Showing posts with label Janette Rallison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Janette Rallison. Show all posts

Friday, December 8, 2017

12 Days of Clean Romance - Janette Rallison

    How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison The best day of his life, the worst day of hers. Back in college, Marco Dawson never thought of Belle as anything more than a friend. If she had crossed his mind on his wedding day, it was probably only to wonder why she hadn’t shown up to be a bridesmaid. After all, his new wife was her old roommate. Seven years have passed since then, and Belle just found out that Marco is divorced and vacationing with his family in an elegant Cancun resort. She’s not about to let the right man get away twice. She heads to the resort where she plans to casually bump into Marco and ignite some romantic flames. But Belle hadn’t planned on one thing: Flynn Dawson, Marco’s handsome, charming, and determined twin brother. He thinks Marco and his ex-wife can make amends and he’s not about to let Belle stand in the way. Part Sabrina, part While You Were Sleeping, romantic comedy readers will eat this book up!    
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  Praise for How I Met Your Brother "This is a romantic comedy in one of it's finest hours." "In true Janette Rallison form, this novel does not disappoint!" "Love, love, love this book!"    
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  “Dawson,” she called in feigned surprise. “Is that you?” He looked up from the map and his blue eyes wandered over her. “Yes.” He must have liked what he saw because a smile appeared on his lips. Not a smile of recognition, just a smile of approval. She sauntered over, taking slow nonchalant steps. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember me. I haven’t changed that much, have I?” “I’m not sure,” he said. “Tell me who you are, and I’ll tell you how much you’ve changed.” His lack of recognition should have bothered her a little, but it felt like victory. Proof the mousy unnoticeable girl she’d been was gone. “Perhaps you recall a study group we were in at WSU? Or the fact that I proofread a lot of your papers? You obviously don’t remember telling me that you’d never forget me.” “Ah,” he said, with understanding. At least now he knew she wasn’t a stranger with a creative pickup line. “Perhaps you remember me introducing you to Daisy?” His eyes widened and his expression changed. She couldn’t quite read it. Was it astonishment? Disbelief? Regret? “Isabelle,” he uttered. She smiled at the way her name sounded on his lips. “I go by Belle now.” His gaze went over her a second time, stopping on her ring finger—absent of the symbols of marriage. “What a surprise. I don’t know what to say.” “Most people say something along the lines of ‘It’s good to see you.’ But I’ll settle for a belated, ‘Thanks for all those papers you helped with.’”  
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  Author Janette Rallison Janette Rallison is old. Don’t ask how old, because it isn’t polite. Let’s just say she’s older than she’d like to be and leave it at that. Janette lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as “an eccentric cat lady.” She did not do this on purpose. (The cats, that is; she had the children on purpose.) Every single one of the felines showed up on its own and refuses to leave. Not even the family’s fearless little Westie dog can drive them off. Since Janette has five children and deadlines to write books, she doesn’t have much time left over for hobbies. But since this is the internet and you can’t actually check up to see if anything on this site is true, let’s just say she enjoys dancing, scuba diving, horse back riding and long talks with Orlando Bloom. (Well, I never said he answers back.)
 
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Also by Janette Rallison

 
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Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway
Ends 12/21/17
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which spotlights books we're looking forward to reading. Typically its books that have yet to be released, but can be any book you've been wanting to read.
 
I love movies almost as much as I love book, so when I heard this fun anthology had five stories based on some of my favorite movies I just knew I had to have it.
 
by Janette Rallison, Heather Tullis, Rachelle Christensen, Cami Checketts and Lucy McConnell
Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 7, 2017
 
My Fair Lacey by Janette Rallison
Lacey Johnson has dreamed of opening a restaurant for years. All she needs is one little loan to make it happen. But with the way Lacey talks and dresses, she looks more like someone who would hold up a bank than someone who’d ever get a loan from one. When Garrett Halifax, her roommate’s Harvard-educated brother, volunteers to change her image and teach her to speak correctly, she jumps at the chance. But she quickly finds she’s in over her head. Pretending to fit in with the town’s elite is harder than she thought, and despite her best efforts, she’s falling for Garrett. Could someone who is handsome, rich, and educated ever consider her as more than just a project?
 
