Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a book about life, marriage, family, happiness, lies, infidelity and a little bit of God.



It was well written and held my interest.



It starts with a couple who are seperated. There is an accident, some memory loss and trying to rebuilt a marriage based on not all the facts. There are lots of minor characters who at times have a place in the story and at others not really.







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Christmas in Sugarcreek: A Christmas Seasons of Sugarcreek Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Believe it or not I could not make myself finish this book. I have loved all the others in the series.

Maybe it is me and not the books.



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Three short stories - I enjoyed 2 out of three of them but for the most part there are not enough time in these short stories (about 100 pages each) there is not a lot of time to get invested.

The story by Susan Mallery is part of the Fool's Gold series that she writes, but we didnt' see or hear much about Fool's Gold.

Sheryl Woods was about San Francisco(and since I grew up there I liked reading about some of the places I used to visit)

The Susan Wiggs was didn't hold my interest.

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I am a huge James Patterson fan but I was not impressed with this one. I did read the whole thing though so that says something.



Gaby is hosting herself a Christmas wedding but she won't tell anyone (including the groom) whom she is going to marry. She gets all her children to come home for the wedding.



I just don't see anything special about this book.



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A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the 4th book in this series.



!8 year old Lindsay is happy in the amish community she and her sister (who has gone back to the English world in a previous book) moved to when their parents died (book 1). She is considering joining the church and settling in when her parent's best friends called and ask her to come take care of her 'aunt' who broke her foot.



Lindsay travels to Virginia to help out and reconnects with old friends, and the english way of life (cell phones, education). Her sister continues to pressure her to continue her education by getting her GED and going off to college.



We now wait for the next installment.



http://jnut1-ilovebooks.blogspot.com







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SEAL of My Dreams by Robyn Carr

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When I first heard about this book I was thrilled- I love romance and I love military men. Prior to my starting this book I looked through the authors and realized I have never read most of them so this was going to be a good starting point for me on some possibly new favorite authors.

My favorite novellas were the ones involving military dogs, I thought this was cute on the part of a few of the authors, I really enjoyed the animal aspect and learning some about what military dogs do and how their handlers respond.

Some of the novellas I had difficulty with due to them being an epilogue for other novels. Holding On by Stephanie Tyler was by far the hardest as there were too many characters and I never really understood who was who and what they were doing.

My favorite was Baby, I’m Back by Stephanie Bond. Not really sure why but the animal aspect is part of it. Others I just found it to be a good story. I will be looking up others from this author.

The last story, Letters To Ellie by Loreth Anne White was a horrible way to end this book I felt like. I read romance novels because I am a social worker in real life and have to deal with horrible stories every day and reading is my outlet. This story made me cry and pretty much hate life. I did not like the way this anthology ended, I mean the story was a great addition but I think order should have been shifted as I was left feeling very depressed at the end of it all.

I am glad I read it though, and am so proud to call myself an American after reading even fictionalized versions of our troops.

-The only easy day was yesterday




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Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. I found Lilah and Brady to both be likable and relate-able, something that can struggle sometimes. Good humor throughout and I love how clumsy Lilah was, that I can relate to so much so watching her struggle with that was awesome. Overall, just a good fun read. I do not have too much to say about it but I enjoyed it which I think is the point. Cannot wait for the next one to arrive from the library.



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Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I started this book at a bad time, a time when I was trying to get into it with lots of distractions. I made it about 3 pages in before I decided I was not going to like it. But me being me opted to continue on for a least a little while longer. Boy, am I glad I did. I LOVED this book by the end. The story was funny and heart warming. The family drama was awesome to watch unfold. I liked that we did not just hear from Joe and Keri but also got narration from Terry and that we got stories from the others in the book as well. The language was a little difficult to bear at times, I am not a huge fan of profanity in writing but beyond that I really enjoyed this book and am glad I stuck it out. Cannot wait to read the second one now.




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Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I read it, I enjoyed it, but that's about it. It was an ok book, I feel like it jumped about in time sequencing. The secretary roles were cute, I did enjoy the supporting characters. The ending was priceless, I really enjoyed how it all came together. Not very memorable in my opinion, I am going to try a few more by her but I do not have too much to say.



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Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I think I speak for all of us Bridgerton fans when I say "yay Collin!" I have loved him as a supporting charterer in every Bridgerton novel (now mind you I read them out of order and this was the last one in the series I read). However, in this novel I find him a bit odd. I know we were trying to see a different side of him but I felt like he was mean to Penelope in how he thought of her as having changed. It was not my favorite of the novels and actually is probably my least favorite of the 8.

The best part of all of this was Lady Danbury though. Her relationship with Penelope was amazing real and frank and awesome. Plus I loved the part of the Smith-Smythe musical that takes place in Just Like Heaven being in this book. I love that all the Julia Quinn books intertwine and are just superb.

I look forward to reading the Lady Whistledown books, which are currently on my shelf. Thanks Julia for an amazing series and I look forward to beginning all your other novels.



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An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was not really sure what to expect when I opened Benedict's novel. He was the brother I felt least attached to and had the least knowledge of. However, his quiet strength and romanticism led me to fall in love with him as well.



I loved how this story mirrored Cinderella, if really made me want to go watch Ever After and cry my eyes out. Sophie was very relate able and a strong female character for someone living in those times. I enjoyed getting to know both characters individually and then together as they navigated the tricky London social scene.



The jail scene was about the funniest thing I have ever read. I really enjoyed this novel.



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Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


After I finished my last book I picked up 2 to take to work with me and read throughout the day. I started the other one, then when lunch came around I accidentally grabbed this one instead of the other one I had already started. I am not one to read two books at once but I figured I would give it a try and see which one I liked better.



I could not put this book down! Once I started I could not stop. I think I accidentally grabbed the wrong one on purpose. I loved the story line, I was able to relate to Maddie and his sisters so well. I think everything about this book was on track. I loved the real human response Maddie had to having been in an abusive relationship. The character development was great, I really was rooting for Maddie and Jax as well as supporting Maddie in her relationship with her sisters. I just loved it, cannot wait to get my hands of Tara's story.



My only negative comment is that I have a problem with people using the phrase "gave up for adoption." As a birthmother and a social worker I am trying to change the stigmas associated with adoption. The phrase we like to use better is "placed for adoption." Although we sing away our rights we are not giving the child away, we are placing them in a better situation. I really hope this does not bother me when reading Tara's story as I have had to leave series before because of careless language.



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A Christmas Wedding - James Patterson

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I am a huge James Patterson fan but I was not impressed with this one. I did read the whole thing though so that says something.



Gaby is hosting herself a Christmas wedding but she won't tell anyone (including the groom) whom she is going to marry. She gets all her children to come home for the wedding.



I just don't see anything special about this book.



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