tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19355197011669105352023-11-16T02:18:34.359-05:00Through the Red DoorJordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-79549146597650565312013-06-30T17:35:00.001-04:002013-06-30T17:42:20.704-04:00Secretly Smitten<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been crazy busy moving across town...that's my excuse this time. I'll make up for it in quantity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If anyone out there cares.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyone? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyone?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Buellar? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay. Here's the next review for whoever is or isn't reading it. I'm going with the same discussion-question format that I did for the first Smitten book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Authors: </b>Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Pages: </b>377</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Preview: </b> There's a secret in Grandma Rose's attic - a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutches was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The mystery intrigues Rose's three granddaughters - Tess, Clare, and Zoe - and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>1. What heroine did you most relate to: Tess, Zoe, Anna or Clare? Why?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At first, I could totally relate to Tess's insecurity about her looks and being convinced an attractive man couldn't be interested in you. I found Zoe annoying, honestly. In the last Smitten book, she was portrayed as the gossipy type that you had to be careful around. It made it difficult for me to care about her or her story. It wasn't bad, but it was my least favorite. I liked Anna's story, and I thought she was a likable character. However, I found that Clare and I were the closest match. We're both cautious creatures of habit and routine. But on the inside, when someone cares enough to get past the (insert dull/cold/boring adjective here) exterior, they find a caring heart with beautiful dreams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. We women can be so insecure. We wish we were thinner, blonder and prettier. Instead of focusing on what you<i> don't</i> like about yourself, what <i>do</i> you like?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It speaks to that insecurity that this question makes me uncomfortable. Hmm. Physically, I'll be honest and say there's not much I love. I wish that were different, but it's not. It won't fix itself overnight either. Working on the inner and outer process of loving me. Anyway, if I had to choose, I would say my eyes. People are always complimenting my long, dark lashes and I must say I don't mind them. ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inwardly is easier. I'm a compassionate, empathetic person. I root for the underdog and I truly want to take care of people at their lowest. I also love my love for books and words. <3 font=""><!--3--></3></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Tess mothered her sisters and everyone else but left little time for herself. Wt one thing can you start doing for yourself today? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I could totally relate to Tess on that level. Being the oldest sister, I tend to mother/smother my younger sisters. I have also been told that I leave little room for myself sometimes, because I think of other people. From my perspective, I still see plenty of selfishness, and I feel like I do so much for only myself at home, the least I can do is focus on others when I'm with them. Anyway, that's not the point. What can I do for me? I can...forget perfection. Easier said that done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Have you ever had anyone in your life who was a manipulator like Ryan's sister-in-law? How did you handle that person? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had to distance myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Zoe didn't want to go to college, though everyone else wanted it for her. Have you ever gone against the grain because you knew something wasn't right for you? Was it the right decision? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am fortunate to have a family that is supportive either way, but for a long time I balked at the idea of college because it was what society expected. However, it wasn't because I was trying to be my own person and make my own path. It was because I was scared of failing. It was the easier route. Thankfully, God started to lead me toward college and showed me where to go and what to do, and now I couldn't be more excited for the challenge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>6. William carried a sea turtle with him to remind him that home is where you make it. Have you ever carried something special to remind you of something? Do you think William really wanted a place to call home and not just a reminder of it? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I used to wear a purity ring to remind me to love my future husband in my choices and my life and heart though I still haven't met him. Unfortunately, the ring broke, but it's just a ring, not the promise. I think William definitely wanted the real thing rather than the reminder. I want the real husband more than I want a replacement ring. But it's a good concept to have visual reminders that God's timing is better than your own, and you can make the best of what you've been given right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>7. William is a born worrier. Zoe takes life as it comes. Do you have a friend in your life who complements your weakness? How so? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Absolutely! My best friend is my complete and total opposite. We have virtually nothing in common, to the point that it doesn't really make sense that we are even friends. I'm thankful that we met at a time in our lives when they wouldn't matter. I am the worrier. She is the free spirit. Sometimes she completely stresses me out, but other times she teaches me to laugh and live. I teach her to chill. At least I try. ;) We help each other change and grow by being ourselves and loving the other where they are. She's the best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>8. Betrayal in Anna Thomas's life created a fear in her of trusting others. She finally had to let that go and trust God, the only One who never fails. Have you ever struggled with that? If so, what did you do about it? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think every person ever had struggled with that. People are fallible, and that's all we can see, so it's all too easy to doubt that God will come through on his promises. At least for me. What I can't see is unpredictable and scary. I find it hard to trust. I question too much. I worry. I freak out. I need to be reminded that God won't fail me. I'm thankful He doesn't tire of showing me that He loves me and nothing I can do will change that. He's not going anywhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>9. Michael let his life get out of balance with his job eating up much of his family time. That created relationship problems between him and his son. What are some ways we can keep life in balance? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't know, honestly. I don't have a lot to balance at the moment and things are still out of balance. I spend too much time on meaningless things. Maybe it takes a strong reminder. Maybe it takes just choosing and changing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>10. Anne didn't like confrontation for any reason. Sometimes in life, however, there is no avoiding it. When you're being confronted or you're the one doing the confronting, how do you handle it? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh my gosh, that is so me. I hate rocking the boat. I hate even the possibility of hurting feelings. However, I am learning that being a Christian and a nice person doesn't mean you're a doormat. It's not a fun lesson and I'm not sure how well I'm handling it yet. Eek. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>11. When Ethan confronted Clare about her fear of change, she rejected the truth and became defensive, making a decision she soon regretted. Share a time when you've found yourself in a similar situation.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I, like Clare, am not a fan of change. I'm not impulsive either, so when someone has said that to me, I probably just pouted. I may have said things I regretted. That's about all the choice I have in my actions at this point - my words. It's a big choice though, and can have the biggest effect, because it can tear down relationships. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>12. Clare discovered that dreams without a plan of action get you nowhere. Is there a dream you've had on the back burner for too long? Is it time for you to make a plan of action? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I actually kind of have the opposite problem. I have dreams and plans, and I feel stuck while I'm trying to pursue them. Circumstances pop up and block my path. It's frustrating, and I need to trust God in the down time. It's so hard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>13. After losing Ethan, Clare realized that "sometimes taking no risk is the biggest risk of all." Have you discovered this to be true in your own life? Share a time when you avoided a risk only to realize it was a mistake? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That would be a big, fat yes. I have found that I feel most like I am truly living when I take a risk. It's not worth it if there's nothing to lose. That's too easy. I wish I would remember that when I'm afraid to jump. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Random fun facts: </b>I'm pretty sure a few of the writers in these Smitten novellas are fans of the show LOST. There was a Sawyer marrying a Kate in the first book (Ew. Being a diehard Jack/Kate shipper, that was kind of annoying to read. Haha.), and an Ethan and a Clare in this one. Not that I can blame them...my family and I are finishing the 3rd season tonight </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a typo in this one. It said "finace" instead of "fiance". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love when books become real to me. I love it when authors interact closely with their readers. I get a bunch of both loves with the Smitten novellas. They're so real that the authors have created a website for this fictional piece of paradise. Sawyer Smitten even has his hit song for you to hear. How cool is all that? Enjoy: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">smittenvermont.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-55533012035243855742013-06-03T14:17:00.001-04:002013-06-03T14:17:38.174-04:00Kidnapped<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781414323633_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781414323633_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Author: </b>Dee Henderson</span><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Preview: </b>FBI agent Luke Falcon has a dead woman on his hands, a fresh victim from his old adversary, Frank Hardin. This time, Frank won't walk away. But even that case will have to wait when Luke's extended family disappears over Labor Day weekend. Is there a harmless explanation? Or could they have been victims of a sordid crime?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Fifth-grade teacher Caroline Lane cares deeply for Luke, but she's not certain she can handle the pressures of dating someone in his line of work. When foul play strikes his family, she gets a far closer view of those pressures than she ever wanted. She's grateful that God brought Luke into her life. But will they share anything more than tragedy by the time the storm passes? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Luke has never worked a case involving family. It's tempting to let his hardened exterior weaken, given the circumstances. But he has to be strong if he's going to bring them all home. When the ransom delivery doesn't go down as planned and the bodies start piling up, so does Luke's frustration. He fears that innocent people may not survive this crisis...and neither will his relationship with Caroline. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Thoughts: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">In honor of Caroline's (any my) love for lists, I think I'll do this review in list form, as I did the last. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- The mystery was satisfying. It was interesting, though predictable at points, and easy to follow. I finished it in two days.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- The characters were well rounded and unique. Luke was rough around the edges, but likable. I enjoyed the family interactions that showed such love.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- I liked the aspect of a relationship already in the works between Luke and Caroline. It was confusing at times, with the will-they, won't-they thing, but I think that's how Caroline was feeling about it too! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- There were many quotes and moments that I wrote down as inspiration for my own writing. I think it had to do with the established relationship - I always like a deeper connection. :) I especially liked this:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"> <b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>"Bravery comes when you know the risks might happen and you go on with your life."</i></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- The interactions were adorable, if a little unrealistic at times. He may be a smart kid, but nine year old boys don't relay information that accurately and descriptively. Although, that may be a writer's quirk, because I found some of the adult conversation oddly worded as well.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- A definite writer's quirk was Henderson's use of the phrase "for the..." (Example: She grabbed a sweater, for the night had turned cold. He turned off the coffee pot, for it had finished brewing. They sat silently, for words were not needed.) It reminded me of a period novel rather than a present day mystery. It wouldn't have been so distracting if it hadn't appeared every few pages!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">- There was some implication of cursing by a few of the agents, but it was done much more tastefully and subtly than in Trinity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">All in all, a book I would recommend to friends. Four and a half stars. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-13182446621671125382013-05-21T15:48:00.002-04:002013-05-21T15:48:40.644-04:00Trinity <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Author: </b>Ronie Kendig </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Preview: </b></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A year ago in Afghanistan, Green Beret Heath Daniel’s career was destroyed. Along with his faith. Now he and his military war dog, Trinity train other dogs and their handlers through the A Breed Apart organization. The job works. But his passion is to be back in the field. The medical discharge says it can’t happen due to the traumatic brain injury that forced Heath to the sidelines.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Until. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is captured and the geological survey team she’s covertly embedded with is slaughtered while secretly tracking the Taliban. It’s clear only one dog can handle the extreme conditions to save her. Trinity. Only one man can handle Trinity. And time is running out on the greatest— and most dangerous— mission of their lives.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Thoughts: </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I want to be careful writing this review. I want it to be clear that I don't think it's a bad book. I think it's very well written for its genre, and the author has a talented for weaving multiple, complex, action packed stories together. However, it was just <i>so</i> not my thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The only reason I read this was because I (without knowing what I was getting into) won a copy of the sequel, with a promise to the author to feature it on my blog. I have a thing against reading/watching anything out of order, so of course I had to borrow this one from the library. Well. It took me about a month to get halfway through, and it was rough! After that, I skipped to the last few chapters to get the ending. It was okay, but I have no desire to read the second book. I will eventually, because I said I would, but I don't wanna. