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Book Review: After the Rain by Karen White

I received a copy of After the Rain by Karen White in exchange for an honest review. I can never turn down a Karen White book, no matter how busy my schedule may be. Her books have a way of drawing me in, to surrendering to the plot and the characters, and I am just drawn to them. I had a fabulous time reading After the Rain, and thought it was quite a charming novel. It starts off with freelance photographer Suzanne Paris on a bus, escaping from something or someone. While at a stop in Walton, Georgia she makes the fateful decision to step off – and everything changes. She is quickly pulled into the small town, its residents, and all the special quirks and characters that fill the town. She is especially drawn to the mayor, Joe Warner, and his six children. But Suzanne is always on the run, she must never settle or get too comfortable. But the town of Walton has different ideas for her.
I was immediately invested in this story, and not just because of Suzanne, though her back-story is quite intriguing. Joe and his children were fascinating to me, and the other characters from Walton filled out the book in all the right places. The only, only part that didn’t make much sense to me and had such a big storyline was Joe’s run for mayor. Walton is described as a small town where everyone looks out for each other, but Joe was so concerned about losing the race to a guy that is seemed no one in the town liked. I couldn’t fully grasp that plot point because the two stories then seemed to contradict each other. But overall, I thought this was such a good read and one I highly recommend. I look forward to more from Karen White!
4 stars

Book Review: On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

Anna Emerson is a thirty year old teacher desperately in need of an adventure. She is in a relationship that is going no where, so…

Book Review: A Good Kind of Knowing by Kathy Lynn …

I received a copy of A Good Kind of Knowing by Kathy Lynn Harris in exchange for an honest review. Sera Taylor is our main focus, and is a woman who can bring people together. She lives in the small town of Lakeville, Texas and runs a widely popular music store. She’s friends with almost everyone, and the town is hit hard when Sera is diagnosed with cancer. The book weaves Sera’s story and her battle along with the town’s reaction and how they all pitch in to help save her store – and themselves.
This book is really one to pull at heartstrings. I lost my grandmother to breast cancer just a few years ago, and watching someone with an illness is an incredibly hard thing. The book brought me back to the time while reading, and I shed quite a few tears throughout the way. I enjoyed the Texas setting, Sera’s spirit, and the supporting cast who really added a lot to the book overall. At times I felt a bit of a disconnect with the characters, practically Sera and Mack. I’m not sure if I just didn’t get enough of their story to understand their connection or what it was, but something was missing there for me. I adored Ruby D. (and the name!) even though she didn’t always make the best decisions. While Sera’s husband could seem infuriating at times, I got it. I got his way of dealing with his wife’s diagnosis, and overall I thought this novel was extremely well-written. One I recommend – as long as you have some tissues handy!
4 stars

Finding Rachel Davenport by Michael Harling

I received a copy of FINDING RACHEL DAVENPORT by Michael Harling in exchange for an honest review.

Finding Rachel Davenport by Michael Harling follows Rachel – former child prodigy, world class gymnast and Miss Teen England – who has retired from her very public life and lives in a small town where no one knows who she really is. During the day she works as a clerk for a travel agency but by night, she is a crime fighter. But, when one secret mission goes astray, Rachel finds herself being pursued by the media, the police, and criminals. She wants to move past all of this and go back to living anonymously, but first she must prove to the cops that she is a good guy. But, will she be able to save herself?

This book is a true delight. Quick paced, quirky, witty and heartwarming, this book is definitely a great read. Michael does an amazing job at getting gritty within the first few pages and he definitely reels the reader in from the get go (which I appreciated). I loved the characters and I really, really enjoyed the storyline. Overall, a great read with a lot of heart and some laughs sprinkled in between.
Rating: 4 stars

Book Review: Love or Money? by Carrie Stone

I received a copy of Love or Money? by Carrie Stone in exchange for an honest review. Felicity Harroway is a successful and driven woman, but when her values are questioned and a wrench is thrown into her carefully thought-out life plans, she decides to give something new a try – an adventure. Felicity’s best friend and housewife is struggling with her own issues regarding her husband and his new secretive ways. Is her marriage falling apart while she is pregnant? Felicity’s mother tries to help both woman stay sane and find happiness, but she is searching for her own happily ever after, because it is never too late. And Felicity’s rediscovered friend Sylvia tries to make a relationship work with her celebrity boyfriend – but will one mistake cost her not only her relationship but her friendship with Felicity?
I enjoyed Love or Money? and each characters story. Felicity is definitely the leading lady, but the supporting characters had just as much going on and were entertaining to read about. At times I struggled with Sylvia’s story, and even thought maybe it wasn’t entirely necessary to the book, but it did add some drama. Felicity and Zara’s friendship had me scratching my head a few times when they seemed to be contradicting each other, but I enjoyed Zara’s story and was interested in how it would end. One thing that was a bit of let-down was Felicity’s new relationship that she gets into. I don’t want to give too much away, but I thought the title would really pose a question for her, and in the end it really didn’t, which was a bit of disappointment. It wrapped up too neat and tidy for me to really appreciate the journey. With that being said, I did still enjoy the book and the writing, just a few plot points weren’t for me.
3.5 stars

