Review: Il Molo By: Theresa Nash

Il Molo by Theresa Nash
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

*****This Is A First Reads, Thank You Goodreads*****

I think that this is a 3 1/2 star book. It is hard to summarize without giving away a spoiler that leaves a deep twist, but I am going to try.
Martha and Carl Tomas return every year to the Lugarian Coast of Italy, it is there that they find the time to unwind, catch up on the sun, a few activities, and in Martha's case - in Part 1 it seems as though it is a reacquaintance of a lover that brings her back. The imagery of the book brings the story alive, the smells, the venders surround the reader with vivid descriptions, I felt as though I was there (and that alone was worth the read) -- but the twist, which I didn't see coming, and together like a puzzle working itself out in Part 2 was interesting. Part 2 though was a little rushed through to the resolution.
A good mystery for the beach or those stuck inland looking for an escape.

View all my reviews

Review: Eat Like A Fatass Look Like A Goddess By: Erika Herman

Eat Like a Fatass, Look Like a Goddess: The Untold Story of Healthy Foods by Erika Herman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fad Diet Books, Beware! Books asking you to cut out food, drink only juice, starve your body, no carbs, no eggs - NO MORE!! Here is a True Goddess! And she has done her homework!
Ms. Herman, truly is a Goddess. This book is thoroughly researched, just look at the bibliography, she has the education and the voice of your girlfriend - which makes the book easy to understand. She shoots down myths with well explained truths, gives greatly researched information, makes it easy to live life and eat.
The Goddess's Ground Rules are rules that I copied and put on my fridge - they are simply brilliant and should be a part of every day life.

I have read plenty of diet books, gone on diet trends, but out of all those books - this is the one that has made the most sense of all. This is the one that has not just common sense but true research behind it. I think that it is worth the read, the voice, and the investment of time in Ms. Herman - for in the end I know I am a Goddess.

View all my reviews

Review: 10:10 Life To It's Fullest By: Daniel Hill

10:10: Life to the Fullest by Daniel Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To live life to it's fullest, it takes faith - and that faith can be broken down into faith and fear, faith and intimacy, and faith and mission. Daniel Hill explores each of these, spends time, guides the reader with the closer understanding to living life to it's fullest.
We, the reader, are reminded through scripture and the promises made - to fear not, and gain a deeper faith - to get closer to God, to let Him inside - by going through fear and becoming intimate with God, we can be used for His Kingdom and make a true difference in the world.

This isn't just a book to read, but one asking you to take that leap, to practice, and therefore come into the fulfillment that has been promised to you. I think that Daniel Hill wrote this in a way that made the reader want to do just that, from the beginning he holds your attention - you will want to re read this one. He does spend more time on the mission part, but that is the part that he is in and excited about.


View all my reviews

Review: One Hundred Names By: Cecelia Ahern

One Hundred Names: A Novel by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cecelia Ahern takes my heart and wraps it around over and over as only she can. Her storytelling magic is alive and well in One Hundred Names and this is one author you can not miss. Do I think that it is because of her Irish roots that she can spin such amazing tales, or that she can reach in and capture your attention and your heart making you cry, laugh, believe, and love? Oh, I am sure that is part of it- but her talent is simply her own.
Meet Kitty (Katherine) Logan, no longer working in television after a debacle, returning to her roots in journalism working for an obscure magazine Etcetera, finding a wonderful mentor in Constance. As Constance lays dying in a hospital bed, Kitty and her discuss the one story that should be done, Constance tells her where to find a mysterious list of one hundred names she made and she will tell her. But that was not to be, and so with only a list of names, Kitty goes in search of people and their story, the story that Constance would have wanted or knew.
Kitty manages to track down six in a two week time period. During that time she gathers each story, trying to find the link, delving deep into each personal past, finding out everything about them - and as she does, she learns more and more about herself.
This is a keeper. One for the shelves that you will re read, one that you will buy a copy for your sister/mother/best friend/grandmother, it is one for the girls book club. I really think this one you really will just enjoy, get lost in the story, and want to find another one by this author just to sink once again into her writing. A great beach read or Saturday read too.


View all my reviews

Review: I Dated This Guy Once... By: Toni Rae

I Dated This Guy Once ... by Toni Rae
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Toni Rae lets the reader into her life, into the adventure and failings of dating, and the mind and wisdom of love through the eyes of experience.
I think that I could give this book closer to a 3.5 stars. Filled with brutal honesty and a woman's truthful search of love and of the definition of herself through the high school sweetheart to twenty six. As her friends and family find "the one", marry, settle down, and have a family - Toni is off exploring, meeting people, and refusing to settle. She has faith to guide her, but the insight that she is not done growing is the best part - the journey that she takes the reader on is one that I am glad she decided to share. She has bared herself to us, hopes, dreams, the mistakes, pitfalls, and the joys - which makes this one a true gem of a book.
Now, sometimes she can come across as full of herself and that's okay - I took it as her age, and then she will surprise you with such wisdom far beyond her years that makes you question your philosophy, and that's what is wonderful.


View all my reviews

Review: Eleanor and Park By: Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I so wanted to give this 4 or even 5 stars and that could have been if not for the rush of an ending that seemed to go against the build up of the book.
Eleanor is the new girl, the misfit, the one who doesn't fit in - yet by chance sitting by Park on the bus a slow relationship grows. It begins very slowly without talking, without speech, with only an understanding, and the author goes back and forth within each character into the development of what is happening in their head and personal lives to make such three dimensional beings. The relationship goes from speaking to something more and although Eleanor is ridiculed at school, Park is on the other spectrum; Park comes from a loving family, Eleanor huddles in a corner and debates crawling out to neighbors to call the police. There is a underlying situation and although I knew immediately who was responsible for the notes, maybe other readers won't be, but this is something I was also surprised was rushed in the ending. The teenage angst and emotions are high, the "drama" that only remind one of first love and that is why this is very good, but oh, how I needed more pages in the end.

View all my reviews

Review: Sixth Grave From The Edge By: Darynda Jones

Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE this series! What isn't to like - Charley Davidson is the Reaper, the love of her life is the son of satan, Reyes Farrow, her best friend Cookie keeps her supplied with coffee -- and although she might find a naked dead man riding shotgun in Misery (her Jeep), find herself mixed up with her Uncle's love life, trying to unravel ancient prophesies, and work on getting people's souls back from The Dealer (a soul eating former slave demon)... it's all in a day's work, everything else thrown in - like the Mexican mob, is cake.
And I did not give ALL of the action/adventure/romance away in this installment of the book series. Charley is the best heroine - smartass, badass, yet vulnerable, she is part crazy and brilliant (depending on the day and moment it could go 70/30 or 60/40), there is a lot of heart in the book and the character too. This is the book to lose yourself into, think, cry, laugh, be surprised, and be waiting until later this year for the next one devour!
On a side note - Darn you, Ms. Jones -- I want all of those t-shirts!!

View all my reviews