To Catch a Bad Guy

To Catch a Bad Guy
by Marie Astor

Kindle Edition, 307 pages

Published August 10th 2012

Janet Maple's stellar career ended with a lay off and her boyfriend of five years told her that he wants to be just friends. When she lands a job at one of New York’s premier boutique investment firms, Janet begins to hope that her luck is finally turning for the better. Not only is she happy with her new paycheck, but things also seem to be looking up on the personal front, as the company’s handsome attorney expresses keen interest in Janet. However, her euphoria is short-lived, as Janet soon discovers alarming facts about her new employer’s business tactics. When her boss dismisses her suspicions as groundless, Janet finds herself confiding to a cute IT engineer, Dean Snider. The closer she gets to Dean, the more Janet is tempted to break her rule of not dating co-workers, but what she doesn’t realize is that everything she knows about Dean, including his occupation and even his name, is a lie.

Dennis Walker is a top-notch white collar crime investigator who will stop at nothing to put culprits away. When an opportunity for an undercover assignment at one of New York’s premier boutique broker dealers comes up, Dennis jumps at the chance, adopting a persona of geeky IT engineer, Dean Snider. While he may be an ace at his job, years of experience fail him when Dennis meets Janet Maple and finds himself torn between his professional obligations and his personal desires. Will he have to choose between his feelings and duty, or will he find a way to satisfy both?

***

This is a great read!  The characters and workplace drama are believable and easy to relate to.  It was fun to see how the various characters interact as the plot unfolds.  There's a bit of everything in here- mystery, romance, drama, comedy...  It's easy-going and fun!  

3.5 stars

The Busy Mom's Guide to Speed Cleaning and Organizing

The Busy Mom's Guide to Speed Cleaning and Organizing: How To Organize, Clean, and Keep Your Home Spotlessby BJ Knights

Kindle Edition, 124 pages

Published October 21st 2013

***

I really enjoyed this book! I've read several cleaning/organizing books and this is my favorite! The book itself is efficient and an enjoyable read. (something I never expected to say about a cleaning book) I like the way the house is divided and the overall approach to getting organizing- all to meet individual needs. Great ideas and recipes for staying efficient!  I definitely recommend this one!

5/5 stars

The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story

The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story
by Lily Koppel

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published June 11th 2013 by Grand Central Publishing (first published January 1st 2013)

As America's Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. They had tea with Jackie Kennedy, appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and quickly grew into fashion icons.

Annie Glenn, with her picture-perfect marriage, was the envy of the other wives; platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was proclaimed JFK's favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived on base with a secret. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, meeting regularly to provide support and friendship. Many became next-door neighbors and helped to raise each other's children by day, while going to glam parties at night as the country raced to land a man on the Moon.

As their celebrity rose-and as divorce and tragic death began to touch their lives-they continued to rally together, and the wives have now been friends for more than fifty years. THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB tells the real story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history.

***

I love idea of this book- showing us the perspective of the wives of the astronauts.  Their story is compelling and truly intriguing.  The actual writing style wasn't my favorite.  I had trouble staying "involved" with the story even though it was really interesting to me.  I enjoyed hearing about the women despite the writing.  They really went through a lot so we could race to space.  

3.5/5 stars   

Old Maid of Honor

Old Maid of Honor
by Heather Horocks

Hardcover, 292 pages

Published April 1st 2010 by Deseret Book

Part-time clown Amelia White has a detailed list of traits and accomplishments that make for her the perfect man and she won't marry anyone lacking even one of them. Perhaps that's why she's thirty and still unmarried.
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride seems to apply to both her and her roommate, until Stacy announces her upcoming and unexpected wedding. Now Amelia is feeling like an old maid of honor.

When she is introduced to Ben Adams and begins to spend time with him, she is delighted to check off all the items on her list and believes he might just be The One.
As she falls in love, she learns that she has assumed a great deal and Ben is not the man she thought he was.
Even so, could he prove to be the perfect man for her?

***

This is a funny story full of jealously, romance and drama.  It's a nice fluffy story you don't have to think about- which can be really nice sometimes.  Quite entertaining!

3/5 stars

Chocolate Obsessed

Chocolate Obsessed

by Annette Lyon

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Autumn

ebook

Published August 2nd 2013 by Mirror Press (first published July 31st 2013)

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Autumn Collection. Readers will love this collection of six romantic suspense novellas, all with one thing in common: Romance

Chocolate Obsessed, a captivating romantic suspense by Annette Lyon, we meet Whitney, an executive pastry chef who is working her resort’s booth at the New York Chocolate Show. The only problem is that she shares the shift with her arch rival, Stephen. But then an unexpected visitor shows up: Jeremy, a man who lost a dessert competition she judged. When Jeremy confronts her and becomes threatening, Stephen steps in and gets Jeremy dragged off by security. But that doesn’t throw Jeremy off for long; soon Stephen and Whitney are running for their lives.

***

Chocolate!  Of course it makes this short story sweeter.  It's packed with action and romance with some fun twists.  I really enjoyed it!

3.5/5 stars

Preparing To Say Goodbye

It's been almost three years since we began this blog, and it's been quite a journey! We've made wonderful friends, found some amazing books, and loved interacting with you.

So it's with a bit of sadness that we announce we will be closing up shop. Reading is like breathing for us - and discovering new books and authors has been a wonderful adventure. However, our lives keep becoming more involved - and let's face it, crazier - and we've reached the point where it's right for us to bow out.

We will be posting reviews until the end of April, at which point we'll say goodbye.

Thank you for your support, for allowing us into your lives, and for letting us influence in some small way the contents of your bookshelves.

