Monday, April 29, 2013

This Time Forever by Rachel Ann Nunes


Mickelle Hansen never realized marriage could be so challenging. Her husband's epilepsy has caused him to become cynical and verbally abusive, but with love in her heart and strength from her Heavenly Father, Mickelle is determined to make her marriage work. Then the worst happens. Can she ever pick up the shattered pieces of her life?

Meanwhile, Rebekka Massoni arrives in America to work for handsome widower Damon Wolfe, leaving all her hopes and dreams back in her beloved France. She has loved and idolized Marc Perrault since she was five years old, but he can offer only her friendship in return.

Can Rebekka forget Marc and learn to love another man? Both Damon and Samuel Bjornenburg, successful CEO of Corban International, hope to win a place in her heart, but Damon's daughter doesn't like Rebekka, and Samuel doesn't share her faith. To make matters worse, Rebekka's heart is still breaking over Marc. Suddenly she must make the most important decision of her entire life. Will it be the right one?

Join Mickelle and Rebekka as they search for love and self-discovery. This tender story of heartbreak, healing, and faith is one you will not soon forget.
My review:

I read this book a while ago and realized I haven't reviewed it here yet. I don't review every book I read, and many books just fall right out of my head after I read them. This Time Forever is not one of those. It is one of those books that just stays with you. Well, me anyway. Something about this sweet, modern love story is just unforgettable. It's the characters, I'll tell you right now. I love a book that has characters that are very real. Nunes delivers great characters, great writing, and a memorable modern fairytale-like plot. Readers of LDS romance will love this book.
 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson

Taken from Goodreads.com: After walking out of a thankless job at a prestigious marketing firm, feisty California entrepreneur Louisa Gibson is going into business for herself. Lou's pioneering venture, The Mormon Bachelor, is a reality dating web series sure to be fabulous advertising for her new marketing firm. And as a bonus, she can solve a problem close to home: while Huntington Beach is crawling with eligible, sun-bronzed Saints, they've forgotten the vital skill of dating. Lou hopes the reality show will finally inspire this group of hangout enthusiasts to pair off. But shortly before filming begins, the unthinkable happens -- Trentyn, a.k.a. The Bachelor, gets a girlfriend. And Lou needs a new leading man -- fast.

Enter Nick, Lou's devastatingly handsome ex-boyfriend. He's the stereotypical actor: shallow, self-serving...and perfect for the job. A whirlwind of dating ensues, with Nick at the center of it all. Things are going according to plan -- that is, until Lou is forced to step in as a substitute bachelorette, becoming an unwitting cast member on her own show. Despite Nick's attempts to reestablish their friendship and the growing spark between them, Lou is determined to keep her distance. The show must go on -- but what's a girl to do when the Mr. Wrong of the past just may be the Mr. Right of the future?


Christina's Review: I have read all of Melanie Jacobson's books. I own them all! I won this one in a contest and was so excited to get it on my birthday!! This is her brand new book. Well I loved this one just as much as I have all of her others. I enjoyed reading about characters that played a minor role in her book, "The List."  The characters are likeable and the plot is entertaining and fun to read. It is a romantic comedy and many times I laughed out loud or had a smile on my face as I was reading. Once I started to read I didn't want to put it down. I have no negatives about the book or the writing. I think it was well written. I have already recommended this book to several friends.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

From Goodreads: The Duke of Kielder has more influence than Parliament, higher social standing than the Royal Family. No gentleman dares face him on the dueling field, nor risks testing his infamous temper. But His Grace is in need of a wife. Combine his fearsome reputation with a terribly scarred countenance and finding a lady willing to accept his hand becomes all-but impossible. When the Duke manages to secure a bride through a bit of trickery and an obscene amount of money, he is certain his problems are behind him. Except his purchased bride proves to be nothing like he expected. What is a man like the Duke to do with a bride who is gentle, loving and absolutely impossible to live without?

From Heather:  I loved this book!  I'm a sucker for a good, sweet romance and this fits the bill exactly.  It is a perfect Beauty and the Beast story. (In fact, I had a really hard time imagining Adam's face...he always turned out to be the Beast from the Disney cartoon!)  

I loved seeing the story from both Adam and Persephone's perspective.  I thought it would be annoying, but it really worked.  Because sometimes it is nice to know what the other person is thinking.  There are so many misunderstandings between the two main characters, but it's funny to realize that someone's perception of what the other person was thinking wasn't always accurate.  Like when Persephone kissed Adam for the first time and he froze, it was nice to know that he froze because no one had kissed him since he was a young child and not because he didn't like the kiss. 

I liked Seeking Persephone so much that I went out and read the rest of Sarah Eden's books.  They are all amazing.  I can't wait until she writes more!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon






Deliah Lopez Dreser’s in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there’s more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole’s in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. However, is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brothers' murders?  
Maggie and Seth’s reaction when the truth is revealed pushes friendship to the limit. And this time around it won’t be a Dreser causing an uproar in Port Fare. It will be Cole's good friend Booker. But does Booker have it all wrong?  Usually not!


My Review:
 
Vibrant writing and witty dialogue make Unbelievable a great read. Filled with intrigue, suspense, and romance, the second book in Gammon's Port Fare series will keep you turning the pages.
 
Okay, enough of the stuff and fluff. What I loved best about Unbelievable were the characterizations. If you know my tastes at all, you know the thing that does it for me about a novel is the characters. Gammon's characters are all very vivid and real. You will feel like they are your friends, and you will care about what happens to them. Cole and Lilah are actually likable, and likable characters, for some reason, have become increasingly uncommon in the literature I've read lately.
 
This book has a fantastic plot too. Lilah comes to Port Fare seeking her father's revenge on Seth, Maggie, and Booker, who we met in book one, Unlovable. (Unbelievable can stand alone. It's not necessary to read book one first, but I'm glad I did). But Lilah realizes quickly that her father, once again, has lied to her about the whole situation--what happened here three years ago and how her disgusting brothers met their end. But she wants to be out from under her father's thumb, and the only way to do that is to keep her end of their deal by supplying her father with information about her new friends. Lilah's father says his revenge is about money, but Lilah knows he will go much farther than that.
 
While there were things about this book I didn't like--the cat jokes, the Shakespeare quotes--they were all related to my personal tastes and someone else might not mind them at all. The things that really matter to me in a book--great characters, skillful writing, knowledgeable author, execution of plot, romance--were all there.
 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Introducing feedyourreader.com: A new site for free and bargain eBooks

You're here because you love to read! And who doesn't love to read free and bargain eBooks on a free eReader? (Um, nobody?)

Today I'm happy to share a giveaway with you from Inspired Kathy, who publishes the popular book blog, I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. Kathy promotes newly published LDS and other clean reads, publishes great book reviews, organizes and facilitates virtual book tours and book blasts, and is an all around amazing go-to girl who brings authors and publishers and readers together. She's a busy, busy lady!

Kathy is launching a new site that is aimed at bringing you the best Kindle Ebook Deals and Steals.

Each day on feedyourreader.com you'll find a new list of available ebook deals (most for under $3).

And of course there will be lots of  Featured Freebies too!

To celebrate the launch of the new site she is giving away a 7" Kindle Fire (US only), $100 Amazon Gift Card (International), or $100 Paypal Cash (International). Enter below. It's easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Ends 5/5/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer [11]http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $100-$159 US.