Melanie Jacobson week for me: Smart Move and Second Chances

This week I read two books by Melanie Jacobson.  I often like to read something different in between books by the same author, but these two books were Inter-Library Loan (which I love and highly recommend) and both due early next week.  

Smart Move by Melanie Jacobson

Summary from Goodreads:

The spark was undeniable the night Sandy Burke met the devastatingly handsome Jake. Conversation flowed easily, so after they parted, she waited eagerly for his call. It never came. A high-powered career woman at the ripe old age of twenty-seven, Sandy feels she has had her heart broken one too many times, and now the redheaded trendsetter is facing a major quarter-life crisis. After some introspection, Sandy determines that helping others may be the key to helping herself. When she's presented with a job offer in Washington DC as the director of New Horizons, a nonprofit organization benefiting women in poverty, it seems providential.

But now that she's moved, two major obstacles threaten the success of her first assignment: The first is her mother and her constant fog of less-than-helpful New Age advice. Secondly, plans to build another New Horizons outreach center have come to a screeching halt, thanks to the interference of a pesky lawyer and his attempts to reverse zoning approval for the building project.

After weeks of verbal sparring over the phone, Sandy is in for a shock when she comes face-to-face with her foe. The smooth voice at the other end of the line is a heart-wrenching blast from the past. In this twist of fate, Sandy sees the perfect opportunity to ensure the success of the outreach center — and to enact a little payback on this man she thought she'd left behind. And so the battle of wits begins. Will Sandy's "flirt-to-convert" plot sway her nemesis' determination to block the center, or will his charming and undeniably attractive ways convince the sassy redhead to give love a second chance?

4 Stars

Read July 2013

LDS Fiction, Inter-Library Loan

My Review:

First off, how cute is this cover?!  I want those shoes.

Second, I grew up in the D.C. area and could identify with some of the things the characters experienced, like working long hours to keep up with the demands, schmoozing, knowing the right people.  I love where I grew up, but frankly it was too fast paced for me and I like a quieter lifestyle.  

Third, the story has enough twists that I really didn't know where the author was going to take it.  I wasn't sure whether there would be a happy ending or not.

Fourth, I read Twitterpated and the main character in this book is a secondary character in that book.  I liked continuing her story.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this book, however, I don't think she could identify with the subject.

Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson

Summary from Goodreads:

After walking out of a thankless job at a prestigious marketing firm, feisty California entrepreneur Louisa Gibson is going into business for herself. Lou's pioneering venture, The Mormon Bachelor, is a reality dating web series sure to be fabulous advertising for her new marketing firm. And as a bonus, she can solve a problem close to home: while Huntington Beach is crawling with eligible, sun-bronzed Saints, they've forgotten the vital skill of dating. Lou hopes the reality show will finally inspire this group of hangout enthusiasts to pair off. But shortly before filming begins, the unthinkable happens -- Trentyn, a.k.a. The Bachelor, gets a girlfriend. And Lou needs a new leading man -- fast.

Enter Nick, Lou's devastatingly handsome ex-boyfriend. He's the stereotypical actor: shallow, self-serving...and perfect for the job. A whirlwind of dating ensues, with Nick at the center of it all. Things are going according to plan -- that is, until Lou is forced to step in as a substitute bachelorette, becoming an unwitting cast member on her own show. Despite Nick's attempts to reestablish their friendship and the growing spark between them, Lou is determined to keep her distance. The show must go on -- but what's a girl to do when the Mr. Wrong of the past just may be the Mr. Right of the future?

4 Stars

Read July 2013

LDS Fiction, Inter-Library Loan

My Review:

I really enjoyed this "Mormon Bachelor" story.  It explored the difficulty of the Mormon Singles Scene and the uncertainty of dating.  What I really appreciated about this story was the growth of both characters.  We heard of their dating experience from 3 years before.  And it was wonderful to see them recognize things that they could improve in themselves as well as with their situations, work specifically.  And, I wasn't sure how this story was going to end.  The author wrapped it all up in the last few pages in a way I wasn't expecting.  This story had a bit of a "Pride and Prejudice" feel in that the rejection of one character to the other instigates a change in both.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this story, but like the other book, I don't think she would understand the situations and experiences of the characters.  She hasn't been on a date yet, so how could she understand the difficulty of the dating scene?

Heist Society Movie?

The Heist Society by Ally Carter has been optioned by Lionsgate.  I hope we do see a movie out of this. What fun!

Read Ally Carter's Blog.

