Review: The One By: Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The conclusion of The Selection Series is a NOT to be missed. All too often, I am let down by a series as it continues or by the time the last book finalizes the adventure that I have been on --- not this one. Ms. Cass has definitely thought of her readers and her characters - you will not be disappointed.
The Selection is down to the final four, Prince Maxon is taking his time, the rebels from the south are killing, the rebels from the north want an agreement, and America knows that if she allows herself, all she will want is the prince himself - but what about the ties to Aspen.
It seems as though America is also making the King only angry at what she has to say and the public fall more in love with her -- since finding those diaries, is it possible to change everything and bring about a new system, one that will be good for everyone. Too soon the clock is ticking not just for the Prince's decision but on the rebel opposition and their thirst for change, a race against time, against death, for love
Hopefully, you have enjoyed the other books in this series - this one will not let you down and is a great way to finish. I just will miss them all.

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Review: The House on Blackberry Hill By: Donna Alward

House on Blackberry Hill by Donna Alward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I know, I know - a romance novel gets 5 stars --- well, it is well deserved. It is original, not redundant in so many ways that others are, it is fun, gripping, well written, and I really loved it.
Abby Foster didn't know one side of her family, when she comes to sort out the inheritance, the big Foster House aka the House on Blackberry Hill, in the small town of Jewell Cove - maybe she has more than she bargained for.
Tom Arseneault has dreamt of working on the house and restoring it to it's former glory, being the best contractor in town, brings him to the door within hours of Abby's arrival and right through the veranda. He might be a little pushy when it comes to getting this job, but he has had his heart broken and for all he knows destroyed - leaving him a bit of a recluse and his family divided.
Abby wants to sort the house, put it on the market, there are no ties here. She has had no ties and no love for so long that she wouldn't know what to do. As the house begins to unveil the beauty of the wood, so does it begin to show itself in the form of a ghost and a mystery that needs to be solved to bring rest and peace.
There are wonderful secondary characters and this is a part of a series that I am sure going to be looking forward to losing myself in - the ending added a bit to the second mystery that will be in the next book. I loved the characters, the depth, I loved the town, the imagery, I could close my eyes and I was in Jewell Cove and felt everything. You will cry, laugh, and root for these people.

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads*****

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Review: Empire Girls By: Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan

Empire Girls by Suzanne Hayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

Rose and Ivy Adams have just buried their father, found that their home is in arrears, and that they have a secret half brother in New York City. Rose, the eldest, who took the place as the adult long before her time once their mother passed, now sees the only hope of her life, the only home she has ever known going to an unknown - whereas, Ivy, the wild eyed, live in the moment, daughter who favored her father finds this as an adventure that can only bring her a piece of him at least in a way to keep him alive, and a way to get away from the sleepy town and into the big city.
With only small clues to guide them, they find themselves at Empire House, a boarding house of misfits and people with secrets of their own - some of which seem awfully close to the Asher Adams that they are in search of, but why all the secrets. The city seems too big and small, seems to draw out each one of their strengths and weaknesses, and it will either bring these two together or snap them apart forever.
Each chapter varies each girls point of view and the development is good of each one, but sometimes there is something missing, a depth - I understand the drive, but there is a skimming of time, or the character's feelings or actions. I enjoy the mystery, the sisterhood element, the time period, the secondary characters. This is a nice, quick read, a little two dimensional, but nice for easy reading.

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Review: The Wolf By: Lorenzo Carcaterra

The Wolf: A Novel by Lorenzo Carcaterra
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Vincent 'The Wolf' Marelli let his guard down once and had his wife and daughters killed in what was a supposed terrorist attack on a flight, he knew better, he knew they were the target. Vincent oversees a crime empire, working with different crime bosses and making a few enemies that he refuses to, this wasn't just business though - this was personal. He turns to the bosses and asks for help to kill those behind this and stop the terrorist group that seems to be rising, to begin a war. He knows they will help him and knows the traitor will show their true colors sooner or later. Now 'The Wolf' can hunt.
This is a fast paced who done it, race against the clock, revenge type of novel. From the crime syndicates of the Italians to Yakuza to Greek to the battle against the Russian and terrorist organizations - very detailed. The setting mostly in Italy and written as if you were watching from a piazza all the interactions. And the ending has me hoping for another book with The Wolf.
Now I did read an ARC -- there was a bit of disconnect at times, I don't know if this was due to the author's own personal life and struggle during the writing of this novel or the over editing of it. Some of the interactions were forced, almost unnatural - as were some of the "shoot outs". But this is a good book, worth reading, delving into the world, and especially into the mind of the main character - the ending was great, just proving a point from the beginning. You will enjoy this.

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

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Review: How to Survive Life (and Death) : A Guide for Happiness in This World and Beyond By: Someone Who Died Three Times Robert Kopecky

How to Survive Life (and Death): A Guide for Happiness in This World and Beyond by Robert Kopecky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had to read this one twice!!

Aloha! This is not the average spiritual book or book about a near death experience (or three), it is more about the lessons of life for your soul and going forward from here and now onward.
The author writes plainly and reaches the reader with something greater than common sense, more aligned with soul understanding. Love is the lesson behind life and what can we do to make it happen, to do it present, to make us present in it - it is here in these pages. Concepts of radical kindness, radical forgiveness, radical surrender (see a pattern) are discussed, using the energy of love to heal the different types of pain we experience through life, being aware of those things that extinguish the potential in life, coming back to the Source... there is so much to gain within these pages.
I didn't know what to expect when I began this book, after reading it, I had to go through it again- this time with a pen, highlighter, and notebook next to me. It is not complicated, it is simple, yet wonderfully written and the message is one that is a gift to have and to share.

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads*****


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Review: Delectable By: Adrianne Lee

Delectable by Adrianne Lee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

***** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

I think that this could be a 3 1/2 stars.

Callee McCoy has bundled up her life, ready for a divorce, and set to leave town when as fate should have it her soon to be ex comes back from one of his many fishing trips and his mother (whom she adores) has a massive heart attack in front of her. Losing her father in law was hard and left her husband Quint emotionally detached from life, but this time something seems to be bringing them back together ... and it is not all about taking care of Quint's mother, Molly, and her pie shop.

This is that guilty pleasure. The book that you can read in an afternoon and feel good as you reach the last page. This is part of a series, the first book, which introduces us to a town and some characters sure to show up in some future novel. Also, don't miss out on the recipe that is included!

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Review: Things Remembered : A Novel By: Georgia Bockoven

Things Remembered: A Novel by Georgia Bockoven
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Karla Esterbrook finds that in order to move forward on must face the past. Her past consists of being the oldest of three girls that suddenly lost their parents and were shipped between family until finally going to their maternal grandmother Anna, of which she has a very complicated relationship with, she has an ex husband that has left her in debt and a store she always dreamt of owning. Karla finds herself being in charge of preparing the estate with Anna and start settling all the affairs. Misunderstandings, miscommunications, and the walls that were built long ago come up, but soon as Karla opens her heart to listen she is able to open her heart to love - hopefully it isn't too late to make up for all the years wasted.
I loved this book. The complicated story of female relationships, the family ties that bind us, the gift of love through the generations, traditions, the gift of forgiveness - especially for yourself. So many themes and this is the book that is PERFECT to share with your sister, mother, grandmother, cousin. A great beach read, good for discussion, but mainly for that feel good feeling for the women in your life and how strong their importance lingers.
***** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

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