The Fortune Cafe (A Tangerine Street Romance) by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, and Heather B. Moore

The Fortune Cafe by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, and Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to Tangerine Street

Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and exclusive bed-and-breakfasts. The Fortune Café, situated in the middle of this charming collection of shops and cafés on Tangerine Street, is a Chinese restaurant unlike any other because, well, to be honest, the fortunes found in the cookies all come true…

MIS-FORTUNE: Emma, a waitress at The Fortune Café will do anything to avoid opening a fortune cookie. Each fortune is rumored to somehow magically come true. Being a girl grounded in reality, she doesn’t have time for that kind of nonsense. But when trying to prevent a food fight at the café, Emma accidentally cracks open a fortune cookie: “Look around, love is trying to catch you.” If there is one thing that Harrison, her former best friend in high school is good at, it’s catching her unaware.

LOVE, NOT LUCK: Lucy has always been lucky . . . until her parents meet her fiancé’s parents at a disastrous lunch at The Fortune Café, and she breaks her lucky jade necklace. Even worse, her fortune cookie reveals that “True love is for the brave, not the lucky.” How is she supposed to read that? She’s always considered how she met her fiancé lucky. But after breaking her necklace, Lucy’s luck takes a dive. And when her fiancé dumps her, the only person she can turn to is Carter, the unluckiest guy she knows. 

TAKEOUT: Stella is content in her new life of taking over her mom’s jewelry shop. No more boyfriend to worry about, and as long as she stays busy, she doesn’t have to dwell on her non-existent love life. When Evan comes into the shop with his young daughter, Stella is charmed. But she is reluctant to complicate her straightforward life, so when she reads her fortune after ordering takeout from The Fortune Café, she completely ignores it. After all, how can a fortune as vague as “Do the thing you fear and love is certain,” apply to her?

Read April 2014

4.5 Stars

Collection of contemporary romance novellas, received an e-copy from one of the authors for an honest review.

My Review:
This collection of novellas are all connected by The Fortune Cafe.  This is no ordinary Chinese Restaurant.  I loved reading about the quirky characters that work at The Fortune Cafe.  The setting of this restaurant and the folks that work in the area and, of course eat at The Fortune Cafe, are what make these 3 stories work.

I like that although the stories are written by 3 separate authors, they work together.  I don't feel like I'm jumping in to a completely different world.  That being said, the stories are separate and each would do well on its own.  

The stories are clean, fun, and of course, full of romance.

Warnings: None

I would let my 16 year old read this collection.  

I also read this book as part of the Summer Book Trek on newldsfiction.com.  Check this blog out!  I love it.

Falling for You by Krista Lynne Jensen

Falling for You by Krista Lynne Jensen

Summary from Goodreads:
Jetsetter Elizabeth Embry is the toast of the town. A rising star in the fashion industry, she has traveled the world and lived a life of glamour and fortune. But beneath her carefree façade, Elizabeth is running from a past that won’t let her rest. When a former colleague reaches out with a job offer in the sleepy town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Elizabeth feels a spark of hope—perhaps this drastic change of scene will finally allow her to slow down. Envisioning an idyllic getaway at the mountainous bed & breakfast that has been arranged for her, Elizabeth is caught off guard by her immediate attraction to the aloof innkeeper. Ryan Brennan is certainly handsome, but what secrets hide behind that withdrawn exterior? Surrounded by people bent on playing matchmaker, the stage is set for a picture-perfect romance. But as past heartache threatens to overwhelm them both, can Elizabeth and Ryan let go of their pain and grab hold of a promising future together?

Read March 2014

5 Stars

I was blessed to win this book in a contest held by the author, Krista Lynne Jensen.  She is so sweet.  Not only did she send a signed copy of the book, but she also included a handmade scarf!

My Review:
First, how cute is the cover of this book.  It makes me want to curl up with hot cocoa and watch the snow falling outside.

The setting of this book is terrific.  I have only been to Jackson Hole once, but I can picture the town in my mind as I read.  I can imagine the Inn and the boutiques.

