately!  Thank you Amazon for your excellent service.  South African reader.
1599487
The Lady Roughs It in South Africa.
A fascinating story of a Lady of the Realm caught in the middle of the Boer War. It is quite surprising when Lady Sarah uses her skills and her position to change intolerable situations. At one stage she is held captive by the Boers in the operating theatre of their hospital in filthy conditions. There are some lovely descriptive passages of the Kalahri Dessert and later in the book of the Victoria Falls. However the Blood of the Churchills is pumping in her veins and Lady Sarah rolls up her sleeves to help out in the hospital in the middle of the Seige of Mafeking. A really amazing woman.
1087731
I'm not a regular reader of this genre but happened upon it in the Kindle store.  Others will write better reviews. Just want to say the story caught my attention and never let go. It's my first book by the author, but won't be the last.

My first impression was that a mystery taking place in South Africa would lose too much in the translation.  Just the opposite. The author transported my imagination to the country and I never got homesick. Can't wait to go back.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
2352270
Title: Rocky Mountain Hook Up
Series: To Love Again Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Author: Kate Fargo
Format: e-book
Published: May 29, 2015
Rating: 4.5 's

aaaaaaaaa
Main Characters Descriptions:
Dr. Isabel Chapel, 40 and divorced with 2 girls in college as well as a doctor.
Tray Taylor is not confident when it comes to women he is a student.
aaaaaaaaa
Summary Paragraph:
Isabel is a sex therapist losing clients faster than a cowboy can rope a steer in a rodeo. She decides you should live it to preach it so she goes on a mission to have a wild night of sex.
Tray has taken care of his parents for years and now it is time for him to take care of himself.

aaaaaaaaa
What I liked or Didnt like: I generally don't like serial romances but this one was worth it. I cant wait to start book 2. I liked the writing and the way she introduced the characters to each other.
4248708
I recommend all of Wilber Smith's books.  He writes wonderful historical fiction! I especially love his books of South Africa!!
1835733
Title: Flipped
Pages: 212
Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
First, Wendelin is a girl (I was surprised too). She lives with her hubby and two sons in sunny California. Her first book was published in 1997 and has since written around 27 books, mostly middle grade.
Agent: Wait for it... Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown. She is the same agent for at least Fairest and possibly Oy, Joy! as well. Yes they are accepting queries. Mail your query, synopsis, sample chapter, resume and SASE to:
Curtis Brown Ltd.
Attn:Query Department
Ten Astor Place
New York, NY 10003

I would just like to say that I have nothing bad to say about this book. It was great! Wendelin Van Draanen gave me a new way to read a book and I loved it. She took the two distinctly different points of view from a boy and a girl going through the same moments in life and showed us their very different thoughts on what was happening. It evoked all of the emotions it was supposed to at all of the right times, which in my book is the highest praise possible.

Flipped is being made into a movie as I write this. It will be out in September of 2010.

Juli Baker is a gregarious little girl of seven when she meets her new neighbor Bryce. He is dreamy and she instantly falls for his blue eyes and captivating smile. Fast forward to six years later of her drooling all over him and him trying to ignore her. She has never taken the hint and is certain that her first kiss belongs to him, if only he would take it.
Bryce and Juli do a lot of growing up their eighth grade year. Juli's eyes are opened to see more of Bryce than just his handsome face. She sees him as a weak coward, just as his eyes are opened to see that she is more than just the annoying girl who has always been his shadow. They both have flipped.

Bryce falls for her too late and Juli holds her ground on her Bryce diet... she will not give in. He calms his pounding heart and realizes that he will have to do something big to get her back. I love this part, so many guys would get it wrong and give a girl a bunch of flowers that are going to die, but not Bryce. He gives her a tree. It'll make sense when you read it.
My favorite lines were:

Turn down the chance to feel magic for fear of a little dirt? I couldn't believe it.

and

This weird feeling started taking over in the pit of my stomach, and I didn't like it. Not one bit. To tell the truth it scared the sheetrock out of me.

