The Daisy Chain by Heather B. Moore

The Daisy Chain by Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to the Aliso Creek Novella Series

Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating “the Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone... if perfect is even possible. 

Actually, Jess Giles does find her perfect match, but since Charlie’s several years older than she, they never have a moment of harmony from his adult kids who protest the marriage. When Charlie dies in a tragic accident, his kids add insult to injury and sue Jess for her share of the inheritance. The only person Jess trusts for financial advice is Charlie’s financial planner, Preston Michaels. Just talking to Preston on the phone makes Jess feel flustered, yet strangely comfortable at the same time, so she puts off meeting him for as long as possible. When Jess has to attend the formal hearing, she’s about to find out if the man she’s been talking to over the phone for several months lives up to the voice that she’s grown attached to.

4 Stars

Read July 2013

Short Story/Clean Romance, ebook on Nook

My Review:
The first book I read in this Aliso Creek series was Third Time's the Charm.  The novellas can be read in any order, but I found that the order I read them in was perfect for me.  There may be some spoilers if you read them in another order.  But not huge spoilers.  I just think that the order I read them in made sense and I knew what the author was talking about.

This is the order that I read them in:
Third Time's the Charm
The Daisy Chain
Picture Perfect (in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection)
Lost Then Found
One Chance

I liked this story for the healing that went on with the main character, within herself and her relationships with others.  The romance was sweet and fairly clean.

Warnings: Heavy kissing, death of loved one

I would let my 15 year old daughter read this book based on cleanliness, but I do not think that she would understand the situations and feelings involved with the characters.  They are definitely adult.

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection by Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, Heather Justesen, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, and Aubrey Mace


Summary from Goodreads:
Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Spring Vacation Collection. Readers will love this collection of six sweet contemporary romance novellas, centered on a Spring Vacation, all with one thing in common: Romance.

In Moonlight Kiss, a delightful story by Josi S. Kilpack, Sarah is looking forward to the company retreat, namely because she’ll finally meet Clint—the man she’s been Instant Messaging for a few months. As a single mom, Sarah gets out . . . well, never. So adding vacation days onto the retreat so she can spend time with Clint is daring, yet exciting. She just hopes that the suave on-line Clint will live up to the man she hopes to share her heart with.

In Annette Lyon’s charming novella, Chasing Tess, Tess had been patiently waiting through three years of law school for James to pop the question. The night has finally arrived—at his graduation party. But his big announcement turns out to be completely unexpected . . . and devastating. Tess flees the party, promising herself she’ll never let herself waste time on James again. But as she makes a desperate cross-country drive, James makes his own plans on how to win her back.

Dancing at the Flea Market is a sweet romance by Heather Justesen. Mara, fresh out of the cold North Dakota tundra, spends her spring break in Texas with close friend, Anna. When the two women run into Carter, an impatient man with a painful past, it takes hearing Mara’s stunning voice at the local Karaoke club to thaw his heart. But as Mara gets to know Carter, she has to decide if the distance between their lives and homes is worth trying to bridge.

In Sarah M. Eden’s captivating novella, The Best Laid Plans, Madison gives up a vacation to Cancún with her office friends to return home and babysit her mother, who is in another sketchy relationship. The only problem with returning home is running into Derek, her ex-boyfriend who she decided to break up with before he could break up with her—Madison believes in always being one step ahead. When Derek teams up with Madison to investigate whether her mother is dating the right guy, Madison has a hard time ignoring what her heart is telling her about giving Derek another chance.

Picture Perfect, an exciting story by Heather B. Moore, follows Gemma who has never done anything out of the ordinary, until her boyfriend Randy starts to ignore her. But even cutting and dyeing her hair doesn’t get his attention. She decides to join her old high school friends for spring vacation, only to be faced with Drew, her best friend who suddenly seems interested in her as more than a friend. Gemma must determine if her heart is on the rebound or if it’s finally met its true match.

