Saturday, March 30, 2013

Book Review: "The Best Man" by Kristan Higgins



Book Description:

SOMETIMES THE BEST MAN IS THE ONE YOU LEAST EXPECT... — Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she's ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family's vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there's some great scenery there....

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief -- and best friend of her former fiancé. There's a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it's not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she's having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.


My thoughts:

This is the first book I have ever read by this author.  I decided to give it a chance as I have heard good reviews on the book. 


I have to admit, I did not like it at first.  I thought Faith was shallow. I thought Levi was a jerk who had something stuck if you know what I mean.  I couldn't get into the storyline or the characters.  Usually when I am reading a book I am captured by the setting, characters, and/or all.  It really didn't get off the ground for me too much for me. 

I ended thinking the book was 'ok' and saw it was the start of a series.  I might give her another try.  We will see.

Happy Reading!


Friday, March 22, 2013

Book Review: "Due or Die" by Jenn McKinley



Book Description:

What is the original meaning of the word clue?* — Answering tricky reference questions like this one is more than enough excitement for library director Lindsey Norris. Until another murder is committed in her cozy hometown of Briar Creek, Connecticut, and the question of who did it must be answered before someone else is checked out -- for good.

Carrie Rushton, the president of the Friends of the Library, has been accused of murdering her husband. The evidence is stacking up against Carrie, but neither Lindsey nor the Briar Creek crafternoon club is buying it.


My thoughts:
This is the second book in the "Library Lover's" series.  The first in the series is "Books Can Be Deceiving."  I really enjoyed the first one, as well as her other series. 

This one is no different - the book description above doesn't really do it justice.  I loved the characters and how they interact with each other.  The mystery was great even if I did figure out the 'whodunit' when I am not used to figuring it out.

I can't wait for the next book to read more about Lindsey and the possible romance with the cop. =) 

Happy Reading!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Book Review: "Forbidden Falls" by Robyn Carr






Book Description:

Reverend Noah Kincaid moved to Virgin River to re-open an abandoned church he bought on eBay. Like Noah, the place is a little empty inside and needs some loving care. The young widower arrives ready to roll up his sleeves and build a place of worship and welcome, but he needs some help. And the Lord works in mysterious ways.... With her tight shirts and short skirts, "Pastor's assistant" is not a phrase that springs to mind when Noah meets brassy, beautiful Alicia Baldwin. The former exotic dancer needs a respectable job so she can regain custody of her children. And Noah can't help but admire her spunk and motherly determination. The pastor and the stripper: an unlikely team to revitalize a church, much less build a future. The couple has so many differences, but in Virgin River anything is possible, and happiness is never out of the question.

My thoughts:

This is book 8 of the Virgin River series.  I can't say this was one of my favorites - I still enjoyed it, though...

This book was about the new reverend in town who is opening up an abandoned church.  The story was pretty much about him and his assistant.  It was still a quick read like the others, but it was also easy to put down too. I think the part I didn't really care for is that this book unlike the others in the series didn't have a lot of 'back story' in it.  I guess it still 'worked' but it just wasn't like any of the others in the series where the other characters were still a pretty good amount of the book.  I love to hear the updates on the other characters - just my quirk I guess.

I will still continue to read the series - but now it is time for a break from it. =)

Happy Reading!! 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Book Review: "Paradise Valley" by Robyn Carr



Book Description:

Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq -- his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image. But can the passion and commitment of a young woman who has never given up on him mend his broken body and shattered heart? As the people of Virgin River rally around Rick, another recent arrival tests the tightly knit mountain town's famous welcoming spirit. Dan Brady has a questionable past, and he's looking for a place to start over. He'd like it to be Virgin River -- …if he can find a way in. But he never expects to find it in the arms of a woman who was as much an outcast as himself. For a favorite son returned from war and an outsider looking for a home, Virgin River offers them a chance to make peace with the men they once were -- …and to find the dreams they thought they'd lost.

My thought:

This is book 7 in the "Virgin River" series.  This one was a lot 'darker' than the others in the series.  I also did not notice until I read another reviewer on this series about the language.  It didn't bother me - I am just more aware now.  =)

I am glad that the author is still sticking with the main characters and adding in new ones.  I know this is hard to do and be successful at it, but she does a great job of it.

This book has a couple of story lines in it at once.  It really keeps you from wanting to put the book down at times.  The author does a great job of moving from one story to another and back with ease for the reader.

I enjoyed this so much I am reading the next in the series right away.  Usually I give myself a break in between.  I do have a challenge for myself that I get caught up with the series this year.

This book is the one I chose for March for my key word Reading Challenge.

How are you doing in your reading challenges for the year?

Happy Reading!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Teaser Tuesdays




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.






Anyone can play along! Just do the following:







• Grab your current read



• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your


My teaser:

"I've never had a problem understanding you pal.  Fact is, if this were my bar, I wouldn't have taken my money either."

My book:

Currently Reading


Happy Reading!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Book Review: "All He Ever Desired" by Shannon Stacey






Book Description:

A SECOND SHOT AT FIRST LOVE — After college, Ryan Kowalski decided to leave Whitford, Maine, rather than watch Lauren Carpenter marry another man. Now his siblings need his help to refurbish the family -- owned Northern Star Lodge and he's forced to face the past sooner rather than later when he collars a vandal -- and learns the boy is Lauren's son...

The last person Lauren needs back in her life is Ryan Kowalski. With a bitter ex-husband and a moody teenage son, she has enough man trouble already. But her son needs to learn a few lessons about right and wrong, even if Lauren has to escort him to Ryan's door every day to work off his crime.

With all this close contact, Ryan and Lauren can't deny the chemistry between them is as powerful as ever. But can a few searing kisses erase their past and pave the way for a second chance at true love?


My thoughts:

This is the fifth book in the Kowalski series.  When I started reading this series the first three came out at once.  I thought that was going to be it.  Then I read on her website she was writing more - YES!!!

This book follows Ryan as he comes back to the family lodge to help restore it.  He is forced to deal with his past with Lauren Carpenter when her son vandalizes the lodge and starts to work off the debt there.  There is no denying the chemistry between the two.  But a lot has changed through the years.  Can they work through it?

I loved this book just as well as I have the others in the series.  The author has a way to get you interested and not want you to put the book down.  As I discussed in my other post "Reading Rut"  I didn't have enough time to read, so this made reading this book hard as I didn't want to put it down, but yet I didn't have time.

Yesterday I had to spend some time at the Urgent Care Center and got it done - so Happy!  Not happy that I had to go there, but it was so good I couldn't put down and had the time to read it.

If you haven't checked out Shannon Stacey - you should check her website.  She is a fairly new author I think.  I am a fan.  As I am sure I said before in my other reviews of these books, if you like Susan Mallery, Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr, and Susan Wiggs - give her a chance.

Happy Reading!!




  

Friday, March 1, 2013

Book Blogger Hop


Book Blogger Hop!




The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer from Crazy-For-Books.  It ended in December   I was happy to see that Billy has at Ramblingsof a Coffee Addicted Writer is going to be picking it up. It was a fun way to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog. For this hop all you do is answer the weekly question on your blog. You may follow as many or as few of the followers on The Book Blogger Hop as you like.

The question for the week of March 1st -7th is
You’re going on a long train ride. What books will you bring to read?
 
Let's see - that is a tough one.  I can't think of a specific book, so I will go author/genre.  I would bring a cozy, Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, and Shannon Stacey - I know I won't be disappointed and they all are pretty quick reads.
 
What books would you bring?
 
Happy Reading