Review: Second Chance

Second Chance
By: Sandra J. Gerencher
ISBN: 978-0981461922

Summary via Tribute Books
The timeless tale of a boy (with autism) and his (shelter) dog. Over the past 10 years, author Sandra Gerencher has been on a mission to save dogs from high-kill animal shelters. Her first rescue was P.J., the black and white Pomeranian in the story. She also adopted the orange Pomeranians Shelby and Lil Rascal, and of course, Chance, the big black Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix. All characters in the story are based on Sandra's real life family. The book is filled with softly blended watercolor photos of her loved ones. Her most significant adoption was her son, Terry. He was considered a special needs child because he was born with a genetic disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome. The disorder can cause many cognitive disorders, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation and depression.

Review
This book allows for a through understanding of not only adoption for children and animals but talks about special needs children in the system. As I mentioned earlier in my review of Red In The Flower Bed I have next to no background on the subject of adoption but I am also in the dark about autism. This book definitely shed light on both subjects in a completely different way than the previous book in that it goes more into detail in words instead of with pictures. The pictures themselves are pretty and add to the story but are not necessary to the story like in Red In The Flower Bed which is good for older kids.

The way the author uses the dog's story to explain what constant shifting in early childhood is like, is amazing. As Chance showed, going to your new family to get answers to the many questions one has brings you closer together and helps you learn new things about one another. I think that is a great message for anyone entering a new home with a new family.

Second Chance is a great book for a child learning to live with a new autistic family member or if they are an adopted child themselves. This book is equally good for children with new pets and how to explain what shelters are and how to acclimate to having a pet. Due to the clear and curious way of storytelling I am pleased to give this book a four. You can learn more about this book, and the author and her family above by following the links above. Happy Reading!

About the Author:
Sandra J. Gerencher Biography via Tribute Books:
Sandra J. Gerencher is a special education teacher in the Bangor Area public school system. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked at Lehigh University in a school-based program, as a Program Specialist for adults with disabilities. Over the past 20 years she has worked with children and adults with special needs in such areas as counseling, Behavior Specialist Consultation, behavioral research, crisis intervention and abuse therapy. Sandra graduated from Lehigh University with a M.Ed. in Special Education (2004) and from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with an M.S. in Counseling Psychology (1999).


PBS Kids Recommended Title Award

Review: Lovers & Beloveds

Lovers & Beloveds
By: MeiLin Miranda
ISBN: 978-0981307176
Series: An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom

1. Lovers & Beloveds
2. Son In Sorrow

This book is for people eighteen and older ONLY!

Summary via Smashwords
Haunted by his mistakes, naive Prince Temmin must confront the intimate history of his ancestors and decide between the direct, pragmatic path to power offered by the King, and the more spiritual path of the Lovers' Temple. With the help of his family's immortal advisor Teacher, Temmin must make his choice. One will lead to ultimate glory for Tremont, the other to its end, but which one is which?

Review:
If you are looking for a delightful romp through a complex fantasy world you will enjoy this book. What first drew me to this book was it's description which was reminiscent of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel Series. However I soon discovered that although it has some similarities, they are very different in many more ways.

MeiLin Miranda's storytelling is very multi-faceted in what it presents which is a mix of political intrigue, a different kind of love story and a coming of age story. The main character is Temmin and through him we are slowly introduced to the world of Lovers and Beloveds. In the first part of this story we are privy to his first steps into adulthood, however he still maintains the naivety of childhood. Temmin's naivety and child-like composure at first makes many of the characters and some of the story very flat but as he grows so does our awareness of the characters and the world around him. I love the subtlety of the story's progression but at the same time it isn't slow either. The constant trials that face Temmin in the form of his family, his mentor, his kingdom, and his heart keep this book in constant motion with a spectacular ending.

The romance and eroticism of this story is extremely well written. What makes this especially unique and fantastic is that the differences between love, intimacy, and sex are very well gone over but it is not sex scene after sex scene. Through the Lovers Temple Temmin learns the differences and finds several things he didn't expect to find. One of the big things I really appreciate in good sex scenes is the use of language which when done right really makes the scene that much better. MeiLin Miranda walked the fine line and managed to neither be crude nor overly prudish. Another thing I enjoyed was the fact that there was something in the sex scenes throughout the story for everyone regardless of your sexual orientation. That in and of itself is a great feat for any author, and as I mentioned earlier MeiLin Miranda went a step further with her great use of language.

All together this book is an exciting look into things we all go through in one way or another, be it intrigue, love, sex, intimacy, and the road to maturity. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy with eroticism thrown in. Due to the uniqueness of MeiLin Miranda's approach to love, intimacy, and sex as well as the enjoyable fantasy world I happily give this book a four. I received this book originally from the author in ebook format but I enjoyed this story so much that I am picking up the paperback version and looking forward to the next book in this series.