Re-Post "No Holly for Christmas"

Publisher:  Whiskey Creek Press

Pages:  390

Source:  Received a copy for review

Genre:  Adult, Romance, Suspense

Here is the excerpt:

Widowed, practically penniless, and banished to an Alabama rural community, ex-socialite- turned social worker Holly Cavanaugh Winter is dreading the approaching holiday season. However, her angst is not due to her husband's untimely death last December 25th, but because of a secret, one she keeps locked deep in her heart, that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid Christmas.

On special assignment for the DA, defense attorney, Brian McAlister has all but given up on relationships when his path unavoidably crosses Holly’s. However, love at first sight quickly turns frigid when Holly is pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. With his case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe, while bringing an assassin, and the powerful man who hired him, to justice.

My thoughts:

I don’t like mushy-gushy romance.  This book is anything but that.  I will always read suspense or thrillers with romance thrown in.  This was my first opportunity to read a book by Julie N. Ford.  However, it will definitely not be my last time.  Julie has created a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.  The characters are very believable.  Reading this book was like sitting and watching a movie where you see the villain sneaking up on the unsuspecting victim and you want to shout at them “watch out”.

Attorney Brian McAlister is filling in for his father, a prominent attorney, while he is in the hospital.  Brian doesn’t care much for his new partner Margo.  However, circumstances and a case bring him together with Holly Cavanaugh Winter, Margo’s sister.  Both Holly and Brian can feel the electricity between them.  Margo tells them both from the beginning why this won’t work out.  Brian has been married multiple times and really doesn’t trust his judgment.  He is still holding a candle for an ex-girlfriend Josie, who just happens to be married to a judge.  Holly no longer trusts men due to the betrayal of her rich husband right before he died.    This is the set up for a great read.  You know they are going to fall in love.  The question is what can the author throw in their path to make this journey seem impossible yet make the slowly building bonds of their love even stronger.  In this case, the author has thrown in a high-powered businessperson who thinks if he threatens what Brian loves most then he will get things to go his way.  To say more would just ruin it.  I believe this is a book most people will enjoy.  I know I kept wondering who would survive and at what cost.

I have to say that Margo, Holly and Brian were not my favorite characters.  They were very likeable.  My favorites were two characters that played a major role in Holly’s life.  When Holly goes from living in the most desirable area and shopping in the most expensive shops to living in a middle class area and shopping at Wal-Mart, you know there has to be culture shock.  Enter Wandean and Deidra-Belle.  These two women are the best example of the lifestyle Holly has always tried to avoid.  Yet, when Holly needs a shoulder to cry on or someone to lift her spirits, these women and their quirky ways are the perfect people to turn to.

I am recommending this book not only to the readers of my blog but also to those I work with that love to read.  Every now and then, you need a book that will put you in the spirit of Christmas, yet give you a taste of romance and suspense.  This book has it all.

The Color of Snow - Brenda Stanley

Publisher:  Tribute Books

Pages:  413

Source:  ebook from author for review

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance

Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.
Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.

From Goodreads:
When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora--a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon learn that the cage was there to protect people from Sophie, because her biological father believes she is cursed.



My Thoughts:
I want more!  The tension begins on the first page.  From the very beginning the author has created a scene that leaves so many questions.  I would read and think I had answers to some of them only to find out that I didn't quite have it right.  In the beginning I wanted to really dislike the man she had always known as her father.  As I read  I realized that even he was not black and white.  As I was read his past I really disliked Sophie's grandfather.  The fact that he really thought that his family was better than Luke's family because they raised sheep and worked for him made me dislike him. There are so many things going on here.  There are family secrets, issues with social class, as well as a difference in religious beliefs.  Was there really a curse on Sophia's family as she believed?  I would suggest you read the book to find out.  I am looking forward to reading this author's previous book, I Am Nuchu, now that I have found this wonderful author.

Brenda Stanley's Bio: 

Brenda Stanley is the former news anchor at her NBC affiliate KPVI in Eastern Iadho. Her writing has been recognized by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Hearst Journalism Awards, the Idaho Press Club and the Society for Professional Journalists. She is a graduate of Dixie College in St. George, Utah, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Brenda lived for two years in Ballard, Utah, within the Fort Duchesne reservation where the novel is set. She and her husband live on a small ranch near the Snake River with their horses and dogs.

