Well, Bless Your Heart

 

I am in a reading funk where nothing is appealing to me, but this book even less than most.  It begins with Rae Sutton's mother dying and all that goes into funeral planning and settling the estate.  Rae's husband is estranged (okay, divorced) from her and he brings his side piece to the viewing.  And there we have the opening drama.  

Rae's mother wants Rae to move into her house, because it's paid for, there's money to start a business of her own, and it gets her away from the memories of her husband's betrayal.  Moving back also puts her daughter, Molly, in a new school district and on a new basketball team, which seems to be working well for Molly and Rae, because Molly's coach takes a shine to Rae.  

When Rae starts renovating the house, she finds a letter her mother wrote and stuffed under the carpet about how her ex-husband came to talk to her, realizes the mistake he made, and how he wants her back.  

Like I said, I'm in a reading funk right now and this book just hit me as cheesy.  From the get-go, I do not like going to funerals (but I'm sure not many people do), I do not like any of the fol-de-rol that goes into making a funeral happen, and the last thing I want to read about is someone's last services.  I would rather have passed on this book altogether if I had known how much of it was going to be centered on death. 

What's right about the book is the relatability of the characters,  and the genuineness of the setting.  The characters are not over-the-top in their reactions or emotions. 

This was my first book by Susannah B Lewis, and right now I'm not sure if I'll take another chance with her writings. 

First, I want to say this is all my opinion and someone else may find this book a great read.  Two Stars

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

I'll Be Seeing You In All the Old Familiar Places

Robin Lee Hatcher has been writing for a long time.  She writes about places she knows and her characters seem like they might be friends of hers. Her newest offering is a book that takes place in modern day along with memories taking the reader back to World War II.  

Brianna is taking a history class that she thought would be an easy pass, but the professor throws a monkey wrench into the syllabus with a project that is fifty per cent of her grade.  She has to interview the oldest member of her family to find out the implications of the eras they lived in.  Daisy is her 98 year old great-grandmother, who has a colored history that has huge implications for Brianna.  In telling her story, Daisy has to deal with her own past and how it has affected her in the long term.  

I found this book compelling and engrossing, so much so that I was not able to put it down.  Brianna is at a stage where she wants to assert her independence, but she gets pulled in by a pretty face. Daisy constantly warns her that there is more to a man than his looks and that his character, his core mean a lot more than any handsome visage could. 

I truly enjoyed watching Daisy's and Brianna's relationship grow and change, how they came to  understand each other, and how the secrets they were choosing to keep could eventually harm them. 

There is romance, intrigue, entitled animosity, grief, and real true love expressed in this book.  There are mistakes with long-lasting repercussions, and mistakes avoided. There are estrangements and reconciliations.  All of these flesh out the story in a way that make this book so readable and that's why I absolutely loved it. 

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and an A on your history project. 

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

 

Mulberry Hollow

 

Yesterday, while I was still reading this book, I read back over the reviews of other Denise Hunter books that I've read.  I wasn't surprised by what I said in any of my reviews.  Denise is a quality writer who writes vastly enjoyable books.  I did find that I was up and down with my opinions of what she had written. In this second book of the Riverbend Gap series, I was pleased that this one, to me, was better than the first one.  I kind of picked her apart on the trail culture, having known quite a bit of it, myself.  I have provided trail magic, I have trail-angeled, I have spent a lot of time going through the logistics of sending resupply packages to family members who were on the trail--making sure they arrived in time and contained all that they were supposed to contain.  

Mulberry Hollow is a neighborhood in Riverbend Gap, just off the Appalachian Trail.  Avery Robinson is the only doctor in Riverbend Gap and needs to hire another doctor to help her take calls and clinic hours.  Avery also lives under a cloud of the possibility of Huntington's Disease--it's what killed her mother. When Avery returns to her apartment above her clinic, she finds a man collapsed at the door of the clinic running a high fever and seriously dehydrated. She wants to call an ambulance but he declines saying that he has no insurance. Wes Garrett is fulfilling a bucket list item for his best friend, Landon, who was killed while they were building shelters in Columbia--finishing the Appalachian Trail.  Instead he has contracted an upper respiratory infection that prevents him from getting back to the trail.  Avery takes care of him in the clinic and in return for her care, he offers to refurbish her carriage house that will be offered as housing to whatever new doctor she can recruit. 

Avery has two over-protective brothers who come to check on her and her handyman with alarming frequency.  One is marrying her nurse, the other manages a campground and is building a new cabin at the campground.  Neither of them has the time to accomplish what Wes can do, but they aren't cutting the man any slack.  

There were only a couple of disappointing parts to the book.  When the new doctor comes on board, I wanted her to fall for Avery's brother instead of the deputy.  I wanted a hint at someone who was going to come in for Avery's brother and make him happy.  As it is, I see two more possible books coming out of this series, but maybe the deputy and the new doctor will be a minor part of Avery's brother's story.  

The first book in the series I gave four stars, so I will give this one five stars, two thumbs up, and a hunky handyman to do your refurbishing jobs. 

