Category Archives: Book Opinion

The Two of Us

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Author: Victoria Bylin
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Victoria Bylin / Bethany House Publishers

Goodreads:  Heartwarming and Touching New Contemporary Romance from Victoria Bylin

After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she’s focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who’s pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia’s plans.
Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He’s poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who’s asked him to be his best man at his wedding.
Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn’t expecting Jake. And Jake, who can’t help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he’ll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake’s courage and Mia’s caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . .

Ope’s Opinion: Yes, this Christian Fiction.  Yes, God is in the middle of this story and in the middle of the lives of the people in this book.  Yes, you should read this book!  There should be a copy of this book in every church library ( well, in every library for that matter ).

No, this book did not preach at me.  No these people were not perfect – they had flaws and life did not always go smoothly. There are a lot of different relationships in different stages of life – easy for any reader to relate to.

The ending was expected and satisfying.  I am looking forward to Victoria Bylin’s next book.

The Child Finder

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Author: Rene Denfeld
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Mystery
Source:  Harper

 

Goodreads:  Three years ago, Madison Culver disappeared when her family was choosing a Christmas tree in Oregon’s Skookum National Forest. She would be eight years old now—if she has survived. Desperate to find their beloved daughter, certain someone took her, the Culvers turn to Naomi, a private investigator with an uncanny talent for locating the lost and missing. Known to the police and a select group of parents as The Child Finder, Naomi is their last hope.

Naomi’s methodical search takes her deep into the icy, mysterious forest in the Pacific Northwest, and into her own fragmented past. She understands children like Madison because once upon a time, she was a lost girl too.

As Naomi relentlessly pursues and slowly uncovers the truth behind Madison’s disappearance, shards of a dark dream pierce the defenses that have protected her, reminding her of a terrible loss she feels but cannot remember. If she finds Madison, will Naomi ultimately unlock the secrets of her own life?

Ope’s Opinion:  I found this hard to read, not really enjoyable, but told from interesting points of view.  I almost felt like at the end the author was going to tell me it was all a dream – it was told in such a manner that it didn’t feel real. 

The cycle of abuse was an interesting twist to the story.

The ending did make it some what better.

Charmed by Chocolate

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Author: Steena Holmes
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Romance
Source:  Purchased

 

Goodreads:  When Leah ran off to Southern California, she hoped to leave freezing cold winters and unrequited love behind. She was never meant for a small town life and the timing with her longtime best friend–and secret soul mate–was always hopelessly off.
But after a mishap on the hit reality show Charming, Leah declares her love for Wade nationwide and is publicly dubbed “Lonely Leah.” She returns to Marietta to hide at her family’s home–from the media who wants to turn her into a human interest story, from the townspeople upset with her blunder, and most of all, from Wade, who wants to talk.

It took Leah leaving town to wake Wade Burns up to the reality that he’s head over heels in love with his best friend. But now that she’s back home, she’s giving him the cold shoulder. With chocolate and a grand gesture, can Wade charm his way back into Leah’s heart?

Ope’s Opinion:  I am a huge fan of Steena Holmes.  That is the whole reason I picked this one up.  I am still a fan of Steena Holmes, but this is not her usual story telling.  This one is up beat, light, easy read.   Probably a good one for holiday reading when life is crazy and you need a little something to relax you.

This book is  a part of a series, but each book has a different author, so you can read it alone.  It is a sweet story that has the happy ending – all of which you can figure out at the beginning – and some times exactly what you want.

Steena Holmes novels are usually deep, full of wonderful characters and leaving you thinking…  so if you have a chance, pick up any one of her novels – you won’t be disappointed.

You’re the One that I Want

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Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Tyndale
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source:  Purchased

Goodreads:  Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

Ope’s Opinion: If are affiliated with a church library – this series should be in that library.  This is the 6th of the series.  You can read any of them alone, but they are so much better if you start from the beginning.  All the characters are in each book. 

God is definitely in the center of this book and the characters lives in the story.  What I think I like most is the characters have flaws and bad things happen, so you can relate to them.  Not every character is on board with God either – seems more real.

