Review: The Good Father

The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Good Father.... where to start. The first chapter was shocking! I couldn't wait to find out why Travis would leave a note in his daughter's pocket and leave her with Erin, a woman they met in a coffee shop. That is about all Travis knows about Erin.

The book has three different perspectives. Erin is a woman in her 30's separated from her husband. Trying hard to cope with her 4 year old daughter's death. Travis is trying to make a good life for himself and his daughter, and Robin, is Bella's mother --

You will find out why Travis and Robin aren't together and why Robin acts as if Bella never even existed. You will come to a conclusion about Travis, is he really a good father?

Also Erin will maybe be able to come to terms with her daughter's death. If there ever is such a thing. In between you will meet lots of little characters that will grow on you too. A barista at the coffee shop, Nando -- and everyone in between.

Enjoy you will come away knowing who is a good father, and who maybe isn't!

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Review: Rainshadow Road

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lisa Kleypas never disappoints and Rainshadow Road is no different. She starts out with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your chair the whole time!

Lucy thinks she has found Mr Right in Kevin. However after three years of living together, Kevin drops a bombshell. He doesn't think they are right for each other. He has found someone else. HER YOUNGER SISTER! Can you believe it? Off we go on this fantastic ride called Rainshadow Road.

All the signs seem to point to Lucy and Sam, but Sam has a fear of hurting women and commitments. His parents were not the best example in the world. After having Kevin break Lucy's heart she doesn't want anything to do with relationships any more. Figures she is better off with her glass making ALONE.

However Lucy ends up needing a caregiver and who better than Sam!

Enjoy this book, it will delight you every step of the way! You will want to savor it and wish it didn't end so quick.

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Review: The World We Found

The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wished it would have ended differently. However, Umrigar has a way with words that won't disappoint. This is my first book by her but I can tell you that it won't be my last!

Armaiti did the unthinkable, she moved to the US and married an American. She moved onto a different life. However, when she is struck with brain cancer she wants to see her college friends one last time. Will the 3 of them be able to make it to the US to see her?

Laleh married Adish and has 2 children. She is in to go to the US. Laleh feels compelled to go, she feels responsible for the brain tumor in a sense. You will have to read the book to find out why though!

Kavita has had her own struggles. She always felt as if she was in love with Armaiti. Will this be her chance to tell her? Obviously because of her choices she has had her own trials. I don't even know if she ever even told the other girls about her sexual preferences.

Most of the book revolves around Nishta and her overbearing, controlling husband. He is very set that she not be going to America. However help might come in the most unlikely way.

Umrigar saves the best for last. Your heart will beating very fast, wondering will they make it? I love books about friendships, relationships, so this one had me hooked. However, it left me feeling a little bit as if, this is it? But I still loved the writing style and this won't be my last Umrigar book!

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Review: I'd Tell You But Then I'd Have to Kill You

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute story, kind of like a Harry Potter of spies and for girls. Really grabbed my attention from the very beginning.

I enjoyed this story, not much to say. Teenage girls would love fashion themselves to be a Gallagher Girl, I know my three would! A lot of it you just laugh at, I mean these girls really seem a bit more grown up than most.

Good for a good laugh and fun to dream about though. A typical romance. Good beach read -- would be a good one to pop in for a fun gift...

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review: Chai Tea Sunday

Chai Tea Sunday by Heather A. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All is well that ends well. In this wonderful story we have a young married couple, that can't seem to bring children into this world. However, one day they are successful. A little girl will be joining them soon. They both crave children, as a teacher Nicky loves children with such a passion.

When she has 2 months to go before their little girl will be born, Nicky suddenly goes into labor. But even more devestating is she is born with a rare disease and only lives a handful of hours.

Carrying this grief, Eric and Nicky deal with it in different ways, separating themselves which ultimately ends their relationship. So Nicky goes to Africa to help teach at an orphanage for 3 months.

Nicky has read everything about Africa that she thought would prepare her for living there. But she had so much to learn. They don't have the same freedoms as other countries, so many things. However, Nicky and the kids quickly develop a friendship and trust. The director of the orphanage seems to have an anger problem and that is where Nicky steps in.

