Review: The Lifeguard

The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good. Average. For YA fiction, this was a good book. I think young girls will enjoy it immensely, it is right on their level. A lot of babble, and writings between best friends that will have their attention. And a hot guy to boot.

A lot is going on in Sirena's life. Besides being a teenage girl, her parents are getting divorced so instead of sending her to camp this year, she gets to go to Rhode Island and stay with her aunt Ellie.

What Sirena didn't count on is being taken with Pilot, a local teenage lifeguard. Pilot seems to not like Sirena though, but she can't help but be drawn to him.

I think this book is good, not a to-die-for book but a good light, beach read. I gave it three stars because I felt really rushed in parts and unclear as to what was happening, especially when Sirena was in the hospital. My teenage daughters already requested this book after hearing me talk about it though, and face it, they loved the cover!

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

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Review: Midnight Promises

Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a HUGE Sherryl Woods fan, and I love the Sweet Magnolias, so I was excited to get my hands on the latest. I have missed them. Woods builds places where you feel like you are home, no matter which town we are visiting.

Maybe they are predictable, maybe they are sappy, but I can never get enough.

So much goes on each one, but this one focused on Karen and Elliot. Newly married, Karen has baggage with her from a previous relationship, not being able to trust. Elliot is such a wonderful stepfather and husband but is he keeping secrets about the possibility of opening a gym with some of the husbands of the Sweet Magnolias?

And then there is sweet ole Frances who's memory seems to be slipping a bit. I was howling when the older Magnolias had a margarita night. Too priceless!

Enjoy, it felt like a visit home.

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

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Review: God, Girls, and Guys

God, Girls, and Guys: Answers to Questions on Dating and Relationships by Robin Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Glad I read it, and even more glad I read it with my 3 girls. -- Lots of information and thoughts I know they thought about. I appreciate both points of view, that is different than most books. The personal reflection questions will lead girls to make life-changing decisions, and for that I do believe this book would make an excellent gift.

I gave this book only 4 stars because it seemed a bit forced or rushed at times. What made me change my mind from 3 stars to 4 is the EXCELLENT small group guide at the end. PERFECT!!! I would buy this book for that alone is priceless.

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

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Review: Not a Fan, Teen Edition

Not a Fan: Teen Edition: What Does It Mean to Really Follow Jesus? by Kyle Idleman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I die daily. One of the many thoughts in this book. Are you a fan or a follower?

Matthew 7:23 "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (NIV) Many THINK they are followers but a good way to know, one anyway is what have you lost as you are following Jesus Christ? Or do you hold back from Him?

Kyle gives so many different thoughts and examples, many will have the reader cringing, saying oh my this is me. You really need to search yourself, find out if you are a follower or just an enthusiastic fan.

I know for myself what an immense blessing this book has been. I want to be a commited follower, taking up my cross daily, dying daily so I can live for Him.

Please become a follower, no one wants to be a crazy fan, half in!

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

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Review: Little Night

Little Night: A Novel by Luanne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anne and Clare are sisters who do everything together. That is until Anne meets Frederik and turns Anne against her sister. Really all of her family. She isn't allowed to see any of them.

Until one day when Clare makes a surprise visit -- She convinces Anne to pack up and leave him, after seeing bruises on her sister.

But just as they are packing, Frederik comes home, tries to strangle Anne, so Clare takes a hot log out of the fire and hits him with it. He doesn't die, but he does get Clare in trouble. BIG trouble. 2 years in prison.

They hadn't seen each other or spoken since, 18 years later. That is, until Grit, Anne and Frederik's daughter shows up suddenly at Clare's. Who knows what Grit really wants. Why is she there? Where is the rest of the family?

This book was mysterious and enjoyable. Without adding so much detail about the owls and stuff, it was fun to read. Sometimes an author can bore you with too much detail!

I gave it four stars because the ending fell flat for me personally. But others might have a different opinion and it was enjoyable!

I received a copy for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



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Review: The Well-Lived Laugh

The Well-Lived Laugh: Lighthearted Perspectives to Lighten Your Life by Rachel St. John-Gilbert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lighthearted indeed! I loved the quotes -- each one I wanted to tell someone, anyone what it was. However, some of this book left me feeling flat. Of course everyone's perspectives are different, but where are the editors when you need them? Pure rambling in some parts.