You’ve Got Email by Heather Tullis
Maria never expected to fall in love with a man she’d never met, but she can’t wait to get to her laptop every night to chat with Bobwhite67. She would be happy to focus on getting to know him better, but her two jobs and two sons keep her ridiculously busy. Then there’s her ex-husband’s bookie, who’s impatiently waiting for the last couple payments on his debt.

Bret can’t help but notice how hard the beautiful Maria works and the similarities she has with the Zoomama he’s been talking with online. Though he really wants to make things easier for her, Bret accidentally gets her in hot water with both of her bosses. Can he get Maria to give him a chance in the real world and not just online?
 
 The Princess Bride of Riodan by Rachelle J. Christensen
 When a mysterious man offers to help Elise redecorate the old Bed & Breakfast, she gladly hands him a wallpaper steamer. After she discovers his true identity, she doesn’t know whether to curtsy or run and hide. Unfortunately, hiding isn’t an option because her heart is already tangled up with the handsome prince. At the same time, Elise’s old crush from high school wants a relationship and she’s forced to decide whether to chase after a fairy tale ending or stay grounded in reality.
 
My Best Man’s Wedding by Cami Checketts
Jessica Mason made a vow to marry her best guy friend, Josh, when they turned thirty. When Josh calls with the news that he's coming home to Echo Ridge for his wedding, Jessica is determined to break up the happy couple and take her rightful place as his bride. Gentry Trine, a coworker, agrees to pretend to be her fiancé to stir up feelings of jealousy. However, Jessica didn't realize fake fiancés could kiss like champions, and make a girl smile nonstop. Can she figure out which is the right man for her before she loses them both?
 
While You Were Skiing by Lucy McConnell
Mia Davis’s new job in guest relations at Ruby Mountain Ski Resort gets complicated when the gorgeous Ryder Montgomery falls off the ski lift, tells everyone they are engaged, and then loses consciousness. Worried about a head injury, Mia plays along, making him lunch, kissing in the front entryway and planning a future together; a future Mia wants with all of her heart. Things become all the more complicated when Ryder’s estranged family gets involved. Caught up in the fantasy and romance, Mia has to tell the truth or risk losing a part of herself and the man she loves forever.
 
 
 
 

Thursday, February 2, 2017

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Valentine's Day Collection

Valentine's Day Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology Book 19)Valentine's Day Collection by Janette Rallison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These Timeless Romance anthologies are always fun. I like how each anthology picks a certain theme and all the stories come up with fun ways to weave that theme into their stories. They always turn out to be so unique. I was especially excited when I saw this would be a Valentine Theme, I love Valentines Day and was excited to have some fun stories with this worked in. Each was unique and I liked that the Valentine theme wasn't over done. Overall, I thought the stories were cute. I liked them all, but my favorites were probably Janette Rallison and Heather B. Moore.

If you're a fan of contemporary romance this is an anthology you don't want to miss.

Content: Clean

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Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: Son of War, Daughter of Chaos

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by A Daily Rhythm. It is open to anyone and is a fun way to get a taste of different books. The rules are simple and everyone is welcome to participate.

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. Be careful NOT to include spoilers (you don’t want to ruin the book for others.)
5. Share the title & author 6. After completing your post, return to A Daily Rhythm and add a link in their “comment” section.

