Currently Reading

I am reading Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay.  I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. This is a big book there are a lot of chapters in it. Have a good weekend everyone.

Review: No Place Like Home: A Christian Romance (Home to You Book 1) by Morris Fenris

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Jerricha Ballard has the voice of an angel and the ability to write songs that can melt the heart. She's been the lead singer of pop/rock band Jericho for the past seven years, and she's tired. Tired of the games. Tired of the parties. Tried of writing empty music.

Logan James is a former football star who has always secretly admired Jerricha's tremendous gift. But when he was in high school, he'd been bound by the best friend motto and not allowed to act on his feelings. Now she's back and this time, no restrictions are being placed on his heart.

But Logan's been hurt before and he doesn't want a repeat performance. He takes things slowly, but then Jerricha needs him to come to her rescue and they spend more time together, he can't stop thinking about what a future with her might look like.

Jerricha is at a crossroad and needing to make some life-altering decisions. Will one of those decisions include Logan?

Come along to the sleepy little town of Warm Springs Wyoming. Will Logan and Jerricha get their problems all figured out, or compound them? Is there a feature out there for both of them, or is that only a silly dream? Is home just any place where you take your hat off at the end of the day or is it more? Find out in Jerricha and Logan's story. There really is no place like home at Christmas.

Oh my goodness this is a really good book. It grabs you from the first chapter and won't let go. I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

I have read 50% of the book No Place Like Home: A Christian Romance (Home to You Book 1) by Morris Fenris. This is a really good book I have not been able to put it down its a real page turner. Maybe I will be posting another reading progress update soon.

Currently Reading

I am reading No Place Like Home: A Christian Romance (Home to You Book 1) by Morris Fenris. I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. I saw this book on my Facebook feed. So far it is good. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Review: Fashionably Date (Do-Over Date Series Book 5) by Susan Hatler

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Hoping for a fresh start after her ex - fianc'e cheats on her before the wedding, supermodel Missy Peters moves to a new city and opens an upscale clothing boutique. When a puppy darts into traffic during her morning coffee run, Missy rushes to save the innocent pooch, only to be rescued herself when gym owner Nick Zambini pulls her out of harms way.

Nick is handsome, intelligent and witty, and his smile does crazy things to Missy's belly. Ignoring her obvious attraction, she discovers their business goals are the same: to help people look and feel their best. When Nick suggests they join forces professionally, Missy is all for that enterprise, but she's not ready to trust in more.

Will spending time with Nick entice Missy to risk her heart a second time? And will these two workaholics discover the most perfect venture of all is love?

I just love Susan Hatler books. I thought the book was written well. It is a short sweet clean romance novel.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series but I don't want the series to end. There are six books in the series. Book six comes out on July 30th. I would recommend this book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Review: How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Nightingale Books, nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village, is a dream come true for book lovers-a cozy haven and welcoming getaway  for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father's death, and the temptation to sell is getting stronger.

The property developers are circling, yet Emilia's loyal customers have become like family, and she can't imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store alive.

There's Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an escape in the past few years, but it now seems there's a very specific reason for all those frequent visits.

Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever  shy Thomasina, who runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage-she has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section, but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings.

Enter the world of Nightingale Books for a serving of romance, long-held secrets, and unexpected hopes for the future-and not just within the pages on the shelves. How to Find Love in a Bookshop  is the delightful story of Emilia, the unforgettable cast of customers whose lives  she has touched, and the books they all cherish.

I found this book on a book website and I fell in love with the cover. I knew I just had to buy it.

It is a wonderful story. I will make you fall in love with reading. I can spend hours in a bookstore. I love the characters and the feel of community. I would recommend this book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

I have read 51% of the book How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry. I will be posting another reading progress update soon.  Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Review: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Here is a summary of what the book is about. From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family's erratic and eccentric behavior- such as her father Johnny's taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy's habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce- no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans life lacked drama.

By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans' daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from "junk day" on Saturdays, when the children of Francie's neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry.

Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a novel of childhood, replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences- a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.

