Sunday, April 25, 2010

Book Review - "How Do You Tuck in a Superhero?"

Rachel Balducci shares her stories of raising five sons in her book, "How Do You Tuck in a Superhero?" This is a delightful novel filled with touching and humorous stories of life as a mom of five boys.
Rachel recalls times of taking the boys out in public and receiving "looks," to hosting a party in her backyard for her parents amid holes that have been dug looking for treasure to entertaining boys in addition to her own five during playdates. This book is a treasure and must-read for anyone raising one or many boys as you will be able to relate, laugh and cry along with Rachel.

“Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "Divanomics"

Michelle McKinney Hammond shares her stories and tips on "how to still be fabulous when you're broke" in her latest book, "Divanomics." Michelle was used to living a fabulous life, being able to have all her needs and wants, anything she desired - she was living the life. Then...suddenly, she no longer could afford her condo even and her shopoholic habits would be changed. While reading the book you will feel as if you are sitting down with Michelle talking face to face. She is very real in the book and it is written in a conversational tone.
In today's economy, struggling to find the extra money for the "extras" that are desired or even being able to meet needs is relevant for many people. Michelle has filled this book with tips for downsizing, finding bargains and finding treasure in what is already owned. "Dvia tips" are included throughout the books offering practical tips for living a life that is comfortable and allows you to live within your budget.
Making lists, prioritizing the areas in your life that you spend money and creating and following a budget are outlined in this book with Michelle's personal thoughts and tips on each subject. This book will force you to thnk about your life and how you live your life and spend your money.
*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.*

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Book Review - "In Harm's Way"

Irene Hannon finishes her Heroes Of Quantico trilogy with "In Harm's Way," a riveting story featuring Nick Bradley. Nick has played a role in the other two novels in this trilogy, "Against All Odds" and "An Eye for an Eye." I really liked this aspect of the trilogy - that each of the three men (and the main female character in each book) play a role in each of the novels with each book focusing on the story of one of the men.
"In Harm's Way" presents the reader with suspense, romance, relationships and psychology. Rachel Sutton finds a ragged Raggedy Ann doll in a parking lot and experiences an odd sensation when the doll is in her grasp. Not understanding this and being rejected by the local police, Rachel goes to the FBI where she comes in contact with Agent Nick Bradley. Luckily, Nick witnesses Rachel's reaction to the doll and does not laugh off her story. Looking over some past photos the doll is noticed in the edge of a picture of an abducted baby. Through this doll, Rachel learns that she has a twin sister and is really not all alone in this world as she always believed to be as she was moved from foster home to foster home growing up. Nick fights his feelings for Rachel, however it is difficult to deny that the feelings exists when Rachel appears to be in danger herself.
I have enjoyed reading this trilogy and "In Harm's Way" was a great conclusion to this trilogy. The suspense in each book is just right along with the romance that blossoms between the agents and the women they come in contact with on the job. However, the stories are not "sugar-coated" as Hannon has completed research and it was interesting to learn more about the FBI and the various aspects of the responsibilities and roles of the agents. It was a difficult book to put down once I started it!

“Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Friday, April 16, 2010

Book Review - "Never Let You Go"

Erin Healy's first solo novel, "Never Let You Go" is thought-provoking and overlaps into several categories. The main character Lexi, is struggling to raise a daughter on her own while holding down two jobs and maintaining a safe world for them. There is a science fiction feel to this book as well as Lexi struggles with determining what is actual reality and what may be a force or part of her imagination.
Lexi's life was changed seven years ago, and suddenly it is getting turned upside down again when a friend/enemy from the past re-enters making bizarre threats, her estranged husband becomes in contact with Lexi's daughter through Lexi's mother and a man who she secretly had an affair with who also murdered Lexi's sister is up for parole.
This book revolves around choices that people make - choices and how one's choices not only impact his or her life, but everyone's lives around this individual as well. However, the love and grace of God as well as forgiveness that we must extend to others is a key message as well.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Book Review - "Too Close to Home"

The end of the cover blurb reads "Read this one with the lights on!" I agree! Lynette Eason's book 1 in Women of Justice Series, "Too Close to Home" is the most suspenseful book I have read in awhile! This book really made me jumpy at some points - of course, I ended up reading some of it late at night as I could not put the book down!
Special Agent Samantha Cash is called in to work with homicide detective Connor Wolfe on a case that is unfortunately very realistic for today - teens being abducted after talking with with people in chat rooms who are pretending to be someone they are not. Being that the story is so realistic, it was hard to put down, yet it was also so suspenseful and yes, scary at times.
Connor is struggling to raise a teenage daughter himself after losing his wife a few years earlier. As there relationship is not too strong, Connor does not know that his daughter is also communicating with people on the Internet and quite possibly the alleged abductor and murderer. As more girls are reported missing, Connor and Samantha become involved in a race against time as everything becomes way too personal! Samantha will learn some startling discoveries about her sister and also a close friend.
Eason's style is so easy to read and allows the reader to really get into the story. I felt as if I was a character in this story as the story felt that real! This is the first book I have read by Lynette Eason and it will not be the last! I am looking forward to more books in the Women of Justice series.

“Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Book Review - "An Honest Love"

I think I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series and I really liked that one as well! Kathleen Fuller's second book in her Hearts of Middlefield series, "An Honest Love" really focuses on the lives of 4 individuals - 2 couples on the journey of friendship growing into love.
The main characters of her first novel in this series play a minor role, so it is nice to read the first book as you can see how this family is changing and growing.
Elizabeth is at that age when she should becoming a more serious adult and interested in becoming a homemaker and mom. Elizabeth feels as if she is not prepared or as competent as she should be. She finds herself working with and spending more time with Aaron. However, Aaron is filled with regrets of choices he has made in his past and feels as if he is not good enough for an Amish woman. Join these two on their journey of friendship.
Anna is new to the area and trying to forget a broken relationship in the past. She is not willing to open up her heart to any man. However, Lukas showers her with kindness through helping Anna and her mother with their new shop. Anna slowly opens her heart to Lukas, however she is still not telling all of her secrets. An upsetting event causes a wedge between these two, will they make it back to the point at which they fell in love?
A must read for Amish fiction fans!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Book Review - "Hand of Fate"

Beginning with a murder, Lis Wiehl along with April Henry deliver another great suspense novel titled, "Hand of Fate." If you enjoyed the first "Triple Threat Novel" you will not be disappointed with this one!
Picking up soon after the last case is resolved, three friends Nicole, Cassidy and Allison are thrown back into working a case together as fear and panic take over the city while these three women are going about their daily lives. This panic begins when Jim Fate, a controversial talk radio host, is poisoned by a gas in his studio while delivering his daily show. While the novel focuses on finding Fate's murderer and the cause for this horrid incident, the three women are dealing with secrets of their own. They will realize that they really do not know each other that well and that often friends do need to be relied on in order to make it through trials that are faced in life.
This book is very well written and holds the reader's attention right up until the last page. Wiehl and Henry kept me intrigued and guessing through the last page!