My Teaser:

 
"So many things about life suddenly made sense. This was why people were willing to change their lives and get married."
 
 by Janette Rallison, Loc 1056
YA Paranormal Romance
Book One

Friday, November 11, 2016

First Line Friday: How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison


Welcome to First Line Friday! This fun meme is easy to do, simply pick up the book you're currently reading and share the very first line! There are some really good first lines out there, they grab you and suck you right into the story. Make you want to keep reading. So, my selection for this week is:
How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison
Back in college, Marco Winslow never thought of Belle as anything more than a friend. If she crossed his mind on his wedding day, it was probably only to wonder why she hadn’t shown up to be a bridesmaid. After all, his new wife had been her roommate. Six years have passed since then, and Belle just found out that Marco is divorced and vacationing with his parents in a Cancun resort. She’s not about to let the right man get away twice. She heads to the resort where she plans to casually bump into Marco and ignite some flames. But Belle hadn’t planned on one thing: Flynn Winslow, Marco’s handsome, charming, and determined older brother. Flynn thinks Marco and his ex-wife can make amends and he’s not about to let Belle stand in the way. Part Sabrina, part While You Were Sleeping, romantic comedy readers will eat this book up!

 First Line:

"Belle had never been the type who dreamed of being a runway model."
 

So, what's your pick for this week? If you want to participate grab the logo and post your own First Line Friday entry on your blog and then leave your link in the comments. If you don't have a blog, just leave the title, author and first line in the comment section below.

Friday, November 4, 2016

How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison

How I Met Your BrotherHow I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loads of fun and romance!

I really love this series! I’ve been looking forward to Janette’s book for a long time now and I loved it! I love all her books, but especially enjoy her adult novels. I was excited when I saw this was loosely based on Sabrina,I love that movie!

Belle had a major crush on her friend Marco in college and was devastated when things didn’t work out. Seven years later she is working as a fashion designer in New York, but not completely happy with where she is at. When she learns Marco is going to be in Cancun, she decides she needs a vacation. Instead of being the shy, invisible girl, she’s going to show Marco her new confident self. Maybe this time things will play out better? She doesn’t count on meeting Marco’s brother Flynn and having him mess up all her plans.

This is a fun contemporary romance, fun plot and likable characters. It’s well written with a smooth flow that just carries you into the story and makes it hard to put down. I admit, I stayed up way too late to finish it, but I just had to see how everything would work out. The romance was great, lots of fun moments, tension and misunderstandings, but ultimately a great HEA.

My only very minor niggle, I love this series and love the character of Pearl. While she is in this story, I would have liked to see her a little bit more. Other than that, I loved the whole thing.

Would definitely recommend to any romance lover!

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: None
Religious: None
Series: Standalone, but part of the Matchmaker Series

Source: Kindle Unlimited

View all my reviews

Monday, July 21, 2014

A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush by Janette Rallison

A Longtime (and at one point illegal) CrushA Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush by Janette Rallison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the day Elsie’s older brother brought his friend Kye McBride over to their house, Elsie adored him. When she was eight, she secretly blew kisses to him. When she was twelve, she sat on the stairs unnoticed and watched him escort another girl to prom. When she was a senior in high school, she walked into math class and found out he was her new math teacher.

With that much emotion fueling her, things were bound to go wrong. And they did. Elsie not only spent the last two weeks of school avoiding him, she turned avoiding-Kye-at-all-costs into her life-long philosophy.

Now three years have passed and Elsie has come home for her brother’s wedding. She’s got to face Kye-–hopefully without getting crushed again.


This is my second time reading this and I enjoyed it just as much this time around. I haven't had a lot of time to read the past couple days and a short story fit perfectly with my schedule. I thought this was a cute story about Elsie and her high school crush Kye. I thought the story was handled well, being that for part of the story Elsie is in high school and Kye is her teacher. Now days that's a tough subject to write about without being...icky. It worked here though. I would have liked to have more time with them as "grown ups" though. Overall, it was a fun escape and one I'm sure I'll pick up when I need a little diversion. Plus it has great kissing! ;)

I do have three wishes though. One, that the story had been a full-length novel. I thought this was a good intro, but it would have been great to have more time with the characters. Two, I love Ms. Rallison's books. She mostly writes YA, but I loved this New Adult novella. So my second wish would be that she would write more books in the NA genre. Third, while I do wish this had been longer, the fact that it was short actually was nice, so I'd love if she would put out more of these short stories. Maybe do a cute anthology or something.

