In Kyle, Saskatchewan, there is a small diner. They have Chinese and Canadian food. We fled here after starving at the restaurant in White Bear, Saskatchewan. We were greeted/seated immediately, the waitress did not understand a lot of english, but was very freindly. We pointed out what we wanted on the menu, and it worked out fine. The decor was neat and tidy, and the atmosphere was pleasantly small townish. We even had our food within fifteen minutes of ordering. It tasted good, with fresh vegetables on the burger, and my wife's chicken fingers were tasty, with good onion rings. It wasn't fine dining by any means, but after the bad experience before, anything was welcome.
Rating: 3/10 Stars
Kid Friendly: Very
Sunday, August 28, 2011
White Bear Hotel/Restaurant
My wife and I thought that it would be fun to go for a drive and stop in a small town diner for food. Well this turned out to be a less than fun experience. We had been told that the restaurant had good tasting food, I wish that we had gotten the chance to judge that for ourselves. We walked in and my eyes had to adjust as it was so dark in there. There were no windows and not enough lights to make it so you could see very well. There were Christmas lights streamed everywhere(not even Christmas), radios lined the walls, as well as random pictures, butterflies/plastic flowers. Our tables were decorated by a beer bottle wrapped in tin foil, with a plastic sunflower in it, and the washroom door was right behind my wife. Inside the washroom it was old/grungy, and not too private. Overall it had the appearance of being grungy and cluttered. It took the waitress ten minutes to get to our table and bring us our menus. At this point I was starting to get a little annoyed, but we were told the food was good so we were willing to wait. We then ordered our waters and were waiting for her to return to take our orders, but it took a long time. We were just about to get up and leave when she took our orders, but not before taking the orders of a table that had come in after us. Then we waited, waited, and still waited. After being at the restaurant for an hour and fourty-five minutes, and receiving no food OR water in that time we got up and left. They must have only had one chef and one waitress working in the whole restaurant, even though when we called to ask if they were open, they told us they were busy, so we should be there by around five to beat the rush.
Understanding why we waited that long, takes a knowledge of small towns. It was a Sunday evening, so we were not sure if the restaurant in the nearest town was going to be open, and we kept thinking that surely our food would get to us. We did leave quite angrily and found a restaurant open in the next town thirty minutes away.
Rating 0/10
Kid Friendly: Only if you want your children to starve, also not much room for high chairs around the tables.
Understanding why we waited that long, takes a knowledge of small towns. It was a Sunday evening, so we were not sure if the restaurant in the nearest town was going to be open, and we kept thinking that surely our food would get to us. We did leave quite angrily and found a restaurant open in the next town thirty minutes away.
Rating 0/10
Kid Friendly: Only if you want your children to starve, also not much room for high chairs around the tables.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Book Review- Ruth Kluger and Peggy Mann- The Secret Ship
Ruth Kluger and Peggy Mann- The Secret Ship (Doubleday Signal Books) 3 Stars
Ruth is in charge of trying to get Jews onto secret ships to help them escape Europe before Hitler gains control. Bringing them to Palestine is dangerous, but it is the only hope for these people’s survival. The British wish to stop these illegal ships from reaching their destination and the Germans wish to prevent them from leaving; a dangerous job with enemies around every bend.
This book was different from what I expected. I thought it would be an intense read that would be about them running from the Nazi navy. Instead it was kind of a slow read. It had some interesting historical facts and I found out some things I did not know about. A good read for anyone looking for a short book with good facts, but not for those looking for a fast-pace book. The ending was the best part, as it told you what continued to happen to them as the war progressed and faster the war.
For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Ruth is in charge of trying to get Jews onto secret ships to help them escape Europe before Hitler gains control. Bringing them to Palestine is dangerous, but it is the only hope for these people’s survival. The British wish to stop these illegal ships from reaching their destination and the Germans wish to prevent them from leaving; a dangerous job with enemies around every bend.
This book was different from what I expected. I thought it would be an intense read that would be about them running from the Nazi navy. Instead it was kind of a slow read. It had some interesting historical facts and I found out some things I did not know about. A good read for anyone looking for a short book with good facts, but not for those looking for a fast-pace book. The ending was the best part, as it told you what continued to happen to them as the war progressed and faster the war.
For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Book Review- Chris Kuzneski- Sword of God
Chris Kuzneski- Sword of God (Berkley Publishing 2007) 3.5 Stars
When a boy from South Korea discovers a cave full of blood near his village, he has no idea how it will affect his fellow villagers. In Saudi Arabia a major archaeological discovery has just been made. The U.S. has called in Payne and Jones on a black ops mission, but neither knows exactly why they have been called in, nor what is going on. Left to figure things out on their own they have decided to handle things in their own way. Unearthing a plot that could put the world at war once again, they must put a stop to things before it is too late.
