Mini Review: Lilac Lane

* Book 14 in the Chesapeake Shores series *

When Moira's mother suffers a heartache, she convinces her to come to America for an extended visit. Keira can help out around the house especially with the baby and help out in the family pub. with any luck, she'll find happiness and move stateside for good.

The Good:
Seeing old favorite characters
Keira's feistiness
Kitchen Wars
Keira and Bryan becoming friends
Fathers and Daughter
All the plotting
That ending

The Bad:
Nitpicking, but I missed a few favorite characters.

Final Verdict:
Another fun book in this series, one to read for sure.

This series has been brought to live on the Hallmark channel. We're all opening for a season three next summer.

Library Recommendation: If you don't have this series in your romance section, purchase immediately. 

Mini Review: Dawn Study

Despite everything, Yelena and Valek have created their own family with all their friends but before they can ride off into the sunset, they must do what they can to stop their countries from going to war.

The Good:
The characters
The danger
The action
The magic
The banter between characters
The friendship/family
The Plot twists
The Romance

The Bad:
The series is over!

Final Thoughts: I have loved this series since I devoured Poison Study. I'm sad that it's over, but what a fantastic series. It never disappointed me. I can't wait to see what Maria V. Snyder comes up with next!

Adult Review: Seaview Inn

Hannah's going back to one place she dreads - home. She wants to help her grandmother sell the family inn and move into an assisted living facility. Her grandmother has no intention of moving or of giving up the inn. Since her mother died, it's too much work for one person to run the inn.

Hannah takes two weeks off from work, but when she gets down there everything changes. Her daughter arrives - taking a break from college. An old crush and war veteran shows up ready to help make the inn presentable.

Being back on the island, Hannah's forced to move at a slower pace. She also has time to take a hard look at her life and see what's missing. Could the very place she ran from be the place she's meant to stay?

My Thoughts: I'm a huge fan of Sherryl Woods and saw a new book coming out Home to Seaview Key. I realized it was the second book in a series, so I tracked down the first one. I love how the generations of the Matthews family come together. I love their stubbornness, their quick wit, and their big hearts. I really liked Luke. I felt horrible for him and what he went through with his family, but I admired him for putting it back together. A feel good novel, perfect for escaping the cold weather of winter. I wish I was there on the beach and staying at the inn. So looking forward to reading more about this town. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - wish I was there now
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Catching Fireflies

*book 9 in the Steel Magnolia series*

High school teacher Laura Reed notices that one of students has been skipping class. She's almost positive that something serious is happening in Misty's life. When she tries to connect with the teen, Misty bolts.


Misty's trying to find a solution to a very bad bullying situation. When she attempts to get a doctor's note for school, he forces her to share her thoughts with an adult. He threatens to tell her parents if she doesn't. Misty's parents are going through a divorce. Her mother's in her world world of deny and heartache and her father's never home.


Misty shares a small portion on the truth with Miss Reed. It's enough to make Miss Reed even more concerned. Misty doesn't reveal the name of her bully. Miss Reed contacts Dr J.C. Fullerton once Misty admits that he's forcing her to say something. Together the two of them vow to make things right for Misty again. Can they stop the bullying before it destroys her?

My Thoughts: This is a heartbreaking novel, but a very important novel. I think it's the perfect read for mothers and daughters in high school. My heart broke for Misty and all her troubles. I admired her strength. I admired Katie for standing up for her friend and standing by her.  I liked how the teachers came together to help solve the problem, instead of ignoring the issue.

The romance was cute, I liked the banter between J.C. and Laura. I liked how neither of them wanted a relationship, but fell into it anyways. The gossips among town always makes me laugh. The small town feel reminds me of Stars Hollow.

As usual with this series, I couldn't put this book down!

