Until You Loved Me: My Review

Until You Loved Me

About the Book:

After catching her fiancee cheating—with another man—usually straitlaced, workaholic scientist Ellie Fisher liberates her wild side just long enough to indulge in a passionate one-night stand with a tall, dark stranger she meets at a trendy Miami bar. Embarrassed by her recklessness, she ducks out the following morning without learning the guy's full name, something that shouldn't have been a problem…until a pregnancy test turns positive. 

Being a professional football player, Hudson King has always been cautious around women. But this one had been different—so disinterested in his celebrity, so convincingly into him. When Ellie tracks him down, claiming she's carrying his baby, he's stunned. And more than a little betrayed. 

But after growing up as an orphan, he'll do anything to stay involved in his child's life, so he urges Ellie to move to Silver Springs, where they can co-parent. Hudson has a lot of love to give, certainly enough for his child, and when their initial spark reignites, perhaps for Ellie, too…

My Comments:

I loved Ellie.  She wants what so many people want--to be loved and to have a family.  She was smart but a little socially lacking.  When her fiancee paid attention to her, she was thrilled, and thought the lack of bedroom action was based on morality rather than on sexual attraction.  They had talked about having children and she was looking forward to being a bride and a mom until she caught him in bed with a male friend.  Amazingly, he still wanted to go forward with the wedding and with having a child, which his boyfriend and he would help raise.

Not long thereafter, she becomes pregnant via a one-night stand.  She feels like she should tell the father--the only problem is that she has no clue who he is, until she sees him on television and realizes he is a famous athlete.  Once Hudson knows she is carrying his baby, he wants her where he can take care of her and the baby, so he moves her into his house, and of course it isn't long before she is in his bed.

Both Ellie and Hudson are afraid to get hurt; both have walls up, though Ellie's come down more easily.  It was fun watching them get to know each other in a non-Biblical sense and sure enough, they decided they liked each other.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B. 

Review: Twelve Days of Christmas

Twelve Days of Christmas

About the Book:

Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.

Snowfall on Haven Point: My Review

Snowfall on Haven Point

About the Book:

It's been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie's friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who's recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Review: Irena's Children

Irena's Children

About the Book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Widow Clicquot comes an extraordinary and gripping true account of Irena Sendler—the “female Oskar Schindler”—who took staggering risks to save 2,500 children from death and deportation in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II.

Children's Book Review: Light for the World

Light for the World

About the Book:

Written and illustrated for your entire family, this softcover book explains Catholic traditions and feast days that we celebrate throughout the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

My Comments:

As Catholics, we celebrate the liturgical year, which has its own seasons and celebrations.  Light for the World takes us through the seasons of Advent and Christmas, touching on feast days, prayers and traditions.  Feasts discussed include the Annunciation, St. Francis Xavier, St. Nicholas (of course!), the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John of the Cross, Christmas, St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, The Holy Innocents, The Holy Family, Mary the Mother of God, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John Neumann,  Epiphany and the Baptism of Our Lord.  Traditions that are explained include the Advent Wreath, the Advent Calendar, the Nativity Scene, the Jesse Tree, the "O" Antiphons, filling stockings, presents and King Cake.  

The pages about the feast days give short stories about the feast or the celebrated saint and they often include prayers.  The Feast of the Holy Innocents page includes the following prayer;

Prayer for the Dignity of Human Life

Lord and giver of all life, 

help us to value each person

created in love by you.

In your mercy, guide and assist our efforts

to promote the dignity and value of all human life,

born and unborn.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

The book has an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat from the Bishop of Green  Bay, Wisconsin.  Scripture quotes are from the NRSV.

While marketed as a children's book, I see it as a book for family use.  I think there is too much text and that some of the words are too advanced for young children, such that giving them the book would not be using it to its full potential.  Grade:  B.  

