Jane Porter and Sarah Pekkanen

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What More Could You Want??


My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings  and I  had a wonderful dinner at The Chop House at Columbia Firehouse in Alexandria with Jane Porter and Sarah Pekkanen! 
It was fun to share our love of books, Jane Porter, and Sarah Pekkanen!  
After a wonderful dinner, we had time to get pictures taken.
Then we had our books signed.
Both of these books are awesome.  These authors write wonderful stories.  If you have a chance, read either or both of them.

How Zoe Made Her Dreams ( Mostly ) Come True

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Author:  Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer & Bray / Harperteen
Pages:  320
Genre:  Young Adult / Contemporary
Source:  Edelweiss

Goodreads:   From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl’s summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.

When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they’ve hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?

Once Zoe arrives, however, she’s assigned to serve “The Queen”-Fairyland’s boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.

Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe’s job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?



Ope’s Opinion: This book had more twists and turns then any mountain road I have ever been on ( and I have been on a lot )!  Just when I didn’t think there were anymore twist – another one happened.  After a while I wasn’t even interested in trying to figure out who was telling the truth.  It just got too complicated.  I did like the way it ended, but getting there was hard.

                                    It was hard to tell who the good characters were.  I was rooting for Zoe and her cousin Jess, but after that, it wasn’t clear who to trust.

                                   I have several of Sarah Strohmeyer’s books.  I hope I like the next one better then I did this one.


Rating:  Two Chairs – I may have one friend who might like this book.




                 FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       

The Gingerbread House

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Author:  Nell Carson

Publisher:  Avalon Books                                                    
Pages:  185
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Source: Nell Carson

Goodreads:   After a tumultuous past, Greta Kendall has focused mainly on her bridal shop, located on the first floor of her beloved Queen Anne Victorian near Aspen. For two years she’s fought to save her house from Stephanie Harwood of Harwood Development, who is intent on razing her home to build a new mall. But now Greta’s running out of time. The town council is about to approve the final plans for the mall.

When Gray Daniels walks into her shop, Greta is immediately attracted to his rugged good looks and midnight blue eyes, until she learns he’s Stephanie Harwood’s fiancé. She’s furious to find they’ve tricked her into a publicity stunt aimed at garnering support for the mall. So now her little war has a new front: Gray Daniels. If only she could also fight her growing attraction to him.

A knock on the door brings a return of old danger, and Greta must now put aside her anguish over the house to discover if she’s at last capable of looking the past in the eye and overcoming it—and if she’s finally free to love again.



Ope’s Opinion:  This was a cute, quick, easy read.  It had a couple of twists in the story.  The story moved very fast.  It is definitely a romantic tale.  

                                   The characters were sweet and simple.  It was sad not see any consequences for Stephanie being so mean.  

                                  If you like sweet romantic story – pick this one up.


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

FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Nell Carson. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       


The Chance

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Author:  Karen Kingsbury
Publisher:  Howard Books                        

Pages:  352
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source:  My friend Mary Ann

Goodreads:  In The Chance, New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.

Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.



Ope’s Opinion:  I have read just about everything Karen Kingsbury has written and I have to say this is the best!  The story was engaging from beginning until the very end.  This was a “one more page” then I’ll do laundry, lunch, etc.  The story kept moving.  
            
                                        All the characters had flaws and were easy to relate to.  You cared about them and wanted what was best for each one.  It was wonderful to see them grow as individual which made them fit together better as couples.  God and faith are important to each of the characters, but I do not feel it was pushed at you in this book.

                                        I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story.  

                                         

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


The Mothers

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Author:  Jennifer Gilmore              

Publisher:  Scribner
Pages:  288
Genre:  Adoption
Source: Edelweiss

Goodreads:  Poignant, raw, and insightful, Jennifer Gilmore’s third novel is an unforgettable story of love, family, and motherhood. With a “voice [that is] at turns wise and barbed with sharp humor” (Vanity Fair), Gilmore lays bare the story of one couple’s ardent desire for a child and their emotional journey through adoption. Jesse and Ramon are a loving couple, but after years spent unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant, they turn to adoption, relieved to think that once they navigate the bureaucratic path to parent-hood they will have a happy ending. But nothing has prepared them for the labyrinthine process—for the many training sessions and approvals; for the constant advice from friends, strangers, and “experts”; for the birthmothers who contact them but don’t ultimately choose them; or even, most shockingly, for the women who call claiming they’ve chosen Jesse and Ramon but who turn out never to have been pregnant in the first place.

Jennifer Gilmore’s eloquence about the human heart—its frailties and complexities—and her razor-sharp observations about race, class, culture, and changing family dynamics are spectacularly combined in this powerful novel. Suffused with passion and fury, The Mothers is a taut, gripping, and satisfying book that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.



Ope’s Opinion:   If you are interested in adopting or have adopted, you will probably relate to this book.    Some parts of the book were too detailed for me – for example – when they were ordering dinner, I felt like  I was told too much about the meal they ordered and not enough about the conversation they were having.
                                     The characters were real.  When reading this book you will probably relate to one of the characters, if you have ever been in this position or were with someone who was going through the adoption process. 

