A Night with Jamie Beck and Before I Knew

I had the pleasure of hosting Jamie Beck at my library for the Connecticut Author Trail program. She was lovely and fantastic. I really enjoyed it. I know Jamie through RWA (Romance Writers of America)

She talked about the difference between straight romance and women's fiction and how she writes a blend of the two. Jamie talked about how she became a writer - through a a job she didn't love and then staying home with the kids.

When she first started writing, she didn't tell anyone. After her first book was rejected, she joined RWA where she learned the craft of writing. Her second book was also rejected, but there was interest in it.

All the advice said to just keep writing, and we're so glad that she did!

The only bad thing about the night (besides the traffic) was that I forgot to snap a picture with Jamie!

Before I Knew is her latest book and the first in a family saga.Colby's mentally ill husband killed himself two years ago and she's still healing from all the pain. He wanted to keep his illness a secret, causing her to lie to her family for years. Now she's trying to start up a restaurant, hoping that a new challenge will bring purpose to her life.

Except the head chef is none other than Alec. Besides being an old family friend, he's also the brother of the man that her husband dared to his death. And the family's been estranged for the last two years.

Guilty about both men's death ate Alec alive, but he's happy to be given another chance. He certainly has ideas for the restaurant. He's also had feeling for Colby that never went away. Can they recapture their easy friendship and maybe even something more?

My Thoughts: I loved this book, I loved the two families torn apart by tragedy coming back together and healing. I loved that Colby was trying something new with her life and trying to make it successful - with the help from her family. Her family added both humor and more drama to the story. I'm looking forward to reading more about them. I enjoyed watching Alec put his life back together - with his ideas for the restaurant and his ideas for his family. I loved watching Alec and Colby become friends again and work together. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the work it takes to create and start up a restaurant. Luckily book 2 comes out early next year!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: Purchased

Library Recommendation: Public Libraries will want to grab this one! And also invite Jamie to chat at your library.

Adult Review: Union Street Bakery

When Daisy was 3, her mother left her at a bakery and never looked back. The McCrae's who owned the bakery, adopted her.

Thirty years later, Daisy's back working at the bakery after having lost her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend. While she doesn't mind helping out her family, a part of her feels left out and missing.

When an old family friend passes away, she leaves Daisy an journal from the 1850s. Confused, Daisy enlists the help of her historian sister, Margaret.
The two sisters make a startling discovery about history, their lives, and their family.  With this news, perhaps Daisy can find the confidence and the courage she needs to take charge of her life again.

My Thoughts: Although a slow building novel, I was sucked in. I felt bad for Daisy losing her way, for feeling like an outsider in her family, and for her abandonment issues.  I liked her interactions with Rachel - both the sweet and the bad tempered ones. I liked her snarky interactions with Margaret and love them working together in the historical research. I liked how Daisy came in and took control of the books and started to turn things around. I would hate for the family to lose the bakery that's been in their family for generations. I loved the parts in the bakery especially the making of the treats. I'm so looking forward to more in this series and learning more about this family.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Perfect Match

* 2nd book in the Blue Heron series*

Honor thought her friendship with Brogan meant more than friendship. She thought he could be a perfect life partner. Unfortunately, her best friend thought the same thing. One night, at a bar, they confess that they've just happened to fall in love and they're getting married.

Honor's devastated - having lost both her best friends. She tries to do what she always does by throwing herself in her work. But her father decided that it's high time for her to have an assistant or two. Now she's stuck working normal hours and trying to figure out what to do with her life.

She ends up with a blind date for a man who needs a green card to stay in the US to be close to his (almost) stepson. Could she settle for less than love and a happily ever after?

My Thoughts: I love the small town of Blue Heron and the Holland Family. I felt bad for Honor and the betrayals from both her best friends. I felt so bad for Tom - who just wanted to have a relationship with Charlie. I loved watching that relationship go through it's ups and downs. I love how Honor and Tom slowly started to become friends and then something more. I loved Mr Holland finally figuring out his path in life and how it added to the story. I can't wait to read more about this family and the town. This book made me cry - hard at the end, but there were also happy tears. I laughed, I cried, and my heart filled with happiness - a perfect book.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Rose Harbor In Bloom

 * Sequel to The Inn at Rose Harbor *

Jo Marie has an open house on Sunday, but before she can worry about that, she has a weekend full of guests at the inn and a rose garden she wants planted.

