Category Archives: Chick-Lit

Mar8

Review: Market Street by Anita Hughes

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Product Details

  • Print Length: 302 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0312643330
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (March 26, 2013)

Synopsis:

Cassie Blake seems to lead a charmed life as the heiress to Fenton’s, San Francisco’s most exclusive department store. But when she discovers her husband, Aidan, a handsome UC Berkeley professor, has had an affair with a student, she flees to the comfort of her best friend Alexis’s Presidio Heights mansion, where she wonders if she should give their marriage one more chance.

Whether or not she can forgive Aidan is not the only choice Cassie has to make. Cassie’s mother is eager to have her oversee the opening of Fenton’s new Food Emporium, which Fenton’s hopes will become San Francisco’s hottest gourmet shopping destination. Cassie’s true passion has always been food, not fashion, and Cassie suspects her mother might be trying to lure her into the Fenton’s fold by entrusting her with such an exciting opportunity. And then there is James, the architect designing the Emporium, who is quietly falling in love with her…

My Review:

First of all, the book cover does not do the book justice!!  I would have loved to have seen a red box or “princess” bag from Fenton’s because of the vivid detail Anita Hughes describes the bags and boxes at Fenton’s, a department store that becomes a focal point in the storyline.

Aside from the cover, I absolutely loved the book!  I connected with the characters, loved the plot, and enjoyed following the twists and turns throughout the book.  While I am not a fashionista by any means, I found myself mesmerized with the detail of Fenton’s (a department store), the fashion styles described in the book, and the trendy, wealthy customers that passed through Fenton’s each day.  There was such detail to the art, organic food co-op and emporium, that it made me feel that I was there.  Despite the detail, the storyline did not get bogged down with so much information.  Rather, it enhanced the reading experience and made me feel like I was a fly on a wall.

Cassie has some life decisions to make that will certainly alter her future.  Cassie processes her feelings and thoughts about her marriage, her career choices, and the demands of her mother (owner of Fenton’s).  Cassie’s best friend, Alexis helps Cassie through this difficult time as she helps Cassie figure out what to do next.  While the relationship between Cassie and her mother isn’t a primary focus in this book, it certainly affects Cassie in certain business decisions she makes.  I loved Cassie and Alexis’ relationship and how they remained close despite being so different.

While this book will certainly be a favorite among those who love the chick-lit genre, this book certainly crosses over genres that will attract a larger audience of adults.  Market Street will become a book club favorite among women, and a great read for anyone that loves fashion and gourmet food.  Sprinkle in husband/wife issues, mother/daughter issues, and a fork in the road with a career choice, and it is a recipe for a must read!

I hope Anita Hughes will consider a follow-up to this book as I would certainly read that in a minute!!  Buy this book, grab a cup of chai tea, and find a comfortable chair…you will love this book!

Connect with the Author

Facebook

Twitter

Website

*This book was provided by St. Martin’s Press, in exchange for an honest review.

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Feb3

Cup of Tea Books Review: Back on the Market by L.A. Frazier

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Product Details

  • File Size: 402 KB
  • Print Length: 275 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1939403014
  • Publisher: Cup of Tea Books, an imprint of PageSpring Publishing (December 15, 2012)

Synopsis:

Recently divorced, forty-something Vicky Andrews desperately needs a life.

Finding her boss naked and dead at an open house she’s hosting was not what she had in mind.

Wishing she’d spend more time reading Nancy Drew in her formative years, Vicky calls upon her own intuition and various investigative skills to try to find a piece of incriminating evidence the murderer thinks she has–before the murderer finds her.

She might decide that the world has it in for her if not for Detective Nick Carson, who shares frustration, information, and more than a few fantastic kisses as he tries to solve the case.

Throw in a rescued miniature dachshund, a skeleton named Max, and a coven of well-intentioned neighbors, and maybe, just maybe, Vicky has found exactly what she needs.

My Review:

From the moment I read page 1, I loved this book! It is fast paced, a light read, filled with mystery, bat crazy old ladies, and some love.  The author keeps the book light, even though there is this bizarre murder that takes place at a house that is for sale.  I love the charm and quirkiness of Vicky’s character and she is one tough cookie!  It’s a short read, however there is plenty of meat to this book to sink your teeth into.  I would definitely rank this book as one of my top favorites in the genre of “chick-lit”!  Anyone that wants a quick read, filled with some mystery and some speckles of love and chocolate, will certainly enjoy reading this book!

