Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Book Review: Just A Kiss

Just a kiss
by: Denise Hunter




Book Description:  Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.
Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.
But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.
Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.
As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

My review: "Improve.  Adapt.  Overcome."  Words of solidity, strength, courage - words that Riley has beaten into himself as he struggles to live the life now his and the memories of what used to be.  These three powerful words resonate through the depth of this book. I am passionately interested in books that have love stories entwined with scripture quotes and faith based themes!

Riley Callahan just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to winning the girl of his dream, Paige.  Paige Warren is dating his brother and it's tearing him apart, so after his father's death he abruptly leaves for the Marines.  While there, he is injured and sent home to recover, mentally, physically, spiritually.  Paige is struggling to keep her dog rescue shelter open and suggests Riley stay with her while he continues to heal, as they are best friends.  Or so she thinks!  She soon realizes that not only do her feelings run deeper than just 'best friend status', but they overcome obstacles together - from Riley forgetting the faucet and flooding the rescue shelter to Paige needing Riley to be one of the 12 men at the bachelor auction.  

I loved the complicated relationship that Paige and Riley share and conquer.  The author does a good job of showing profound emotion through her writing.  At times I wanted to shake the book and make Riley wake up and see the love Paige was offering him!  I can also understand how Riley's amputated leg could make him feel like he is less of a man and wasn't enough to offer Paige.  She's suffered enough and the loss was already weighing heavy on her heart.  The mix of the rest of the supporting cast like cantankerous Miss Trudy and her strife with Sheriff Colton, and Lucy and brothers Beau and Zac just really gave this novel a well rounded homespun, family feel.

"Help her, God.  Remind her that she's loved."

Indeed, with the blessings of His grace in our lives, we are always loved.  The friendship blossoming into romance for Paige and Riley is a wonderful reminder that indeed, we are!

4/5 stars


Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Program, in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



Sunday, October 16, 2016

Book Review: There will be Stars



There will be Stars
by:  Billy Coffey







Book Description:  No one in Mattingly ever believed Bobby Barnes would live to see old age. Drink would either rot Bobby from the inside out or dull his senses just enough to send his truck off the mountain on one of his nightly rides. Although Bobby believes such an end possible—and even likely—it doesn’t stop him from taking his twin sons Matthew and Mark into the mountains one Saturday night. A sharp curve, blinding headlights, metal on metal, his sons’ screams. Bobby’s final thought as he sinks into blackness is a curious one—There will be stars.

Yet it is not death that greets him beyond the veil. Instead, he returns to the day he has just lived and finds he is not alone in this strange new world. Six others are trapped with him.

Bobby soon discovers that this supposed place of peace is actually a place of secrets and hidden dangers. Along with three others, he seeks to escape, even as the world around him begins to crumble. The escape will lead some to greater life, others to endless death . . . and Bobby Barnes to understand the deepest nature of love.

My rewiew:    There Will Be Stars is a refreshing read, both captivating and thought provoking.  In my humble opinion, this interesting book reads like a cross between The Shack (the book) and Groundhog Day (the movie) with many turns along the way giving it a real meat and potatoes kind of feel to it.

And speaking of turn, that's exactly what Bobby Barnes calls the continual loop replaying the events happening in his life, The Turn. He replays the events in his life and his twin sonsThe wonderful cast of characters almost feels like you are watching a broadway production of a show - from costume changes to accents in the languages. In addition, the book centers on the 6 other supporting cast members as well, each facing roadblocks or turmoil in their lives.    Super well written.  I thoroughly enjoyed making a mental image in my head of which actors would play each part - I was that spellbound.

This book definitely is one that makes you think! After reading this book, I'm curious as to the author's sense of writing and his depth of making it come to life so well.  I wouldn't call it a page turner or rivesting, and it does lag in parts - but stick with it.  It's worth the end.

4/5 stars for me.

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of the BookLook Blogger Review Program, in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."