Reviews by LISAP

LISAP says "Great Bio about a strong Daddy's girl becoming her own woman " about Kelly Corrigan - The Middle Place

LISAP — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:06:11 GMT

"The Middle Place" by Kelly Corrigan was a suggested read by my book club, and I'm so grateful for the group of women who share reading as a passion with myself and others! This is a biography written by a funny, self-effacing, proud and brave writer who found herself battling breast cancer at the same time as her beloved Daddy was battling prostrate/bladder/whatever can take down an optimistic Catholic/Irish cancer (here's a hint, the cancer tries to star, but doesn't have a chance against these great characters!)

Kelly Corrigan writes directly from her heart, she is so entirely honest with the peaks and valleys of her journey, I was awed by her openness. George is described as a complete super hero, he is her daddy and she ADORES him. Husband, brothers, children and yes, even Mom have very important places in this chapter of the Corrigan family history, but the central theme is Kelly's struggle with cancer/chemo/still trying to be a mom/still trying to be female..all the things...

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LISAP says "Hannah Montana: The Movie is Miley/Hannah bigger and better!" about Hannah Montana: The Movie

LISAP — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:29:12 GMT

Based on the Disney Channel hit show with the preteen set, Hannah Montana: The Movie takes Hannah/Miley out of the hot LA scene and plops her right back where she came from, in Tennessee.

Hannah has grown into an out of control diva, infuriating her father (played by Billy Ray, her bio father, in case you've been in a cave for the past 4 years). So Robby Ray (yeah, that's Billy Ray's character) decides to remind Miley who she REALLY is under the blonde wig and sparkles. Miley's reactions come across very honest and real, she is a teenager, and she likes the attention Hannah brings to her.

I won't spoil the rest of the plot, but I went in expecting a hokey movie with no acting. I was pleasantly surprised. The writers really allowed these characters to have feelings and show them. It was funny, several laugh out loud parts, and the music fit into the storyline. Special appearances by Rascall Flatts and Taylor Swift adds punch to the soundtrack, but they were not exploitative....

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LISAP says "Great phone for texting, email and making actual phone calls" about AT&T - Quickfire Cell Phone

LISAP — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:06:22 GMT

To clarify my demographic, 41 yr old mother and wife. My profession is my family, my cell phone usage doesn't require a lot of sophistication. I am also completely ignoring the Iphone craze simply out of stubbornness.

That being said, this little cell phone (AT&T Quickfire) is really great. It is a touch screen when held vertical and converts to a horizontal screen that slides open to a qwerty key pad for texting and email. I was very slow to learn texting on the number pad of my last phone. This qwerty pad has solved all my problems! I love that you can actually feel the keys, they are small but I've adjusted very fast and I can spell out every word, just as a 41 yr old mother should! Texting abbreviations and emoticons do not convey my personality..sorry!

The touch screen is very sensitive, I've had to learn to back off the pressing a bit to get it to cooperate, and now we're best friends (quickfire and me!) I'm still learning how to get some functions to work, but I've...

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LISAP says "Fascinating read, especially for dog lovers." about David Wroblewski - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

LISAP — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:19:31 GMT

Just finished the novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I admittedly haven't showered or applied makeup all day because I could not put the novel down until I had completed its reading. Exceptional descriptions, the reader can actually picture the scenery the way the author writes his details. You can hear, smell, feel, all of the senses are awakened by literal atristry.

To state that this is a novel about a boy and dog is such an extreme understatement. This is a book about a bloodline of dogs and the Sawtelle family who is now breeding (successfully and beautifully) and training the dogs as service companions. The boy, Edgar, is born mute. The first to notice is the families chosen dog, Almondine. They grow up together as more than companions or siblings...as soulmates. Edgar's family is happy and all is well until Uncle Claude returns home.

There are so many mysteries in this novel, I found it really difficult to return back to past sections and reread parts that become...

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LISAP says "Slow start, but once it gets going I couldn't put it down!" about The Host

LISAP — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:04:39 GMT

Stephenie Meyers first book for adult readers gets off to a very slow start. Mrs. Meyers goes to great pains to really develop the main characters in The Host, and the readers will really appreciate this background as the story really takes off. The chapters are relatively short, that is appealing for a quick nighttime read and I thought she didn't close each chapter with that "I can't stop reading now...I have to know what happens next" feeling that really captured me in her Twilight series. Once she has fully established her characters and the action begins, the book is harder to put down between chapters.