I'd like to thank Catholic Word for sending me a review copy of the book.  Catholic Word describes itself as " a one-stop resource for leading programs and religious titles from over 35 top Catholic publishers. For over 15 years, Catholic Word has built a reputation based on quality, personal relationships and a devotion to excellence in service."  The mission they espouse is "to build up the Church one soul at a time through top quality Catholic materials and resources. Wherever a person is on their faith journey, we offer real help to taking the next step closer to God. Our motto is to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reason."  They claim to be "100% faithful to the teachings of the Magisterium".  

A Winter Wedding: My Review

A Winter Wedding (Whiskey Creek)

About the Book:

Kyle Houseman believes he'll never find anyone he could love as much as Olivia Arnold, who's now married to his stepbrother. Not only did he lose her, he's been through one divorce and has no desire to go through another. He's determined to be extra careful about the next woman he gets involved with—which is why he fights his attraction to the beautiful stranger who rents his farmhouse for the Christmas holiday.  

Lourdes Bennett is a country music artist. She's only planning to stay in Whiskey Creek long enough to write the songs for her next album—the album that's going to put her back on top. Her dreams don't include settling in a town even smaller than the one she escaped. But as she comes to know Kyle, she begins to wonder if she'd be making a terrible mistake to leave him behind…

My Comments:

If you can suspend disbelief, this is an enjoyable Christmas romance.  However, like many Christmas romances, it isn't very realistic.  Lourdes is from the town down the street, but she chose to come to Whiskey Creek so she isn't noticed.  Kyle is the landlord; when Lourdes moves in the heat doesn't work.  Instead of going to a hotel, she moves in with him.  Kyle is still carrying a flame for Olivia who also happens to be his ex-wife's sister (long story).  His ex-wife is crazy, and frankly I find their post-divorce relationship to be unbelieveable.  I liked Kyle, I liked Lourdes, and I enjoyed catching up with the whole Whiskey Creek gang.  I didn't like some of the sex scenes--they weren't terribly explicit but I didn't like the attitude embodied in them. I also found it hard to believe that a celebrity who was trying to lay low would have sex in a public place.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B

A Love Like Ours: My Review

Fall in love with Becky Wade's new book, A Love Like Ours, a story of healing, romance, and cowboys. A glimmer of the hope Jake thought he’d lost returns when Lyndie lands back in Texas, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

To celebrate the release of her new book, Becky is giving away a $100 cash card and a book-inspired prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card
• A copy of A Love Like Ours
• A copy of the Secretariat DVD
• A scarf
• A dog-tag/cross keychain
• A pair of earrings
• A Scarf
• A Texas-shaped cutting board
• A Jake Porter mug

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Becky's site.

Review

Some Chrisian romances are nothing but clean romances between people who happend to go to church. Others are stories of the characters' spiritual lives that happen to have some romance thrown in. Finally, there are stories that preach a strong conversion sermon while telling a good romantic story, which  is what this book does.  Jake and Lyndie were childhood best friends until her family moved far from their Texas home.  Both moved on with life; he became a Marine and was injured on duty and now suffers with PTSD.  She is an artist and illustrator who really wants to be a jockey.  Now he owns a horse ranch and her family has returned to Texas.  She is about thirty and while a part of her wants a husband, she is comfortable not being married.  He does not want to get close to anyone.  
I liked watching these two become re-acquainted and I loved the way Becky Wade made Lyndie's handicapped sister a source of healing.  All too often in our society those deemed imperfect are cast aside, yet I've known families that were truly blessed by children who were severely handicapped.  
The book is part of a series and there are times those who have not read the first book, Undeniably Yours, will wonder why some of the characters even make an appearance in this book, but A Love Like Ours stands well on its own.
I'd like to thank Litfuse for sending me a complimentary review copy.  Grade: B.

Make Money, Think Rich: My Review

Make Money, Think Rich

About the Book:

You are here today because your ancient ancestors cooperated to survive a brutal environment with life threatening predators. That herd mentality backfires when investing. Can you overcome your instincts to sell low and buy high with the rest of the crowd? Read a few paragraphs of Dale Buckner's book and you too can profit from the mistakes of others.

