Standoff

Standoff by Patricia Bradley

3 stars.  Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending me this book to review. 

This is the first in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.  Brooke Danvers is becoming a Law Enforcement Ranger.  She is ready to be commissioned by her father, a LE ranger himself,  and work  while learning from him.  Unfortunately, there are many road blocks in her way to becoming LE Ranger Brooke Danvers.  This book starts out with drug, money laundering, and accounting books that the numbers don't add up.  Within the first chapter you are introduced to Brandon who is gathering information to build a case to show the unlawful actions of his employer.  Chapter 2 you are introduced to Luke Fereday (former high school sweetheart of Brooke Danvers) who is working undercover back in his home town.  His excuse for visiting is his grandma Daisy's recent surgery and her needing care following rehab.  Chapter 3 another character is introduced- Kyle- the father of Brandon- who is staking out a drug drop going down within the national park.  As you can see multiple characters, multiple story lines, and that is where I struggled with following the book and finding the story believable. 

I liked Brooke a lot, but felt like it really was more Luke Fereday's story- high school jock returns to home town, while no one knows he is undercover trying to find evidence to put a major drug dealer behind bars.  I liked the premise of setting mystery/murder in a national park.  Alas, just not the right mystery for me. 

Untamed

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

4.5 stars.  I have fallen back in love with Glennon's writing.  I first fell in love with her writing when I found and devoured her book "Carry On Warrior".  I remember writing down so many ideas/quotes from that book.  I just really felt like it was some of the best authentic writing I had read.  (Her writing reminded me of another of my favs- Anne Lamott).  Then came her next book- "Love Warrior".  This book spoke less to me, and I felt like it was not the same voice I came to know in "Carry On Warrior".  Enter, "Untamed".  I again am so in awe of her honesty, her smart writing style and her way to tell her story which speaks to my own story.  Thank you Glennon for this read.  Very needed and WOW do I have some pages full of notes/quotes/ideas from this one.  Here are some of my favorites from the book.  

pg 28 We're like snow globes: we spend all of our time, energy, words, and money creating a flurry, trying not to know, making sure that the snow doesn't settle so we never have to face the fiery truth inside us- solid and unmoving.  

pg 56 When a woman finally learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.  

Pg 75 We do not need more selfless women.  What we need right now is more women who have detoxed themselves so completely from the world's expectations that they are full of nothing but themselves.  What we need are women who are full of nothing but themselves.  A woman who is full of herself knows and trusts herself enough to say and do what must be done.  She lets the rest burn. 

pg 180 Five flavors of cream cheese is not how to make a child feel loved.  Five flavors of cream cheese is how to make a child an asshole.  

pg 201 The truth is that it matters not at all what you think of my life- but it matters supremely what you think of your own.  

pg 206 (The following is in regard to the election of our current President of the US)... "No listen- this feels to me like we've hit rock bottom!  Maybe that means we're finally ready for the next steps.  Maybe we'll admit that our country has become unmanageable.  Maybe we'll take a moral inventory and face our open family secret: that this nation- funded upon "liberty and justice for all" was built while murdering, enslaving, raping and subjugating millions... Then maybe we'll gather the entire family at the table- the women and the gay and the black and brown folks and those in power- so that we can begin the long, hard work of making amends.  I've seen this process heal people and families.  Maybe our nation can heal this way, too."

pg 209 If I want to know how I'd have shown up in the last civil rights era I have to ask myself: How am I showing up today, in this civil rights era?

There is more, but I must stop, for I don't want to give ALL the good stuff away.  This book made me want to work on my life and be a better human being. I think that is a sign of a good book.  Thanks Glennon!