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I took notes on my phone while I was reading this, and here's what I have: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- Hard to get into at first. (Little did I know, it wouldn't improve). Not my kind of thing, and I don't like having to check the acronym list constantly.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- I do like the feisty banter between everyone at the beginning.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- I don't like all the names/nicknames/fake names. It's confusing. The names in general are very romance novel-y. I like Heath okay, but that's about it. Timbrell Hogan is awful. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- I do like that it starts with their stories being told separately, setting up and preparing the characters for when they'll need each other. (I ended up NOT liking this though, because they were supposedly "in love" while never being around each other for more than a day or two.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- So many women! I wish Heath would get with Aspen or even Hogan, but I guess I'll decide later if I like his interaction with Darci. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- Heath can be harsh, but I like that he's respectful enough to apologize to his friends.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- He's a well written character. He's rude and grumpy, but not irritatingly so. It's easy to feel compassion for him. I'm more irritated with the people who treat him as inferior or with kid gloves. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- Borderline cursing - I don't know if I like the added "realism" or if I think it's risky. (I think I decided it was no big deal, but not entirely necessary.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- For some reason, Heath and Darci's first meeting made me like her as a character more. Definite chemistry there too, so I guess he can be with her instead. (I take this back now. I never really warmed up to her, and I didn't understand what Heath saw in her. I think Aspen or Hogan would've been a better match. He had much more chemistry with them.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- I wish I liked the plot more, because I like the people and the real way they're portrayed. (Heath, anyway.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- I actually like that he's a ladies man and a flirt. That's surprising for me, but I find it oddly charming because he's classy about it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- I like that they're upfront about the attraction right away. That's different. They are both equally interested and apprehensive. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">- Her (Kendig) fragment sentences are almost like an action version of Karen. I can't complain though. because I've picked up her style by now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">There were pros, but there were a lot of cons. I was so happy to get back to Tidewater Inn after this, because it felt good to WANT to read a book again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">But please remember my disclaimer at the beginning of this post: the author is obviously talented. If action and war are your area of interest, give it a try! I just couldn't follow, and I don't like reading when it's a chore. I respect her greatly for tackling such a meaningful subject, and I especially respect the people and dogs it was inspired by. I wish I could get into it more, but I'll leave that to others who can truly appreciate it. </span></span><br />
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Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-62066038033373231842013-05-21T13:21:00.002-04:002013-05-21T13:42:59.870-04:00Smitten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You're in for a treat, you guys. A long overdue treat by now, because I've been busy moving, but a treat nonetheless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you think my reviews of ONE story are scatterbrained and weird and way too long, just wait til you see what I come up with for this spectacular 4-in-1! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's no secret that I am <i>not</i> a fan of novellas. I don't like the lack of character development and the lack of feeling and attachment. I don't like the hastily resolved story lines or the wishing for more when it's all said and done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let it be known that Smitten is the exception. I adored this book. I was addicted. I was, ahem, smitten. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Given my history with novellas, it may surprise you that I gave this one a fair shot. Well, I have several good reasons. First of all, look at the names on that charming cover. I will read <i>anything</i> with the names Colleen Coble or Denise Hunter on the cover. Those ladies are so talented. I'm sorry to say that I have not read anything by Diann Hunt or Kristen Billerbeck before Smitten, but I thoroughly enjoyed their talent as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Secondly, I read it because I had to finish what I had started. Several months ago, I spent the day at Books-A-Million while my mom was at work. I picked up Smitten and went straight to Denise Hunter's story. (I like her, can you tell?). I read it, loved it, and started back at the beginning of book. Sadly, I had to leave and didn't have the money for it that day. I had to borrow it from the church library this week, because I won a copy of the sequel, Secretly Smitten. It was actually really cool, the way I won it. I suggested a title for the third book, over at girlswriteout.blogspot.com and they liked it, but said it was too similar to another title coming out at the same time. Being the kind authors they are, they sent me a complimentary copy of Secretly Smitten anyway. I cannot wait to go back to this darling town! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thirdly, it was just so much better than most and deserved to be read straight through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Authors:</b> Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Pages:</b> 403</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Preview:</b> The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they've got just the plan to save Smitten. They'll capitalize on its name and turn it into a tourist destination for lovers - complete with sweet shops, a high-end spa, romantic music on the square, and cabins outfitted with fireplaces and hot tubs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But is this manly town ready for an influx of romantically-minded guests? Country music sensation Sawyer Smitten, the town's hometown hero, wants to help by holding his own wedding there on Valentine's Day. And little Mia's lavender wreaths hang all over town as a reminder that faith can work miracles. Along the way, four women spearheading the town's transformation - energetic Natalie, sophisticated Julia, graceful Shelby and athletic Reese - get in the spirit by reviving their own love lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead of reviewing each story individually, (and trust me, I could), I decided it would be fun to use the discussion questions provided at the end of the book. Enjoy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Which protagonist (Natalie, Julia, Shelby or Reese) did you relate to and why?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh goodness. I related to all of them in one way or another. Natalie and I both have trust issues, and make assumptions about people that can be difficult to move past. Julia and I share a love for New York City and a desire for a true sense of home. Shelby and I both appreciate manners and class. Reese and I are both planners. I think, if I had to choose, I would say that I relate to Reese the most. I have always been considered "one of the guys", although I am not athletic in the slightest. I just tend to gravitate toward guys as friends, because I am not a fan of the drama that comes with girlfriends. I love MINE, but females in general can be sooo annoying. Anyway, I can also relate to her dream of opening a unique place of business, and being afraid and having a hard time trusting God. I can REALLY relate to falling for your best guy friend. It's a shame my life isn't a novel. (Inner voice: God's got a story for you. Just you wait. I know.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. After a lack of stability in life, Natalie craved being in one place. What made Smitten special to her? Have you ever felt like that about a place?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I definitely know where Natalie is coming from. I grew up in the same North Carolina town, with the same friends at the same church, until I was eleven. From then on, we have moved every year and a half, and I am now 20. We have lived in several different towns in South Carolina, but we have also lived in Honduras and briefly in California. In my heart, Raleigh is home. It's where I feel the warm fuzzy, safe feeling. I think it has to do with growing up and having my grandparents there when I was younger. I feel closer to them when I'm there. However, the people I love and want to be around are here in South Carolina now. Even still, I get bored here. I want more adventures in the great wide somewhere. I can't wait to see where God takes me in my someday. It's a crazy, mixed up, heart-in-a-million-places life, and it's not easy. It's scary and frustrating and so sad to leave people and places behind that have become so familiar and beloved. I don't think it ever gets any easier. It will always hurt to a degree, but it doesn't always have to be bad. It can be bittersweet, because you know that what lies ahead will be wonderful in its own way. It stings a little less once you have learned that lesson. It took me nine years, but I am excited and ready for the adventure of moving back to an old town in the next few weeks. True, it's one I am familiar with now, and maybe I'd feel differently about a new place, but I am learning. I am learning trust God to guide me until I'm all the way home with Him. Bring on the adventures! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smitten is absolutely storybook beautiful. It's quaint, yet thriving. It's romantic and family oriented. The sense of community is overwhelming. A little slice of heaven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Natalie believed her sister's report about Carson. Have you ever believed gossip and wished you hadn't?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am sure that I have believed something negative about a person that was not true, probably many times. I can't think of a particular situation, but I can think of the opposite; a time where I chose not to believe it. Before I met my best friend in the world, I met a mutual friend who had experienced a falling out with her. This girl (who is now one of my dearest friends, and my BFF's as well. God can heal any friendship!) said some very negative, nasty things about the girl who is now my "other half". I am thankful every day that I did not let that opinion keep me from getting to know the real her. You never know until YOU know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. When Julia returns to Smitten, long-lost feelings for her brother's best friend, Zak, resurface. Has coming back to a familiar place ever brought back unresolved feelings? Did you have to deal with them the second time? How did you resolve them?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, I can absolutely relate to having feelings for your brother's best friend. I had it bad for my brother's best friend for almost five years. Unfortunately, he turned out to be not the best person to have feelings for. But feelings are funny things. I think if I saw him again after these years apart, there might be a little flutter. I'm so glad that I know not to fall into those feelings anymore. I think they would be more of a wistful, "Ah, I remember how nice it felt to like him' way, not a 'I still care' way. Let me tell you, that's a big accomplishment and it makes me proud of myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Julia loves her friends and her hometown, but going back to New York City feels easier. Have you ever had to make the harder choice to do the right thing? How did you know it was the right decision for you? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Absolutely. I haven't had much (okay, any) choice in our many moves thus far, but I have to choose the harder path all the time, especially when it comes to the relationships that don't go my way. Recently, I have had to learn the hard lesson of letting go and truly forgiving people who have hurt me. It was a tough pill to swallow, but oh so worth it! I feel so free from my bitterness, and I am now in contact with someone I swore I'd never be friends with again. I'm still waiting for God to work in more than one situation, but I know all things are possible! On a different note, I can absolutely understand the lure of New York City! It is the most incredible city in the world, and if I had the opportunity to live there, it would be so hard to walk away! Although, I think I'd feel more at home in the small town, as Julia did, but wow! What a city! </span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>6. Julia has a strong independent streak, but ultimately discovers that counting on others can make life easier and more fulfilling. Have you ever tried to do something alone only to discover the lesson was in submitting to others? What was the outcome?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't recall a certain situation where my "independent streak" showed until I had to learn the hard way. I don't have much of a problem relying on people. I tend to go the opposite way - I lean too much on people, and I struggle to gain independence. There are many factors that contribute to this, most of them being out of my control at the moment. I get frustrated with myself so easily because I feel like I can't do anything on my own. I want to be patient and realize that God has me in this season for a purpose, but it's one of the hardest things to get through my head. I want to get on with life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>7. When the girls support Reese in her outfitter's store dreams, they do things they wouldn't otherwise be interested in - such as rollerblading. Do you have friends who expand your world that way? How has it made you a better person? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Absolutely! I think I can say that all of my closest friends have expanded my world. That's the best part of connecting with other human beings - they show you parts of themselves that become parts of yourself. My best friend comes to mind, especially. She and I could not be more opposite. She is so outgoing, I am an introvert, through and through. She is "flashy" and adventurous. I am reserved and cautious. It's not hard to see how knowing her has expanded my world. I wouldn't be who I am today without her. Many other friends come to mind too - Amanda, Alyx, Valerie, and the list goes on. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8. Shelby had some major issues with her dad. Before they could have healing in their relationship, she had to truly forgive him. In fact, he had to forgive himself. Have you ever had a relationship like that? Did you choose to forgive (with God's help) and receive healing, or are you still holding on to the bitterness? What can you do to let it go?