Interested in reading this book? Check out other reviews from the Baroness blog tour.
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Showing posts with label Family Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Issues. Show all posts
May 20, 2012
Baroness by Susan May Warren
A coming of age story set in the Roaring Twenties, Baroness tells the story of two daughters of fortune determined to follow their dreams no matter what happens on the way. Rosie is determined to become a star on the newly energy silver screen and all Lilly wants to do is return to Montana to live on the ranch her family left so long ago. Neither realized the pathway to their dreams would be filled with so much pain, heartache, and of course, men.
This book was just okay. I started out really liking Lilly, the sort of nerdy, head in the clouds woman who was trying to avoid the incoming flapper era her cousin Rosie was trying to force on her. But I quickly found myself feeling that both women were both extremely ignorant and spoiled, shown time after time in their actions, and I just couldn't relate as they both did things in their lives that intentionally hurt those that loved them just to chase after a guy who didn't care about them. The plus side is that the writing was good, the characters were well developed (I just didn't particularly care for them), and the story is an interesting and unpredictable one. 3 stars.
Interested in reading this book? Check out other reviews from the Baroness blog tour.
Interested in reading this book? Check out other reviews from the Baroness blog tour.
March 9, 2012
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble
It's 1887 and Lucy's just been let go from her job and gotten news that she is being evicted from the home she's known for ten years. And she's being followed by a strange man she's never seen.
All she's ever wanted to do was take care of her 3-year sister Eileen and 12-year old brother Jeb, especially since their father died a few months ago. But now it looks like she's running out of options until Henry knocks on her door and says that he's a friend of her father's and feels like he was sent by God to find her to be a wife to his son. In any other circumstances Lucy would have sent him away without a second though but with the danger and no way to take care of her siblings, she takes his offer and moves to Texas where she meets her new husband, Nate, who is very surprised and annoyed to hear that his father married him off without his consent.
What follows is the story of Lucy and Nate learning how to adjust to their new "family," how to trust one another, and how to protect their little family in the face of both physical and moral danger. I read this book in one night and I really enjoyed it. I loved all of the main characters and especially the connection and relationship between Lucy and Nate as they learned that marriage isn't about changing to earn someone's love but rather about learning to love someone for who they are.
I've never read a book by Colleen Coble but after this heartfelt and well written one, I will definitely be picking up another one. My only complaint about the book has nothing to do with the content, but that the copy I got had a number of pages that were bound out of order, which was really annoying since it was at an important point in the book and kept breaking my concentration as I tried to find the correct page. Other than that, great read and highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Want a copy of Blue Moon Promise for yourself? Buy it here. How about a new Kindle Fire? See below for details on how to win great prizes as part of a Blue Moon Promise chat party.
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble is the first book in her new series, Under Texas Stars! To CELEBRATE, Colleen is hosting a fabulous "Blue Moon Promise" Author Chat Party and giving away a Kindle Fire and a fun Texas sized gift basket! Click for details and don’t miss the fun. Prizes, chat with Colleen, sneak peek at the next book in the series, and so much more! Don't miss a moment of the fun. Come chat w/ @colleencoble at a Blue Moon Promise FB Party – u could win a Kindle Fire and more! RSVP here!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion. This is it.
All she's ever wanted to do was take care of her 3-year sister Eileen and 12-year old brother Jeb, especially since their father died a few months ago. But now it looks like she's running out of options until Henry knocks on her door and says that he's a friend of her father's and feels like he was sent by God to find her to be a wife to his son. In any other circumstances Lucy would have sent him away without a second though but with the danger and no way to take care of her siblings, she takes his offer and moves to Texas where she meets her new husband, Nate, who is very surprised and annoyed to hear that his father married him off without his consent. What follows is the story of Lucy and Nate learning how to adjust to their new "family," how to trust one another, and how to protect their little family in the face of both physical and moral danger. I read this book in one night and I really enjoyed it. I loved all of the main characters and especially the connection and relationship between Lucy and Nate as they learned that marriage isn't about changing to earn someone's love but rather about learning to love someone for who they are.
I've never read a book by Colleen Coble but after this heartfelt and well written one, I will definitely be picking up another one. My only complaint about the book has nothing to do with the content, but that the copy I got had a number of pages that were bound out of order, which was really annoying since it was at an important point in the book and kept breaking my concentration as I tried to find the correct page. Other than that, great read and highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Want a copy of Blue Moon Promise for yourself? Buy it here. How about a new Kindle Fire? See below for details on how to win great prizes as part of a Blue Moon Promise chat party.
