Category: Reviews

Review: And Something Blue by Paige Timothy

Trifecta Books has just started a Sweet & Clean Romance Collection which includes And Something Blue from the Main Street Merchants series. Set in the small town of Aspen Ridge, Colorado, the series will feature love stories by author Paige Timothy and will involve the owners and employees of the shops on Main Street. For me to really enjoy a romance, there must be more to the story. I prefer romance to be the backdrop, and if it’s not then the characters have to be […]

September 26, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review + Giveaway: For Elise by Sarah M. Eden

I almost never read romance. I tell you this upfront so that 1) you understand that I have a bias against romances, and 2) you will recognize that if I loved a particular romance, it is something pretty special. To be clear, less than 10% of what I read by choice could be classified as a romance. But when Sarah M. Eden has a new romance out, I’m first in line to get it! To me, Sarah Eden’s writing brings to mind the clever, rich […]

September 17, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review: Making Faces by Amy Harmon

Amy Harmon calls her books romances, but I really think there needs to be another designation for her stories. Because while romance is part of her stories, they are so much more! They contain the whole of life—dreams, disappointments, struggles, triumphs and failures—all wrapped up in lovely prose that sinks into your soul. Take this for example: “True beauty, the kind that doesn’t fade or wash off, takes time. It takes pressure. It takes incredible endurance. It is the slow drip that makes the stalagtite, […]

August 8, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review: Birthright by Nichole Giles

I loved this book! Book 1, Descendant, was great. We learn about Abby’s powers as she does–and realize that there is a mysterious connection between her and Kye, beyond the blooming romance. In this book, we learn even more about this connection. The more time they are together, the faster they die. On the flip side, being apart is physically painful. An interesting set-up. Abby and Kye feel very real to me, the characters are well-developed and talk and act just like real teenagers. Well, […]

July 25, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review: Spell Check by Julie Wright

I loved this story! Yes, it’s the typical “I-just-found-out-I’m-special” type YA paranormal story—but this one is funny and clever. It incorporates some of the Swedish mythology, which was new for me and fun. It starts with a group of cheerleaders “hanging” Allyson on her birthday, which just happens to be a few days before Halloween. Allyson, being a typical teenager and clueless about her powers, wreaks havoc upon them. It’s awesome! Trying to wrap her brain around the fact that she’s a witch, learning to […]

July 21, 2014 | 2 Comments

Review: Ilana’s Wish by Annette Lyon

Ilana’s Wish is the 8th book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series—and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them! However, this one—this one spoke to me on so many levels. Ilana Goldstein is a regular woman—just like so many of us—who got slammed by the unfairness of life. Her one dream in life is for a family, for children, but she has issue after issue after issue that prevents that from happening. This poor woman barely has a chance to breathe between the events that […]

July 18, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review: Imperfect Love by Rebecca Talley

I have a special place in my heart for books that deal with issues faced when having a handicapped child. I really liked Rebecca Talley’s previous book, The Up Side of Down, which looks at how a Down Syndrome child can change and challenge the family dynamics, but also bring a huge dose of love. I wasn’t quite as enamored by this book. I would have liked there to be more transition time between the break up of Lauren’s marriage and her feelings for Ethan. […]

July 14, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review: A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

Let me address the content warning up front. I put it there because some of my readers will be offended by the portrayals and themes in this book. I usually only give a content warning for gratuitous language, violence or sex—when they’ve been thrown in for the shock value alone. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE BOOKS! I soooo loved this book! I don’t even know how to describe how much I loved it. Amy Harmon is a talented writer and this book pulled me […]

July 11, 2014 | 1 Comment

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

I’m not super familiar with Egyptian gods and goddesses, so I have to admit, I found this book really confusing in the beginning. There were a lot of characters thrown at you right away. Add to that the switching from past to present, with some backstory thrown in and it became so confusing for me that I put it down a few times during the first several chapters, wondering if it was worth it to finish. But I’ve liked Kiersten White’s other books SO MUCH […]

July 4, 2014 | 1 Comment

Sugar Coated by Shannen Crane Camp

This was such a fun read! The plot was solid, the dialog was great. I loved the characters—I think that’s one of the strong points of this story. Brynn is determined and brave with some quirky habits, but most importantly, she is curious. And that’s what gets her into trouble. It’s also what I loved about her. I like to think I’m that type of person too. (But wow, maybe not. I’d love to have some of that tech!) Although there are two boys, Ty […]

June 20, 2014 | 0 Comments

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

I read this as part of one of the book clubs I’m in. I have mixed feelings about it. First, the good stuff. I love this to-do list that Sloane sends Emily. I love how it pushes her boundaries and that she struggles to check things off. I like the character growth seen in Emily, how she finds the determination and courage within herself to defy her limits and step outside her comfort zone. I think this is a good lesson for all humans. Most […]

June 13, 2014 | 0 Comments

Review: As You Are by Sarah M. Eden

Set in 1815, this romance focuses on Corbin Jonquil and Clara Bentford. Clara has overcome her fear and gotten out of an abusive situation. Corbin’s attempts to attract her attention (based on horrible advice from his brothers) is hilarious. The usual classic misunderstandings and miscommunications keep them apart—providing a good amount of romantic tension. But what sets this romance apart is the clever dialog and depth of character. There is some violence with the physical and emotional abuse of this story, mostly implied and part […]

June 2, 2014 | 0 Comments

Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston

I was a little sad when the Secret Sisters series ended. I just loved Ida Mae, Arlette and Tansy. So I was excited to hear that they would be making guest appearances in this new Omni Orchids series! Tulips and Treason starts off with Jack and Molly, married FBI agents, who are having marital problems. They have decided to call their marriage quits, when they are given an undercover assignment posing as a married couple in the tiny town of Omni, Utah. As much as I […]

April 25, 2014 | 0 Comments

Paris Cravings by Kimberley Montpetit

My good friend Kimberley Montpetit asked if I’d be interested in reviewing her book and I said YES! Because, um… 1) We are BFFs on Facebook, and 2) I’ve read all of her Middle Grade books that she writes under another name, and loved them. I expected no less from her alter-ego in this YA novel—and I wasn’t disappointed. Chloe is having boy trouble at home. Her steady has given her an ultimatum, demanding a more physical relationship. She doesn’t feel right about it and […]

February 4, 2014 | 0 Comments

Just Like Elizabeth Taylor by Lu Ann Brobst Staheli

Just Like Elizabeth Taylor is an excellent read for girls who need to know they can be brave. This book deals with some tough issues—specifically abuse by a stepfather. I hate that we need books like this in our library, but I believe that we do. I was lucky. I had kind and loving parents. But as a young girl and teen, I had several friends whose parent (one or the other or both) regularly beat the crap out of them. I was too young […]

November 25, 2013 | 0 Comments