Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock

I was looking for something new to read and saw on my Goodreads site that one of the book clubs was reading this. Now that I've read it I can't figure out what group that was! Maybe I was just meant to find a new author to read!

This story is kind of like The Help to me. Not the story line in anyway but the style of writing. Something about the setting and the characters just made me get that feeling. Though I can't say if you read The Help that you would love this book, just that the style was like it.

In Promises to Keep; Roz and her family move to a new town, to get away from her father, who is an alcoholic. Roz is 11 years old and has a brother, Wally, who is 18 and a little sister, Valerie, who is under a year. Roz's grandfather helped them to get a house not far from him so that they can start over.

One morning an older woman is sitting on their porch. Her name is Mrs. Monroe and who knew that she would end up being the biggest blessing to their family! She believed she was the rightful owner of the home that her husband and her built together but it had been sold when she fell and her son's took over.

The story follows Roz through her life in a new place. When surprising her daddy shows up! Roz makes friends with another girl at school, Mara. They both have a secret about their daddy's and it becomes a promise for them to keep between each other. 

I could see this book being a movie. It's not that it's fast paced but I got involved with the characters. It definitely isn't one to read if you like suspense. I did think at the end there was a huge shock and then the last chapter finished everything up really fast. Which seemed so quick to end. But it was something different than I have been reading lately and I liked it.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury

Warning! This is a spoiler alert! If you haven't read any of the Baxter series books, you may want to find my first blog on the Redemption series and start there!

Sunrise is the 1st book in the 3rd series following the Baxter's. This story continues on to follow where Forever leaves off. You continue on with Dayne and Katy as they start preparing for their wedding. They want to keep it a secret so that it is something special with those that love. Meanwhile Dayne asks Katy to try out for the supporting role in the next film that he is going to be in.

You also get to follow on with other families. Katy used to live with the Flanigan family and Cody, who they have living with them, ends up drinking too much. It affects the whole family, including their oldest daughter. Bailey has always done the right thing but she is pushing the limits now that her parents are consumed with Cody.

And John Baxter is becoming closer friends with Elaine. Is something brewing between them? Is it time to move on from the death of his wife? How will his children feel?

Once again I love these books. I get so caught up in them I have to put them down and read something else to reboot and start again! I am excited to continue on in this series to see what becomes of Katy and Dayne!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Forever by Karen Kingsbury

This is the last book in the Firstborn series BUT excited to know that it doesn't end here with the Baxter family! The next series continues on with the Sunrise series!

In Forever it was up and down as is usual with these books. I think it was a little less exciting for me just because I had already read another book a few series down and already knew the outcome of what happened before I read this book. If I had not read that one, I would have been sucked in to the story line a little more. Having said that the story is just as good and I am still in love with these books! And I still did my share of tearing up!

In Forever, there is a huge accident that occurs that shakes the Katy and the Baxter's to the core. The future that they saw could be taken away from them before it even starts. Mean while the Baxter son, Luke, is having a hard time coping with news that changed his family as it was and now this accident adds more guilt. His emotions are getting the best of him and it's affecting his relationships including his marriage.

The Baxter's have to lean on God and trust that the future of their family is in his hands. To show that they walk in faith to finish a project that shows their hope is in God!

In some ways I think the story always ends on a good note, so by now I kind of assume that no matter what happens the Baxter family wins in the end. Not sure I would want tragedy to happen and it to end sadly but after reading so many of these stories it's harder to be swayed when you know in the end what will happen.

I am hoping that the author can keep the story going and I can't wait to continue on it the Baxter story in Sunrise!