Thirty Sunsets: A Review

 

Forrest can't wait to escape to her family's beach house for the summer--until her brother's girlfriend tags along and secrets unfold left and right.

I like this book for the most part. I read it on my kindle and had to check on Amazon to see it's 240 pages because it felt very short, probably because there were so many major things going on the last half of the book like huge life-changing events.

But, overall, it's a good YA read. I thought the main event that happens to Forrest was handled well, and although she was frustrating at times, I liked her.

It's a fast summer read. I recommend it to fans of contemporary YA authors like Sarah Dessen.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

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Claiming Mariah: A Review

I've never read anything by Pam Hillman before, but I enjoyed this book. I read it in one day because the plot trotted along and the characters were great.

Mariah works tirelessly to run the ranch her dad left her, but when Slade shows up with a deed showing his father as the owner of the ranch, she's at his mercy for a place to live.

Even though I knew the outcome from the first page, it was a fun ride. Slade is a strong but wounded hero, and I liked him from the start--defending his family from an abuse, drunk father. Mariah was strong too, but they didn't seem to overpower each other.

The minor characters of Buck and Mariah's grandmother add to the story, and I loved little Jim, who is going through the same things Slade endured.

I hope the author has a sequel to this book because I'd love to see Buck find a sweet girl to love him for him. (And, I hope it's Amanda.)

Fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book.

 

 

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The Divorce Papers: A Review

 

 

When criminal lawyer Sophie steps in to cover an interview for a client seeking a divorce, she's soon involved in her first divorce case.

Told through emails and court documents, readers take a journey as Sophie deals with her own feelings growing up as the child of divorced parents and learns the ropes of handling a divorce case.

 

I like this idea for telling a story, and I really liked Sophie, Mia, and Mia's daughter Jane. I loved the different point of views and found them unique and entertaining. I wanted the two women to find love and happiness, and while the end of the book had a satisfying conclusion, it left me wanting more.

 

I guess it's because the heart of the story often got lost in the shuffle of paperwork--literal paperwork. Like pages of court document that I finally just skimmed because I wanted to enjoy the story.

 

I'm not sure what to rate this book because while I enjoyed it, it was hard to overlook the tedious interruptions to the story.

 

Overall, I do recommend it to readers who don't mind some legal jargon in the middle of their story.

Sophie and Mia are great characters and worth the effort.

 

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

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Harder the Second Time?

I wrote Worth the Wait in just a few months. I sat down for National Novel Writing Month and just wrote...over 50,000 words in one month.                                                                                              So, when I sat down to write book two, which releases in January, I figured it would be the same.

NOT!

It took almost a year of sitting and thinking, writing a few words, going back and changing things.

I'm finishing the edits to turn in the rough draft to my editor by the 15th, but I'm just exhausted from this book. But it's worth it because I love Lindsey and think she's got a good story. She's the wounded character who strikes out to keep from getting hurt, and it was fun peeling back the layers to her heart.

 

Have you had something harder the second time you did it? Shouldn't practice make perfect?

 

Not always. Don't give up because something didn't come as easily as it did before.

 

Sometimes we appreciate things more when we work harder for them. (Not that I didn't work hard on WTW--the revisions/edits were brutal.)

 

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Just 18 Summers: A Review

 

 

 

I don't have kids, but I enjoyed this book's message of soaking up every moment you have with those you love. Following four families dealing with change--a new baby, the death of a spouse, children going off to college/getting married, and the busyness of a career, Just 18 Summers shows the realness of parenting.

 

All of the characters were realistic and interesting. I loved Martin, the groom-to-be who isn't the one his bride's parents would have chosen until they see his heart. Helen, who grew up poor and spends all her time focusing on giving her kids what she doesn't have to point of having no relationship with her kids, reminds me of a lot of parents I see.

 

My favorite character was Ava, the eight-year-old girl whose mom passed away. I loved seeing her and her father figure out their way together.

 

I love how all four families' stories weave together to tell the story of family.



 

 

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A Stillness of Chimes: A Review

 

When Laura comes home to settle her mom's estate, the past is waiting for her. Her high school boyfriend still loves her, and her dad who disappeared when she was a child may still be alive.