5 rating

*This book was provided by Cup of Tea Books, in exchange for an honest review.

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Sep22

Review & Book Giveaway: True Love Way by Nancy Scrofano

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Synopsis:

Marlo Spencer relishes all things retro. Old TV shows, classic movies, and even the collectible lunch boxes to go with them. In fact, she’s quite cozy in her Malibu apartment, surrounded by her treasured knick-knacks and vintage memorabilia. It’s her best friend, Nik, who doesn’t get her fascination with all that “old junk,” as he calls it. He especially doesn’t understand why she’s so keen to get back to their hometown of Napa when her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris and nary a single phone call, eager to reunite with her. So, when Marlo heads up north to wine country to rekindle her relationship with Josh, Nik tags along, claiming he was already planning to visit his sister, Savannah, Marlo’s gal pal. Once they reach Napa, however, dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and past betrayals are revealed, leaving an unsuspecting Marlo to pick up the pieces. Can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her heart?

 

My Review:

If you ever want to read a chick-lit book, pick this one! It has everything that makes me love chick-lit, which is a new genre for me.  I loved the charm and quirkiness of the characters, the back in time moments with I Love Lucy reruns, and even an old flame from high school.  With just a touch of romance, a whole serving of laughs, and some twists and turns, I was engrossed in the book and couldn’t put it down!!  I loved the way the story flowed, the storyline was interesting and had some real life challenges readers can relate to, and shows how love never truly dies.  This is not a heavy book, there are some unrealistic parts in the storyline, but isn’t that why we love chick-lit? It takes you away for just a moment in time and in the end, you can’t help but smile and feel good about it.  I highly recommend this book!

*This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.  No forms of compensation were given.

About the Author:

Nancy Scrofano grew up watching classic television shows, classic movies, and listening to oldies, all of which she still adores today. Nancy has a penchant for the fifties, mostly because of her favorite show, I Love Lucy. She has seen every episode countless times and will happily share the trivia she knows with anyone who will listen. Nancy worked as an editor and a journalist for her college newspaper, then went on to develop sociology textbooks for an academic publisher. She has a master’s degree in media psychology, as well as undergraduate degrees in communication, radio and television, and liberal arts. Nancy currently writes book reviews for a prestigious book review magazine. Additionally, she is the founder and managing editor of The Chick Lit Bee, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction, and Good Humor Girl, a women’s entertainment blog. Nancy lives in southern California where she is at work on her next novel.

Connect With the Author:


http://www.nancyscrofano.com


http://www.twitter.com/writernancy


http://www.facebook.com/nancyscrofano


http://www.pinterest.com/nancyscrofano

WIN THE E-BOOK!

Book giveaway ends October 31, 2012.

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Sep17

Mini-Reviews- Cupcake with a Little Icing, Cupcake with Sprinkles, Cupcake with Cherry on Top Ratings!

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Synopsis:

Adelia has no one to blame for her heartache. She’d been cautioned, many times and by many people. Everyone except her mother had told her it was folly to marry an elf, citing a host of reasons. Adelia knew their warnings were not unfounded. She knew he was very different from her and her kind, he was much older, and he’d had five other wives before her. She didn’t care. She had chosen her path.

The Sixth Wife is a novella of approximately 7,300 words (35 pages).

Review:

This is a short story that took me about 2 hours to read. It was a rather interesting storyline and one that I think many can relate to….aging and loving someone.  I would have loved for the story to have been longer because the author would have had more time to explain some of the history behind the elves and humans, how they live, and how their worlds merge.  Nonetheless, it was a good story.

*This book was provided for free through Library Thing by author, Laura Lond, in exchange for an honest review.  To purchase the book for your Kindle, please click on the picture and you will be directed to the purchase link.