In The Host, readers are introduced to a new earth that has been invaded by alien creatures who use human bodies as their "host". The humans typically cease to exist and the alien creatures then live out the human bodies lives. Great detail is used to describe the aliens, other worlds they have taken over in this way and how the humans who haven't been "taken over" are fighting...

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LISAP says "Great finale for an outstanding novel series!" about Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

LISAP — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:38:49 GMT

Stephenie Meyers has become a cultural phenom, especially in the female teen set, with the Twilight book series. The final installment Breaking Dawn is the best of the series and is well deserving the build up that was created in anticipation of the books release.

Mrs. Meyers wastes no time with back story in her opening chapter. The story takes us right to where Eclipse left us, and wow what a wonderful and emotionally charged opening she gives her readers. Fans of Edward and Bella are not left hanging, we are filled with their love and devotion right off the bat. The artistic description of every detail leaves nothing to the imagination, except I cannot wait to see this first part brought to life on the big screen.

Just as in New Moon, the second section of the book delves into Jacob and his thoughts. While this section is highly informative, I couldn't wait to get back into Bella's thoughts. This section is vital (as is New Moon), and Jacob has never been more heartwarming...

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LISAP says "Achieving and excelling students attend Jack Elementary!" about Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary - Tyler, TX

LISAP — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:29:18 GMT

Bryan C. Jack Elementary opened to students in August 2007. Now that one year is behind us, there is such a comfortable "school family" feeling surrounding the faculty and students at the campus. I'm not employed by the school district, but am a very active parent volunteer. The PTA has stepped up in a giant way to raise the funds needed to install playground equipment for all the grade levels in only one year.

The principal, Shauna Hittle, has put together a strong and experienced faculty. It is difficult to point to any particular grade level and notice a weakness. Our fine arts teachers are both experienced and recognized as the top of thier fields. In Physical fitness, we have another teacher who exemplifies excellence in her field.

The campus is pristine. The students have ample personal space in the large classrooms and specials rooms (art, music, computer lab). There is also a science lab dedicated to the use for 4th and 5th grade students, allowing the teachers to...

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LISAP says "Sturdy multi function device with longevity." about Motorola - SLVR L7 Cell Phone

LISAP — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:26:23 GMT

I have had my slvr for almost 2 years and it has performed highly for me. My dgtr has one too, and she has used and abused her Much more than I have mine, and it still functions perfectly.

There is an echo sometimes, and while that is bothersome to me as a caller, I have been reassured that the listener doesn't hear any interference. I use the ITunes feature often as a tool when I'm walking or running and need to have my cell with me. It is a great mom phone for that feature alone.

The phone is really so slim and sleek it easily slips to the bottom of my purse. My inability to keep it at handy access is my own my dang fault! It is very handy for slipping into a pocket when I can't carry a bag, I frequently forget I have it on me!

The SLVR is a very good phone with many features, what matters the most is the phone feature and I have had little or no problems with that. I recommend this phone for moderate to high level phone and music users. Probably not the best for email or...

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LISAP says "Good service, good plans. I'm happy with the "new" AT&T Wireless" about AT&T

LISAP — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:17:40 GMT

We have been customers of AT&T Wireless/Cingular/AT&T mobility or whatever name they go by for about 10 years and I've never had a complaint about the customer service or plan qualities. I've had the typical "why can everyone else talk on their phones in WalMart, and I cannot get reception in here" complaints, but that was due to the low quality of my brand of cell phone, not the company feeding me the service.

I've switched to a high quality Motorola phone (Slvr) that DOES get reception in WalMart! Each time I've contacted AT&T customer service over the phone or internet, they have been friendly and expedient. During the transition when we added a line and a phone, a representative called us at home to be sure we were happy and see if we needed more help. I will add a note that they tried to get us to add a texting package that I didn't think we needed, but you know what...they were right and I was wrong! I would've saved money if I had the package!

As for the roll over minutes...

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LISAP says "Love the cinnamon taste with crunch cereal and nutty pecans" about Kellogg's Special K Cinnamon Pecan

LISAP — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:18:37 GMT

This new Special K cereal has reintroduced carbohydrates to my morning routine in a very good way. I had been denying myself a decent breakfast for the past couple of years due to crazy diet demands, I needed more of boost than my two cups of coffee, and a little sugar and carbohydrates has proven to be the answer.

I LOVE this cereal! It tastes great, and if you follow the recommended portion, it isn't suppossed to be bad for you. I have been on the diet roller coaster for years, and I'm just happy to find a medium ground where food can taste delicious and still be good for you...in moderation!