The characters are flawed.  They each have their own issues, but they are each trying to be better.  They are doing the best they can, day by day.  That includes the main characters as well as the supporting characters.

I like the theme of forgiveness in this book.  I am especially impressed with the theme of forgiving oneself for mistakes we have made.  What a powerful message for each of us.  And, one of the things that makes this possible is the love we have for each other and the love we have for ourselves.

Warnings: Some adult themes

I would let my 16 year old read this book, but not my 13 year old.

Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon

Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon

Summary from Goodreads:
When Josie Jensen, an awkward 13-year-old musical prodigy, crashes headlong into new kid Samuel Yazzie, an 18-year-old Navajo boy full of anger and confusion, an unlikely friendship blooms. Josie teaches Samuel about words, music, and friendship, and along the way finds a kindred spirit. Upon graduation, Samuel abandons the sleepy, small town in search of a future and a life, leaving his young mentor behind. Many years go by, and Samuel returns to find his old friend in need of the very things she offered him years before. Their roles reversed, Samuel teaches Josie about life, love, and letting go.

Deeply romantic and poignant, 'Running Barefoot' is the story of a small town girl and a Native American boy, the ties that bind us to our homes and families, and the love that gives us wings.

5 Stars

Read February 2014

Young Adult, ebook on Nook

My Review:
I had a friend recommend the book, A Different Blue, by Amy Harmon.  I have not read it yet.  But when I saw Running Barefoot for free one day on Barnes and Noble, I snatched it up.  

Wow!  I loved this book!  I'm not sure what I expected, but this wasn't it.  First off, the story was set in Levan, UT.  I have lived in UT before, but never in this kind of rural area.  It was fascinating to get a glimpse into the culture of this small town.  I enjoyed learning about the people in the town, how they lived their lives, and what kinds of hopes and dreams they had.

Second, the author made one of the main characters an American Indian.  I am not familiar with much of American Indian culture.  Again, it was a fascinating look at a culture.  I have a minor in Anthropology and I love learning about other cultures and in this book I got to learn about two.  

Third, the main female character was a young teenager and we follow her through her life until she is a young adult.  She was a strong young woman who did her best under all circumstances.  She had a lot of adversity, but seemed to keep going and work through those trials.  I admit I was in tears in parts of this book.  She was also a musician and I loved hearing about the songs she would play and listen to.  I wished I had continued playing the piano!  She also read her scriptures and had verses that inspired me as she would write them and study them.

Fourth, this book had a great love story.  It warms my heart just now thinking about it.  It was an unusual romance with people from different cultures and backgrounds.  It started as teenagers and evolved when they were adults.  

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good, clean romance as well as learning about cultures with which they may not be familiar.  

Warnings:  Difficult adversity, but nothing graphic or violent

I would let my 16 year old daughter read this book.

Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore

Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost . . . a handsome stranger . . . What more could Eliza Robinson want?

Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza's life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt's death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.


5 Stars

Read March 2014

Received e-book from the author for an honest review

My Review:
When I first heard that this was a ghost story I was disappointed.  I'm not a huge fan of ghost stories.  However, as you can tell by my rating, I loved this book.  Even though this book had a ghost, it was not what I consider a ghost story.  This story had mystery, romance, suspense and drama.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and ghostly aspect of the story.  It was the backdrop and setting for the two main characters to experience their own story.  That part of the story was set in a Puritan town in Massachusetts.  It is not an area of the country I am familiar with and the author described the area well enough that I could picture the setting without the setting becoming the main focus.  

This book brought two people together that from the beginning look like they are so different.  However, as we the reader get to know these characters we realize that they have more in common than we thought.  I liked seeing the two main characters working together and the wonderful, fleeting moments they had together.  There were lots of twists and intertwining of the two lives that was unexpected.  I was definitely routing for them and hoped that their fleeting moments would lengthen out.

Warnings: Some violence described and some read/dreamed/remembered (including murder and rape)

I would let my 16 year old read this book.

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection by Karey White, Krista Lynne Jensen, Diane Darcy, Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, and Heather B. Moore.


