A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush by Janette Rallison and C.J. Hill

A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush by Janette Rallison and C.J. Hill

Summary from Goodreads:
From the day Elsie’s older brother brought his friend Kye McBride over to their house, Elsie adored him. When she was eight, she secretly blew kisses to him. When she was twelve, she sat on the stairs unnoticed and watched him escort another girl to prom. When she was a senior in high school, she walked into math class and found out he was her new math teacher.

With that much emotion fueling her, things were bound to go wrong. And they did. Elsie not only spent the last two weeks of school avoiding him, she turned avoiding-Kye-at-all-costs into her life-long philosophy.

Now three years have passed and Elsie has come home for her brother’s wedding. She’s got to face Kye-–hopefully without getting crushed again.

4 Stars

Read June 2013

Short story, bought for $0.99 on Amazon

My Review:
This is a cute, short story.  It has the typical teenage angst of liking a guy who you can't have.  But it also has some funny moments of klutziness and embarrassment.  And some happy moments too.  I need those.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this, but I wouldn't recommend it to her.  When I say recommend, I mean that I wouldn't say, "Hey, you should read this book".  

Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Summary from Goodreads:
It’s taken Audrey Regan years to establish herself as a wedding dress designer, and to date she’s been roped into creating dresses for nine of her girlfriends. Request #10 follows her vow to “Just say no!” and comes from her very best friend. She can hardly turn Carly down! 

Audrey arrives in Atlanta early to perform all of her maid-of-honor duties along with final fittings for a one-of-a-kind dress. But Carly’s wedding is nothing short of an event, complete with Prince Charming, and the festivities make Audrey question whether there’s a prince of her own anywhere in her future. 

Enter the groom’s brother and best man. Shaggy-haired, tattooed bad boy J.R. Hunt couldn’t be any more different from Prince Charming if he rode in on a Harley Davidson. Oh, wait. He actually did ride in on a Harley!

4 Stars

Read June 2013

Christian Fiction (although the religious aspect is fairly mild, in my opinion), Library Book

My Review:
This series is really fun.  The first book introduced us to the Tanglewood Inn.  The second book broadened the cast of characters.  Now the third book brings the main character in to this world and we are able to see these characters that we love all interact.  I liked getting to know the new characters and getting to know the older characters better.  

The story is good, the romance sweet, the relationships of characters, especially friendships, is great.  I love the characters and their relationships with each other, whether friends, business associates, or romantically involved.  Sandra D. Bricker has created a place in Atlanta that I want to go, to meet all these people.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this story, but it is for adults and I don't think she would appreciate the story or the characters.

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Summary from Goodreads:
If someone told Jillian Parish moving on is easy, she would argue that it depends on what someone is leaving behind, and how much chocolate is available.

Jill has worked hard to build up a life far different than the one scarred by her mother's alcohol abuse. She works at a busy publishing house, is writing the novel of a lifetime, and goes home alone every day to a little dog, a spotless apartment, and a piece of 70% cacao and sugar. But in one day, Jill’s phone is stolen, she is tackled by a childhood love who has no idea who she is, and finds her long-lost sister on her front doorstep. In two days, Jill’s carefully controlled world is turned upside-down. In three days, she wonders if chocolate will ever be enough again.

When Scott Gentry moves to the city of Portland, Oregon and spots Jillian at church, he learns her reputation as a lost cause. But something compels him to get Sister Parish's attention, no matter how difficult that may prove. As Scott stumbles, crashes, and falls into Jill's guarded world, he finds himself with more attention than he bargained for, and more willing to do anything he can for the woman who is not made of stone, but of strength.

Grace brings Jill and Scott together, but can grace erase the past, or save the abandoned hearts left in its wake?

5 Stars

Read June 2013

LDS Fiction (although I think it is a good book for everyone), Inter-Library Loan

My Review:
Wow!  I love this book.  There is romance, but really the main theme is forgiveness and healing the hurts that we all feel.  Don't judge others because you never know what they may be going through.

I especially like the mother/father figures in this book, some parents, some acting as parents.  They are nurturing and thoughtful.

Although this is an LDS fiction novel, to me the LDS aspects weren't any more than what you would read if the character were Catholic or Jewish.  It gives you background to who the characters are, but the LDS culture isn't the main setting.  There is a lot of reference to God and His grace and help in healing, but that is not specific to the LDS religion.

Warnings: Alcoholism, drug abuse, child abandonment

I would not let my 15 year old read this book at this time.  It deals with mature themes that she would not understand or appreciate at this time.  However, this is an excellent book that I would recommend to her when she is an adult.

Georgie on His Mind by Jennifer Shirk

Georgie on His Mind by Jennifer Shirk

Summary from Goodreads:
Georgie Mayer has no boyfriend and rarely goes out. In short, she needs a life. Since graduating from college and returning home, her brother's protectiveness has been in overdrive, and she hasn't been able to have any fun, never mind go on a date. So what's a poor particularly attractive girl to do in a situation like this? The only thing she can do: find him a woman! He'll thank her for it in the end. That is, if his best friend Walt Somers would stop interfering with her plans. The handsome pharmacist has made it no secret that he doesn't approve of what she's up to. Unfortunately, having Walt hanging around does strange things to her mind, and she finds she can't help but take a healthy interest in him. But how can Georgie entertain thoughts of the two of them together when Walt still treats her like his best friend's little sister?