Chocolate and Conversation

Chocolate and Conversation
by Jennifer Griffith

Kindle Edition, 225 pages

Published September 9th 2013

Susannah Hapsburg is totally ready for Plan C. Plan A was to get married at 22 and have a passel of kids. Still unmarried and 31, that option is out. Plan B was to work her way up the corporate ladder. However, the company she devoted eight years to just went bankrupt, giving her a bad taste for the corporate world. Which leaves her with Plan C.

Plan C involves chocolate. 

With the support of friends, Susannah puts her future on the line to open up downtown Salt Lake City s first all-chocolate café, The Chocolate Bar, a place where scrumptious conversations and delectable desserts abound. 

In the midst of all this, social turmoil hits Susannah when she catches the interest of the city s most eligible bachelor just as her long-lost love returns to town--with intentions of marrying anyone but Susannah. 

Can Plan C offer Susannah her just desserts?

Chocolate and Converstaion is full love love--and chocolate recipes. Read it with a cup of cocoa.

(Previously published by Spring Creek Book Company as "Delicious Conversation")

***

I really enjoyed this story!  It's easy reading with believable characters and some fun.  It's light but there's more to it than I expected.  The story has some quirky and unexpected turns that kept me turning pages late into the night!  I highly recommend this for anyone who likes cute, clean romance. 

4.5/5 stars

Luminescence

Luminescence (Middle School Magic, #3)
by Braden Bell

320 Pages
Published March 11, 2014

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

* * *

The end of a trilogy is always somewhat bittersweet for me, and this was no exception. Mr. Bell has taken us on a fun, magic-filled journey - and the worst thing I can say about it is: It's over.

Kids will love the magic, the adventure, the fun, the real-to-life characters. Parents will appreciate the examples of self-sacrifice and friendship, loyalty and teamwork. The kids stick up for what they know to be true, even when the some of the adults doubt them.

You might assume from that list of qualities that the book is preachy, but the exact opposite is true. Each of the kids faces their own troubles, and learns to deal with them in their own ways.

If you haven't read the first two books, I highly suggest reading them before this book - if you don't, you'll be playing catch-up the whole time.

If you're looking for a good, well-written, exciting, middle-grade-age-appropriate adventure, this series is for you!

5/5 stars

A Hound Dog Named Elvis

A Hound Dog Named Elvis- A Click Flick Clique Story
by Heather Horrocks
from A Timeless Romance Anthology- Autumn

ebook

Published August 2nd 2013 by Mirror Press (first published July 31st 2013)

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Autumn Collection. Readers will love this collection of six romantic suspense novellas, all with one thing in common: Romance.

In Heather Horrocks’ charming story, A Hound Dog Named Elvis, interior designer, Kaitlin Hartley returns to her hometown of Aspen Grove, California, to the job of her dreams after a year of specialized training in New York. During the town’s Autumn Festival, she enters her dachshund, Elvis, into the Running of the Hallowieners race. Joshua Moore, the man who hadn’t wanted her to leave Aspen Grove, but hadn’t waited for her either, enters Elvis’s sister, Priscilla. When Kaitlin gets home afterward, she realizes Elvis has left the building—with Joshua. She has the wrong dog! Can she get her dog—and the man she’s never stopped loving—back?

***

This is a cute short story with the Click Flick Clique characters.  It's a quick read with a fun plot involving mistaken dog identities.  The dogs bring Kaitlin back to an old friend and turn her life upside down.  

3.5/5 stars

Trouble's Brewing (Stirring Up Trouble Trilogy #2)

Trouble's Brewing

(Stirring Up Trouble Trilogy #2)by Juli Alexander

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has managed to turn her crush into a boyfriend without using any magic at all. But can it really work with Jake when Zoe’s father is dating Jake’s mother? Talk about a dysfunctional family.

After the Frog Fiasco, the Council is watching Zoe’s every move but studying under renowned Potions Master, Martin Finnegan, fulfills a lifelong dream of Zoe’s, even if the ninety-five-year-old man looks like a teenager. Zoe can’t juggle friends, school, potions, and dating without letting something slide, and Trouble’s Brewing as her tutor is forced to reveal deeply hidden truths about her experiments and those of her ancestors.

Paperback, 200 pages

Published November 24th 2012 by Createspace

***

This is a fun, light story with a creative plot!  I love the characters and the way they interact- there's a great dynamic between them.  Zoe has a fun personality and great magical talents.  I really enjoyed the ups and downs, moments of drama and fun, and everything in between.  This is book 2 in the trilogy but I read it first and loved it!

4/5 stars

Stirring Up Trouble (Stirring Up Trouble, #1)

Stirring Up Trouble
by Juli Alexander

Zoe Miller is a 15-year-old witch with a talent for potions. She's working hard to find a substitute for toad slime. Since fat-free margarine has been found to be a substitute for dead man's toe, she's hopeful that she'll find one. 

Then there's all the so-called normal stuff. Like high school, her annoyingly selfish "friend" Anya, and her crush on Anya's ex-boyfriend Jake.

Now, Zoe's dad is dating Jake's mom, and things are getting more and more complicated. If only Zoe could brew a potion or two and set everything straight. Zoe can't. If she brews a self-serving potion, bad things will happen to her appearance. Like a crooked nose, giant wart, green skin, rotting teeth--the whole ugly witch stereotype. 

Zoe's tired of fate interfering so cruelly in her life. Can you really blame her for putting her potions to not-so-good use and stirring up trouble?

Kindle Edition, 188 pages

Published January 10th 2012 by Julie Alexander

***

I really enjoyed this light-hearted story about Zoe.  The writing style is clever and entertaining and drew me right in.  This would be great for young teens on up- nothing inappropriate to worry about.  I highly recommend it!

3.5/5 stars