Monday, February 29, 2016

Monthly Round-up

February was kind of an off month for me, I didn't get as much reading in as I had planned. With the kids all getting sick and well as myself, it didn't leave a lot of spare time. I was able to read some amazing books though. I also made some personal reading goals and came up with a new system to keep track of the books I'm reading, books for review and for my blog. It was a good month overall. So, here are the fun books I read this month as well as my favorite pick of the month.




Favorite of the Month:

So, what books did you read in February?

Friday, February 26, 2016

First Line Friday

http://www.bookwormnation.blogspot.com

So, I've been doing book reviews for quite a long time now and thought it'd be fun to start my own meme. "First Line Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Bookworm Nation. This week's First Line Friday selection is:
 
 Write Me Home by Crystal Walton
Returning to his hometown in the Catskills is the last thing firefighter Ethan DeLuca’s ready for. He’d rather leave memories where they belong—buried under ashes. But if he doesn’t step up to take care of Nonna, who will? Working at the camp down the road seems like the perfect solution. Until his feisty redheaded boss ends up being one fire he has no idea how to put out.

Cassidy McAdams is on a mission. Get the camp Grandpa left her ready to sell, turn enough profit to bail Mom’s business out of foreclosure, and hightail it back to her life in New York City. With unexpected complications mounting, she can’t afford any distractions. Especially a ridiculously charming one who’s eager to rescue her at every turn.
 
FIRST LINE:
"Of all the places to spend one of the last weekends of his senior year, Ethan DeLuca had to be here."

Hmmm, has me intrigued! I'm looking forward to reading this one, the cover is gorgeous and I've heard great things so far! 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 below. If you don't have a blog, just leave the title, author and first line in the comment section below. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Falling Like Snowflakes by DeniseHunter

Falling Like Snowflakes (Summer Harbor #1)Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Is Summer Harbor a real place? If so, I totally need to visit there!

Eden and her son Micah are on the run when their car breaks down near Summer Harbor, with no other choice they're forced to stay. Desperate to get some money, Eden searches all over town to find a job and finally ends up at the Callahan Christmas tree farm. Beau Callahan is used to taking care of his family, especially after loosing both their parents. He runs the family business and has recently started dating his brother's best friend Paige. Even though things should be going well, things feel off with Paige and he hasn't been getting along too well with his brother. *a little dense* He is not expecting Eden or her young son to show up and shake up his world.

I thought this was a fun plot, I always enjoy these type stories for some reason. I liked Eden and enjoyed seeing her character grow throughout the story. I loved little Micah, I have a son his age and it was easy to feel Eden's protectiveness and love for her son. Beau was great, a little dense at time (in concerns to Paige), but a good guy. Really patient and sweet, especially once he really falls for Eden. Great chemistry and I liked how things worked out. I enjoyed the ending quite a bit, how it doesn't just wrap up when you expect it to, but we're able to get some nice closure and answers to everything.

Overall, I thought this was a great escape. I was lucky to be able to read most of it in one sitting which really allowed me to get lost in the story and characters. I love Summer Harbor and I'm so glad we get to return there and see Zac and Riley eventually get their HEA. Can't wait for their books.

Content
Romance: Clean, just kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild. Some fighting, talk of murders, attempted kidnapping. Eden came from an abusive relationship- more emotional, but some physical
Religious: Very mild, felt true to characters and not preachy

Source: Review copy

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Sunday, February 7, 2016

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend, #1)Legend by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

I've been in a dystopian kind of mood lately and realized I never finished this series. I enjoyed this book the first time around, but hate waiting for the next book to come out, so instead decided to just wait for the whole series to be done before finishing. And of course, it's taken me awhile to get back to it. I wish series were released closer together, a year between books usually makes me loose interest. Luckily, that wasn't the case here.

I enjoyed this one just as much the second time around. It'd been a few years since I've read it so it was almost like reading it for the first time, I had forgotten a bit. I may have liked it more this time actually. I enjoyed Ms. Lu's take on her dystopian world, how it takes place in America in the distant future, still using familiar landmarks and places. Makes it seems more believable. But, mostly I really liked June and Day. They are great characters and I really enjoyed that the story was told from both their perspectives. I liked both their stories, learning about their backgrounds and how they've gotten to where they are and how their world gets shaken up when their paths cross. I enjoyed their relationship, the tension and swoony moments. I thought the story moved along nicely, not overly slow like some dystopian books I've read. It had a nice amount of action mixed in.

