Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined (Meet Your Match #2) by Rachael Anderson
Summary from Goodreads:
For Noah Mackie, life is finally back on track. He has a great support system, a promised promotion is on its way, and he's finally getting the hang of this single father thing. But when the job falls through and his neighbor's matchmaking efforts become more aggressive, Noah is in for yet another unwanted detour. With his career and two spirited daughters to worry about, he doesn't have time for dating—especially not someone like Cassie Ellis, his girls' beautiful and sophisticated dance instructor, who is about as open and approachable as a brick wall.
Rough around the Edges Meets Refined is about two people who think they know exactly what they want but who have no idea what they really need. It's about learning that people aren't always what they seem and that sometimes life’s detours take you exactly where you need to go.
4.5 Stars
Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review
My Review:
This is the 2nd book in the Meet Your Match series by Rachael Anderson. The first is Pride Meets Prejudice. And Rachael has announced a 3rd book in the series called Stick in the Mud meets Spontaneity.
Rachael Anderson develops a wonderful group of characters in a Colorado town in the first book in this series. In that book, we hear of Noah Mackie, but he is not a main character. He takes the main role in this book. He is a single father, but lives next door to his sister and her husband. They are an important part of Noah's life and the lives of his daughters. At the same time, they are getting ready to become parents and have their own lives to focus on. Plus, there are many great supporting characters that literally support him in his efforts with his two daughters. His neighbor, whom I love, is a matchmaker and pushes Noah in to meeting Cassie.
The relationship between Noah and Cassie is tough. They each have issues coming in to their acquaintance. The idea of dating each other is difficult. The story explores their baggage as well as their willingness to let that baggage go for another chance at love. It is interesting to read about each of their experience with shedding their preconceived judgments of the other person. Each brings their previous life experience with their relationships in to meeting each other. As they let their judgments go they allow themselves to see each other for who they really are.
This is a clean, contemporary romance.
Warnings: Reference to death of spouse
I would let my 17 year old daughter read this book.
The Boardwalk Antiques Shop (A Tangerine Street Romance) by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, and Heather B. Moore
Summary from Goodreads:
Boardwalk Antiques Shop
A Tangerine Street Romance
(a novel in three parts)
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 renowned bed-and-breakfasts. The Boardwalk Antiques Shop is an exclusive shop where every antique has a story, and each story possesses the gift to match true love. The customer who buys an antique also buys its story and soon discovers that its story unites the past with the present, creating an unexpected romantic future…
“Where Every Antique has a Story”
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE: Jennifer is newest owner of The Boardwalk Antiques Shop, inherited from her aunt. When Jennifer arrives in Seashell Beach, her first priority is to meet with a realtor to sell the place. She laughs out loud when she discovers the realtor’s name is Mr. Studly. But the more Jennifer gets to know Paul Studly, the more she finds reasons to stay and run the antiques shop herself.
SOLVING FOR X: Abbie is only a little bit obsessed with antiques, okay, a lot. So when Holden, an out-of-town business executive, tries to purchase the tin soldiers that Abbie’s had her eye on, Abbie refuses to back down. The antiques shop owner issues a challenge: whoever comes up with the best story for wanting the soldiers, will become the new owner. Abbie isn’t about to let some fancy executive beat her out, no matter how charming he is.
A STITCH IN TIME: When Cate learns that antiques dealer Henry Lancaster has purchased the sewing machine left to her by her grandmother, Cate is determined to get it back. What she isn’t counting on is that Henry has just as much claim as Cate. And it doesn’t help that Henry is good-looking and apparently single. Getting to know Henry becomes an unexpected surprise, sending her life into a sudden detour.
Other books in the Tangerine Street Romance series: The Fortune Café. (My review of The Fortune Cafe).
Read February 2015
4.5 Stars
Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review
My Review:
Last year I read The Fortune Cafe. It is the first in the Tangerine Street Romances. I enjoyed that book and its "novel in three parts". When I saw that another set of stories was being written, I was excited to read it.
The premise of this set of stories is similar to The Fortune Cafe. The Boardwalk Antiques Shop is what ties all 3 stories together. At some point all of the characters have interactions in the Shop.
The first story introduces us to The Boardwalk Antiques Shop. The story is well done in giving us the setting of these stories. All of the stories could be read separately, but it is fun to have them tied together.