In Aubrey Mace’s enchanting romance, The Science of Sentiment, Rosie will do anything to forget Kevin, his completely perfect kisses, and the fact that he dumped her. When she arrives at her grandfather’s mountain cabin for a spring getaway, she discovers her worst nightmare—Kevin has been invited to stay the weekend too. Since there is only room for one in such a small space, Rosie is determined to kick Kevin out. But Kevin has other plans . . . which might include a reminder of why he’s the perfect kisser.

5 Stars

Read July 2013

Collection of Short Stories/Romance, ebook on Nook

My Review:
I love these collections of Short Romance Stories.  I have read The Winter Collection and The Summer Wedding Collection.  

Each of these stories is short and therefore the conflict is resolved without too much trouble.  But that is what I like about these collections.  They provide a quick, happy story.  

Sometimes when I am feeling stressed, it is hard for me to concentrate on a book.  I can't seem to focus on it long enough to remember what I read.  That is when these collections are perfect for me.  I can sit, read, and be happy for a few minutes.  And then go on to being stressed again.  This collection is like my own mini vacation.  

Warnings: Heavy kissing in some of the stories

I would let my 15 year old read this book based on cleanliness, however, most of the characters are in their later 20's and I don't think she would identify with their circumstances.

Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden

Longing for Home: A Proper Romance by Sarah M. Eden

Summary from Goodreads:
Twenty-six-year-old Katie Macauley has placed all her hope in Hope Springs, a small town in the 1870 Wyoming Territory. But if she wants to return home to Ireland to make amends with her estranged family, she'll need to convince the influential Joseph Archer to hold true to his word and keep her on his payroll as his housekeeper despite her Irish roots. The town is caught in an ongoing feud between the Irish and the "Reds" the frontiersmen who would rather see all the Irish run out of town and the Irish immigrants who are fighting to make a home for themselves in the New World. When Joseph agrees to keep Katie on as his housekeeper, the feud erupts anew, and Katie becomes the reluctant figurehead for the Irish townsfolk. As the violence escalates throughout the town, Katie must choose between the two men who have been vying for her love though only one might be able to restore hope to her heart.

5 Stars

Read July 2013

Historical Romance, Received advanced copy for unbiased review from Publisher, Shadow Mountain.  Recently Released.

My Review:
This book is in the Proper Romance genre by Shadow Mountain.  There are 2 other books in this set at this time, Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson and Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson.  The books are unrelated in story, but they are clean romance.

I love this book.  The struggles of immigrants is an interesting topic to take on in a romance.  I like having that as a conflict as well as any inter-personal issues.  I like learning more about the Irish culture as well.

There are a lot of layers to the main character and Sarah M. Eden reveals them slowly.  And, the main character opens herself up to different people in the book so not all of them have the whole picture of this new woman in town.  It is interesting to get to know this woman and who she is becoming in this new environment with new friends.

The romance in this story is somewhat predictable in parts, but then Sarah M. Eden adds a twist.  This book ends somewhat in the middle of a larger tale and will have another book to continue the story and the romance.  I look forward to reading more about this cast of characters.

Warnings: Violence and bullying between different cultures, nothing graphic.

I would let my 15 year old read this story.

The Cinderella Project by Stan Crowe

The Cinderella Project by Stan Crowe

Summary from Goodreads:
Committed to saving his marriage before it starts, doctoral student Nick Cairn embarks on a project aimed at finding the secrets of everlasting love. But when Moiré De Lanthe, a smart and sassy research assistant, enters the picture, his Happily Ever After is put to the ultimate test.

3 Stars

Read July 2013

Contemporary Romance, Ebook

My Review:
This is a short, clean book.  I like the main character.  And, this story is told in first person from his point of view.  However, at times I want to shake him!  

