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."

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 sons.  The 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."

Book Review: London Art Chase (Glimmer Girls)

My Review:  This adorable read is charming, sweet and as wonderful as the three little girls that grace the pages within!  What a refreshing read, a wholesome faith-filled novel for the younger crowd (and those of us young at heart!)  There is no way to pick a favorite with these 3 - each one holding her own with intelligence, creativity, cheeky!

Their mom, the popular singer Gloria Glimmer, globe trots around and the children are blessed to travel with her and their caring nanny, Miss Julia.  What I loved so much is that I have been to London and took my own 4 children with us ... it was fun to read this novel 'through the eyes of children' from the author's perspective.  The girls dot around London searching for missing art work from a London museum, trying to find all the clues and solve the mystery.  For adults, this is a quick read - and I was even able to get my 11 year old son to read it one afternoon, too.  It's engaging, fun, and entertaining!

I love that London Art Chase, penned by Natalie Grant, one of my original loves of christian music, continues to enthrall us with her work - as an author!

Disclosure :  I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this by the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

From the book Jacket:  

In London Art Chase, the first title in the new Faithgirlz Glimmer Girls series, readers meet 10-year-old twins Mia and Maddie and their adorable little sister, LuLu. All the girls are smart, sassy, and unique in their own way, each with a special little something that adds to great family adventures.

There is pure excitement in the family as the group heads to London for the first time to watch mom, famous singer Gloria Glimmer, perform. But on a day trip to the National Gallery, Maddie witnesses what she believes to be an art theft and takes her sisters and their beloved and wacky nanny Miss Julia, on a wild and crazy adventure as they follow the supposed thief to his lair. Will the Glimmer Girls save the day? And will Maddie find what makes her shine?

Book Review: Undaunted Hope

My Review:   

"I could give her a lifetime, but she'll always love you more than me."

Jody Hedlund - you write from the heart!  Undaunted Hope catapults from the first splash into the freezing waters in Eagle Harbor and dashes to the finish at the box lunches.  This refreshing love story isn't gardens and flowers and all things 'rosey' - it's a contrast with ice and winter.  Yet, just as love tends to do, there is such warmth in the pages of the blossoming relationship with Tessa Taylor and Alex Bjorklund that you almost forget it takes place in the bitter winter days.

Imagine late 1800's - an unmarried woman - shortage of wives - freezing winter months .... and a teacher who is willing to take all that on for the cause of making a difference in the lives of the coal mining children.  That's Tessa - strong, independent, faith-filled and making a teacher's career in a man's world .. and she's running from a blemished past.  Immediately after arriving at Eagle Harbor, Alex saves Tessa's life and they have immediate chemistry ~ matching wits and playfully bantering back and forth through-out the novel.  Alex lives with his brother, Michael, as lighthouse keepers and Alex helps take care of Michael's two children since his wife's passing.  Alex hasn't known marriage and parenthood, and until he meets Tessa, feels it's his fate to be a guiding light in the lives of his niece and nephew.  

There is joyful bantering between Tessa and Alex through-out this book, matching wit and bouncing one liners off of each other.  Naturally, both brothers fall for Tessa and an ensuing courting begins, pitting brother against brother until one sacrifices family above all things.  Tessa falls equally for Alex but has a hard time conveying that in a town filled with deception and hardship. The coal miners are suffering and going without while the conniving Percival (overseer of the coal mines) continues to cut costs and certainly at no expense of his own.)
I love that Jody Hedlund included the wholesomely sweet brother of Percival, in the novel, as the polar opposite who Tessa treats with respect and care. 

The connections to the lighthouse makes this book unique in that Tessa is not only running from blemishes in her past, but tragedy as well.  She witnessed her father's drowning and couldn't do much more than stand helpless on the shore.
She vowed never to set foot in a lighthouse again and yet she's drawn to Alex, Michael and her two students, Michael's children.  She has a special teacher's bond to Henry, developed after a real boy who was a bright student who left the school to work in the coal mines and ultimately fell to his death at just 13.   Just like Henry, some of the characters in this story are based on the real life accounts of people living in the town (minus the coal mines, says Hedlund).

This is my first Hedlund read, and, frankly, I'm hooked!  Even though the description states that this is book 3 in the Beacons of Hope series, I read it as a 'stand on it's own' book and it was a strong read, thoroughly enjoyable from cover to cover!