Links:

The Color of Snow web site:

http://the-color-of-snow.blogspot.com/

The Color of Snow GoodReads page:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13456512-the-color-of-snow

Brenda Stanley's Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/brenda.baumgartnerstanley

Brenda Stanley's Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/myauthorlife

Brenda Stanley's Website:

http://www.brendastanleybooks.net/

Brenda Stanley's GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086376.Brenda_Stanley

Submerged - Dani Pettrey

Publisher:  Bethany House

Pages:  320

Source:  Received a review copy from publisher

Genre: Christian, Romance, Suspense

From the Publisher:

A sabotaged plane.  Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again.  She has a past, and a reputation—and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget.  She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives.  He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town.  But facing the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge.  She broke his heart…but doesn’t seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago.  And he’s not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

My Thoughts:

This sucked me in right from the beginning.  We get a good look at how things we do in our teens can scar us.  It doesn’t matter if we come to the Lord and he takes away our sins, we have a tendency to hold on to things because we thing we don’t deserve forgiveness.  This  is how Bailey feels.  When she has to return to the home of her teen years she believes EVERYONE will remember her the way she was and not see her for the person she has become.  I loved how Cole could see the difference and instead of pushing Bailey to recognize and accept the change in herself he prayed that God would open her eyes. 

The suspense was awesome.  I know this is only the first book in the series.  I can’t wait to find out more about Landon and Jake, and the mysterious missing brother Reef.  We were left with just a small look at their character.  There is so much more to be learned.  If you are looking for a book that will hold you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, this is it.  If you are looking for a book that has a Godly message but doesn’t preach at you, then this is definitely the book for you.  You will fall in love with Piper who is  one of the kindest, most loving people.  She would do anything for you.  Cole is the very protective brother who runs the business with his siblings. Gage is the bottomless pit who always has Coles back as long as he is well fed. Kayden comes off as tough.  It is almost as if she THINKS she must prove herself to be equal in a man’s world. 

Landon the cop, and Jake the mysterious man who drifted into Yancey and works for Cole leave us wanting to know more of their life.

I must mention one other thing about this book.  I would never have thought I would become interested in Russian History.  This book not only teaches you a lot of Russian History, but if you are like me, you feel you must do more reading on the subject.  I love books that make me want to learn more.  I will definitely recommend this author and look forward to reading more of her books.  Shattered, the second book in her series should be out in February of 2013.

Author Website 

Author Bio  

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Florence – Ciye Cho

Publisher:  Studio Amazepop

Pages:  336

Source:  review copy from author

Genre:  YA Frantasy Romance

  

Blurb:

"Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and brought down to Niemela--the hidden world of mermaids and mermen--Florence is the ultimate gift for Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of the dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul."



My Thoughts:

This was one fabulous book.  From the minute I started it I couldn’t put it down.  The world that Cho has created is one I would love to be in.  I could envision all of it.  It was beautifully describe.  Cho obviously knows a lot, or has done a lot of research on the ocean.  The merfolks were very believable as characters.  I felt like I could swim to the bottom of the ocean to find Niemela and spend time with the people there.  Kieran was so charming and disarming in his looks and attitude that you couldn’t help liking him from the very first.  However, you get the feeling that you haven’t learned everything about him.  Rolan seemed like a strong force to deal with.  When Florence is first brought to Niemela she can feel contempt from Rolan.  She isn’t sure why.  As Florence is taken in by the princes’ sister Yolee, Florence finds a true friend.  She had not had a true friend since her father’s death. It was her ability to hang back and observe those around her when she lived on land that helped her while she was in Niemela.   I felt the tension she felt.  It seemed like every time she took a step forward in getting the Niemela to at least be nice and friendly to her that something happened to push them away.  She felt like she didn’t belong anywhere.  That is why I loved this book.  I figured she was  either going to go back to the surface and be changed and make those around her see her or she was going to find a way to stay in Niemela and be excepted.

The end was not as tightly tied up as I’d like.  I hope there is a sequel.  I NEED to know what happens next.  I look forward to reading more by this author.  I was given an electronic version for review.  I look forward to purchasing a physical copy to put on my shelves for my students.  This is definitely a book I will recommend to them.

Hearts Restored – Prue Phillipson

Publisher:  Knox Publishing

Pages: 428 pages

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

From Goodreads:

What can a young man of fifteen do when he is told by his mother that the three cousins he is about to meet all want to marry him?