About the Author: Dale Buckner has spent his 25-year career as a financial planner helping people avoid the mistakes that wreck most financial plans. He has the academic credentials: a BS, MBA, the designation as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.

Dale has hosted a financial radio program for two decades. He's heard it all while in the trenches, solving people's problems and helping guide them through some of the most violent market swings in the history of the stock market. His experience and sage advice can help you avoid tragic mistakes like selling at the bottom of a market cycle or buying into a bubble. 

Dale helps clients achieve their financial and personal goals using Life Stage Planning, an advanced form of financial planning he developed with the help of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNING® course work.

Dale is a Registered Principal and offers securities through United Planners Financial Services, member FINRA and SIPC. He holds security licenses Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 and has been insurance licensed since 1988. Dale offers financial planning and investment counseling through his Registered Investment Advisory firm, Dale Buckner, Inc. Dale Buckner, Inc. and United Planners Financial Services are not affiliated.

My Comments:

I enjoyed this book.  I liked the way Buckner started it by telling us that we are created by God, and don't have design defects.  Buckner goes on to look at primitive societies to give us an idea of why we behave the way we do.  After that, it is a pretty basic guide to saving money and investing, but Buckner reminds us time and again that just because everyone is doing it (selling, buying, whatever) is no reason for us to do it.  Rather, we need to make a plan and stick to it.  

While I can't say there was anything earthshaking in this book, it was a good little pep talk on making a plan and sticking to it.  While market cycles were discussed, there were no long technical explanations of how to predict them or beat them, just encouragement to stick with the plan.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B.

Review: The Christmas Train

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The Christmas Train

About the Book:

An estranged father and daughter meet for the first time at Christmas in this touching holiday story that will tug at your heart, from USA TODAY bestselling author Rexanne Becnel.

On the train to meet her father, young Anna Spano befriends Eva Stephens, an older woman who occasionally thinks she’s traveling to her home village in pre–World War II for the holidays. Recognizing Miss Eva’s disorientation as the same dementia her late grandmother experienced, Anna isn’t sure who is actually taking care of whom on the journey.

At the far end of the journey, Tom Thurston is anxious about what to expect when his daughter arrives. So he’s doubly shocked when a teary old woman embraces him, convinced that he is her long-lost brother.

At Anna’s insistence, he reluctantly agrees to bring the woman home with them and try to locate her family. And as Anna clings loyally to her new friend, and Tom struggles to be who Miss Eva needs him to be, both father and daughter begin to understand one another. And through Miss Eva, they learn the true meaning of family, and of love.

My Comments:

This is a Christmas novella.  That usually means a short but heartwarming book and The Christmas Train does not disappoint.  Anna's grandmother, with whom she has lived for years, just died.  Her mother doesn't want her and puts her on a train to meet the father she has never met, saying it is his turn to take care of her. The railroad won't let Anna travel without an adult, so her mother sits her next to a little old lady and tells Anna to tell the train people that they are together.  Anna listens to Ms. Eva tell her stories of WWII Europe and her life in the US thereafter.  When they finally arrive, Ms. Eva thinks Anna's father is her long-lost brother.

This is absolutely a happily ever after story in which way too many good things happen and in which there is a total lack of conflict.  I cried my eyes out near the end of the story and smiled at the ending so I guess Rexanne Becnel met her goal.  Grade:  B.

Thanks to the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  I was not obligated to provide any review, much less a positive one. 

Quick Romance Reviews

I'm sure it is no surprise to any of my readers that I enjoy romance novels. However, they are a bit like candy--sweet but not too substantial, and after a while you get sick of it.  I've read a couple lately that I enjoyed but which I cannot get motivated to review.  Still I want to say a few words to make the nice folks who let me have them happy. Both are from NetGalley.  