Content: Clean.

View all my reviews

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Slayers by CJ Hill

Synopsis: Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

Review: I knew this book was going to be totally different from the author’s other published work for her to take on a pseudonym, so I was able to go into it with an open mind and not expect something like she’d written in the past. ended up enjoying this one and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

It wasn’t that long ago that the word “dragon” would totally turn me off from reading a book. Not sure why, but I had no interest in them. I think it was Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George that changed my mind. Ever since then I have really enjoyed dragon lore. CJ Hill did a great job with her dragon mythology, I thought it was believable and I enjoyed how she worked dragons into a modern day setting. I liked our main character Tori. I liked that in her world she was accomplished at everything she tried, but once she reached camp things change and she was now the bottom of the pack. I like that kind of humbling. While she is still awesome, she still has a lot of room left for improvement. I suppose you could say there is a bit of a love-triangle, but personally I didn’t feel any chemistry with either guy and I’m crossing my fingers for a third option.

I did feel that the book was a little slow, and may have suffered a bit from being the first book in a series. I don’t mind reading trilogies, but like when each book in a series could almost stand on its own. I think the only reason I liked this one so much was because I knew there would be more to come. If it was a standalone book I wouldn’t have enjoyed it nearly as much.

Overall, I did really like it. I don’t think there is anything this author could write that I would not love.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

GoodReads Synopsis: Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn't exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief 's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control.

Kathy’s Review: I really loved this book! It reminded me why Rallison is one of my favorite authors. I was sad when it ended, although it did end with a hint that there might be another book in the series (I sure hope so!). This story follows Tansy and Hudson as they try and figure out how to make the best of Tansy’s three wishes. Tansy was of course a likable character. She kind of has a chip on her shoulder when the story begins, but with a little help from her fair godmother, Chrissy, she learns some valuable lessons. The story was a lot of fun, it sucks you in and I had a hard time putting the book down. Hudson was easy to like, he has good values, works hard, and cares about those around him. Oh and he’s a hottie. The end had me tear up, and even Hudson learned some interesting things about himself. This is the second book in the series, you could read it on its own, but I’d recommend reading My Fair Godmother first. In fact I would recommend all of Rallison’s books, there great!

Genre: YA Fantasy – Fairytale
Publication Date: April 2011
One Word Review: Charming
Author Website: www.janetterallison.com
Bookworm Rating: 5, G

Reading Order:
Book One: My Fair Godmother
Book Two: My Unfair Godmother
Book Three:

Thursday, July 15, 2010

My Double Life by Janette Rallison

Genre: Teen Lit

Publication Date: May 2010

One Word Review: Fun

Author Website: www.janetterallison.com


GoodReads Synopsis
: Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia’s photo filters through the Internet, she’s offered a job to be Kari’s double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia’s mother has always warned her against celebrities. Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

Kathy’s Review: Janette Rallison is one of my favorite authors, I love all her books and this was no exception. I knew this was a retelling of Charles Dickens book the Prince and the Pauper (which I have never read), I love retellings and thought the modern setting seemed like a lot of fun. Alexia was a great leading lady. I enjoyed her personality and it was fun to read about her experiences. There is a love interest in the story, it does play a big role, but to me not as much as some of her other books. It seemed like this one was more about Alexia discovering just who she is and her place in the world. The book moved along quickly and it was a great escape. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes reading good books.