Read find out how Nicky copes with the baby girl Ella's untimely death, how she adjusts to Africa and how she deals with her marriage ending.

I gave it 4 stars because in some places I felt a gap and a bit rushed.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Invention of Lefse

The Invention Of Lefse: A Christmas Story by Larry Woiwode
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Size doesn't matter, but content and being able to understand what is going on in a book DOES. I so wanted to like this easy to read cute book. The cover is gorgeous! I was looking for a story to maybe start a family tradition. What I got, I still am wondering.

For much of the story I couldn't understand at all what was going on but a bunch of complaining and nonsense. I got it on the last few pages. Disjointed and jumbled too much for this reader's tastes.

I wanted to like Mette but I just didn't feel any kind of connection. The whole book seemed rushed.

Intentions good but I felt it fell a bit short.

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Review: That's Why I'm Here

That's Why I'm Here: The Chris and Stefanie Spielman Story by Chris Spielman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a powerful moving story of an NFL football player and his journey with his wife Steph and her cancer. What an inspiration!

I thought it would be a lot of football talk. Well there is! But it is fascinating and it goes somewhere and also explains how Chris dealt with Steph's cancer the way he did.

Grab a box or two of kleenex you will need it. We all already know the story, so we know it won't end in a fairytale. But we see that Chris has soldiered on. From dealing with Steph's dad dying, that helped Chris a bit. Their families both were solid support and I believe that was vital in their story. As well as other families.

Since Steph was already in the spotlight, she used her illness to help others, inspire others and be a blessing. Her faith shined through, even in this book.

Hopefully others will read this book, maybe in the midst of their own storm similiar to this one, and be inspired and help them through their tough times as well. Leaning on God, is the greatest thing Chris and Steph did.

God bless them and the kids and families.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Somebody to Love

Somebody To Love by Kristan Higgins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Parker n James... seems from the very beginning there was quite the attraction. However since James is Parker's dad's minion, that doesn't bode well for James. I mean where is the love if you call the object of your desire Thing One? hahah... Will James always be referred as Thing One?

Parker has lived a privileged life. However, she finds out that her father was involved in some illegal activity and lost all of her money as well as her son's inheritance. Now Parker destitute, finds out she inherited a little place -- a shack -- can Parker fix it up, flip it and go back to her life in the city?

James goes to help Parker since he has construction experience. James is smarter and more helpful that Parker could ever imagine. That one night they spent together at one of the cousin's weddings, did it mean more than a one night stand? Or is James doing it to get closer to Parker?

Parker finds out a lot of what she is made of and what she really wants in life, so go root for her and James. Hope things work out especially when Parker's son Nicky makes things difficult!

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Sunrise Point

Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr


Virgin River is like coming home for a vacation. A vacation that ends way too soon. Of course I think we all can guess as to what is going to happen but with Robyn Carr the ride is so much fun. Everyone is interweaved so beautifully that you can't help but love VR books!

In this book Nora is a single mother of two small girls. Her ex left her in Virgin River destitute. But Nora has one thing, her positive attitude and willingness to do whatever she has to take care of her girls.

So when Nora hears of an opening at the apple orchard, she will walk the miles to put food on the table and clothes for her babies. Nora expects nothing for free and doesn't like to take handouts.

Reverend Noah Kincaid has always tried to help everyone out in the town. When he helps find Nora's dad for Nora, will Nora be able to make amends with the father she believed to abandon her? Or will she find out just how twisted her mother's deceptions go?

Sparks fly when Nora goes to the apple orchard and the more she gets to know about Tom and Maxie the more she wishes she had someone who loved her like Tom would and Maxie is just one of the best characters I have ever met. I love her spunk!

When a love triangle forms, which girl will win? Nora or the wife of a soldier that was killed in combat with Tom? Find out, you don't want to miss all the sparks!!

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review:: The Flight of Gemma Hardy

The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Margot Livesey is brillant! Gemma Hardy will worm her way in your heart and she will become forever a part of you. How can you not love a young girl who's only blood relative passes away and is mistreated and sent to live at a school as a "working girl". But as much as I would have given attitude and felt sorry for myself, Gemma rises above and ends up getting a job as an au pair. Gemma has such a way with her you can't put the book down for two seconds, you want her to find someone to love and someone that loves her. You want her to go to school and be successful. Gemma doesn't give up.

