A Bridge Through Time (Jennae Vale) Book Review

2018 Reading Challenge

9. A Bridge Through Time by Jennae Vale

Synopsis:
Ashley Moore's life in San Francisco has hit a few snags, not the least of which involves sightings of a mystery man around every corner. Is she losing her mind or does he really exist? Her search for this grey-eyed stranger leads her to Scotland. There she meets a witch with a secret, a vindictive English knight who is bent on revenge, and she crosses a fog shrouded bridge into the arms of a 16th century Highlander.
Cailin MacBayne is no stranger to beautiful women, but has always managed to stay one step ahead of commitment. That all comes to an end when he meets Ashley. He doesn't care where this beautiful, yet unusual lass came from, he's just happy to have found her. Ashley cannot resist the handsome Scot and finds herself falling hopelessly in love. In the process, a secret is revealed, a battle is waged and Ashley must ultimately decide whether to return to her own time or give up her 21st century life to stay with the love she has found in the past.

My Review:
This was something I wouldn't normally read so I did struggle a bit to get through the book. The time travel part was confusing at first. I don't think it was portrayed as well as it could have been, at least when it happened, when Ashley crossed into 16th century Scotland. It was hard to get into the time period the book was set in, although I believe the author did a good job with the language of the 1500's. I couldn't really get into the story until closer to the end and I was left underwhelmed.

Do you like to read time travel books?

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Pause to Rewind (Aimee Alexander) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

31. Pause to Rewind by Aimee Alexander
      Prompt: book by an author who uses a pen name

Synopsis:
Jenny Dempsey has exchanged life in the fast lane for freelance journalism and being a mum. She doesn't look back. Why would she? A broken engagement to her fiancé, Dave. A falling-out with her parents. And a night in a hotel room best forgotten. Life is simple now. Jenny's little boy, Charlie, is starting school, beginning to build a life independent from her. She needs to get her own back.
Life, though, has other plans. When Charlie's diagnosed with leukemia, Jenny is forced to confront her past and all that she has turned from. But she will do anything for Charlie.

My Review:

This is the story of a little boy's journey with cancer. It is told well in first person from the perspective of his mother. No one wants their child to have cancer and Jenny is no different. Through Charlie's journey, Jenny has no choice but to ask for help from people from her past that she cut off in her life as she comes to terms with his diagnosis. She comes to realize just how strong she is, the importance of family, and who her friends are.

The thing that I appreciated was that Aimee didn't shy away from the dreaded word of cancer. She provided just enough medical information about Charlie's leukemia that gave some insight to what he was going through, but didn't slow the book down. That's something you really don't see in a lot books. Some authors won't really get into the information part of cancer treatment and how it effects people, both the patient and family. Aimee did a great job at that, especially the process and way that Jenny came to terms with the cancer.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Summer at the Lake (Linda Barrett) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

26. Summer at the Lake by Linda Barrett
      Prompt: book with one of the four seasons in the title

Synopsis:

Veteran NY cop, Rick Cooper, heads to his family’s lake house after losing a hostage negotiation, resulting in the death a child. He brings only his dog and his saxophone for company. His agenda includes lots of fishing while figuring out an appropriate career change.
Single mom, Kristin McCarthy hears the sound of the saxophone gliding through the night air…a healing sound for her daughter. She begins a search for the person who can play so beautifully. Her high hopes fall, however, when the musician turns out to be a cop. The police fell short when she and Ashley needed them most. But still…if this cop could make a difference…if he can help Ashley…well, Kristin would do anything for her young daughter.
An attractive widow with a damaged kid are the last people Rick needs in his life, and he tries hard to remain aloof. The ladies, however, knock down his barriers simply by being themselves. Fearful but brave, smart but silly. Before long, warm feelings grow between him and Kristin. Feelings that spark potential for a future together.
However, before Kristin allows herself to dream, Rick must prove he’s a man she and her daughter can trust. Can they count on him forever?

My Review:

This was a good, heartfelt romance. Kristin and Rick are struggling to come to terms with tragic experiences that happened to a child while under their care. As they come together to help Ashley regain her confidence and strength, Kristin and Rick form a simple friendship. It was filled with sincerity as it slowly developed into a warm romance.

At the forefront of this story was the healing and recovery of Ashley after she endured sexual assault/abuse. The author did an incredible job of dealing with such a sensitive topic, all the while avoiding the actual attack on the page. Everyone reacts differently when they suffer a trauma. For Ashley, she shut down completely. No parent wants to see their child hurt and unable to express their feelings and like any other parent, Kristin would do anything to help her daughter enjoy life again, to regain the innocence of childhood back. With the help of a therapy dog and music brought by Rick unexpectedly, Ashley begins to recover and get back to what she loves to do. Obviously, I don't think anyone gets over a traumatic event in a short amount of time, as in the pages of a book, but it was still nice to see Ashley start her way on her healing journey. 

What I enjoyed the most about this book was how much music was incorporated into the story. Ashley's father was a musician who passed it on to his daughter, even though he died several years prior. Ashley, herself, is considered to be a music prodigy and plays the piano and flute. Rick and his family are also music players. I, myself, have played the piano. I also tried playing the flute, but I ended up quitting because the music teacher was horrible. She didn't really teach and expected you to know everything right off the bat and yes, starting with the very first lesson.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Love Comes Softly (Janette Oke) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

20. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke

Synopsis:

Marty and Clem set out for the pioneer West full of hopes and dreams. They would stake a claim of their own on the new frontier, and build a home for themselves and their family.
But just after they'd arrived and Clem had chosen the perfect setting for their new home, an accident took his life...leaving Marty alone and pregnant. Then, on the day of his funeral, Clark Davis came along...and asked Marty to marry him!
Marty was infuriated -- but with no money, no shelter, and a baby on the way, what choice did she have? Besides, Clark said he only wanted her to be a mama to his baby girl, Missie. If Marty was still unhappy come spring, he would pay for her ticket back East.
Determined not to be a burden to Clark, and intending only to earn her keep. Marty threw herself into her new role of "Mama." But she had never been anyone's mama before, and she didn't even know how to keep a house! If only she could do right by this lonely man and his daughter just long enough to earn her train fare back home...
Now, Marty must learn wholeness and love through patience and faith.