Bookworm Rating: 4

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week’s waiting on Wednesday is:

My Double Life
By Janette Rallison
Release Date: May 13, 2010

Synopsis: Her whole life, Alexia Garcia has been told that she looks just like pop star Kari Kingsley, and one day when Alexia’s photo filters through the Internet, she’s offered a job to be Kari’s double. This would seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but Alexia’s mother has always warned her against celebrities. Rebelliously, Alexia flies off to L.A. and gets immersed in a celebrity life. Not only does she have to get used to getting anything she wants, she romances the hottest lead singer on the charts, and finds out that her own father is a singing legend. Through it all, Alexia must stay true to herself, which is hard to do when you are pretending to be somebody else!

Why I’m Waiting: I love ALL of Rallisons books and I can’t wait to get my hands on this newest one. She always comes up with interesting storylines and lovable characters. I heard this was a retelling of Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, I love retellings and I think Rallison will do a great job!


Thursday, December 10, 2009

Trial of the Heart by Sierra St. James

Genre: Fiction

Publication Date: March 1999

Author's Website: http://www.janetterallison.com/

One Word Review: Enjoyable

First Line: “It was desperation that drove Jamie Young to take a cleaning job with Ms. Hannah’s Helpers.”

Synopsis: Twenty-one year old, Jamie cleans houses to help pay for college. Her first job is working for “cantankerous” Mrs. Walden, who is impossible to please. Despite this, Jamie decides to befriend the old lady in hopes to getting to know her better. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you talk to), Mrs. Walden passes away leaving a substantial inheritance to Jamie. Jamie soon finds herself in quite the legal battle, while at the same time falling for Mrs. Walden’s handsome grandson Clay Bennett.

Kathy’s Review: I could be wrong, but I think this was Janette Rallison’s first published book. I’ve been trying to track down copies of all her books written under the pen-name of Sierra St. James, I have one left to go (Time Riders).

I really enjoyed Trial of the Heart. Like all her other novels, it has an original storyline, lovable characters, witty dialog and memorable moments. This book went by rather fast; I wish it could have been a hundred pages longer so we could really develop the characters and the story. Because of its length I felt like some things weren’t developed as much as they could have been. Jamie is LDS and Clay is not, this added an interesting aspect to the relationship, I was a little worried where this was going to go because I know how difficult relationships can be when partners are from different religions. One thing that was left out in all their religious talks was the morality issue. Since they were dating for so long and coming from such different backgrounds I thought that would have been a main issue facing them, as much as going to church or drinking. But, I realize that’s not really what the book was about.

I really enjoyed the story, as always it was lighthearted and fun. I love Rallison’s books, they’re always a pleasure to read and I’m always sad when they’re over.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Masquerade by Sierra St. James

Genre: Fiction

Publication Date: June 2001

One Word Review: Enjoyable

First Line: “…and they lived happily ever after.”


Synopsis: “Meet Clarissa, a young, divorced mother in desperate need of a job to support herself and her little girl. Bring in Slade, a handsome Hollywood star, also divorced and in desperate need of a nanny for Bella, his four-year-old whirlwind of a daughter. Throw them together in Hawaii and the scene would be set for the perfect romance – except that Clarissa had to pretend to be married to get the job in the first place, and now she doesn't dare tell Slade other-wise.” -GoodReads


Kathy’s Review: Just one more amazing book by Janette Rallison (Sierra St. James)! I started this book last night with the intention of only reading a couple chapters….so of course I ended up staying up way past my bedtime reading the entire book! I just couldn’t put it down. Clarissa and Slade have great chemistry and Rallison really writes wonderful dialogue between the two. I’m not sure how she keeps coming up with awkward and embarrassing moments, but she does. Clarissa has more than her fair share, but they really are endearing moments and make you like her all the more. I thought the storyline was pretty original and it was fun seeing a glimpse into the Hollywood lifestyle. I was sad when the book ended, I would love to have had a few more chapters but was of course happy with how things ended up. Great book!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What the Doctor Ordered by Sierra St. James (aka Janette Rallison)

Genre: Fiction

Author Website: www.janette-rallison.blogspot.com

One Word Review: Entertaining

First Line: “The topic of conversation at the Baxters’ dinner table was insanity.”