Daniel Wilson Horden has arrived in London with his parents from their home in Northumberland on the very day of King Charles II’s triumphant return to his capital. Receiving his own personal wave from the king, Daniel longs only to serve him, but first he must keep at bay the threat of marriage.

His two French cousins are adamant in their pursuit of him, but Daniel is intrigued by his English cousin, Eunice, whose Puritan father snatches her away from the reunion celebrations. Unaware that his gallant attempt to save her has endeared him to her, Daniel only just escapes the marriage trap which his younger French cousin lays for him and is sent off to study at Cambridge University.

Once she returns to her father’s home, Eunice is condemned to a life of austerity. Heart-sick, she is assured by her grandmother that Daniel will come for her when he graduates from university.

But, unaware of his cousin’s feelings for him, Daniel goes off to join the navy only to find that fighting in the king’s service is not as glorious as he had imagined.

While the navy suffers at sea, London passes through plague and fire.

Will Eunice survive the hardship? And will Daniel return to fulfil the promise in his eyes on that fateful day in London?

My Thoughts:

Every so often a book comes along that just stays with you.  This was one of those books.  I was up and down all through this book.  I felt for both Daniel and Eunice.  I detested the French sisters.  They wanted Daniel for his title.  They thought that they would be able to change him.  He hated everything they stood for.    I found it funny that he seemed to take great pleasure in letting them know he had a title but no money to go with it.  His family was not all about the money like the aunt and grandmother were.  I did enjoy seeing the transformation, however small, of the grandmother near the end of the book.  I understood Eunice’s father to a certain extent.  I think he was too harsh on Eunice when it came to men.  He wanted to protect her from heartache. However, all of the moral values he taught her prepared her for later on.  It made her stronger. All of Daniel’s relatives that kept trying to arrange a marriage for him irritated me to no end.  I wanted to slap them all.  I loved Daniel’s parents.  It was obvious that their love was genuine.  They wanted what was best for their son and they didn’t feel an arranged marriage was best for him.  I could identify with Daniel’s mother as he joined the Navy.  I read this book knowing that in just a few days my son will be deployed. The fear and heartache stay with you. There were so many obstacles thrown in Daniel and Eunice’s way.  I loved Eunice’s integrity.  I dare say if she had not had the upbringing her father gave her then she would not have been able to endure the hardships she had to go through.  The thread of faith that flowed through the story was refreshing.  I didn’t feel like I was being preached at.  This has been a wonderful book to read and review and will make a great gift for several of my friends.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Broken Wings - Alexandrea Weis

Publisher: World Castle Publishing

Pages: 270

Source:  Review copy from author

Genre: Adult, Romance

From Goodreads:

As a wildlife rehabilitator in Southeast Louisiana, Pamela Wells has dealt with her fair share of wild animals, but her reclusive life is forever changed when she meets an elusive former soldier named Daniel Phillips. Sent to Pamela’s wildlife sanctuary as part of his parole requirements, Daniel and Pamela quickly clash until Daniel’s troubled past unexpectedly comes to light. After serving in Iraq, Daniel suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Pamela tries to help ease his condition by introducing him to the healing power of animals. Daniel begins to find peace, and an unexpected kindred spirit in Pamela. Fearing one day she will be forced to give up her beloved sanctuary, Pamela confides in Daniel about her debilitating health. United by their misfortunes, the relationship turns romantic.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books where you see how broken both of the main characters.  The author has helped the reader understand how the main characters got that way.  Shoved together  the animals and their relationship help them both begin to heal.  When Daniel leaves, Pamela is forced to once again seek help from her ex-husband.  Can you say controlling?  He is the type of character you love to hate.  You can’t read this book without hoping that he will get his.  Want to know if he does?  Read the book.

About the Author:

Alexandrea Weis’s popular first novel, To My Senses, received rave reviews and garnered awards for both commercial fiction and romance writing.  Her second novel, Recovery, won the Gold Medal for best romantic suspense from The Reader’s Favorite Book Awards and was named best Romantic Suspense by the NABE Pinnacle Book Awards in 2011.  Her third novel, Sacrifice, was released in late 2011.  A permitted wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife.  She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

You can find her:

Twitter:  http://Twitter.com/alexandreaweis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/To-My-Senses/113609858681394

Blog: Ravings of a Frustrated Writer

Child of the Mist - Kathleen Morgan

Publisher:  Revell

Pages: - 336

Source:  Free download from Christianbook.com

Genre:  Adult, Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

In the harsh Scottish highlands of 1565, superstition and treachery threaten a truce between rival clans. It's a weak truce at first, bound only by an arranged engagement between Anne MacGregor and Niall Campbell-the heirs of the feuding families.