My Review:

This story takes you back to the pioneer days. When Marty's husband dies in an accident right after making it out west, Clark just happens to show up on the day of his funeral. And to her surprise, Clark asked her to marry him and be a mother to his daughter. Marty had no other option but to accept his offer. It was agreed that it would be for a trial period and if she still wasn't happy after a few months, then Clark would pay her way back east. Things got off to a rough start, as Marty was inexperienced in housework, like cooking, and didn't know how to take care of a baby/child. She learned all that she could as she worked toward her goal of doing enough to earn her way back home. It took some time, but as the days and weeks went on, Clark and Marty grew accustomed to each other and their ways, as well as Missie getting to know Marty as a mother. During this whole time, Marty was still grieving the loss of her husband, but was also starting to get used to letting another man into her life and by the end of the story, they have a romance brewing. Both also grow in their faith, especially Marty, who exhibited a transformation throughout the course of the book. They come to the realization that they both needed each other in their lives.

Love Comes Softly was a good hearted story of romance and what it was like, especially for women, in the pioneer times. Marty was a strong female character who, despite her grief and struggles, strived to be the best at what she was given. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone and that showed when she married Clark. She didn't settle for nothing less than trying and being the best, as I've already stated.

Although I have read a couple of Janette Oke's books before, this one did move slow at times. The only main issue with Love Comes Softly was the dialogue between Clark and Marty. Both spoke with strong accents, which was hard in the beginning to understand a little bit, but became easier once I became accustomed to their accents.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Amazing Grace (Danielle Steel) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

17. Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel

Synopsis:

On a warm May night in San Francisco, the Ritz-Carlton ballroom shimmers with crystal and silver as a glittering, celebrity-studded crowd gathers for a charity dinner dance. The evening is perfect–until, just minutes before midnight, the room begins to sway. Glass shatters. And as the lights go out, people begin to scream….

In the earthquake’s aftermath, the lives of four strangers will converge.… Sarah Sloane, the beautiful wife of a financial whiz, watches her perfect world fall to pieces…. Grammy-winning singer Melanie Free, the event’s headliner, comes to a turning point in her life and career…. Photographer Everett Carson, a former war correspondent whose personal demons have demoted him to covering society parties, finds new purpose amid the carnage…and Sister Maggie Kent, a nun who normally works in jeans and high-tops with the homeless, searches through the rubble–and knows instantly that there is much work to be done….

As the city staggers back to life, a chain reaction of extraordinary events will touch each of the survivors.… For Sarah, it begins with the discovery of a crime and a betrayal, then a strength she never knew she had. For Melanie, volunteering at a refugee camp will open new worlds of possibility. And Everett will be shaken by the unlikely relationship he forges with Maggie, who helps him rebuild his shattered life–and upends her own in the process. But as a year passes, and the anniversary of the earthquake approaches, more surprises are in store–as each discovers the unexpected gifts in a tragedy’s wake…and the amazing grace of new beginnings.

My Review:
Danielle Steel delivered once again. Amazing Grace follows the lives of four people who come together in an unexpected way. When Sarah planned the annual charity event for work, she didn't expect the evening to end with tragedy as an earthquake strikes and shatters everything. Each of the four characters brought something unique to the story as they learn more about themselves during the aftermath. For Sarah, her life was perfect and her husband treated her well with whatever she wanted. She didn't know that he lived a private life as an embezzler and once he can't finish a transaction, the world as she knew it crumbles beneath her. Sarah discovers an impeccable strength in herself as she deals with his court case played out in public, the sentencing, and deciding to file for divorce because she can't look behind his betrayal. For Melanie, a pop singer who had it all, her life was controlled by her stage mom manager. She was the most sweetest and humble person. As she volunteers with a field hospital/refugee camp type of thing, Melanie finds out that there's more reward in helping others than there is in the power of money, no matter how much a person makes. She comes of age as she realizes she has free choice and can speak up and control her own life as a celebrity and incorporate her other dreams at the same time. For Everett, as a recovering alcoholic, he was back to covering celebrity and society parties for photography instead of what he really wanted to photograph. Through Maggie's help. Everett starts to rebuild all he lost from his past mistakes, including trying to reconnect with his son. He may have hit rock bottom, but he also finds a strength he never knew he had and learns that it's never too late to start over. And then there's Maggie, a nun who honors her life and work to the vow she made to God. She gives from the heart and enjoys helping people as she also provides medical assistance to everyone injured in the earthquake. As an unexpected relationship starts to form with Everett, she questions everything she gave up to become a nun and explores other options in a way.

All four characters grow and realize how much they got out of going through a tragedy during the aftermath throughout the course of a year. They each get their own amazing grace as they embark on new beginnings.

In this story, the earthquake they experience is said to be the biggest earthquake that San Francisco ever had. Since it's fiction, that's not true, but San Francisco did experience one of the biggest earthquakes in the world with the 1906 earthquake. Some of the things incorporated in the story comes from that.

