Books 14-15 Clockwise and Clockwiser

Book 14 Is a time traveling tale that is an absolute page turner.  You can't help but wonder through out the book how things will turn out. Casey is a High School sophomore, dealing with the awkwardness of being a teenager, the drama of High School and of course the dream of being noticed by the perfect guy, without his popular, annoying girlfriend ruining her life. The only problem is Casey has a big secret, one that makes her wonder if she can ever have any of the things she wants in life, she time travels.  Her traveling seems to be picking up speed lately too, with all the stress from falling for Nate, she can't seem to stop it.  Her girlfriend, Lucinda, trying to help Casey live a normal teenage life, may just be the reason she's now in bigger trouble as now she has to help Nate return from an unexpected trip that he takes by asking Casey to dance on a dare.  Will they become friends or enemies as they learn to live with each other in both the 1860's and the 2000's?  This book had twists and turns like no other.  I found myself unable to put the book down, wanting to find out what could possibly happen next to the characters.  

Great story, clean and entertaining. Five stars for this book!

Book 15, is book 2 in the series.  I read it in one day!  It again was a complete page turner, this time involving not only Casey, Nate and Lucinda, but also getting Casey's younger brother Tim involved. His troubled life has cause more than it's share of trouble in the 2000's.  What will happen when it crosses into the 1860s?  Unfortunately, for him, stressing his sister out, is going to cause him to discover her secret, and what life was like in times past.  The only problem is, he's continuing to get in trouble in both realities. Can Casey save him from himself?  Will she let her friends help her, or try to do it on her own.  A great story, and a fairly quick read.  

I'd give this book 5 stars as well!

So, what's next for me as a reader, trying to get to my 60 books by the end of the year?!?  First of all, A LOT MORE READING!  Seems it's going slow this year. Secondly, Book 3 and let's be honest, Book 4 in the Clockwise Series. 

Followed by

Need to start thinking of Spring! and also want to finish the book 

Happy Reading!

Book 12-13 Double Major and In the Zone

Book 12 This was a novella wrapping up some lose ends from the previous several books in the series.  It centers around the double wedding of 2 of the Portland Storm players.  While at the wedding several of the characters begin to learn important lessons on what really matters in their lives.  This book follows those players, and encourages you to read the following books to find out more, as their stories aren't finished in this book.  A good trick by the author to hook you into more of her stories.

I'd give the book 4 stars.  Again with the language issue, but otherwise a good read.

 Book 13 In book 12 these two characters are introduced to each other. Yet, you wonder if they will ever meet again.  Causing you to pick up book 13 to find out more. Keith and Brianna meet in a mysterious, fake name, no strings night. Now they are running into each other in truth and not sure what to do with that. Both are struggling to deal with their past and learn to live in the present. Can they help each other do that?  Will they be able to teach each other how to live with who they are now despite the past? Of course the only real way to truly find that out would be to read the book.  

An enjoyable tale, filled with people being less than perfect, and I really enjoyed that the main female character was not a size 2.  Real people do live real lives and they are not always the perfect "model" the world thinks they need to be.  Good job on making a non typical Hollywood sized person beautiful in your book. As true beauty is not about weight, but heart.

I'd give the book 4 stars.

Book 11 Delay of Game

 A Hockey romance, which unlike the cover was not quite as steamy as the cover makes it seem.  Which is a good thing, as I really don't want to be ready steamy love stories.  The story over all was good. Cam, is a player on Sara's father's team.  A man she would never be allowed to date, because of that.  Just the same she's been attracted to him forever, and now when she's in trouble, he seems to be the one stepping in to bail her out.  Will her father believe the story he's created and accept his daughter dating one of his players.  Or, will this newest news push him over the edge of his already problematic health.  Sara's desire is to continue to be in charge of her life, but she's learning that sometimes letting go, and letting someone else lead has it's benefits.  Will they survive the power struggle, or will Cam end up sidelined.

A good romance book.  Still wishing the author didn't think that swearing is needed to make the book seem legitimate to the NHL.  I'm sure there are plenty of players who don't talk they way she seems to think all the players talk.  Still, the book held my interest enough, that I also downloaded the next one in the series.

I'd give the book 3.5 stars, due to language and some unneeded scenes as well!

Book 10 Living Well Spending Less

When I read non-fiction, I try to determine if I learned something along the way.  In this book I think the most important thing I learned is to look at my motives for spending money.  If I'm spending money to try to be happier, it will never happen.  We are blessed to have financial stability, something that is not easy for many people, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to work on that stability daily.  In order to do that we need to make choices on what really matters, and make sure we are following through on those choices.  It's easy to get your focus on just buying and worrying about the consequences later, whether you have money or not.  This book gives some great tips on budgeting, living within your means, finding your motivation and finding your direction.  I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has never considered budgeting, or who just simply loves to shop too much!  Our houses should not be filled with stuff, they should be filled with love and what is important.  In this year of decluttering, my mini theme for the year, this was a perfect reminder of where my focus needs to be.

I'd give this book 5 stars!