This is a great tasting cereal, that is all I am qualified to review. My kids love it and I can't keep enough in the pantry. Thank you Kelloggs!

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LISAP says "Beautiful beaches, comfortable condos, wonderful memories!" about The Beach Club - Gulf Shores, AL

LISAP — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:05:38 GMT

Our family has visited Gulf Shores, Alabama and stayed at the Beach Club on two separate vacations, each wonderful and memorable. The beach is as white as any sand I've seen in the Bahamas or Jamaica and the Beach Club is out away from the busy portion of Gulf Shores and has the feel of a private resort beach.

With that being said, there are a lot of visitors at this resort, so don't expect a "private" beach. If beach side seating is your preference, rent a set of chairs and umbrella for the duration of your stay..the rates are reasonable if you intend to sit and read or relax at the beach a lot. Every condo is beachfront, we really enjoyed sitting on our balcony drinking coffee and eating whatever breakfast food we brought while watching the waves roll in every morning. There is a major grocery store at the intersection where you turn off rhe highway to get to the resort, we always stop and stock up on easy to prepare breakfast and lunch foods. If you forget anything while in...

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LISAP says "Given the chance, this book will bring you into the "Gone" story" about Donald McCaig - Rhett Butler's People

LISAP — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:55:23 GMT

I have to be very delicate with this review, as this book was a lovely gift from my family due to their knowledge of my deep love for "Gone with the wind".

That being said, this novel has a very slow start. The character development felt forced as if I may have a pop quiz later trying to recall all of the minor players. Yes, they all reappeared later in the novel, and the writer assumed his readers would research back to how they were connected to Rhett, I found the first two chapters to feel more like an English Literature assignment than recreational reading. I continued to read, however, with a gigantic smile on my face with my family watching.

By the third chapter, the author begins to blend the background of Rhett Butler with the story we all know and love and from that point on the book really takes a lover of the original story to places you never had been before and reveals events we never really understood! Silly women! I loved Belle Watling more than ever and the unbelievalble...

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LISAP says "Slow read, not as good as "Secret Life of Bees"" about The Mermaid Chair

LISAP — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:54:53 GMT

To begin this reveiw I must admit, when I read the highly acclaimed "The secret live of bees" I didn't really get the buzz (pun intended!). This novel focuses on only the main character, although it does devote at least 4 chapters in the voice of her masculine competitors. Jesse is the most self involved and over indulged character ever written that wasn't featured in a New York tell-all escapade about bad parents or bosses. She needed to find herself and in the end result was hurting her loving husband, compromising the devout vows (or almost vows) of a monk and she was suppossed to be taking care of her mentally unstable mother the entire time!

I kept reading past my usual page limit for "catch me or I'm moving on to the next book" because frankly my own life right now is so busy that I needed the monotony of this book to give me some solid ground. If mind numbing word after word is what you need to get you through your 30 minute cardio exercise, it worked for me!

After...

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LISAP says "Good indoor water fun for the entire family, clean rooms." about Great Wolf Lodge - Grapevine, TX

LISAP — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:39:48 GMT

Our local school district scheduled an early March spring break, making it difficult to find a sunny, warm location within close driving distance from our east Texas location. The Great Wolf Lodge was a perfect compromise. The large, indoor waterpark had plenty of fun to offer our family ranging from one adventurous parent, to the other who would rather have not gotten wet at all! And an easily bored 13 year old to a 9 year old who is willing to try anything at least once.

The 4+ hours we spent in the water park literally flew by, we opted to wait until check in at 4 p.m. to arrive instead of choosing the resorts offer to begin using the waterpark as early as 1 p.m. on the day of your scheduled check-in. After standing in a long check in line, it was closer to 5 before we were changed and in the water. We reluctantly had to dry off so we could feed the kids before bed. I would recommend the resort add better slide descriptions or ask the employees to be a little friendlier when...

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LISAP says "Love this vehicle, best V6 on the road !" about Toyota RAV4 - 2006

LISAP — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:41:58 GMT

We shopped long and hard before we purchased our 06 Rav4, and with our specific requirements we did a first and ordered exactly what we wanted from the factory and waited 6 weeks for our car. I'm so very glad we did!

I own a V6 Rav4 with the optional 3rd row, all the safety perks, basic interior and stereo and theft prevention. The service plan with my local dealer is not completely inclusive, but at a reasonable price they keep my safely on the road and they have been quick and efficient when needed.

