Monday, July 27, 2015

A Brush with Love was Original

A Brush with Love
Rachel Hauck




Book Summary: Ginger Winters is a gifted hairstylist with scars no one can see. The last thing she expects from the New Year is a new chance at love. Overcoming a childhood tragedy, Ginger emerges from the pain and trauma with a gift for bringing out the beauty in others. From the top big city salons to traveling the world as personal stylist to a country music sensation, success was almost enough to make Ginger forget she would never be one of the beautiful people, that girl, forever on the outside looking in. But she needs her confidence this weekend. She’s the acclaimed “beauty-maker” for the Alabama society wedding of the decade. When high-school crush Tom Wells Jr. also returns to town and shows up at her shop looking for a haircut, Ginger’s thinly veiled insecurities threaten to keep her locked away from love, Despite Tom’s best efforts, Ginger can’t forget how he disappeared on her twelve years ago and broke her heart. Can she ever trust him again?


Review: Interesting story over all. It was a little slow for me. I liked Ginger and felt a lot of empathy for the childhood trauma. I have heard that it is hard to overcome small town roles, but she was away for a long time and it seemed odd that she would move back to her hometown given they way she was treated. The story was fast paced at points. Ginger and her mother moved into a better relationship, while she was torn between liking Tom and not wanting to be around him. Predictable over all but definitely not your run of the mill heroine.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Fiction for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Double Cross was Fast Paced

Double Cross
DiAnn Mills





Book Summary: FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington―and what she sacrificed to put him away―he is now her best lead. Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family―even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon. As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.

Review: Unlike my usual method I bought this as an audiobook and found the person reading the story to be so real that I forgot this along the way. This was a past paced mystery with so much going on that I really liked the pace. Many times my heart was beating so fast due to all the events going on. I really liked Lauren, Daniel and Morton. I too was flipping a coin page by page as to whether Morton was sincere or was he acting. That kept the pressure on throughout the story. I wanted Morton to have changed so bad. The ending was a bang! Literally although not so surprising. I thought like the first story that the end would have a twist, but it is hard to pull that twice in a row. While a full stand alone the first book in the series was competition and this story paced the first one decently. I did find this story to be a little unrealistic, although it does seem like today life is imitating art way too much. This is one book that was unabashedly Christian and not preachy just was always present. I really liked that a lot. Some books are becoming less Christ centered. Which is not a sole requirement. But this was refreshing to read.

In Good Company is the Best Place to Be!!!

In Good Company
Jen Turano




Book Summary: After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position. Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he's desperate for competent childcare. At wit's end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance--with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children's parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

Review: Great story line. Loved Millie she was witty, funny and her use of words incorrectly was fantastic. Everett was a bit of a snob at the start. It was great to read about a great set of characters like Abigail, Lucetta, The Mulberrys, the children, and all the servants. These things always make a storyline strong and worth the wait to the end. The mystery was limited in comparison previous books. Yet, it was a great read. There were some slow periods and Caroline was perfectly written as a spoiled brat. Loved the tennis match which was laugh out loud funny! Millie was so realistic and always having challenges come upon her due in part to some of the things she was working to accomplish. I can not wait for the next story! The storyline had some very real sorrow in relation to the loss of the children’s parents and Millie having no way to determine who her family was. It was a very heart warming story.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.