Synopsis: “They've never been out on a date. They can barely speak a civil word to each other when they find themselves in the same room. But Aunt Bertie, who is not crazy, just -eccentric- knows that John and Ellie belong together, and she's doing all she can to further their cause. When Ellie comes to Colton Idaho, to spend the summer with Aunt Bertie and prove to her parents that her aunt doesn't belong in an assisted-care facility, the confusion begins. Bertie's determination to marry Ellie off to Dr. John Flynn leads to a hilarious string of miscommunications in this delightful romantic comedy.” -GoodReads

Kathy’s Review: I believe that Janette Rallison is the queen of writing romantic comedies. I just love all her books and I was so excited when I found out last week that she had originally written four books under the pen-name Sierra St. James. Thank goodness for Amazon Marketplace where I am able to order used editions of these books. I received What the Doctor Ordered yesterday and only stopped reading when I had to attend class, and then quickly started when I got home and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it.

This book was a little unique from the other Rallison books that I have read. Instead of being teenagers the main characters were actually adults. This was a pleasant change and I felt like I was really able to relate to Ellie. I really enjoyed Ellie’s character; she is witty, kind and just has a great personality. I liked John as well. This was another unique aspect of the book; we were able to hear things from both Ellie and John’s perspective. This was a great way to get to know John and his motives. I thought they had good chemistry together and this was definitely a fun read. I also loved Bertie; she is so creative and I thought she really added a lot to the story.

So, I obviously really enjoyed this book, however there were two things that in the “real world” I wouldn’t like. First, Ellie is 21 and John is 33. The 12 year age difference is a little too long for me (I know age doesn’t matter, but it’s still quite the gap). And second, the whole story took place in about a two week time frame, if you’re dating and getting engaged in two weeks you’re moving way too fast. People should date for at least a year, IMHO. Still a great book and I totally would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy.

Sierra St. James Books:
Trial of the Heart
Masquerade
Time Riders
What the Doctor Ordered

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Deep Blue Eyes by Janette Rallison

Genre: YA Fiction

Author Website: www.janetterallison.com

One Word Review: Good

First Line: “I got up at 4:30 in the morning to see Anjie off.”

Synopsis: “When a rebellious teenage girl and her good-looking brother move into the neighborhood, Holly discovers that turning sixteen brings as many problems as it does privileges.” -GoodReads

Kathy’s Review: I could be wrong, but I think this was Rallison’s first published book. The main character Holly is an active LDS girl who is very excited to turn sixteen so she can start dating, driving and is just another step closer to attending college at BYU. When a new girl moves into her neighborhood she is excited to make a new friend. Although they are both LDS, Emma is not active and leads a very different lifestyle than Holly. It was really a nice story about friendship, forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. I enjoyed Holly’s character and that she was a good friend to Emma when everyone else wanted to forget her. It’s a good example of being someone’s friend and still holding to your own values. The romance in the story was nice, although pretty subtle. Overall a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon read. If you enjoy Rallison’s other novels then you will probably enjoy this as well.

Cover Comments: I'm not a fan of the cover or the title. Neither reflect the story, in my opinion. So, don't let the cover turn you off, it really is a good book.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Genre: YA-Fiction

Author Site: www.janetterallison.com

First Line: “I would have expected to see this sort of line if, say, Elvis had retruned from the dead to give a concert.”

One Word Review: Fantastic

Summary: “Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it’s all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery. But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?” -GoodReads

My Review: Wow! This book was fantastic and it may be my favorite Rallison novel (it’s a tie between this and My Fair Godmother). Our main character Annika (not a huge fan of the name) is full of spunk, determination and a huge heart. Ever since she found out her little brother was diagnosed with cancer she hasn’t been the same. Her new goal in life is to do whatever she can to help him get better. When I read what this story was going to be about I was a little nervous. I don’t usually like to read sad books, there is enough sadness in the real world, and I don’t always like to read about it as well. Anyway, although I cried during this book (a few times), I also laughed a lot, sometimes on the same page. My husband thought I was crazy! Rallison was able to mix in laughter, sadness, romance and adventure all in one book. I loved our hero Steve Raleigh, and the chemistry that he and Annika shared was really special. I think everyone would enjoy this book; it was one I had a hard time putting down.