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.  

Lumberjacks and Ladies

I like to read anthologies of short novels to fill odd times when I have to wait for an appointment or something.  Barbour Books is one of the best publishers for these kinds of books.  They know how to collect the best authors to make these books so enjoyable. 

Lumberjacks and Ladies has four stories that take place in logging areas around the northern United States, starting in Maine, going to Michigan and Wisconsin, then ending up in Idaho. Each of the authors writes about the area where she lives or grew up, so the setting descriptions seem to be on point. The characters are likable and each has their own set of faults and foibles to make them more real.  

The only thing I didn't like about the collection is that the stories didn't touch a "need" for me, but I think that is more taste than any fault of the authors.  The writing was good, and I found that made it easier to read through the stories.  I think the best one was the last one that took place primarily in Idaho.  A bit of mystery is involved in the plot and made the story far more compelling.  It also involved a couple of the characters turning their lives around, and becoming more compassionate people. 

Four Stars. 

Barbour Books and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

 

Mrs Witherspoon Goes to War

 

I've read a couple of the books in this series, and I have thoroughly enjoyed them, but this one just kept me on the edge of my seat.  

Peggy Witherspoon was also called Mama Bird, the WASP pilot and mother to two little girls. She was also the widow of a pilot who was shot down in Germany. While at the time, the WASPs were not part of the military, but were adjunct to the Army.  They were not allowed to fly any missions, but were used for training other troops or for ferrying cargo.  While these were important functions, the ladies in the WASPs felt they could do more.  As it was, the WASPs were required to do the maintenance, repairs, and all inspections on the planes they flew, something Peggy was quite adept at doing.  She had bought a plane before she married and with a manual, took it apart, repaired it and put it back together. 

When ferrying a plane from Connecticut back to Bolling Field in Washington, DC, Peggy notices smoke coming from the instrument panel of the plane. Major Howie Berg, the one in charge, orders her to ditch the plane and bail out, but Peggy will not do that because there is no safe place to let the plane crash without causing collateral damage in the way of civilian casualties.  With the help of another WASP pilot, she lands the plane safely, only to find out that the mechanics in Connecticut had allowed a frayed wire to pass inspection. The Major was not pleased at her disobeying his order, but in contemplating her reasoning, he would have commended a male pilot for the same actions. He just can't wrap his mind around allowing a woman to be the person she is called to be and at the same time protecting her as he'd been taught to protect women his whole life. 

On a supply run to Cuba, Peggy finds out that there are three American soldiers who have been taken prisoner and are being held on the northwest end of the island. She is not one who can let the situation lie, even though no one in any position of power will do anything about it.  She goes to the airplane graveyard at Bolling Field to find a worthy candidate for rebuilding. Nightingale and Brownie join with her in the endeavor. Somehow Maj. Berg finds out what they are doing and while he cannot give his approval for the mission, he aids them as much as he is able without jeopardizing his career. 

Mary Davis has given Peggy a full gamut of emotions and has made her a well-rounded character that is not only strong, but also likable and relatable.  Peggy has lost touch with God, but finds her way back to Him and finds the fullness of life He intends for her to enjoy.  Howie is a wounded pilot who will probably never fly a military mission again, but works hard to overcome his handicaps. He knows firsthand some of the things Peggy is going through and that makes him a sympathetic character.  Nightingale/Jolene is a "takes no prisoners" type of character who is Peggy's equal in the air and on the ground.  Brownie is an extraordinary navigator who can memorize maps at the drop of a hat.  Her abilities complement the other two. Peggy's mother and daughters add just the right amount of mischief to the plot and make it all the more enjoyable.  

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, with a fantastic dolphin rescue at sea. 

Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

The Attractiveness of Wisdom

 

I thought this book would have a great storyline, but I was sorely disappointed. Hamilton is newly divorced even though it was not what he wanted in spite of his ex-wife's cheating on him for years.  The way that Judy Kelly has written Hamilton's character makes him one of the most unsympathetic protagonists I've ever encountered in a book.  His ex-wife's complaints about his controlling nature are not unfounded and it amazed me that his youngest son would let him get away with being called "Buddy Boy" even though he was upper middle school going into high school.  

After the divorce, Hamilton's health required him to take a sabbatical from his job for a few months.  He took an unexpected trip to Hawaii where he met Anita, a woman who lost her fiance' within a week before the wedding. They challenged each other to step out and do something out of their own comfort zones. For Hamilton, this meant taking dancing classes. The dance teacher needed someone to help organize her office, so Ham took the job and ended up being the dance teacher when she sprained her ankle.  

Much of the first half of the book involved Hamilton and Franny, the dance teacher, working and giving instruction to the dance students. Most of the instruction consisted of using videos with Ham demonstrating after the video. Through the class, he met Emma and fell in love with her.  To say more about Ham's and Emma's relationship would be to spoil the ending.   I felt that more of the book dealt with Ham's and Franny's relationship than it did with Ham's and Emma's. 

