Book Review - "Picture Perfect Love"

Book Description from the publisher:

Meet the people who make it all happen - the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection. When image becomes everything, it's up to love to refocus the heart.
Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren't always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God's plan and His perfect timing.
Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton's heart still hasn't recovered.
It was me. His younger sister's three words turn Ashton's world upside down. He must ask Jenna's forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?
About the Author
Melissa McClone has always been a fan of fairy tales and "happily ever afters." She holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University but eventually decided to follow her dream and write full-time. She lives in Washington with her real-life hero husband, two daughters, indoor cats, and a forty-eight-pound Norwegian Elkhound who thinks she's a lap dog. She also loves to ski, rock climb and read. Visit her online at www.melissamcclone.com. Twitter: @melissamcclone Facebook: Melissa McClone


My Review:
"Picture Perfect Love" is the newest addition to the 2nd Year of Weddings novella series and it is one of my favorites for sure!  I read this book in one sitting and I loved it.  Right away I loved and connected with Jenna.  The novella begins with Jenna prepping for an engagement photo shoot and in the very first chapter the reader learns how Jenna handles work-related stress, how she interacts with others and also how she handled being left at the altar. Jenna has compassion toward others, is realistic, yet is able to see beauty in things and handles stress and pressure fabulously without letting others see.  This is also a beautiful story of second chances and waiting on God's time and plan.  One line that stood out to me was a thought that Jenna had as she was trusting that God would indeed bring a man into her life, and not just any man, but "one who believed in her and loved her unconditionally."  This is a perfect love, a happily ever after love that we can all hope for.  I highly recommend this book and this series.


*Thanks to the BookLook Bloggers Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "All Dressed Up in Love"

"All Dressed Up in Love" is another addition to the second Year of Weddings series and this is a sweet, quick read. 

Book Description from the publisher:

They've helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples. Now twelve new couples will find themselves in the wedding spotlight in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.
Greg Elizondo hadn't bargained for this. Any of this.
Satin. Lace. Tulle. Pearl inlay, embroidered bodices, and Swarovski crystals.
The bridal shop business it took his mother three decades to build, the enterprise that covered his university and law degrees in full, was struggling because he might be part-genius when it came to contract law . . . But corset-style gowns with a mermaid flair? Shoot me now.
Tara Simonetti hated law school, but loved the community grant funding her presence at Temple University's esteemed school of law. She could not fail. Would not fail. But when a notice for bridal store help appeared on the community notice board, Tara applied for the job immediately. While grants and loans helped pave her way, money for food was scarce. Legal precedence, moot court, and judicial clerking all had their place, but they were nothing compared to Alcenon lace, tucked silk skirts, and a well-placed peplum.
Greg had grabbed her help as the act of a desperate man. Within weeks, he was desperate again, this time to win her heart. But after using community funds to get her degree, how can Tara turn her back on the people who helped finance her goal?
But if she leaves Philadelphia and Greg to return to her small-town in northern Pennsylvania, she'll be leaving her heart behind. A heart he won, fair and square by posting a help wanted notice on the coffee shop board . . . A heart that filled the missing niche in his mother's acclaimed bridal store. A heart Greg longed to cherish forevermore.
About the Author
Award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne is the author of over a dozen novels for Love Inspired and Summerside Press. The mother of seven children, she loves kids and pets. She is married to a very patient man who is seemingly unthreatened by the casts of characters living in her head.


My Review:
I really enjoyed this novella!  Not only was it a sweet love story between Tara and Greg, but it also gave me such a good feel for the wedding dress and fashion industry.  Greg and Tara share several things in common including law school and Greg's mother's shop, yet they are so different as well. As they spend time together and feelings develop they are faced with decisions to make as well.   I loved their interactions with each other and seeing their relationship develop.  Honestly, while reading this I was felt as if I was transported to this shop in Philadelphia and was there in the midst of all of the dresses, the yards of tulle, lace, satin.  I look forward to a new novella each month and I was not disappointed in the least with this addition to the series. 


*Thanks to the BookLook Bloggers Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"The Art of Losing Yourself"

"The Art of Losing Yourself" is a wonderful new novel from Katie Ganshert; it is well-written and will stay with you long after you finish reading. 
To everyone who "joins" Carmen for breakfast every morning while she is sharing the daily weather report on television, Carmen has the ideal, perfect life.  However, no one truly knows the pain and longing that she is hiding.  Gracie can put on a good front and play the tough girl act; however she has been raising herself and taking care of her mother as well and only receiving attention when she is in trouble.  When the two sisters are reunited, it is not what either wanted or was planning on; however God's plans are not always the same as our own. 
I really enjoyed this book; Katie's writing flows so nicely even with switching perspectives.  I picked up this book thinking to just read the first few chapters and the next thing I knew I was 3/4 of the way through!  I was immediately drawn into the story and into the characters' lives.  Carmen and Gracie both were so easy to empathize with and I found myself connecting with them more and more throughout the book.
 If you are a fan of Lisa Wingate and/or Nicole Baart, then Katie Ganshert is another must-read author for you!