While Niall wrestles with his suspicions about a traitor in his clan, Anne's actions do not go unnoticed. And as accusations of witchcraft abound, the strong and sometimes callous Campbell heir must fight for Anne's safety among disconcerted clan members. Meanwhile his own safety in threatened with the ever-present threat of someone who wants him dead.

Will Niall discover the traitor's identity in time? Can Anne find a way to fit into her new surroundings? Will the two learn to love each other despite the conflict? With a perfect mix of a burgeoning romance and thrilling suspense, this book is historical fiction at its best.

My Thoughts:

It was really interesting to see how something as simple as performing what we know today as CPR could have you branded as a witch in the 1500’s.  In this wonderful historical fiction book we get a look at the past and how far we’ve come.

If you are into Scottish history or you just love reading about feuding clans then this is the book for you.  To create a truce Anne is pledged in marriage to Niall.  It is not what she desires.  The one thing that neither of them counted on was falling in love.  But that is just a portion of the story.  Read to find out what trials they both must go through and how they handle it.

A Perfect Square - Vannetta Chapman

Publisher:  Zondervan

Pages:  352

Source:  Won a copy from author

Genre:    Amish, Romance, Mystery, Christian

From Goodreads:

There's more to the quaint northern Indiana town of Shipshewana than Amish-made furniture, immaculate farms, and close-knit families. When a dead girl is found floating in a local pond, murder is also afoot. And Reuben Fisher is in jail as the suspect. Reuben refuses to divulge any information, even to clear himself of a crime Deborah is certain he didn't commit.

My Thoughts:

I love a murder mystery, especially if it has been taken up a notch by placing it in an Amish setting.  Callie and her friends are once again trying to solve a mystery.  Reuben has been locked up in jail as a suspect in the death of an Amish girl.  No one in the community believes Reuben could or would have done such a thing.  While Callie has her hands full with one mystery, an old Amish gentleman comes to her seeking her help.  His daughter had disappeared during the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes.  I remember those tornadoes and the feel of our house being lifted off of its foundation.  Now Callie must try to make the connection between the two mysteries to solve them.

I love reading books by Vannetta Chapman.  It is a great blend of Amish and English, Romance and Mystery.  The Christian aspects are not preachy.  I can’t wait until the third book in this series, Material Witness, comes out this fall.  If you want to see what Vannetta is up to go to her Facebook page.

Highland Crossings – Pamela Griffin, Laurie Alice Eakes, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Gina Welborn

Publisher:  Barbour Publishing

Pages:  352

Source:  Won a copy

Genre:  Adult Romance

From Goodreads:

Head to historic North Carolina where a brooch unites the lives and loves of four women.  Dangerous accusations force Seona to leave Scotland with the brooch in tow, but will she find peace before her past is revealed?  Years later, Fiona hopes to recover the brooch only to wind up on the whipping block.  Can she trust the man who comes to her rescue?  Seren sells the brooch to open a confectionery, but will the precious heirloom be lost to a hopeless dream?  When the brooch is stolen, can Brynna reclaim it before she lose something even more valuable?

My Thoughts:

I love historical fiction. If you can wrap romance up in it, all the better.  Highland Crossings is actually 4 stories that follows a brooch through four different generations from Scotland to America.  The brooch ties all three stories together nicely.  In “Healer of My Heart” Serena is accused of being a thief.  She sneaks aboard the Thistle, a ship headed for America.  She is caught by Colin Campbell who recognizes her healing abilities.  He saves her because she uses her skills to help a family member.  When they reach North Carolina his cousin Isabel welcomes her.  Although she and Colin are attracted to each other, can she trust him with not only her life but her heart?

In “Printed on My Heart” we meet Seona’s cousin Fiona.  She finds herself being punished for being unemployed.  In my opinion, whipping someone for not having a job was absolutely sadistic.  She was rescued by Owain.  She becomes their indentured servant.  She begins to find love with Owain and with God. 