Summary from A Timeless Romance Anthology Blog:

In Maggie’s Song, a charming story by Karey White, Maggie Jensen is part of a trio of best friends with Lucas and Dan. Together, they own and run Wild Country Hiking Tours. When Lucas returns to the company after getting his college degree, Maggie realizes that the crush she had on him as a teenager has now blossomed into so much more. But Lucas still treats her as one of the guys, and Maggie worries that if she tells him her real feelings, their relationship will be damaged forever.

In Just Fly, Krista Lynne Jensen's captivating novella, Wren is faced with the devastating news of her grandfather's death. But when her mom finds a mysterious letter from a woman named Dot in Seattle, Wren decides to visit the woman herself to deliver the news in person. Wren learns of the bucket list Dot and Gramps had put together with the help of Dot's grandson, Seth, and Dot challenges Wren to take her grandfather's place in completing the list. Before the week of adventure is over, Seth has impressed Wren in more ways than one. But is that enough to overcome Wren's fear of losing those she loves?

How to Rewrite a Love Letter, an enthralling novella by Diane Darcy, high school teacher Julie Ashburn believes she’ll never live the “event” down in which she wrote her true feelings in a love letter to Principal Dane Parker, and he laughed out loud, mocking her. Now that her honors English students want to write love letters for the school fundraiser, Dane turns down the idea flat. Julie tries to convince him that it was her students’ idea and not any sort of payback. But when a student writes a fake love letter from the principal to Julie, everything gets even more mixed up, and both Julie and Dane are caught up in a series of misunderstandings that might be impossible to sort out.

In Sarah M. Eden’s delightful story, A Thousand Words, Shannon Ryan has been waiting half a year to be reunited with her fiance, Patrick, with only the letters between them keeping their relationship alive. He finally sends for her after securing a good job with the Sidney newspaper, and she can’t wait to be reunited with him, swept up in his arms and thoroughly kissed. And of course, married as soon as possible. But when she arrives at the train station, there is no Patrick waiting for her. Shannon must discover if the man she loves still has feelings for her.

Between the Lines is a sweet romance by Annette Lyon. Jane Martin is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship. The program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected, and unknown to Jane, one of the men in her city becomes her writing friend. Thomas Allred has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters written to his secret persona, opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. The only trouble is, Jane doesn’t know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.

In the enchanting novella, Blackberry Hollow, by Heather B. Moore, Lucy Quinn travels to England to inspect her inherited estate. Unfortunately, as a resident of New York and nearly engaged, Lucy needs put the house on the market. But first, she wants to learn more about her ancestors. What she doesn’t expect is Calvin Bevans, the man living next door. The two families have been divided by a misunderstanding decades old, and when Lucy discovers a set of love letters, she learns the truth. As Calvin helps her unravel the hidden secrets between the two families, Lucy finds that she has more reasons to stay in England than to return to New York. And Calvin is at the top of that list.

5 Stars

Read February 2014

Received a free e-book copy from one of the authors for an honest review.

Review:
My favorite of all of these anthologies that I've read is the Winter Collection.  This Love Letter Collection comes in a close second.  I LOVE the LOVE LETTERS!  

With all of the anthologies there is a common theme although they are all different stories by different authors.  Having the love letters be the common theme is genius.  And coming right at Valentine's time is perfect.  There are so many ways to incorporate love letters that I have never thought of.  Where do they come up with the ideas?  Thank you, Authors, for having such creative minds.

And, I'm looking forward to the next installment...The Old West Collection coming in May 2014.  


Warnings: None

I would let my 16 year old read this collection of stories.  

Victoria's Promise by Julie Wright

Victoria's Promise by Julie Wright

Summary from The Newport Ladies Book Club Blog:
A luxurious mansion. Thirty stunning bachelorettes. One very eligible bachelor. All of the ingredients are in place for a successful reality dating show, and behind the scenes, Tori Winters is set to pull the romantic strings as assistant director of Vows. Despite her distaste for public exhibitions of love—which spelled the death of her last relationship—Tori intends to give the public exactly what they want: scintillating footage of a bevy of beauties vying for the attention of Christopher Caine. But Chris, a consummate Southern gentleman and the star of Vows, seems almost too good to be true—and soon, even Tori finds herself falling under his spell. Despite legal obligations to avoid fraternizing with the talent, it’s clear her feelings are anything but unrequited. With the support of her friends in the Newport Ladies Book Club, Tori must make a life-altering decision: is she willing to jeopardize all she’s worked for in order to embrace her own fairy-tale ending?