The car is very zippy for a small SUV, and I can park as easily as I can in a small sedan. The third row is very easy to flip up and reset to flat. The guy at my grocery store always gets a kick at me when I'm rearranging the seats with one hand! Cupholders and other storage is plentiful, the drivers seat is a comfortable captains chair and controls are easy to understand.

I've been approached by strangers interested in purchasing my Rav4 used, especially now that gas is as costly...

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LISAP says "Relax and laugh your stress away at Sandals!" about Sandals Montego Bay - Luxury Included (All Inclusive) - Montego Bay,

LISAP — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:28:23 GMT

My husband and I have stayed at Sandals Mobay 7 times through the past 10 years, it is our favorite romantic get away and we love the beach and the staff at this resort.

We were completely spoiled on our first visit with an upgrade to the Presidential Suite. Several years and renovations later, this level of accomodations has been priced out of the regular working joe's league. Once, we were upgraded to the Prime Minister's Suite (after paying the Presidential rate) and at checkin we crossed paths with the couple who were checking out of the Prime Minister...a NBA player who we recognized! Needless to say, they have priced those suites so that NBA, NFL and movie folks are the clientele. That is unfortunate for the sweet anniversary couples who deserve the royal treatment that Sandals is so famous for providing. I will commend the resort on the bathrooms at this level, luxury all the way!

As for the beach, restaurants and water sports...beach is spectacular, restaurants provide...

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LISAP says "What a great piece of friendship literature!" about Angry Housewives: Eating Bon Bons Books

LISAP — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:05:12 GMT

As a first time reader of this author, I didn't know what to expect. The character development was out of this world, I didn't want to leave Freesia Court. I want to convince my neighborhood poker gal party to begin something more lofty like reading a book, but I'm afraid the complicated matching the food to the book theme would chase my favorite women away!

Women make the best friends once they are adults, time tested and true, these are the connections women value far more than blood and money. This novel encapsulates the life journey of 5 very different but engaging women, their husbands and their children. What I would give to be in a group as strong as the AHEB.

Read this book and learn how to be a better girlfriend. This author provides a great novel about the journey we call life with crap happening around us that we cannot control, we can only love those close and make it through to the other side.

I've already begun reading another book by this author, I love her style....

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LISAP says "Great tween music with clean lyrics." about Jonas Brothers by Jonas Brothers

LISAP — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:47:52 GMT

I've been listening to this CD constantly since I purchased it two weeks ago in preparation for the concert my dgtr and I attended last night. Once you learn the lyrics (some are hilarious..i.e. Pop and lock battle dance against Hanson in the song "That's just the way we roll"), it is very difficult to NOT sing along and really enjoy these brothers.

The Disney machine rolled out another winner here, they are really good musicians and song writers, although most of their songs sound a lot alike. I love the song "We're just friends" and my daughter really enjoys "Austrailia" both never likely to get any radio play.

And seeing them in concert is a real treat. Parents, bring your earplugs unless high pitched screaming is tolerable to you. They could've lost at least one of the warmup groups, but the Jonas Bros themselves delivered a highly entertaining hour long set including most of the songs from this disc as well as two from their upcoming disc.

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LISAP says "These books give me something in common with my 13 year old." about New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

LISAP — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:29:09 GMT

The only reason I began reading this book series is my 13 year old daughter wanted them for her birthday, when a teenager asks for books for her birthday I had to see what they were about!

I finished Twilight in a day, but New Moon (as many reviewers point out) was not as great, so it took me about a week. I began to skip over chapters in anticipation of Edward's return, but my sweet daughter encouraged me to read the entire book, so I did as I was told.

Stephenie Meyers is very adept at storytelling, the reader cannot help but feel all of Bella's emotions from the highest elation of being in love to the lowest levels of despair from a broken heart. Although many plot twists are evident well in advance, Ms. Meyer will still throw an unforseen twist in every now and then to keep the reader's attention.

I highly recommend these books to readers from 12 years old to adult. I appreciate the lack of vulgar language, only the insuation of graphic violence and while sex is eluded to, it...

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LISAP says "Very insightful read about life as a woman in Afghanistan." about A Thousand Splendid Suns

LISAP — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:15:24 GMT

This novel was an excellent follow up of The Kite Runner. I especially enjoyed learning more from the female perspective. The Author does a great job of thoroughly introducing the reader into the lives of each of the primary characters before the story weaves their lives together. My heart was broken for each main character and remains broken for the many women who live in this constant state of fear and despair.

Educational, heart wrenching and very well constructed novel. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Afghanistan, men or women. It is not appropriate for readers younger than 15 due to some graphic violence and language.

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