Cover Thoughts: Pretty
Source: Netgalley

Similar Teen Read: Keep Holding On

Adult Review: Midnight Promises

 * 8th book in the Sweet Magnolia series* 

Eliot and Karen married - but they still have issues to work through. Karen's still gun shy about money issues after her ex-husband left her with debt. She also desires to be seen as a partner.
When Eliot makes decisions without her, she becomes furious.  Eliot wants to use the money they've set aside for a baby as start up for a men's gym. The idea is in motion before Karen finds out - from someone else.
Karen desperately wants to believe that her fairy tale ending is here to stay. But she's not about to let marriage destroy her again. How can she make Eliot see that it's not about him and their love and more about the partnership and financial security she craves?

My Thoughts: I love this series of romance, strong women, and a small community. Each book grows and touches upon more characters in this town, I love reading about their lives.  I liked reading about these characters in the previous books, but I loved finding out what happened after Eliot and Karen married. I like how they struggled through their problems, but came through them stronger. 

I hated the drama with Eliot's sister and the destruction of her marriage. Parts of this story is so heartbreaking, but so real. 

I love how Sherryl Woods weaves families and friends together.  I'm so happy there are more in Sweet Magnolia books to come!!!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Netgalley

Similar Series: Cedar Cove

Review: Touch of Power

Avry's a healer, with a price on her head. All healers have been wanted for capture since the plague hit.  As the healers couldn't save anyone from the plague, rumors swirled that the healers started the terrible disease.

Avry lives on the run, moving from city to city. If she stays in one place too long, she inevitably finds a sick child. Unable to help herself, she heals the child.  This time, before she can run, she's caught.

Just before she's about to hang, a man rescues her. Kerrick wants her to heal a Prince. Avry doesn't want to heal him, she's fighting Kerrick tooth and nail to release her. It's of no use. He and his band of men are too strong for her. She relents that she might heal him if Kerrick can convince her while they travel.

Kerrick's convinced that healing the Prince will bring peace to the land. Avry's not certain, but the more she learns about the land and the politics, the more scared she becomes for the future. Can she really be the one to save everything?


My Thoughts: I adore Maria V. Snyder. This new one reminded me a lot of Poison Study -which I also loved. I loved the tension between Avry and Kerrick. I loved the healing descriptions and the infirmaries. I loved Belen. I enjoyed Flea.  I liked learning about the plague and how it started. I liked the political drama and disputes. I loved Avry's soft heart, determination, strength, and wit. A wonderful start to a new series by one of my favorite authors.


Cover Thoughts: I don't like it


Source: Inter-library Loan


Up Next: Scent of Magic (coming 2013)

Adult Review: The Summer Garden

Luke met Moira in Ireland over the holidays. She's the granddaughter of the man who once stole his grandmother's heart. Together they traveled around Ireland looking at pubs.

Luke's finally decided on a life path - he's going to open an Irish pub in Chesapeake Shores. He's working hard to transform a former restaurant into his dream.

Moira shows up unexpectedly accompanying her grandmother on his visit. Luke's overjoyed to see her. In fact he hasn't been able to get her out of his head. She helps him improve his ideas for the pub.

With his mind so focused on the pub and his future, Luke isn't sure it's the right time to talk about the future. However, he might just lose Moira if he doesn't starting talking about what their future might hold.


My Thoughts: I really loved this book. As it's the end of series I adored, it's hard to say goodbye! I loved Moira, especially with her photography. I loved watching the pub go from building to a place I'd love to hang out. I loved watching Dillon and Nell rekindle their old romance. I love these characters. Most of all, I wish Chesapeake Shores was a real place. Sheryl Woods creating an amazing series with wonderful complex characters, an enchanting town, and romance that warms the heart.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: Netgalley - comes out January 31st

Fun Fact: This is also the book I chose to complete my personal reading challenge for 365 books this year!

Christmas Review: O'Brien Family Christmas

Susie and Mack are having their honeymoon - with the entire family over Christmas in Ireland. Most of the family's concerned about Laila and Matthew and their dating habits.

