Book Review: "The Wedding Party"

Book Review: "The Wedding Party" by Robyn Carr

Book Description:
Charlene Dugan started her day as usual -- single. Then, all in the space of a few hours:

Her daughter announced she doesn't want to "end up like her". Her absentminded mother got lost in a parking lot.

Her ex-husband accused her of being afraid of commitment.

Now her decision to utter those three little words -- let's get married -- has everyone around her in a tailspin. The maid of honor is in a tempest over a man of fifteen years her junior. Her daughter, the official bridesmaid, has decided to reinvent herself. The groom is spending all of his free time with the wedding consultant. And her ex-husband, a man who still drives her crazy, is making some pretty convincing arguments for a second chance.

The wedding party is out of control, they're calling for rain and the bride has cold feet. This isn't exactly what Charlene had in mind.

I have read the Grace Valley series by Robyn Carr as well as a couple of her earlier 'stand alone' books. I have enjoyed them all. "The Wedding Party" is no exception. I can't tell you it was one of those books you just can't put down (well until you are about 2/3 of the way done). It was funny and well written. I read a review of this book saying it was 'predictable'. I didn't necessarily find that was the case. I wasn't really sure how it was going to turn out. The only gripe I have is that the story was just crusing along and then BOOM it was the end and abruptly everyone had their stories 'completed' so to speak. All in all, I still recommend this book.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Wild Hearts"

Book Review: "Wild Hearts" by Susan Mallery


Who can tame the wildest man in Titanville?

Zeke Titan has a reputation for breaking hearts, but the townspeople of Titanville can't deny all the good he's done for them. So they turn the other cheek as he seduces one schoolteacher after another. Until Alethea Harbaugh comes to town.

The new teacher brings with her a passion for women's rights that invigorates the ladies of Titanville, and instills fear in the men. Zeke is intent on seducing her, if only to send her running, ruined, from the town so that things can return to normal. But Zeke just might have met his match...in more ways than one!

This is a 'prequel' to the Lone Star Sister series by Susan Mallery. This is available only as an e-book. I wish I had known about this before I had already read the first 2 books in the series. I am really particular about my series books. =) But I still enjoyed reading the backstory on Zeke. If you haven't already read the Lone Star series by Susan Mallery (I have reviewed the first 2 books here I believe) then I suggest you read this one first and then start the series.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "The Next Big Thing"

Book Review: "The Next Big Thing" by Johanna Edwards

Book Description:

In this funny, poignant debut, a plus-size heroine becomes a reality TV show contestant and discovers she's already beautiful enough to be the next big thing.

Kat Larson figured she had nothing to lose by becoming a contestant on the new reality show From Fat to Fabulous-except maybe a few dozen pounds. Then she'd finally be able to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Nick, the British hunk she met online, who still thinks she's a size four. She'd finally be confident and graceful and thin-and there's that big cash prize, too, to pay for all those slinky new clothes she'd need. She'd finally have the perfect life.

I am trying to lose weight so I thought this would be the perfect motivating book for me right now. Not quite, but that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy this book. I couldn't put the book down. Yes, I did get some weight loss tips and such, so that is worth reading the book in itself, but the story and characters kept me reading and wanting to know how it turned out. It is a nice quick read. Enjoy!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Secrets of a Shoe Addict"

Book Review: "Secrets of a Shoe Addict" by Beth Harbison

Book Description:
Every woman has a secret. The question is: How far will she go to make sure it stays secret?

Abbey Walsh never wanted anyone to find out about her shady past. After all, she's the wife of a minister now, living an exemplary life. That is, until someone shows up from her past with blackmail in mind . . .

Tiffany Vanderslice Dreyer never dreamed that she'd find herself up to her new designer sunglasses in credit card debt from one mad moment of a shopping spree. She's an upstanding wife and mother with the perfect marriage . . . right?

Loreen Murphy hadn't meant to hire a male prostitute in Las Vegas. It was all just a big, stupid, and expensive misunderstanding. . . .

Abbey, Tiffany, and Loreen are each in need of thousands of dollars and fast. Tiffany's sister, Sandra, has the perfect idea. It's fast, it's easy, it's legal, and it's the secret that kept her shoe addiction alive. It's the perfect plan. . . .

In this deliciously sassy novel, three very different women bond when they find themselves in more than one kind of trouble. It's the story of how sometimes you have a secret that can get you in---and out---of dire straits. It's about romance, friendship, kids, revenge, affairs, and, most of all, a love of the well-heeled things in life.

This is a sequel to "Shoe Addicts Anonymous". I enjoyed the first book quite a bit. It has been awhile so I had to think while reading the sequel about what happened in the first book. You don't necessarily have to read the first book to 'get' the second book, though if you are 'anal' in this area like I am with series books then read the first one before this one. =) I will admit this sequel was not as good as the first one, but still an enjoyable read. To me, you are reading along and then all of a sudden all the loose ends are tied up and BOOM the book is done. Still I would recommend this book. Looking forward to her next release "Hope in a Jar".

