The Inn at Eagle Point - Sherryl Woods

Title: The Inn at Eagle Point
Author: Sherryl Woods
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2009
Pages: 384
Genre: Romance
Series: Chesapeake Shores Book #1

Abby returns home with her twin daughters to help her sister restore the towns Inn. Jill has gotten herself into financial trouble, and the bank is ready to foreclose on the Inn. Calling her financial wizard sister, Abby, she hopes that things will turn around. Unfortunately, the boy whose heart Abby broke when they were teenagers holds the mortgage. This is the main conflict in the book, but there are other side stories that make The Inn at Eagle Point a good read. The O'Brien family is a dysfunctional family at best. They all have their inner demons and find it hard to become close to each other. The mother left them when Abby was seventeen leaving her to raise her brothers and sisters. The father traveled extensively for his work. Each sibling has their own issues too.

I found the character of Jill to be somewhat annoying, and I kept wanting to say "grow up." Besides that one issue, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the Grandmother's wisdom and the conflict between Abby and her ex-husband added some turmoil to the story.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3/5
Pages: 384
Completed: 5/7/09

Completed Romance Reading Challenge

Last month I completed the Romance Reading Challenge hosted by Naida at The Bookworm. I read 12 books for this challenge:

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
2. Just Try Me by Jill Shalvis
3. Daring the Moon by Sherrill Quinn
4. Tallchief by Dinah McCall (Sharon Sala)
5. Virgin River by Robyn Carr
6. The Italian's Ruthless Marriage Command by Helen Bianchin
7. Morning Light by Catherine Anderson
8. Divorced, Desperate, and Dating by Christie Craig
9. Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods
10. Home Fires by Luanne Rice
11. Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale
12. Passing Through Paradise by Susan Wiggs

Here is a link to my original post with links to all my reviews.

I tried reading different types of romances from medieval to contemporary, from suspense to comedy. Thanks Naida for hosting this fantastic challenge - I love romances!!

Royal's Romance Reading Challenge

Since I completed my first Romance Reading Challenge...I've decided to join another one hosted by The Royal Reviews - The Royal's Romance Reading Challenge.

Completing this one will require reading 7 romances in 6 months. To complete the challenge the title or author's name will need to begin with the letters R-O-M-A-N-C-E and must be classified as a romance novel (this includes as romance sub genre including contemporary, historical or paranormal).

This challenge begins on June 1st and finishes on November 30,2009, although you can sign up anytime.

Here is my list:

R - Roberts, Nora - Sanctuary - 6/8/09; Review
O -
M - Marie Force - Sanctuary - 6/9/09; Review
A -
N -
C -
E -

Hot Flash - Kathy Carmichael

Title: Hot Flash
Author: Kathy Carmichael
Publisher: Medallion Press
Published: 2009
Pages: 371
Genre: Women's Fiction/Romantic Comedy

Man, I wish I could remember where...but, I won an autographed copy of this book from one of my blogger friends - I just can't remember who. I think I am going to have to start writing this info down so I can give credit where credit is due.

This book made me laugh until tears were coming out of my eyes. It is about a forty-year-old, pre-menopausal chef who is the mother of a teenage son. Need I say more? Hysterical. She decides she needs to find a husband who can help pay her son's college tuition. So she starts by mailing out surveys to all the happily married couples she sees in the newspaper that are celebrating their anniversaries. The comments she gets back about having a successful marriage vary, but there is an underlying theme to all the answers...their husbands were gone for long periods of time. So, she sets her sights on traveling salesmen.

Next comes the disasterous dates, antics of her teenage son, problems with her job, and attention from the one man who is the exact opposite of the type of man she is searching for...he is an elementary school teacher.

Kathy Carmichael does a wonderful job of creating situations that will make you laugh out loud, dialogue that is witty and fun, characters that are truly exceptional and engaging, and the story flows smoothly from beginning to end.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 371
Completed: 4/30/09

The Secret Hour - Luanne Rice

Title: The Secret Hour
Author: Luanne Rice
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 2003
Pages: 395
Genre: Suspense/Romance

This was a different kind of book then what I am used to reading by Luanne Rice. It was filled with suspense and mystery as well as a good romance. She wrote with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me interested and wondering how it would end. I love it when an author can keep me guessing. Another selling point was that the children were children...they misbehaved, talked back, and acted their age. A pet peeve of mine is when the children in a romance novel are so "perfect" and understand adult situations at such a young age - just doesn't ring true with me.

John O'Rourke is an attorney trying to hold his family together after the death of his wife. Not only is he having to deal with his children, but the whole town is against him since he is defending a serial killer and trying to get him off of death row.

Kate Harris is looking for her younger sister after she left home because of a devastating confrontation. With only a postcard to go on, Kate comes to the seaside, and discovers that John is the one man who may be able to help her...but will he go against everything he believes in to give Kate the information she seeks?

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 395
Completed: 4/25/09

Summer Vacation Reading Challenge

As we progress through the year, the seasonal challenges start popping up. I am signing up for the Summer Vacation Reading Challenge. Molly at My Cozy Book Nook is our generous host. There are two levels to this challenge:

• Beach Bum: you will read 3 books during this time frame (a leisurely book-a-month); cross-over book selections from other challenges may count; and you do not have to list books in advance -- after all, summer vacation is a time for spontaneity.
  
• Globe Trotter: you will commit to reading 6 pre-selected books during this time frame, but you may substitute up to 3 books due to changes in travel plans. Cross-overs for 5 out of the 6 books are allowed, but ideally one book will be read for this challenge alone.

