From the Start ~ Book Review

Kate Walker used to believe that Happily Ever After would happen for her. But a relationship that has left her brokenhearted has also made her steel hearted against romance in general. Not good when you write romance TV screen plays for a living. Wanting to write something that means something meaningful, Kate feels lost in her career, unsure of what to do. But when disaster strikes her home town of Maple Valley, Kate hurries to help.


Injured in a football game that leaves him on the bench for good, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is hiding out at his buddy’s house to avoid the onslaught of media. Wallowing in self pity, Colton’s friend urges him to do something meaningful. His agent is bugging him about writing a book, but where is Colton going to find an author? When his friend’s hometown is ravaged by a tornado, Colton heads along to help.


When Kate and Colton meet, sparks fly. But soon they realize they can help each other; Colton needs an author and Kate needs a job. So they join forces on Colton’s biography. Things seem to be going swimmingly. But life has a way of making itself challenging, even when things seem so right From The Start.

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This book had me rolling with laughter...From The Start. Okay, not really, but I was laughing way more than I normally do with books. Miss. Tagg is so humorous in the way she writes! From the way Kate and Colt meet to the “shower fight” to the end, it was just so fun!


While the book was funny, there was a very real angle to it as well. Colton and Kate struggle with their pasts. Kate’s agent and friend also has a little boy with Leukemia. There is also a young, pregnant teen who Kate helps Miss. Tagg addresses these real life issues with grace and talent. I was crying at one point.


I give this book five stars, no doubt. I would say it is for older teens (+14) due to the issues addressed and some other parts.

I was given this book for my honest review, from the Book Club Network.

Together With You ~ Book Review

Carly Mason is an ex-social worker with a history in helping kids with fetal alcohol effects. When she finds little five year old Penny Tremaine in the stuffed animal shop where she now works at, she is determined not to get involved. But something about Penny tugs at Carly’s heart.

When Ryan, Penny’s handsome father, offers Carly a job as Penny’s nanny, Carly is shocked! She except, albeit rather reluctantly. But soon she is a part of the family., having been accepted not only by Penny, but Ryan’s sons, Kyle and Eric as well as Ryan himself.

When disaster strikes this family that Carly has grown fond of...maybe she even loves them...will she, with the strength of the Lord, be able to keep them from falling apart?

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This book… oh my word. I cannot express in word how drawn into it I was. As the author’s bio says, it did have a Sound of Music feel to it. I am a SoM fanatic, so this book hooked me!

I honestly had little knowledge of Fetal Alcohol Effects before reading this book and it was a real eye opener to see how much these kids, and in the case of the story, there parents struggle.

I give this book a four star review! I loved it, but the fact that Carly fell in love with a non-believer and still had a happy ending made me go “eh?” just a little. That doesn’t usually happen and heartbreak can come from falling in love with non-believers. I definitely say this book is for older teens (+15). Otherwise, great book!

I was given this book from the Book Club Network for my honest review.

Beyond All Dreams ~ Book Review

Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of
Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.

Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen until his promising career became shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship.

Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglement with a member of Congress.

From the gilded halls of the Capitol, where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for themselves? (Taken from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22504481-beyond-all-dreams)

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I loved this book! From the main character sharing my name to the guy having my favorite guy name! I learned a lot about the Spanish American war I didn't know before. 

Luke was a good guy character. I liked that he wasn't overly friendly to her to quickly and that Anna was aloof and didn't fall for his charm. This book grabbed my attention from page one and held to the last page. I loved Anna and how much of a book worm she is, just like me!

I know this isn't a very long review, but I just can't think of anything else to say! This book was amazing and nothing was bad about it! The ending was hilarious and I laughed so hard I almost cried! I read this book in like three days and could hardly be parted from it.

I enjoyed it a lot and will be looking for more book by Miss. Camden in the future for sure! Five stars all the way!   

Dauntless ~ Book Review

Merry was once a noble woman destined to marry a handsome noble man. But with a fear of her arranged marriage, the kind noble offers to wait for her and seals that promise with a kiss. One kiss to last a lifetime. But with her father's failed attempt to over throw the evil King John, her whole life changes.

That was many years ago. Now, Merry is the leader of the Ghost of Farthingale Forest whoa re really just the children from her father's village, children who lost their parents due to the evil of the king. Merry would do  anything to protect these children. Except forget the kiss of that one very special boy...

Timothy has never forgotten Lady Ellison. Now working for a king's man, he is charged with finding the Ghosts. And he is determined to do it, no matter the cost. But when Timothy finds out who the real ghosts are, and who is their fearless, Dauntless leader is, will Timothy give up his job and potion for them? Or will his heart become an little bit more like Merry's?

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Okay, I have to say, I can't be real judgmental on this one! :-) I absolutely loved this book! From the plot to the every single character to the placing and time. Merry and her bow made me want to get mine out at start shooting right away! Timothy was a gentleman through everything he did, even if some of his choices weren't the wisest! I loved little Wren and wise 'pastor' Allen. 

I loved how the story mentions Robin Hood and his Merry Men and how the little band of outcast children strive to be like him. 

I can think of no bad part of this book! Only that the themes and feelings are more directed for older teens (14+)

I give this book a FIVE STAR!!!!Can't wait for book #2 in September!  

 I was given this book from the Book Club Network for my honest review, which I have given. 

 

 

Trading Secrets ~ Book Review

   Micah Knight loves writing to her Amish pen pal. She can confide in him things she can't even tell her best friend. The catch? He thinks she is a boy. When invited to visit Zack Miller on his farm, Micah jumps at the chance to meet him face to face and to tell Zack the truth she has kept secret since fifth grade. Join Micah and Zack as they discover the fun and trouble that Trading Secrets can cause.

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First off, I just want to say that I love Melody Carlson and the way she writes. Writing this story in present tense first person was a new experience for me, as I had never read a book written that way.
That said, I want to say that this book had me glue with page one. I received it in the mail in the afternoon one day and had it finished by nine the next morning. I couldn't put it down. 

 
I liked how Micah knew she needed to tell Zack the truth, that she was a girl. I didn't, however like the way she went about it. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone in case they end up reading it, but let's just say that honesty would have been the best policy in this case! :-) 

I enjoyed the nice blend of Amish culture with our own. It really helps you to see how very different their lives our compared to our own. I mean, I never thought of all the little things I take for granted everyday that they have lived their whole lives without! We can hope in the car and travel ten miles in ten minutes while they have to hitch up their horses and drive a buggy. It would take forever to go where you'd want to go! 

So over all, I'd give this story 4 stars. It was well written and had a good plot, but there were just somethings I thought were a little far fetched and not cool.  

I was given this book by The Book Club Network for my honest review which I have given.