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Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Clean, Christian Family Secrets Novel Compelling ... Enough
4:14 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Despite the raging success of her debut novel, 29-year-old Tenley Roth finds herself paralyzed with fear. Fear that she's a one-hit wonder who can't produce a second book. Fear that her first has only gained notoriety because of her notable literary pedigree. Fear that she's just not good enough to deserve anyone's attention. She knows a lot of her insecurity comes from being abandoned by her mother as a young child. So, when Blanche Albright begs Tenley to nurse her through a summer of chemotherapy treatments, Tenley can't say no. The novelist hopes spending a few months in sunny Florida will help her break through a crippling bout of writer's block while allowing her to make peace with her sick, estranged mother.
Between playing nursemaid and trying to write something—anything—to satisfy a looming deadline from her publisher, Tenley can't afford any distractions. Especially one as appealing as handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan. Then, there's Blanche's dusty writing desk, a piece full of old mysteries and tantalizing whispers from the past.
Just as Tenley suspects, the antique does hide a remarkable story. One that begins with a beautiful young heiress trapped in a gilded cage, frantic for freedom and longing for love. Desperate to change the world through the stories she pens in secret, Birdie Shehorn will do anything, risk everything, to achieve her dream of becoming a published writer.
Witness to it all, the writing desk has kept Birdie's secrets for more than a century. What will happen when they're finally set free? For Tenley, it will change everything ...
I'm always up for a juicy family secrets novel told in a dual-timeline format. Naturally, then, my interest was piqued by the premise of The Writing Desk, the newest offering from romance writer Rachel Hauck. It sounded like a right-up-my-alley read, especially with its clean, Christian bent. As I often find with past/present plot lines, the former captured me much more than the latter. Birdie is a million times more sympathetic and likable than Tenley, who comes off as a spoiled, self-centered brat. Birdie's story has more meat to it, which made it the more compelling tale for me. While I never did warm to Tenley, I did end up enjoying The Writing Desk overall. It's not overly original or spectacularly well-written, but it is engrossing. It kept my attention for 400+ pages and that's no small feat. I appreciate that it's clean, uplifting, and engaging enough. Will I pick up another book by Hauck? Probably not. Still, I'm not sorry I read this one.
(Readalikes: Although this novel reminded me of plenty others I've read, a specific title is not coming to mind. Help?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for very mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Writing Desk from the generous folks at Zondervan (an imprint of HarperCollins) via those at TLC Book Tours. Thank you!
--
For more opinions on The Writing Desk, follow the book's blog tour:
Monday, July 24th: A. Holland Reads
Wednesday, July 26th: Fiction Aficionado
Friday, July 28th: A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, August 1st: Broken Teepee
Wednesday, August 2nd: Just One More Chapter
Friday, August 4th: Cafinated Reads
Monday, August 7th: Kritter’s Ramblings
Wednesday, August 9th: The Overweight Bookshelf
Friday, August 11th: By the Book
Monday, August 14th: Reviews from the Heart
Tuesday, August 15th: Books a la Mode – author guest post
Wednesday, August 16th: A Night’s Dream of Books
Thursday, August 17th: Just Commonly
Monday, August 21st: From the TBR Pile
Tuesday, August 22nd: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Wednesday, August 23rd: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, August 24th: Reading is My SuperPower
Friday, August 25th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Monday, August 28th: Steph the Bookworm
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Beyond the Books: Cleo Madison Shirt Review
4:57 PM
Although I review mostly books, I actually receive a fair amount of requests from retailers offering up products to try. I decline most of them, but when it comes to clothes, well ... I have a hard time resisting! So, when Liz—the owner of Cleo Madison, an online boutique specializing in modest clothing—offered to let me try an item from her store in exchange for a review, I jumped at the chance.
As you've probably discerned already, I chose the Betty Floral Baseball Tee pictured above (shown on a model, who's about 1000% more photogenic than I am). I'm plus-sized, so I got an x-large, which fit just right—not too tight, not too loose. The length, especially, is perfect. I love the grey t-shirt fabric that makes up the sleeves and back of the shirt. It's soft, stretchy, and super comfy. I'm not as wild about the floral panel in front. It's fairly sheer (I wear a cami underneath because I'm self-conscious like that) and the material is a little scratchy. It has a tendency to bunch around the chest area, so I find myself tugging it down a lot. Irritating, but not a huge, huge deal. Overall, I like this shirt because of the soft t-shirt fabric (love it!), the fun print (a nice change from my usual plain Jane tops), and the length (perfect). Despite a few annoying details, it's a piece I enjoy wearing.
Owner Liz Morgan created her shop in an effort to provide women with a convenient place to find clothes that are modest, conservative and trendy. Cleo Madison definitely delivers. While the Betty Floral Baseball Tee is unfortunately sold out, the store still has plenty of tops, dresses/skirts, shoes, and swimwear from which to choose. The prices are reasonable, shipping is free in the U.S., products arrive quickly—what's not to love? Be sure to check Cleo Madison out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and its website. For fun posts on fashion, food, travel, modesty, etc., don't miss Liz's blog.
To the FCC, with love: I received a free product in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Liz at Cleo Madison for her generosity!