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "This Pen For Hire"

Book Review: "This Pen For Hire" by Laura Levine

Book Description:

From Publishers Weekly
Humor is the key ingredient in this slick debut by television comedy writer Levine. Freelancer Jaine Austen (her mother loved the classics but couldn't spell) makes a living writing love letters, personal ads and industrial brochures, but she never expected her work to involve her in murder. When geeky Howard Murdoch hires her to pen a letter proclaiming his love for gorgeous fitness instructor Stacy Lawrence, no one is more surprised than Jaine when Stacy agrees to go out with Howard on Valentine's Day. But Harold arrives for their date only to find that someone has bludgeoned Stacy to death with a ThighMaster. Feeling some responsibility for the hapless Howard, now the police's only suspect, Jaine starts digging. Stacy might have been beautiful, but most people disliked her. Elaine Zimmer wanted the corner apartment Stacy had just moved into, and the building superintendent seemed besotted with her. Then there's the volatile, married producer, not to mention the girlfriend Stacy stole him from. Handsome neighbor Cameron Bannick, a straight antiques dealer, piques Jaine's interest (she hasn't had a good date in a long time), and becomes a dashing Watson to Jaine's Sherlock. Though her life is in danger, Jaine never loses her sense of humor as the story zips along to an action-filled and surprising climax. Levine delivers the goods, and readers who appreciate a heroine with wry, self-deprecating humor will hope Jaine soon gets caught up in another murder.

This was a light quick read. Unfortunately it was a little predictable, but the writing and story made up for that. It made me laugh in spots . I will continue on in the series. If you are looking for a fun quick read, this is a book for you.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Tangled In Love" by Heidi Betts

Book Review: "Tangled In Love"' by Heidi Betts

Book Description:

Ever since Dylan Stone beat Veronica Chasen out of a prime position at the Cleveland Courier, they have been bitter rivals, engaging in a very public war of words in their competing newspaper columns. They routinely challenge each other to go bungee jumping, white water rafting, or into tattoo parlors to see who will wimp out first. But Veronica's latest taunt may be Dylan's toughest assignment yet: She dares him to learn to knit.

Dylan is not going to let something his grandmother can do scare him off. He's man enough to make a scarf and attend Veronica's weekly knitting circle. But when the infuriatingly handsome Dylan shows up at the craft shop and charms all the ladies, Veronica starts to get all knotted up in something that feels a lot like love.

Again, this is a new author for me. I thought it would be a nice quick light read. WOW!! It was a little more 'steamy' than I had anticipated. Some of the scenes were a little more 'graphic' than I like, but all in all it was a very good book and since it is the beginning of a series, I will definitely be putting the next book on my 'wish list' on Paperback Swap. =) I did like the characters and there were some funny moments in the book.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Close to You" by Christina Dodd

Book Description:

Who knows the truth about her family?

Who wants to keep her past hidden forever?

Caitlin Prescott was only a baby when her parents disappeared. Adopted by a wealthy Texas oil family, she became Kate Montgomery, and grew up with no memory of her parents or her two older sisters and brother, who have been searching for her, hoping to right a terrible wrong that was committed twenty-two years ago in a small Texas town.

Now an ambitious young news reporter, Kate realizes she is being stalked soon after landing her dream job at an Austin TV station. Why did a car try to run her down? Who would want to kill her? Turning her precarious situation into a story, she takes on a bodyguard and follows him on the job. But she didn't plan on the cool, blade-sharp strength of Teague Ramos or the attraction that sizzles between them. When Teague connects the death of an Austin socialite to unanswered questions about Kate's childhood, she finds herself unlocking dangerous doors to her past. Now, with only her mysterious bodyguard to protect her, Kate is on a high-stakes chase that may lead her to the family she has never known -- or into the trap of a ruthless killer.

This is the last book in the Lost Texas Hearts trilogy. The first two books are "Almost Like Being in Love" and "Just the Way You Are". These are the first books I have read by Christina Dodd and I am now a fan of her contemporary novels. This third book sure didn't disappoint. It had many twists and turns and I couldn't wait to see how it all tied in for the ending.

I highly recommend this book (actually the trilogy) to anyone who likes romance books with a little suspense in the mix.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: "Georgia on My Mind" by Rachel Hauck

Book Description:

Until 10:30a.m., Monday, February 6, Macy Moore was Miss Most Likely To Succeed, a corporate executive on the fast track, with a marriage-material boyfriend and a cool city condo. By noon she was as good as fired... and dumped. How in the world could she go home to Beauty, Georgia, now? Thank goodness for the Single Saved Sisters. With loyal friends Lucy, Adriane and Tamara by her side, Macy retreated to the House of Joe for coffee, consolation and consultation. Could they help her put her life back on the right path?

It has been a LONG time where I read a book cover to cover without skimming over any parts of the book. This was the best book I have read in a LONG time. I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! I HIGHLY recommend it to ANYONE AND EVERYONE. The characters and storyline was excellent. I can't begin to tell you how much this book touched me.

Happy Reading!