Much of my dislike of this book is probably a matter of taste. I felt the plot moved slothfully slow and there just wasn't enough to hold my interest.  Someone else will like this book immensely.  It can be read at a leisurely pace.  Two and a half stars, rounded up to three. 

Black Rose Writing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own, and they are just that--opinions. 

Mistletoe Mix-Up

 

This novella is a cute story about a college student with nowhere to go for Christmas and an opportunity to house-sit and make a little money between terms. The problem is he goes to the wrong house--owned by people with similar names and a similar address in two different towns. 

Evan Edwards is a music major at East Texas University whose mother is on another honeymoon with another stepfather in a long line of stepfathers in Evan's life.  When Francis Cartier posts a flyer at the college for a house-sitter, Evan's professor suggests Evan call and ask about it.  Everything is copacetic.  Evan has a place to go and a job to do.  The only problem is he goes to Candle, Texas, instead of Crandall, Texas.  

In Candle, he meets George and Rise' (George's daughter), who are neighbors of Fin and Carol Carter.  With Rise's help, he decorates the Carter's home for them, gets roped into playing the piano for the children's Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve at the church where George and Rise' attend, and then finds out he's been at the wrong house the whole time.  With little time to spare and not a whole lot of energy, he hies himself over to Crandall to do the correct house. He gets it done in time for Francis and Caroline to come home.  He finds out that the Cartier's are hosting a benefit gala to honor Francis' sister, Dominique Miller, who was his original piano teacher from the time he was nine years old until he went to college. 

In the beginning of the book, Evan doesn't have much faith in anything--even himself.  He doesn't know what he's going to do when he finishes college, although he'd like to pursue an advanced degree. 

This comedy of errors book is a delight to read and won't take much time. Jody Bailey Day has created characters with flaws that make them all the more relatable and real.  The settings are easily imagined, and the premise promises a lot of fun to be had while reading the story.  It takes less than two hours to read which makes it perfect for curling up on the sofa with a comfy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate. 

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a peppermint stick to stir the cocoa. 

Pelican Book Group and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Her Darling Mr Day

 

First, this is the second book in the American Royalty series by Grace Hitchcock.  It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are some repeat characters, so the reader won't lose any context. 

Second, while the first book was an historic take on "The Bachelorette," this one is more of a season of "Survivor" without the immunity idols. 

Third, no one in their right mind seeks to summer in New Orleans, Louisiana. The heat and humidity are enough to send people running to the hills--far, far north of NOLA.  And let's not forget hurricane season. 

The book includes skullduggery, competition, mystery and intrigue, cattiness on a very high level, and very little faith expressed by the characters. Pirates, jealousy of siblings, fathers setting up their children to compete for their accolades, it was just a general mess of dysfunction, and not something I enjoyed reading.  I know there are people who will enjoy Grace's writing, but for me, it wasn't my taste. 

Flora Wingfield has found out that Teddy Day is back in New Orleans, so she convinces her father to take the family there for the summer. Florian Wingfield has five daughters, with four of them being of marriageable age--and Flora is nearly on the shelf. She has loved Teddy for a long time and sees this as her opportunity to seek his affections and attentions. Teddy has had his heart broken twice and Flora knows she has to step carefully.  Her sister, Tacy, wants the attention of one of the men who has his sights set on Flora.  Olive and Ermengarde are content to wait to find the loves of their lives, and Nora is not quite old enough to be on the marriage market.  

Teddy and his brother, Carlisle, are the sons of a luxury ship builder and he pits them against each other to bring in the most orders for the business by the end of the summer.  The winner gets controlling interest in the company, while the other gets a significant share, but not as much.  This is where Teddy finds that Flora has a talent for designing interiors that make his  boats much more desirable. 

There are a bevy of girls vying for Teddy's attentions and believe that they have the inside track to his heart. They are not above being underhanded and catty in trying to secure his attentions. 

At best, I can give this book three stars.  The nasty attitudes and actions of the characters are extremely off-putting.  Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

Bleeker Street Book 3

 

The last person Eunice wanted to see in the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Office was Arthur Livingston; the last time she saw him, she shot him in the arm.  It was only a flesh wound, but still.  When she finds out whom he wants to find, she wants to turn down his inquiry immediately. The catch is that Arthur is looking for her!  She wore a disguise of widow's weeds and weeping veils. Arthur is not put off by Eunice's initial refusal to take his case, and comes back day after day to convince her to take his case.  

Jen Turano writes interesting historical fiction with quite a humorous twist, She mixes in social justice, a bit of mystery, and, of course, romance.  This series is entertaining to read and the characters are "real characters," who make the book so much fun.  There are laugh out loud moments, grace moments, forgiveness moments, and poignant moments. There were a few moments when I thought things got a little bit silly, but overall, this was a great read and one I would read again if in need of a rom-com in the historical fiction genre. One of the most important things this book has is that the characters' faith is lived out in a way that puts their money where their mouth is.  That was heartwarming to see. 

Four strong stars. 

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.