Coming Soon….

Posted on March 31, 2015 by opesopinions

…. On a Bookshelf near you!

In April I hope to read…

Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Kensington

Goodreads: When Jane Ryan discovers she’s pregnant with twin girls, she faces a heart wrenching decision. On her own and unable to afford to care for both babies, she sees no choice but to keep one and give up the other for adoption. But fourteen years later, Jane’s decision comes full circle.

“Family is everything.” It’s one of the first things Isabel, the twin Jane gave up, says when they unexpectedly meet. Without warning, she and her adoptive mother have moved to the town where Jane and her daughter, Harper, live. But are they really family? In the throes of a willful adolescence, Harper is as sullen as Isabel is eager to please. Still, the sisters appear to bond quickly–until unsettling things begin to happen. Disturbing pranks, questionable accidents, strange ailments. Are the girls allies, or enemies? Is Harper acting out, or is Isabel not all she seems? Soon, Jane is convinced there is something darker at work than sibling rivalry. But who is to blame, and is this only the beginning?

In a novel that is both suspenseful and deeply emotional, Rosalind Noonan explores the complex challenges of motherhood, and of truly knowing what lies in another’s heart–even those we love best.

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

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

How to Eat a Cupcake

Posted on March 27, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Meg Donohue
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Funny, free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated, ambitious Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clair’s housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia’s San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls who know nothing of class differences and scholarships could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship.

A decade later, Annie is now a talented, if underpaid, pastry chef who bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother’s death. Julia, a successful businesswoman, is tormented by a painful secret that could jeopardize her engagement to the man she loves. When a chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, they must overcome past hurts and a mysterious saboteur or risk losing their fledgling business and any chance of healing their fractured friendship.

Ope’s Opinion: This book is a steady build to the end. Along the way, there is some mystery and twists to the story. It is told in two voices, Annie and Julia. They are very different voices. The book is divided into months – this makes a nice time line.

The characters are well developed, relatable and realistic. You will like Annie and Julia at times and other times you will be frustrated with each of them – as I think the author was expecting you to.

The center of this book is about friendship. These two friends are actually more like sisters. They fight with each other and yet under it all you can tell they really love each other. The cupcake shop brought out the best in each one of them. They are both strong, independent women trying to make life work and work with each other.

The ending wrapped everything up and was exactly what you want for Annie and Julia.

Rating: 4 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

David’s Song

Posted on March 25, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: A.R. Talley
Publisher: Author House
Genre: Romance
Source: Purchased

Goodreads: Taken from the book cover: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience.

A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy.

Ope’s Opinion: I did not realize when I purchased and started reading this book that it was part of a trilogy.

This book brought out a lot of emotions for me. I felt like marriage was disposable for the characters. It was all about feelings – some times when things are rough, you must be unselfish, put feelings aside and do the work to make the relationship work. I think it was too easy for Annie to give up on her marriage. She should have been stronger, should have thought about her kids and family before putting them all in jeopardy.

I enjoyed the college years in this book.

I do like the way this one ended, so I have decided not to read the other two in this series.

The author is an excellent writer and knows how to weave a story – I just didn’t care for some of this story. So I would read a stand alone book by A.R. Talley at some point.

Rating: 3 – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

Throw like a Woman

Posted on March 23, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Susan Petrone
Publisher: The Story Plant
Genre: Fiction
Source: The Story Plant

Goodreads: Forty years old, divorced, with two sons on the verge of adolescence and an ex-husband who considers visitation to be optional, Brenda Haversham isn’t having a whole lot of fun. She’s also no longer qualified for the work she loves, so she’s working in a cubicle instead while trying to make ends meet.

Brenda is short on money, short on connection with her kids, and short on any kind of social life. The only thing Brenda has in abundance is her anger. And that turns out to be her greatest asset.

When she was a kid, Brenda’s father taught her how to throw a good fastball. That wasn’t of much use to a girl, but it is enough to astound onlookers at a “test your speed” pitching cage before a Cleveland Indians game. The more Brenda pictures her ex-husband’s face on the other end, the harder she throws. And when someone tapes her performance and puts it up online, Brenda becomes an Internet sensation – and then more than that.

Soon, the Indians come calling and Brenda finds her life taking a turn in a new direction. She finds herself standing on the mound as the first woman player in Major League history – and dealing with everything that comes with it. The money is great and the endorsement deals are even better. The fury of “traditionalists,” not so much. And the conflicting emotions of her teammates are even harder to manage.

Meanwhile, Brenda’s home life is evolving faster than she can keep up, redefining her role as a mother, a friend, and even a lover.

As the season winds down Brenda will find out if she has what it takes to be a winner – at both baseball and life.

Ope’s Opinion: The combination of baseball and a strong, independent woman drew me into this book. Although, I like going to baseball games, I don’t enjoy reading all the details of the game. Each time the baseball part of the story started to drag for me, Susan Petrone would bring in more about Brenda’s personal life, which kept me reading.

The cast of characters ( and there are many ) in this book, reacted to a woman playing baseball as I would expect them to.

Even though there was not an abundance of foul language, I still found it unnecessary. It did not add to the story.

Overall, the story was a very good one and it kept moving throughout the whole book.

Rating: 3.5 – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

Dancing with Fireflies

Posted on March 19, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt.” Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

Ope’s Opinion: Oh, this story is so good!!! I enjoyed reading Jade’s story. I love Jade’s free spirit. Seeing her grow up, become responsible, but still keep her free spirit was such an awesome story.

I liked that Jade and Daniel have known each other since childhood. Those love stories grow slow and some times surprise you. Jade’s story was a great balance of fun and flirty and serious and realistic.

I love the McKinley family. I can’t wait to read more of Denise Hunter’s books about this family.

