Book 9 Where She Went

Book 9 Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Started this book last night before bed and read 50 pages, today, thanks to a day off of school because of extremely cold wind chills I finished the book!  It was a quick read, and a fairly good story.
Three years have past since the accident that changed Mia's life forever.  She however wasn't the only one whose life had been changed forever.  Adam too was effected by the events that took place those three long years ago. His path, that had been clear was suddenly far from where he wanted it to be, but he had no idea how to make it right again. Would finding Mia, make the difference?

I spent most of the book really debating on which of the two main characters I was mad at.  Then in the end it all made sense. Sometimes life throws curve balls and this book was full of things that continued to happen after the tragedy of book one. Will Mia and Adam end up forgiving each other and moving on with their own lives.  Only a quiet afternoon of reading will give you that answer.

I'd give this book 5 stars.

Book 8 If I Stay

Book 8 is If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My daughter's best friend lent her this book for me to preview.  I read it in about 3 hours.  It's a thought provoking book on trying to determine if the main character should stay alive, or give up the fight and join her family in death.  Mia watches her life as she is being treated, and taken care of after a horrific accident.  She's torn between knowing which path to choose and the people around her, without even knowing, guide her in her decision.  It was an interesting story concept and more original then some of the themes I've read lately.  In terms of teen fiction, I liked the fact that while implied that the main character may have had a physical relationship with her boyfriend, it was not written out for the world to read.  Was not crazy about some of the language, after all my job as Mom is to try and protect my children as long as I can from influences that aren't the best for them.  The idea of being in control of that final decision is an interesting concept.  I firmly believe, and know that my children do to, that after life is heaven when you have accepted Christ as your savior.  Having that knowledge is what gives me peace over what may happen at the end of my life.  It also gives me the ability to allow my child to read a book where that knowledge isn't taught or present, as I know she is secure in what she believes.  The story was captivating, and hard to put down as you are caught wondering until the last sentence of the book, if she will choose to stay or go.

I'd give the book 5 stars.

Next up, the sequel

Thank goodness for snow days and a chance to keep reading!!

I'm also still working on the non-fiction book Living Well, Spending Less.  About 50% done with that, but fiction is just quicker to read!

Books 5-7 The Portland Storm Series, books 2, 2.5 and 3

The cold weather has hit and with it, somehow, I've found time to read again. It doesn't hurt when you are reading fictional stories that pull you in with the characters and setting.  Books 5-7 were the next in the Portland Storm Series by Catherine Gayle.

 The first book in this series was good, other than some of the content that could have been left out, such as language and scenes that didn't need to be in the book to capture the love story.  Still I liked the story and the concept of the story enough to actual pay for the next 3 books in the series.

Book 2 (for me book 5) was On the Fly

This is the story of Rachel, a woman trying to get her life back together after leaving her native home of Texas and a tragic past.  In the midst of pulling herself out of the past she meets Soupy.  She doesn't trust men, and doesn't want to trust him especially, but watching parts of the past melt away causes her to rethink her ability to trust. Now she's trying to handle a new job working for the Portland Storm, when she knows nothing about hockey, and learning that she also knows very little about the real love people are capable of. A good story, about healing, despite obstacles in the way.

I'd give the book 4 stars

Book 2.5 (my book 6) was Taking a Shot

For 3 years Katie has been falling in love with Babs, but he has been continually told by her father that even looking at her could get him pummeled. Now she is facing a fight that he can't stand to watch, and she seems to be losing.  His new roommate Kally suggests that sometimes you have to take a shot at what you want even if the risks are too great.  While doing just that Babs manages to give the desire to fight back to Katie, so maybe facing her father won't be as bad as he thinks.

I'd give the book 4 stars, short and sweet.  Hoping these characters are revisited throughout the series.

Book3 Light the Lamp (my book 7)

This book was the most far fetched so far in the series.  Kally lost everything  2 years ago when his wife died on the side of a road, now he finds himself rescuing Noelle from a similar fate.  Did fate really bring them together?  He's a professional athlete, she's a  homeless woman trying to get by.  Will they both teach each other how to survive despite the losses in their lives, or run away from each other.  This was my least favorite of the books so far, it just didn't seem plausible in many ways.  I probably will continue reading the series at some point, but not planning on buying any more of the books right now.

I'd give this book 3 stars.

Book 4 Breakaway (sometimes hockey just needs to be in your life )

Breakaway by Catherine Gayle was book 4 of this new year.  It's cover caught my attention, having been a hockey mom for 9 years and a hockey wife for the past 4.  While we don't follow hockey as much as we used to, once it becomes the sport you'd most like to watch, it's hard to completely be done with it.  

While the cover caught me, the story itself was good too!  The plot revolves around Dana, a young woman who is fighting to recover who she was after being attacked in her early 20s.  She thinks she is headed towards the final steps of recovery, but in order to get there she has to ask her brother's best friend, and her life long friend, Eric for something she isn't sure she should ask him for.  She also isn't sure that he will be willing to help her, despite all the years of him telling her he'd do anything for her. 

All of those years of telling her he would be there for her could never prepare  him for what she needs  now.  Yet, turning her away could bring further pain for all of them.  On top of it his team is making a playoff run, and this is not the best time for making further commitments.  

The story will leave you intrigued as far as what will end up happening, and wanting to know more about the peripheral characters as well. While I got this book for free, I did just break down and download the next 3 books in the series on Amazon.  I'm looking forward to reading more by Catherine Gayle.  There is a bit of language that I could do without, and some scenes that could have been omitted, but overall a good romance, and filled with hockey, so that's good too!

I'd give the book 4 1/2 stars.

Up next, I'm still reading Living Well, Spending Less, I hope to finish it before the end of the week.  

My next fiction selection is

the next book in the series by Catherine Gayle

Although, at the request of my daughter I did just read the first chapter of City Of Bones.  I found it pretty disturbing, lots of talk of demons and with the word Sexy on the cover itself made me think my 12 year old doesn't need to be reading this yet.  Like I said, I did read a chapter, as well as some reviews. I want to be fair to books that are out there, but I still need to protect my children from ungodly influences as well.