I give this book a nine out of ten. I recommend that Moms read this and post teens as well as early teens. I recommend it for 12 and up, but seriously if you remember your first crush... read it.
There are a few things that could bother some people. They swear to God once, call people idiots, and have a dog that they nickname the Mystery Pisser, which is an ongoing joke through the book. They also have an older daughter who doesn't eat hardly anything, some cheating on spelling tests go on, and there is a very vague reference to breasts. There is no actual kissing in the book. If it had been written for an older audience there would have been at least one more chapter, but I still liked the way that it ended.
Check out more reviews of clean middle grade, young adult, and adult novels on my blog The Buttoned Up Bodice

[...]
1929382
This is a sweet romantic adventure set in the beautiful Nambia desert that tugs at your heart-strings and tickles your funny bone. You will be drawn into the fun but sometimes dangerous safari tour business where young, sweet Naomi meets her client, the charming and kind Luca. You will root for them as they struggle through many obstacles to be together as they fall in love. The book is very well done with a strong story, rich character portrayals including heart-stirring scenes of an orphaned baby elephant. Highly recommended.
454657
Title: Zenn Scarlett
Author: Christian Schoon
Editorial: Strange Chemistry
Synopsis: When you're studying to be exoveterinarian specializing in exotic, alien life forms, school... is a different kind of animal.

Zenn Scarlett is a resourceful, determined 17-year-old girl working hard to make it through her novice year of exovet training. That means she's learning to care for alien creatures that are mostly large, generally dangerous and profoundly fascinating. Zenn's all-important end-of-term tests at the Ciscan Cloister Exovet Clinic on Mars are coming up, and, she's feeling confident of acing the exams. But when a series of inexplicable animal escapes and other disturbing events hit the school, Zenn finds herself being blamed for the problems. As if this isn't enough to deal with, her absent father has abruptly stopped communicating with her; Liam Tucker, a local towner boy, is acting unusually, annoyingly friendly; and, strangest of all: Zenn is worried she's started sharing the thoughts of the creatures around her. Which is impossible, of course. Nonetheless, she can't deny what she's feeling.

Now, with the help of Liam and Hamish, an eight-foot sentient insectoid also training at the clinic, Zenn must learn what's happened to her father, solve the mystery of who, if anyone, is sabotaging the cloister, and determine if she's actually sensing the consciousness of her alien patients... or just losing her mind. All without failing her novice year...

MI FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Zenn Scarlett is the heroine of a dystopian future full of aliens. She is my favorite character, she is the main character because she has the most appealing personality, and because she is the protagonist. I like that she is independent and she does not give in to the difficulties, she is one of these heroines that does not need anybody  to defend her.

Opinion: I had the opportunity to read Zenn Scarlett through NetGalley and I read it during  the Easter Holidays. This book is  easy and fast to read, I read it in the car on the trip from Zaragoza to Murcia.
The story is very entertaining as the author takes you into a new world full of aliens, new universes and galaxies.  Almost all the characters are secondary, I wanted to see more of Liam because it looks like he has feelings for Zenn but very little happens. I missed more romance, but that's something that usually happens to me because I'm a hopeless romantic.
The dystopian future in which this story takes place is wonderful, as the author explains in such detail that I really imagined that I was living on Mars with the characters. I loved that is not the typical dystopia in which everything goes around policy.
Actually, I was very surprised by this book and I really want it to be publish,  in order to get the second book as soon as I can.

Punctuation: 4,3/5
489086
Was only expecting delivery around 6.11.09.
Recd goods almost 1 week earlier. Which was outstanding.
Although postage and shipping cost were pretty
expensive. Overall it was well worth it. I could not get a copy of this
edition anywhere in South Africa. Even though I had
contacted all leading book sellers in the country.
So thanks to Amazon I finally have a copy of my very own.

regds
Loshnie
South Africa
2104940
Renee Pretorius is an Afrikaans meisie from a farm in the Karoo. I was an English farm girl from the Transvaal. Renee was a ballerina, I rode horses. And, like Renee, I came late to the struggle, my awareness growing after I left home and went to university. Renee went to Cape Town, I went to Wits. Her family were conservatives, mine were liberal and yet I could relate to her naivet; so many of us, at that age, at that time, were sheltered and unaware. The novel is beautifully penned, every detail is rich, accurate and atmospheric, with the ending a political and personal triumph. I would not constrain this book to young adult readers but would say that anybody interested in South Africa or the dynamics of growing up within that kind of world, should pick it up and read it.