I am going to commit to the Globe Trotter challenge and designate 6 pre-selected books. This challenge runs from Memorial Day - May 22 through Labor Day - September 7. The books can encompass any genre as long as it takes you to some place where you would like to travel.

Here is my list:

1. Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller (Montana)
   
2. An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor (Ireland)
   
3. A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole (Scotland) 6/17/09; Review
   
4. Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear (Colorado)
5. Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr (California)
6. The Kissing Game by Suzanne Brockmann (Florida)

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

Sisterhood Award!!!

I have been so late in announcing this - please forgive me Evy - the award was truly appreciated!!

Evy at Evy's Harlequin Presents blog has gifted me the Sisterhood Award - and I couldn't be more excited - it is always a treat to be nominated by other bloggers out there and to know that people are actually reading my posts and enjoying them!! LOL

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I am nominating everyone that follows this blog - whether by the Follow Me link, Google Reader, or any other way that you visit me. This award goes to all of you - it is great knowing that I have "sisters" out there that love books as much as I do!!

Passing Through Paradise - Susan Wiggs

Title: Passing Through Paradise
Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Hachette
Published: 2002
Pages: 419
Genre: Romance

Another good book from Susan Wiggs. Even though this is one of her older books - I still enjoyed it and was totally immersed in the book. Her characters are vivid, and their emotions come rolling off the pages.

Sandra is a complex character - having to overcome the accusations of an entire town. Her husband's death was ruled an accident, but the townspeople believe she is guilty. Having been under suspicion for over a year, Sandra decides that it is time to move on - away from Paradise. Wanting to sell her childhood vacation home where she has been in hiding, she needs to hire a contractor to restore it to its original beauty.

Mike Malloy is a contractor who has lost everything. Through divorcing his wife, he lost his company and is about to lose his children. While waiting for the courts to decide his visitation rights, he decides to take the job of restoring Sandra's house. "She soon realizes he's skilled with his hands...and at touching her lonely heart."

Although this book is light on romance, it is complex in plot, characterization, and emotion. Another great read by a fantastic author - she touches the heart with her writing and brings to life a world rich with beautiful descriptions and characters that will be remembered long after the book is done.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 419
Completed: 4/7/09

Montana Creeds: Logan - Linda Lael Miller

Title: Montana Creeds: Logan
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2009
Pages: 374
Genre: Romance

This is just one of Linda Lael Miller's new books for 2009, and she starts the year off with a bang. Montana Creeds: Logan is the first book in the Creed Brothers' trilogy - they are three estranged brothers who come home to find family - and love.

Logan has sold his online legal company, given up his wandering ways, and returned home to put down roots and restore his family's ranch. Briana is a divorced mother of two boys who is renting a home on the Creed land. She is surprised that Logan relates so well with her children after hearing all the stories about the brothers hell-raising. But after her ex returns, and some one sets out to terrorize her by vandalizing her home, Logan shows Briana - and the town - what the Creed boys are really made of.

This is a great romance - Briana is a tough mother who has had to survive against the greatest of odds, and Logan is your typical rowdy cowboy who wants to remedy the past by reestablishing his relationship with his brothers and to have a family of his own. The kids were realistic as was the budding relationship between Logan and Briana. The only thing that I didn't like was Briana's quick trust in her ex after being abandoned two years before in a Walmart parking lot with nothing but the two boys. She immediately releases the boys into his care as soon as he shows up in Stillwater Springs. I think she should have been a bit more cautious.

All in all it was a sweet romance with likable characters, a bit of suspense with the vandalism, and a whole lot of fun to read.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 374
Completed: 4/1/09

Simple Wishes - Lisa Dale

Title: Simple Wishes
Author: Lisa Dale
Publisher: Hachette - Forever
Published: 2009
Pages: 365
Genre: Romance/Women's Fiction

So much more than a romance, this book has it all - mother/daughter relationships, cultural issues, betrayal, emotional growth, parental legacies, unresolved anger, and forgiveness. It deals with real life issues with the characters being so believable they jump out of the pages and stand before you. This is Lisa Dale's debut novel and she comes out with a bang. I can't wait to read more from this author. I believe she has another book coming out in November 2009.

Adele is returning home after her dream of living in New York is shattered by one mistake. She returns to the cottage that she inherited from her mother. There she befriends Beatrice, a Korean woman, who Adele believes has some secrets to share about her mother. However, Beatrice tries her best to keep her from digging into the past. Adele embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to grow in the midst of tragedy, accepting life's simple pleasures, and opening her heart to love.

Jay is an artist in woodworking. He has secrets of his own. They both need to realize that the legacies our parents leave us sometimes are not always the best. Learning to overcome them is a journey all its own. As Adele and Jay grow closer together, "secrets from her mother's past threaten to send her fleeing back to the city. Can Jay convince her to stay with him?"

You can read my full review and quotes here.

Rating: 4/5
Pages: 365
Completed: 4/1/09

Book Binge

COMPLETED 4/30/09

The annual Book Binge runs the whole month of April, and the rules are very simple.

1. For the month of April, keep track of the books you read.

2. On May 1, post your list on your blog.

I already have a couple of books read for April, but I haven't posted the reviews for them yet.

Here is my List:

1. Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller 4/1/09; Review
2. Simple Wishes by Lisa Dale 4/1/09; Review
3. Passing Through Paradise by Susan Wiggs 4/7/09; Review
4. Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren 4/21/09; Review
5. Dancing in the Moonlight by Raeanne Thayne 4/22/09; Review
6. The Secret Hour by Luanne Rice 4/25/09; Review
7. Hot Flash by Kathy Carmichael 4/30/09;