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Synopsis:

A CASE FOR SOLOMON: BOBBY DUNBAR AND THE KIDNAPPING THAT HAUNTED A NATION chronicles one of the most celebrated—and most misunderstood—kidnapping cases in American history. In 1912, four-year-old Bobby Dunbar, the son of an upper-middle-class Louisiana family, went missing in the swamps. After an eight-month search that electrified the country and destroyed Bobby’s parents, the boy was found, filthy and hardly recognizable, in the pinewoods of southern Mississippi. A wandering piano tuner who had been shuttling the child throughout the region by wagon for months was arrested and charged with kidnapping—a crime that was punishable by death at the time. But when a destitute single mother came forward from North Carolina to claim the boy as her son, not Bobby Dunbar, the case became a high-pitched battle over custody—and identity—that divided the South.Amid an ever-thickening tangle of suspicion and doubt, two mothers and a father struggled to assert their rightful parenthood over the child, both to the public and to themselves. For two years, lawyers dissected and newspapers sensationalized every aspect of the story. Psychiatrists, physicians, criminologists, and private detectives debated the piano tuner’s guilt and the boy’s identity. And all the while the boy himself remained peculiarly guarded on the question of who he was. It took nearly a century, a curiosity that had been passed down through generations, and the science of DNA to discover the truth.A Case for Solomon is a gripping historical mystery, distilled from a trove of personal and archival research. The story of Bobby Dunbar, fought over by competing New Orleans tabloids, the courts, and the citizenry of two states, offers a case study in yellow journalism, emergent forensic science, and criminal justice in the turn-of-the-century American South. It is a drama of raw poverty and power and an exposÉ of how that era defined and defended motherhood, childhood, and community. First told in a stunning episode of National Public Radio’s This American Life, A Case for Solomon chronicles the epic struggle to determine one child’s identity, along the way probing unsettling questions about the formation of memory, family, and self.Review:I received this book to read and review by Simon & Schuster.  I felt like a reporter reading this book, because at times it read like a report or case study.  I had to actually remind myself that it read that way because it is a real story that happened in America!!  I was amazed at how many people were willing to lie to themselves because the alternative was too painful. As a family therapist, I was mesmerized and would have loved to have met the family.  There were so many family patterns and issues that weren’t dealt with, but with anything, a lie will slowly rip apart the seams of a very intact family.  It was a great book that I enjoyed reading.

*This book was provided for by Simon & Schuster for an honest review.  To purchase the book for your Kindle, please click on the picture and to be directed to the book.

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  Synopsis:

When Christine Blacksworth’s larger-than-life father is killed on an icy road in Magdalena, New York, a hundred miles from the ‘getaway’ cabin he visited every month, she discovers a secret that threatens everything she’s always held to be true. Her father has another family which includes a mistress and a daughter. Determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s secret life, Christine heads to Magdalena, prepared to hate the people who have caused her to question everything she thought she knew about her father. But what she finds is a woman who understands her, a half sister who cherishes her, and a man who could love her if she’ll let him. The longer she’s around them, the more she questions which family is the real one. . .

Included in the Kindle edition are 2 Chapters of PULLING HOME – She’ll risk anything to save her child…even the truth.

Review:

This was a great book!  This is the first book I’ve read from the author, and I love her writing. The characters are developed very well and it was interesting to read how Mary balances the characters with the plot, without making the book too bogged down with details.  While there are moments where the storyline is unrealistic, the issues of family secrets, alliances, and expectations, readers will certainly understand those family dynamics.  The story is about 500+ pages, but it sure does go fast!

 

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Jul18

Marina Girl by Heather Joy Hampton

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Synopsis:

Olivia Michaels knew she was embarking on an adventure when she moved to San Francisco, but she had no idea her address would label her a social pariah commonly referred to as a Marina girl.
The Marina girl is a stereotype of a preppy, generic young woman who lives in the tiny neighborhood known as the Marina. You need to know about the history of the Marina to understand how and why the Marina girl developed into the albatross of San Francisco.
After the 1906 earthquake, the city pushed all the ashes and rubble north down the steep hills of Pacific Heights, creating a landfill adjacent to a former pasture that later became the Cow Hollow neighborhood. Hundreds of Mediterranean-style homes were constructed in the 1920s on land that jiggled better than Bill Cosby’s Jell-O when the 1989 earthquake hit.Most of the longtime residents moved away, leaving yuppie youngsters, perhaps less aware of their own mortality, to take over the neighborhood. Twenty years later, the Marina is the playground for San Francisco’s worst nightmare, otherwise known as the Marina girl.