My Fair Godmother was my first Rallison novel. As soon as I finished that, and loved it, I went to my library and checked out all the Rallison novels that I could (I think I got most of them). Now I’ve read …. Of her books and I am officially a fan. Rallison has an amazing ability to write humor, romance, and of course awkward moments. I love her books and would recommend them to anyone, you don’t have to be a YA to enjoy her stories.

Other Reviews:

Always Something to Read
Becky’s Book Reviews

The Hiding Spot

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Fame, Glory, and Other Things On My To Do List by Janette Rallison

Genre: YA-Fiction

Author Site: www.janetterallison.com

First Line: “In my opinion, children ought to be able to chose their own names.”

One Word Review: Entertaining

Summary: “Sixteen year-old Jessica dreams of Hollywood fame, and when Jordan moves into her small town, she dreams of him too. He’s a movie star’s son, and hey, he’s gorgeous to boot. Jordan has always wanted to get out from the shadow cast by his superstar father, but now that he and his mother have moved so far away from LA, how can he get his divorced parents back together? Jessica convinces Jordan the way to get his father to come for a long visit is to be a part of the school play. And if she’s “discovered” in the process, all the better. Things go wrong when she lets Jordan’s secret identity slip, and grow even more disastrous when the principal tries to change West Side Story into a gangfree, violence-free, politically correct production.” -GoodReads

My Review: So, the first chapter was probably the funniest I’ve read in a long time. Rallison is the queen of coming up with and writing awkward situations. She probably topped the first chapter with the second to last chapter, in which I was literally laughing out loud. This was a fun story, I’m not much of a “drama” person, but I really enjoyed this setting. Jordan is a great lead, but he was absent for a good chunk of the story. It would be fun to have a two-person point of view for one of her books. Anyway, Jessica was a fun lead; I really liked her character and thought she had a fun, witty personality. Her and Jordan were fun together and had good chemistry. I really enjoyed this book and would totally recommend it!

All's Fair in Love, War and High School by Janette Rallison

Genre: YA-Fiction

Author Site: www.janetterallison.com

First Line: “The problem with getting bad news is you hardly ever get to go home and cry, or sulk, or rip things up, like you’d like to.”

One Word Review: Entertaining

Summary: “When your chance for getting into college and your date for the prom are all on the line…Sixteen-year-old Samantha Taylor is used to having things go her way. She’s head cheerleader and has all the right friends and a steady stream of boyfriends. But when she tanks the SATs, her automatic assumptions about going to college don’t appear to be so automatic anymore. She determines that her only hope for college admission is to win the election for student body president. Unfortunately, with her razor wit and acid tongue she’s better suited to dishing out insults than winning votes. When she brashly bets her classmate Logan that she can go two weeks without uttering a single insult, Samantha immediately realizes that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. And when her current boyfriend dumps her, less than three weeks before the prom, it couldn’t be a worse time to be forced to keep her opinions to herself. Finding a new boyfriend will be a challenge now that Logan shadows her every move, hoping to catch her slipping back into her old ways. Samantha is determined to win the election and find a dream date for the prom, no matter what it takes. After all . . . all’s fair in love and war (and high school!).” -GoodReads

My Review: This was another fun high school story. Samantha really goes through a nice transformation in the book. She starts out as your stereotypical cheerleader, over critical of people and transforms into a nice caring girl. I thought the bet between her and Logan was fun, and how he decided he needed to spend a lot of extra time around her to make sure she didn’t slip up. Another fun Rallison novel, she has a knack for writing believable teenagers and their high school experiences.