4 Stars

Read January 2014

Free e-book from one of the authors for an honest review

My Review:
I read this book just after I read Ruby's Secret.  It was nice to keep the story going.  The stories take place at the same time, just from another character's point of view.  It was fun to see moments in the book I had just read from Victoria's perspective.  It opened up the story so much.  The collaborating authors did a great job of meshing the stories together.

This story had a lot more angst in it.  That was somewhat expected in a story about a twenty-something year old as opposed to a 62 year old.  I really had no idea how this story was going to end.  I couldn't see a happy ending.  The author did a good job of keeping me interested in the two main characters and their relationship even though it didn't seem that anything could come of it.  

There were some great insider details about "Dating Shows".  I have watched the Bachelor and the Bachelorette.  I'm not an avid watcher, but have definitely seen a few seasons of each.  I liked seeing a producers take on things that were happening in that kind of show.  I can't imagine how true love is ever found in that environment.  Good thing I'm already happily married and don't have to look for love on reality tv.

Warnings: Some drinking, drug abuse

I would let my 15 year old read this book.  Just like the other Newport Ladies books, the subject probably wouldn't interest her.  But the book is clean enough for her to read.

Ruby's Secret (A Newport Ladies Book Club Novel) by Heather B. Moore

Ruby's Secret by Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to the Newport Ladies Book Club series:

At age sixty-two, life is finally beginning for newly widowed Ruby Crenshaw. Her son is grown and gone, and after long years spent as a loyal wife to her charming but unfaithful husband, she’s ready to live the life she’s always dreamed of. Her resolve is firm: she’ll never make the mistake of giving her heart to another man.

The first step in Ruby’s quest for a carefree lifestyle was to create the Newport Ladies Book Club, an unlikely gathering of women who have been her haven. Now she’s ready to take her new found independence a step further—along with her friends from the local senior center, Ruby is jetting off to a much-needed Greece adventure. What she isn’t prepared for is Gabriel—the group’s tour guide—a native Greek and a true gentleman. His unquestionable charm is hard to resist. But resist she must—because no matter their growing attraction, Ruby is not about to fall for charming again!

4 Stars

Read January 2014

Free e-book from author in exchange for honest review.

My Review:
At this point there are 6 books in the Newport Ladies Book Club series.  I had read one of them before I read this book and that was over a year ago.  I was concerned that they needed to be read in order, but I was reassured that each book could be read as a stand alone book.

That was definitely the case here.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story about Ruby Crenshaw.  And, I liked getting to know the other ladies in the book club as well.  Although the story was about Ruby, she has experiences and situations with her book club friends that help us to know those women as well as Ruby.  I found myself just as interested in their stories as I went along.  The author did an excellent job of intriguing me about these women.  I will definitely be reading more books in the series.

Ruby was a woman who seemed like she had it all.  But, she had a secret...she was miserable in her marriage.  She was now a 62 year old widow and happy to find things to keep her busy and active.  In an effort to appease her daughter-in-law, Ruby visited the Senior Center and quickly got involved with this unusual group.  

The Seniors went on a trip to Greece where Ruby discovered that, although 62 years old and jaded to marriage, she had a heart that could still be touched.  I loved Ruby's relationship with Gabriel.  They developed a friendship that opened Ruby's heart in a way that she hadn't let herself experience.  I loved some of the dialogue between the two.  

This story was about relationships, people, and developing your best self.  There were some serious issues explored, but also happy and sweet moments as well.  

Warnings:  Infidelity, violence that is talked about, mental illness

I would allow my 15 year old to read this book, but it is definitely adult, with adult situations that I do not think she would appreciate or identify with.