In “Sugarplum Hearts” Seren Cardew has come to possess the brooch. She sells it to open a candy shop.  Finley Sinclair thinks he is God’s gift to women.  He wants a simple life and he wants it with Seren.  He proposes a deal with her to promote her confectioneries and benefit himself.  First he has to win over Seren who doesn’t see him as God’s gift to women.

The last story “Hearts Inheritance” we find Brynna Sinclair, lover of all things historical.  She wants to open a museum.  Her sister is currently in possession of the brooch.  It doesn’t seem fair since she is the one who loves history.   Enter Niall Cameron who has received an inheritance from his uncle.  When his plans clash with Brynna’s, a woman he is falling for he decides he must find a way to get on her good side.  When the brooch is stolen, he decides this might be the opportunity he was looking for.

All four of these stories were wonderfully told.  They carry with them lessons of healing, trust, love, relationships with people and God.  I had not read anything by any of these authors before this book.  It was a wonderful way to be introduced to four wonderful authors.  This book along with others they have written are a must read.

The Wounded Heart - Adina Senft

Publisher:  FaithWords

Pages:  320

Source:  Unsure if I purchased, won it, or received it for review.  Either way the review is my own honest opinion.

Genre:  Amish, Romance

This must truly be my most unorganized year to date.  I was re-organizing items in folders on my desktop and found this review.  The reason this is so sad is because  when I went back to see if I had posted it on my blog, I realized I had not posted the review before I did my giveaway in November.  I keep finding reviews I’ve hand written or have gotten shoved into other folders on my school laptop.  So I present you with a review of a wonderful book that I read way back in October or November. 

One thing I really enjoy about Amish books is that they usually have something to do with cooking or quilting.  Quilting has been bringing people together for years.  That thread alone will be enough to tie you to this novel.  We find characters we can relate to in many ways.  Amelia Beiler is a widow who is trying to hold her life and family together.  When she starts having some tingling and numbness in her hand and arm she is forced to check with a doctor.  After checking with a third doctor where they all agree she has multiple sclerosis she has several things to consider.  She considers selling her husband’s business, yet that is what is keeping them fed.  She has no money to pay for the expensive treatment.  To add to her frustration Eli would like to start courting her.  She has to ask if it would be fair to him because of her disease.  She is joined in this story by her friends  Emma and Carrie who have problems of their own.  Quilting brings the three together where they can talk and help each other heal.  This is an excellent book.  It is actually the first I have read by this author.  It will definitely not be the last.  My mother has already asked me to find other books by the author.  She enjoyed the fact that like all Christians, their human side was allowed to show when there were occasions that faith was questioned.  I hate reading a book where everything seems perfect in the Christian’s life.  That is unrealistic.  This book rang true and is one I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves Amish Fiction.  This is the first book in a trilogy and that is another reason to read this book, there are two others to follow.

Fourteen - C.M. Smith

Publisher:  The Writer’s Coffee Shop

Pages:  174

Source:  Won a copy from LibraryThing in exchange for a review

Genre:  YA/Adult Romance

Summary

Arianna Weller has never fit in with the other kids at her high school. The daughter of the only lawyer in town, she's overweight compared to everyone else. Being picked on and put down by her peers has become normal—expected.

When she has a bad run-in with Evan, the boy she's had a crush on for 4 years, she decides to bide her time until she’s out of high school and off to college where she can start over.

Evan Drake has never had to worry about not being popular. He's on the football team, has more friends than he knows what to do with, and he doesn't care about anyone that's not in his "circle." So when he is forced to work with Arianna for a science fair project, he decides that dealing with her is just an unfortunate circumstance… until he sees what he's done to her.

The road to forgiveness and acceptance is not smooth. Overcoming peer pressure, jealousy, miscommunications, and social prejudices is never easy—especially in high school. Evan and Arianna have to learn things the hard way and answer one important question. Is it worth it? 

My Thoughts

This was an awesome book.  Bullying comes in all forms.  Anna has been the butt of everyone’s jokes for as long as she could remember.  The thing is she has done nothing to warrant it except being larger than they think she should be.  Instead of retaliating she built a wall around herself.  I like to say that the wall protected her from hurt but it is obvious it didn’t.  As she and Evan become an item I was often exasperated with her responses to him.  Then it hit me that she really had no reason to trust anyone.  This is an inspiring book.  It showed how people can change if they truly want to.  It also showed how difficult change could be.  I absolutely love the way the book ended.  I really didn’t expect it, yet it seemed like that was the way it should have ended.  The characters in this book were spot on.  I was not a fan of the “f-bomb” being dropped throughout the book.  This was a personal point for me. It was not so terrible that it made the book a bad read.  I just didn’t feel it was a necessary addition to the work.  I would not hesitate to read more by this author.  It was very authentic.  I would definitely recommend this book.

