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Saturday, November 18, 2006

My review of Scoop by Rene Gutteridge


ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Occupational Hazards Books are a series of books about seven homeschooled siblings whose last name is Hazard. The parents died in a freak accident leaving the kids ages 16-26 with a lucrative clown business but the kids realize that God has other plans which doesn't include being a family of clowns for the rest of their lives.

My review:

Scoop is a creative novel with a well-done plot, fantastic dialogue, and great characterization. The setting is superb and I truly felt like I worked in a television news station throughout the story. Scoop is highly entertaining with a strong theme tucked within it's pages regarding the power of a true Christian witness to nonbelievers we work with.

Scoop also contained several points of view. On the one hand, I enjoyed getting to know the cast, but as a result, I didn't feel like I had much time to get to know Hayden Hazard--the main character. I think that was the downside to this otherwise riveting novel. I suppose seeing Hayden through others' eyes did work for the book, but by story's end I wished I'd had a chance to know Hayden more, to discover the way her mind worked. I really enjoyed her philosophy of life and how well the author portrayed it through her actions. Sometimes her naive perspective was downright funny. I also thought the author did an amazing job showing the various character arcs. Well done!

Overall I'd say I enjoyed Scoop enough to recommend it. Though not "hilarious", in my opinion, it did bring me indescribable satisfaction as I perused its pages. Most importantly, I didn't experience a dull moment in this novel. Not once did Scoop feel like a chore to read. I'm looking forward to reading more about the Hazard family though future books in the Occupational Hazards series.

Scoop is published by Waterbrook Press and was released on October 10, 2006.

2 comments:

SHARLENE said...

Michelle, you asked the other day what we're reading, so thought I'd share. I just completed Richard Paul Evans' Finding Noel. This is a great Christmas read...cloth-bound with a pretty little red and gold (I think) jacket cover. I do love a nice cover! tee-hee The story was quite delightful actually, if not a tad cheesy, but who cares? It's CHRISTMAS! I just discovered that Evans is a devout Morman. Never knew that about him, but that would explain his very moral storylines. He is responsible for the best selling "The Christmas Box" and several others. Currently I'm reading Jodi Thomas's historical, Texas Rain. It's the first in a trilogy. She has written myriads of stories with Texas in the title! I think I've read every one of them! She's not a Christian author-- or maybe I should say she doesn't write Christian fiction.

After I finish this book I'm going to FINALLY read Jan Karon's Mitford series. (Just bought the complete set the other day.) Haven't read anything of hers...(am I the only one left in the world who hasn't?)

I would love to hear what some of your blog fans are reading these days. Speak up, people!

Blessings,
Shar

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

Hilarious, Shar! Hey, I haven't read Jan Karon's series either. I own most of them. I started the first book and set it aside after chapter one. I didn't get into the story. I may try again later, though. :)

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