Connect with the Author:
My Review:
I can’t give this book a rating. I was unable to finish the book for a few reasons, so I have listed this book as a “DNF”.  To read what a DNF means on my rating scale, please click here.
I truly wanted to enjoy this book. It has a great book cover, love the title, and the synopsis really sounds interesting.  However, I found myself not connecting with the main character or her cohorts (roommates) in a way that I would have liked.  Because I couldn’t connect with them, it was difficult to appreciate the writing that Heather Joy Hamptom poured her heart into.  My blog isn’t meant to discredit a book or author, it’s meant to shine a little light onto books that I have enjoyed. Because I only read half way through the book, it would not be prudent to give a rating. I’d like to encourage others to read the book and come to your own conclusions about the story. As always, every review is subjective and everyone may come back with a different point of view.  So, I encourage you to do this.  My thanks to Heather Joy Hampton for allowing me to read her book. I wish her much continued success!!
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May25

Review & Giveaway: Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

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Synopsis:

For fans of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary and Allison Pearson’s I Don’t Know How She Does It comes an irresistible novel of a woman losing herself . . . and finding herself again . . . in the middle of her life.

Maybe it was those extra five pounds I’d gained. Maybe it was because I was about to turn the same age my mother was when I lost her. Maybe it was because after almost twenty years of marriage my husband and I seemed to be running out of things to say to each other.

But when the anonymous online study called “Marriage in the 21st Century” showed up in my inbox, I had no idea how profoundly it would change my life. It wasn’t long before I was assigned both a pseudonym (Wife 22) and a caseworker (Researcher 101).

And, just like that, I found myself answering questions.

7. Sometimes I tell him he’s snoring when he’s not snoring so he’ll sleep in the guest room and I can have the bed all to myself.
61. Chet Baker on the tape player. He was cutting peppers for the salad. I looked at those hands and thought, I am going to have this man’s children.
67. To not want what you don’t have. What you can’t have. What you shouldn’t have.
32. That if we weren’t careful, it was possible to forget one another.

Before the study, my life was an endless blur of school lunches and doctor’s appointments, family dinners, budgets, and trying to discern the fastest-moving line at the grocery store. I was Alice Buckle: spouse of William and mother to Zoe and Peter, drama teacher and Facebook chatter, downloader of memories and Googler of solutions.

But these days, I’m also Wife 22. And somehow, my anonymous correspondence with Researcher 101 has taken an unexpectedly personal turn. Soon, I’ll have to make a decision—one that will affect my family, my marriage, my whole life. But at the moment, I’m too busy answering questions.

As it turns out, confession can be a very powerful aphrodisiac.

My Review:

This is a very easy read, in that the writing is very smooth and seamless.  However, the subject matter is not easy by any means.  This is about a woman, who discovers that she desires more from herself, her marriage, and by answering questions, realizes that she is the author of her life.  While there were many moments I was uncomfortable with the relationship Wife 22 and Researcher 101 had developed, by the end of the story, it all made sense.  So, for those of you who are like me and don’t like blurring of the lines when it comes to ethical/moral issues between a person of high influence and their subject, it is a book that is worth reading.  Because the ending was a huge surprise (for me), I was squeamish when reading the book.  As a therapist, I just kept seeing huge red flags and didn’t know when and if the storyline would change.  I can say, it does….however by then I had already developed a sense of dislike for relationship between both Wife 22 and Researcher 101.  I did love the questions, though and think every couple should have an inventory of their relationship from time to time. Overall, communication is key!  I enjoyed the story and the way Melanie weaves both couple’s view on marriage, their partnership, and family together.

View Trailer.

Read An Excerpt Here.

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About the Author: 

      

Melanie Gideon is the author of the memoir The Slippery Year: A Meditation on Happily Ever After, an NPR and San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2009, and a New York Times bestseller, as well as three young adult novels.  Her novel, Wife 22 (to be published in 30 countries and translated into 26 languages and currently in development with Working Title Films) is forthcoming from Ballantine in May 2012.  She has written for the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, More, Shape, Marie Claire, the London Times, the Daily Mail and other publications. She was born and raised in Rhode Island and now lives in the Bay Area with her husband and son. Wife 22 is her first novel for adults.