Annie's been planning her grandparent's 50th anniversary party; helping keep her mind off her own broken engagement. She wants everything to be perfect, but she never counted on her grandparents bickering all the time. What happened to the couple who looked at each other with love?

Mary shouldn't have made the trip - but she couldn't resist. She used to be so happy on the west coast and then on the east coast. Now everything's changed.

Was the ghost of Paul right - could Inn be healing everyone who stays there?

My Thoughts: I devoured this book - I love seeing old friends from Cedar Cove pop up and meeting new friends. I love the relationship between Jo Marie and Mark. I love Mark's gruff behavior but sweet nature underneath. My heart broke for Mary and George but I love the way the book ended for them. I liked Annie and her grandparents. They were sweet, but funny when they give each other a hard time.  I liked learning more about Oliver and his relationship to the family. I like the tiny tidbits we learned from the inn's previous guest. A huge fan of these books, I'm already anticipating  the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library.

Adult Review: If You Give a Rake a Ruby

 * Book 2 in a trilogy - looking back I guess I didn't review the first one, but I loved it! *

Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is part of the three diamonds. Together these women are the top courtesans of society - even if they aren't what they seem. Fallon hopes that no one discovers her past, but when she enters her room one night, she unfortunately discovers that's not the case. 

She's blackmailed into helping Warrick Fitzhugh, a spy for the Foreign Office, uncover who wants to kill him and others like him. He has a lead on the man who carried out the previous attempts- Fallon's father. He just needs the man behind the plan. 

Fallon thought she killed her father. She's sorry he's still alive. She's sorry she has to face him. Mostly she's sorry she has to face her past and come to terms with it. She's hoping to come out of this nightmare unscathed and most especially with her heart intact.

My Thoughts: I loved this book - I love the secrets of the Three Diamonds and how society views them. I enjoyed finding out more about Fallon's past. I felt horrible for her past, but loved how she changed her future. She's a strong, feisty, smart woman. My heart broke for Warrick - his past, night nightmares, and his family situation. I found him strong, smart, and skilled at spy work. I'm more than curious about Lily's storm - the Countess of Charm. If you like Julia Quinn's novels - read this series! 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library
Up Next:  Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend coming in March of 2014

Mini Review: Storm Season

 *  volume 2 in the series *

Derrick Storm sees a ghost from his past while working a case. He's been hired to help a woman recover money she lost. Everything should have gone smoothly, but the man she identified as the con artist, comes to Derrick asking for help.


He's looking to find his missing sister, who disappeared. As Derrick digs into the case, he uncovers a dangerous criminal organizations - along with his old CIA partner.

My Thoughts: I'm so happy to learn more about Derrick Storm - with great illustrations, lots of action, lots of danger, and a hint of romance. I hope these graphic novels continue!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Fool For Love

 *A Cupcake Lovers Novel*

Chloe Madison graduated with honors from the Culinary Arts Institute on the same day her boyfriend tells her he's leaving her. He's been cheating on her, but didn't want to tell her and stress her out before her exams. With two years of her life wasted on him, Chloe has no idea what to do.

Her best friend invites her for a visit to Vermont. Before long, Chloe packs up her things and heads for Sugar Creek. There she takes a job as a cook/chauffeur for an older woman who's family worries about her. Daisy and Chloe get on amazingly well, they both have a devilish outlook on life.

However, Devin, Daisy's grandson isn't too keen on Chloe. He also can't stop thinking about her. As they banter back and forth, everyone in town realizes what they don't; sparks fly when they look at each other.

My Thoughts: I ADORED this novel and from the tagline, I'm hoping there's more coming. First, it's set in Vermont - which is where I grew up. So I loved all the Vermont quirks - the muddy roads, the flannel, the maple syrup, and the small town charm. 
Second a group of women (with one male addition) come together to talk about cupcakes each week. Who doesn't like cupcakes? The club has a unique history. Now they want to put together a book with their history and cupcake recipes.  
I really liked Chloe - she's feisty, sweet, loyal, and witty. She fit into town perfectly, even though she's barely spent time there. 
I liked Devin - how he tried to control everything and how that backfired on him. I adored his family. They were loud, secretive, and charming. 
I loved Daisy for her sense of humor and her quest for freedom. She's be fun to hang out with. 
All in all a charming story and I hope there's more about this small town and about the Monroe family. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect - the cover sold me on this book
Source: My Library

Review: Sam's Letters To Jennifer

One afternoon after parting, Sam realizes that she needs to set the story straight with her grand daughter. She sits down and writes her life secrets to Jennifer. Jennifer won't read them until Sam slips into a coma and is in the hospital.