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble is the first book in her new series, Under Texas Stars! To CELEBRATE, Colleen is hosting a fabulous "Blue Moon Promise" Author Chat Party and giving away a Kindle Fire and a fun Texas sized gift basket! Click for details and don’t miss the fun. Prizes, chat with Colleen, sneak peek at the next book in the series, and so much more! Don't miss a moment of the fun. Come chat w/ @colleencoble at a Blue Moon Promise FB Party – u could win a Kindle Fire and more! RSVP here!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion. This is it.
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The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
Let me start off by saying I'm an English major, but I can't stand reading the classics. There's just something about the slow and articulate literature that puts me to sleep. And for that reason I haven't picked up a classic to read in probably five years.
Why am I telling you this? Because The Flight of Gemma Hardy reads like a classic. It is well-written, full of character development, and hits all of the right elements, but I found it to be very slow and too easy for me to put down. It is a great modern retelling of Jane Eyre, which just adds evidence to my personal opinion because I've tried to read Jane Eyre three or four times and never been able to get through it. And after reading The Flight of Gemma Hardy, I'm not sure I ever will.
So ignoring the fact that I personally don't love the classics, this book is set in the mid 1900s, about orphan Gemma Hardy's journey to find her family and a place she belongs. Since I've never been able to get through Jane Eyre, I had to rely on Wikipedia to confirm that Gemma Hardy's journey is very similar to Jane Eyre's, just 100 years later. As a stand alone book (not compared to Jane Eyre), I liked the book but was annoyed with Gemma's insistence on running from each "home" she created to try and find one she didn't even know if it existed. Her character seemed to be looking for sympathy and pity for her tough life but she was never happy with the blessings she was given, especially in the latter half of the book.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy is divided into five sections - five sections that mirror Jane Eyre's life just in a more modern setting. Replace horses with cars, governesses with au pairs, and India with Iceland. Overall for those of you who enjoyed Jane Eyre and like classic literature, this is one you'd probably enjoy. For me personally, I could have done without. 3 stars.
Why am I telling you this? Because The Flight of Gemma Hardy reads like a classic. It is well-written, full of character development, and hits all of the right elements, but I found it to be very slow and too easy for me to put down. It is a great modern retelling of Jane Eyre, which just adds evidence to my personal opinion because I've tried to read Jane Eyre three or four times and never been able to get through it. And after reading The Flight of Gemma Hardy, I'm not sure I ever will.So ignoring the fact that I personally don't love the classics, this book is set in the mid 1900s, about orphan Gemma Hardy's journey to find her family and a place she belongs. Since I've never been able to get through Jane Eyre, I had to rely on Wikipedia to confirm that Gemma Hardy's journey is very similar to Jane Eyre's, just 100 years later. As a stand alone book (not compared to Jane Eyre), I liked the book but was annoyed with Gemma's insistence on running from each "home" she created to try and find one she didn't even know if it existed. Her character seemed to be looking for sympathy and pity for her tough life but she was never happy with the blessings she was given, especially in the latter half of the book.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy is divided into five sections - five sections that mirror Jane Eyre's life just in a more modern setting. Replace horses with cars, governesses with au pairs, and India with Iceland. Overall for those of you who enjoyed Jane Eyre and like classic literature, this is one you'd probably enjoy. For me personally, I could have done without. 3 stars.
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March 1, 2012
Tides of Love by Tracy Sumner
After being gone for ten years, Noah has returned to his childhood and the past that has haunted him for so long. And Marielle-Clare, the woman who has haunted his dreams. Elle was infatuated with Noah all growing up and was heartbroken when he left in their teens. Ten years without a word has led up to this moment when Noah returns and runs into Elle for the first time. Will Elle be able to prove that she's grown up that she's moved on and will Noah be able to avoid his past and this gorgeous woman?
I love a good romance and this was definitely a good romance. The book begins with Elle, Noah, and his brothers in their childhood and quickly moves to present time when Noah is moving back to North Carolina to supervise a short-term project. Noah runs into Elle on day one and while both have definitely grown up, there is palpable chemistry between the two. The book quickly heats up (including a couple of steamy scenes) as they both try to prove they don't need each other.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the two main characters. I may be a little biased because one of my best friends is named Marielle and I've never seen or heard that name anywhere else, but I loved how feisty and tough Marielle was and how Noah seemed like he was tough on the outside but was really sensitive and cared about those around him. The plot was believable and the author kept it moving along quickly. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy romance with the warning that there are a couple of sex scenes. 4 stars.