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Follow the Author:

www.melaniegideon.com


https://twitter.com/#!/MelanieGideon


https://www.facebook.com/MelanieGideonAuthor

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Melanie Gideon has taken her book, Wife 22, on a virtual blog tour. At each stop, she has taken time to submit a question and answers it, as well as the hosting blogger.  Each question is from “Marriage in the 21st Century” survey, which is featured in the book, Wife 22. 

Books in the Burbs question:
Describe a cliché of parenthood that took you by surprise.

Melanie Gideon’s answer:
I never knew I could love somebody like I love my son.

Books in the Burbs (Lisa’s) answer:

Having 3 children, it is amazing how much I love all 3 of them equally and with just as much as enthusiasm, intensity of love, and commitment.  Your heart does expand!

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Please stop by to visit the blog on this tour to find out what the next question will be, and read Melanie and the blog host’s answer.

May 21 – www.MomsTreehouse.com

May 23 – www.SheScribes.com

May 25-www.BooksintheBurbs.com

May 29 – www.WellReadWife.com

May 31 – www.AtHomeWithBooks.net

June 5 – www.StilettoStorytime.Wordpress.com

June 7 – www.BookJourney.Blogspot.com

Want to Win This Book?

Simply fill out the form below with your answer. 

By filling out the form, your information will not be displayed on my blog. 

This is for your security and privacy.

Deadline is June 30, 2012.

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Apr18

CLP Blog Tour Review: All the Difference by Kaira Rouda

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Product Details

  • File Size: 581 KB
  • Print Length: 290 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0984915109
  • Publisher: Real You Publishing Group (March 19, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • ASIN: B007MOY8ZA
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Genre: Chick-Lit

Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of HERE, HOME, HOPE, comes a novel of suspense and choices, with a nod to the best of Susan Isaacs’s tales of suburban murder.

Once again, everything isn’t what it seems in the wonderful suburb of Grandville. ALL THE DIFFERENCE is the story of three women whose lives become entangled by the choices they make and how, ultimately, one of them turns to murder to achieve her goals.

Roommates Laura and Angie couldn’t be more different. Laura is a local celebrity, the television anchor who is motivated to move out of small-time media markets and on to the big time, no matter the cost. Meanwhile, Angie, a luckless waitress, spends her time waiting for Mr. Right to save her from temporary jobs and a life spent making bad choices.

On the other side of town, Ellen abandons her life as a successful fundraiser for that of an isolated housewife in the country estate she shares with her husband, whose affairs become increasingly hard to ignore. When the city’s gossip columnist, Maddie, and restaurant reviewer, Dixon, become involved in the mystery, the unlikely duo stir up more than they intended. But will anyone be able to stop the next murder?

With her signature compassion and wit, Kaira Rouda once again takes readers on an entertaining journey into the heart of women’s lives in suburbia – this time with adultry and murder in the mix.

All the Difference Trailer

Review:

Having read Kaira Rouda’s first book, “Here, Home, Hope”, I expected to read a similar chick-lit book. Oh, but this is not a regular “feel good” chick-lit kind of book!! It has mystery, murder, and is a bit dark with sinister undertones. Now, before you decide to hold off on reading this book and not finish this review, think Desperate Housewives meets Alfred Hitchcock.

It has quirky characters that are flawed, those who will kill for love (possibly literally), and those who don’t care how they will rise to the top in status and comfort…so long as they do! I was drawn into this storyline immediately and I couldn’t put the book down for the first half of the book. After that, my ADD kicked in, and I wanted to know “who did it?”. However, Kaira must know that I am like that!

Just when I think I have it figured out and am ready to stop reading, she throws in another character, another storyline, and sprinkles some mischief and humor so that I just “have to” hold on for the ride. Don’t be too quick to judge this book by it’s cover. It’s not a sweet little sugary book filled with romance…it’s chick-lit stretched beyond it’s limits. I liked this book and encourage you to add this to your TBR list!

