Book Review - Reasons by Tracy Fabre

Synopsis:

Delphi Brent, seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident as a teenager, is ready to spend the summer with old family friends when her parents make a distressing confession: the driver of the car that nearly killed her was one of the three sons of the Laughlin family she's about to visit. They urge her to stay home and let the past be, but she resolves to go out West anyway to learn the truth about what happened the night she was struck and one of the Laughlin sons died. However, in reconnecting with the Laughlins, who operate a sprawling ranch in Colorado, Delphi learns a lot not only about brothers and families, but also about the reasons people keep secrets, and what to do with the truth once it's uncovered. She also falls in love with one of the Laughlin brothers, and that wasn't part of the plan at all.

Review:

This is an intriguing story about searching for one answer, but finding much more. I enjoyed the character of Delphi. The author, Tracy Fabre, wrote a strong woman character that speaks her mind and does what she needs to to find peace in her life. Surrounded by the beautiful Colorado ranch, the story intertwines numerous characters that affect each other as Delphi solves the mystery of not only her past, but that of other family members and town folk. Romance is in the air for Delphi during her stay, but is it the right choice? You will have to wait and see!

Once you start this book, you will not want to put it down until the last page is read. It's like looking in to the life of all the characters with no one knowing you are there. I love it when a book wraps you into the story like that!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review - Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

Synopsis:

Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.

Plus, her rent is due.

Here’s the problem: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing engagement ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who works upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

Review:

This is a quirky, cozy mystery book that will tickle your fancy and leave you wanting more! You will get a little paranormal romance with the family matchmaking business, some suspense when Lucy gets involved with a missing person case and fun filled humor throughout the book. All the characters are lovable and you are truly wanting romance to blossom...for someone!! It looks like Valetine's Inc. will be going on for a while in future books!!

I would recommend "Truly, Madly" to anyone that wants looking for a fun, cozy mystery book!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Author website: Heather Webber
Next book: Deeply, Desperately August 2010

Book Review - Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:
"My darling Michael, I know this letter will come as a shock to you…."

On the anniversary of his beloved wife's death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah had written him.

In it she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request—I want you to marry again. She tells him he shouldn't spend the years he has left grieving her. And to that end she's chosen three women she asks him to consider.

First on Hannah's list is her cousin, Winter Adams, a trained chef who owns a café on Seattle's Blossom Street. The second is Leanne Lancaster, Hannah's oncology nurse. Michael knows them both. But the third name is one he's not familiar with—Macy Roth.

Each of these three women has her own heartache, her own private grief. More than a year earlier, Winter broke off her relationship with another chef. Leanne is divorced from a man who defrauded the hospital for which she works. And Macy lacks family of her own, the family she craves, but she's a rescuer of strays, human and animal. Macy is energetic, artistic, eccentric—and couldn't be more different from Michael.

During the months that follow, he spends time with Winter, Leanne and Macy, learning more about each of them…and about himself. Learning what Hannah already knew. He's a man who needs the completeness only love can offer. And Hannah's list leads him to the woman who can help him find it.

Review:

"Hannah's List" is a fascinating story of one man's struggle to make the step forward of finding love again, while 3 women try and find their own life paths. Debbie Macomber writes an amazing story of personal loss and learning to go on with life around you. The main character, Michael, struggles to understand why his wife choose these 3 women for him to date and possibly marry. I enjoyed the differences between these 3 women and how they interacted differently with Michael. How do you know what you're type is after being with the same person for so long? As the story went along, I kept switching between the women who I thought he would end up with because he seemed to fit with all of them! The side characters were wonderful, especially Macy's neighbor, Harvey, who would be a real hoot to meet in a real life situation. I love people who just speak what is on their mind!

On a personal note, I can relate to a lot of what Michael felt and struggled with in his loss. My husband and I had conversations about the 'what if' situations while he was sick, but he didn't leave me a letter like Hannah did. Will you remarry or not? Do you want me to or not? Do I want to or not? It's a thought you really don't want to think about...at anytime. My answer keeps changing. Before he died..I said maybe..after he died...no way...and now.. 5 years after he passed?? I just take each day and see what happens.

The book is an easy read and hard to put down once you get started. It's a great story of the strength of love that can be had between two people and the hope that maybe it can happen again some day.....

Rating: 5 out of 5

Book Review - A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker

Synopsis:
Joseph can hardly believe what he has been asked to do. His Aunt Kate is waiting for him at a research station and needs help taking care of an orphaned polar bear cub only a few months old. He will leave his friends and family and venture to the farthest northern town in the United States: Barrow, Alaska.

As the adventure unfolds, Joseph and his new found Eskimo friend Ada find mysteries wherever they look. The bear cub, Delta, remains in danger. Who would want a polar bear dead? Joseph will have to look to the North Georgia woods and his family to save Delta.

When his parents were kids, they too embarked on an excursion into the unknown. Their encounters with the wilderness beyond their backyard have molded the future for Joseph and Delta. A Place for Delta is about one family’s journey--a passage born in the Appalachian mountains and leading to the Arctic.

Review:

I really looked forward to reading "A Place for Delta", since it was based in Barrow, Alaska (my uncle lived there for a while). The writing is simple and clear , though repetitive it seemed in a few places in the storyline. This may have been due to the level the book is written for, which is the pre-teen age level (9-13yrs old). I enjoyed the wilderness protection awareness the author, Melissa Walker, surrounds the story with. From Joseph learning about animal protection to the land protection from oilmen, the story mesmerizes you in the rural Alaskan landscape and lifestyle. The author keeps your interest peaked by the adventure Joseph and Ada (the local Alaskan girl Joseph befriends) have in helping solve a mystery. By using secret note taking and 'tailing' a suspect, the two of them are an important assets to tracking down the bad guys!

Now, there were adults in the book too..I don't want to leave them out. I loved how the adult parents let their children explore and find things out for themselves, by being protective, but not overprotective. My feeling is that these days parents don't get their kids outside to explore more! and go with them!!

Overall, this was an enjoyable and fun read that I would really recommend for kids and adults alike! After reading the book, it makes me want to go Alaska more than I already did!!

For more information about the book go to the website: A Place for Delta

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

New Release - Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts

On Tuesday June 15th, an amazing new novel by Cynthia Roberts was released. It is the first book in "The Iroquois Series". Here is the synopsis of the book:

"Leslie Michaels is a visionary, and only those close to her know of her special gift and the visions that come when her mind and body surrender to sleep. Fate has a way of righting many wrongs, and for Leslie it is a destiny that changes her life dramatically. But not before she is forced to flee into the wilderness to escape a murderous trapper bent on claiming her for his very own. Faith and a strong will to survive are her only companions, until she encounters Winnokin, the handsome Seneca war chief who first came to her in her dreams. Not only does he prove to be her rescuer and protector, he teaches her that tragedy can breed happiness and the passion to live and love deeply once again.

Wind Warrior plunges readers into the intimate depths of a relationship that unfolds like a live drama before their eyes while painting an insightful and intriguing portrait of Native Indian life in the 1800s. It is a story of longing, of a wanton need to survive all odds, and a love so strong it conquers human evil. Wind Warrior expresses with cunning words the simple, raw human emotions that hold readers spellbound and captivate their hearts."

I would love for you to take a look at the book trailer ... see it HERE

I'm a bit behind on my book reading...but I am really looking forward to reading this book! I love this time period and the theme that surrounds this book. So look for my review of this books....coming soon!!!!