Author Archives: opesopinions

Stella Batts: None of Your Beeswax

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Author: Courtney Sheinmel
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press               stella
Genre: Children’s books
Source: BEA

 

 

 

Goodreads:  Can you keep a secret? Stella Batts has a lot of secrets to keep these days–there’s the secret of what really happened to her little sister’s pet fish, and there’s the secret school project she’s working on with her friend Lucy, and there’s the secret on the second floor of her family’s candy store. Actually, Stella doesn’t know the candy store secret yet, because her dad won’t tell her. Even though she’s eight years old, and that’s old enough to be trusted! Stella hasn’t told any of her other secrets all week, and some of her other friends are feeling left out. But that’s the problem with being told a secret: You have to keep it!

Em and Pey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ope’s Opinion:  These are my girls I will be reading this book to.  This book is so good adults will enjoy reading to children.  Later those children will enjoy reading it themselves.  

Stella learns about keeping secrets – when to keep them, when to share them, and who to share them with.  It is a hard concept for children to learn.  I thought there were several good real life examples in this book.

I am interested in reading more of Stella Batts books.

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

Jesse’s Girl

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Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre:  Contemporary Young Adult                           jesse's girl
Source: Edelweiss

Publication Date: July 1, 2015

 

 

Goodreads:  Practice Makes Perfect.

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

Ope’s Opinion:  I have read a Miranda Kenneally book before.  I really think she does a good job of writing from a young adults point of view.  I like how slow Jesse and Maya took their relationship.  They took time to know each other before the physical part started.

I loved watching Maya chase her dream of singing.  It was a great idea to have her follow someone who is already there.  It was good to see the positive and negative sides of the industry.  I actually think the shadow program should be put into the school systems.  It is an awesome idea to help students see what a job is really all about.

I like how involved Maya’s family is with her music.  They are very supportive.  It is great to see a story about teens that includes a positive family.  I like how protective her brother is of her.

This is a good read – definitely would recommend it to young adult readers.

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

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Happy Blogaversary!!!!

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This is my 3rd Anniversary!!!!

 

When I started I thought I would try it for a year and see if I still enjoyed it.  It is hard to believe I am still happily reading, reviewing and occasionally sharing about my family.

One of the things I like to do on the anniversary is to reevaluate my blog.  Something that has been on my mind this past year is –

Please give me your opinion.

How long should a review be?  

What needs to be included in the review?

Is rating a book necessary?

These are some of the things that I am reevaluating on my blog.

3 ann

 

 

Conflicting Webs

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Author:  Darlene Quinn
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press           conflicting webs
Genre: Fiction
Source:  Darlene Quinn

 

Goodreads:  The Toddman-Taylor saga continues in a new direction, exploring love and loss, career and family, forgiveness and redemption in this stand-alone addition to the gripping Web series. Fast-paced chapters propel unforgettable characters through the turmoil of overlapping and often conflicting commitments.

Wedding bells are set to ring. April Toddman, the darling of the Jordon’s retail dynasty, feels blessed. Her handsome, amiable fiancé, Kyle Clark, is passionate and shares her dreams. No couple could ask for a more promising future. And yet, just days before they are to exchange their marriage vows, their perfect world begins to crumble. Fate steps in and puts April and Kyle to the test. Will they successfully thread their way through the conflicting webs to secure their happiness?

With unfamiliar ground beneath their feet, April and Kyle must confront an unrelenting tsunami of obligations: to other—to their budding careers—and to themselves.

A child without a mother . . . A wedding without a honeymoon . . . A mother without a family . . . Beloved characters old and new weave secrets, mistakes, accidents, and lies into intricate webs of conflict as they strive to protect the generation of tomorrow.

Readers young and old will be held captive by the bold decisions these characters make to take charge of their destinies.

Ope’s Opinion: This book started out a little slow for me.  Once I did get into, I was absorbed in the story right to the end.  Parts of it were very intense.  There were a lot of characters in this book.   Each one was well developed and had a large part in how the story moved forward and ended.  At times I made assumptions on how things were going to turn out and each time I was surprised at the turns the story took.  

This is my first book by Darlene Quinn.  I did not feel like I was missing anything since I had not read the previous books.  This book felt complete.

The ending left me wanting more.  Not that it was a bad ending, I just wanted to know more.  I guess that is because it is part of a series.

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

Books on My Doorstep

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Yesterday was a very good book day!
These are what landed on my door step yesterday.

The second book in my
Booksparks Summer Reading Challenge
came in.

2nd summer reading book

Inside is:

summer secrets

 

This one came in from Liz and Lisa after meeting them at BEA!!

status of all thngs

summer after you and meThis book came from Valerie at Sourcebooks.
I met Valerie at BEA.  She was very friendly and was
interested in what I liked to read.
Thank you Valerie!!  