As this book is called Amazing Grace, it has special meaning to me as Amazing Grace is my favorite hymn and song of all time. I just love the meaning behind it and how God is always there for you in times of struggle.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

The Not So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard (Robert Bryndza) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

14. The Not So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard by Robert Bryndza
      Topic/Prompt: book by an author from a country you've never visited (United Kingdom)

Synopsis:

Coco Pinchard always dreamed of being a successful writer, but then life got in the way. She married young, had a son, and put her dreams on hold. But now she's 40, and her first novel is about to be published! Her husband Daniel has greyed nicely into a silver fox, and her son Rosencrantz is all grown up. Shouldn't it be time to enjoy life?
That is, until the annual family Christmas when her hideous in-laws come to stay, and Coco opens her gift from Daniel. It's not the jewelry she chose, but an iPhone. This marks the start of Daniel's mid-life crisis and Coco catches him in bed with a younger woman.
The iPhone becomes a confessional, and as Coco's life unravels, she documents her seemingly endless (and often entertaining) run of bad luck through emails to loyal friends Christopher, an ageing trustafarian, and Marika, a slightly alcoholic schoolteacher.
Then Coco meets the hunky Adam and she's back in the world of dating as a single 40-something. Listen to the heart warming and often hilarious tale of Coco picking up the pieces, in this fun, feel-good romantic comedy.

My Review:
This story was told in a one sided email format. It does work once you get used to the style. It's also easier once you get to know the characters - because of the format, the characters aren't really introduced like normal as they are the recipients of the emails. It does take a little while to figure them out, but once you know who's who, it's much easier to follow along. There's one other thing that threw me for a loop and that would be the British humor. I am in no way knocking British humor; it is just that I am not accustomed to it. 

Coco tells all of her bad luck through a collection of emails to her friends and son. It's her way of venting about those times when life doesn't always go the way we want it to. No matter how her luck may be, she powers through with humor and the support of her friends. It may come off as whiny at first, but who doesn't complain like that when bad things happen to us. However, Coco becomes a prime example of how to handle whatever comes her way by complaining about it for a bit, but then moves on from it and fights her way through it. 

While I did like the email format, as I usually don't read this style, the story lacked the zest that I look for in a book. It was good, but not great. The best thing that I can say about this book is that it is like a romantic comedy without the predictable outcome.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Be Thou My Vision (Faith Blum) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

11. Be Thou My Vision by Faith Blum

Synopsis:

Anna Stuart is comfortable with her life. She may be a 30 year old spinster, but she has her routine and enjoys taking care of her father and older brother. One letter shatters all her routines, comfort, and enjoyment. After learning of her brother’s death, Anna feels like her life will never be the same again. Then she meets two motherless boys. Did God place them in her life to lead her to a new vision of life? Can she trust God to give her the desires of her heart before she even knows what they are?

My Review:
I thought this was a thoroughly good read overall. Anna may be a 30 year old spinster, but she has enjoyed being the caretaker for her father and older brother. Everything changes one day when she receives a letter that her other brother died and he also wrote something to her right before that. Anna, torn into despair and grief, starts to question everything she believes in, God included. However, the letter also inspires Anna to seek out God again. She does it for herself and nobody else. She does have a relatively quick transformation, but it doesn't happen overnight either. When she goes back to Church, Anna is in for the unexpected surprise of befriending two boys. James and John just happen to be the preacher's sons, who are motherless and one of which is deaf (James I believe). They are drawn to her and end up encouraging her more to believe in God without even knowing it. Anna does meet Miles, of course the preacher. They hit it off, but he's so guarded that it takes him awhile to let her in his heart. Miles has had his hands full with not only the Church, but his boys, and Anna ends up being the answer to his call. Despite their personal struggles, both seem to realize that they are meant to be together. One of my favorite parts was Anna truly wanting to learn sign language so she could communicate better with James.

There was only part of the novel that I didn't really like. The Church had a gossip group of ladies who were not very welcoming to either Anna or the budding relationship with Miles. I really didn't find that to be Christian-like of what seemed to be true God-loving characters at first. And also, they knew Miles needed some support, but didn't offer any. Since it was a small Church, I thought everyone would be supportive of each other in the community and church as well.

While this is a Christian fiction novel, the story wasn't overly preachy, but still maintained that strong sense of Christian faith. I would have liked to have met some more characters from the community and got to know them as well. It was a well written story filled with some decent plotlines. I know I probably mentioned this before, but I really feel that people are in our lives for a reason and that's how I felt that Miles, James, and John were meant to be in Anna's life to gain a new perspective or vision in her life.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Reinventing Mona (Jennifer Coburn) Book Review

2017 Reading Challenge

9. Reinventing Mona by Jennifer Coburn
    Topic/Prompt: book with a character's name in the title

Synopsis:

What's new? Me, for starters... It all began when my job offered me a buyout package. That's when the realization hit: I'm young, I'm rich (thanks to a hefty inheritance), and I'm boring. Things are gonna change-starting now... Building a better man trap... First things first: Exercise. Carrot juice. Straight hair. Whiter teeth. Clothes that fit. But wait-there's more. I'm finally ready to take a chance on love with the perfect guy. He's handsome. He's smart. He's reliable. He's my CPA. Problem is, I'm clueless about winning him over. It's time to call in an expert. It's time to call in The Dog. Down, boy. Mike "The Dog" Dougherty is a man's man. A guy's guy. Okay, he's a chauvinist pig, and his sty is "The Dog House," a testosterone-charged column in Maximum for Him magazine. On one hand, I abhor all he stands for. On the other hand, who better to coach me? So here I am. Learning the complex unspoken language of the American male (Talk, bad. Sex, good.); trying exciting new things (Stripping lessons are empowering. Really.); falling for Mike. Uh oh. But the Mike I'm getting to know is different from The Dog. And the Mona I'm becoming isn't quite who I expected, either. This whole makeover scheme is getting crazier by the minute. But "crazy" beats "boring"...right?

My Review:

First and foremost, the writing style used in this story was a bit different than what I am used to. It was also hard to get into the story as well. This is a book with a lot of sarcastic humor.

After Mona accepts a buyout package from her work, she decides that it's the perfect time to reinvent herself. Mona chooses a few areas of her life to focus on. She sets goals to accomplish new changes in those areas, kind of bucket list style. To help get a man to like her, Mona hires a coach, a man who writes a column on what men want from women. Mike is a chauvinistic man who guides her along the way, even though he's one of those characters you love to hate. She steps out of her comfort zone and tries to figure out who she really is. We meet some interesting characters throughout, who also try to contribute to see where and how she can make changes in her life. Mona realizes that the perfect man she thought she wanted was not the type of man she wanted in the end.