It is sad to see this series end.  It such a wonderful family with great stories.  I will be looking for Susan May Warrens next book.

 

The Wonder of You

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Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source:  Purchased

Goodreads:  Mortified after her year abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough to embrace the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance—even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her place mean leaving home behind?

Ope’s Opinion: Another wonderful story from the Christiansen family.  It is awesome to read, keeps me on my toes and makes me want to come back to read when I have to put it down. 

Reading about Amelia was a fun, sweet story.  The adventures and suspense were what I expect from Susan May Warren – always keeps me holding my breath!

I will be starting the next ( and final ) one as soon as I am done writing this review!!  What an awesome series.

Already Home

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Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Romance
Source:  Purchased

 

Goodreads:  After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, Jenna is desperate for a change. She’s supported her ex-husband’s dreams for so long that she can’t even remember her own. Until she sees a for-lease sign near her parents’ home and envisions her very own cooking store.

Her crash course in business is aided by a streetwise store manager and Jenna’s adoptive mother. But just as she’s gaining a foothold in her new life, in walk her birth parents—aging hippies on a quest to reconnect with their firstborn.

Now Jenna must figure out how to reconcile the free-spirited Serenity and Tom with her traditional parents, deal with her feelings for a new love interest and decide what to do about her ex’s latest outrageous request. In the end, Jenna will find that there is no perfect family, only the people we love….

Ope’s Opinion: I really enjoyed the character Violet.  Serenity was weird. Beth was irritating at times because she had mood swings I couldn’t keep up with.   The story was a good one.  It ended as I expected it to.

If you are a romance reader – there were enough steamy scenes for you – which means there were too many for me.  But that was not the center of the story, so I enjoyed the book.

I have read a few books by Susan Mallery, although this would not be my favorite one of hers, I still really enjoyed it.

The Total Package

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Author: Stephanie Evanovich
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Romance
Source:  Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads:  The New York Times bestselling author of Big Girl Panties and The Sweet Spot is back with a funny, sweet, and sizzling novel about the game of love, in which a hot quarterback must figure out how to score big with a beautiful and talented media analyst after a heartbreaking fumble.

Star quarterback, first-round draft-pick, and heartthrob Tyson Palmer has made a name for himself with his spectacular moves. When the head coach of the Austin Mavericks refuses to let him waste his million-dollar arm, Tyson makes a Hail Mary pass at redemption and succeeds with everyone . . . except Dani, whose negative comments about his performance draw high ratings and spectacular notices of her own.

Dani can’t forgive Tyson’s transgressions or forget the sizzling history the two of them shared in college, a passionate love Tyson casually threw away. And even more infuriating, he doesn’t realize that the bombshell with huge ratings is the cute girl whose heart he once broke.

But can a woman trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other? And what will happen when Tyson—riding high now that he’s revived his career—realizes he needs to make an even more important comeback with Dani? Can he make some spectacular moves to get past her defenses—or will she sideline him for good?

Ope’s Opinion: If you are a romance read, you will love all the steamy scenes in this book.  The first chapter just one big steamy scene.  After that the story begins – which is a really good story with interesting characters.

I liked the second chance, come back part of the book – it didn’t happen over night and it wasn’t easy.  I also liked it taking awhile for Tyson and Dani to find each other again.

I didn’t like all the steamy parts or the sudden on and off of the relationship.  it was like they were together and in love – they weren’t talking and one or both were mad, then they were back together.  It was all abrupt.

The ending was what you would expect.

Always Something There to Remind Me

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Author: Beth Harbison
Publisher: St. Martin Press
Genre: Fiction
Source: Purchased

 

Goodreads:  Can you ever really know if love is true? And if it is, should you stop at anything to get it?

Two decades ago, Erin Edwards was sure she’d already found the love of her life: Nate Lawson. Her first love. The one with whom she shared everything–dreams of the future, of children, plans for forever. The one she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. Until one terrible night when Erin made a mistake Nate could not forgive and left her to mourn the relationship she could never forget or get over.

