Review: Home Front

Home Front by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I waited forever for this book... doesn't it seem like that with all the good ones?? I am soooo going to carry this book with me for awhile. Kristin Hannah writes about subjects that are very in-depth -- I know with Winter Garden I needed tissues after reading the ending. With Home Front, you will need tissues throughout! Just sayin!

We meet Jolene and Michael. Married with 2 girls. Michael is a defense attorney and Jolene is a woman helicopter pilot for the Guard. Michael has taken Jolene for granted and not really been there for her. It all comes to a head one night when he tells her he doesn't love her anymore. The VERY next day, she gets orders to go to Iraq.

Michael and the girls are all feeling different emotions, but Michael doesn't have a change of heart then. Can you imagine? Your wife or husband going to Iraq, who knows if they will return or not? And you don't tell them you were sorry and love them and support them.

So what happens from there? READ IT! You will tell everyone to read it after you are done. I never really thought about what happens when they come home. However, even though they are back in the States with such trauma as they are put into over there, PTSD is real over here.

More importantly, what are we doing to support our troops when they come home? That is a good question for all of us to ponder!

Thanks Kristin, for another outstanding read! Any book that makes you think like this, is an excellent book in my opinion!

I received this book for free from Amazon in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review: Single in the City

Outstanding! If you read one more book this year, let this one be THE ONE!!! You won't be sorry. Hannah is like each one of us. You will love her fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants attitude, which she has from beginning to end. I mean who does that? Who flies to another country, not knowing anyone, just wanting something different?? You tend to think everyone is like us, in the US. But they aren't! Totally different meanings to words -- This book will have you laughing and laughing, and reading parts to whoever is around you, if you can stop laughing! Hannah makes a life for herself over in London. She never gives up her quest to find Mr Right.. her adventures will make you want to pack a bag and follow her! Will you follow her on her next adventure?? I know I will. If you read this, you will find out what Michele has in store for us readers... Don't miss out!!!! You will miss out on a book that you will be sorry you didn't read!

Review: Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Danielle Steel writes what women want to read. Sometimes I find it being the same thing, over and over and over. However, I really enjoyed this book.

We have three main people we get their points of view from. One is Valerie, a woman who turned 60, but bases her work from her image. Image is everything when you are in the media. Valerie has built a social empire of decorating guru. She could give Martha Stewart a run for her money. Then we have Valerie's daughter, April, who runs April in New York. One of the best restaurants around. Finally we have Jack, a former NFL player who now does interviews, commentaries etc for the network. All three of them share birthdays and a work ethic like none other.

When a tragedy happens at the network, it has bonded Jack and Valerie. April has her own issues. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but it really was enjoyable to read --- of course you have your classic man/woman scenarios, but it works!

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Review: Miles To Go

Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Outstanding. I don't want to wait for Part 3!!! I want to find out now what happens next.

I didn't read The Walk, but I know I will be picking that up asap just so I can get a better picture. However, Miles To Go can stand alone as well. You get enough blurbs to be able to follow along and not be confused as to what happened before this part..

In this part, Alan has decided to walk from Seattle to Key West after his wife dies, his partner stole all of his clients, he lost his house; basically all came falling down on him. However, right outside of Spokane he is attacked by a group of guys and is stabbed. The only number the police could find on him was a card from a lady he helped fix her tires, Angel.

Angel seems to be an angel to Alan, but Alan might be an angel to her as well.

I won't say anymore, I don't want to ruin one bit of it for anyone, so go now, get it and read it! You will love it just as much as me!

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Review: Lost Melody

Lost Melody: A Novel by Lori Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More than I expected! I expected a general story, but it sucked me in from the very beginning. Jill is just a character that I didn't expect to like so much, but with her honest attitude you find yourself holding your breath alongside her, seeing what will come of her prediction/warning.

Jill is an on the rise piano player, who was injured in a subway accident and hasn't played the piano since. She moved back home to the town of Seaside Cove and has basically hidden. Then all of the sudden close the anniversary of the accident, she has a dream in which there is fire and destruction. After having it a couple of times, it becomes clear to her that this is a glimpse of something that is going to happen.

She feels as if she needs to warn the town. However, she chooses the moment that may not have been the best. During her fiance's open forum meeting. Now, to a lot of people she is a loon. Will Greg stand behind her or will he think she is as crazy as other people think.