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh wow. I guess it was a God thing that I was delayed in posting this. I just recently resolved a few bitterness/unforgiveness issues in my life. Neither are "big" deals in the grand scheme of things, but they meant something to me and were making me think negatively about those people. They were a long time coming, and I am so glad I listened to God's prompting to take the first step. As I mentioned above, I'm waiting for God to move in a few more, but I am thankful for progress! </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">9. Sometimes life isn't fair. Circumstances can change in an instant. Nick's circumstances changed when his ex-wife died and his daughter, Willow, came to live with him. Despite the challenges, they settled into their new life together and shared a relationship they wouldn't have otherwise. When life hands you challenges, do you fight them or do you try to learn from them and make your life better?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I fight them. Not the best answer, but I'm just being honest. I want so badly to be a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, but it's hard when all I've ever done is resist change and unraveled plans. I can learn though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>10. Shelby gained strength and support from her friends. She also offered that same support back to them. Do you have someone like that in your life? Are you that someone to someone else? Reach out today.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am blessed to have a few pillars of support in my life. I hope they feel the same about me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>11. The more Shelby and Nick got to know each other, the more they had to work through in their relationship, but difficulties can bring growth in a relationship and make it stronger. Think of the relationships in your life. What has truly made them grow?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time, perseverance and honesty are what comes to mind. Getting to know someone means taking the time to get to know them. Ask questions, give answers, be more open as you learn that they are trustworthy. No need to rush, but be moving forward unless there's a reason not to. Relationships take perseverance, because sometimes it seems like the hard times are so not worth it. It would be so much easier to walk away when people get annoying or frustrating. But you never know what is on the other side of that misunderstanding or struggle. Be honest with people. Sometimes this can backfire, but not if it's not supposed to. It's better for you, I think, than holding things inside until you explode with "honesty"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>12. It's clear from the beginning of 'All Along' that Reese MacKenzie is a planner, but it doesn't take long for her plan to make Griffen love her go awry. Have you ever been so committed to your own plans that God's will got lost somewhere along the way? How did you come to that realization? What happened as a result?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Um, yes. I don't wanna talk about. Kidding. I am absolutely a planner, and I don't stop to even ask God what He wants! I've lost count of the times I've done this, unfortunately, but I can tell you without a doubt that there is so much more peace when I seek His will instead of using all MY planning in the world. Things go more smoothly. Even when they don't, at least you're not left with a pile of regrets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>13. In what ways did Griffen balance Reese? Who provides balance for you, and in what ways?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Griffen made her chill out a little. My best friend balances my personality when we're together. My friend Amanda, and especially my mom, balance me on a daily basis and keep me from "going over the edge". </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">14. Reese's faith falters as they approach Sawyer's wedding and the finalization of their plan for Smitten. Why do you think having faith can be so difficult? When was the last time your faith faltered? What got you through that time?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hate to admit it, but I struggle with true faith a lot. I feel like I can trust when things go well, but I forget it all when the going gets rough. I have belief, but I get so freaked out sometimes that I forget to acknowledge that God's got everything under control. I think the times when I HAVE hung onto real faith, (and I can point those out, so I know it's possible), are when I have stopped in the midst of craziness and actively chosen to give it to God over and over. I also struggle with beating myself up when I don't trust. I doubt and I fall, but it's not about me and what I do or don't do. It's about Him and what He did and will do. If only I'd learn to stop and remember more often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>15. How did the friendship between Natalie, Julia, Shelby and Reese serve as a support system spiritually, emotionally, and physically? Who is your support system and how do you hold each other up? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love their friendships! They reminded me of myself and my three best friends from my childhood. We have since grown apart, but this makes me nostalgic for that time. Now, my support system, if I had to narrow it down to three (with me being Reese) consists of my mom (Natalie), my friend Amanda (Shelby), my best friend Auburn (Julia). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>CASTING CALL:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Natalie - Jen Kuhn - </b>I don't remember if she was described as a redhead, but every group of friends needs one, and I pictured her with a dark auburn. I think this actress captures the gorgeous, sweet mom look. ;)</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Julia - </b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jennifer Lawrence - </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think she had the right attitude and basic look. Not to mention, my BFF loves her and would love the idea of "her" character being portrayed by her.</span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Shelby - </b>Jenn Proske - She reminds of a Shelby I know, and I can see her hosting dinner parties and looking oh so classy with red lipstick and pearls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Reese - </b>Reese Witherspoon. The obvious choice, but I love her and she fits the character.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And there we go! Up next: Trinity by Ronie Kendig (because Secretly Smitten is at my new house!)</span><br />
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Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-48161276930012418912013-03-25T04:42:00.000-04:002013-05-21T13:32:01.826-04:00The Trouble With Cowboys<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I guess I was wrong about finishing The Trouble with Cowboys in just twenty-four hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was more like twenty-six, but who's counting? It only took that long because I had to stop and eat and go places. I would say I had to sleep too, but I only got an hour or two last night, because I just couldn't stop reading. Ah, I have missed books that keep me up all night! I also took it in the car everywhere. I was early to church this morning, so I sat in the car and read just one more chapter. We went out to dinner for my brother's birthday, and I was so anxious to get back to reading. I know, that's probably bad, but it was just that good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Author: </b>Denise Hunter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Pages: </b>289</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Preview:</b> Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek's premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for <i>Montana Living. </i>Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Anne's column is cancelled, she's given first shot at a new lovelorn column - and she can't afford to turn it down. Only problem is...Annie's never been in love. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town's smooth-talking ladies' man Dylan Taylor. She'll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he'll help her answer the readers letters. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can't risk getting hurt now. The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister's antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily. When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn't know what to trust - her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Thoughts: </b>I guess I kind of gave away my initial thoughts already. It was so fantastic! I've actually had it on my shelf for quite a while, but other books kept getting pushed up on my TBR list, and I knew I wanted to be able to really enjoy it. Oh boy did I! Denise Hunter never disappoints, truly. When I was about halfway through, it occurred to me that, with all the books I have waiting for me on my shelf, all I really wanted was a dozen more books from Denise Hunter to just devour. (Unfortunately, this was the last one I have that I hadn't read. I know what I'll be doing with any birthday money!) The Trouble with Cowboys is definitely my favorite of the Big Sky Romance series, and *probably* my second favorite book by Denise. I don't think any book could take the #1 spot from Surrender Bay, but this one is tied with Saving Grace. (Yeah, I rank my books.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I loved: </b>Everything. The story line was wonderful. It was sweet and sometimes sad and surprising, but not in a way that made me struggle through reading it, if that makes sense. I left feeling happy. I love the advice column theme and the snippets before each chapter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I loved the characters. Annie reminded me of myself - mature and cautious, with a love for romance novels. Oh, and a headstrong little sister. Sierra was a great contrast and perfect for the story, but I found myself getting frustrated with her along with Annie. Ryder was just TOO cute, and reminded me of my little brother. I loved seeing the cast of characters from the previous two books, especially Miss Lucy! And then there's Dylan. Um. Wow. Dylan is...just, wow. What a man. That's all I'm gonna say. *swoon*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I loved the names. It might be a weird quirk, but a character's name can really influence how I feel about them. I've always had a thing for names, and a thing for books. Makes sense that I would want them to work well together. They definitely did here. Annie is a sweet, classy, name for a sweet, classy, reserved woman. I thought the idea of her possibly becoming Annie Oakley was great. Sierra makes me think of a fiery redhead, so that was perfect. I love the name Ryder, and it's perfect for a cowboy story. I've always loved the name Dylan (I actually begged my mom to name my little brother this, but she didn't.) and it fit him perfectly. I even liked the last name Taylor. It reminded me of Andy Taylor and the handsome, charming gentleman type with a killer smile. I also really loved the name Braveheart for Dylan's beloved horse. That's such a COOL name!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nobody can write a kiss, or near kiss, or any type of physical chemistry like Denise Hunter. Not that the characters are only interested in the physical. Not at all. It's clear that it goes much deeper, but the attraction does makes it so much more realistic. I think a lot of Christian authors shy away from a lot of passion because they don't want to be too "sexy". That's fine, and I'm glad to have clean love stories to read. But of course you're going to be attracted to the person you fall in love with! I appreciate Denise's way of creating a chemistry so strong it's like a force that can't be reckoned with...while still completely respecting a Godly boundary for relationships. My heart does flips when I read her books, because ya know what? Sometimes cowboys are just hot. :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I didn't love:</b> N/A. Really, there wasn't a thing I disliked. Oh wait!! I dislike that the Big Sky series is over. I knew it was ending, but I must have been in denial, because I was so disappointed when I read it again in the acknowledgements at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Cover Story: </b>This is definitely my favorite cover from the Big Sky series, too. I remember when it was released on Facebook and I instantly fell in love with it. I absolutely adore the autumn colors and the blue of the sky. I love the landscape. Dylan looks perfectly flirty and Annie is stunning. I really love her hair...and her face...and I totally want her outfit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>More than Words:</b> This isn't a quote, but I wanted to mention that I learned a lot while reading this book. If I'm being honest, even though I read Christian fiction almost exclusively, I often ignore the lessons once I've closed the book. I might think, 'Oh that's nice' and not really give it another thought. Unless it's truly extraordinary, I certainly don't consider how I might apply it to my life. Not so this time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because I related so closely to Annie, the lessons she learned stung me a little bit. I'm a control freak. Not just with my sister, but I have actually seen that very thing happening lately. We're too different to live life the same way, but that's okay, because God made us different for a reason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It really stung when I realized (with Annie) that I am judgmental. Nobody wants to admit that. I am, though, and it's been worse lately. I think I'm so mature and sensible that I'm better than other people. I think they are reckless. Turns out I'm actually jealous of their ability to let go and just have fun. Ouch. Not the most fun revelation, but something I needed to hear. I'll be praying about how to change that, for sure. My prayer will be like the one Annie prayed that hit home maybe a little too much:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'I've been wholly unlovely, God. Forgive me. Help me to see people as they really are and not as I've believed them to be. Help me to see myself for who I really am, not for what I believed myself to be.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've always known that I am too cautious. "Cautious" being a nice word for "fearful". I have a long way to go with that one, but this book helped me see a little more clearly how it's possible to get past my tendency to build walls. Life means taking risks. (Ah, that's scary!) Someday, falling in love will mean taking a risk. (And I do want that!). Trust means letting go. (Deep breath). Something else I hadn't thought of before I read it: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'The scariest thing about a leap of faith was the first step.' </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So. True.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Casting Call: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dylan Taylor - When I first saw the cover, I thought of Joshua Jackson:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think he's cute, and does look like the guy on the cover. However, after reading about Dylan, I picture someone even more attractive. Almost impossibly so. But for this post, I'm torn between Chris Pine:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Paul Walker (with darker hair): </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think the playful expressions on both of their faces are very "Dylan", but for either you'd substitute intense blue eyes for melt-y chocolate brown ones. *sigh*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Annie Wilkerson - I was actually confused about Annie. She is described as having black hair, but the cover picture looks like a dark auburn to me. Because I had loved the cover so much, and specifically her hair, I pictured her with wavy auburn hair. I picture her exactly like the cover, but similar to Sarah Drew: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is one of those books that is going to make the next one hard to get into...</span></div>
