Review: Forever With You by Robin Jones Gunn

Forever With You

First off, I have not read any of the previous series that were about Christy and Todd.  However, that did not hinder my reading enjoyment of Forever With You by Robin Jones Gunn.  I did not feel lost within the story nor was there a lot of back story.  Ms. Gunn seamlessly wrote her story so that even if you had not read any of the previous series, you would certainly find enjoyment in this new series about Christy and Todd in their married years.

This book brought back a lot of memories for me of being just married for only a couple of years, no kids yet, living in an apartment, and trying to make things work financially.  I really felt for Christy and Todd and all the struggles they were facing and that seemed to hit them all at once.  I felt the emotions Christy was experiencing and wanting to tell her to hang in there, it will get better.  It was interesting to read how this young couple really had to just let everything go to find the freedom to move on to the next step in their lives.  If you have been a Christy and Todd fan through the years, or if this is your first Robin Jones Gunn book, either way it will be an enjoyable read.  I received my review copy from The Book Club Network, Inc. (TBCN) and the opinions are my own.

Review: With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

With Every Breath

It has been too long since I have read a book by Elizabeth Camden.  With Every Breath was such a delightful read and one of my top ten favorites for this year.  If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.  This story was the type of story I could not put down and I read it within two days.  I have not had a book capture my attention like that in a while.  One, in which, it so captures my imagination it makes it hard to join the real world again.  I enjoyed both the hero and heroine.  They both have faced some pretty sad circumstances throughout their lives.  Both Trevor and Kate are likable, and due to their life circumstances and experiences they are very mature in their decision making.  Their love story was slow and simmering, and their wit and banter was enjoyable to watch.  I also liked that even though they did love each other, they both understood that it might be best if they just remained friends.  As I was joyfully reading along, Ms. Camden dropped in a twist that literally took my breath away.  Not only is the romance nice, but the history of tuberculosis was very interesting as well.  This is a must read book and I look forward to reading all of Elizabeth Camden’s books.  I received this book from the The Book Club Network, Inc. (TBCN) and the opinions are my own.

Review: Saving Grace by Michele Paige Holmes

Saving Grace

Saving Grace is a regency Beauty and the Beast type story.  We have Grace Thatcher, who while attempting to protect her siblings from their unscrupulous father, is being introduced to questionable men to enrich her father’s pockets. By trying to thwart her father and the men he has chosen for her to wed, she comes up with some pretty hair brained schemes.   Grace wants her freedom so that she may choose her own spouse or not marry at all and live quietly in the country.  This is not an instant love story.  The characters we meet don’t even like each other at first and are thrown together not by their own choosing but by circumstance.  There are also two love interests for Grace to choose from.  Along with Grace, we find that both are worthy gentlemen, but whom will she choose?   With one bent on revenge and the other hiding a secret, Grace becomes an unwilling pawn between Nicholas Sutherland and Samuel Preston.  This is a clean read and I really enjoyed watching the character growth.  I look forward to more of this author’s work.   I received an e-copy for review however the opinions are my own.

Review: Final Trimester by Dianna T. Benson

Final Trimester

Final Trimester by Dianna T. Benson was a chilling, edge of your seat thriller.  I will note that I was disturbed by the subject matter: a serial killer killing pregnant women, that being said, the author’s writing was riveting and kept me turning the pages.  As I was reading, I was literally jolted by some of the events that transpired in this suspense filled novel.   There were shocking twists and turns that occurred throughout the book and I did not guess who the killer was until the moment he was revealed.   This story is about Jodi, who is a paramedic, and Nate, a cop, who want to stop a serial killer from killing again.  Their hearts are at risk with each other and their lives are at risk when the killer fixates on them.  This is the first of a trilogy, and the author sets up the next books nicely.  You may not want to read this one before bed.  It really is creepy enough that it may keep you awake.  I received this book from The Book Club Network, Inc. (TBCN), however the opinions are my own.

Review: Louie's BIG day! by Maria I Morgan

Louie's Big Day

Louie’s Big Day is a cute children’s book about a lawnmower that discovers what he was made for and what his purpose in life is.  It also shows the importance of friendship and that doing new things may seem frightening at first but that is just part of growing up.  I read this to my 4 year old, and he really enjoyed the story and the pictures.  The illustrations are cute and simple.  We both look forward to the next in the series.  I received this book from The Book Club Network, Inc. (TBCN) however, the opinions are our own.

Review: Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman

Surprised by Love

Julie Lessman is one of my favorite authors.  When I pick up one of her books, I know that my heart will be wrung out and stepped on in agony and sympathy with her characters.  This is a story with not one, but two love stories and I enjoyed and hoped for a happy ever ending for both of them.    Our first couple is Meg and Bram (Abraham).  Meg has been away in France for a year and comes back not as the chubby, insecure girl she was, but a woman with confidence in herself and the freedom to make her own decisions.  Bram, who has been like a big brother to her since she was seven, realizes his feelings may have changed for Meg now that she is back home again.   Let’s not forget Devin, the boy who bullied Megan for years who sees her in a different light now and of Amelia the one whom Bram’s parents’ hope for a joining of their two families.   

 My favorite love story was that of Andrew, Logan and Cait, Meg’s widowed mother, which seems to have been going on throughout the series.  I was on pins and needles for their love triangle to reach a satisfying conclusion.  All of her heroes seem worthy to root for at first, but don’t be fooled there are still a few hidden scoundrels and rakes that need to be redeemed.  I hope she writes about those next.   Anyway, I think I may have cheated myself a bit by reading this third book in the series before the first two.  I missed seeing the growth of the family dynamics and relationships and, of course, the first two couples’ love stories.   However, that being said, I enjoyed this newest release by Julie and I enjoy how passionate her characters are about those they love and their God.   I received this book from Revell, and the opinions are my own.

Review: At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot

At Bluebonnet Lake

Amanda Cabot’s latest offering, At Bluebonnet Lake, is a refreshing tale of slowing down, letting go of the fear of change, and grabbing on to all that life has to offer.  We have two very busy people who have come to the failing resort, Rainbow’s End.  Kate Sherwood is there to spend more quality time with her grandmother, who in turn is trying to convince her granddaughter there is more to life than her career.  Greg Vange, who has decided to leave his very busy world, is searching for his next step in life.  These two run into each other at a crossroads in their lives.  Not only do we get to watch their love story unfold, but we get to witness the love story of another couple in a very different season of their lives.  I do not know if Rainbow’s End exists, but if it does, I would love to visit and I so want a pair of those cowboy boots.  I have always enjoyed Amanda Cabot’s historical fiction, and I have very much enjoyed this contemporary tale of hers as well.  There is a beautiful theme of letting go of our dreams and the demands we place on ourselves and embracing the great adventure that can be our lives.   I look forward to the next visitors to Rainbow’s End and their stories.  Thank you to the publisher Revell for my review copy.  The opinions, however, are my own.