3.5 Stars

Read June 2013

Contemporary, library book (the first image is the edition I read.  I kind of like the green cover better)

My Review:
I liked this book.  It was cute, had some funny moments, and some sweet moments.  There was lots of misunderstanding which was the conflict in the book.  It was a clean romance.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this, but I wouldn't recommend it to her.  

Guest Review: Tuesdays at the Castle and Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at the Castle and Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George

Summary from Goodreads:
Tuesdays: Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.

Wednesdays: A castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family sworn to protect it... Celie, Rolf, and their beloved Castle Glower are back in this exciting sequel.

Strange things are afoot in Castle Glower: new rooms, corridors, and even stables keep arriving, even when they aren't needed. Celie's brother Bran, the new Royal Wizard, has his hands full cataloguing an entire storeroom full of exotic and highly dangerous weapons, while Celie has her hands full . . . raising the creature that hatches from a giant egg she finds! Will they be able to find out what's making the Castle behave this way in time?

From Julia (age 12)

4 Stars for both

Read June 2013

Middle Grade/Teen/Fantasy, Library Book

Julia's Review:

The first book in the series has a lot of intensity and has a lot of things that you don’t expect.  The second book is very unlike the first one in the intensity, but it does have a lot of twists and turns.  I really like these books and hope that the author writes more in the series.

Warnings: None

Julia read this book so obviously I would let her read it.  (Brooke)

Guest Review by Emily: Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors

Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors

Summary from Goodreads:
Manhattan meets Verona in this time-bending twist on Shakespeare.

When Mimi is magically thrust into the middle of Shakespeare’s Verona, she must find a way to help Juliet fight for her future happiness. Will she be able to give this classic tragedy a happy ending?

From Emily:

I’d give it 3.75 stars

Read June 2013

Contemporary YA with a hint of historical, library book

Review:

So, it was good. I recently read Romeo and Juliet in English class, and it was kind of… not my favorite book, considering they weren’t very smart people.

Anyway, in this book, the characters aren’t nearly as stupid, and they actually have real personalities that aren’t quite so intangible. They come up with much better ways of handling stuff, and get through their trials. It’s cool to get the modern perspective on the story, and still see Romeo and Juliet act out in front of them… kind of. 

Warnings: 

Almost rape

Talk of virginity and lack of it

Cod-pieces

From Brooke:

I read this as well and give it 3.5 Stars.  Obviously, Emily (15) read this.  I would not let my 12 year old read this book.

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Summary from Goodreads:

As a wedding planner, you'd think she would have the perfect wedding experience...

Sherilyn Caine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details.

But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiance?

3.5 Stars

Read June 2013

Adult Christian Fiction, Library Book

My Review:

This is a cute, romantic, adult fiction book.  It does have characters going to church and discussing religious topics, but it isn't the main focus of the book.

I like the relationships in this book.  They range from best friends, to engaged couples, to "adoptive parents", to new friends.  It is the different relationships in this book that give it such appeal.  And, Henry the dog.  (Just kidding).

There is another book in this series (this is #2, the first being Always the Baker, Never the Bride) called Always the Designer, Never the Bride that I will read as well.

Warnings: Very brief mention of someone attempting suicide

I would let my 15 year old read this book, but I would not recommend it to her since it really deals with adult characters and situations that I don't think she would enjoy like I did.

Julia Reads and Reviews The Hunger Games Trilogy

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

See Goodreads summaries:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay



Julia's Star Rating: 
The Hunger Games = 4 Stars
Catching Fire = 4 Stars
Mockingjay = 3 Stars

Read May 2013

Library Books

Julia's Review:

The Hunger Games trilogy is a good book.  It has a mix of intenseness, funniness, sadness, and grossness.  If you can barely get through the first book, I don’t recommend the others.  In the first book, there are mixes of sweet calm moments that soon end and turn to action.  In the second book, there is more violence, but it is also more sad, or funny.  The third book ends the story, but it has a lot of violence and there are some parts that don’t make sense unless you have been in Katniss’ position.  The series is post apocalyptic and is very rough to read.  I finished the first book in three days, but the others were a little harder to read.  

Warnings: Violence

Both my 15 year old and now my 12 year old have read this series.

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

Summary from Goodreads:
On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

4 Stars

Read May 2013

Contemporary/Historical Romance, Library Book

My Review:
What a fun read.  I was nervous at first.  I get anxiety when characters are thrust into situations that they can't succeed in, like a dream where you show up at school to take a test that you haven't studied for.  Luckily, although Cat is thrust into a world she doesn't know a lot about, she at least has the ability to communicate and was put in the right clothes.  It helped with my anxiety that she wasn't completely a fish out of water.

I enjoyed the romance and the friendships that were developed.  I also found the realizations that Cat comes to do be worthwhile for all.  We all need to open up and allow others in to be able to truly be happy.  That is part of living this life, developing relationships.

And, Rachel Harris gave us a cliff hanger.  Thus, I will eagerly await the sequel to this fun book.

Warnings: Teen drinking in the 16th century that was obviously allowed, it was the 16th century!

I would let my 15 year old read this book.  I think she would like it.