The O'Brien family can't help but meddle in relationships. They aren't going to give up now. Laila's trying to figure her life in the aftermath of her fight with her father. Her father's cut her off because of her relationship. But Laila still cares for Matthew.

Matthew makes his feelings clear. Can Laila and Matthew work out their differences while dealing with the holiday festivities in Ireland.

My Thoughts: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! I loved the trip to Ireland with Gran sharing stories from her past. I loved the relationship progressing between Laila and Matthew. A sweet romantic tale.

One side note - this isn't a stand alone read - it's in the middle of a wonderful series. Those picking it up without reading the prior books might be a bit lost.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Adult Review: Cedar Cove Christmas

Mary Jo Wyse comes to Cedar Cove to the confront her baby's daddy. David claimed to be coming to Cedar Cover for Christmas. Mary Jo's three over-protective brothers want to burst into David's family house and call him out. Mary Jo sneaks away to warn the family.

When she arrives in the small town, she realizes that she has no idea where to start. She stops in a local cafe and the boy at the counter suggests she try the library after using the phone book proves no help. Mary Jo heads for the library where she meets Grace.

As soon as she spills her story, Grace knows what happened. She takes over, offering up the apartment in her barn for Mary Jo to stay the night. Mary Jo falls in the love with the town and it's people. She only hopes that she can stop her three brothers from making a mess out of her life because they seem to think they know what's best for her.

My Thoughts: I ADORE Christmas books. This one set in one of my favorite series. Most of the book takes place in one day. It was sweet, charming, and full of hope.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: my library

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Cover Reveal: Touch of Power

I LOVE Maria V. Snyder!
I can't wait for her new book TOUCH OF POWER. Coming out December 20, 2011. Check out more information on her blog

The US cover: It's ok.
The UK cover: Which I LOVE

December seems SO far away!

Adult Review: Already Home

Jenna impulsively buys a store front. She's hoping to make it into a cookery store. It's a change from her chef position, but change it what she needs right now.

Her marriage just fell apart. Jenna's just starting to realize how damaging it was. She no longer has confidence in herself. She no longer has confidence in her cooking. Rarely does she experiment with food due to fear. Maybe this shop will break her out of her rut.

She hires Violet on the spot. Violet has lots of great ideas, but at first Jenna isn't willing to listen to them. When her opening flops, Violet swoops in a suggests they do things differently.

This time Jenna listens. They close the store for a rebooting. They add cooking classes of all kinds. They stock ingredients used in the recipes. Violet becomes the mastermind behind the store and Jenna becomes the teacher and slowly the chef.

Just as the store's reopening gets underway, Jenna's hippy birth mother makes an appearance in her life for the first time. Jenna must deal with meeting a new side to her family, in addition to opening her store, and mending her broken heart.

My Thoughts: There a lot going on this book, but it's an engrossing read. I love the differences between Jenna and Violet and how they're able to overcome their differences to become good friends. The story is predictable, but enjoyable. I loved Jenna's reaction to her birth mother - snarky yet sweet at times. I loved Violet - watching her move forward and become happy. I loved Jenna's real mother and how she struggled with her relationship with Jenna and Jenna's birth mother. I do hope there's a sequel to this book - in Violet's point of view.

Cover Thoughts: Simply beautiful - this drew me in

Source: BEA - signed by the author!

Adult Review: Beach Lane

Susie and Mack have been "not dating" for years. They spend all their free time together, but insist they are just friends.

Each wants something more, but they are both afraid to say anything that could destroy their friendship.

Then Mack loses his job. He's not sure of anything at the moment - including his future in Chesapeake Shores. He's pushing everyone close to him away - especially Susie.

Susie's annual doctor's appointment turns into something serious. She's keeping her information between herself and her mother until she knows more.

Can the two of them admit their secret longing for each in the midst of all life throws at them?

