Monday, February 27, 2012

Swinging On A Star by Janice Thompson

Swinging On A Star picked up where Fools Rush in ends. I will not add any information that might spoil the first book for anyone that has not every read this series.

Bella has just finished putting on her first themed wedding, a boot scootin' wedding (in book 1) and now in Swinging On A Star Bella is planning a Renaissance wedding.

Soon Bella discovers that the best man in the wedding is a Hollywood star! He has come early in hopes to be hidden from the paparazzi. To top it off Rosa, Bella's aunt has been chosen to be on the well know Food Network to be on a cooking show. Talk about camera's and all in time for the wedding!

Can Bella keep their best man a secret and pull off a Renaissance wedding at the same time?

This book is just as fun as the first one. I do have to say that book one is my favorite still. It might just be because you are not expecting the crazy family and humor that is introduced to you. But I do like that the story line keeps going, since you didn't want book one to really end! I thought book 2 was funny and I am always waiting for what crazy things will happen to the Rossi family! I am looking forward to finish book 3!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

My cousin recommended this book to me. I had seen it before since I downloaded it onto my daughters kindle fire from amazon. I just had not read it yet.

I am in love with this book! I didn't know what to expect. I have never read Janice Thompson before but will be looking for more books by her. Fools Rush In is the first book in a 3 books series of Weddings by Ella. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

I compare this book to the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, if you have ever seen it. The only difference is that Ella is from an Italian family who by chance or as Ella would say she had a"bada bing bada boom moment" where she meets D.J.

Ella took over the family business as wedding coordinator and needs to pull together a themed cowboy wedding. In walked D.J., a tall drink of cowboy! Can Ella pull of a cowboy wedding as Italian and cowboy cultures collide?

This book is a must read, it's hilarious. Janice Thompson's writing is so funny as she twists in comedy and romance. Ella's family is out of this world funny and Ella learns to be open to new directions in life!

Grab a copy of this e-book today, Feb. 24th, on Amazon, it's free!!! (If you are reading this later you will have to check to see if it is still free, as of today it is).

http://www.amazon.com/Fools-Rush-Weddings-Bella-ebook/dp/B002LE87RQ

Monday, February 20, 2012

A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry S. Eicher

I read this book for my Lover's of Amish Books book group on Goodreads this month. I have read a few Amish books so far and though they are not my first choice I have read a few good ones.

A Wedding Quilt for Ella is a sad story. Ella is going to be married when she turns 21, as is the Amish tradition when her betrothed, Aden, dies from a ruptured appendix. The rest of the book is how Ella deals with her sudden loss.

Not only is Ella in mourning but the Amish community is hit with many other sudden tragedies throughout the book and the story follows their trust in God.

The story overall as good. I can't say it was a bad book but the storyline is pretty much the same throughout the book. There aren't any suspenseful moments, you just follow Ella through the months after Aden's death and how she heals from it. The sister irritated me with her doom and gloom outlook on things but it is interesting to read the Amish way of things. Many of which would be hard for me to follow!!!

I do recommend the book, it's a good story but if your looking for more excitement this is not for you. I have heard the rest of the series gets more interesting, so I may attempt to read them in time. I have many other books I will end up reading first since this one didn't capture my attention as others have.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Safe Haven by Nicolas Sparks

This is my 3rd book by Nicolas Sparks. I am getting used to his style of writing now.

I had read a review by someone on my goodreads book site that said; Reading Nicolas Sparks is like eating at McDonalds. You know the taste. No surprises. If you want quick fix to your hunger, you pass by an outlet. Quality food at reasonable price. What I am saying is that there is nothing wrong with Nicholas Sparks' novels. You want romance, you get romance. You just read to be entertained, you get entertained. You don't want mind-boggling read, you just read and no need to think. You get what you expect.

This was so true! In the last few books I've read his stories seem to take at least 100+ pages to get the story set up. It's not usually until the last 50 pages that things really speed up and the surprise, twist or drama happens before the conclusion. The stories are nice but I think in some ways watching a story play out in a movie makes it more entertaining. Not that his books are bad at all.

Safe Haven is about a woman named Katie who has just recently moved to Southport, North Carolina. Alex is a widow, who is raising his two children in Southport while running the local convenient store. When Katie first moves to Southport she crosses paths with Alex and eventually starts to lower her guard. But she is haunted by her past, a past that is catching up with her. Will Alex be able to fall in love again, can Katie trust her with her past?

This story was really good. The only thing I have to say about Nicolas Spark's books (which are obviously not Christian) is that I don't like reading about the thoughts of the guys that Nicolas Sparks makes "the bad guy". Some of things they think just, to me, could be left out.

The ending of this book kept me reading to find out what happens. I read the book in 2 days because the story line was interesting, even if you have to wait for the transition of the book to take place later. I would recommend this book with the disclaimer that it's not Christian. I have heard that it may become a movie, we'll see.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Witness by Dee Henderson

I read the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson last year and thought that this book looked really good.

The book starts out with a robbery gone back and a witness, Amy Griffin, who saw it all. Yet, when Detective Luke Granger goes to get her statement she has disappeared. He finds her in her home packing to run and realizes that she is on the run from more than just the robber. He vows to keep her true identity a secret when she tells him about why she is running.

Three years later Luke Granger is brought in to help one of homicide detectives, Marsh, with new news that his girlfriend and her sister are about to inherit money from a well known father that they never knew. When the news comes out on air, reporters come out to cover the story.

Luke is pulled into a deeper situation than he could have ever expected to protect theses sisters from what is about to come and it comes at a high price. Will anyone come out alive?

I didn't want to spoil the story. The first few chapters get you hooked on "the witness". Then the next 50% of the book lets the story unfold. I didn't feel it was too slow but just when I was hoping for a good grab you are shocked at the turn of events and the story gets you to read faster to find out what happens.

I saw that this book was the beginning of another series, so I will be looking forward to book 2. I almost wish it ended in suspense to get you to the next book but it wraps up the book even though you are still digesting the turn of events. (This is how Dee Henderson wrote the O'Malley series. Each book wrapped up it's own story line). I want to see how the rest continues. There were many of her catch phrases that I noticed again that Dee Henderson uses but I do like her stories.

I highly recommend. It's a good mystery with light romance.

Friday, February 3, 2012

A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray

I read this book because it was chosen by one of my book groups on Goodreads and it was a book I had downloaded free on my daughter's Kindle. It gave me a reason to read it!

Clayton has been working on the Circle Z ranch for a few years. Price had taken over the Circle Z when Mr. Proffitt had passed away. Not long after Mrs. Proffitt remarried to Price Venture. Price is a horrible man and when one night Clayton finds his daughter Vanessa beaten by Price, he fullfills his vow her her father to take care of her and he takes her from the Circle Z to live with his sister in Colorado.

Along the way they are met with feelings and Clayton has to decide how to keep Vanessa safe as well as keep his promise afraid that he has already failed her when he wasn't there to protect her from Vanessa.

This story is a good story. I really enjoyed it. From the first pages you want to find out what becomes of Vanessa and Clayton. As they are trying to run from Price, does he ever find them? Will they ever be safe?

I didn't realize there is a 2nd book to this story coming out March 1st, A Texan's Honor. Knowing that I wish there had been a little more suspense but it kind of reminds me of the Love Comes Softly series (if you've read those). Each book ends the storyline but continues another type of story where it left off, never leaving you hanging but enjoying the stories as they unfold. I can see this series being that same way.