As you've probably discerned already, I chose the Betty Floral Baseball Tee pictured above (shown on a model, who's about 1000% more photogenic than I am). I'm plus-sized, so I got an x-large, which fit just right—not too tight, not too loose. The length, especially, is perfect. I love the grey t-shirt fabric that makes up the sleeves and back of the shirt. It's soft, stretchy, and super comfy. I'm not as wild about the floral panel in front. It's fairly sheer (I wear a cami underneath because I'm self-conscious like that) and the material is a little scratchy. It has a tendency to bunch around the chest area, so I find myself tugging it down a lot. Irritating, but not a huge, huge deal. Overall, I like this shirt because of the soft t-shirt fabric (love it!), the fun print (a nice change from my usual plain Jane tops), and the length (perfect). Despite a few annoying details, it's a piece I enjoy wearing.Owner Liz Morgan created her shop in an effort to provide women with a convenient place to find clothes that are modest, conservative and trendy. Cleo Madison definitely delivers. While the Betty Floral Baseball Tee is unfortunately sold out, the store still has plenty of tops, dresses/skirts, shoes, and swimwear from which to choose. The prices are reasonable, shipping is free in the U.S., products arrive quickly—what's not to love? Be sure to check Cleo Madison out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and its website. For fun posts on fashion, food, travel, modesty, etc., don't miss Liz's blog.
To the FCC, with love: I received a free product in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Liz at Cleo Madison for her generosity!
Tuesday, August 08, 2017
Casey's YA Mysteries Just As Compelling As Her Adult Books
7:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Most people would be ecstatic about spending their summer holiday at the seashore. Not 16-year-old Jess Tennant. She doesn't have anything against the beach, it's just the odd circumstances under which she's being taken there. Her mother—who has always been tight-lipped about her past—has suddenly decided to whisk Jess away from London to tiny Port Sentinel, the seaside town where she was reared. They'll be staying for months with an aunt and cousins Jess has never met. Talk about awkward.
Even more awkward is the reaction Jess receives while walking around town. People gawp at her like they're seeing a ghost. Which they are, kind of. Turns out, Jess bears a remarkable resemblance to her cousin Freya, who recently died in a fall off a steep cliff. The death has been ruled a suicide, but not everyone is convinced. The more Jess learns about her late cousin, the more she suspects Freya didn't die by choice. Jess wants answers, but her questions only provoke stern warnings and unsettling threats. What really happened to Freya Leonard? Jess is determined to find out.
I'm a big fan of Irish crime writer Jane Casey's adult novels, so I was eager to give her YA series a go. I ended up liking it quite a bit, even more than her other books in some ways. How to Fall, the first installment in the trilogy, introduces the intrepid Jess Tennant. Our heroine is tenacious, brave, and independent. With a funny, self-deprecating voice, she's easy to both like and admire. There's plenty going on in How to Fall to keep readers engaged. In fact, it's a fast, exciting page turner that can easily be read in one sitting. The story takes some dark turns and the teen characters often act a lot older than they're supposed to be, but overall, I enjoyed How to Fall. It took less than a chapter to convince me to put the next two books in the series on hold at my library. I've already devoured them because, well, they're just that compelling. Enough said.
(Readalikes: the other two books in the trilogy, Bet Your Life and Hide and Seek)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo, and depictions of underage drinking
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, August 03, 2017
Love at First Note Strikes Just the Right Chord
7:42 AM
(Image from Deseret Book)
Violinist Emma Hill knows that moving back to Asheville, North Carolina, will mean taking a step backward in her flourishing music career. Since the South is not exactly overrun with eligible Mormon bachelors, the 25-year-old's dating life will likely take a hit as well. Family's worth it, though, and Emma's is struggling. The effects of her mother's MS are taking a toll on her parents, while her younger sister—also a talented violinist—is threatening to quit music altogether. Emma wants to be there to help, even if her folks insist they're fine.
To Emma's surprise, Asheville is not as RM deficient as she thought it would be. In fact, a very good-looking specimen has just moved into the apartment next door. Not only is Elliott Hart hot, but he's also humble and kind. And a musician to boot. With a large YouTube following, the 26-year-old pianist is a minor celebrity—minus the inflated ego. In fact, he could not be more perfect. With all she and Elliott have in common, Emma expects their hearts to fall into perfect harmony. Except, they don't.
Why is Elliott rebuffing Emma's every (admittedly clumsy) move? How can she convince him she's serious Eternal Companion material and not just another star struck fan? Will the two ever make beautiful music together? Or has Emma struck too many wrong notes with the man she's coming to love most desperately?
I don't read a lot of them, but I do love me a fun, swoony rom com. It has to be done right, though, and Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor definitely struck a chord. Yes, it skims on plot. Still, the novel is light, sweet, and humorous, just as it should be. As a bonus, the characters have depth to them; the story is engaging; and the tone is upbeat. It's a cute, clean romance. Easy to read, easy to love. Which I did. This is the first book I've read by Proctor, but Love at First Note convinced me that it won't be the last.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of LDS romances by Melanie Jacobson and Brittany Larsen)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of Love at First Note from the generous folks at Covenant via those on the Whitney Awards Committee for contest judging purposes. Thank you!
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