The story was just alright. It didn't hold up to its potential. While I was disappointed overall in the story, I did like the premise of the story of reinventing yourself. It's never too late to make changes in your life, figure out you are meant to be. However, I think it's important to make those changes for yourself and not for some guy or anybody else. Stay true to yourself and anything can happen. It's never too late to chase and follow your dreams.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

~Meg~

Silver Linings (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

27. Silver Linings by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:
Since opening the Rose Harbor Inn, Jo Marie Rose has met fascinating people from all walks of life, but none have piqued her interest quite like handyman Mark Taylor. Jo Marie and Mark are good friends - and are becoming something more - yet he still won’t reveal anything about his past. When Mark tells her that he’s moving out of town, Jo Marie is baffled. Just when she is starting to open herself up again to love, she feels once more that she is losing the man she cares about. As she grapples with Mark’s decision and tries to convince him to stay, she welcomes two visitors also seeking their own answers.
Best friends Kellie Crenshaw and Katie Gilroy have returned to Cedar Cove for their ten-year high school reunion, looking to face down old hurts and find a sense of closure. Kellie, known as Coco, wants to finally confront the boy who callously broke her heart. Katie, however, wishes to reconnect with her old boyfriend, James - the man she still loves and the one who got away. As Katie hopes for a second chance, Coco discovers that people can change - and both look to the exciting possibilities ahead.


My Review:

High school reunions are a time for reuniting with former classmates, some of which you may not have seen in awhile. It's a time for rekindling old relationships with your friends. A time to reminisce about your high school days and to just enjoy yourself. For Kellie and Katie, they have a slightly different agenda.

Kellie's, aka Coco, mission is to confront the guy who broke her heart and embarrassed her in front of her friends in high school. It's her way of getting closure of being hurt since then. She's in for a surprise when she realizes that he's changed since then. Let's face it, most guys can be jerks and immature in high school and most females can hold grudges for a long time. It seemed that that was the case. Coco basically just wanted answers for his actions and she gets more than that.

Katie wants to get back together with the one who got away. She needs to explain why she left and hopes he'll understand and forgive her. His parents, especially his mother, never approved of the relationship and scared Katie away. In kind of a crude way, she gave Katie an ultimatum essentially and Katie didn't have the heart to tell James. What Katie didn't expect was that James has moved on. It seemed that Katie has good intentions, but was too late in doing so. I will say that Katie and James's story was heartfelt and genuine.

Jo Marie is finally ready to commit to Mark and it becomes clear that they both love each other. When Mark suddenly gets ready to leave town and subsequently does, Jo Marie is left lost and confused. When she finds out why he left, Jo Marie is left heartbroken, feeling like she's lost another love of her life. What happens next is left up in the air and this story ends in a cliffhanger that you would never expect.

This is book four of out of a five book series. Click below to read my book reviews on the first three:

The Inn at Rose Harbor
Rose Harbor in Bloom
Love Letters

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Love Letters (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

26. Love Letters by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:
Summer is a busy season at the inn, so proprietor Jo Marie Rose and handyman Mark Taylor have spent a lot of time together keeping the property running. Despite some folks’ good-natured claims to the contrary, Jo Marie insists that Mark is only a friend. However, she seems to be thinking about this particular friend a great deal lately. Jo Marie knows surprisingly little about Mark’s life, due in no small part to his refusal to discuss it. She’s determined to learn more about his past, but first she must face her own - and welcome three visitors who, like her, are setting out on new paths.
Twenty-three-year-old Ellie Reynolds is taking a leap of faith. She’s come to Cedar Cove to meet Tom, a man she’s been corresponding with for months, and with whom she might even be falling in love. Ellie’s overprotective mother disapproves of her trip, but Ellie is determined to spread her wings.
Maggie and Roy Porter are next to arrive at the inn. They are taking their first vacation alone since their children were born. In the wake of past mistakes, they hope to rekindle the spark in their marriage—and to win back each other’s trust. But Maggie must make one last confession that could forever tear them apart.

My Review:

Time keeps rolling by in this third installment of the Rose Harbor series. Jo Marie is going strong with the inn. As much time as Jo Marie and Mark spend together, Jo Marie still isn't ready to admit that she's falling in love with him. Her own back story unfolds even more in this book. She receives a love letter kind of thing from her late husband, but doesn't have the heart to read it because she knows what that will mean: that Paul's really gone. Paul died with three other comrades in the Middle East as they were serving our country not long before Jo Marie buys the inn. Since only three bodies have been found up until this point, she has held hope that maybe he's still alive. When news comes in that all have been found, it gives her a sense of closure and she can finally grieve properly. As Jo Marie gets the courage to read the letter, it's heartbreaking, but also gives her the confidence to let go, that it's okay to love again.

Ellie comes to town to meet the guy she's fallen in love with online. She's not sure exactly what she's getting herself into, but believes that he could be the one. Following behind Ellie is her mother unexpectedly. Her mother is overprotective and doesn't want her to get hurt (like Ellie's dad did to them). Even though Ellie's old enough to make her own decisions and choices, her mom just can't let her go quite yet. As their story comes out through the course of this book, it's good to see and understand where both Ellie and her mom's views come from. As in all cases, they come to a general understanding. The transformation of both ladies is inspiring.

Maggie and Roy come to Cedar Cove for a couple's vacation, getaway type of thing. They haven't had time alone together since they had children. The whole idea of the trip is to fix and work on their marriage. They've lacked in communication in recent years and it's become tense between them. Maggie hasn't forgiven Roy for a past mistake, but she's the one hiding a secret now: a mistake she made to get back at Roy. Throughout the story, they attempt to come full frontal with their past by owning up to their mistakes and figure out ways to move on from that: to trust each other again. They learn that forgiveness isn't always easy, but in order to move on, it can be so powerful. And that compromising is important as well. Time will only tell if their marriage will work out. 

