Book Reviews: Book 62-65

Yes, once again I'm on a reading frenzy.  The funny thing is, I don't sit around and read all the time.  I find pockets of time here and there to read, but I've been getting stuff done around the house, and spending time with the family and everything.  Honest!!  I'm sure now that fall is here the number of books will slow down!



 

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Book 62: Ciao Bella by Ryan M. Phillips
Isabella is celebrating her 30th birthday. Instead of being happily married with kids as she dreamed, she's single and feeling stuck.  She feels like her carefree friend Cam has it all, and she wants that too. This year for her birthday her friends Cam and Olly give her something that could change her life.  In the process will it change her from who she has always been, or convince her that who she was is who she is suppose to be.  On top of the gift she finds herself lucky in love in a way she never expected.  Faced with all kinds of life changes Isabella must decide what she really wants, and what truly is important.  Sometimes things are what they seem to be.  Can her friendships with Cam and Olly stand the changes she is making.  Only time will really tell.

This book was a lot of fun to read.  I think most people can identify with Isabella and wanting a life that someone else has, or at least thinking we do.  I'd give this book 5 stars. 

 Book 63: The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin

 (book 1 in the Four Weddings and a Fiasco series)

 

 

Julie's dream of being a restaurant owner and chef on her own terms has been taken away by a bad review from Andrew Kyle, the gorgeous chef from the Cuisine Channel’s Edgy Eats show that he hosts as well.  Now she is working as a chef for the Rose Chalet.  Weddings and catering to each couple is just the change she needs to get back on her feet.  That is until Andrew walks into the door to act as liaison for his brother's upcoming wedding. Once again her cooking is going to be judged by this man. Will he wreck her current job in the process?

 

Andrew's family doesn't understand what he does.  They think it's a passing phase that someday, hopefully soon, he'll grow out of and instead become something important like a doctor or a lawyer.  All he really wants is to keep doing what he is doing, except he also wants the beautiful woman he has now run into twice in the cooking world.  Will she learn to trust him, or just think of him as the man that keeps wrecking her life.

 

They are both about to find out when their paths collide and she ends up on his cooking show as someone the fans absolutely love.  Not only the fans, but his family loves her too.  The real problem is, will she love him as well?

 

Fun, light hearted story.  The way it unfolds keeps you guessing too, which is always good.  Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

 

I'd give this book 5 stars.

 Book 64: Slow Cooker 101: Master the Slow Cooker with 101 Recipes

by Perrin Davis

Ok, so reading a cookbook might not count as actually reading a book, but with all the books I do read, I'm counting it.  Plus, at the beginning it had a section with lots of good information about slow cookers and ingredients that are good to have in the house.  I bookmarked over half of the recipes and hope to try them this year.  I make my menus ahead of time and have a day that I designated as Slow Cooker day, so I'm sure I'll give these a try as I go.

 

I'd give the book 4 stars for now, until we taste the recipes.

 Book 65: Wine in my Sippy Cup by Deborah Dove

 Honestly, I downloaded the book because the cover was cute.  I figured it would be about a Mom who doesn't want to be a Mom, so I wasn't sure if I would really like it.  I was wrong.

 

The book is about Elizabeth Cartwright, a once very put together woman.  She had a career, the ability to travel all over the world and a man she loved.  Now 3 kids later she has gained weight, balances her kids lives, and a husband who is consumed with work.  She keeps looking at her friends and their lives and how they seem so perfect.  When an old boyfriend and a job opportunity end up in her path she isn't sure which way she should go.  What she discovers on the journey is so true to so many lives though.

 

I think we all find ourselves looking at others, thinking what if I lived there, or had their job, or was in their situation.  The truth of the matter is that the majority of us are right where we belong.  While things look good from a distance, all of us have problems and areas we need to work on.  Love takes work, and in the book Liz and her husband discover that there are things that need to happen in a relationship to keep it going forward.

 

I really enjoyed the story.  I'd give the book 5 stars.

 

Books up next, or continuing:

The Passionate Mom by Susan Merril (almost 1/2 way through and it is wonderful!!!)

30 Day Organization Course

30 Nutritional Snacks

Livvie's Song by Sharlene MacLarin

 

Happy Reading!!

 

 



 

 



Book Reviews: Book 61

 Book 61 Unglued  Making wise choices in the Midst of Raw Emotion
by Lysa Terkeurst

This book was one of the most amazing books I've read in awhile.  I could completely relate to the fact that it is easy to come Unglued.  Yet, that is not the Mom I want to be.  This book me to see that I am not alone when it comes to reacting with my emotion. It also helped me to realize that I have the power to change how I react.  That power directly comes from God, but that I can tap into it by knowing Him and what He wants for my life.  I'm making imperfect progress, but just the same I am making it.