*This book was provided as part of the CLP Book Tour, in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

Kaira Rouda is an award-winning entrepreneur and author. She lives in Southern California with her husband and four children and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook or KairaRouda.com. Rouda has won numerous awards for her writing including: Winner, Indie Excellence Award for Women’s Fiction; Winner, USA Book Awards for Women’s Fiction; and Honorable Mention, Writer’s Digest International Book Awards for Mainstream Fiction. In addition to her fiction writing, Rouda is the author of the best-selling and award-winning business book REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs.

Connect With Kaira Rouda:
Website |Facebook | Twitter


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Dec31

My 3 Last Book Reviews for 2011: Blank Slate Kate by Heather Wardell, Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart, and Her Life as She Knew it by Karen Schwind

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I have managed to end the year 2011 with 3 more book reviews before the new year.  I have read quite a lot this past week and really wanted to write the reviews for these books I agreed to reading.  While these are not comprehensive book reviews like I normally try to do, I know that readers will still be able to get the gist of what I thought.

Have a great and happy New Year!

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Synopsis: 

Waking up with a strange man is scary. Realizing you lost fifteen years of your life overnight? That’s terrifying. With her memories from seventeen to thirty-two gone, Kate has no idea who she is and where she belongs. As she begins to fall for the man who found her, she wonders if she forgot those years for a reason. Should she keep trying to retrieve her original self, or start a new life?

My Review:

Kate is a 32 year old woman, who has lost all memory of the past 15 years.  In her mind, she is 17 years old, and sees the world through the eyes of an innocent young teenager.  Heather Wardell brings the reader along as Kate tries to figure out what happened during those lost years, work through trying to catch up with world events, and even figure out the world of technology (think iphone, Twitter, Facebook, etc).  Heather Wardell writes very realistically in this  “too crazy to be true” scenario, as Kate also finds without her family, friends she knows, and a sweet bartender guy who she a crush on.  At times I wanted to hurry the story along because I wanted to know why this had happened to Kate.  However, everything is unraveled in its due time and all questions are answered in the end.  This is a story that is authentically told only through the eyes and thoughts of Kate, so as she unravels the mysteries, you will to…at her pace.  Hang tight, the book is worth the read, and it’s a book that I really enjoyed reading!  I highly recommend this book to those who love a good chick-lit book and who like mysteries weaved with a little romance.

*This book was provided by the author for an honest review. No forms of monetary or other compensation were given.

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Synopsis:

Now that she’s arrived at her ultimate address, will Mary Lynn’s longed-for view of the harbor satisfy the craving of her heart?

At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they’ve dreamed of. Two self-described “small town bumpkins” from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal:  to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had.

But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways.   So clear and strange she can no longer deny it.  When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings.  Now Jackson’s dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement.  Is she willing to go along with him?

What would it be like to go “all out” for God?  Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way.  Mary Lynn has her doubts.

My Review:

Mary Lynn and her husband both grew up from humble families and both became rather wealthy and live in the plush town of Charleston, SC.  Both deal with their own inner demons, while their oldest daughter Katherine tries to please her father, deals with severe anxiety, and begins to take pills to deal with her own demons as well.  There were quite a few very realistic scenarios in this story as Jackson grapples with handling his success and keeping up with Jones’, wanting the best for his children, and dealing with the death of his mother (who he lost at 9 years old), all while also questioning his own spiritual existence and relationship with God.  While I really thought this story dealt with some very real and raw issues that all families deal with, even Christian families, I felt that some of the issues weren’t addressed fully and that the story ended too perfectly.  For example, Mary Lynne recognizes some changes in her daughter Katherine and suspects something is going on with her when she sees Katherine’s hands often shaking.  However, she never quite addresses the issue and Katherine soon stops using and instead focuses on her studies and running. I felt that there was a huge piece of the storyline missing.  It would also have been helpful to have seen more of the struggles Jackson and Mary Lynne experience as a result of their spiritual walk, or lack thereof.  While Mary Lynne was attending church, it would have given a more realistic portrait to what a family experiences when one partner chooses not to embrace faith and spirituality.  I also wanted more surrounding Mary Lynne’s miracle.  Nonetheless, this was a good read and one I would recommend to those who enjoy reading Christian fiction.  Keep an eye out for this Christian author…she has a gift for writing!  Maybe just adding an extra 100 pages would be helpful for my inquiring mind ;)

*This book was provided by Book Sneeze in exchange for an honest review.  No forms of compensation were given.

