Category Archives: Book Opinion

The Arrivals

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Author: Meg Mitchell Moore
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books
Genre: Fiction                                                  arrive
Source: Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

 

Goodreads:  It’s early summer when Ginny and William’s peaceful life in Vermont comes to an abrupt halt.

First, their daughter Lillian arrives, with her two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely when Jane ends up on bed rest. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood – only this time around, their children are facing adult problems.

By summer’s end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family – and the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true.

Ope’s Opinion:  At first I thought the mother of the adult children was intrusive and overbearing.  She said what she thought without taking into consideration of how other people might be effected by her opinion.  As I read the book she grew on me.  I saw that she really did love her children and wanted what was best for them.  Late in the book her husband asked her why she took how the children were doing so personally – she said “Because they’re my life work.”  It made me realize how deeply she loved each one of them.  

The reason I was most effected by the mother in this book is because I have been in her position.  My husband and I had an empty nest.  Our children came home with their significant others.  It was a wonderfully hard time for all of us.  Once again, we are back to our empty nest. I love my adult children – they are now my friends.

I think no matter your place in your family, you could see yourself in one of the characters in this book.

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

Redemption Bay

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Author: RaeAnne Thayne                              redemption bay
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Source:  Little Bird Publicity

 

 

Goodreads:  New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…

McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it’s never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family’s factory, leaving the town’s economy in shambles. Now he’s back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point’s sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.

What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it’s least expected.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is my first RaeAnne Thayne book and now there will be more!!  This was the perfect contemporary romance book for me.  It had a slow growing relationship, some twist and turns along the way, and a little family drama too.  The attraction between Ben and McKenzie was obvious, but the details were kept to a minimum – Ya!!!  My kind of story.

I really enjoyed the small town community where people have the kind of relationships where they really do know and care about each other.  I also liked how independent McKenzie is.

I am looking forward to the next part of this series.  It will be fun to see who will be the center of the story and catch up with all the other characters.

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

A New Hope

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Author: Robyn Carr                           a new hope
Publisher:  Mira
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Little Bird Publicity

 

 

Goodreads:  Starting over is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and friends become family, it’s possible to find yourself again. In this brand-new story, #1New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes us on a moving and rewarding journey as a young woman finds new hope.

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, and with the help of her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she’s excited to start her first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride’s brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger to flee the scene in embarrassment.

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid friendship, though everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is the eighth book in the Thunder Point Series.  It is my favorite one so far.  I loved the pace of the story.  There was a lot of subtle humor – I found my self giggling at times. 

The two main characters – Ginger and Matt started out their relationship in a funny way ( Don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll have to read ).  They started out as friends and their relationship slowly moved into more.  I loved that their physical relationship did not happen until they really knew each other. The explicit sexual scenes in this book were held to a minimum – which was also a positive for me.

Once again, we were able to see some of the characters from the previous books.  We saw their relationships develop and move along.  It is like visiting an old friend and catching up with them.

Now I am looking forward to the next visit to Thunder Point to see where Ginger and Matt are and who will be the center of the story.

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

Kiss Me

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Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: HQN Books                kiss
Genre: Romance
Source: Emer Flounders

 

Publication Date:  June 30, 2015

 

Goodreads:  After Phoebe Kitzke’s kind heart gets her suspended from her job in LA, she swears off doing favors—until her best friend begs for help on the family ranch in Fool’s Gold. Unfortunately, sexy cowboy Zane Nicholson isn’t exactly thrilled by the city girl’s arrival.

Thanks to his brother’s latest scheme, Zane has been roped into taking tourists on a cattle drive. What Phoebe knows about ranching wouldn’t fill his hat, but her laughter is so captivating that even his animals fall for her. One slip of his legendary control leads to a passionate kiss, but she’s exactly the kind of woman a single-minded loner needs to avoid.

In his arms, Phoebe discovers she’s a country girl at heart. Yet no matter how much the small town feels like home, she can’t stay unless Zane loves her, too…but is this cowboy interested in forever?

Ope’s Opinion:  This is part of the Fool’s Gold series.  If you like the other books in this series, you will like this one.  It is similar to Susan Mallery’s other books in this series.  I liked it, but I prefer Susan Mallery’s Blackberry Island series and her Mischief Bay book.

Zane and Pheobe are the main characters.  It is fun to watch them find what they have in common and let each other into their lives.  There are a host of other characters in this book that keep the story moving in interesting ways.

The next book in the series is Thrill Me.

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

Summer Secrets

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Author: Jane Green
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press              summer secrets
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source:  BookSparks

 

 

Goodreads:  Jane Green delivers her second blockbuster novel of 2015, a story of one woman struggling to right the wrongs of her past, with even more complications in the present.

June, 1998: At twenty seven, Catherine Coombs, also known as Cat, is struggling. She lives in London, works as a journalist, and parties hard. Her lunchtimes consist of several glasses of wine at the bar downstairs in the office, her evenings much the same, swigging the free booze and eating the free food at a different launch or party every night. When she discovers the identity of the father she never knew she had, it sends her into a spiral. She makes mistakes that cost her the budding friendship of the only women who have ever welcomed her. And nothing is ever the same after that.

June, 2014: Cat has finally come to the end of herself. She no longer drinks. She wants to make amends to those she has hurt. Her quest takes her to Nantucket, to the gorgeous summer community where the women she once called family still live. Despite her sins, will they welcome her again? What Cat doesn’t realize is that these women, her real father’s daughters, have secrets of their own. As the past collides with the present, Cat must confront the darkest things in her own life and uncover the depths of someone’s need for revenge.

Ope’s Opinion:  This book was a roller coaster for me.  It drew me in at the beginning.  I was interested in the characters and where the story was going to take them.  The middle part drug on for me.  The AA meetings were too long with too much detail.  When Cat went to Nantucket, I was back into the story.  

I think Jane Green wrote wonderful family dynamics.  She showed how each relationship effected the other people in the family. I loved Cat and Annie’s relationship.

The ending was very satisfying.  It made the rest of the story worth reading.

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

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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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.

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.

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….