I get lost sometimes in the description of the PhD project this character is working on.  Do I need so much detail that I then get confused?  No.  My husband has a PhD and I remember the long hours in labs, writing/begging for grant money, and trying to please mentors.  It is a difficult thing and I admire anyone getting a PhD.  However, I do not understand this characters methodology and I find it distracting to the story.  There are some other minor mistakes in editing, but overall it is a cute, clean romance. 

How cute is the model on the cover?  Sigh.

Warnings: Infidelity talked about

I would let my 15 year old read this book.  However, I don't think her life experience (or lack of it) would help her to enjoy this story.

The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

Summary from Goodreads:
Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline. 

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

4 Stars

Read July 2013

YA Fairy Tale/Library Book

My Review:
This was a much more in depth book than I was expecting.  This story followed the main characters through many lows and a few highs that covered quite a bit of time and much space in the land of Anglund.

Chocolate played a large roll in this story.  Mmmm...chocolate.  It was an interesting legend about the chocolate and where it came from.  Also, I liked the relationship the main character had with cows.  Cows seem much sweeter to me now.  Mainly, I liked the lead character and her determination.  She found herself broken, many times.  However, she had moments of being so strong and thoughtful.  

There was romance in this book, but in an interesting way.  The main character started by being so lowly and unwanted that she never thought she would marry.  And, at one point in the book, there were 3 men that would have married her.

This was a new and interesting fairy tale.

Warnings: Mild Language, Mild Sensuality, Homosexual characters (although very briefly mentioned, not a major part of the book)

I would let my 15 year old read this book.   

Emma: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

Emma: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

Summary from Amazon:
Emma's her name and matchmaking is her game! Quirky life coach Emma wants to help her first-ever client, a lonely nanny named Harriet. But all of her attempts at matchmaking result only in embarrassing miscues and blunders, leaving the pair disheartened and confused. This modern take on the Jane Austen classic shows that sometimes the greatest match is the one we make for ourselves.

3 Stars

Read July 2013, Release date is August 13th

LDS fiction/Classic retelling, Received advanced copy from publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc. 

My Review:

If you have read Jane Austen’s novel Emma, then you know how this story is going to go.  Emma is not one of my favorite Jane Austen stories.  I find Emma’s follies annoying.  Why does she keep making the same mistake?

With that in mind, Emma: A Latter-day Tale is fairly true to Jane Austen’s Emma.  The story has the same characters, the same situations (just in a modern setting), and the same mistakes.  Because it is a modern, LDS retelling, there are obviously some differences.  The one difference that I like the most is the character of Jenna Farley (Jane Fairfax in the original).  I like her career and situation.  It is a nice difference that makes sense in the modern retelling.

I also like the setting of this story.  The book takes place in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C.  I grew up in Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C.  It is fun to read stories where you recognize some of the places.

This is a fairly quick read.  It is clean, has miscommunication and blunders, and a happy ending, like the original Emma.

Warnings: None

I would let my 15 year old read this story.

Rapunzel, The One With All The Hair by Wendy Mass

Rapunzel, The One with All the Hair by Wendy Mass (Twice Upon a Time #1)

Summary from Goodreads:
The girl's stuck in a tower. The boy's stuck in a castle. There are two sides to every story.... Rapunzel is having the ultimate bad day. She's been stolen by a witch, may have a ghost for a roommate, and doesn't even have a decent brush for her hair. Prince Benjamin's got it pretty tough, too. His father wants him to be more kingly, his mother wants him to never leave her sight, and his cousin wants to get him into as much trouble as possible (possibly with a troll). Both Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin are trapped--in very different ways. Once their paths cross, well, that's when things get really strange. Journey back to the days when fairy tales were true with this fun and fresh spin on a timeless tale!

3.5 Stars

Read July 2013

Middle Grade Fairy Tale, Library

My Review:
This was a very easy read, quick, fun, lighthearted.  Rapunzel is 12 and the Prince is 13 and it is geared toward a young audience.  It is an fun twist on the old fairy tale.

Warnings: None

My 12 year old daughter read this book before me.  She really enjoyed it.  This story is appropriate for any age.