Two by Alice J. Wisler

Rain Song 

Publisher:  Bethany House

Pages:  304

Source:  I received a copy for review

Genre:  Adult, Realistic Fiction

From Goodreads:

Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan...something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone...something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney. Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy Web site, she meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his e-mails tug at her heart. Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does.

My Thoughts:

Nicole Michelin has had a lot of heartache.  She was born in Japan.  Her parents were medical missionaries.  At the age of two, she lost her mother in a fire and she and her father moved back to the United States. Like many children, Nicole has fears related to things she doesn’t fully understand.  Her father refuses to talk about the past so she is left without answers and too afraid to seek them out.  Then she meets Harrison Michaels through a website.  He knew her as a child in Japan .  He knows there are many in Japan that can answer some of those questions.  This means Nicole will have to takes some steps of faith and courage.  This is accomplished through the love, encouragement, and wisdom of her grandmother.  There are other side stories that add to the warmth and depth of this story.  This was a wonderful book.  One that lets the reader know that we have to let go of fears and lean on our faith.  This is an author to watch out for.

How Sweet It is 

Publisher:  Bethany House

Pages:  320

Source:  I received a copy for review

Genre:  Christian, Romance

From Goodreads:

Deena Livingston leaves behind a broken romance and her chef job in Atlanta to spend time at her grandfather's cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. But her grandfather has an odd request: he wants Deena to teach cooking classes to the ragtag group of middle-schoolers who attend the local afterschool program, The Center. Reluctantly, Deena agrees, but how is she supposed to convince these kids that cooking at home is better than eating at McDonalds? And after all she went through in Atlanta, why is she attracted to Zack, the social worker at The Center? Can a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber, a curly-haired basketball player, and a group of middle-schoolers change Deena's outlook on life?

My Thoughts:

Oh this one touched close to home.  Deena Livingston and her boyfriend are involved in an accident.  He doesn’t bother to come see her, he just sends her flowers.  When I read this I thought about my cousin.  The night she became engaged she and her fiancé were involved in an accident.  After emerging from a coma she had to learn to talk all over again, as well as learn to walk.  She actually overheard her fiancé tell a friend outside of her door at the hospital that there was no way he would marry her.  When the friend asked why, he replied that he would not marry a retard.”  He had caused the accident.  She was so hurt yet determined to move on with God’s help.  Deena is just as determined.  She moves to a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina.  Her grandfather left it to her with the stipulation she will teach cooking classes to a group of middle schoolers.  You could see the hand of God in all of this as she begins to heal not only on the outside, but on the inside.  It is through learning to know these children and the scars they hide within themselves that she begins to heal.  I know as a teacher I often have kids dealing with some pretty terrible things.  Sometimes those things resonate with me and I find myself thinking about how much I have felt some of the same things and have harbored hurt or hatred even.  It is through helping others we often help ourselves. 

I enjoyed this book more than her first one.  I look forward to reading more by her.

No Holly For Christmas - Julie N. Ford

Publisher:  Whiskey Creek Press

Pages:  390

Source:  Received a copy for review

Genre:  Adult, Romance, Suspense

Here is the excerpt:

Widowed, practically penniless, and banished to an Alabama rural community, ex-socialite- turned social worker Holly Cavanaugh Winter is dreading the approaching holiday season. However, her angst is not due to her husband's untimely death last December 25th, but because of a secret, one she keeps locked deep in her heart, that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid Christmas.

On special assignment for the DA, defense attorney, Brian McAlister has all but given up on relationships when his path unavoidably crosses Holly’s. However, love at first sight quickly turns frigid when Holly is pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. With his case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe, while bringing an assassin, and the powerful man who hired him, to justice.

My thoughts:

I don’t like mushy-gushy romance.  This book is anything but that.  I will always read suspense or thrillers with romance thrown in.  This was my first opportunity to read a book by Julie N. Ford.  However, it will definitely not be my last time.  Julie has created a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.  The characters are very believable.  Reading this book was like sitting and watching a movie where you see the villain sneaking up on the unsuspecting victim and you want to shout at them “watch out”.

