Review: The Sandcastle Girls

The Sandcastle Girls: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bohjalian is back and present for 2012. Written about what he knows best, he has a hit for 2012. How can you not want to cheer Elizabeth and Armen's romance on? We go back and forth from present to past, a sad war story of how their family came to be. Masterfully written, you instantly become mesmorized with each character, and each heartbreaking story.

A lot of the war details go above my head but I still gulped this story in, every word savored like a delicious silky pie. Rich with tons of details that only Bohjalian can accomplish, you will be sad when you read the last word, Hatoun.

Hatoun was a curious girl, who had heard her mother and sisters brutally murdered and taken in by another widow who never had children. Hatoun doesn't talk, but she says it is only because she would be afraid she couldn't stop the sobbing that would come. Each one of these people you come to meet, you will think about for months after you have put it down. Recommend this book to everyone, it is a gem for 2012.

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Review: A Familiar Shore

A Familiar Shore by Jennifer Fromke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Surprise! This book was a huge hit for me. I wasn't too sure at first, a LOT of names, titles and family tree stuff going on in the beginning. But stick with it, I promise it is will be so worth it.

Meg's Popsie asks her to do a favor for her, go meet a friend's family and determine who gets what for his will. At the same time, she finds out Popsie is dying of cancer. So her and her finance, Cody, change the date of their wedding so Popsie can be there. Then she agrees to go to Michigan and help the friend.

Meg is not prepared for what she finds out when she arrives. You be either, and you will love it. From beginning to end, Jennifer Fromke knows what readers love to read.

You will fall in love with Meg and after awhile you know who everyone is and the day will be gone, and you won't even care! Enjoy!

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

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Review: I Couldn't Love You More

I Couldn't Love You More by Jillian Medoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first novel by Medoff and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Strong women start it out and finish it. I loved each woman, especially Maggie. Sylvia drove me crazy but she is a crucial part of this book. Although this is a longer book, it goes so extremely fast that you won't even notice. It will keep you up all night, especially when the book takes a turn you don't expect.

What EVERY reader loves I tell you! This reader anyway. Eliot is a woman after my own heart. I love everything about her, from beginning to end. Stepchildren are a hard lot and when you add one children together what a creation. I have a good picture of Grant in my mind though.

This will be a good book to read at the beach. Especially with the cover it really screams READ ME AT THE BEACH.

I really didn't want to write a review that says everything that happens in the book, I despise spoilers. So I will just leave you with my generic thoughts and ramblings, but pick it up. Put it in your bag and read it. It is one of those books where after you read it, you look at the world and wonder why it hasn't stopped with what you just read. Is that clear as mud? ;)

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Review: Wife 22

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alice Buckle from the very beginning is a spunky, enjoyable main character. She teaches theater at a local elementary school, part time. William and Alice have 2 children, one boy and one girl. William and Alice have been together forever. So maybe the newness has worn off. Alice received an email asking if she would participate in a marriage survey. For $1000, why not!

However, Alice thinks she is falling for Researcher 101 --- Wife 22 to be exact as she is known. In cute little conversations and snippets they converse back and forth through emails and eventually start talking on facebook as well.

Lots will be revealed when you read it, as Alice and William as well search themselves and what they are really looking for. It might just be right in front of them!

Good writing, loved the modern day email and facebook talk! Perfect for these days. Alice was such an endearing character to me, I fell in love instantly.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review

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Review: Building Family Ties

Faithful Families: Building Family Ties with Faith, Love, & Laughter by Dave Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am surprised that I didn't post my review! I loved this book, I read it in a couple of hours. Short, but tons of points, too many to list here but SO important as families and parents today.

There were so many good suggestions I tell everyone that I know to read this book. It made me say duh why didn't I think of that? Super easy, nothing too complicated that is life changing --

Building your family with the right foundation, leaves it sturdy and secure, something we all need in this life.

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

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Teaser Tuesdays

*Grab your current read. *Open to a random page. *Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. *BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! You don't want to ruin the book for others. *Share the title and author too, so other TT participants can add it to their TBR lists if they like your teaser. Here is mine from I Couldn't Love You More by Jillian Medoff Then, because I think we're finished, I grab linen from the closet to make a bed for Grant in another room, since I'm sure he doesn't want to sleepw with me in this one. It doesn't dawn on me until I'm holding a stack of sheets that there's no need for him to sleep in this house at all. Wowzers.. now that sounds good. Must go read!

Review: The Legacy

The Legacy by Katherine Webb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why I waited so long to read this book I will never know. I had tried to pick it up a couple of times, but got lost right away with this character and that, and slipping back and forth between 1902 and present day. However what started out slow, ended up keeping me up all night finishing it. And I couldn't be more pleased.

Present day has 2 sisters, having to come back to the family home for a short visit. Neither sister wants to stay, but in their grandmother's will she says they both have to live in it, or neither gets it.

But as we go back in time to 1902, we meet Caroline. She escapes her aunt's clutches and marries Corin. Corin is not what Aunt Bathila wanted for her niece. But Caroline is in love. So she goes out west and settles as a rancher's wife. But Caroline has no idea what she is doing.

Modern day, the 2 sisters, Erica and Beth are still reeling from their cousin's disappearance many years ago. Henry just disappeared. I bet everyone always wondered if it was the travelers that have been squatting on the property for ages.

Henry's disappearance, Beth's suicidal feelings, a mysterious baby boy, find out what all of this means and more when you read Webb's captivating first novel. I found myself devouring each page as if it was the air I need. I loved this book! Read it and see if you don't find yourself crying out for more!

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

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