Revenge of the Cheerleaders by Janette Rallison

Genre: YA-Fiction

Author Site: www.janetterallison.com

First Line: “My wings and halo were too large.”

One Word Review: Entertaining

Summary: “Chelsea’s school year has taken a turn for the worse. After being dumped by her boyfriend and humiliated at the pep assembly by her younger sister’s boyfriend, Rick, she’s just concentrating on avoiding any other major embarrassments. That’s when Rick and his band debut their new album, complete with a whole set of songs bashing cheerleaders. Chelsea’s humiliation has reached a whole new level now that everyone is walking down the halls singing the words to “Dangerously Blonde.” It’s time to make Rick pay. All he wants is to win the High School Idol audition, so he can be on his way to rock star fame and fortune. But with the help of her best friends, Aubrie and Samantha, Chelsea is going to steal his victory right out from under him.” -GoodReads

My Review: Okay, can you tell my shipment of Rallison novels came in at my library? Before I write my review I should mention that this is actually a companion novel to “All’s Fair in Love, War, and High School.” I actually didn’t realize this until I had finished the book (even though it clearly says it on the cover). I don’t think you have to read them in order though; I was able to follow along and thought it was a good stand-alone novel. I just found out that AFILWAHS features Samantha, which I’m excited about because I really liked her in this book.

Anyway, back to Revenge of the Cheerleaders. This was again a fun book. For some reason “fun” always comes to mind when I’m reading a Rallison book. She writes good clean stories with lots of humor and heart. There is enough depth to them to keep me entertained, and plenty of funny romantic misunderstandings. Chelsea appears to have everything going for her. She’s pretty, popular and a cheerleader. Under all of that though she’s just like the rest of us, with self doubts, getting dumped and making mistakes. I really liked her character and enjoyed reading her story. I enjoyed the relationship between Chelsea and her sister Adrian, and in a way the story is more about their relationship than anything else. A cute story, with a fun lesson and a little romance thrown in the mix.

It's a Mall World After All by Janette Rallison

Genre: YA-Fiction

Author Site: www.janetterallison.com

First Line: “I’ve heard stories about supermodels that were discovered while shopping at the mall.”

One Word Review: Entertaining

Summary: “It’s too bad they don’t give out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, because I could graduate with honors in that subject. No really. Since I’ve worked there, I’ve become an expert on all things shopping-related. For example, I can tell you right off who to distrust at the mall: 1) Skinny people who work at Cinnabon. I mean, if they’re not eating the stuff they sell, how good can it be? 2) The salesladies at department store makeup counters. No matter what they tell you, buying all that lip gloss will not make you look like the pouty models in the store posters. 3) And most importantly—my best friend’s boyfriend, Bryant, who showed up at the food court with a mysterious blonde draped on his arm. Yeah, I saw it, and yeah, I told my best friend all about it. You would think this would mean trouble for Bryant, but you would basically be wrong. Somehow, the evil boyfriend turned everything around, and now I’m the one who has to prove myself! But I will. Even if Bryant—and more importantly his best friend, Colton—keep trying to stop me.” -GoodReads

My Review: So, this is my third Rallison novel and I’m quickly becoming a fan. She writes fun, original stories that keep you entertained throughout the book. I like the jokes she mixes in and I find myself smiling a lot while I’m reading. The romance between her characters is always fun and she writes leading men very well. I loved Colton! He totally frustrated me at times, but he was a great lead. Charlotte on the other hand wasn’t my favorite. I guess since I just read about Giovanna (How to take the Ex out of Ex-Boyfriend) who was so sweet and likable, I was expecting Charlotte to be the same way. Charlotte really did have a chip on her shoulder and really knows how to hold a grudge. She is really passionate about what she believes in and doesn’t always go about things in the best manner. Charlotte did grow on me and by the end I was a fan. This was a fun read, would recommend it to anyone who enjoys teen-lit.