My Thoughts: This one hit a little too close to home for me with the illness, but it's still a great story. I loved how this book had Susie as the main character - she's a cousin to Jess, Abby, and Bree. The meddling doesn't stop just with daughters and sons. The O'Briens are known for their love, loyalty, friendship, and inability to keep secrets. I absolutely LOVE this series.

Cover Thoughts: It's adorable - but it's supposed to be Fall and this looks like Spring

Source: my Library

Up Next: An O'Brien Family Christmas (takes place in Ireland)
Out September 27th.

Adult Review: Moonlight Cove

Jess O'Brien's been the screw up her family - but no longer. She made the Inn at Eagle Point a success. She's ready to tackle her personal life.

Will's always had a crush on Jess. He's ready to take the next step, if only he can convince her that his feelings are true.

Jess shies away from relationships with people in general, especially men. She's been hurt by her parents' relationship. She also shies away from Will because of his profession - she doesn't want him analyzing her the way he does his patients.

With all the relationship meddling from her family - will she be able to stand her ground or will she begin to see Will in a new light?

My Thoughts: This is the 6th book in the Chesapeake Shore series and I love them! They're the perfect book to read for escapism and relaxation. I love the big family - how they're all connected to each other, how they all meddle in each other's lives, and how they can't keep secrets. I love the small town life. Chesapeake Shore seems like a great place to live. I love the friendship and the romance.

Cover Thoughts: I love it, but it looks really similar to

Source: My Library

Adult Review: 16 Lighthouse Road

Olivia takes an unusual stand against one couple seeking divorce. Instead of granting them divorce, she wants them to talk about their issues. As a a judge, it's a different approach, but her decision stands.

Could it be a result of her own failed marriage?

Either way, the newspaper writes an article about it. The reporter seems very interested in getting to know her a little better (or a lot better.)

That worries Olivia. Her daughter's dating habits and their tension filled relationship also worries her.

Can Olivia find a way to smooth out the wrinkles in her life?


My Thoughts: I Loved it! I LOVE Debbie Macomber. The start of a series in the small town of Cedar Cove - where everyone knows each other. I love the feel of the small town. There are no secrets here. I loved the different perspectives, especially those in Olivia's family. I loved the romance, the friendships, and the drama. I loved the ending - where the woman looks across the road to the next house 204 Rosewood Lane (which I just started last night.)

Cover Thoughts: adorable

Source: My Library

Adult Review: Turn in the Road

Bethanne's life turned upside down when her husband announced that he wanted a divorce and moved out to live with his mistress. That was years ago and she still recovering.

When speaking with her ex mother-in-law, Bethanne agrees to travel with her across country so Ruth can attend her 50th high school reunion.

Bethanne never imagines that her daughter Annie will want to join them. Annie thought her boyfriend was going to propose, but instead he tells her that he's leaving for a year long trip to Europe - tomorrow. After her day, she comes to realize that a trip away might be just the thing.

Together the three women take off an an adventure that will change their lives. Bethanne meets a man who stirs up emotions she thought she's never feel again. Her ex-husband also makes it no secret that he's like to reconcile. The option of two men leave her torn. Annie must come to terms with her parents' decisions and to figure out her own love life. Ruth desperately wants to see her old friends, but she especially wants to see her first love.

My Thoughts: Sadly, I read this is the last book in the Blossom Street series. I LOVE this series. I love how each book focuses on a woman from a knitting group. I love reuniting with other characters from previous books and seeing new developments in their lives.

I LOVED Max. I loved Bethanne and Ruth. I really didn't like Annie because she kept pushing her parents together. I could sympathize with her, but I just didn't like her. I hated Grant - Bethanne's ex-husband. An excellent emotion read, a classic Debbie Macomber tale. I can't wait to read her next book!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!