                                      I felt like I was reading someone diary about adoption.  It did not feel like a work of fiction.

                                      


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



        FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss.
    I was not required to write a positive review
     in exchange for receipt of the book;
    rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       

A Book Day in D.C.

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This is such a great way to spend a day with my daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings.  We are both book people.  She was my tour guide – getting me around D.C. – on and off the metro, etc.

First Stop:  Library of Congress

Being inside was awesome.  The pictures will tell you more then my words can express.
This is the ceiling!                  

This is the list of the librarians at the Library of Congress – very interesting.
Next Stop:  We had pizza and across the street was a interesting book store – Second Story Books.

I wasn’t sure what to expect inside.  It had a lot of older books, so if you are looking for something out of print this might be the place to look.  They did have a section for newer books.  I bought The History of Us by Leah Stewart.
Last Stop:  Kramerbooks & afterwards

I read the book The List by Karin Tanabe and they had gone to Kramers.  It made me want to go check it out.  It is really a great place to go if you ever have the chance.  There was a lot to look at there. The Cafe is a fun place to eat – has a full menu, but we opted for dessert.  I ended up buying The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen.

Such  a great way to spend a day in D.C.
Thanks Kristi for a great day!

  

      


Take a Chance on Me

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Author:  Susan May Warren
Publisher:  Tyndale
Pages:  400
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source:  Litfuse Publicity Group
Goodreads:  Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near. 


New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case. 

Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.


Ope’s Opinion:  Susan May Warren has continued to amaze me with her story telling.  She had me so wrapped up in this story I lost total track of time.  Some times while reading I was holding my breath, waiting to see what would happen next.  The beginning of the story started out a little slow – only to introduce you to everyone.  Then it picked up speed like going down hill on a bike.

                                      The characters were all very believable.  There was even a grandfather in the book that was a little on the preachy side – reminded me of some the grandfathers I knew at my church ( including my own!).  Each characters relationships developed at realistic pace.  Their relationship to God was interesting – it all centered around needing to forgive someone and understanding that God had already forgiven them.  

                                      Now that I know my way around Deep Haven and know the people there, I can’t wait for Susan May Warren’s next book.  I want  to see where they go and what happens next.  


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

                 FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity Group. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       


Invisible: A Novel

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Author:  Ginny L. Yttrup                  
Publisher: B&H Books
Pages:  352
Genre:  Fiction
Source:  Handlebar

Goodreads:   Ellyn DeMoss — chef, café owner, and lover of butter — is hiding behind her extra weight. But what is she hiding? While Ellyn sees the good in others, she has only condemnation for herself. So when a handsome widower claims he’s attracted to Ellyn, she’s certain there’s something wrong with him. Sabina Jackson — tall, slender, and exotic — left her husband, young adult daughters, and a thriving counseling practice to spend a year in Northern California where she says she’s come to heal. But it seems to Ellyn that Sabina’s doing more hiding than healing. What’s she hiding from? Is it God? Twila Boaz has come out of hiding and is working to gain back the pounds she lost when her only goal was to disappear. When her eating disorder is triggered again, though she longs to hide, she instead follows God and fights for her own survival. But will she succeed? As these women’s lives intertwine, their eyes open to the glory within each of them as they begin to recognize themselves as being created in God’s image.


Ope’s Opinon:  Some christian books are written to reach people who don’t know God.  Other christian books are written to encourage those who already have God in their lives.  This story in my opinion was written for those of us who already know God and need to see him at work in other peoples lives.

                                    Each character in this book has a specific voice.  It is easy to relate to at least one of these characters.  They each have their own difficulties to deal with.  I really liked the way Ginny Yttrup showed how God sees us – not how we see ourselves.  She did it by showing how other people saw each character – which was very different from how they saw themselves.

                                     There are many lessons to be learned in this story without being preached at  or pushy.  Ginny Yttrup let you see the lessons for each character.  You can take away from this book whatever you need.

                                    Although it was a happy ending – it was also realistic.  Everything wasn’t wrapped up in a perfectly peachy end, but you saw healing starting to happen for each person.  I highly recommend this book.


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








                 FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Handlebar. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       

The Wanderer

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Author:  Robyn Carr

Publisher:  Harlequin                                                                
Pages:  384
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Source:  Little Bird Publicity

Goodreads:  From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point-the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you’ll never forget. Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land’s unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he’s been left an old friend’s entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community’s destiny in his hands. 

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful. 

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.



Ope’s Opinion: This is the first book in Robyn Carr’s new series.   The book started out a little on the  slow side – only because she was introducing us to the town and all the characters.  Once we got to know everyone, the story moved right along.  

                                      The characters were all authentic.  Carr made you genuinely care about each one of them.  It was fun to watch them develop relationships with each other.  It was good to see some very strong women in this book.

                                    There was a little mystery in the story too.  It was interesting to see who was responsible for  the death of Ben.

                                     I am not crazy about the explicit sexual scenes.  I could live with ” the door to the bedroom closing” and leaving the rest to my imagination.  But the story was so good, it was worth reading through those scenes.

                                      I can’t wait to see what is next in store for Thunder Point and all  the people there. 


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




                 FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.