Monthly Archives: December 2013

Coming Soon…

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…. On a Bookshelf near you!

To start the year I am looking forward to all the new books coming out.  This one of them.

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Publication Date:  January 7, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte

Goodreads:  Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.

What is coming soon….. to a bookshelf near you?

Let me know – I am always looking for a good read!

A December Bride

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Author:  Denise Hunter            dec bride
Publisher: Zondervan
Pages: 94
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Purchased

Goodreads: A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.
What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the facade in Chapel Springs this holiday season—for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?
Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy—the best friend of Layla O’Reilly’s ex-fiance—would be the last person she’d marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency—a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map.
Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she’ll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she’s landed her client.
For Layla, it’s the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it’s his last chance to win her heart.

Ope’s Opinion:  This was a perfect book for this time of year!  It was short, but all the elements of a good book where there.  The characters were well developed, the story was wonderful and it just swept you away.

Although it was a predictable story line, there were enough turns along the way to keep me reading.  The characters all knew each other before the beginning of the story – that helped make it more believable.

I am now looking forward to the other books in the series A Year of Weddings.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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The Christmas Train

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Author: David Baldacci
Publisher: Warner Books                       chr train
Pages:  288
Genre: Holiday / Mystery
Source: My Daughter 

Good reads:  Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington D.C. to L.A in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people’s essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.

The Christmas Train is filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief … and shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles.

Ope’s Opinion:  This was a really cute story.  It was predictable, but had a lot of twists before it got to the predictable ending.  I enjoyed the whole idea of being on the train and meeting all the people who were riding together.

At this time of year, when life is hectic and some times stressful, this is a great, easy, enjoyable read.  It will take you away for a few hours and make you happy.  For those of us who are a little older, it will take us back to a time when we first fell in love.

Rating: Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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Halfway to Nowhere

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Author:  Steena Holmes                         halfway
Publisher:  unknown
Pages: 148
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Steena Holmes Assistant 

 

 

Goodreads:  By USA Today Bestselling Author Steena Holmes and Elena Aitken comes their latest story sure to tug at the heartstrings of those who understand the depth of a mother’s love.

Nikki Landon walked away from her small town, Halfway, Montana, ten years ago, with no intentions of setting foot there again. But, when her mother dies unexpectedly, Nikki has no choice but to return, and this time with the child she was trying to hide—ten year old, Ryan.

Becky Jennings is living her happily-ever-after. She’s married to the man of her dreams and even though that means being the wife of a Christmas tree farmer, she’s happy. There’s only one thing missing from her fairy-tale life: a child to hold in her arms. After countless miscarriages, she’s struggling to accept that might be one dream that will never come true.

As teenagers, Nikki would have done anything to protect her best friend, Becky from heartache, which is why she left. But ten years later, there’s nowhere to hide in a small town where everyone can see the truth of the secret she can no longer keep.

Could Nikki’s son be the child Becky has always longed for? And if he is, can the already fragile bond between the two friends, withstand the heartache?

Ope’s Opinion:  If you have read anything by Steena Holmes and enjoyed it – you will really like this book.  If you haven’t read anything by her – look for one and read it.  She is a great author, who can really tell a story that will capture your attention.

This particular book of Holmes and Aitkens moved very fast.  It had a lot of secrets.  They were exposed quickly.  You will not want to put it down once you start it.

This is a great read!

Rating: Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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Christmas Food

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What food reminds you of Christmas?

We do some of the traditional foods and some special ones.   Each year I make homemade peppermint bark.  It is my favorite food gift to share with family and friends.

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     I always make enough to have some around the house as well as share with others.


Tell me about the food that says Christmas to you.

In the Void of Lies

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Author:  Kirby Freeman III
Publisher: Cave Publishing                                         lies
Pages:  83
Genre:  Political Intrigue
Source:  Author

 

 

 

Goodreads:  In The Void Of Lies is a tale of infidelity and redemption intermingled against the passage of the healthcare bill. The action starts with Justin Powell in Senator Fitzgerald’s office applying for a new job in order to spend more time with his wife, Tyra. At the same time Tyra is trying to uphold her half of their marriage by covering up a secret.

The drama unfolds as Justin stumbles across signs of Tyra’s affair with Daren. And at the height of their emotional war, Justin walks out on Tyra and potentially their marriage. Meanwhile, Senator Fitzgerald is begging Senator Danforth for money because he is being blackmailed over his illegitimate son.

The excitement comes to a boil as Senator Fitzgerald’s wife confronts his lies, while Justin and Tyra try to decide on the outcome of their marriage. And in a dramatic conclusion almost torn from the latest news headlines, Senator Fitzgerald stands at the Senate podium addressing the nation. And with that, the tale ends with the truth redeeming all that they were hiding.

Ope’s Opinion:  Even though this book was a short one, the characters were well developed and Kirby made you want to know what was going to happen to them.

The story line was familiar – politicians, rumors, affairs and bills to be passed. It would make a good movie.

Some of the language seemed unnecessary.  I was also surprised when educated, professional characters were using words like ain’t, brotha, and sista.  This did not seem realistic to me.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like this book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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Chicago in December!!

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My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings  and I  had the opportunity to go to Chicago – we weren’t so sure about doing it in December!  It ended up being a wonderful time.

First we had to have Chicago pizza while in Chicago.
pizzaWe went up the Willis Tower.  I was scared to walk out on the glass, but Kristi held on to me.    willis towerIt was fun to see the store fronts ready for Christmas.
down from Macy'sThis is Kristi at the Bean.
k and beanWe went to the Chicago Public Library.  It is HUGE!!  It was beautiful too.  The children’s section was a wonderful place to let a child enjoy books.
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The Sandpiper

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Author:  Susan Brace Lovell                                  
Publisher: KRisSCroSS Press                                               sandpiper
Pages:  248
Genre:  Woman’s Fiction
Source:  BookSparks

Goodreads:  One family’s story of pain, secrets, and love.

The Sandpiper is about three Cameron women. Kate the perfect older sister. Jamie the screw-up. Their widowed mother Ellie. It’s about Nina Judd, their guardian angel, the novel’s heartbeat.

Kate had the chance to know their father Dr. James. Jamie was born too late. Sisters by birth. Sisters in loyalty sanctified by a blood oath. Two bright, pretty women full of promise. Then something happens the summer Jamie turns 18 that ruins everything.

And maybe Kate is not so perfect after all. Jamie not so hopeless. Embraced by The Sandpiper, Nina’s white-shingled cottage above the endless blue of Lake Michigan, the sisters struggle toward forgiveness, toward healing.

Ope’s Opinion:  The first thing that attracted me to this book was the name – I love watching sandpipers at the beach.  The second thing that attracted me to the book was the cover.   Then I read the synopsis.  I thought this is a book I will really enjoy reading.

It turned out to be okay.  I was actually a little disappointed.  It just never grabbed me.  I kept reading and it was alright.

Maybe I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to read this book.  I think I needed something lighter and more up beat.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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