Guest Review by DEBBIE CRANBERRYFRIES!

Guest Review by Debbie Cranberryfries!  


Check out Debbie Cranberryfries HERE


Title: The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight

Author:  Jennifer E. Smith

Genre: Young Adult

ISBN: 13: 9780316122382

Publisher: Poppy/ Little Brown

Pages: 236 pages, hardcover

My review:

Hadley is being forced to attend her dads second wedding. In London. And she cant even leave the airport without things already falling apart. After missing her flight by just 4 minutes she's now forced to wait 3 hours for the red-eye, getting her to London and  finding the wedding within just a couple of hours. While waiting for her flight kind-hearted Oliver offers to help and ends up joining her for airport food dinner. Hadley notices his garment bag carry on and is relieved to see another person off to London for an event as well. A friendship emerges and Oliver gets Hadley sharing, and relaxing, about the expectations ahead (meeting her new step mother for the first time).

They spend the flight learning about each other and entertaining each other and are sadly split at customs in London. Hadley draws on that recent memory to help get her through this difficult day/event. 

The whole story takes place in 24 hours and is a pretty quick read. 

I really enjoyed this one! A perfect book to pick up and escape into for a few hours! 17 year old Hadley has been living with her mom after her dad moved out to teach in London. Because of the way he left things, she's pretty much not had a lot of contact with him and is now having to go to his wedding. She hasn't even met this women yet so needless to say she's a bit stressed about the situation. At first she tried everything to get out of going but after she missed her flight by mere minutes she's trying desperately to get there on time and not upset her dad on his big day. In comes Oliver who gives Hadley a helping hand while they wait at the airport for their flight to London. He's easy to talk to and has the swoony British accent.


Personally I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults. Anyone looking for a quick, fun read. Maybe pick it up after reading something VERY heavy to lighten your mood or just take it to the lake and lay out on the towel and enjoy. :)

This book is very clean. There weren't any swear words or sex (or even things leading the reader to assume as much). Also there was no violence.

Language:  None
Sex: None
Violence: None

Thank you Debbie for recommending this book to me.  I really enjoyed it!  And I would let my 15 year old read this book.  - Brooke

I Won, I Won!

BOOKSHOP TALK hosted a summer giveaway and guess who was one of the winners?  

I could choose one book on their site that has been reviewed or the author has been interviewed.  You know I love Shannon Hale.  But, did you also know my 12 year old daughter loves Shannon Hale too?  Well, she does.

About 4 years ago Julia started reading Rapunel's Revenge.  I had never seen Julia read like that.  She didn't put it down!  As soon as Calamity Jack came out, she read that one too.  At the library, she often picked them out, over and over again.  About 2 years ago, I finally bought Julia Rapunzel's Revenge, but we still don't own Calamity Jack.  

When I won this summer giveaway, I decided we needed to get Rapunzel's companion.  So now we own Calamity Jack!  It came in the mail today.

Thank you BOOKSHOP TALK!

An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden

An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden

Summary from Goodreads:
The future has never looked brighter for once penniless Nickolas Pritchard. Now in possession of an unforeseen legacy from a distant cousin, he can finally woo the exquisite Miss Castleton, belle of the London Season. What better setting for matchmaking than Ty Mynydd, his ancestral home nestled in the untamed hills of Wales? Ideal, indeed ... except for the ghost. 

For nearly four hundred years, Gwen has walked the halls of the home in which she lived—and died a mysterious death. But despite centuries as the reigning force within her ancient residence, nothing prepares her for the charm and unexpected appeal of Englishman Nickolas. 

A deep and abiding affection grows between the two, tempered by the unbreakable barrier that separates them. They cannot possibly hope for a happily ever after. there can be no future between a man yet living and a woman long dead. 

But how can Nickolas possibly give Gwen up? And how can Gwen face an eternity without Nickolas?

3.5 Stars

Read June 2013

Clean Regency Romance, Inter-library Loan

My Review:
This was an unusual Regency story for me.  There was a touch of paranormal with a ghost as one half of the main couple.  I had to let my imagination go a little more than I do with Sarah M. Eden's other Regency books.  I also felt the loneliness of the characters in this book.  There was a sad feeling throughout the book, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.  It was a good story and I loved the writing.  

I really liked the Welch setting of this book.  It gave the story a different element and also there was a lot of humor related to English verses Welch culture.  I am sure I was butchering the words, but it was fun to read something a little different.

Warnings: Black magic 

I would let my 15 year old read this book.

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.