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Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-48735795751710635862013-03-23T22:52:00.003-04:002013-03-25T02:04:47.944-04:00And The Worst Blogger Award Goes To...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'll pretend that people actually read this thing enough to miss me and apologize. I'm sorry. I'm sorry it has been over a year since my last post. I don't know if it's laziness or if it has something to do with the fact that I had my heart completely shattered by an author that I trusted, and I might be holding on to a touch of bitterness even still. (I'm looking at you, Karen). It might be that. I don't know. Anyway, I have returned for now, but I make no promises. You just never can tell when things will get too painful, and the blog posts will just disappear again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tonight, I just have a craving to write, and what better way to satisfy it than to write about what I'm already talking about, thinking about and dreaming about? No, not being swept away by a cowboy who looks suspiciously like Joaquin Phoenix...although...okay, maybe that a little bit, but this time I mean books. Glorious, beautiful, timeless, feels-like-home, books. Ahh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which you probably already gathered from all the book reviews...yeah... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So yeah. I'm back, doing the same old, same old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I apologize for the excessive giddiness of this post. You see, I just started The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter tonight, and let me tell you, oh boy can she write. (As evidenced by my last enthusiastic review, among others). Not just any story either. No, sir. She writes the best daggum cowboy-CUTIE-sweeps-you-clean-off-your-feet-and-kisses-you-like-he-means-it story you'll ever read. If you're a fan of Christian romance (you're here aren't you?), you simply must read every book of hers you can get your hands on. Thank goodness for libraries, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for my review of TTWC sometime soon. At this rate, maybe tomorrow night. Tonight, however, I'm featuring the book I just finished - an intriguing novel with a charming name - Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preview: After surviving the worst year of her life, Andrea Henderson moves home to sleepy little Moses Lake, Texas, to rediscover her shattered faith and build a life for herself and her son. Game Warden Mart McClendon finds himself in Moses Lake for a different reason: to forget a tragedy for which he can't forgive himself. But when a mysterious little girl is suddenly seen with the town recluse, these two unlikely allies are drawn together in a search for her identity. As wounded pasts collide, will their quest bring the redemption and hope they need - or consequences neither of them expected?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thoughts: Initially, I did not enjoy this book. I read a few chapters and did not find the characters appealing or the story captivating. However, when I picked it back up a few days ago and struggled a few pages more, I discovered a really, really good story. The cast of characters was actually fantastically quirky (not annoyingly so, as I first thought), and the story was very compelling. If you feel yourself dragging through the first chapter or two, don't give up! I literally could not put it down. I took it to the dinner table, in the car - I even read while my shower was heating up! I haven't done that in a while, and it felt good. The poor book was put through the wringer before I was done with it. I spilled both coffee and food on it, I got something sticky on the front, lost it multiple times (back a few months ago, before I wouldn't let it leave my hands), and it got crushed in the car door at one point. Now it's perfectly worn and loved. I'll be keeping this one on my shelf, and probably buying the two sequels...someday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I loved: The writing was beautiful! I hadn't read any of Lisa Wingate's books before, but I'm definitely a fan of her style in this one. I hear that it's different in her other series'...maybe I'll check those out eventually. The setting was also really neat. Moses Lake sounds so peaceful and absolutely gorgeous. I love the idea of the artist colony nearby, and all the secret places to discover in the middle of all the beautiful landscape. I loved the characters, and the interactions between them. I absolutely adored the way they treated Len with such compassion. I was expecting them to portray him as a monster, but even when they suspect the worst, they treat him lovingly. He was precious, as was Birdie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I didn't love: The loooooooong chapters. It was hard to read a whole one when I was about to fall asleep at night, and I don't like stopping in the middle. ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cover Story: This had actually been on my TBR list long before I bought it, and I always had in mind that the picture was of a woman emerging from the water with hair in her face. I have no idea. Apparently I just wasn't that observant. The little girl makes so much more sense, and I think it fits the story perfectly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More Than Words: There were quotes at the beginning of the chapters, meant to be from the diner wall, left by vacationers visiting Moses Lake. I thought that was neat touch and it made it seem realistic and cozy. There were also a lot of good quotes and life lessons, but I didn't write them down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Casting Call:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mart McClendon - Clive Owen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Andrea Henderson - Mary Louise Parker - But I imagined her hair a little lighter. </span><br />
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<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/cmi-niche/assets/pictures/24568/content_Mary-Louise-Parker.jpg?1362778761" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/cmi-niche/assets/pictures/24568/content_Mary-Louise-Parker.jpg?1362778761" width="252" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Picture It: I thought I'd try something new. It might not makes sense, but when I think of different novels I have read, I get these colors and patterns and shapes in my head that represent the story and the feelings I experienced throughout the story. I thought it might be fun to try to actually "paint" them out. This is Larkspur Cove in my head. I realize I might be a little schizo. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoJEwK94aGlEG6Bu_bjR_fnc7nOkrGFOUVxtLPhmZCyabb_yxVusZN8vuq9Sw6rCIUmh_QVzQDYeUrfof0coAGZMRRaaXVYBYQJRjvIzrNNolJMhJm84HjH7nzLm9EtY2jnozl0GaHi95/s1600/Larkspur+Cove.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoJEwK94aGlEG6Bu_bjR_fnc7nOkrGFOUVxtLPhmZCyabb_yxVusZN8vuq9Sw6rCIUmh_QVzQDYeUrfof0coAGZMRRaaXVYBYQJRjvIzrNNolJMhJm84HjH7nzLm9EtY2jnozl0GaHi95/s400/Larkspur+Cove.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-45013723354887292802011-11-13T12:06:00.005-05:002011-11-14T02:09:48.689-05:00Surrender Bay<a href="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm111728221/surrender-bay-denise-hunter-paperback-cover-art.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 306px;" src="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm111728221/surrender-bay-denise-hunter-paperback-cover-art.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>**I've changed my review format a little bit. Just 'cause.</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div>Author:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b>Denise Hunter</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Pages: </b>281 </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Preview: </b>When Samantha Owens's estranged stepfather dies, she inherits his cottage in Nantucket - a place she left years before, never planning to return. As a single mom, Sam can't afford to pass up a financial windfall like ocean-front property. So she travels home to fix up the house and sell it...never suspecting that Landon Reed still lives two doors down. As their long dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she left the isla</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">nd. Will the secrets hidden all these years tear them apart...or is Landon's love really unconditional as he claims?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Thoughts: </b>Wow, wow, wow! I L.O.V.E. this book. Good stories about <b><i>best friends falling in love</i></b> are sadly few and far between (unless I'm looking in the wrong places - if you have a recommendation, please let me know!), but they are my absolute favorite. I love the depth and connection it gives the love between them - it just makes it seem so much more real to me. Not to mention that I've always dreamed of falling in love with my best friend. I am so glad to have found this story about BFF love. It is<i> by far</i> the best I have ever read. It's everything I look for in a love story, or any book. <b><i>It's wonderfully thought-provoking, deeply emotional and achingly romantic.</i></b> I fell in love with every single character, and I hated to see them go. I love that it's an allegory of Christ's love for us, and His relentless pursuit of us. It was clean, without any actual mention of God or church, making it appealing to non-Christians as well, and still getting the message across very clearly. It also explains why Landon was so completely flawless. :) It's the kind of book you can't stop thinking about long after <i>The End</i>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>I loved: </b>Everything, from the overall story to the littlest details about the cottage. I loved characters, and I loved their names, too. I have always loved Sam for a girl. Caden Elaine is totally on my favorites list now - my middle name is Elaine, and I want to pass it down to my daughter someday. My previous favorite was actually Kadence "Kady" Elaine, but I think Caden "Cady" Elaine is even better! LOVE IT. Landon has been my absolute favorite name for years, and I am determined to name my son Landon one day. I also have Jonathan Reid on my favorites list. Awesome!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>I didn't love: </b>I honestly don't know if there was anything I disliked about Surrender Bay. Except the fact that they experienced so much pain, which is the whole point, and the fact that I felt bad for fictional people is a testament to what a great story it was.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>The Cover Story: </b>I really like it! Before I read it, I didn't pay lot of attention, and thought she was sitting on the edge of a canyon or something. But it's her's and Landon's dock. Aww. I love how she's looking out into the blurry blueness of the water. It isn't clearly defined, making it look endless and intimidating - like the future. Yet, she dangles her feet over the edge, and Landon is by her side.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Maybe I'm reading way too much into the cover, but I'm loving this whole symbolism theme going on here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>More than Words: </b>I kept coming back to this section on page 140, because it was just so beautiful. I literally read it like four times during the course of the book.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>He was Landon, her trusted friend, but in that moment he was so much more. He was passion, he was affection, he was mercy.</blockquote>I want that. In my relationship with God, and the man he created for me one day, I long for passion, affection and mercy. Woah.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-90919894158787851862011-10-23T21:51:00.000-04:002011-10-23T21:54:32.839-04:00Almost Forever...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioctQ9c5Nt_J2pfwQWNiNZSX0mnNUVRVK35grpFy-RF5iadmA0YSA8_mA_vFmjZUHV6Zu89J5fsgCUCTV1XsSS6xWNdLpBDum9jOSRDAkE34VG16McYmHDzy0bXvvaql-9-RuV769EvDU/s320/AlmostForeverCover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioctQ9c5Nt_J2pfwQWNiNZSX0mnNUVRVK35grpFy-RF5iadmA0YSA8_mA_vFmjZUHV6Zu89J5fsgCUCTV1XsSS6xWNdLpBDum9jOSRDAkE34VG16McYmHDzy0bXvvaql-9-RuV769EvDU/s320/AlmostForeverCover.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b>Author: </b>Deborah Raney</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b>Pages: </b>I returned it to the church library before I checked.</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Sum</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">mary: </span>After five heroic firefighters die, their surviving spouses band together to cope - and to try to resolve the mystery surrounding the fire.</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: </span>I had a lot of mixed feelings about Almost Forever. I loved that it had to do with firefighters. I love firefighters. They're brave and heroic and if you're lucky, really cute and sweet too. In my mind at least. I would totally marry a sweet, cute firefighter. But...it was SO hard for me to get into it for some reason! It wasn't bad by any means, but it just wasn't something that made me want to forget the rest of the world for a while. Something that bugged me at first was the sentence structure. I know that's weird, and I'm probably being stupid and too picky, but I felt like Raney could have worded something differently, or switched some things around, or left some things out completely. Nothing huge or even plot related, just little things that bugged me. I know, I'm ridiculous.</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things: </span><span style="font-size: 14px; ">The firefighting aspect. It did make it exciting, even though the two main characters in this one were only married to the firefighters. I still got to imagine the uniforms. :) Oh and the romance was decent too.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span>That weird, indescribable sentence quirk I was talking about before, and the fact that I really had no desire to read the rest of the series. I did more so when I finally reached the end (it did get better, even though I was never really hooked) and I even got the second one from the library and started it, but I only got a chapter or two in before I decided that I have too many books on my to read list to be wasting my time on anything where I didn't care how anything turned out. I don't want to be too harsh though, because I don't believe these books deserve it. I think they're decent, even good, books, they just weren't my favorite.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span>I think it's actually a pretty neat cover. It's dramatic and pretty, and I like the burnt edge thing. Ah, who am I kidding? I like the firefighter at the bottom.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span>Do you really expect me to keep track anymore? I know I should and I really do want to, because I love quotes and I'm sure there are good ones, but I don't. *sigh*</div></div></div></div></span></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-63379716633617172422011-10-23T21:31:00.002-04:002011-11-13T14:23:31.714-05:00Wedded Bliss?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/16820000/16824879.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.496094) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.496094) 1px 1px 5px; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 280px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; " /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b>Author: </b>Susan K. Downs, Kristy Dykes, Sally Laity and Carrie Turans<b>ky</b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">P</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">ages:</span> 349</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Sum</span><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mary</span></span>: </span>Four stories about couples who have been married for a while, but are facing different struggles.</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: </span>Why oh why do I keep reading novellas? Probably because they're on my shelf, have pretty covers and they deserve a shot too. Why must I treat book</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; ">s fairly? Clearly they are not equals. :P Wedded Bliss was...okay. It wasn't as painful to read as Alabama (a few reviews back), but it wasn't exactly a blast. I'm just a novel, or better yet, a big long series, kind of girl. I just<i>can't</i> connect with the characters or the storyline in 70-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span></span> pages. It's like I know they'll be leaving soon, so why bother getting attached?</div></div><div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things: </span><span style="font-size: 14px; ">I have to give it one thing - they still gave me a happy ending.