This book was written a long time ago. When I was in high school it was required reading. I am glad I read this book again. It is a classic. The book gives a glimpse of what life was like back then in 1912 and beyond how people lived. After reading this book it makes you grateful for the things you have today.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Currently Reading

I am reading How to Find Love in a  Bookshop by Veronica Henry.  I will be posting reading progress updates as I read. I want to wish all the moms out there  a Happy Mother’s Day. May you have a lovely day.

Reading Progress Update

I have read 50% of the book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This is a big book with a lot of chapters in it but it is a classic. I will be posting another update soon.  Hope everyone is having a lovely day.

Review: Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Annie Marlow has been through the worst. Rocked by tragedy, she heads to the one place that makes her happy: Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest, the destination of many family vacations when Annie was a teenager.

Once there, Annie begins to restore her broken spirit, thanks in part to the folks she meets: a local painter, Keaton, whose large frame is equal to his big heart-and who helps Annie fix up her rental cottage by the sea; Mellie, the reclusive, prickly landlord Annie is determined to befriend; and Britt, a teenager with a terrible secret. But it is Keaton to whom Annie feels most drawn. His quiet, peaceful nature offers her both comfort and reprieve from her grief, and the two begin to grow closer.

Then events threaten to undo the idyll Annie has come to enjoy. And when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap, she is torn between the excitement of a new journey toward success and the safe and secure arms id the haven-and the man-she's come to call home.

In this heartwarming tale, Annie finds that the surest way to fix what is damaged within is to help others rise above their pain and find a way to heal.

I have to be honest I started this book a year ago and forgot about it because I was busy with life. I enjoyed this book. I thought it was written very well. There are some twists and turns in the story. I just love Debbie Macomber books.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Currently Reading

I am reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This is a big book it  is broken down into five parts. I will be posting reading progress updates along the way.

Review: Date to the Rescue(Do-Over Date Series Book 4) by Susan Hatler

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Super organized Lucy Remington is done getting burned by unreliable men, so she's giving up hot and spicy and holding out for reliable and responsible. When her friend sets her up on a blind date, she agrees to make dinner for a man who sounds like the very definition of stable: an accountant.

The only problem? Lucy is the queen of toasters and takeout. But she's determined to make a home cooked dinner for her upcoming date.Instead of whipping up a delicious meal on her trail run, though, she ends up setting her kitchen on fire! Even worse, she finds herself in the arms of a handsome man who makes her heart race.

Firefighter Jake Bryant maybe a genuine hero, but he's like the curry Lucy wishes she could make -- hot, delicious, and unforgettable. Therefore he's a dating mistake waiting to happen. Despite the fact that Jake makes her laugh and she craves his company, Lucy's mind is made up: she's sticking to the date with the uncomplicated accountant.

To Lucy's surprise, Jake offers to teach her how to cook so she can impress her blind date. Confident in her willpower, she agrees. Soon, however, Lucy's hungering for sweet icing more than plain old flour. Can Jake rescue Lucy's southing technique? And with a little cayenne here and a dash of chili pepper there, can he rescue her heart as well?

I am loving this series and the characters. I found the story to be sweet, cute, charming, and fun. I just love happy endings. I am almost done with this series. There is one more book in the series but it doesn't come out until May 26th.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Review: The Date Next Door (Do-Over Date Series Book 3) by Susan Hatler

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Carefree Hannah Griffin's life is on track: she's spending time with friends and working to win over her new boss at work after a substantial promotion. Soon, however, disaster strikes, when a potential client refuses to answer her calls. Then Hannah's long-time and unrequited crush, super polished Blake Remington moves in next door.

Hannah has ignored her feelings for her best friend's older brother by keeping her distance, but now he's popping by every day. When Blake reveals he has an extra ticket to a couple's golf tournament, Hannah discovers her potential client will be there and offers to be Blake's date. One major problem: Hannah doesn't know how to golf.

As Blake teaches Hannah to golf, she struggles with feeling out of place in his country club world. Blake's kindness and flirting help her feel at ease. As Hannah's feelings grow, her crush on Blake turns into love and she wonders if she and Blake might have a chance - until Blake's classy ex returns, determined to win him back.