Also, there is a glimpse in to The Fortune Cafe in the stories, where the characters eat there or order take out. It is fun to have that connection in the book. The authors have set up a wonderful little town in Seashell Beach and it is fun to jump in to this little beach side town and get to know the stores, the characters, and their stories.
I hope there is more Tangerine Street Romance in the future!
Warnings: None
I would let my 17 year old read this book.
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Summary from Goodreads:
In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
Read 2014
4 Stars
Library Book
My Review:
This 3rd book in the Lunar Chronicles continues the story very well. I am not really a "sci-fi" gal, but I like this series. The setting is fascinating. Marissa Meyer has created a world I'm interested in and want to know more about.
I look forward to the next book WINTER due out in November 2015. Here is a summary from Goodreads:
Here is the stunning conclusion to the national bestselling Lunar Chronicles, inspired by Snow White.
When Princess Winter was thirteen, the rumor around the Lunar court was that her glamour would soon be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. In a fit of jealousy, Levana disfigured Winter. Four years later, Winter has sworn off the use of her glamour altogether. Despite her scars, Winter’s natural beauty, her grace, and her gentleness are winning admiration from the Lunar people that no amount of mind-control could achieve.
Winter despises her stepmother, but has never dreamed of standing up to her. That is, until she realizes that she may be the only one with the power to confront the queen.
Can Cinder, Prince Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Thorne, Princess Winter, and the palace guard Jacin find their happily ever afters? Fans will LOVE this amazing conclusion to the series.
Warnings: None that I can remember
I would let my 16 year old read this book. In fact, I've recommended the series to my 13 year old.
A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection by Anna Elliott, Sarah M. Eden, Carla Kelly, Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon and Heather B. Moore
Summary from Heather B. Moore:
In THE WEDDING GIFT by Anna Elliott, you'll revisit the famous romance of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy... all in classic Regency language and style. I feel a little sigh coming on.
In THE DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, Sarah M. Eden delivers a refreshing take on the younger sister who isn't allowed a Season and how the man who she's secretly in love with refuses to let her feel left out.
2-time Rita award winner Carla Kelly will make you gasp, then smile, then sigh, as she delivers a realistic portrayal of a Royal Navy battle and the unexpected romance that blooms, in THE MENDER.
In BEGIN AGAIN, Josi S. Kilpack (award-winning suspense author), debuts her first Regency story, presenting a second chance at love when Ross Martin shows up again in Regina's life. (Josi has a full-length Regency novel coming in May 2015: A HEART REVEALED.)
Annette Lyon's THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE will make you rethink the early months of your marriage and rekindle those flames of endearing love.
And... my contribution is my first attempt at writing in this era. THE DUKE'S BROTHER tells the story of two, very unlikely people, who are both willing to put their hearts ahead of traditional conventions.
Read January 2015
5 Stars
E-book copy from author for an honest review
My Review:
Regency historical fiction is probably my favorite era to read. In my early 20's I fell in love with Jane Austen's stories. I love that time period in England and reading about the cultural conventions.
This collection of Regency stories continues my love for this era. These stories talk about the social boundaries, the cultural climate, and the romance that develops and rekindles through stolen glances and gentle touches. Ahh...I really do love these stories.
One of the things I like about the A Timeless Romance Anthologies is that it introduces me to authors I may not otherwise read. Plus, I know that when I read these collections they will be clean romances with a satisfying conclusion.
Warnings: In The Mender there is some description of battle wounds.
I would let my 16 year old read this collection of stories.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Summary from Amazon:
The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it—from garden seeds to Scripture—is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in post colonial Africa.
Read 2014
4 Stars
Library hard copy book and audio book
My Review:
I like happy books. I read to escape.
Our local book club was reading The Poisonwood Bible and I knew it would be a hard book for me to read. I was really interested in trying to read this book for book club even though I rarely go. I wanted to see if I could read a book that wasn't my typical escapist book. I decided I might have more luck getting in to the story if I listened to it on CD. I was right. I recommend the audio book even if you are going to read a hard copy (which I read some from the hard copy book as well). I liked getting the pronunciations and patterns of speech from the audio book.
