Book Review: "The Next Always" by Nora Roberts

Book Description:

The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, the changing of hands, and even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major face-lift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect in the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was sixteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town's bookstore.Though busy and with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett's transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look...at both the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett is happy to give Clare a private tour -- one room at a time, in between blueprint meetings and kindergarten pickups. It's no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something that could arouse the secret yearning that resides in Clare's independent heart -- and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next...
  
My thoughts:

A lot of people are HUGE Nora Roberts fans.  I can't say I am NOT a fan, but I am probably one of the few that haven't read a lot of her books.  I have only read one series by her - the "Born In" series - "Born in Fire", "Born in Ice," and "Born in Shame."  That was many moons ago.  I enjoyed them, but for whatever reason I just haven't went back to her. 

This series was recommended by a co-worker.  We talk about books all the time and asked if I have read this.  She said if you haven't read a Nora Roberts series or haven't in awhile to read this.  I am glad I listened to her, as I didn't regret this book.

I could tell by the beginning that his series is about the Montgomery boys.  They are the typical brothers - love and pick on each other a lot.  I loved the banter between them.  I loved the hometown feeling of Boonsboro.  Very enjoyable.  I felt a part of the town and felt like it was very realistic.  

The storyline between Claire and Beckett - loved it.  I couldn't get enough.  It was hard with my schedule lately to find time to read and when I did it was too short of time for how good this book was.

I have the second and third book on my Wish List at Paperbackswap, but I might have to put a hold on them at the library too  - these were that good.

My coworker has already told me to read the 'bride' series too.  I think I will try and fit that in this year as well.

Happy Reading!  ... more »

Reading Challenge books

Man!  This was harder than I thought to find some books for my Reading Challenge.  But once I found them, I am very excited to read them... As I found them, I noticed that I will be starting some new series.  I will also be continuing a couple.  That is exciting!!

Here they are:

January - "A Light at Winter's End" by Julia London

February - "A Town Called Valentine" by Emma Cane

March - "Paradise Valley" by Robyn Carr

April - "A Place Called Home" by Jo Goodman

May - "Code Name: Nanny" by Christina Skye

June - "On Folly Beach" by Karen White

July - "Into the Night" by Janelle Denison

August - "Carrot Cake Murder" by Joanne Fluke

September - "The Blue Bistro" by Elin Hilderbrand

October - "Murder Buys a T-Shirt" by Christy Fifield

November - "Welcome to Last Chance" by Hope Ramsey

December - "Mother Road" by Dorothy Garlock



Have you read any of these books?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

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

Book Description:

He won't stay put for a woman, and she won't chase after any man... — Mitch Kowalski lives out of a suitcase -- and he likes it that way. Traveling for work has the added bonus of scaring off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. But when he's called home to help with the family lodge, he's intrigued by the ne... more »w girl in town and her insistence that she doesn't need a man. If there's one thing Mitch can't resist, it's a challenge.

After a nomadic childhood, Paige Sullivan is finally putting down roots. Determined to stand on her own two feet, she lives by the motto "Men are a luxury, not a necessity." But when Mr. Tall, Dark and Hot pulls up a stool in her diner and offers her six weeks of naughty fun with a built-in expiration date, she's tempted to indulge.

They're the perfect match for a no-strings fling. Until they realize their sexy affair has become anything but casual...

My thoughts:

This is book four in the "Kowalski" series.  I read the first three back to back to back awhile ago.   I wish there was a little more back story with the other three "Kowalski's" but I guess this series might be meant to be 'stand alone' book.  At whatever case I still enjoyed this book very much. 

This was a new author to me last year.  I read the first three in the series in about a week.  They were THAT good. =) 

This book revolves around Mitch Kowalski, who comes into town to help his brother out at the family lodge.  I laughed a few times in the book at the family dynamics.  That is always refreshing in a book.  Smiles and laughter. =) 

The chemistry with Mitch and Paige was undeniable.  I loved how she tried to hide and not act on her feelings for Mitch.  It was enjoyable to read. 

If you are looking for an enjoyable author/book/series.  Check this one out.  The others in the series are:
Exclusively Yours
Undeniably Yours
Yours to Keep

Happy Reading

Reading Challenge - Join me!!

  Here is a new Reading Challenge I found at Bookmark to Blog:

Each month you have a key word and you read a book with that key word.

GUIDELINES

* The title you choose can be a variation on one of the key words. For example- your title could include the word 'snowing' or 'snowflake' even though the key word is 'snow.'

*Key words can be tweaked. For example- You could read "Cinder" or "Ashes" for the key word 'Fire' and that would be just fine. If the key word is 'family' then your title could include the word 'sister' or 'mother.'If the key word is 'food' then your title could include the word 'cake.'

Monthly Key Words:

   
 

Who will join me at Bookmark to Blog ??

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!

Any reading resolutions?

I hope to read more than last year and hope to have more followers this year on the blog. 

Happy Reading!!!

Book Review: "Notorious Nineteen" by Janet Evanovich

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

 

 

After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after a... more »n emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape...or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.

The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money -- or maybe just desperate -- Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again -- a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone... or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory. . . .

 

 

My thoughts:

 

This the nineteenth book in the series (duh right!!).  If you have made it this far in the series - congrats!  Half the people I have talked to have given up because of the flip flopping of Ranger and Morelli.  I guess after nineteen books it would get dull, but in my opinion it doesn't. 

 

Did I still laugh while reading?  Yes.

Did I finish it within a day?  Well I just had surgery when I read it so it took me a little longer, but still was a hard to put down book.

 

I still enjoy the series.  I will continue reading them.  I love the characters and the way the author makes me laugh. 

 

This is one of two series I have kept on my 'keeper' shelf.  This series and Debbie Macomber's "Cedar Cove" series. 

 

If you have read this series - what do you think? 

 

Happy Reading!



Merry Christmas Eve!!

Merry Christmas Eve to the five readers I seem to have with every post!!  =)

Hopefully in 2013 I can double that!!!  ha ha

I am thankful for every one of you!

Happy Reading!!