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*Click picture to purchase book for $1.99

Synopsis:

For readers who believe that the best lives are built on the firmest foundations.

Karen Schwind brings us Caroline McKee, a girl on the cusp of womanhood who is determined to use her wit and fearlessness to right the wrongs former friends did to her. She gets her chance when Billy Taylor, a veteran of the Great War, returns to Greensboro and opens a newspaper in the spring of 1919. Together they dig into the lives of townspeople until Caroline discovers a secret that lays bare the sorrow and shame of people she’s known all her life. Publishing a front-page story of betrayal and tragedy, Caroline learns a lesson that only her devout Christian father could teach–about love, loyalty and letting go. Schwind has crafted “a memorable setting that feels historically authentic” and “portrays Caroline McKee’s longing for an idealized childhood . . . in tender, nostalgic” language that captures the reader’s imagination until the last unexpected turn of this amazing story.

My Review:

I loved the character of Caroline McKee.  She is a woman destined to be a great writer and finds creative ways to do just that in a town where not much happens, during a time when women didn’t work outside the home.  This is a sweet story, nothing sexual and profanity is zilch.  While I enjoyed reading how she becomes a writer and tries to please her father while also fulfilling her own life long dreams, I would have liked a little more inner struggles with her mother (who abandoned her and the family), as well as seen the relationship between her and Johnny evolve.  Because he marries, it would have been helpful to see how Caroline handles the news of his marriage and its impact on her.  However, it is a very sweet story and gives a small snapshot into the life of one woman and those she interacts with.  Overall, this was a really good book and I look forward to reading more from this author.

*This book was provided for review by Skoobpress for an honest review.  No forms of compensation were given.

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Sep6

Review: Color My Horse by Bev Pettersen

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Product Details

    • File Size: 491 KB
    • Genre:  Romance
    • PRINT EDITION: Available October, 2011
    • Awards and Special Recognition: 2009 Golden Heart® Finalist, 2009 Linda Howard Award of Excellence Finalist, 2008 Golden Rose Contest Winner, 2008 Original Golden Opportunity Finalist, 2008 CONNections Contest Finalist, 2008 TARA Contest Finalist

 

Synopsis:  Desperate to prove her worth, a pampered heiress swaps her credit cards for a pitchfork and shovel. But at the track, she must earn the respect of an uncompromising horse trainer who has little tolerance for greenhorns, especially one he’s been forced to hire.  

Mark Russell never expected his cocky new groom to have the smarts or spunk to last at his race barn. Or that she’ll drive him wild with desire. But as the attraction between them sizzles, manipulation and murder threaten not only the horses but also their forbidden love.

My Review:

Growing up, I rode a horse one time!  So, I’m not the typical person who would pick up this book.  However, Bev Pettersen writes this story in a way that anyone can read, understand, and enjoy.  Color My Horse  pulled me in after reading the first few pages, and it kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened next throughout the whole book.

Jessica’s independent and passionate spirit shines through as she cares for the horse she’s assigned to: Buddy, who looks rather beautiful in his purple braids!  While the relationship between Jessica and her grandfather isn’t fully explored, it is apparent that Jessica is wanting to follow a different path from the family tradition of raising and racing horses.  However, as she falls in love with the horses and people, she learns that she can be quite independent and still love her family business in a different way.

Mixed with some mystery, attempted murder, adoption, friendship, and love, this is a story that is very enjoyable to read!  I loved the different plots weaved throughout the story, which added a lot of  intrigue and excitement.  I not only found myself rooting for Buddy, but for Jessica and Mark, too!  I loved this book and look forward to reading more from Bev Pettersen!

Sexual Content: There are some sexually explicit scenes, not crazy or too detailed, but there is some to be mindful of when reading.

*This e-book was provided by Bev Pettersen through LibraryThings, in exchange for an honest review.  No forms of compensation were given.