I studied some Anthropology in college and one of the terms that is often used is ethnocentric. The Merriam-Webster definition of this word is "having or based on the idea that your own group or culture is better or more important than others." This story gives a prime example of someone who is ethnocentric, Nathan Price. His family is ethnocentric as well, but I feel that they adapted better than their father/husband.
The story followed an American family who traveled to Africa as missionaries. The father came in trying to convert the people in the village to Christianity and western traditions with no thought to how they were living in their own culture. I wanted to strangle the father. I wanted to slap the mother for not being a better advocate for her children when they were put in danger by the father's actions as well as being in the new environment. I had a lot of frustrations with these parents.
This book was told from the female family members' points of view. At first it was a bit confusing to me, but listening to the CD audio book helped me get to know these characters as individuals. Hearing each of their points of view helped me get to know the many secondary characters as well. The characters and their relationships were very important in this book. As much as this was a story about a missionary family in Africa during revolutionary times, it was really about relationships and how individual decisions affect those relationships.
When my father was in his early 20's in the 1960's, he lived in South Africa. He was a missionary for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't know much about his time there. Unfortunately, he passed away last year. When I read this book I wished he were there to talk to about that time in his life. I wonder if he was aware of the revolution going on in the Belgian Congo. I wonder if it affected him in South Africa at all.
This was a hard book for me to get through. It is hard for me to read about people having struggles. I want everything to work out well for people and the reality is that happily ever afters are extremely uncommon. This book is thought provoking and covers an interesting time in history. While reading it I looked up more information on the subject. Any book that gets me interested in finding out more is a success in my opinion.
Warnings: Death, physical/emotional hardship, mature topics like civil unrest, imprisonment for beliefs
I would let my 16 year old read this book. It is hard to get through in my opinion, but I think she has read books in school that are just as difficult in subject matter as well as the way they are written.
Christmas in Snow Valley by multiple authors, see summary.
Summary from Goodreads:
#1 Bestselling Christmas Fiction, Christmas in Snow Valley is packed with six wonderful Christmas novellas sure to bring romance into your holiday season.
Snow Valley, Montana, is a small community with the tradition of doing Christmas big. Festivities begin with tree lighting in the town square the day after Thanksgiving and continue until the culminating romantic Christmas Ball. From the Polar Express to a Winter Carnival, there's something for every wonder-filled child--and every couple who's in love--or about to be.
An Unexpected Kiss by Amazon Top Seller Cindy Roland AndersonLucy Phillips doesn't want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?
Feels Like Love by Jeanette LewisChristmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiancé, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she's been seeking all along.
Full Court Devotion by Amazon Top Seller Cami CheckettsKazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn't pursue him or even seem interested. Ty's career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.
The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor HartMolly O'Hare gets the utterly ridiculous prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve. But when she returns to Snow Valley and comes face to face with Kevin Snow, suddenly the kiss thing seems...a lot less ridiculous. Too bad the reason she left still has the power to make her deny her real feelings. Now Molly is left with a choice--forget the home town and the boy that she never quit loving or let Christmas work out a miracle all on its own.
Risking it all for Love by Award-Winning author, Kimberley MontpetitSuccumbing to family pressure, Jessica Mason reluctantly comes home for Christmas. Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica and religion have not been compatible. So, when she visits Michael's grave, she's surprised to meet the handsome James Douglas, Pastor John's nephew, who's studying for the ministry. James can not only dish back Jessica's finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica's world upside down. Is she ready to take another risk on love?
Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell
As head of Snow Valley hospital's fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn't have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She's been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads.
Read December 2014
4 Stars (5 stars for some, 4 stars for some, 3 stars for some)
Ebook from Amazon
My Review:
This was a nice read during the holidays. I enjoyed reading about this cute town, the characters, their experiences in "coming home" and celebrating the Christmas season.
I had 3 favorites. Unexpected Kiss was the first story and it was my favorite out of all of them. It was a great way to start off the book collection. I also really liked Full Court Devotion. It was not what I expected and it was refreshing to read. Risking it all for Love was a sweet story that expressed the healing that can take place through the power of forgiveness.
All of these stories have a bit of religious content. Some of them reference religion more than others, but for me they were not over the top.
Warnings: Some of the stories deal with more adult themes like accidental death.
I would let my 16 year old daughter read these if she were interested.