Married ’til Monday

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Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson                married
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: NetGalley

 

Goodreads:  With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby’s husband for just one last weekend.

Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

Ope’s Opinion:  Out of all the McKinlely stories, this was the hardest to read.  Abby had a lot of issues that I think a reader could relate to, but made it a little on the sad side.

Abby and Ryan had a road trip that was a reflection of their relationship – lots of ups and downs.  There were several road blocks along the way and some detours.  It was a long winding road ( could have been a little shorter ).  Abby had to work through some issues.

The ending was expected, but also what you wanted.  It was good to see where all the siblings were too.  The McKinley series was an enjoyable family to get to know.

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

Books from BEA

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There are always a few special books that draw me to BEA.
These are a few of my favorites from this year.

if you only knew

Publication Date:  May 26, 2015
Love Kristan Higgins!

winter stroll

Publication Date:  October 13, 2015
I will save this for the first snow!

dancing through life

Publication Date:  August 1, 2015
This was an unexpected find.

summertime girls

Publication Date:  August 4, 2015
This is a new author for me.
And the cover is awesome!!

unlovely

Publication Date:  January 2, 2015
Celeste Conway was fun to talk to at BEA.
I love the cover! I want to frame it.

nowhere but here

Publication Date:  May 26, 2015
Katie McGarry is a favorite of mine.

Eight Hundred Grapes

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Author: Laura Dave                   800
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Fiction
Source: BookSparks

 

 

Goodreads:  A breakout novel from an author who “positively shines with wisdom and intelligence” (Jonathan Tropper, This Is Where I leave You). “Laura Dave writes with humor and insight about relationships in all their complexity, whether she’s describing siblings or fiancés or a couple long-married. Eight Hundred Grapes is a captivating story about the power of family, the limitations of love, and what becomes of a life’s work” (J. Courtney Sullivan, Maine).

There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide…

Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands.

But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever.

Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers, and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s been keeping secrets…

Ope’s Opinion:  I really hope this book is the first in a series.  It has so many amazing characters that I would like to revisit.  Laura Dave does a such a great job of developing each of the characters.

Watching Georgia struggle to figure out what she wanted and who she wanted kept me reading.  I liked that she was not closed to forgiving and would listen to explanations even when things looked very messed up.  Her whole family had different relationships to work out.

There is a lot of family drama in this book.  Some of it seemed to be resolved by the end, but I think there is a lot more I want to read.  Please Laura – tell me there is more!!

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

One Wish

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Author: Robyn Carr                                  one wish
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she’s proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she’s created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace’s fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace’s past catches up with her, and she knows that’s not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He’s determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is another good book by Robyn Carr.  You know that Grace and Troy will be happy at the end, but getting there is always fun!  Catching up on other Thunder Point characters was enjoyable too.

Watching Grace become independent after such a dependent childhood made me respect her character.

I am looking forward to the next Thunder Point book.  I want to see how Grace and her mom work out their relationship.  I also want to see all the new babies that are on the way.  It should be another great read.

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

The Bigger Book of Parenting Tweets

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Author: Jessica Ziegler, etc.
Publisher: Science of Parenthood   tweets
Genre:  Humor
Source:  BookSparks

 

 

Goodreads:  Following the enormous success of their first book, The Big Book of Parenting Tweets, Science of Parenthood and Kate Hall are back with The BIGGER Book of Parenting Tweets, featuring EVEN MORE of the funniest parents on Twitter!

Venturing deep into the Twitterverse in search of even more hilarity, these intrepid editors discovered more than FIFTY of the funniest comedians who just happen to be parents. Together with still more of Science of Parenthood’s signature cartoons and special “behind the tweets” stories, Book Two is BIGGER … it’s BOLDER … and gosh darn it, people LIKE it!

With its dynamic mix of moms’ and dads’ voices and parenting topics—toddlers to teens—The BIGGER Book of Parenting Tweets is guaranteed to make new parents, veteran parents, grandparents and expecting parents laugh out loud at the unbelievable (yet somehow still endearing) crazy that comes with raising children.

Here is just a peek at some of what you’ll find inside:

I don’t believe in spanking my children, but I do believe in flipping them off from the other room.
— Jewel Nunez (@OneFunnyMummy)

Ope’s Opinion:  I am a grandparent and I can relate to so many of these tweets.  Wish I had had them when I was raising my kids.  You need to laugh about parenting – it will keep you sane.

I passed this book on to my daughter!  I wanted her to enjoy parenting and laugh about  the hard parts.

This book made me giggle, laugh, and read some of it over and over again.

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