Disclaimer:  I received this book for an honest review from Bethany House,

a division of the Baker Publishing Group and was not required to write a positive review.  

Any reflection of such is my own and this review is an honest reflection of such.

From the Jacket:  
Tessa Taylor arrives in 1870s Upper Peninsula, Michigan, planning to serve as a new teacher to the town. Much to her dismay, however, she immediately learns that there was a mistake, that the town had requested a male teacher. Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since they won't be able to locate a new teacher before then, and Tessa can't help but say she is in his debt. Little does she know that Percival will indeed keep track of all that she owes him.

Determined to become indispensable, Tessa throws herself into teaching, and soon the children of the widowed lighthouse keeper have decided she's the right match for their grieving father. Their uncle and assistant light keeper, Alex Bjorklund, has his own feelings for Tessa. As the two brothers begin competing for her hand, Tessa increasingly feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her.

From the Heart Stamps - Progressive Challenge February!

Hi friends!

For some odd reason, I'm locked out (temporarily!) of my regular blog so I'm posting on my book review blog!  It IS the year of Adventure, after all! :)

This card is from the Progressive Challenge at FTHS, designed by the talented artist Faith.  What delightful images she creates!  If you play along in the challenge, you are given the next month's image for free to continue playing along, and they are all adorable.  It's like a surprise in your emails once a month :)

This is actually my 2nd card - my first one didn't sit well with me after it was done so I started all over.  I like the contrasting colors of this one much better so here it is!

Hopefully I'll be back to blogging at the regular blogspot soon - if you'd like to join me here,

or if you are an avid reader like me, then I welcome you! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

Book Review: Lots of knock-knock Jokes for Kids

Knock knock!
Who's there?
Ida!
Ida who?
Ida like to be your friend!

Haha!  This book is a riot!  I have 4 children and you'd think I've heard every possible joke there is!  But this hilarious 121 page book, chock full of over 250 jokes is was one of the best times I've had hearing the kids tell the jokes page after page. 

This book is good, clean fun. 

Lots of laughs and giggles, geared towards the younger crowd, but even my 11 year old was howling with laughter at most of these original, laugh provoking funnies!

5 well deserved stars!

Disclosure :  I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this by the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: An Amish Year

Bet Wiseman has done it again!  Such an incredibly faith-filled and wonderful author, tipping the pen to write a novel(s) that are as refreshing in faith as they are in proise!

Although I have read Beth's work previously, this novella of 4 stories contained new stories, new cast of characters that make you feel so at home - as if you knocked on their door and they invited you in to break bread and become part of their families.

While An Amish Year does contain one (possibly two?) repeat stories, this book overall has a wonderful flow as it follows Irma and Saul through their teenage years and beyond.  The surprising twist of why Irma originally breaks off her relationship with Saul is haunting and heartbreaking, but it weaves a tale to be told!  This book is faith strong and fast, heartbreak and redemption and, of course, love.

The recipe collection included in this book was an added bonus and wonderful surprise!

5 well deserved stars!

Book Jacket:

Spend a year in Amish country with four sweet romances.
Rooted in Love (previously published in An Amish Garden)
Rosemary Lantz is doing her best to run her family’s household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul Petersheim has pursued Rosemary for years, but Rosemary keeps turning him down. What Saul doesn’t know is that she has good reason—something no one can know—especially not him.
A Love for Irma Rose
The year is 1957, and young Irma Rose has a choice to make. Date the man who is “right” for her? Or give Jonas a chance, the wild and reckless suitor who refuses to take no for an answer?  Irma Rose steps onto the path she believes God has planned for her, but when she loses her footing, she is forced to rethink her choice. 
Patchwork Perfect
Eli Byler has been a widower for two years when he chooses to make a fresh start in Paradise, Pennsylvania. As Eli juggles the admiration of two women, he meets Miriam Fisher—the most unconventional Amish woman he’s ever met. She doesn’t fit the mold for what Eli is looking for, but it isn’t long before Eli realizes that Miriam is everything he wants. But Miriam has no plans to get married—ever.  Will Eli be able to change her mind?
When Christmas Comes Again (previously published in An Amish Second Christmas)
Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store.

         I thank BookLook bloggers for the chance to review this book 
                        and my review is a positive opinion expressed by me on my own accord.