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span>Zero feeling or connection. Not the stories or characters' fault, I just need more time.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span>I like that it's uncomplicated, I guess, but it's kinda weird. I get the symbolism or whatever of the crooked wedding cake topper. What I don't get is why the whole thing is tinted green. Huh?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span>Um, yeah, about that...none for this book either. Sorry!</div></div></div></div></span></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-27877189886114552952011-09-25T23:58:00.005-04:002011-09-26T01:29:13.055-04:00WOF Conference 2011/ DREAM COME TRUE!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >So, this weekend, my mom and I volunteered at the Women of Faith conference in Charlotte, NC. We worked at a sales booth, and it was so-so. I had to tell people about Karen Kingsbury and Chad Eastham books all day long. I met some average people. Oh, and I also met Karen. No biggie. We got to see all of the conference and overall the weekend was okay, I guess - KIDDING.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >BEST.WEEKEND.EVER.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >It was so much fun! I RAVED about Karen and Chad to anyone who would listen. I asked anyone who had read the Bailey Flanigan series if they preferred Bailey with Cody or Brandon. I only met ONE person on Team Brandon, and a TON on Team Cody. YEAH!!! The people we worked with were so sweet. They let me leave early both night so I could try to meet Karen. We were turned away the first night, but I MET HER ON SATURDAY!!! Oh my goodness, I am still on cloud nine! It was so great!! I also met her daughter, Kelsey, and she was just as awesome as her mom! This is how it went...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >(before it was my turn, Kelsey talked to me about another fan. Yeah, yeah, I had to include it.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Kelsey: Would you mind taking our picture?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Sure!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >(Someone else takes the picture instead. Bummer!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >(This is when I met them!!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Karen: Hi!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Hi! It's SO nice to meet you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >*HUGS ME!*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Karen: Thanks so much for coming out!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Thanks for writing! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Karen: What's your first name? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Jordan</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >**starts signing Remember. I gesture to Let Me Hold you longer and turn to Kelsey)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: (to Kelsey) Kelsey, will you sign this one too?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Kelsey: Yeah! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Karen: Did you enjoy the conference?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Yes! It was awesome!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >*silence while she's signing LMHYL*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Kelsey: I love your necklace. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Thanks! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Karen: Do you want to get a picture? (They had stopped letting people get a pic AND an autograph, but SHE asked ME!!) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: YEAH! Kelsey, will you be in the picture too?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Kelsey: Yeah!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >*gets awesome picture (shown below) with Karen and Kelsey)*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Thank you!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Karen: *something I didn't hear because Kelsey was bringing us aside for the next fan. Bummer)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Kelsey: Let's step over here. *signs LMHYL*</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Me: Thank you! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The End. They were so stinkin' sweet and friendly and not at all impatient, proud or rushed. Gah, I loved it! It was an odd experience too, though, because I felt like I already knew them. It was like seeing a friend for the first time in a (long) while. And I had to practice saying "Kelsey" in my head beforehand so I didn't accidentally call her Bailey! I totally understand when Karen says she has/will have trouble keeping her reality and fiction separated. Her characters ARE friends! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I so wish I knew them as "real" friends. I would love to just hang out with them, have coffee and talk. :)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhg4dNh6F6NkYZz6t9Xxt5zqf8D5wBgnFT_bEPvkXlST_AI2gm_uJXDJr91yYgCdkDyPDhjG0U5X7n9nJggPrDnr_uSrMZEy4bbcp17AbT0GYsAxrOwrij3J9DnZ9v8jI83s0qJY5Yaxl/s200/Karen2.jpg" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_qiIf3BljakzPfrlrWJkvIz6MYH8yzwC4AFVrDVPY1JeoGMk90GyvnM1hzGtMFA7xhtVlGSjNNxnLPmvKH0OlUpuWZEKNyQyewzjkJC6WCznwf33NHOzp3-2t7KhPYnymwV6DO2uk_Wh/s200/Karen1.jpg" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUjFmytek4PO_auHQAl38NnjWj4Vh9lMLlvgBIhJiiTWUgvnMx6dYadAAuS0c6VYuEl-el3KxIbkqJvgnoOxq8QEp01AM0iIELxmk3KXd0Xb_2AGrHxRgT44s_hfK9ZWRd9r9Bn7iYppU/s200/Me+and+Karen%2521.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-74007181935928119252011-08-15T14:53:00.005-04:002011-10-24T17:45:46.413-04:00His Hometown Girl<a href="http://www.fictiondb.com/coversth/th_0373871872.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.fictiondb.com/coversth/th_0373871872.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b>Author: </b>Jillian Hart</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b>Pages: </b>249</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Sum</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">mary: </span>Best friends fall in love. Do you really need to know more? I didn't.</div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: </span>I cannot stop buying books. It's like a real addiction. I have 5 million Love Inspired books that I haven't read, but I can't NOT buy one that I don't have if I see it at a thrift store or something. So I made a rule (and I do TRY to stick to it. I broke it today because the book was only a quarter.), that I will only buy a LI book if it is about best friends falling in love (FAVE THING EVER), babies or someone with a disability finding love. His Hometown girl had the best friends, and even better, they were in a little bitty town. How could I not?</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things: </span><span style="font-size: 14px; ">The best friends thing, obviously. I mean, what in the world could be better than falling completely in love with the person who already knows you and loves you, quirks and all? I know you're probably going to become best friends regardless, but I think it makes so much sense, and takes off so much pressure while dating, to be BFF's and let love come oh so naturally. At least that's what I'm hoping for. :) </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-size: 14px; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span>It is not my real life. So. Not. Fair.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span>Eh, it's okay. I think it's kind of older, and it doesn't give me a sense of the story (I was pleasantly surprised at the differences) but it's not that bad. Just doesn't live up to its potential.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span>Once again, I don't have one. But it was probably something like "I love you," coming from the cute guy best friend. Someday...</div></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><b>Casting Call:</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">Actually, His Hometown Girl made me think of Luke and Lorelei from Gilmore Girls, with the whole besties thing, mixed with Melanie and Jake from Sweet Home Alabama, because of the small town thing. As for looks, though I'll go with: </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">Alona Tal as Karen McKaslin: </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><img src="http://i2.listal.com/image/1721471/600full-alona-tal.jpg" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">A lot younger than what I imagined, but the basic look.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">Chris Evans as Zachary Drake:</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><img src="http://i2.listal.com/image/2657481/600full-chris-evans.jpg" alt="Chris Evans" /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-41017975821172481622011-08-06T22:37:00.004-04:002011-09-20T22:55:05.198-04:00Critical Care...<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/replicate/EXID29265/images/critical_care.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/replicate/EXID29265/images/critical_care.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">How weird is it that day I finally get around to reviewing this, I have spent 7 hours in the ER myself? Definitely not as pleasant as this book, that's for sure! I thought my shunt may be failing, but everything is good. Enough about me - on to the (very very late) review!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I tend to stick to the authors/genres </span><span class="Apple-style-span">I know, because I hate being disappointed in a book. It's just so...well, disappointing! </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Thankfully the risks I have taken in this area lately have paid off for the most part, at least in the books I purchase...the library, not so much. Which is nice, since I would hate to have spent money on something I hated.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Every author on my <i>"favorites, so I have to read every book they ever write"</i> list, have been unknowns to me, and I took a risk, bought a book of theirs, and fell instantly in love. I got my first Karen Kingsbury book (Even Now) as a gift. I bought my first Denise Hunter book (Convenient Groom) only because there was a "buy 3, get 1 free" sale and there were only 3 KK books I didn't have. I bought my first Colleen Coble book (Cry in the Night) when I spotted it in Dollar General. I bought my first Lynette Eason book (Too Close to Home) because it was on sale while I was on vacation. And finally, I bought my first Candace Calvert book (Critical Care!) on Amazon because I needed to use the last few dollars on a gift card. They say "Don't judge a book by it's cover", but I find some great treasures thanks to something just catching my eye!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Book: </span>Critical Care</span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">u</span><span style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">thor: </span><span style="line-height: 20px; ">Candace Calvert</span></div></div></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">P</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">ages:</span> 287</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div></div></div></div></span></span></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><b>Summary: (back cover) </b>After her brother dies in the trauma room, nurse Claire Avery can no longer face the ER. She's determined to make a fresh start - new hospital, new career in nursing education - move forward, no turning back. But her plans fall apart when she's called on to offer stress counseling for medical staff after a heartbreaking day care center explosion. Worse, she's forced back int the ER, where she clashes with Logan Caldwell, a doctor who believe </div><div style="line-height: 20px; ">touchy-feely counseling is a waste of time. He demands his staff be as tough as he is. Yet he finds himself drawn to this nurse educator...who might teach him the true meaning of healing.</div></div></div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: </span>I don't usually read medical fiction. I'm more of a crime/suspense or plain ol' fluff kind of girl. All my life, I have been more drawn to the legal field than to the medical field, which I (try) to avoid at all cost. Until lately. I currently work as a legal transcription typist, but I will begin school to become an ultrasound tech *hopefully* in January. Lately, the medical field intrigues me. Blood still freaks me out, and today in the ER wasn't exactly "fun" - I am doing ultrasound, remember?- but I am much more interest than I ever have been.</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; ">Critical Care is the beginning of what I think will become a</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "> "great fondness" for medical drama/romance. It was so good! It had the <i>perfect</i> blend of</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "> heart-pounding drama (it starts with a daycare fire - if you know me, you know that grabbed my heart!) and sweet, sweet romance. I never thought a book about doctors would give me butterflies! The characters were three-dimensional and very likable - even when Logan was grouchy. Each was unique, and the secondary characters made me want to know more of their own story. I was very happy about this, because I hate not finishing a series, and lately the first book leaves me with no desire to read the others. Character development makes or breaks a story, and it definitely made it here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div></div></div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things: </span>The uniqueness. It wasn't just another romance novel. It stood out. There were "quirks" - Claire's cat, for example was a great addition to the story! And the daffodils! Daffodils are so super romantic now. :)</div><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span>Not about Critical Care itself, but I kind of dislike that I only have the next two in e-book format on my Kindle for PC. I realized after I had bought it that I had the next one, Disaster Status, already on there! I just had to get the third, Code Triage, and I was set! I'm not much of an e-reader, but it's better than nothing. Since Critical Care is </div><div style="line-height: 20px; ">on my favorites list, I'm sure I'll get them all in physical form eventually. </div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span>Love it! Logan Caldwell's pretty attractive. :) Those eyes definitely played a part in my buying it. LOL.</div><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span>Gosh, I really need to remember to keep track of these while I'm reading! I will say that the quote on the front of the book was probably the biggest factor in my decision to try it out:</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><blockquote> "Finally, a reason to turn off ER and Grey's Anatomy. Here is a realistic medical drama with heart." - Harry Krauss, MD</blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><br /></blockquote><b>Casting Call:</b></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 20px; ">Logan Caldwell: Logan was really easy to "cast." The guy on the cover looks just like Jake Gyllenhaal. Same slightly tousled hair. Same EYES. Even their lips look similar. Both are ridiculously good-looking. :)</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div></div></div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><img src="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/LRG/10/1063/IZNL000Z.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 450px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(50, 2, 2); "><div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 20px; ">Claire Avery: I knew I had an actress in my head for Claire, but I didn't know her name. While I was looking for her, I decided that Mila Kunis kind of fits the image I had in my head. </div><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; line-height: 20px; "><img src="http://www.musicrooms.net/files/celebs/Mila_Kunis_profile_652137211.jpg" /></div></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; ">Oh one more thing! I found Candace Calvert on Facebook (I think it was on one of Denise Hunter's posts actually) and she is so sweet! She sent me a personalized bookplate, some bookmarks, and a letter saying she was looking forward to this review! It's always so neat when an author takes a personal interest in their readers. Hope you've enjoyed this, Candace, and thanks for sharing your God-given talent! </div></span></span></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-82130344754935453792011-06-07T20:19:00.003-04:002011-06-10T16:48:41.438-04:00Learning...