I love a good romance and this was definitely a good romance. The book begins with Elle, Noah, and his brothers in their childhood and quickly moves to present time when Noah is moving back to North Carolina to supervise a short-term project. Noah runs into Elle on day one and while both have definitely grown up, there is palpable chemistry between the two. The book quickly heats up (including a couple of steamy scenes) as they both try to prove they don't need each other. I really enjoyed this book, especially the two main characters. I may be a little biased because one of my best friends is named Marielle and I've never seen or heard that name anywhere else, but I loved how feisty and tough Marielle was and how Noah seemed like he was tough on the outside but was really sensitive and cared about those around him. The plot was believable and the author kept it moving along quickly. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy romance with the warning that there are a couple of sex scenes. 4 stars.
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February 14, 2012
On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor
Maggie has it all. She's beautiful, been accepted to Yale Law School, engaged to a superstar movie producer, and a talented photographer. But something is missing, herself. Ever since Maggie met fiance Jeffrey, she's been hiding from her true feelings and dreams because who wouldn't be in love with such a handsome and successful man.
One week after their engagement Jeffrey surprises Maggie with a two week skiing trip, just the two of them. Then it becomes the four of them as Jeffrey invites their best friends along. As soon as they arrive at the Ritz resort Maggie learns the real reason for the trip is for Jeffrey to do some pre-production work on a new skiing documentary he is shooting of a hot shot ski bum who lives in the area. Instead of the romantic vacation she envisioned, Maggie ends up with a lot of time alone to think, ski, photograph the surrounding area, and fall head over heels for that hot shot ski bum.
I won't give anything else away but you can probably figure out what happens next because well, On the Rim of Love was simply put, predictable. I really enjoyed the setting and the descriptions of the gorgeous mountainside but I found the story to be lackluster and the characters to be one-dimensional and lacking in depth. They were each written in a way that it was obvious whose side you should be on and which characters you should like and which characters were in the wrong. Take Jeffrey for example, an vengeful and arrogant producer who thinks his wife should stay at home while he makes the money, there wasn't one thing I liked about him. Same thing with most of the characters, they were either all good or all bad. When have you ever met anyone who didn't have one redeeming quality? It just felt flat and unrealistic to me.
If you're just looking for something to keep you entertained by the pool or at the beach for a few hours, this will do the job. Just don't expect to keep thinking about it or remembering the characters after you finish the last page. 3 stars.
I won't give anything else away but you can probably figure out what happens next because well, On the Rim of Love was simply put, predictable. I really enjoyed the setting and the descriptions of the gorgeous mountainside but I found the story to be lackluster and the characters to be one-dimensional and lacking in depth. They were each written in a way that it was obvious whose side you should be on and which characters you should like and which characters were in the wrong. Take Jeffrey for example, an vengeful and arrogant producer who thinks his wife should stay at home while he makes the money, there wasn't one thing I liked about him. Same thing with most of the characters, they were either all good or all bad. When have you ever met anyone who didn't have one redeeming quality? It just felt flat and unrealistic to me.
If you're just looking for something to keep you entertained by the pool or at the beach for a few hours, this will do the job. Just don't expect to keep thinking about it or remembering the characters after you finish the last page. 3 stars.
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February 3, 2012
An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser
Lucy Scarpelli wakes up one morning to find out her family is being evicted from the only home she's ever know in New York in just one week. How will they ever find somewhere they can afford in that time? Where there's a will there's a way, and Lucy has more will than most. Determined to protect her family, Lucy searches the city for a place to live without realizing that the place she finds will also be the key to a new life.
An Unlikely Suitor is the story of three women - Lucy, Lucy's new socialite friend Rowena, and Lucy's younger sister Sophia - who are all trying to find their place in a world filled with rules, challenges, and romance. The three are all very different from each other while all longing for the same thing, to be accepted and loved by someone. Unfortunately that love comes for each of them from a place that is against all of those rules that define how society should work. So each woman will need to decide what to follow - their family advice, society's rules, or their heart.