There are a couple of romances, so to speak in here.. Which one will it be? The rich sophisticated Mr. Sinclair, uncle to the young girl Emma is an au pair to. Or will it be Archie, the one that found Gemma when she was almost dead? Or maybe it will be neither!

One of my favorite things in a book is if they discuss books and just a general love of learning and reading. What could be more spectular I ask? Margot Livesey is a wonderful storyteller, bringing a bit of her experiences into a wonderfully crafted story that can be passed from one person to the next. This would make an excellent book club read. To talk about the title; The Flight of Gemma Hardy. She herself wants to fly, just like the birds she so often reads about and loves. What a coincidence that she is flying when the story comes to a conclusion!

Read this story -- you won't be sorry!

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Review: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hmmm where to start? At times I thought this memoir was brilliant. Other times it had me shaking my head. I am in the middle of the story. Not Anna's age but I am not her children's age either.

She hit certain points for me deadon. Made me laugh in quite a few!

I am not one for thinking on all of the past, so I enjoyed Anna's thoughts. You really do change perspectives from when you were younger. The things that were important then seem so trivial now.

Anna covers everything from bodies, womens' friendships, work and family and everything in between. I imagined all writers loved to be by themselves. Especially the talented ones, how else would you create such fascinating places? :)

You will enjoy it if you enjoy digging deeper, or maybe I am just not there yet!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Bungalow

The Bungalow: A Novel by Sarah Jio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just adore books in this time period. I love the writing style of going back, to reveal the mystery. I loved the "what if's" in the book. Anne is such a down to earth remarkable character. Easy going, fun loving. When Anne's best childhood friend thinks Anne might be making a mistake and taking the easy way out by just marrying Gerard. Dependable, ordinary Gerard. Or so Kitty would like Anne to think. When Kitty talks Anne into using their knowledge from nursing school to go help the servicemen when they are wounded, she will learn a whole lot about herself, and others as well.

Same old lessons, people aren't who they really seem sometimes and sometimes when there are injustices, there isn't one thing we can do about them. Jio has it all in this book. All of my favorites, a love triangle, a mystery, family and friendships. She paints a vivid scene for us in Bora-Bora. Who can't imagine themselves in that little hut, making it their own special place.

Read this book, you will read it in 4 hours like myself! It is stuck in your hands until you find out who Anne ends up with, and what the mystery is all about. Jio is a talented writer, another book, Blackberry Winter scheduled to come out on 9/27. I don't think you will want to miss it!!!

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Review: Restored!

Restored!: Back to God's Original Plan: Back to God's Original Plan by Dan Schaeffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an excellent book. God is always in the process of restoration. Here and there I am sure each one of us needs a little chipped off here or something molded there. More kindness, more of so many things we could list.

If Ruth had ignored what God was telling her, both her and Naomi would have missed out on so much! I cring when I think of all the times I have felt God telling me and fighting it. What did I miss out on? Not any more. This book was a blessing to read, and will continue to be.

The whole thing was super relatable, you aren't sitting here reading with everything going over your head. The study questions are fantastic, you can't help but pray to be restored. What an immense blessing!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion and review.

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NIV Busy Mom's Bible

NIV Busy Mom's Bible, Find by Anonymous
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Of course, people say bibles are bibles. Some people think there is only one bible. I believe not all bibles we should read, but this one is on my shelf now. The layout of the pages is beautiful. I mean what lady doesn't like pink and flowers?

I love the thought starters. What a better way to spend your devotions thinking about and pondering the questions and applications, to get you in a conversation all day with Our Lord. I especially LOVE the "word to take with you today" -- how fantastic is that! Us busy moms really need this daily encouragement --

10 minute study index is when you have those mornings when you are on the go from the minute your feet hit the floor. We all need to start out our day with God, and this bible will help you grab a piece, where you can chew on it all day long -- you will be left feeling full and it might even rub off on others!

Now go on, get yourself your copy and be a blessing to someone, get them a copy too!

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