Today, Erin is contentedly involved with a phenomenal guy, maneuvering a successful and exciting career, and raising a great daughter all on her own. So why would the name “Nate Lawson” be the first thing to enter her mind when her boyfriend asks her to marry him?

In the wake of the proposal, Erin finds herself coming unraveled over the past, and the love she never forgot. The more she tries to ignore it and move on, the more it haunts her.

Always Something There to Remind Me is a story that will resonate with any woman who has ever thought of that one first love and wondered, “Where is he?” and “What if…?” Filled with Beth Harbison’s trademark nostalgia humor and heart, it will transport you, and inspire you to believe in the power of first love.

Ope’s Opinion:  There was a lot I really liked about this book.  I love the story, the characters were realistic and I like the setting – since we live near DC, I found it fun to picture places I know.  I also liked that we saw Erin’s perspective as a teen and as an adult.

There were something that I did not really like – the repetitive details of sex was not necessary to get the feeling of the relationship between Nate and Erin.  There relationship was intense, I feel like that evident and could have come across without the explicit details over and over again.

The ending was good, but not realistic at all, but I liked it.

One September Morning

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Author: Rosalind Noonan
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Mystery / Romance
Source: Purchased

Goodreads:  The moment Abby Fitzgerald sees two soldiers approach her front door, she knows her husband is dead. John Stanton, who gave up his career as a star NFL running back to serve after 9/11, has been killed in Iraq. Suddenly Abby’s kitchen is overflowing with casseroles brought by the army wives’ club to which she has never really belonged. And her in-laws arrange a lavish funeral at Arlington National Cemetery in spite of Abby’s misgivings. John had grown to hate the war even though he loved his country, and Abby can’t reconcile the complex man she knew with the version being portrayed by self-serving politicians, military, and the media.
Shell-shocked, Abby strives to cope with her own heartache while comforting John’s loved ones, including his mother Sharice, his staunchly anti-war sister Madison, and his bitter younger brother Noah. But amidst her loss is a growing conviction that the truth about John’s death is far from over.
Gripping, thoughtful, and emotionally powerful, One September Morning is a story of loyalty and betrayal, of a shattered family’s journey toward healing, and of the courage it takes to confront the truth not just about our enemies, but about those we love best.

Ope’s Opinion:  The prologue took my breath away.  It set up the rest of the story, but took some of the mystery out of it for me.  I guessed and was correct where it was going.  Rosalind Noonan is one of my all time favorite authors and though I enjoyed this book, it was not my favorite of hers.

All the viewpoints made the story come alive, but it also confused me at times.  I had to make sure I knew who was talking at the beginning of  each chapter, so I understood the perspective I was reading.

The ending was a little too unbelievable.  I like happy endings and things wrapped up at the end of a book – a nice feel good ending, but this was a little too sugary sweet.

Ocean Beach

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Author: Wendy Wax
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Fiction
Source:  Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

Goodreads:  Wendy Wax, author of the “warm [and] wry” (St. Petersburg Times) Ten Beach Road, returns with a novel of three women in need of a second chance…or is it a third?

Unlikely friends Madeline, Avery and Nicole have hit some speed bumps in their lives, but when they arrive in Miami’s South Beach neighborhood, they are all hoping for a do-over. Literally. They’ve been hired to bring a once-grand historic house back to its former glory on a new television show called Do-Over. If they can just get this show off the ground, Nikki would get back on her feet financially, Avery could restart her ruined career, and Maddie would have a shot at keeping her family together.

At least, that’s the plan – until the women realize that having their work broadcast is one thing, having their personal lives play out on TV is another thing entirely. Soon they are struggling to hold themselves, and the project, together. With a decades-old mystery—and the hurricane season—looming, the women are forced to figure out just how they’ll weather life’s storms…

Ope’s Opinion: The story continues from the first book.  The three women start another renovation, this time as a show. Their personal lives have progressed.  If you enjoyed Ten Beach road, you will enjoy this one.

Max was a nice addition to round out this group of women.  His story was a sweet read among all the crazy drama that was happening.

The ending left enough open ended questions to make me want to read the next one to know how things play out.