The takeaway here (from Maggie and Roy's story) is that it's important for couples to spend time alone with each other, like going on dates still, even when married, to grow in the relationship. It may be even more important to do this after having children.

Check out my book reviews on the first two books of the rose Harbor series:
The Inn at Rose Harbor
Rose Harbor in Bloom

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Through the Tears (Rosemary Hines) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

25. Through the Tears by Rosemary Hines

Synopsis:
Michelle Baron sat on the edge of the couch, her heart racing as she looked at the envelope in her hand. I guess this is it, she thought. The return address seemed harmless enough. Fairfield Lab, Portland, Oregon. But this envelope contained information that could change her life forever.
Michelle and her family rejoice when her father begins to regain consciousness after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. But a long journey awaits, as they seek to clear his name of the embezzlement charges that drove him to this desperate act. The days of their vigil at the hospital drag into weeks, and Michelle finds herself repeatedly drawn to the newborn nursery. Observing couples leave with tiny babies in their arms, her heart is stirred, and she begins to yearn for a child of her own. However, an unexpected twist will threaten her new dream.

My Review:

As John starts to recover from his suicide attempt, his family has to take care of his embezzlement charges and clear his name. In the meantime, Michelle has to figure out how to deal with Trevor. Who's Trevor? Trevor was her spiritual guide (or something like that) in Out of a Dream. It has also been his mission to somehow get involved intimately with Michelle and are destined to be together. And yes, he knows she's married. There have been some instances where Michelle has felt more comfortable being around him rather than her husband. Now, Michelle is looking to break back into her Christian faith, but is still battling some feelings for Trevor. In this book, you'll get to hear from Trevor's perspective as well and see where he's coming from. Michelle knows she has to break things off with him in order to fix things with her husband (once Steve finds out). She's more confused than ever between wanting to become Christian again and sorting things out with Trevor. Once she breaks it off, Trevor seems fine, but still wants to figure out how to be a part of her forever.

Since John is facing a long road to recovery, Michelle, along with her family, spends a lot of time at the hospital. Michelle keeps finding herself drawn to the nursery. Seeing couples leave with their newborns makes Michelle want to have a child of her own and experience the same joy of starting a family. After John moves to a rehab center closer to home, Michelle has time once again to focus on doing just that. Months go by without anything happening and finally they find out that Steve is infertile. As they figure out the options, Steve pushes for adoption, while Michelle really wants to give birth herself. They agree to artificial insemination (Steve only does because he knows how much it means to her). Once hearing about this, Trevor has a trick up his sleeve to always have a connection to her by being the other donor without them knowing about it. The process goes well and Michelle becomes pregnant pretty quick. Once Michelle gives birth, Steve could be less than thrilled. And they do find out about Trevor. It seems to be a matter of pride that he doesn't want to be involved with the baby. The not knowing who technically is the father leads him to request a DNA test to find out for sure. Once the results come back, all is well as Steve is the father and he's able to become the father he should be.

Click here for my Out of a Dream book review. It helps to read this series in order. 

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Rose Harbor in Bloom (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

24. Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Since moving to Cedar Cove, Jo Marie Rose has truly started to feel at home, and her neighbors have become her closest friends. Now it’s springtime, and Jo Marie is eager to finish the most recent addition to her inn. In memory of her late husband, Paul, she has designed a beautiful rose garden for the property and enlisted handyman Mark Taylor to help realize it. She and Mark don’t always see eye-to-eye - and at times he seems far removed - yet deep down, Jo Marie finds great comfort in his company. And while she still seeks a sense of closure, she welcomes her latest guests, who are on their own healing journeys.
Annie Newton arrives in town to orchestrate her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. While Annie is excited for the festivities, she’s struggling to move on from her broken engagement, and her grandparents themselves seem to be having trouble getting along. Worse, Annie is forced to see Oliver Sutton, with whom she grew up and who has always mercilessly teased her. But the best parties end with a surprise, and Annie is in for the biggest one of all.
High-powered businesswoman Mary Smith, another Rose Harbor Inn guest, has achieved incredible success in her field, yet serious illness has led her to face her sole, lingering regret. Almost nineteen years ago, she ended her relationship with her true love, George Hudson, and now she’s returned to Cedar Cove to make amends.

My Review:

In this second book, Jo Marie has settled into the inn and more healing awaits. At the recommendation of a fellow innkeeper, Jo Marie employs the local handyman Mark to make improvements (particularly to construct a rose garden). A man who keeps to himself, Jo Marie is determined to get to know more about him. Mark comes across as being a bit callous and rough around the edges. But he's built a wall so big that no one can get in. They don't always see eye to eye, but Jo Marie likes having him around.

A new season brings new guests. Annie comes to town to get everything ready for her grandparents' anniversary celebration. Annie's being pushed past her limits as she's still reeling from a recent breakup, dealing with her grandparents' bickering, and wanting everything perfect for the big event. In the process, Annie is forced to be around someone who tormented her relentlessly as a child and hasn't gotten over all the hurt. As time goes on, she realizes that people can change as they grow up and that he didn't realize how much it bothered her. And Annie finally understands that her grandparents didn't want to make a big deal about their anniversary. They didn't know how to tell Annie that since she was so excited and chose to act like they didn't get along to see if that would put off the celebration. True love conquers all. How Annie's story turns out is incredible.

Mary comes back to town to find her true live who she left years before. She's battling cancer and has been told that there's nothing more that can be done. She wants to reconcile with George and explain why she really left. As they attempt to mend the fences, they each have their concerns. George is ready to start a new relationship until Mary tells him that she had been pregnant with his child all those years ago, but gave her up for adoption. Mary is hesitant about having a relationship with him since she wants to spare him from watching her slip away from the cancer. They reconcile and attempt to start fresh. Their story is remarkable as once again, true love always wins. Sometimes going through so much pain and heartbreak is worth it in the end.