If you've ever found yourself becoming unglued and looking for somewhere to scream, even if it's your yellow purse, than this book is for you.  Usually when I finish a book and blog about it I remove it from my Kindle.  This one is staying on so I can refer back to it.  Fabulous book an a must read for any parent!

I give this book 5 stars!!


Next up on the reading list:
The Passionate Mom by Susan Merrill
Ciao Bella by Ryan Phillips

Book Reviews: Books 57-60

I'm on a reading frenzy again!  Summer has given me the opportunity to be in the car a lot! 

 Book 57 The Day I Met Dr. Seuss by Anne Emerick
This was a fun book, written in Dr. Seuss style, about the author getting a chance to meet Dr. Seuss.  It was a quick read, as it's about as long as Cat in the Hat, but just the same enjoyable.

I'd give the book 5 stars.

 Book 58 The Color of Water in July by Nora Carroll

This book took me a long time to get into.  Once the story got going it was really good.  The book revolves around Jess, who has recently inherited her Grandmother's lake house.  She plans on selling it, but doesn't plan on reliving her last summer there upon her return.  Being 17 seems so long ago, until it all comes flooding back.  The choices she made have caused her to go in the path she has chosen, but is there still time to leave that path and go a different way? What she finds out about her family, may change her future.  Will she let it?  Read to find out. 

After reading 1/2 the book I began to really like it.  I'm not one to give up on a book unless it is horrible, and I'm glad I didn't give up on this story as it really did get better.

I give this book 3.5 stars.

 Book 59 Grace, Gold and Glory

by Gabrielle Douglas and Michelle Burford

 

Wow!  This girl has such an amazing story, and an even more amazing faith.  The book tells where Gabby came from, and how her path led to the Olympics.  I'd HIGHLY recommend this book for any gymnast as well as an girl struggling to find her place in this world. Gabby was honest and open about things she struggled with and how she dealt with them.

 

Great book. I give it 5 stars!

 

 

 Book 60 Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson

 

Janice Thompson is easily becoming one of my new favorite authors. Each book I've read by her has been wonderful.  The story lines are believable and make it easy to get to know the characters.  Whether you've read other stories in her series or not, the books draw you in.

 

This story can be read on it's own or after reading her books about Bella the wedding planner.  This book itself is about Hannah and her photography business.  Hannah thinks her only way to succeed is to edge out her competition, Drew, and get closer to the wedding planner in town, Bella.  What she doesn't realize is that she does need to be in contact with both of these people, just not in the way she has planned.  In dealing with her own struggle for who she is and what she can accomplish Hannah begins to realize it takes friends, even if it is her "enemy" to help her succeed. Will Hannah learn her lesson before the current bridezilla wrecks her life?  Guess it's time to open the book to see.

 

 

I give this book 5 stars!

Book Reviews: Book 54-56

 Book 54 Mine 'Til Monday by Ruby Laska
Dorothy Albright and Mud Taylor have known each other all their lives. Mud is always there to bail her out of all of her problems, and this one is no exception.  Dorothy's dream job involves a boss who thinks that marriage is the right image for the job. The only problem is she isn't slightly ready to get married. Once again she calls on Mud to help her out, by pretending to be her fiance. Will it work, will they fool the boss, or end up only fooling each other. After all, friends with this much history, might also have a future.

The book was interesting and didn't always go the way that I thought it would.  I wouldn't necessarily buy the book, but since I got it for free it was worth reading.

I'd give the book 3.5 stars.

 Book 55 Winning Balance by Shawn Johnson
Great, great, great book!!!!  This book was wonderful.  Shawn shared her life and what she's learned in the process.  It is full of inspiration and background.  It helps you see where she's been and makes you want to see where she will be going.  This book would be good not only for gymnasts.

I give this book 5 stars!
Book 56 Can't Live Without by JoAnne Phillips

Stella thinks she needs it all, and despite her circumstances of a teenage daughter that doesn't really like her and a father who has let her down, she thinks she can still get it all.  That is until a fire destroys everything she has.  In trying to rebuild her life of stuff she realizes rebuilding her life with people is far more important.  She begins to realize what she really can't live without.

The story was good, a bit unbelievable at times, but overall a fun read.

I'd give this book 4 stars.