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Aug22

Review: After the Party by Lisa Jewell

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Product Details

      • Publisher: Atria Books; Original edition (August 16, 2011)
      • ISBN-10: 1451609108
      • List Price:  $15.00
      • Paperback:  464 pages
      • Genre:  Adult Fiction

Synopsis:

From the internationally bestselling author of Ralph’s Party comes a delightful new novel about the power of starting over.Eleven years ago, Jem Catterick and Ralph McLeary fell deeply in love. They thought it would be forever, that they’d found their happy ending. As everyone agreed, they were the perfect couple. Then two became four, and an apartment became a house. Romantic nights out became sleepless nights in. And they soon found that life wasn’t quite so simple anymore. But through it all, Jem and Ralph still loved each other. Of course they did.Now Jem is back at work part-time as a talent agent. Ralph, a successful painter, is struggling to come up with new, hopefully groundbreaking, work for his upcoming show. But the unimaginable has happened. Two people who were so right together are starting to drift apart And in the chaos of family life, Jem feels like she’s losing herself, while Ralph, stuck on the sidelines, feels like he’s lost his muse altogether. Something has to change. As they try to find a way back to each other, back to what they once had, they both become momentarily distracted—but maybe it’s not too late to recapture happily ever after…
My Review:
Because I did not read Ralph’ Party first, which is the prequel to this book, I did not know the characters as well as those who did read the first book.  While this book can definitely be a stand-alone book, reading the first book may have helped me understand the dynamics of the relationship better.  Nonetheless,  Lisa Jewelldeveloped the characters very well and gave me an opportunity to read the book through Ralph and Jem’s point of view.

Ralph and Jem have been married for 12 years and have two small children, after having miscarriages and fertility issues.  While Jem loves being a mom to her children, Ralph is still struggling with having to share his wife with two little children and find a balance between being husband, artist, and father.  Ralph and Jem’s marriage truly lacks every bit of communication, causing them to both misread each other’s intentions and actions.  Jem views Ralph not wanting children because he is selfish and Ralph views Jem wanting children as being selfish because she is wanting children before he feels ready to be a father.  While both of them have reservations about each other, neither of them attend couple’s counseling or some form of therapy.  Of course, these are fictional characters and therapy most certainly would have changed the course of this story!

During a trip to California, Ralph meets Rosey, who becomes a close friend after introducing him to “church”.  This church is not a typical Christian church, rather it is more of a prayer/meditative group.  Being scared to tell Jem (who is atheist) about his spiritual quest, he begins to go for early runs to meet up with his prayer group without Jem knowing.  It is through his spiritual journey that Ralph decides to embrace fatherhood to its fullest and be the husband he knows he needs to be and Jem desires.  However, the emotional disconnect and lack of intimacy in their relationship proves to be much more difficult that just making a personal commitment to himself.

Jem on the other hand reaches out to a single father and in some ways, begins to have a mid-life crisis.  It is obvious they are both reacting to their marital problems differently, both wanting the same outcome-to save their marriage, yet never being able to fully communicate that to one another.

While this is not a Christian book, there are elements of spirituality.  Lisa Jewell is able to capture this relationship in a way that made me feel connected to the characters and feel sympathetic to them.  Why is this such a big deal? Well, these characters aren’t always likable, they don’t always do the best thing for their relationship, and both seem to be going in circles trying to accomplish the same thing without ever letting the other know.
I enjoyed reading this book and while some of Ralph and Jem’s decisions are questionable at times, it made the storyline that much more richer and complex.  I do recommend this book to those who like chick-lit and romance novels (without the cheesy sex scenes).  I also recommend those who do want to read this book to also read Ralph’s Party.  While this book can stand on it’s own, reading the prequel will give you a better understanding to the characters.  And…why not?  We all love reading sequels, so this gives you an opportunity to read two books about characters that you most certainly will root for in the end!

*This book was provided through Crazy Book Tours by Atria Books, in exchange for an honest review.  No other forms of compensation was given.

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To follow other blogs that are on this virtual tour through Crazy Book Tours, please check out the sites below:

TOUR SCHEDULE:

Aug. 16 – Kristin @ Kritter’s Ramblings
Aug. 17 – Nicole @ Forbidden Reviews
Aug. 18 – Heather @ Proud Book Nerd
Aug. 19 – Cindy @ Oodles of Books
Aug. 20 – Andrea @ A Chick Who Reads
Aug. 22 – Lisa @ Books in the Burbs
Aug. 23 – Molly @ Reviews by Molly
Aug. 24 – Rebecca @ Beck’s Book Picks

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