 

Love Without End (A King's Meadow Romance Series Book 1)

About the Book:

Chet Leonard's life was forever changed when his seventeen year old son died and then, soon after, his wife walked out on their family. Over two years later, all he wants to do is hold onto his horse ranch and raise his remaining sons to be honorable men.

Kimberly Welch, widowed mother of Tara, a rebellious fifteen-year-old, has reached the end of her finances and nearly the end of her rope. She and Tara come to King's Meadow to try to piece their lives back together again. Kimberly has no intention of become involved with the residents of this remote mountain community and certainly not with any man.

When 84-year-old Anna McKenna returns to King's Meadow and to the Leonard ranch, she becomes an agent of change and healing for the two hurting families. With her help, Kimberly and Chet's families at last discover a love without end.

My Comments: 

Can two hurting people find love?  Of course they can.  This is a Christian romance so the characters go to church, pray, and keep things chaste.  Chet is friends with a minister and they talk a couple of times but for the most part this is far more a clean romance than a religious one.  Grade:  B.

The Cowboy Earns a Bride (Cowboys of Chance Creek Book 8)

About the Book:

Wedding bells are ringing on the Double-Bar-K and Luke Matheson is determined to make his move on his favorite bridesmaid--sweet, sexy Mia Start. Though she's shared his house for more than two months, she's remained elusive. Luke's ready to cross that divide, and win her love for good. 

Mia would give anything to marry Luke, but he won't want her once he knows the truth; she's four months pregnant with another man's child. It's time to find a real home--and a real job--so she can raise her baby alone. 

When a nosy neighbor exposes Mia's pregnancy at his brother's wedding, Luke sees his chance to finally get what he wants. He lays claim to the baby--and to Mia--but their happily-ever-after lasts barely a day. When Luke's pride clashes with Mia's need for independence, Mia calls their brand new engagement off. 

Can Luke convince her to change her mind? Or will these wedding bells sound the death knell of their relationship?

My  Review:

In case you couldn't tell by the cover, this one was not a Christian romance.  As general market romance goes, I'd put it in the middle of the spectrum--not the steamiest around, but definitely not chaste either.  It is one of those Mars/Venus stories where all he wants to do is take care of her, and all she wants to do is to prove to herself, if not to everyone, that she can take care of herself.  Grade:  B.  

Blog Tour: Home to Chicory Lane With Facebook Party and Giveaway!

Home to Chicory Lane: A Chicory Inn Novel | Book 1

About the Book:

Audrey Whitman’s dreams are coming true. Now that their five kids are grown, she and her husband Grant are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast, just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri.

Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious, with family and friends coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. But when Audrey’s daughter, Landyn, arrives, the U-Haul she’s pulling makes it clear she’s not just here for a few days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent Landyn running home? Where was Landyn’s husband, Chase? And what else was her daughter not telling her? One thing was for sure, the Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her daughter so desperately needs?

My Comments:

Those who like their Christian fiction on the religious side should enjoy this novel about two newlyweds working out the terms of their relationship.  Those holding more modern egalitarian views of marriage will shake their heads at references to the husband being the head of the home and at marriage vows of obedience.  Both Landyn and Chase are trying to listen to God in their lives and yet they aren't listening to each other.  Frankly Landyn really needs to grow up; she gets mad (rightly so) because her husband makes a major life decision without consulting her, so she quits her job and runs home to Mom and Dad where she acts like a teenager when asked to help with chores.  She refuses to answer her phone or check her messages because she doesn't want people telling her what to do.  

Deborah Raney does a good job of contrasting the broken marriage and immature ways of relating that Chase and Landyn have adopted to the mature and loving marriage of Landyn's parents.  This is clearly a book written to teach a lesson about marriage.

I'd like to thank Litfuse for providing a complimentary review copy.  Grade:  B.

Blog Tour:

The first book in Deborah Raney's new Chicory Inn series, Home to Chicory Lane, introduces us to Audrey Whitman, a mother who has launched all her children into life and now looks forward to fulfilling some of her own dreams during her empty-nest years. However, not all of her children are ready to stay out of the nest quite yet.