Attorney Brian McAlister is filling in for his father, a prominent attorney, while he is in the hospital.  Brian doesn’t care much for his new partner Margo.  However, circumstances and a case bring him together with Holly Cavanaugh Winter, Margo’s sister.  Both Holly and Brian can feel the electricity between them.  Margo tells them both from the beginning why this won’t work out.  Brian has been married multiple times and really doesn’t trust his judgment.  He is still holding a candle for an ex-girlfriend Josie, who just happens to be married to a judge.  Holly no longer trusts men due to the betrayal of her rich husband right before he died.    This is the set up for a great read.  You know they are going to fall in love.  The question is what can the author throw in their path to make this journey seem impossible yet make the slowly building bonds of their love even stronger.  In this case, the author has thrown in a high-powered businessperson who thinks if he threatens what Brian loves most then he will get things to go his way.  To say more would just ruin it.  I believe this is a book most people will enjoy.  I know I kept wondering who would survive and at what cost.

I have to say that Margo, Holly and Brian were not my favorite characters.  They were very likeable.  My favorites were two characters that played a major role in Holly’s life.  When Holly goes from living in the most desirable area and shopping in the most expensive shops to living in a middle class area and shopping at Wal-Mart, you know there has to be culture shock.  Enter Wandean and Deidra-Belle.  These two women are the best example of the lifestyle Holly has always tried to avoid.  Yet, when Holly needs a shoulder to cry on or someone to lift her spirits, these women and their quirky ways are the perfect people to turn to.

I am recommending this book not only to the readers of my blog but also to those I work with that love to read.  Every now and then, you need a book that will put you in the spirit of Christmas, yet give you a taste of romance and suspense.  This book has it all.

Brainrush - Richard Bard

Publisher:  CreateSpace

Pages:  312

Genre:  Thriller, Science Fiction

Source:  Review copy from Bostick Communications

Every now and then, a book comes along that you just can’t put down.  I tell my students that if they find a book that takes them on a visual trip as well as an emotional rollercoaster, then they have truly found an awesome book.  That pretty much describes this book.  This is one of those books that once you start reading you can forget about obligations to your family because you won’t be able to put it down.  It has a bit of science fiction tied into a military thriller, along with just a touch of romance to make this a well-rounded book.

Jake Bronson only has a few weeks to live.  He is having an MRI done when an earthquake happens.  To me this was terrifying.  The last MRI that I had needed to be done in two stages.  After the first stage, they went looking for me afraid I had left.  I have claustrophobia and felt as if I could not breathe.  I was able to relate to this character a little too much in this instance.  When they are finally able to get Jake out of the machine he discovers he has enhanced powers.  He is determined to use these powers; in whatever time he has left to stop a terrorist attack.  Throw into all of this the rescue of Francesca, a psychologist who works with autistic children and to whom Jake is romantically attached and you can see the plot thickening.  The characters are very believable.  The descriptions as you travel with Jack from California to Italy and other destinations are so vivid that you feel as if you are right there with him.  I’ve not traveled out of the country yet I feel I have traveled to these destinations.  It is obvious that the author has done major research on weaponry, maybe drawing on his own background experiences.  I didn’t feel like I was in over my head in that area.  I actually enjoyed it. 

For me if you are going to have a wonderfully fleshed out protagonist then you must have an equally wonderful antagonist.  Luciano Battista is that person.  To me his name even made me feel like he was evil.  His character was a great opposite to Jake’s character.  It kept the pace going.  There were areas where the imagination had to be stretched a little.  I am one of those rare people that says bring it on.  I grew up stretching my imagination, as a child so there is no reason not to continue that.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone I know.  I believe it has something for everyone.  This is an author to watch for.  His second book in the series comes out in December so just take a deep breath and tell yourself that you can wait for it, because after all you don’t really have a choice.

About the author

As a young Air Force pilot, Richard Bard was faced with some scary news: he had cancer and learned he had only a few months to live. Thirty-six years later he's still going strong. He earned a management degree from the University of Notre Dame and after leaving the Air Force he ran three successful companies involving advanced security products used by U.S. government facilities worldwide. Book 2 will be published in December.


Find more about Richard Bard at his website