Jennifer rushes to Sam's side. She takes her work with her to Sam's house on the lake. Jennifer spent happy summers of her childhood on the lake and it's almost like coming home.

There Jennifer sees her grandmother's letters. She starts to read them, but forces herself to savor these moments. She learns that her grandparents did not have the happy marriage she imagined. She learns about life, about love, and about finding your own happiness.

Sam's life lessons might be just what Jennifer needs to get over the loss of her husband and start living her life again. 

My Thoughts: I didn't read the cover flap on this book and the whole premise of the book through me for a loop. I was expecting more of a P.S. I Love You book and instead found something much different. I loved reading about the relationship between Sam and her grandmother. It was quite touching and reminded me of my grandmother. Needless to say, I read this one with a box of tissues.

I liked watching Jennifer learn to step out of the walled existence after her grief over Danny. I liked the quiet way she started a friendship with Brendan and how it became something much more. I liked learning about Jennifer's columns and how she learned to let go a little bit of her work. It's a lesson everyone needs at times and I'm in a similar spot. 

I liked going into this book one with idea but how it turned into something completely different. It sucked me in and I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's a bittersweet read that tugged at my heartstring

Cover Thoughts: I like the lake, but it's kind of dark to see. After reading it I understand the cover, but I would have liked something more upbeat to draw me in. My eyes see the cover, but immediately move on.
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Dream Lake

* Book 3 in the Friday Harbor series*

Zoe's been hurt in the past by a long list of people, including her father but most recently her ex-husband. She's not looking for romance, she's simply happy and content with her life.


But romance comes in the form of grumpy Alex Nolan. He had a horrific childhood and an even worse marriage. He doesn't believe that he should be happy. He drank to numb his pain, but is just realize the depths of his drinking issues. As he tries to dry out, a ghost enters his life.


The ghost won't or can't leave him alone. The ghost can't remember much about his former life expect in bits and pieces. He knows that he's tied to Alex and might be responsible for helping him.
 
Can the three of them find peace and happiness together in Friday Harbor?

My Thoughts: I love the Friday Harbor series - romance with a little bit of magic all wrapped up in a good story. I love reading about the Nolan brothers. I love the dreamy atmosphere, I want to live in Friday Harbor. I love how protective Alex feels of Zoe. I like how he warns her off him, but can't stop hanging out with her. I really enjoyed the moments between Zoe and her grandmother. I reminded me of the moments between myself and my grandmother. I bet she would have liked this book too and I wish she was still alive so we could talk about it together over a cup of hot chocolate. Friday Harbor books feel like you're enveloped in your grandmother's love and drinking the best hot chocolate, it's rich, sweet, and charming.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous, but it isn't how I imagined Zoe
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: I've Got Your Number

Poppy Wyatt has lost her engagement ring. It's a family heirloom. She's devastated and panics. She can't tell her fiancee. As she's trying to sort out the nightmare, her phone's stolen from her hand.

Luckily she spies a phone in the trash. Without thinking, she takes it. After giving out the new number to the hotel where she lost her ring, the phone rings almost immediately. A man is on the other end expecting his personal assistant.

After bantering back and forth, Poppy convinces him to allow her to use the phone - just in case someone calls with information about her ring. In return she agrees to forward all his messages to him.

As she starts reading the messages, she begins to uncover information abut Sam.  The more she uncovers the more questions she has for him.  She finds him stubborn and cold in his replies.  Would he really mind if she sent out a message or two on his behalf?

Meanwhile, she's still hiding the fact that her ring's gone missing. She's trying get Magnus's parents to like her and to feel comfortable in their presence.  As the wedding date draws nearer, she must answer some tough questions about herself.

My Thoughts: I'm a huge Sophie Kinsella fan (One of these days I need to read the Madeline Wickham books too). I devoured this book. I laughed several times while eating lunch one day in the staff room and thus have convinced a fellow book lover to try out her books. I hated all of Poppy's friends. They were hideous.  Poppy reminded me a little bit of Becky - without the crazy spending, but with getting herself into trouble.  There were awkward moments, hilarious moments, and sweet moments.  I loved the conversations between Poppy and Sam.   A fabulous charming read.


Cover Thoughts: It's growing on me, but I'm not in love with it


Source: My Library