The introduction was intriguing; it grabs your attention and makes you curious about where it is going to lead. The characters were interesting and added depth to the book. The plot was good, with some great twists that kept you guessing. It weaved in and out, but I did find that I was wishing that it would focus more on the main people, instead of digressing with the two groups of other people who tied in at the end. It was interesting to learn a little more about the Muslim religion. Overall the book was not bad, a good one time read.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
When a boy from South Korea discovers a cave full of blood near his village, he has no idea how it will affect his fellow villagers. In Saudi Arabia a major archaeological discovery has just been made. The U.S. has called in Payne and Jones on a black ops mission, but neither knows exactly why they have been called in, nor what is going on. Left to figure things out on their own they have decided to handle things in their own way. Unearthing a plot that could put the world at war once again, they must put a stop to things before it is too late.
The introduction was intriguing; it grabs your attention and makes you curious about where it is going to lead. The characters were interesting and added depth to the book. The plot was good, with some great twists that kept you guessing. It weaved in and out, but I did find that I was wishing that it would focus more on the main people, instead of digressing with the two groups of other people who tied in at the end. It was interesting to learn a little more about the Muslim religion. Overall the book was not bad, a good one time read.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Book Review- Stuart Woods- Short Straw
Stuart Woods- Short Straw (Signet Books 2007) 2 Stars
Lawyer, Ed Eagle’s wife has just taken the majority of his money and run off to Mexico. Hiring two PIs he hopes to find her and get his money back. Watching his back may be the smarter move though, as she wants him dead.
This book got off to a slow start, but did pick up a little later. The characters in the book were okay, but kind of shallow, making it hard to get into. I also found that the plot seemed kind of scatterbrained and disorganised, making it seem too hastily contrived. I found myself wondering why this book was written, was it about the sex, or the characters? The setting was kind of interesting as they traipse across Mexico, but I am afraid that it was not enough to redeem this book. I would not be recommending this book to anyone.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Lawyer, Ed Eagle’s wife has just taken the majority of his money and run off to Mexico. Hiring two PIs he hopes to find her and get his money back. Watching his back may be the smarter move though, as she wants him dead.
This book got off to a slow start, but did pick up a little later. The characters in the book were okay, but kind of shallow, making it hard to get into. I also found that the plot seemed kind of scatterbrained and disorganised, making it seem too hastily contrived. I found myself wondering why this book was written, was it about the sex, or the characters? The setting was kind of interesting as they traipse across Mexico, but I am afraid that it was not enough to redeem this book. I would not be recommending this book to anyone.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 19, 2011
Book Review- J.A. Jance- Damage Control
J.A. Jance- Damage Control (HarperCollins 2009) 2.75 Stars
A possible suicide of an elderly couple brings Cochise County sheriff Joanna Brady to the edge. She is also dealing with a deadly house fire and a body found out in the desert at the same time. Things are heating up in Cochise County and her department is being stretched thin. Can they clear these cases before thier resources are strained too much?
The introduction to this book was great and grabbed my attention right off. However this prologue was not tied in until the end, and I had kind of forgotten about it. I found that the book dragged at points and it had too many cases going on at the same time, making it hard to follow at times. Each case separately was interesting enough, but bunched together they became distracting. The characters were well done, a redemptive feature for this book. I also found that there was a lot of personal stuff in the book which really slowed things down. Overall the book was okay, but not one I would recommend.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
A possible suicide of an elderly couple brings Cochise County sheriff Joanna Brady to the edge. She is also dealing with a deadly house fire and a body found out in the desert at the same time. Things are heating up in Cochise County and her department is being stretched thin. Can they clear these cases before thier resources are strained too much?
The introduction to this book was great and grabbed my attention right off. However this prologue was not tied in until the end, and I had kind of forgotten about it. I found that the book dragged at points and it had too many cases going on at the same time, making it hard to follow at times. Each case separately was interesting enough, but bunched together they became distracting. The characters were well done, a redemptive feature for this book. I also found that there was a lot of personal stuff in the book which really slowed things down. Overall the book was okay, but not one I would recommend.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Book Review- Robert Crais- Sunset Express
Robert Crais- Sunset Express (Ballantine Books 2005) 3.25 Stars
Teddy Martin is a wealthy restaurateur, who is being accused of murdering his wife. He has now hired Jonathan Green, a topnotch defence lawyer, to defend him. That lawyer has hired Elvis Cole to look into the possibility of police tampering with evidence to make him look guilty. As the investigation heats up, Cole and Pike start to think that it may not be the police who have something to hide.
An okay introduction; it did not really grab my attention, but I was curious enough to keep reading. The plot was decent, but was kind of weighed down by personal sections. I did enjoy the twists in the book, they were well done, and kept you guessing as to just how Cole was going to outsmart them. At the same time I did not think the ending was all that realistic, as it could have gotten Cole into a lot of trouble. The characters were well crafted and were fairly deep. I have read better by this author, and better in this series, but overall it was an okay addition to the Cole/Pike series.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Teddy Martin is a wealthy restaurateur, who is being accused of murdering his wife. He has now hired Jonathan Green, a topnotch defence lawyer, to defend him. That lawyer has hired Elvis Cole to look into the possibility of police tampering with evidence to make him look guilty. As the investigation heats up, Cole and Pike start to think that it may not be the police who have something to hide.
