Future Tour: Front Page Fatality by LynDee Walker
LynDee will be on tour July 22-August 5 with her mystery novel Front Page Fatality Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke’s days can flip from macabre to…
On Tour: Tales From the Laundry Pile by Kathleen Kole
Kathleen will be on tour July 8-29 with her novel Tales From the Laundry Pile Claire Jamieson has moved back home to Boxwood Hills… And,…
In My Mailbox: Week of July 7
Title: On Grace Author: Susie Orman Schnall Received: Via CLP Blog Tours Synopsis: Grace May is truly excited about turning 40 in a few months.…
Book Review: A Brother’s Honor by Brenda Jackson
I received a copy of A Brother’s Honor by Brenda Jackson in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
The Granger brothers left behind their family’s Virginia estate—and the bad memories it holds—years ago. But their dying grandfather’s request brings them home: to a failing business, a legacy of secrets and a deathbed promise to make things right.
As the eldest brother, attorney Jace Granger is determined to take responsibility for Granger Aeronautics, his family’s failing business. But the years of mismanagement seem impossible to untangle. As CEO, he hires a consultant to turn the company around. Smart, sexy Shana Bradford is the right person for the job—and the right woman to turn Jace’s world upside down.
But the passion between them is jeopardized when old secrets begin to emerge. A woman from Jace’s past suddenly reappears. And an explosive discovery changes everything Jace thinks he knows about his mother—and his father, who was convicted of her murder.
Jace Granger tried to leave his family history behind once before. But this time he needs to face the past…or risk losing his future.
Three brothers. One legacy. A lifetime of secrets.
Review:
I’ve been a fan of Brenda Jackson for quite some time now and was eagerly awaiting her newest book … and I must say, this book does not disappoint. Brenda does a wonderful job weaving together a very intricate story and creating such vivid and honest characters. I really admired Jace and thought he was a really great character and honestly, I thought the attraction between him and Shana was sizzling. The secondary characters were written very well and added a lot to the overall feel of the story. This story is a wonderful read and I loved that the author takes her time writing such intricate scenes. I highly recommend this book and think that you will love it.
Rating: 5 stars
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Somewhere Between Black and White …
Shelly Hickman is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Somewhere Between Black and White
Summary:
Romance, humor, family drama, with a touch of Buddhism. Sound interesting?
When approaching life’s problems, Sophie sees in black and white. That is, when they’re someone else’s problems. So when it comes to her sister, Sophie is sure she has all the answers, and offers them without hesitation. If only her sister would listen.
Then, through a series of chance encounters, she meets Sam, who is witty, kind, and downright unflappable. Sophie has the overwhelming sense that she’s known him before, and as a relationship builds between them, odd visions invade her mind. Though she tries to dismiss them, their persistence will not allow it.
As someone who is quick to judge others, she is intrigued by Sam’s ability to accept people as they are. She begins to see him as a role model, but try as she may, his accepting nature is difficult to emulate.
Will Sophie ever be able to put her hasty judgments aside and realize not every problem has a simple solution?
Review:
I found this to be a very enjoyable read. I liked the romance between Sophie and Sam, and the soul mate angle was interesting to think about. The plot line for Evie and her husband Christian was pretty intense. Sometimes I was more excited to read about their story because there was a lot going on there, a lot of depth, and I was curious to see how they would end up. I wasn’t too sure about the flashbacks that happen in the story; I think they could have either been cut out or there should have been more placed throughout the book. Overall I thought it was a well-written book that was paced well, and I liked the message that was delivered to readers.
4 stars
On Tour: Untimed by Andy Gavin
Andy will be on tour July 8-22 with his novel Untimed Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, his own mother can’t…
Book Review: Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby
I am excited to share my review today for Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby! I befriended Lydia initially through her book blog, Novel Escapes, and was so honored when she asked me to work on the editing for her manuscript. That manuscript has now turned into the wonderful Redesigning Rose, and let’s dive right into my review!
Summary:
Rose Parker’s husband has been lying. About everything.
When a conversation with her husband triggers questions, Rose Parker uncovers alarming answers that shatter her perfect life. But it is only when she shoves her belongings in her SUV and drives off that Rose realizes just how far from perfect her life actually was. She has nowhere to turn.
While debating between distressing sleeping arrangements–her mother’s house full of questions or a hotel room with too much solitude–Rose bumps into an acquaintance from her gardening class and allows bubbly, exuberant Becky to indulge her in a wild night full of whiskey, weeping, and whispered confidences. Suddenly, Rose has a new friend, a roof over her head, and two gorgeous men moving her out of her marital home.
As Rose struggles to settle into her new life, she remains determined to comprehend her past. And with time and distance and especially wine, comes knowledge. Frank wasn’t the only one lying to her. Rose was lying to herself.
Review:
I love that we start off right away knowing that Rose’s husband is an awful man. I think the story started off on the right foot; we are immediately in the action and backing Rose one hundred percent. Rose’s character is very well-written, a woman with flaws yet determined to move on with her life, yet she can’t resist meeting up with her soon to be ex-husband a few times. It would have been hard to believe if she just cut him out cold turkey, so even though I was screaming “don’t do it!” I knew she had to. I like the love interest in this story because it’s not easy. It’s messy and complicated but really fun to read about. The supporting cast is great fun as well, especially wild Becky (who gets a serious storyline that really added depth to the book) and Rose’s supportive mother. I highly recommend this wonderful debut novel!
5 stars
On Tour: Looming Murder by Carol Ann Martin
Carol Ann Martin will be on tour July 8 -29 with her novel Looming Murder Della Wright has come to peaceful and picturesque Briar Hollow,…
Book Review: The Back-Up List by Miriam Brady and Amber …
The book was given to me in exchange for an honest review
When I begun this book, the first chapter really threw me…I recall thinking-great another mushy novel about a perfect women that ends up with a perfect non-realistic life with a rock star. I was determined not to like it after that first chapter…….
And then I was introduce to Maddy and Kinley….In all honesty my heart broke and I cried….and cried…and cried throughout this book. The ability to capture and describe grief without minimizing or making less of the experience is not often done well, in this book they did so well that as I not only could relate I truly felt the grief written. It was moving to read how the accident affected Kinley and her family and I was pleased that this was not left out of the story. Often times when someone passes, we don’t get to really experience how many lives they touched and how many are truly affected by their death…Especially when taken so unexpectedly and tragically.
This story is a unique surprising story about recovering…or at least surviving a terrible tragedy. It was so well written that I grieved and hurt with the character’s all throughout the story and I celebrated with them as well. I felt like I was very much apart of this unique family and all that is their sweet quirky clan.
I won’t go in to many details, because I feel that I can not do justice to this story. However, I will tell you this story has it all! It has grief, happiness, scandal, an amazing story about how friendship can replace family, and of course it was what ever story needs…Rock stars!
Through the story you see a dynamic between Maddy and her friends, something every girl should have in her life, and I am feeling slighted that my and my girlfriends have never thought to create validation cards. It will now be done, actually the friendships between the ladies in this book lighten my heart and have reminded me how important it is to treasure those unique friends that support your highs and lows in life. Lifetime friends as I would call what these 4 have, is never to be taken lightly nor should one ever live without having at least one.
The ending of the story was a fun happy way to end a story and I am looking forward to book 2 and the twists that Kinley will add to the next in this series.
Rarely am I surprised by a novel quite like I was with this one…If I could give this higher then 5 stars-I would! It was a pleasure and privilege to read this story and I will be reading it again.