For more information about this book, go here!


To learn more about Katie, go here!


*"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Book Review - "Every Bride Needs a Groom"

Book Description from the publisher:
Small-town girl Katie Fisher is planning her wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? But when her boyfriend breaks up with her and takes a job in another town--the very same day Katie wins her dream dress--her world is turned upside down. Should she claim her prize? And will the hunky former pro-basketball player who runs the swanky Dallas bridal shop--yeah, you read that right--catch on to her humiliation if she does?

Janice Thompson designs a romance sure to delight, with plenty of fish-out-of-water moments, a hilarious supporting cast, and more of the wedding biz world her readers adore.

 
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.


My Review:
I have been a huge fan of Janice's books since I read my very first one by her and she just continues to entertain and create wonderful characters and stories in each of her books.  "Every Bride Needs a Groom" is the first book in Janice's new series and I loved every moment of the book.  I felt as if I was right there with Katie and the entire Fisher family; the family dinners on Friday nights, the conversations with Queenie and the expectations placed upon the children.  Janice's style of writing is very entertaining and really holds my attention all the way through and leaves me just waiting to see what story will be shared next. 


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Whenever You Come Around"

Book Description from the publisher:

Just when Charity's wild imagination failed her, a flesh-and-blood hero walked into her life.
Best-selling author Charity Anderson returns to her hometown of Kings Meadow to defeat a bad case of writer's block. She imagines she'll spend a lonely summer writing and then return to her home in Boise. She soon finds herself caring for Buck Malone, a wilderness guide-and the object of her unrequited teenage crush. But what else can she do? Her dog Cocoa caused the accident that left Buck with a broken ankle and wrist, taking him off the trail for weeks of prime tourist-season work.
Buck and Charity have gone different ways since high school, and at first it seems they have little in common. Buck loves the simple, low-key life he's made for himself in the mountains of Idaho, and she's a woman accustomed to the faster, bustling pace of the city. But spending so much time together has Buck hoping to change her mind about staying in the small town she thought she'd left behind for good.
It's a summer for discovering that young love is a spark not soon extinguished.
About the Author
Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of 70 books. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Robin and her husband currently reside in Idaho. For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.


My Review:
I really enjoyed "Whenever You Come Around" and the return to Kings Meadow in Robin's latest novel.  This is a quick, sweet love story that will leave you smiling and in love with the main characters.  I enjoyed both the storyline and the characters as I felt as if they dealt with real-life issues.  I love the return to one's hometown storyline and also that Charity is a writer.  This story also addresses dealing with past hurts in one's lives and choosing to move on and face fears in order to be happy and take a chance on love.  Also, I absolutely love the cover, so beautiful! 


*Thanks to the BookLook  Bloggers program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

You will be looking at your closet in a whole new way!

I do not see myself as a fashion expert in anyway, but I do want to look nice and feel good in what I am wearing.  Therefore, I was very intrigued when I read the description for Alison Freer's book, "How To Get Dressed: a costume designer's secrets for making your clothes look, fit, and feel amazing" and this book is so much for than I imagined it to be!  This book is filled with advice and tips for not just "getting dressed" but so much more.  There is a section on closet organization, dumb rules that should be broken (including no white after labor day), a section devoted to shoes and a chapter for men even.  Also, I have to mention how much I love the style and look of this book - I love the look of the pages, and the layout of them.  The pictures and designs on the pages are great and make this book look glamorous. 


For more information about this book, go here!


To learn more about the author, go here!


*"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

"The Beautiful Daughters" this week!

I have been a part of Nicole's street team for her newest novel, "The Beautiful Daughters," which is releasing this week!! And now I would love to give away my advance copy of the book to one of you to read! All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling me if you have read one of Nicole's novels before and which one(s) if you have!  That's it! Just be sure to leave a comment in the next few days as I will pick a person on Thursday, May 30th! 


Now onto sharing my thoughts of this book...there is no way to simply share my thoughts as this book is so complex and so well-written and overall a thoroughly engrossing story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.  "The Five" formed in college and there was such a bond among them, but also secrets as we all find out later on.  Adrienne must return home following the death of the woman whom would have been her mother-in-law, as she was engaged to David, handsome rich David.  Adrienne returns home and faces the past and the guilt that she has been living with.  Both Harper and Adrienne agreed to move on and not connect again; however they have both been coping in different ways with the guilt they feel over David's death.  However, secrets hidden in David's life come to light as well.  Nicole immediately hooked me on the story and held my attention as she slowly shared details and unraveled pieces of the entire story of The Five meeting, spending time together and then the horrific incident that changed all of their lives.  
I really enjoyed this book.  It is not a light, fluffy read by any means as it discusses difficult topics; however it is not one you will want to miss as it is really tugs at your heart and will remind you of days spent with your closest friends, but also remind you just how fragile life is and how others' "picture perfect lives" may not be as perfect as you believe.


"The Beautiful Daughters" releases on Tuesday!  Do not miss out on this great book and just leave a comment below for a chance to have it mailed to you!