I loved the hero of the book, Sean. He's strong and steady despite an abusive father. He's still in love with Laura, and I wished the book would have delved into why a little more. It had been a long time since she broke his heart and moved away. What was so special about her?

I liked Laura too, and I think the author did a great job exploring Laura's feelings about her parents and their weaknesses.

The plot is slow and steady at the beginning and then a rush of action at the end to a satisfying conclusion.

I recommend this book to fans of Christian fiction who enjoy a mystery with more character development than action.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

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Meant to be Mine: A Review

 

Only Becky Wade can take a guy who tells his bride the morning after the wedding that he loves someone else and plans to win her over and a girl who keeps her daughter a secret from her husband and turn these two characters into two of my favorite characters in a long time!

 

I stayed up way too late reading this book, but I couldn't put it down.

 

Ty and Celia are real--authentic and genuine with the good, bad, and ugly, and their relationship has all three for sure. Wade does a great job humanize both characters in a way that makes the reader love them despite their shortcomings.

 

The romantic tension was strong and well-written. I knew how it was going to end, but the ride to true love with each other and Christ was still incredible.

 

Fans of Christian fiction don't want to miss Wade's latest book, which I think is her best yet.

 

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review (and also bought a copy). My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

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Love Comes Calling: A Review

 

Flighty Ellis rarely thinks of anything other than escaping her life to pursue of dream of acting in Hollywood. When she unknowingly agrees to cover a friend's shift as a telephone operator, she overhears a plan to hurt someone--the guy who has been her friend for years and the only guy who's ever made her consider staying right where she is.

I love several aspects of this book--the prohibition angle, the telephone operator plot, and a character having ADHD. Another interesting part of the plot was the police's involvement/cover-up of those breaking the law during that time.

However, I didn't like the main character much even at the end. Ellis never seemed to really care about anyone, not even Griffin, the guy she's trying to save. Everything seemed like an act with her, which got old pretty fast.

I'm a long-time fan of Siri Mitchell, and I think most of her fans will enjoy this book.

I was given this book in exchange for my thoughts, which are my own.

 

 

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Confessional Friday

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com.

I confess that I'm just like my eccentric grammy. I saw this on the parking lot ground and had to pick it up. 

I confess that I love this dog. I'm dog/house sitting for my sister, and  Sydney is a crazy dog--an escape artist and guardian of the backyard. I also confess she's my favorite.

I confess I'm tired of the NFL draft talk. I love sports, and I'm happy with the Texans picking Clowney. BUT, I'm sick of hearing about it! And I'm tired of hearing about Manziel!

I confess that I'm loving that the Spurs are schooling the Blazers.....makes me feel a little better about my Rockets.

I confess I haven't even bothered to watch what I eat this week. It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and there have been sweets galore. One parent had cookies delivered--and they were still warm!! Be still, my sweet tooth. I'll get back to it Saturday.

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Friday Confessions

 

Connecting with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

I confess that I'm too nervous to use pictures from the internet for this blog. I've heard several stories about bloggers being sued for taking pictures from Google and using them in their blogs. (I would think some companies would consider it free advertising for their products.) But, as an author, I understand photographers' desire to be compensated/acknowledged for their work.

 

I confess that I have no clue about current events these days. It's become overwhelming to me. There so much sadness and sorrow. The girls kidnapped in Nigeria and forced to marry instead of going to school. Tornados. Racism. I'm so glad I know the answer--Jesus. But, it makes me weary.

Can I just stick my head in the sand some days?

 

I confess that yesterday, I taught my second graders how to make fortune tellers. Yep, proud librarian here. One of the kids asked me if I knew how to make one while we were drawing/writing. Twenty minutes later, I had taught most of the class. My work is complete.

 

And, I confess that I gave up pedicures to go to games 1 and 5 of the Rockets' playoffs. And it was worth it. I'm just rocking the closed-toed shoes even though it's getting hot here.

Last night was game five, and it was CRAZY fun! My friend from college Jamie and I are both sports fans, so we try to go to as many games as possible--we don't even care which sport it is.

 

 

Painted faces, free t-shirts, great time....

 



 

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