Rewriting Monday - Jodi Thomas

Title:  Rewriting Monday
Author:  Jodi Thomas
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2009
Pages:  343
Genre:  Romance with a touch of Suspense

In this book, Jodi Thomas does something a little bit different. She writes in both first person and third person. Not only do we get to delve into the thoughts of the narrator...but also the other characters as well. It might not seem like this would work...but it does, in a great way.

Pepper is the main heroine of the story and through her narrative, we are introduced to the town of Bailee and its inhabitants. She has come to the small town of Bailee to pull her life together after a making a mistake that ended her career as a reporter in Chicago. With less than $300 in her pocket, she arrives at the home of her Aunt only to discover her Aunt is in a nursing home, and the dwelling is a rundown mobile home. Left with no choice, she applies for a job at the local newspaper.

Mike is the editor and owner of the Bailee Bugle...not because he wants to be...but because he inherited the job after his father and brother died within months of each other. Living life full of regrets, Mike is the ultimate beta hero. Strong, yet shy, he keeps his inner turmoil hidden from the townsfolk. He has always been in the shadows...growing up with the town hero as his brother.

This is a great story with intriguing characters...ones that will keep you wanting more of their lives depicted in the story. Along with the romance of Pepper and Mike, there are secondary stories that keep you entertained...the threats involving the paper; a mysterious man seen around town; and the disturbing things that keep happening to Pepper.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 343
Completed: 3/8/10

Hard to Hold - Stephanie Tyler

Title: Hard to Hold
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Publisher: Dell
Published: 2009
Pages: 370
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Hard to Hold Trilogy - Book #1

Stephanie Tyler is a "new to me" author but not for long. As of right now I am perusing her backlist and writing the titles down on my To Be Bought list!! Her writing style is fantastic, and I was drawn into her world of Navy SEALs from page one. Between all the suspense and intrigue lies a love story so poignant and powerful...that it had me on the edge of my seat to see if they could work through all their problems. I have to say that this is not the traditional Happy Ever After...it is not all wrapped up in a neat little package. Their are still issues that need to be resolved, healing that needs to be worked through, in total...it is a realistic ending that has the reader hoping for the best...but knowing there will be bumps along the way.

Jake and Isabelle "meet" when he has the mission of rescuing her from rebel forces after being held captive and tortured for three days in Africa. The sparks fly from the beginning and keep flying until the ultimate igniting of a fire that burns so passionately it will have you fanning yourself from the scorching heat. However, the road to passion was not easily traveled. Both Jake and Isabelle have pasts that they have to heal from...Jake's as a child and Isabelle's captivity. Neither one wants to tear down the walls that they have built around their hearts...but "nothing could prepare them for a passion this wild...this crazy...this hot."

Jake has been assigned Isabelle's protector since her attacker has not been found. Being kept totally in the dark about the assignment, Isabelle tries to overcome her pain both physically and emotionally. But the truth finally comes out...that the attacker is still at large...that Jake is protecting her...and Isabelle feels totally betrayed by those that she loves.

I really enjoyed this book...the romance, suspense, intrigue, and even the background history on Navy SEALs training. It is fully engaging, and I couldn't put it down. It engages all the emotions that I, as an avid reader, wants pulled from me as I am reading a book. Tears, laughter, sitting on the edge of my seat, passion, and it is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. I can't wait to get me hands on the next in the trilogy and she if Ms. Tyler revisits some of the secondary characters in Hard to Hold that I feel, need some more attention...LOL!!!

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 4.75/5
Pages: 370
Completed: 1/28/10

Comfort Reads

Whew....I am so glad that my reading slump is over. To help me through it, I decided to read a couple of fast and easy reads - 2 Harlequin romances. That did the trick. After reading those, I got back into my reading groove and read two more books this month that I will review later.

The first quick read I chose was Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren. This was a little different storyline than what I have read before. Private investigator Alex Donovan turns rodeo star Brodie Hayes' life upside down with news surrounding his birth. Soon he begins questioning his identity.

I really enjoyed this story - Brodie was the typical hunky cowboy who needs to reevaluate who he is and where he is going with the rest of his life. Standing by his side is the caring Alex Donovan - who will do anything to help her clients. The secondary characters in this story are a scream - I absolutely loved her grandmother and the antics she pulled.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 2.75/5
Pages: 256
Completed: 4/21/09

The other book I chose was Dancing in the Moonlight by Raeanne Thayne. This story involved a heroine that has returned from the war with a life altering injury. While at home, she is confronted by what she considers a childhood enemy.

It encompasses not only recovering from physical injuries, but about reconciling with the past, forgiving, and reevaluating your beliefs. I love these types of books - introspection, overcoming odds, and enemies to lovers. It was a great comfort read.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 2.75/5
Pages: 256
Completed: 4/22/09