<span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="line-height: 20px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; ">I got the coolest surprise in the mail last week - an advanced copy of <i>Learning</i>, the second book in the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. I had the privilege of review the first book, <i>Leaving</i> in March, but I didn't know that I was going to be doing the same with <i>Learning</i>. I knew it was a possibility, but when she didn't contact me, I assumed I hadn't been chosen again. So I was stoked to find it in the mailbox! I love love LOVE being on "Team KK." What an honor, and it's <i>so</i> much fun!</div><div style="line-height: 20px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; "><img src="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117379305/learning-karen-kingsbury-paperback-cover-art.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 306px;" border="0" alt="" />Book: </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; line-height: 20px; font-size: medium; ">Learning</span></div><div><div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">u</span><span style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">thor: </span><span style="line-height: 20px; ">Karen Kingsbury</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">P</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">ages:</span> 328</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Sum</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">mary: </span><i>Learning </i>is the second book in the Bailey Flanigan series. It takes us with Bailey and Cody as they experience many new changes, choices, up and downs. We're also still checking in on the Baxters, thank goodness - I would miss them so much if we didn't!</div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: (this is the review I submitted to Karen)</span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Oh my goodness!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Learning took me on an <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1307737055_0" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; ">emotional roller coaster</span> ride! I went from feeling happy to sad, to very, very frustrated and then back to happy all within a few pages. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; ">And I loved every minute of it!</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br />Picking up right where Leaving left off, Learning takes us with Bailey as she faces a whole new set of trials and opportunities. I feel like we get to see a new side of Bailey in Learning, as she discovers a new side of life in NYC and on Broadway. It's exciting, terrifying, wonderful and challenging, and I felt like I was experiencing it all right along with her.<br /><br />Cody Coleman is also experiencing new things, and it was awesome to watch the way God worked through him. I love how I can feel such a sense of pride for a book character. He's just such a great guy! After reading Learning, I am even more certain that I will always be on Team Cody!<br /><br />Another great guy that I have grown to love dearly is Landon Blake. I am so glad we still get to check in on him and his wonderful family, and I can't wait to see what's next for the Baxters!<br /><br />The faith we've always seen from our fictional friends is tested and stretched once again in Learning, and you'll be praying, as they are, that it will be refined and grow even stronger. The best part is, yours just might too!<br /><br />Now that I've finished Learning, here comes the hard part: waiting til October<br />for Longing!</span></span></div></div><div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things: </span><span>Visiting with old friends! Seriously, Karen has such an incredible gift for making her characters feel like real people that I know and love. I don't know how to describe it - she does the best job of that too! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span><span>Oh good grief, I was so angry/frustrated/irritated while I read this book! Certain characters were just NOT doing what I wanted! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span><span>See that handsome guy on the cover? That's Cody Coleman aka Guy Who is Definitely in my Top 10 - make that Top 5 - Fictional Crushes/Loves. :D The "model" is Solomon Rexius of the band Caleb and Sol. I love how Karen uses people she knows and cares about for so many of her covers. Sol won a Cody Coleman contest a while back, and I am so glad! He is exactly how I imagined Cody - tall and athletic, with a great smile and gorgeous eyes. What a cutie! *blush*. Best part is, he seems like a fantastic guy in real life too! He couldn't be more perfect for such a wonderful character.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span><span>Well, I started to write them down, but had to rush through it to have time to review before the deadline, so I didn't keep it up. My favorite that I wrote down was from Bob Keller, the husband of the couple Bailey is living with in NYC. He said it in a prayer...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><blockquote></blockquote><b><blockquote>"For it is only in our nervousness and inability that we find the strength to succeed in You.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>"</b></span></blockquote></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I love it, and can totally relate! As I said with Leaving, you just HAVE to go out and buy this book! I absolutely CANNOT wait until Longing comes out - I'm desperate to know where Cody and Bailey go next!</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; font-size: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div></div></div></div></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-943901825111413202011-06-06T18:56:00.006-04:002011-06-07T20:09:22.069-04:00A Killer Among Us...<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Usually, I go at least a week (usually two or more) without posting a review. But this past week, I've read 3 books, and have fallen behind on the reviews! Woah! So be ready for some reviews!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmDCqcwCKItZqU-qa2j5U8lBwuIn6cpcFT6uGpBilIfhBNcrxrS8FFHrLrycwGdb9zD5i8ttyY-YD1IoFqcqaQVk5KjaMoKhopnZezo-SCdaXOUCXh3XL_wm_kSw_M04ag1z8TeCiglU/s320/Lynette+Eason+A+Killer+Among+Us.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Book: </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; line-height: 20px; font-size: medium; ">A Killer Among Us</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">u</span><span style="line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">thor: </span><span style="line-height: 20px; ">Lynette Eason</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Pages:</span> 343</div><div style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Sum</span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">mary: </span>(back cover) Kit Kenyon is a first rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. These new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is,</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "> he may be hunting one of them too.</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; ">A Killer Among us is the third and final book in the Women of Justice series. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; "><br />I feel like I hit the jackpot when I discovered Lynette Eason and this fantastic series. Although I am sad that it has ended, I love that it went out with a bang!<br /><br />As with the first two novels, I was completely hooked from page 1. Lynette jumps right in on the action, opening in the middle of a hostage situation, and the action does not stop until you get to the last page. In book 2, I knew who the killer w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; ">as right away. In this one, I had my suspicions about a few people. The actual killer was on my "suspect list", but not as high as</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; "> others, so I was still surprised.<br /><br />I absolutely love the characters in this series. I love that, even from book 1, you feel for them and feel so involved in their lives. By book 3, they're almost like friends. I felt for them as they went through all their ordeals.<br /><br />I didn't think I would like Noah and Kit as much as Jamie and Dakota, but I did! I love the strength of the women in these series. I think I'm unlike most people in the way I almost prefer a woman who "needs" the man, because hardheadedness and pride gets old fast, I think. But I loved the stubborn streak each "woman of justice</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; ">" had, while still letting their feelings show. It made it so much easier to relate to them, and to admire their determination, without wishing they'd give it up already!</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; ">I love the men in this series as well. All three are great, Godly, manly men. I love a man with a badge, a gun and a Bible. *sigh* Noah was wonderful. I loved the way he reached out to every person he met. I liked that he made it clear that he was pointing them to God, not himself. I loved that he encouraged Kit in her walk, without judging or shoving it down her throat. I loved the flirting between the two of them - subtle, but so cute!<br /><br />Another thing I love about this series is the familiar setting. I live in Columbia, SC, where they are set, and it gives such a neat perspective as I'm reading to be able to visualize exactly where the characters are. Then, in A Killer Among Us, Noah an</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; ">d Kit travel to Raleigh, NC, where I grew up. It was so cool!</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 11, 10); line-height: 18px; ">As I said before, I hate to see this series end. It's the perfect blend of faith and love with non-stop action and heart-stopping suspense. Absolutely incredible! I would love to see at least two more books - one focusing on Serena, the ME, and one on Alena, Kit's neighbor (and maybe Brian?). *sigh* Oh, well. I throughly enjoyed it while it lasted!</span><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things:</span> I love everything about this series! I love the action and suspense, and, of course, I love the little dashes of love. Oh, and Noah gave me butterflies. :D</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span>It's the last book! After I read this, I found out that Lynette is writing a follow-up novella for Samantha and Connor from book one, but I wish there were more full-length novels. I would love to see one featuring the ME, Serena, and one featuring Alena, Kit's neighbor (with Brian from AKAU, maybe?)</div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span>The cover of book one is what made me stop to check it out. I <span class="Apple-style-span">love the crime scene tape look, with the eye-catching yellow, with the beautiful sister being featured in each particular book. I think it give a good idea of what you'll find inside - a crime novel with a bit of beauty and romance. There's no mistaking it for a mushy, fluffy read. And they look great on my shelf</span><span class="Apple-style-span">. </span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span>With the romance and "religion" being on the subtle side in these books, there aren't a lot of quotes that stand out. I liked when Noah would share his faith in a unique, real way when he gave people his pastor's card. I think there was a way he put his</div><div style="line-height: 20px; ">reasons that I liked, but I didn't keep track of it. Oops.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; ">Casting Call: </span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Noah Lambert - Chris Pine, who also gives me butterflies. haha. He's just so handsome! I tried to find a picture with a "playful" expression, since I imagine Noah like that, with the teasing between him and Kit.</div></span></div></div></div></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><img src="http://www.accesshollywood.com/content/images/89/230x306/89218_star-trek-star-chris-pine-beams-up-to-the-2009-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-at-ucla.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 306px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Kit Kenyon - After a lot of searching, I have settled on Leslie Bibb for Kit Kenyon (and Jamie Cash). There were other pictures of her that I think fit what I imagine better, but they were too big. I think she's gorgeous.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://www.deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bibb.jpg" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I've (obviously) read the first two books in the Women of Justice series, and reviewed them on Shelfari.com, but maybe someday I'll post them here too. I HIGHLY recommend this series.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-36825977557612516272011-05-30T14:17:00.004-04:002011-06-10T17:03:46.824-04:00The Wedding Garden...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/57370000/57375767.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/57370000/57375767.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 280px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Book: </span><span>The Wedding Garden</span></span></span><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">Author: </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">Linda Goodnight</span></span><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Pages:</span> 214</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Summary: </span><span>Years ago, Sloan Hawkins ran out of Redemption, and away from his first love, Annie Markham. Now he's back to care for his ailing aunt and her beloved garden. But he's in for a big surprise: Annie's son is <i>his</i>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts: </span><span>I have about a million Love Inspired books. My church librarian passes ALL that she gets on to me, and I've bought a few of my own. I now have about a million to be read. But, they're not all that thought provoking, compared to longer/more in depth novels. Sometimes that's a good thing, but other times I want a little more to chew on. I am determined to get them read though, so I've decided to alternate Love Inspired books with "real" novels...I should probably throw some of the novellas in there too. Because some good old fluff is needed after an exciting suspense novel or a real tear-jerker. About</span> The Wedding Garden...I thought it was good, especially for a "light" read. It did have some depth, and I liked the characters. Not extraordinary, but delightfully ordinary.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things:</span> There was a really unexpected twist! I was NOT expecting suspense in this one!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite: </span><span>I felt like Delaney, Annie's daughter with her ex-husband, was ignored. I know Justin, Sloan's son, was kind of in the spotlight, but I would've liked more moments with Delaney.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span><span>The cover is the reason I caved and bought yet another Love Inspired book (for 50 cents at a yard sale, so I don't feel so bad) that I didn't really need. I've learned to be very very selective about them...if it's about best friends falling in love, I want to read it. Otherwise, there has to be something special about it that piques my interest. For The Wedding Garden, it was the cover. I LOVE the house. It's beautiful! Gosh, if that's all it takes to get me to buy it, maybe I should be even more selective...:)</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span><span>Don't have one. The good(?) thing about the Love Inspired books is, I can read them really quickly. That can be good, but I also like to savor a really excellent book. I think that's probably why no particular quote stuck out...I sped by it!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; ">Casting Call: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; ">I didn't/don't really have anyone in mind this time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div></span></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-54767578953334740182011-05-17T13:21:00.009-04:002011-06-10T17:04:09.803-04:00Alabama...