Rating: 4.5 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Barefoot Summer

Posted on March 17, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: Madison’s heart closed the day her twin brother died.

Since losing her twin, Michael, in a drowning incident, Madison has rejected the faith he lived by. Instead, she’s devoted her life to fulfilling Michael’s dream—winning the River Sail Regatta in their small Indiana town, Chapel Springs.

As she trains for the regatta, Beckett O’Reilly is teaching Madison to swim. But he’s keeping a painful secret from her—and as they grow closer, that secret threatens to upend their lives . . . and the lives of both their families.

Ope’s Opinion: This was such an awesome story. I enjoyed it from page one right through to the last page. There were enough twists to keep me reading. Even though you could predict the ending, the story was not predictable.

The characters were interesting and engaging. I wanted the best for each them. They each had flaws and difficulties they were dealing with – that made them feel real and relatable.

When I started this book I was aware there was a second book as part of the series. I was glad when I got to the end, to know I would be reading more about this family.

Rating: 4.5 – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.

Whole Latte Life

Posted on March 13, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Joanne DeMaio
Publisher: Createspace
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: A heartfelt story of secrets and second chances from the New York Times bestselling author of Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans.

Sara Beth and Rachel have been wishing on stars for as long as they’ve been friends. Sara Beth dreams of opening an antique shop in quaint Addison, Connecticut. For Rachel, a little beach cottage will do, where sea breezes and salt water might inspire her sketches. Sharing wishes and cups of coffee, they’ve stitched pieces of their lives together like a soft patchwork quilt of friendship they thought they’d hold close forever.

But while celebrating their birthdays one weekend in Manhattan, Sara Beth makes a life-altering decision. Excusing herself to use the Ladies’ Room during lunch, she disappears, slipping the waiter a note to pass along, asking Rachel to cover for her.

Sara Beth’s escape begins a summer of change–of herself, of her marriage, of the lives of those around her back home in Addison. Most unexpectedly, it brings a solitary Mounted Police Officer into Rachel’s life, one who gladly shows Rachel that it isn’t always stars that deliver our wishes.

Ope’s Opinion: This is my March pick off of Kristin of Kritters Ramblings shelf.

I started out the book frustrated with Sara Beth. I wanted to hear more from her and less from those looking for her and lost without her. I wanted to know what Sara Beth was thinking and going through. Eventually, that happened and that was when I enjoyed the story more.

I can understand Sara Beth’s feelings and her wanting to run away from her life. Aren’t there times when we would all like to run away? Loosing your mom makes you look at your life and reevaluate. It also makes you a little lost, if she was your support.

As the story moved on, I understood Sarah Beth so much more. I liked how Joanne DeMaio wrapped the story up at the end of the book.

I have another book by Joanne DeMaio I am looking forward to reading.

Rating: 3.5 – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

Where do all the books go…..??

Posted on March 11, 2015 by opesopinions

After you have finished reading a book….

How do you decide if you are going to keep it or pass it on?

If it is an ARC, does that influence your decision?

Who do you pass it on to? or where do you pass it on?

I only keep a select few books. Almost all the books on my shelf are to-be-read books. I do have one shelf for my granddaughters – for when they come and for when they get older.

Most of my books are passed on to friends that I think will enjoy them.

My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings and I go to Baltimore to The Book Thing as often as we can. I like to take my books there because they give them all away. I enjoy the feeling of knowing someone who might have the opportunity to read a book just because we took them there.

This is a good place to take my ARC because they do not sell books – they just pass them on.

For exchange, we go to 2nd and Charles. The store is large, clean, and easy to find what you are looking for. They are selective on what they will buy from you.

2nd & Charles

Let me know where your books go…

Wouldn’t be fun to know where your book is now?

The Day the Crayons Quit

Posted on March 9, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Drew Daywalt, Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Philomel Books
Genre: Children’s
Source: The Brightly Team

Goodreads: Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: We quit!

Beige is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown. Blue needs a break from coloring all that water, while Pink just wants to be used. Green has no complaints, but Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking to each other.

What is Duncan to do? Debut author Drew Daywalt and New York Timesbestseller Oliver Jeffers create a colorful solution in this playful, imaginative story that will have children laughing and playing with their crayons in a whole new way.

Emma’s Opinion: This was fun to read! I like all the crayons!! The last page was my favorite page.

Emma’s Rating: Five fingers – I want to read it again and again. I want to take the book home with me.

Ope’s Opinion: From a grandparent perspective, I like the book. It is very colorful. I thought it was a little too much to read on each page to keep a young childs attention. The crayons were a little whiny to me – I don’t think a child would notice that.

Ope’s Rating: Four fingers for me.

The Girls of Mischief Bay

Posted on March 5, 2015 by opesopinions

Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Emer Flounders

Goodreads: Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time at her Mischief Bay Pilates studio. Can she say enough is enough without losing the man she loves?

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg rose to become vice president in her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she can have it all. And if she can, does she want it?

Although Pam Eiland has a beautiful house and a husband she adores, she feels… restless. She wonders who a stay-at-home mom becomes after the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise her husband brings the heat and the humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, three very different women will discover that friends can become family, and that life is richer with sisters at your side.

Ope’s Opinion: Susan Mallery writes such wonderful, relatable characters and weaves an awesome story. There are three women in this story, you can identify with one of them or maybe all three!

I felt like I could live at Mischief Bay and be friends with these women. Pam is closest to my age and I have the most in common with her. Her story is very close to my own. Some of her story made my heart ache.

I really enjoyed the fact that these women were of different ages, interests and stages in life, yet they are friends and supported each other. I am looking forward to going back to Mischief Bay and seeing these women as Susan Mallery continues this series.

Rating: 5 – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on….

Ope's Opinions

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Monthly Archives: March 2015