Source: My Library

Contest: Win Spy Glass

Yesterday, we had the good fortune to chat with Maria V. Snyder. She's graciously offered to host a contest on the blog: One Lucky Winner will win

To Win:

1. Leave a comment by midnight 10/27
2. include your email address

*I'll announce the contest winner 10/28*

Chatting with Maria V. Snyder

I want to welcome one of my favorite authors. I picked up Poison Study a few years ago because I Loved both the title and the cover - and then fell in love with the series. Since then I've devoured Maria's other books and become a fan girl. I met VERY briefly at BEA this past year and had Inside Out signed!

What made you choose to write YA after The Study series? I had the idea for INSIDE OUT for a number of years and had even wrote about 7 chapters. I wanted to try something different and my publisher and editor were very supportive.

Where do you write best? At home in my office. I write from 10 p.m. until 3 – 4 a.m. – it’s the time I’m most creative and no one bothers me at that time of night J Then I slept in until 10 or 11 a.m.

Wow, that's a unique answer.

How do you get your ideas? Do you use real events in your novels and if so, can you describe one? My ideas can come from anywhere. I get ideas from newspaper and magazine articles, from something I see on television, from something that comes up in conversation, from dreams, or from something my children say or do. I tend not to lack for ideas just time!

I don’t use real events in my novels, but I do take parts of events and incorporate them into the stories. For example, when I learned how to work with molten glass, many of the mistakes the new glassblowers make are ones I made.

How did you come up with your titles? I had a hard time coming up with Poison Study at first. I knew I wanted Poison in the title, but wasn’t sure about the rest. I thought of Poison Education, Poison Test, and Educating Yelena, but none really grabbed me until I thought of Poison Study. Usually the publishers will change a title, because it’s very important to have an engaging title. My editor kept it and Magic Study was a natural title for the second book. My editor wanted to title Storm Glass – Glass Study, but since I had a new main character I thought that would be confusing to my readers and they might be disappointed that Yelena was no longer telling the story. She liked Storm Glass so that was good J Inside Out was originally Inside, but my critique group at Seton Hill thought it was too plain, so they started brainstorming and the real Tricky came up with Inside Out.

I do love your titles.

Can you tell us a little bit about Spy Glass? SPY GLASS picks up a few months after SEA GLASS. Opal is home recovering from a struggle where she had to sacrifice everything in order to save another. Now without her special magic, she's feeling lost and directionless until she discovers that there may be a way for her to become powerful again. Determined to reclaim her powers, Opal will do anything to get them back. Or so she believes.

I loved this series. You can read my review of Spy Glass here

What did you do on your release day? I sent out an issue of my free email newsletter to let my subscribers know the book was available. Most of my promotion is done online, so I probably spent the day on the computer. I don’t celebrate every release – I had a huge party when POISON STUDY was released and that was a ton of fun and a ton of work J

You seem to do a lot of hands-on research for your books. Do you have a favorite or worst research memory? How about my scariest research? I toured a maximum security prison for men to do research for SPY GLASS. Walking among the prisoners was the biggest surprise to me. I thought my tour would be behind bullet-proof glass or at a safe distance, but the facility isn't all maximum security and my friend showed me the cell blocks, the cafeteria, the gym, the classrooms and the exercise yards. The cafeteria was filled with prisoners and we passed a bunch when we entered the block. We were outnumbered 50 to 1, but everyone was nice and polite. There were correctional officers nearby, but only a few, and they weren't even armed. That was uncanny and scary. And one CO (the real Black Sergeant – which he told me was how to address him) asked me what I was doing there and he called me Visitor number one three six five! He made an impression and the Black Sergeant made a cameo appearance in the book. I quoted him exactly.

That sounds scary - but great info for the book.

Will you write more books in this world? (I know I would LOVE reading stories from the other characters) There are characters from the Study and Glass books that I would love to expand on and see what happens to them. Reema and Teegan or Fisk or Heli (the young Stormdancer) or Quinn. I would also like to write another Yelena and Valek story – I am writing a short story about them for my free email newsletter subscribers right now. I'm also thinking about expanding that story and flashing back to Valek's past when he meets the Commander and assassinates the King of Ixia. But for right now, I need a break and a new creative challenge to keep my writing fresh. I do intend to go back to Ixia and Sitia in the future.