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: In Search of a Love …

Rachel Schurig is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and In Search of a Love Story. Emily Donovan would never be called a romantic, but with a string of romances that went south, her friends try to convince her to take a new approach to love. Mainly – get into romance. For Emily – a girl who doesn’t like rom coms or romance books – this is quite the challenge. But when she meets Greg and their relationship progresses, she wonders if perhaps her friends were on to something. But does Greg love Emily for who she really is – and does Emily really love him back?
I had a great time reading this chick lit book that was full of laughs, romance, and written with a lot of heart. Emily is such a likeable heroine and I was intrigued by her relationship with Greg. I can understand her confusion she had regarding him, and I was hooked into reading wondering how it was going to end. Her friends make up a fun supporting cast, and I’m really looking forward to reading the sequel!
4 stars

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Death Turns a Trick by …

Julie Smith is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Death Turns a Trick. Chick lit mysteries are right up there in my fave genres choices, and I’m not surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Rebecca Schwartz is our Jewish lawyer MC, who finds herself in the middle of a city scandal. This happens because A) she is playing piano at a whorehouse, B) The whorehouse is suddenly raided and she finds herself driving away the senator (half-naked) and C) because she finds a dead hooker in her living room. If that doesn’t sound like a juicy novel, I don’t know what does!
Death Turns a Trick was a seriously funny book, all while being mysterious and having romance thrown in between the pages. Smith does a fab job at building Rebecca’s character and also with her comedic timing, and I don’t normally classify something as a “hoot,” but I feel that is the only word suitable for this book – in a good way, of course! If you like chick lit and mysteries, this book needs to be on your list – or just get it on there anyway! A favorite of mine!
5 stars

Falling For You by Heather Thurmeier

I received a copy of Falling For You by Heather Thurmeier in exchange for an honest review.

Falling For You stars the newly single, Cassidy Quinn, who has just been chosen to appear on a new reality dating show called, The One. Expecting to find Prince Charming and fall madly in love, Cassidy is less than thrilled when she sees that Brad, her ex-boyfriend, happens to be the bachelor. Seeing him brings back old feelings and she starts to wonder if she is over him like she thought she was. But, then she meets Evan, the camera man who is in charge of documenting her life for the show, and he begins tugging at her heart strings. But, with the show going on, and her Brad and Evan vying for her attention, what is a girl to do?

I thought this book was so cute. Light and fun, this book is definitely a quick read and very, very enjoyable. I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions as Cassidy stumbles her way through the show, and even more so as she tries to juggle her heart and both men. I also really enjoyed the romantic scenes between Cassidy and the two men. Overall, this is a great read that is well written with very believable and quirky characters. Also, the ending will definitely keep you on your toes.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Book Review: Nobody’s Damsel by E.M. Tippetts

I received a copy of Nobody’s Damsel by E.M. Tippetts in exchange for an honest review. I recently reviewed Someone Else’s Fairytale and really enjoyed the story, and I was looking forward to the follow-up on Chloe and Jason’s romance. I always hear that sequels aren’t supposed to be as good, but I thought this novel was even better than the first! It didn’t take me long at all to finish because I was so gripped by the tale and couldn’t put the book down until the end.
If you haven’t read the first book I really recommend it, because I want you to read Nobody’s Damsel and having the background information on Chloe and Jason will help immensely. The couple is now married, but Chloe is still having some difficulty adjusting to her role as wife of a Hollywood A-Lister. She doesn’t enjoy the paparazzi stalking her or the incessant rumors printed about her marriage, but she truly loves Jason and believes he loves her. Chloe has also taken on a job as a forensic scientist, something close to home for her after almost being murdered when she was younger.
The story weaves between Chloe’s work and the case that she is struggling on, and her home life and her struggles with the ever-present paparazzi and the undying rumor that Jason is cheating on her with his ex – and new costar. I was riveted from the never-ending action on the pages, and I found myself so entranced by the story that once while reading someone knocked on my door and I actually yelped. There is mystery, intrigue, romance, celebrity, scandal, death…all wrapped up in a truly impressive novel with a sweet cover. A favorite!
5 stars