I think if you take this book with a light heart and enjoy it for what it is, you will come away with something. Might only be one thing.

A little teeny bit I could say, yes yes I understand and I feel like that. However, I couldn't relate to any of it as much as I wanted to.

Sincerely editing would have made this book from a bit dull to very entertaining!

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

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It's Monday. What will you be reading?

Monday Pictures It's Monday! (soon anyway) So what will you be reading this week? I will be reading - Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon - Little Night by Luanne Rice In the middle with both books. Look forward to sharing my thoughts with you on them. Have a fantabulous Monday! -- Tonya --

Review: Reckless Heart

Reckless Heart by Amy Clipston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved it! I really got into it after the first 70 pages. Of course, you can predict it but it was VERY enjoyable.

Lydia's younger sister Ruthie has been ill, and they find out she has cancer -- So their mom and sister have to stay at the hospital for treatments. So that leaves a lot of the responsibilities up to Lydia. She works at the family bakery part time and at the school part time too. So Lydia is feeling a bit overwhelmed.

The one boy, Joshua, Lydia has liked a long time seems to want nothing to do with her anymore.


When Barbie the main teacher at the school sees Lydia being friendly with an English boy, she thinks the worst possible thing and spreads the rumor too! Also Lydia has a secret, she snuck off and drank a beer and lied about it.

Find how it all pans out with God's help!

This book was VERY enjoyable. The only thing I didn't enjoy was a ton of Amish dialect, and half the time I couldn't figure out what they meant. Also, sometimes the story was a bit stilted, didn't flow as well.

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

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Review: The Passion and the Power

The Passion and The POWER: A Mother's Journey by Carolyn Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow, where do I begin? This book is like a train wreck, painful to watch, but unable to look away. At first I wanted to stop reading, about 70 pages in, I couldn't put it down. I was just more and more amazed at what the boys would do next.

No doubt Carolyn and her husband love their boys. Any parent would probably go to the ends of the earth for their children. BUT, there comes a point where you say enough is enough, you are of age and you got yourself into this mess. I can't allow you to harm me physically, emotionally or damage my life any more. TOUGH LOVE. One word, enabling.

I was expecting at some point Carolyn and Bill would say enough, call on God, and say sink or the boys had to figure it out for themselves. I hope in the next book you have come to that point though.

I gave it three stars, one because I was disappointed they haven't used tough love and two because this book could be refined a bit and not so much rambling. I don't know that an editor touched this book.

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Review: Tough Guys and Drama Queens

Tough Guys and Drama Queens: How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child's Teen Years by Mark Gregston What a book! So much to think about. I could go over and over this book with a fine tooth comb many times. Mark is coming from the perspective of a grandparent, having already raised his children. He also works with youth so he knows a bit about teenagers if you will. As parents, yes we need to pick our battles. Yes without relationship it breeds rebellion. Lots of things I thought already I maybe needed to change or work on, so that clarified it for me. But I don't believe in changing or lowering my expectations or certain rules because, hey they are going to do it anyway. None of us in our household have cell phones. Don't need them! If the kids turn 18 and can pay for it, go for it. They don't need to be texting or talking all hours of the night. My only pet peeve about the book. Get it, read it, bookmark it... give copies to others. Your relationship with your children, your spouse and others will improve greatly I bet!

Review: Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Looking for an entertaining, grabbing beach read? Keep looking. This one won't be it.

Nancy Thayer has many other books, such as Beachcombers, Summer House, any of them really. This one missed the mark, greatly.

I felt a total disconnect immediately. Such a rush cast of characters at the beginning, with absolutely NO depth whatsoever. When the 3 become friends so quickly after one evening of drinks, I said what. What is that! The conversations are terrible. I detested every character. I can't tell you which one I hated worse of the girls, and the guys, Slade and Ben. Bleck!

Morgan and Josh's marriage? Double bleck.

Do yourself a favor, save yourself time, and pick up one of her older ones!

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