Oh good! I'd love to read about Fish and Jenco and Ari. Plus Valek and Yelena well you get the idea!

Can you tell us a little bit about Outside In? OUTSIDE IN picks up about 12 weeks after the end of INSIDE OUT. The world of Inside has been turned…er…upside down ;> and there are many changes and problems involved with the aftermath. Trella feels she has done her part and can now relax and explore, but soon events drag her back into the thick of things.

I can't wait to read the next installment. You can read my review of INSIDE OUT here

What’s up next after Outside In? After OUTSIDE IN, I’m going to work on a new fantasy novel set in a world that is recovering from a deadly plague. Her world has blamed the plague on the healers and has hunted them down. She is finally caught only to be rescued by a group who wants her to heal their Prince. The group's leader, Kerrick, knows the healers aren't to blame for the plague and that she could do some good for a change instead of hiding. Unfortunately, she believes this Prince is the one who started the plague as an attempt at biological warfare so she isn't risking her life for some pampered Prince. As they travel to the Prince's hidden location, they're pursued by others who have realized having a healer around might just be a good thing for them, but not necessarily for her.

Oh, sounds awesome!

What was the last book you’ve read that you’ve been recommending to everyone? Soulless, by Gail Carriger! So funny – it’s a Victorian Steampunk with werewolves and vampires as part of high society. I suggest that everyone listens to this one – the reader/actor Emily Gray was fantastic!

Are there any authors you’d love to meet? One of the perks of being a published author is I’ve already met a bunch of my favorite authors and have made friends with a few. I would like to meet J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer just so I’d have an answer to when people ask me if I’ve met anyone famous J

Do you have a favorite literary quote? Nope. I’m not the literary type – I’m a pop culture – genre fiction kind of girl J I do have a favorite movie quote from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. When the main character Tula complains about her father being the head of the family to her mother, the mother, Maria says, “He may be the head of the family, but I’m the neck. And I can turn that head any way I want.” Love it!

Listing if your favorites:
Candy - Swedish Fish
Pizza topping - Pepperoni Genre of books - Fantasy
Singer and/or Song – Current band/singer favorite is 3 Doors Down / but I love the song, The Reason by Hoobastank.
Restaurant – Olive Garden
TV show /Movie – Bones / The Princess Bride
Color - Red
Shoe - sneakers
Video Game – Dance, Dance, Revolution

Interested in the books? Find the first chapters of all the books here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/books.php

Maria also has a new blog: http://officialmariavsnyder.blogspot.com and is on Facebook and Goodreads and welcome new friends.

Review: Spy Glass

Opal has lost all her magical powers. She feels lost without them. without her magic, she doesn't know what to do with her life. Opal's moping about her parent's house trying not to face her new reality.

Since she's lost her powers, she's unable to create the glass figurines that allows magicians to contact each other from a great distance. Thus the council is unhappy with her. She's not about to confide in them that she's also immune to magic.

Someone plants a seed into her brain as her blood may have been taken unwillingly during a torture experience. With her blood, she may be able to gain back her magic through a dark magic. Just as easily, her blood may be given to another person and her powers transferred. This pushes Opal into motion.

She sets her plan in motion. With Valek's help, she trains for the biggest mission of her life little knowing that it could not only cost her her life, but also everything and everyone she loves dearly.


My Thoughts: This is the end of the trilogy that comes after Poison Study. I read this directly after reading Mockingjay and both books are highly emotional reads with traumatic and horrific events happening to the main characters.

I love Maria V. Snyder. I hope that she continues to write tales in this world because I'm not ready to say goodbye to the characters. I love the unique magical elements magicians possess. I love the characters, it's hard to pick favorites. There's so much danger in this world, hatred, and anger but it's offset with amazing friendships, love, and bonds to tough to break.

The Cover: Awesome!

Source: Purchased.