The story that plays out is an enjoyable, although fairly predictable, one. The writing was good and easy to read but I did find that while I liked each of the women somewhat, they all seemed one-dimensional to me. They were defined as characters by their main flaw, which didn't add to their appeal or really make me want to side with any of them. So good, but not great. 3 stars.
The story that plays out is an enjoyable, although fairly predictable, one. The writing was good and easy to read but I did find that while I liked each of the women somewhat, they all seemed one-dimensional to me. They were defined as characters by their main flaw, which didn't add to their appeal or really make me want to side with any of them. So good, but not great. 3 stars.
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February 2, 2012
Giveaway: Hot Water by Erin Brockovich with CJ Lyons
Last year Erin Brockovich introduced readers to AJ Palladino in Rock Bottom as AJ returned home with her genius son David to Scotia, West Virginia where they were quickly involved in a disruption that ended in the death of David's dad Cole.
After struggling to make ends meet for so long, it looks like AJ's luck is finally going to change when the owner of a nuclear power plant, Grandel, gives her an offer that sounds too good to be true - a huge sum of money just to convince protestors that his plant is safe. Designed using brand new technology and methods to ensure safety and security, even the government has declared it a model plant. And the plant was safe until AJ got involved.
Hot Water is a thrilling journey of two parallel stories that twist and turn until they are combined into one. AJ is fighting the battle to restore order to the nuclear plant in the midst of religious fanatics and radioactive alligators while her family and friends are fighting a battle against David's grandfather to maintain custody of David. Add a great hit man, some fascinating supporting characters, and twists and turns I didn't see coming and yes, you have yourself a great read.
While this is a stand alone book, I would recommend that you read Rock Bottom before Hot Water just to understand the back story and how AJ and David's lives became as complicated as they are. I highly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller, especially ones led by a feisty female heroine.
Want a copy for yourself? One lucky reader will win a copy of Hot Water just by commenting on this post. Giveaway ends Friday, February 3rd at midnight EST.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.
Hot Water is a thrilling journey of two parallel stories that twist and turn until they are combined into one. AJ is fighting the battle to restore order to the nuclear plant in the midst of religious fanatics and radioactive alligators while her family and friends are fighting a battle against David's grandfather to maintain custody of David. Add a great hit man, some fascinating supporting characters, and twists and turns I didn't see coming and yes, you have yourself a great read.
While this is a stand alone book, I would recommend that you read Rock Bottom before Hot Water just to understand the back story and how AJ and David's lives became as complicated as they are. I highly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller, especially ones led by a feisty female heroine.
Want a copy for yourself? One lucky reader will win a copy of Hot Water just by commenting on this post. Giveaway ends Friday, February 3rd at midnight EST.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.
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February 1, 2012
Making the Team by Stephanie Perry Moore and Derrick Moore
Making the Team is the first in a new series by husband and wife team Stephanie and Derrick Moore about a boy named Alec London struggling to balance school, friends, sports, self, and faith. Stephanie has authored many such series for children and teens, and her husband Derrick is a former NFL football player who serves as chaplain for Georgia Tech's football program.Alec is a fourth grade boy who lives in a troubled but loving family. His mother is torn between family and pursuing her dream, his father struggles with employment and playing Mr. Mom while his wife is away, his big brother bullies him, and his grandmother sometimes says things she shouldn't. When his father gets a new job as principal at Alec's school, Alec is mortified and doesn't know how he will survive the school year. On top of that his peers can't seem to get over his past bullying, which makes staying out of trouble more difficult than ever. Amidst all his problems, he tends to isolate himself at the expense of his friends, who only want to help. Alec must learn to be a team player, but how can he with everything working against him?
The main thing that sets this series apart (and another series for girls I will be reviewing in a few weeks), is that in addition to the story, the books introduce vocabulary words in context, and offer fun activities at the end of each chapter to practice them. There are also other educational helps throughout the book. For example, Alec helps his brother study math, and his explanations and tips will likely help young readers understand their math as well. It 's also illustrated that good study habits are important and will always be rewarded one way or another.
What I appreciate most about this book is the multi-faceted characterization of adults. Most children's books seem to paint adults as two dimensional Stepford figures, or even eliminate them altogether. The Moores' adults have problems and dreams and personalities, and do the best they can with what they've got to work with.
Even though this book was geared toward young boys, I found it enjoyable. I want to know what will happen next, if Alec's mother will be able to follow her dream and what that will mean to her family, and how Alec's personal growth will effect him and those around him.
I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.
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