Deborah is celebrating the release of her new series with a $200 B&B Weekend Getaway and a Facebook author chat party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• A B&B Weekend Getaway (via a $200 Visa cash card)
• Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 9th. Winner will be announced at the Home to Chicory Lane Author Chat Party on 9/9. Deborah will be hosting a heartfelt book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the Chicory Inn series!

So grab your copy of Home to Chicory Lane and join Deborah on the evening of September 9th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!

Review: No Problem: Turning the Next Corner in Your Spiritual Life

No Problem: Turning the Next Corner in Your Spiritual Life

About the Book:

With total book sales of more than 200,000 copies, spiritual teacher Robert J. Wicks brings his characteristic warmth and insight to his newest book, No Problem: Turning the Next Corner in Your Spiritual Life, an "inner workshop" for the soul. He shows readers that personal transformation is attainable through a simple, day-by-day process of identifying and turning the next corner of his or her spiritual life.

For Robert Wicks, forward motion in the spiritual life is "no problem." All it takes is the right perspective and a little bit of knowledge—both of which he provides through his book’s three-part structure: twenty lessons, three doorways, and thirty daily exercises. Wicks’s twenty lessons are bite-sized and practical, and he shows how the two great commandments (love God, love others) and the parable of the Good Samaritan form doorways to spiritual riches. In part three, Wicks provides the tools and coaching for readers to conduct their own inner workshops. In these thirty spiritual exercises, Wicks invites his readers to acknowledge, accept, and start where they are, employing simple practices and assuring that God’s grace will carry them around the next spiritual corner.

My Comments:

Like most books dealing with the spiritual life, this one doesn't have any ground-breaking insights.  It doesn't tell you how you can live life on your terms, ignoring God and then being able to turn Him on when desired.  Robert Wicks quotes the oldies but goodies and suggests reading short passages in the book and then living with them for a day.  Becoming more spiritual should make you a better person, more the person God wants you to be and this book strikes me as a gentle invitation and tour guide.  Grade:  B.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available vial NetGalley.  

Blog Tour and Review: The Smart Woman's Guide to Planning for Retirement

About the Book:

What does a woman want to do when she retires? Travel? Pursue hobbies? Spend time with friends and family? We all have dreams about what those days will be like. But when it comes to turning those dreams into reality, women's retirement confidence and know-how is low. According to a 2012 survey, 92 percent of women of all ages in this country don't feel they're educated enough to reach their retirement savings goals. For the woman who doesn't know where to start or would like a knowledgeable guide who speaks her language, financial expert Mary Hunt offers a comprehensive but approachable resource for saving and planning for retirement.

Whether she feels entitled to retire at age 65, hopes she'll be able to stop working someday, or is convinced she'll never be able to retire, every woman will find real help in these pages. With her signature no-nonsense, energetic style, Hunt assures women that it's only too late if they don't start now. She clearly covers every aspect of retirement planning during every season of a woman's life, giving women the confidence they need to shape their futures.

My Comments:

Unfortunately, this is not the book that is going to tell you how you can live it up today and still manage to have money in the future.  It is another one of those control your expenses and save your money books.  While aimed at women, it has advice that both men and women should follow.  Mary Hunt recommends getting out of debt, saving regularly, buying half the house you can afford and paying the house off early.  She recommends maxing out your Roth IRA before putting more money than necessary to gain an employer match in a 401k plan because of the high fees associated with 401k plans.  

While most of the book will appeal to anyone looking for a basic financial planning information., there is one chapter that discusses financial planning in relation to the Bible, particularly as it relates to the parable of the talents. There are also small references to God in other places in the book.  If you are looking for a book that honors Christian religious beliefs while discussing financial planning, this may appeal to you.  

In general the book is short, easy to read, and is written in a conversational style.  It manages to convey basic information without assuming the reader is stupid.  

I'd like to thank the publisher for providing a complimentary review copy.  Grade:  B.  

“Available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”