Since this is the second book in the Rose Harbor series, I recommend to read them in order. There are five books in this series and as of this writing, I have read four. The next two book reviews for this series will be posted this week. I will be linking to the previous one/ones in each post.

Rose Harbor Series:
1. The Inn at Rose Harbor

I just wanted to remind you that I do reply to all (except for an occasional one) comments in the comment section as a reply to your comment.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Finding Hope (Melanie D Snitker) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

22. Finding Hope by Melanie D Snitker

Synopsis:

Cancer. That one word has rocked Lexi Chandler's life to the core. Her focus has always been to help others. She loves being a nurse and enjoys spending time with her family. Things had been going according to plan. Now she’s struggling to pick up the pieces and make sense of the changes in her life. Lance Davenport has cared for Lexi since they were kids. Between their age difference and bad timing, he's turned burying his feelings into an art. Now, watching Lexi battle with cancer has made him realize just how much he's missed. He doesn't know what their future holds, but he's determined to not waste another minute. The people closest to Lexi pull together as she tries to navigate her way down a path none of them ever dreamed she’d have to travel.

My Review:

Lexi has everything going for her. In the blink of an eye, all that changes the  she gets diagnosed with what nobody ever wants to hear: cancer. As a nurse, Lexi's used to helping others. When she gets cancer, it puts Lexi in a position she's not used to being in: the patient, the one who needs help. At the beginning of her journey, she doesn't want anyone to really know (except family of course) and wants to do it alone. So that no one has to see the bad days of her battle.

Lance has known Lexi her whole life. He's a friend of her brother's and has always watched out for Lexi growing up. What she doesn't know, he's always had feelings for her, but has kept it hidden because he thinks it would be inappropriate. When Lexi tells her family about the cancer, Lance wasn't going to let her go through it alone. He insists on taking to her appointments and treatments. Finally he realizes that it's his chance to show her how he really feels and don't let a relationship slip away. 

As Lexi goes through her cancer journey, she realizes that it's okay to ask for help, to need help. Her family and closest friends come together to support her in her fight. When a devastating event happens to her family, they all realize what's truly important. That it doesn't necessarily matter about what you have; it's about the little things and the memories you make/have with those you love.

It's about having each other and supporting each other no matter what.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

The Inn at Rose Harbor (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

21. The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book that's guaranteed to bring you joy

Synopsis:

Jo Marie Barlow first arrives in Cedar Cove seeking a sense of peace and a fresh start. Coping with the death of her husband, she purchases a local bed-and-breakfast - the newly christened Rose Harbor Inn - ready to begin her life anew. Yet the inn holds more surprises than Jo Marie can imagine. Her first guest is Joshua Weaver, who has come home to care for his ailing stepfather. The two have never seen eye to eye, and Joshua has little hope that they can reconcile their differences. But a long-lost acquaintance from Joshua’s high school days proves to him that forgiveness is never out of reach and love can bloom even where it’s least expected. The other guest is Abby Kincaid, who has returned to Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Back for the first time in twenty years, she almost wishes she hadn’t come, the picturesque town harboring painful memories from her past. And while Abby reconnects with family and old friends, she realizes she can only move on if she truly allows herself to let go.

My Review:

As a way of coping with her husband's death, Jo Marie decides to purchase an inn. She feels like the inn will help her heal, by starting over Ina new town. She has a lot to learn about managing an inn, but with the support of another innkeeper in Cedar Cove, it's not long before she gets a grasp of things. 

Jo Marie not only wants the inn to be a place of healing for herself, but for her guests as well. Joshua comes to Cedar Cove to help with his stepfather's care in his final days. Even though they haven't gotten along (moreso after Josh's mom died), Josh is the only one family his stepdad has left. With the help of an old friend, he is asked to look past all the hurt and pain and attempt to make things good again. And if a relationship (with Josh's friend) blooms in the meantime, then so be it. It turns out quite interesting, but you're going to have to read this book to see what happens. 

Abby is back in town for her brother's wedding. The town she's run away from and never looked back. She was involved in an accident that killed her best friend as a teen. Even though it was a complete accident, Abby's been living with guilt and hasn't been able to let it go and move on with her life. And hasn't faced her classmates since that day, as she believes they'll blame her for what happened. A chance encounter with one of them leads to a reunion type of thing with the rest and Abby realizes that they cared about her. Being back forces Abby to face what she's been avoiding: visiting her friend's grave and her friend's parents. It's not easy, but Abby realizes that she needs forgiveness to truly accept what happened, to heal her pain, and to move forward. Abby's story is heartbreaking and heartfelt at the same time. Her story will resonate to anyone who's ever felt guilt (and let's face it, we all do) over losing someone. 

Fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series will enjoy the Rose Harbor series.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

A Girl's Guide to Moving On (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

18. A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber
      Theme/Topic: book published in 2016

Synopsis:

When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back - including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.
Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures - until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.

My Review:

As the story of Cassie, Nichole and Karen continues, it's time for Nichole to take the spotlight. When Nichole learns that her husband has been cheating on her, she gets support from an unlikely source: her mother-in-law Leanne. Unbeknownst to everyone, Leanne's own husband has been cheating on her for years. They both file for divorce and get apartments right across from each other. To help them deal with the pain, Leanne comes up with a plan. With Nichole's help, they create a list of rules to follow:

1. Don't allow yourself to wallow in your pain. Reach out. Volunteer. Do something you love or something to help others.

2. Cultivate new friendships.

3. Let go in order to receive.

4. Love yourself.

These rules seem simple, but they are hard to do, except for maybe the first one. The divorce process is different for both ladies. Leanne's is simple and over with fairly quick. Nichole's is more drawn out and more extreme.