Will the boy Hannah had always loved break her heart, or will Blake realize she's the one he's been looking for?

Well I am almost done with this series.  I love the characters in these books. I thought the story was written very well. It's sweet and cute and fun. Susan Hatler is my favorite author.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Currently Reading

I am reading Date to the Rescue (Do-Over Date Series Book 4) by Susan Hatler. I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Review: The Double Date Disaster (Do-Over Date Series Book 2) by Susan Hatler

Here is a summary of what the book is about. City girl Jennifer Page works sixteen - hour days and has little time for love. But when her best friend proposes they go on a blind  double date, Jennifer doesn't hesitate to say yes. What's better for her overworked soul than time with her best friend, and a new sushi restaurant, and a cute guy?

Outdoor adventurist Dylan Douglas is surprised when his blind date shows up for whitewater rafting dressed to the nines in high heels. Turns out the only experience she has with the outdoors is when she almost got eaten by a bear as a kid. Despite the mix-up, Jennifer continues with the date and Dylan admires her spunk.

Jennifer and Dylan have little in common, but he turns out to be fun and insightful. As they spend time together, Jennifer realizes an adventurist girl has been hiding inside her this whole time. Will their differences tear them apart or teach them that a rafting disaster can turn into the love of a lifetime?

I thought this was a cute sweet story. I could not put it down. Susan Hatler is a wonderful writer. I just love her books. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Review: A Million Dollar Date (Do-Over Date Series Book 1) by Susan Hatler

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Abigail Apple is running late to meet her blind date when she's pulled over for speeding. Unfortunately, the follow-the-rules cop doesn't care that she's late, let alone that she's heartbroken because her favorite dog rescue is in danger of being closed. Now she has to meet her date with mud drying on her heels, dog hair covering her dress, and the smell of a barn perfuming her hair.

When she arrives, however, Abigail learns her handsome blind date is none other than the cop who pulled her over. Abigail has no intention of staying until she learns Cooper Hill is heading a committee for the city that will award a six-figure donation to a charity of their choice. So, what's a girl to do? Abigail decides a second date is the perfect way to convince Cooper to vote for the dog rescue. Soon, however Abigail is less interested in Cooper's vote than she is in his deep voice, kind heart, and tender touch.

Will this follow-the-rules cop and this follows-her-heart animal lover learn that despite poor first impressions, second chances can lead to love?

When you read on of Susan Hatler's book you know it is going to be good clean fun. I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was written well. I could not put it down. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Review: The Oregon Trail Romance Collection

If you are looking for adventure, romance, history, faith. Then look no further than The Oregon Trail. This book has nine stories in it. Filled with adventure and faith and hard times and romance.

The titles of the books are 1. The Sagebrush Bride by Amanda Cabot. 2. Beckoned Hearts by Melanie Dobson. 3. Shanghaied by the Bride by Pam Hillman. 4. Settled Hearts by Myra Johnson. 5 As Good as Gold by Amy Lillard. 6. Daughters of the Wind by Diann Mills. 7. His Frontier Family by Anna Schmidt. 8. State of Matrimony by Ann Shorey. 9. Sioux Summer by Jennifer Uhlarki.

From the very first story I was hooked. I could not put this book down. It grabs you from the first page. I loved these stories. I would recommend this book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Currently Reading

I am reading A Million Dollar Date (Do-Over Date Series Book 1) by Susan Hatler. I will be posting  reading progress updates along the way. There are four books in this series. I hope everyone is having a good week.

Review: Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

 Here is a summary of what the book is about. Christmas Jars shares the story of Hope Jensen, an aspiring journalist who uncovers the remarkable secret behind a holiday phenomenon: money-filled glass jars anonymously given to people in need. Hope desperately wants to post the story, but doing so would be a breach of trust to the family who entrusted her with the secret. What she decides to do will change her life forever. A heartwarming story that will restore your faith in humanity and make you want to start your own Christmas Jar tradition.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I could not put it down. The message is a reminder of what Christmas is really about and that is to help people who are in need. I would recommend this book to everyone. It’s a touching story. 

Happy Reading Everyone!