I've heard this is being made into a movie and I think it'd be really fun to see it on the big screen! I'm glad the series is complete and I can read the next book right away! A fun read!

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: Mild, a few "d"
Violence: Mild, nothing overly descriptive, some fighting and death




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Friday, February 5, 2016

The Express Rider's Lady by Stacy Henrie

The Express Rider's LadyThe Express Rider's Lady by Stacy Henrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

This has been nominated for a 2016 Swoony Award. Share the love and vote for it here.

I thought this was a charming western romance. Delsie is determined to get to her sister's wedding, only problem is she's in California and only has two weeks to get there. With little options for her, she decides the best way to get there is higher and Express Rider and ride like the wind!

Myles Patton has been burned by women before and when Delsie shows up pleading for an escort to California, he doesn't want anything to do with her. When she offers him an outrageous some of money to get her there he simply can't refuse. Thinking she'll bail out after one day, he is surprised when she takes on challenges head-on and never gives up. Slowly his apprehension turns to admiration. I really enjoyed Delsie and Myles, I love a relationship that develops naturally and isn't instalove. They have to learn to trust one another and through their experiences they really become to depend on one another. It's really a sweet romance.

I also enjoyed the setting and learning more about express riders. Overall, I thought this was a fun read. The story was well developed and paced well. The characters were likable and easy to root for, a nice sweet romance and easy to recommend.

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Religious: Moderate

Source: Review copy

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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

His Personal Relationship Manager by Jennifer Peel

His Personal Relationship ManagerHis Personal Relationship Manager by Jennifer Peel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Totally cute!

I thought this was a fun read, fun plot and likable characters. Kenadie was jilted on her wedding day, at the alter. Pretty much the worst way possible and she's still not quite over it. Even though she ended up dodging a bullet, the controlling and abusive fiancé did his damage and Kenadie thinks its better to just stay away from men. With the exception of her best friend Zander. The two have been close for forever and do everything together. Zander is worried about Kenadie and wants to help her move past her pain.

This was a fun read. Kenadie's dating service sounded like a good idea, I like that it was way more personalized than online dating sites. Kenadie was a likable character, I feel bad that she was hurt and that she held on to it for so long. I liked Zander, I had an idea of what was going on with him and I'm glad it looks like he'll be getting his own book. Jason was great, just an all-around nice guy. He and Kenadie were cute together and I liked seeing their relationship evolve. Overall, a fun contemporary romance!

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: None
Religious: None, characters attend church, non-denominational and no preaching

Source: Review copy


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Monday, February 1, 2016

Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson

Not Always Happenstance (Power of the Matchmaker)Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved it!

Whenever a new book of Rachael's comes out I have to drop everything and read it right away. Her books just click with me, I love the unique settings and storylines. The characters are always so real and I love the romance! She's great at writing witty dialog and building up the chemistry. I also love that each of her books takes place somewhere new, I love learning about new places through her books. This one happens to take place in Hawaii, I'm crossing my fingers I can go there for our next duty station (hubby is in the military) and after reading this book it made me want to go there even more!

Lani was a great character, she gave up everything to move to Hawaii to help a grandmother she barely knew with her Bed & Breakfast. She quickly fell in love with her grandmother and Hawaii. What started out as a temporary visit, turned into five years. I loved how Lani was with people, very caring and fun. I loved her directness and how she expects more from people. She was an easy character to like and root for. You want to see her find her happily ever after.

I wasn't sure about Easton at first, he seemed a bit of a player. I guess his lifestyle made it seem more that way, he never let himself get too attached to the people or places he visited. He was not expecting Lani and it was fun to see his orderly life get shaken up a bit. It's easy to fall for his charm and easygoing personality. I loved his kindness and willingness to jump in and help without hesitation.

I wasn't quite sure how things would play out with these two, both come from different backgrounds and had different life goals. I like stories like this were a couple learns to compromise and that doesn't mean you have to give up who you are, just make yourself open to other possibilities, better ones when you're with the one you love. I love the messages throughout and the supporting characters, Pearl and Puna.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one! A great escape and like always a lovely story that drew me in and wouldn't let go until the very end. Highly recommend!

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: None
Religious: None
Read again: ABSOLUTELY!

*I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I'll be buying a hardcopy for my collection!

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