Throughout the process of moving forward, both Nichole and Leanne befriend new men in their lives. For Nichole, that would be Rocco. They meet by accident, literally, but come to mean more than that. From the outside looking in, they're complete opposites. Rocco is a mechanic and owns a tow truck company and is a husky fellow. He reminded me of one of those security guards that you don't want to mess with. But the more you get to know him, the more oh realize that o. The inside, he has a caring and tended heart. I liked how Rocco handled Owen (Nichole's son with her ex), as well as the whole Jake situation. My favorite character just happened to be Kaylene (Rocco's daughter); she had a great supporting role when jt came to Rocco and Nichole.

For Leanne, Nikolai was tne new man in her life. Nikolai was from the Ukraine and a student in her ESL night class. He showed his appreciation and love for Leanne by gifting her with a loaf of bread after each class. While I couldn't understand that at first, I came to appreciate the symbolization of the gesture (apparently a loaf of bread symbolizes love in Ukraine). What I didn't like was the whole expecting Leanne to love him back without hesitation, even though they had a language barrier. Saying that, I kind of felt that Nikolai shouldn't have been jealous of Sean (Leanne's ex). I get why he didn't want her involved with him on any level, but it really wasn't his call. On the other hand, I understand why Leanne wanted to be there for Sean at a time when he needed it the most and had no one else to turn to. I felt that they shared a friendship with each other, even though the love they shared didn't exist anymore.

Once again, Debbie Macomber told a genuine and heartfelt story. She definitely doesn't disappoint. A Girl's Guide to Moving On is a follow up to Last One Home, however they can be read as stand alone novels as well. If you want to check out my review of Last One Home, click here.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Last One Home (Debbie Macomber) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

17. Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Growing up, Cassie Carter and her sisters, Karen and Nichole, were incredibly close -- until one fateful event drove them apart. After high school, Cassie ran away from home to marry the wrong man, throwing away a college scholarship and breaking her parents’ hearts. To make matters worse, Cassie had always been their father’s favorite -- a sentiment that weighed heavily on her sisters and made Cassie’s actions even harder to bear.
Now thirty-one, Cassie is back in Washington, living in Seattle with her daughter and hoping to leave her past behind. After ending a difficult marriage, Cassie is back on her own two feet, the pieces of her life slowly but surely coming together. Despite the strides Cassie’s made, she hasn’t been able to make peace with her sisters. Karen, the oldest, is a busy wife and mother, balancing her career with raising her two children. And Nichole, the youngest, is a stay-at-home mom whose husband indulges her every whim. Then one day, Cassie receives a letter from Karen, offering what Cassie thinks may be a chance to reconcile. And as Cassie opens herself up to new possibilities -- making amends with her sisters, finding love once more -- she realizes the power of compassion, and the promise of a fresh start.

My Review:

After reaching rock bottom and able to finally rid herself of her abusive ex-husband, Cassie wants to start a better life for her and her daughter Amiee. She also became estranged from her family when she ran away from home at eighteen for all the wrong reasons - to marry the boyfriend her parents didn't approve of just because she was pregnant. After her mom dies, she's given, what Cassie thinks, a chance to mend the relationship with her sisters. They, Karen and Nichole, don't know if they're willing to forgive Cassie and put the past behind them and give Cassie a much deserved second chance. They obviously don't know what Cassie has been through since that night and only know what she put her family through when she left and aren't sure if Cassie has changed. Although it takes some work, time and patience, all three of them begin to realize how much they need each other.

In the meantime, Cassie decides to start volunteer work with a Habitat for Humanity type of company in the community. It's not exactly what she expects at first, as she butts heads with the manager, Steve. Both are stubborn in their own ways, but when an unfortunate accident occurs, Steve starts showing his softer side. As his story starts to unfold, I can see why he was the way he was. You'll have to read this book to find out. Cassie also discovers that it's okay to ask for help and not to just rely on herself for everything. 

Debbie Macomber's books never fail to disappoint. She has a way of creating compelling characters. What I enjoyed about this particular book was that it showcased the importance of family. No family is perfect and we may not always get along with each other, but at the end of the day, they'll always be there for you. Just like Cassie and her sisters, my mom and her sister weren't on speaking terms for a few years. While I won't get into the circumstances, eventually they worked it out and became closer than they ever were, in my opinion. 

 Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Waiting For Paint to Dry (Lia Mack) Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

16. Waiting for Paint to Dry by Lia Mack

Synopsis:
For the past decade, Matty Bell has lived safe in a self-made monochromatic life of work-eat-sleep-survive. Living vicariously through her best friend Claire's perfect life wasn't the plan. However, Matty learned long ago it's easier to run and hide from life than to deal with the PTSD she’s suffered from since being raped at sixteen. Yet on the night of her thirtieth birthday, a freak accident shows Matty a truth: run from something long enough and it will consume you. She must find a way back to her life, a life full of passion in which she can follow her dreams and is not afraid to love. When Claire announces her family is moving, she asks Matty to come too. Having grown up Navy, Matty’s no stranger to picking up and starting over. However, moving half-way around the world to play nanny to Claire’s children doesn't sound like the new beginning Matty yearns for. Nor does she want to leave without first confronting her fears and coming full-healing-circle. She can’t let another decade slip by before she’s able to trust again.

My Review:
This is a story about Matty's journey and acceptance through something tragic. As a teenager, Matty was raped and like most rape victims, she kept quiet and tried to forget all about that night. At 30, Matty's life is still affected by it, especially when it comes to relationships and other aspects of her life. When Matty's friend invites her to move to Germany with her family, it causes Matty to examine her life. She decides to give therapy a try and with the help of the therapist, she comes full frontal with what happened that fateful night and how it has affected her life. It's through this that Matty gets the courage to reconnect with her family, who she distanced herself from because they didn't understand what she was had been through. Along the way, Matty ends up in a relationship and is forced to go places she never thought she could go again. It takes some time and patience, but it ends up being okay. 

What I liked was the transformation that Matty had after suffering from years of post traumatic stress disorder. We don't always realize how much our life can be affected by traumatic or rough times from our past. The struggle is real. No matter what we may have gone through, it seems that we eventually reach a breaking point. A time when we have had enough of living in the past and attempt to move forward in any way possible. During Matty's journey, she rediscovers her passion of painting. 