Jill gains a lot more through this situation and it parallels Jonah and the whale. Jonah didn't do what God wanted him to do, so he learned the hard way. Will everyone heed her warning?

You will also learn what sets Jill free of her pain over the accident as well. Virginia Smith and Lori Copeland make a perfect writing team!

I received a copy of this book for free in exchanging for my unbiased opinion.

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Review: Tea and Destiny

Tea and Destiny: Tea and Destiny\Light the Stars by Sherryl Woods
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sherryl Woods = classic. That is all you can say about every one of her books.

Sure you can argue that it is always the same ole story. Man and woman meet, they go around and around love, there is a big explosion and you think they will NEVER get together and then everything is roses.

But with Sherryl, the ride is so much fun. She always finds a way to make it so enjoyable, you have to pick up and read EVERY single one of her books. Always her characters are a joy to read and get to know. Each have a distinct personality.

In this one, the foster children add a special something to the book. I really enjoyed it from that perspective especially. Sherryl just really knows what readers love to read.

I found myself having read this book in one setting, in a couple of hours as a matter of fact! Enjoy, a lazy afternoon read!

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Review: The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Outstanding book! What a concept, this world of Sameness. No hills, no sunshine, no rain, no snow.. No love, or other emotions we experience on a daily basis. A woman and man are paired together, they get each one boy and one girl.. job assignments.. Another big one is NO color..

What happens if you should get "released"? Lots of questions will be answered in this book.

When you are a "twelve" you get your job assignments. Jonas is so excited, but at the ceremony he is passed over. At first he is embarrassed but then he gets the greatest honor of all. To be a "receiver". Jonas has no clue what that is about, but what it is is, the "receiver" gets all the memories, good and bad and keeps them so that if the community has a question, they can go to the receiver and see if their idea is a good or bad one, because they know everything about why they made the rules the way they are, because of pain, hurt etc.

I hope I can explain it half as good as the book does. LOVED this story. I won't say any more, but if you haven't read this book YET, order it RIGHT now! You won't want to put it down! I recommend this book to everyone!

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Review: Heaven is for Real

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A must read.. It should be a requirement.. everywhere! At first, I know we are all skeptics. Yea sure some kid thinks he saw God, angels blah blah blah. BUT... read this book. Your mind will be forever changed.

If you don't believe in God, then I wouldn't hestitate to read this book. If you still don't then let me know, I will pray for you.

I think the book speaks for itself. I am so glad that they finally did write it. God will use this book and family in amazing ways -- what a wonderful gift to give to everyone this Christmas. Not only a good story, what a testimony!

Todd Burpo keeps it real, but shares his family's story and struggles. You will laugh and cry while reading, all at the same time. Afterward your family won't be able to keep you quiet, you will want to share this story with each person you meet. I do!

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Review: The Dressmaker Of Khair Khana

Review: The Dressmaker Of Khair Khana by Gayle Lemmon A glimpse into the people that lived in fear of the Taliban. An eye opener for sure. However, I wish it would have been more about the women instead of so many facts. I am not really a facts kind of girl. I do like a bit little but this was over the top. When rumors of the Taliban come true, women must give up all they are doing, schooling, working .. everything and stay inside. If they must go outside, they must have a male escort. They must wear the chadri and they must not talk to any other man. Well, most of the men are going to fight in the war and so that leaves the women, with no way to really work. So Kamila and her sisters start sewing dresses for stores and other women. What Kamila does for so many women is what probably saved a lot of them, their families incomes as well as their sanity. I loved their story, I just wish it would have been a bit more of them, instead of so many general facts.

Review: The Best of Me

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mediocre. Just so so. Read the same storyline time after time.

Dawson and Amanda were high school sweethearts. Sweethearts never really meant to be. Dawson came from a long line of rule breakers and felons. Amanda came from a higher class family who was relieved when Amanda and Dawson stopped seeing each other.

Both are drawn back to the town of Oriental, North Carolina when Tuck, an older gentleman that had befriended both of them passes away and requests they come and scatter his ashes.

What happens ends up being a really intriguing book and a bit of a twist here and there. But we have seen this same ole line from Sparks over and over. Please think up something a bit different next time, please!

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