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://isbn.abebooks.com/mz/22/59/1593105622.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 254px;" src="http://isbn.abebooks.com/mz/22/59/1593105622.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Book: </span><span>Alabama</span></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; font-weight: bold; ">Author: </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Kay Cornelius </span></span><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Pages:</span> 478</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Summary:</span> (front cover) 'Southern charm reigns in four inspiring novellas.'<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts:</span> I am not really a big fan of novellas. I prefer full stories, or, even better, a nice long series. I feel that novellas don't allow enough time to tell the story naturally or with enough depth. I will, however, be reading a lot of novellas in the near(ish) future, because I won a TON of them and I want to give them a chance. I just hope they're worth it. <i>Alabama</i> was not. I have been trying to finish this book for a </span>long time now, but it failed to capture my interest every time I picked it up. I really wanted to finish, just to "finish what I started", so I pressed on. It was almost painful! I started the first 3 stories, but did not reach the end of any of them. The fourth, Mary's Choice, was the only one I was really interested in, because of the unique aspect of Mary being a less than perfect figured woman. I liked the idea of a "real" woman finding love. Unfortunately, it was a let down. I skimmed through quite a bit of the story. I was not at all interested in the "back story" of the city's development. I thought it was a little creepy that one of Mary's potential suitors was her distant cousin. I don't care if it's a "southern" thing <span class="Apple-style-span">- I am from the south, and I was grossed</span> out. I also found it annoying that every other person had the same name. Three Veronica's and two Sally's in a tiny little town? Sure, it's plausible, but in a novella, naming all the minor characters the same name is just confusing.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things:</span> The end. I know that's awful, but I was just glad that I had <i>finally</i> finished it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite:</span> It was such a disappointment.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story: </span><span>The cover is not bad by any means, but I don't love it. I think it's because my lack of interest in the story didn't "allow" me to imagine something so lovely in the fictional town.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote: </span><span>If there was one I liked in there, I p</span></span>robably skimmed over it. :P</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; ">Casting Call:</span></div></span></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">*NEW PICS COMING SOON*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Mary Oliver/Melissa McCarthy Todd Walker/Barry Watson Jason Abbott/Ethan Hawke</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">I kind of hate saying that I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">imagined Melissa McCarthy the whole time, 'cause I think Melissa is</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">gorgeous/adorable and I wish I had a better character/story to cast her in. I chose Ethan Hawke,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">this picture of him anyway, for the scraggly hair. That trait is something Mary noticed repeatedly </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">about Jason in <i>Alabama</i>. I pictured him with a fuller face, but I gu</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">ess this is close enough. Barry </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">Watson is basically how I pictured Todd, but I didn't have a really distinct picture in mind. I couldn't </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">find anyone perfect for Walter Chance, but I think this picture of Zachary Quinto captures his personality. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4CyJZ7kLnfQg4kGiy9h7pnUa4YIqLZ4nsS8FAoBn2uLofs0NZRHQdfvlSCjRRE6-W-sNqjPRpHYHg4uTJbj7vEIuhnIQbnk15TEcg3Md9NGUssSle22TmdgUquJFKyKFCRIQOgjEo_Y/s320/Nerdy+Sylar.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 250px;" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "> <span class="Apple-style-span">Oh my. Sadly, I cannot recommend this book <i>at all</i>. </span></span></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-39536237637158119352011-05-02T11:55:00.003-04:002011-05-02T12:20:49.551-04:00Excuses, excuses...We are in the process of moving, and most of my books (5 boxes and counting, thank you very much) are already in the new place. Yeah, that's what I'll go with for my reason for not reviewing, or reading at all, in a ridiculously long time. I know there's maybe 1 person who actually reads this blog (if that's not true, let me know you're out there, please!!) but I still feel bad about it. So, because I don't have a book read and ready to be reviewed, here are a few things on my mind:<div><br /></div><div>- I am hungry. My mom and I have been on the Daniel fast, and I'm a week in. I have eaten mostly nuts, strawberries and bananas. It's delicious, but I kind of want a hamburger.<br /><div><br /></div><div>- I wish I could review fanfiction on this blog. I write some too, but I've been reading a lot lately for some reason. Maybe because all of my books are at my other house. Okay, okay. That's not entirely true...I was already distracted by the fanfiction before I temporarily parted with my books. Yes, I know, that is slightly pathetic and I am such a nerd, but I love it. Bones and LO:CI are my faves. I love it when the characters do what I want. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>- Osama bin Laden is dead! </div><div><br /></div><div>On one hand, I think it's about time. People slept a little more peacefully last night. On one hand, I too am very, very relieved.</div><div><br /></div><div>On both hands, (does that make sense?) I am SO grateful to the men and women who have given so much for our country to be free.</div><div><br /></div><div>But on the other hand, I can't decide how I feel about it. Rather, I can't decide how I feel about the celebration of it. We were just talking last night about how God loves EVERYONE the exact same way. As much as we hate to believe it, that includes Osama bin Laden. Jesus died to save Osama bin Laden. It's mind blowing, but it's true. As much as I'd like to think that he would be the exception, he was not. God is grieved that he will spend eternity in hell. As humans, we say "Good riddance! He had it coming!" But ya know what? If it weren't for Jesus, we'd all have it coming.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-5948233707965624432011-04-06T12:44:00.009-04:002011-04-06T13:15:41.405-04:00So Much Cooler Online?<span class="Apple-style-span" ><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >^that's a Brad Paisley reference...but about books. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am on the fence about e-readers. I mean, they seem super convenient - I can take a TON of books with me wherever I go, without lugging them around. It would take up less of my very limited shelf space, which is good, because I am officially out of space. Because of this, I went to a used book store yesterday to trade/get rid of a TON of books and they would only take a few. Of course, I couldn't resist buying a few more too, so I am back with the same amount I had before and no place to put them. A Nook or Kindle would solve that problem (the space, not the getting rid of the ones I don't want...gotta find a solution to that!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >But a Nook is not a book. You don't get the same experience. Instead of feeling the soft pages between your fingers, you get a skinny, cold, hard thing. Instead of hearing the pages as they turn, you click a button. You can't smell that new/used/unique book smell. You can't fold the corner of the page to hold your spot (which I rarely do, but it's the thought of not being able to that I don't like.) You can't see the cover get all beat up because you've re-read a favorite for the 112<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> time. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Despite my wholehearted love of real books, I have downloaded the free Kindle app on my computer. I have also found a bunch of sites for free online books. I don't know how I feel about that either. I don't like reading on the screen, but I do like that I have the opportunity to download and/or read online (free, because I'm cheap) books that I don't own/wouldn't necessarily buy. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >My birthday is coming up, and don't get me wrong: If someone wanted to buy me a Nook, I'd take it and say thank you. But I'm not going to spend my money on one when I can spend it on a real book that I will really love, and that will make my shelf look pretty. Because that's the point, right? ;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-4458986977191718992011-03-30T11:30:00.003-04:002011-03-30T11:53:32.656-04:00A Time to Heal...<span class="Apple-style-span" >I went to a friends house for the weekend in NC, to participate in a walk to raise money for her to have a new, wheelchair accessible room built onto her house. She has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Spina</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bifida</span> like I do, but she can't walk (I use forearm crutches). I didn't walk very much at all, really, but I came home with an infection in my foot. I wasn't terribly surprised...this foot has been giving me trouble since I burned in 6 years ago. There's just this one stubborn spot that keeps coming back. But this time it was pretty bad. The pain started on Saturday night, and I had a low fever. By Sunday night, after I came home and went to church, I could hardly walk and the pain started shooting up my leg. We went to the ER, and found that it was, indeed, pretty badly infected. I've been on IV <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">meds</span> for the past 2 days, but now I'm home with the same <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">meds</span> in pill form, and orders to stay off my foot completely. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Guess what that means? *Hopefully* I'll get lots of reading done! I got like 6 new books from friends while I was in the hospital, came home and found that I had another in the mail from a blog giveaway and an email that I had won another. I really, really want to reorganize my books now, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">that'll</span> have to wait. Thankfully, it's nice and rainy and perfect for reading.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > I'll try to make the most of this time to heal.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-9203904137744856672011-03-22T23:32:00.008-04:002011-03-23T11:37:44.940-04:00Miracles (A 52-Week Devotional)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/38040000/38041135.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 257px;" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/38040000/38041135.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"> Oddly enough, this is not the book I said that I was working on in the previous post. I just wanted an "easy read" that I could get through quickly and check of my list. Today I cut my goal of 100 books down to 50. Some/most people on the blogs that I follow and websites I look at, who are doing the same goal (100), are on about book 40. <i>Miracles</i> is book 7 for me. <i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yeeaaaah</span>. </i>50 seems a whole lot more do-able. Who knows, I could make to to 50 and keep going to 100 after all! We'll see. For now, here is my review of number 7.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Book: </b>Miracles (A 52-Week Devotional)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Author: </b>52 witnesses of a miracle. Put together by Karen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kingsbury</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Pages:</b> 223<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Summary: </b>I bought Miracles at the end of last year, thinking it would be a great devotional book for 2011. While it does have Bible verses throughout, it's not really that kind of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">devo</span> book...at least not for me. It's a little like a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, which I've always liked - a collection of short stories of miraculous...miracles. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Thoughts: </b>Although it wasn't what I expected, I loved it. Even if I wasn't trying to just cross off one more book, I would've read it straight through. I was too hooked to just read one a week for the year. Every single story gave me chills or made me tear up. I mean, how awesome is God? So awesome. I loved that there were so many adoption stories, because I know how dear that is to Karen. I can just see her in my mind, being so touched by the stories as she put the book together. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Favorite things: </b>I liked the adoption stories best, I think.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Least favorite: </b>How can I choose a least favorite thing about a book of real-life miracles? </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Th</b><b>e cover story: </b>I love the simplicity of its beauty. I really like the shade of blue of the single flower, and the crisp white writing of the title and Karen's name. It's eye-catching without taking away from the greatness that is inside...does that make sense? What you see is what you get. "Simple", beautiful stories</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>My Favorite Quote: </b>Don't have one this time...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Casting Call: </b>Can't really cast this one either.</span></div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>My final say: </b>A powerful book about the works of a powerful God. I recommend it, for sure! </span></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; "><br /></div></div></span></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-78752443796987018922011-03-22T13:53:00.002-04:002011-03-22T14:05:00.577-04:00Leaving: In Stores Now!<span class="Apple-style-span" >March 22 is <i>finally</i> here! And you know what that means? You can go buy <i>Leaving</i> now! I r<i>eally, really</i> think you need to read this book. And if you haven't read the Baxter books(Redemption, Firstborn and Sunrise series) or the Above the Line series (18 books altogether) leading up to Leaving, you better get on it! I promise you will be hooked and you will fall in love with the characters. Go do it! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >(I'm reading another book now, but I'm the world's slowest reader apparently {didn't realize just how slow until I started this blog} It is coming though!)</span><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-6007654171683332302011-03-13T12:11:00.006-04:002011-03-13T21:22:49.432-04:00Leaving...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.familychristian.com/FCSMedia/ProductImages.ashx?prodid=129429&height=260&width=180"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 260px;" src="http://www.familychristian.com/FCSMedia/ProductImages.ashx?prodid=129429&height=260&width=180" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ooh, I'm so excited about this post! This past week, I had the unique privilege of reviewing an advanced copy of Karen Kingsbury's new book, <i>Leaving</i>! It releases in stores on March 22, but Karen wanted some of her readers to review it and spread the word, to get people even more excited. I couldn't believe it when I was chosen! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I<span class="Apple-style-span">f you really know me, you know how much I love Karen's books. There is just something about them that, as I said in my last post, touches me in a way that nothing else can. The characters feel like friends and their stories as real as my own. I have a shelf in my room for her books only, and it's finally full...I don't know what I'll do now! :) I also have a KK tote-bag and coffee mug (It's my favorite too. That's a big deal). My goal is to own everything KK that I can. I can't get enough! I know, I'm kind of a geek.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Book:</b> Leaving<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Author:</b> Karen Kingsbury<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pages:</b> 322<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Summary:</b><i> Leaving </i>is the first story in the new Bailey Flanigan series. It follows Bailey as she starts the journey of life on her own, away from her home and family. It also continues the stories of the other members of the Flanigan family and the beloved Baxters.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Thoughts: (this is the review I submitted to Karen) </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span></b></p><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></b>With every new book that follows the Baxters and the Flanigans, I am amazed at how much more I grow to love them and how involved I get in their fictional lives. There is an aspect of every story that I can relate to, but none more than Bailey Flanigan's. I will be 18 next month, and while I don't have plans to leave home just yet, I know it is coming one day. <i>Leaving</i> definitely hit home and made me think of all the lasts I am experiencing right now, and all the firsts that are just around the corner.</div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>I was expecting yet another wonderful book from Karen, of course, but I was still blown away. Each page held something new to stop and think about and learn from. It had me laughing at something Devin said one minute, and sobbing the next. At times, I even found myself talking to the characters, begging them to do what I wanted. Now, some people might think I'm crazy, but I think it's just a testament to Karen's incredible, God-given gift.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Favorite things: </b>Every single thing about it. I loved the story and how involved I felt in it. I loved the new things my favorite character encounters, even when they were sad, because of how they relied on God through everything.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Least Favorite:</b><i> </i>There were some twists that I didn't expect and some things that happened that I'm not super happy about right now, but I know it'll work out by the end of the series. There are always loose ends at the end of the first book, but I know she'll get her happily-ever-after. It definitely made me anxious for the next book, <i>Learning</i>, which comes out in June. I wish I didn't have to wait so long!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Th</b><b>e cover story: </b>The cover of <i>Leaving</i> is one of my favorites. Karen's daughter, Kelsey, who is the inspiration behind Bailey Flanigan, is the cover model. Isn't she absolutely gorgeous?! The cover really is perfect for the story. It shows Bailey standing in Times Square, where she moves to pursue her dream of being on Broadway. I like that it's kind of blurred in the background, but she's clear. It kind of gives the sense that, even in all the craziness that is NYC, Bailey is completely at peace because she knows she is where God wants her. I love the look in her stunning blue eyes; a look of wonder and the promise of endless possibilities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>My favorite quote: </b>There are always so many great quotes in Karen's books. I'm always stopping to re-read the lines that really hit me, and there are so many. The way that Karen views the world is beautiful, and her words never fail to speak to my heart and soul. I don't have a favorite quote from <i>Leaving</i>, but my favorite quote of all time comes from <i>Take Three</i>, in her Above the Line series, which is right before the Bailey Flanigan series. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote></blockquote><b><blockquote>"Life is too short for half-hearted connections and meaningless run throughs."</blockquote><br /></b><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><b>Casting Call: </b>Being the super nerd/HUGE Karen Kingsbury fan that I am, I do have a list of people that I would want to play every single Baxter and most of the Flanigans and other friends, but I'm resisting the urge to share it because I just know there will be a movie or tv series one day and they'll need some help with casting the perfect person, and it'll be me to the rescue! Plus, I can't narrow down my ideas so there's about a billion...</div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="yiv609084128MsoNormal"><b>My final say: </b>Another gem by Karen Kingsbury that will be cherished and re-read over and over. I <i>highly</i> recommend that you go out and buy it on March 22!</div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-63096326791500814612011-03-03T19:24:00.004-05:002011-04-07T13:49:13.351-04:00This Side of Heaven<span class="Apple-style-span">Finally, another review! I was hoping to post sooner, but oh well. I'm still learning how to do this. I think I'll read more than one book at a time and just see which is ready to be reviewed first. I like to savor a book, but I'll take forever to read them if I savor them one at a time. :) I'm also going to add who I would cast in a movie version of (some of) the fiction books I review, just because I think that's a lot of fun. I know the posts are going to be a million miles long, but you can just call them "thorough". Sorry, just thinking "out loud." Here's the review:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Book: </span><img src="http://net.archbold.k12.oh.us/ahs/web_class/Fall_09/KarenKingsbury_storrer/images/standalones2.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 296px;" border="0" alt="" />This Side of Heaven<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Author: </span>Karen Kingsbury<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Pages:</span> 307<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Summary:</span> (back cover) A story of family secrets, broken relationships and a love strong enough to span the nation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Thoughts:</span> I am so e</span>xcited to be reviewing a book by my favorite author, Karen Kingsbury, and I wish this review could do her gift justice. There is just something about her writing that makes the story come to life and the characters become my friends. <span style="font-style: italic; "><b>Every word touches my heart in a way no other thing can.</b></span> I usually have tears streaming down my face before I even get through the dedications she writes to her family at the beginning of each book.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />Karen is not one to shy away from tough, real life issues, and <i>This Side of Heaven </i>is no exception. It dealt with having a child out of wedlock (with a married woman) and pain killer addiction, among other things. As I said before, her characters are always incredibly special and wonderful. They are perfectly imperfect, and you can't help but love them. In <i>This Side of Heaven, </i>there were some returning friends, and some new ones. I fell in love with Josh on the first page - he was <span style="font-style: italic; "><b>so real. </b></span>Savannah stole my heart instantly. I sympathized with Annie, I appreciated Nate's quiet, steady strength and Lindsey's loyalty. The story captured my attention and held it, so that I just needed to know how it all worked out, how they got to their happy ending. I think this one would make an excellent movie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Favorite things:</span> Carl Joseph, Daisy, Cody and Elle were back! I was <i>so</i> excited! They're from two of my very favorite books, <i>A Thousand Tomorrows</i> and <i>Just Beyond the Clouds</i>, and I've missed them. :) The mention of Ali was great too, and I like knowing that she's still not forgotten. I also liked that it started with a renewed faith for Josh, instead of ending with it. It was a unique perspective. I also enjoyed the story being told from Savannah's point of view at times - Karen is great at capturing a child's innocence in her writing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Least favorite:</span> Maria Cameron. She made me so angry. I like all the "smaller" parts with Cara, Becky and even Lindsey, but it made me wish for more of their stories. I would LOVE to read Cara's and Becky's in another book, especially Becky.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Cover Story:</span> This cover is beautiful! I've had my eye on this one for a while because of it. It really captures the innocence of Savannah's character and is just how I would've imagined her. Her eyes are stunning!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">My favorite quote:</span> </span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>"<span style="font-style:italic;">Wondering is a part of life. As long as it doesn't keep you from living.</span>"</b><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Casting Call:</span><br /><br />Josh - Josh Braaten - <img src="http://cdmtribune.s3.amazonaws.com/showcards/v2/AllPhotos/184916/p184916_n316346_cc_v2_aa.jpg" />(I had him in mind from page 1, but the others I had to look for. :P)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Savannah - Dannika Northcutt - <img src="http://www.flickpeek.com/images/actors/pic_60898.jpg" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Annie - Kate Mulgrew - <img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/section/movies/filmography/5/WireImage_531442.jpg" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Nate - James Read - <img src="http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Galleries/Imported/BioPix/C/bio_09/james-read1.jpg" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Lindsey - Sophia Bush - <img src="http://assets.thehairstyler.com/images/celebrity/Celebrity_1627.jpg" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">There you go! More of Karen's books will be posted in the future. Let me know what you think about my reviews - I'm learning and could use some tips!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-74926213365245762742011-02-20T21:21:00.006-05:002011-04-07T13:40:39.928-04:00Guys Like Girls Who...<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">blog regularly. Well, I don't know if that's true, but I'm gonna try!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">I'm going to attempt something new. I've been reading a lot of "book blogs" lately with reviews, interviews, giveaways, etc., and I really like them, so I thought I'd give it a try. I have a bazillion books sitting in my room that need to be read this year, but sometimes I just don't feel like it. I mean, I love to read, but sometimes I just have zero motivation. I don't know why. This will hopefully give me that motivation. :) I'm really sorry if it's awful and makes you never want to read a book again. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></p><img src="http://cd.pbsstatic.com/l/06/3006/9781400313006.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 280px;" border="0" alt="" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Book: </b></span>Guys Like Girls Who...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Author: </b>Chad Eastham</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Pages: </b>216-ish</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Summary: </b>A book about what guys want. (back cover) "Not what guys think they want. Not what guys want right now. But what guys want, what guys need in order to make them, and you, truly happy"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Thoughts: </b>Oh my goodness. I found out about Chad Eastham through a friend a few years ago, then I heard him speak during the Revolve Tour in '08 or '09. It was admiration at first sight. He is a genius. It's incredible how true the things he says about guys and girls are. I had high expectations for this book, and it surpassed them all. <b><i>I was so impressed.</i></b> As Chad says in the book, it's not a list of what to do to get a guy. It's full of <b>real, Godly truth about who God is</b> and what He thinks, who I am and how I think, how guys think and what they like. It gave me hope that I will find the guy God created for me. I laughed so much (he's absolutely hilarious!) and I teared up when he talked about valuing myself. He'd probably say that's a girl thing. :P </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">This is the second book of his that I've read (Guys are Waffles, Girls are Spaghetti, which is also fantastic!), and his others are definitely on my birthday wishlist.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Favorite things: </b>Everything that made me smile and nod because it was just SO true! I also really love the little quizzes...very helpful and fun. And chapter 10, "Can High-five and Punch." Basically, about being friends with guys. I'm a <i><b>huge</b></i> fan of this. I re-read it several times. Fantastic!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Least favorite: </b>It had to end. Bummer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>The Cover Story: </b>Love it! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>My favorite quote: </b>I started to underline every awesome quote but gave up when I was wanting to underline page after page...I loved everything about chapter 10, especially the last few paragraphs. But I don't think I can post that much online...just go buy it! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Jordan</span></p><blockquote></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935519701166910535.post-13278627788944101782011-01-06T20:18:00.001-05:002011-01-06T20:21:16.585-05:00In 2010,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; " ><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I learned that family is a pretty nice thing to have, and that grandparents are especially special.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I got a job that is so perfect for me that I know God had it in mind all along. I learned that I don’t have to be what the world expects. I learned that even though I may have my own plans, only God knows the plans He has for me, and they’re a whole lot better than mine.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I lost 20 pounds. I learned that I don’t love sweets that much. :)</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I went to the beach (which I normally hate) with a bunch of wonderful girls, and had a blast. I was reminded that God always provides, especially when it’s for His glory. I learned that I love serving people, especially giving food as some tangible sign of God’s love and provision. I also learned that turning 20 is gonna be so awful. :)</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I smiled every single Sunday thanks to a bunch of wonderful children.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I learned that I am not alone in my struggles.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I watched my brother show love in ways I’ve never seen before. It was weird at first.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I learned that my sister is actually a good person to talk to sometimes. :)</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I went to NC for Fairview’s 20th Anniversary. I learned that I really miss NC and being a kid.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I was reminded that I am loved by some pretty wonderful friends. I learned to appreciate them. </p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I learned that my mom is one of my best friends.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I cried.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I laughed.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I worried.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I tried my best to trust.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I failed miserably, but He let me try again and again and again.</p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I learned that I waste far too much time on the computer. </p></span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412384854341326910noreply@blogger.com0