Question and Answer:

Have you ever gone through a transformation in your life? Did you discover or rediscover a passion?

On this blog, I have been pretty open about my heart condition. After I was diagnosed, I did let it control me for several years and I had panic/anxiety attacks. I played the what if game too much and let the thought of having another event take over my life. I did end up reaching my breaking point and decided that I wasn't going to let it control me any more. Does it still bother me or get to me at times? Absolutely, but I don't let it become me. I decided to do the one thing that scared me: performing in front of people. I tried out for the local theatre company's musical and it turned out to be the best thing for me. Nothing can conquer anxiety more than performing in public, at least in my case. I ended up crying tears of joy and accomplishment during curtain call on opening night.it was the best feeling.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥

Accidentally Amish Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

14. Accidentally Amish by Olivia Newport

Synopsis:

Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?

My Review:

     It's not everyday that someone shows away (aka runs away from her problems, so to say) in a pickup truck and ends up in an Amish community. That's exactly what Annie did when she had enough of a certain situation. Deciding to hanglow for awhile, Annie stays in an inn just on the outskirts. In the meantime, Annie and Rufus, despite the their stubbornness to admit it, start to fall for each other. When an accident happens, Rufus' family takes in Annie to help her recovery. Rufus has to deal with problems of his own as someone tries to sabotage his work. After Annie heals, they depart, knowing that their different lifestyles won't work out well together. That is until something tragic occurs, bringing them back together. Both of their situations end up well and Annie decides to make a radical change by (thinking about) converting to Amish. 

     I thought that the storyline and plots were well-developed. I've always admired the Amish lifestyle, in particular how they all come together (without question) to rebuild after tragedy strikes and their power of forgiveness. In this story, it was interesting to see the difference between the Amish ways and English ways. Both Annie and Rufus had somewhat similar situations, but handled it differently. Getting revenge isn't always the best solution as Annie comes to find out.

As Annie gets to know about Rufus and his family, she ends up discovering more about her family, like finding out she has some Amish blood. Genealogy plays an important part in who we are. Did you ever find out something interesting about your family history?

♥Meg♥

Holding On Book Review

2016 Reading Challenge

13. Holding On by Rachael Brownell

Synopsis:
For five years Becca has been struggling to hide her feelings for her best friend, Brad. Now she finally has a chance to move on. She’s in a new city, she’s attending a new school, and she’s met the first guy besides Brad who’s held her attention in a long time. Not only is Ethan attractive, he’s an amazing tennis player, and he might just be Becca’s match on and off the courts.
Brad has loved Becca for as long as he can remember. Now that Becca’s family has moved two thousand miles away, Brad may finally be ready to lay his heart on the line and do whatever it takes to hold on to Becca.
But is Brad too late? Or will Ethan’s secret drive Becca back into Brad’s arms? Torn between her love for Brad and the promise of something new and exciting with Ethan, Becca has an almost impossible choice to make, the choice between letting go or holding on.

My Review:
     Holding on to the past and knowing when to move on. That's what this book is all about. When Becca's family moves, she has to choose whether to hold on to her past or move on from what she once knew. In this case, it's mostly about teenage love. Becca spend most of her life being best friends and having feelings for Brad (and watch from the sidelines when he gets a girlfriend). When she starts getting settled in to another city 2,000 miles away, Becca encounters a couple guys and begins to fall for Ethan. For Brad, it takes Becca leaving to realize how much he wants to be with no one but her.
     This was a decent story and pretty accurate in regards to teenage relationships. I liked how Becca handled the move maturely, unlike most teens would have. Becca, Ethan and Brad had good character development. It did seem to take some time for the plot to move on, but it still was engaging. I admired Ethan's character near the end with the whole situation about Brad and Becca's need to be with him at a hard time.
     Holding on to the past can make it hard to enjoy the present. Letting go and moving forward isn't easy either. Rachael did a good job of portraying that.

♥Meg♥

Note: I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but there were some problems (and still are) problems with the computer keyboard.

Love's Providence Book Review

2015 Reading Challenge

41. Love's Providence by Jennifer H. Westall
      Theme/Topic: book with a love triangle

Synopsis:
College athlete Lily Brennon has always been the piece that doesn’t quite fit in the puzzle, especially in her blended family, and no amount of rule-following perfection seems to bring her any closer to the love and acceptance she desperately seeks. If not for Jackson Carter, her childhood best friend and the only boy she’s ever loved, she’s sure she would have run away years ago. But when Jackson loses his father and a future basketball career within months of each other, his faith is so shattered, he shuts out everyone, including Lily. After months of heartache, Lily begins to piece together a life without Jackson, and while vacationing at the beach on a beautiful island off the Georgia coast, she begins a long-distance romance with Alex Walker, a police officer with a quick wit and a cocky grin. He revives her hope in love again, but their intense attraction and his devastating secret test Lily’s commitment to save herself for marriage. Through her struggles to remain true to her principles, an agonizing choice between Alex and Jackson, and a series of terrifying events that threaten all of them, Lily must endure losing everything she’s been grasping so tightly. Only then will she discover the depth of the love that already surrounds her.

My Review:
This was a good read. Lily is the main character in the so-called love triangle. In the beginning, Lily struggles to move on after the break-up with Jackson. She takes a much needed vacation and soon forms a relationship with Alex. Doing so, Lily struggles with staying true to her beliefs and values. as Jackson begins his fight to show Lily he's not ready to give up, she gets caught up in having choose between both men. I liked all the twists and turns this story took up until the very end.

Lily and Jackson have a one of a kind relationship. Their relationship proves that true love can prevail despite going through some challenging times. Sometimes a break is all that's needed to show what one is missing, as well as seeing what they had all along.

Happy Reading and Keep on Writing!

♥Meg♥