An okay introduction; it did not really grab my attention, but I was curious enough to keep reading. The plot was decent, but was kind of weighed down by personal sections. I did enjoy the twists in the book, they were well done, and kept you guessing as to just how Cole was going to outsmart them. At the same time I did not think the ending was all that realistic, as it could have gotten Cole into a lot of trouble. The characters were well crafted and were fairly deep. I have read better by this author, and better in this series, but overall it was an okay addition to the Cole/Pike series.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 15, 2011
Book Review- Richard Peck- Here Lies the Librarian
Richard Peck- Here Lies the Librarian (Scholastic Books 2006) 3 Stars
The back of the book describes it as: Peewee idolizes Jake, a big brother whose dreams of auto mechanic glory are fueled by the hard road coming to link their Indiana town and futures with the twentieth century. And motoring down the road comes Irene Ridpath, a young librarian with plans to astonish them all and turn Peewee’s life upside down.
It was an interesting beginning. Something about the writing style brought me in and made me want to read more of it. The plot was not overly deep; in fact I would call it the major weak point of this novel. I failed to what the point in the book was. That being said, the characters were quite well done and were easy to get attached to. They were a lot of fun. The overall book was enjoyable to read about as well, especially the racing scenes. Kids who enjoy racing or historical settings would likely find this book up their alley.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
The back of the book describes it as: Peewee idolizes Jake, a big brother whose dreams of auto mechanic glory are fueled by the hard road coming to link their Indiana town and futures with the twentieth century. And motoring down the road comes Irene Ridpath, a young librarian with plans to astonish them all and turn Peewee’s life upside down.
It was an interesting beginning. Something about the writing style brought me in and made me want to read more of it. The plot was not overly deep; in fact I would call it the major weak point of this novel. I failed to what the point in the book was. That being said, the characters were quite well done and were easy to get attached to. They were a lot of fun. The overall book was enjoyable to read about as well, especially the racing scenes. Kids who enjoy racing or historical settings would likely find this book up their alley.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 12, 2011
Book Review- Nancy Farmer- The Sea of Trolls
Nancy Farmer- The Sea of Trolls (Atheneum Books 2004) 4.5 Stars
When berserkers strike Jack’s village, he suddenly finds himself protecting his sister as they are taken across the sea. Olaf One-Brow is now their master and will take them on adventures around the world. Bold Heart, a mysterious crow has tagged along for the ride, as Jack’s friend. Together this crew will embrace adventure and fight the many dangers hidden in the far corners of the globe.
A slower start to this book, but something about it still captured my attention. I loved Farmer’s writing style and would love to read more books in this series. The characters were great, jumping off every page and adding depth to the novel. The fantasy side was blended in so wonderfully that even though I am not normally into those books, I enjoyed the twist. The plot was beautifully crafted and captivating. The setting was great, as it was ever changing, keeping you on your toes, never knowing what you are going to run into next. If I had to come up with a negative I would say that she could have drawn it out a little further, which I do not normally say. Overall I loved this book and will be looking for more by this author.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
When berserkers strike Jack’s village, he suddenly finds himself protecting his sister as they are taken across the sea. Olaf One-Brow is now their master and will take them on adventures around the world. Bold Heart, a mysterious crow has tagged along for the ride, as Jack’s friend. Together this crew will embrace adventure and fight the many dangers hidden in the far corners of the globe.
A slower start to this book, but something about it still captured my attention. I loved Farmer’s writing style and would love to read more books in this series. The characters were great, jumping off every page and adding depth to the novel. The fantasy side was blended in so wonderfully that even though I am not normally into those books, I enjoyed the twist. The plot was beautifully crafted and captivating. The setting was great, as it was ever changing, keeping you on your toes, never knowing what you are going to run into next. If I had to come up with a negative I would say that she could have drawn it out a little further, which I do not normally say. Overall I loved this book and will be looking for more by this author.
For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 5, 2011
Book Review- Raymond Khoury- The Last Templar
Raymond Khoury- The Last Templar (Signet Books 2006) 3.5 Stars
In 1291 the Templars are being hunted down and are struggling to hide a chest filled with secrets that could change the world. Now in
***SPOILER ALERT***
The book was well written, with an introduction that grabs your attention right off the bat. The plot was also very good with some great twists and turns along the way. The setting was interesting, and he merged the time period shifting very well. I also had some things that I found to be fundamentally wrong with the book. The author had his characters bashing religion as a whole a lot, which I found to be frustrating, although he kind of made up for it in the end. I do not like to see any religion being insulted. The main character, Reilly, was very easily shaken from his faith, which was also kind of frustrating. Tess, the other main character, is also so willing to believe the scroll she finds is authentic and accurate, and yet she has less proof of its validity then anyone else has in their religions. I also found it hard to fathom how Reilly can so easily forgive Tess when she betrays his trust so often, which doesn’t seem very realistic.
For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
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