Magnolia Market Review

Fresh starts aren’t nearly as glamorous as they appear. And love isn’t any easier the second time around.

Avery Broussard was savoring her long-dormant optimism. It was the first anniversary of her husband’s death, and she was finally going to buy the dress boutique from her former mother-in-law. After a year of saving, the deal was nearly done. Avery was about to get her life back.

But every deal in Samford, Louisiana, can change at the whim of a Broussard. After being unceremoniously ejected from the very boutique she planned to buy—the boutique she herself had rescued from ruin—she becomes a woman without a future . . . suddenly at war with her late husband’s family.

When carpenter T. J. Aillet begins working for the Broussards doing manual labor, he overhears enough to know that Avery is being victimized. Soon enough, T. J. is lassoed into the squabble by his family connections, his good heart . . . and the undeniable attraction he feels toward Avery.

But the Aillets are no strangers to Samford society—and T. J. knows what happens when you cross the Broussards. Could these two misfits ever make a start together? Or will the pressures of Samford society pull them apart before they even get a chance to try?

Magnolia Market is the second book in the Trumpet & Vine series by Judy Christie. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet novel. It was a easy read for me and almost all the characters in Magnolia Market were likable (you know besides the in-laws). While I felt like there were some over the top situations at times (with the in-laws) I found the whole book very real to life. All I can really say now is that I really enjoyed Magnolia Market and that I can't wait to read the next book in the Trumpet & Vine series.

4 out of 5. A sweet, light Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

Thunder Review

The Time of Sorrows is long past.
The future of Selah and her people is shrouded in mystery.
And the clock is ticking.

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of scientific advances, political intrigue, and wilderness survival, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a world more like our own than we may want to admit.

Thunder by Bonnie Calhoun was a very captivating story. Thunder is the first book in the authors new dystopian series the Stone Braide Chronicles. While I really enjoyed the book (I read it in one day) I was very confused through most of it. Everything seemed to happen so fast and all at the same time. I knew when I started that I'd be confused for a bit because that's what always happens when you read a dystopian/fantasy book. Everything is new and confusing until you get a grasp on the new world the author has created. And while I did start to understand a lot by the middle of the book I felt like I was still missing a lot by the end. I know this is a series and that most likely more will be explained in the second book, but I just felt like I needed more information to understand the events that were going on. But other than being confused I really like all the characters and the writing is terrific! So I think if you a fan of dystopian novels then you should definitely pick up Thunder.

3.5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that took my to a different world.

I got a free review copy of Thunder from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Deceived Review

A grieving mother. 

A mysterious child. 

And a dedicated PI who's determined to solve the puzzle.

For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she's convinced it's her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating "accident" begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon's many fans have come to expect, Deceived is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plotline that accelerates to an explosive finish.

Deceived by Irene Hannon is the third book in her Private Justice series. This book is written by one of the best suspense writers I have ever read! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time trying to figure out the mystery and the motive right along with the characters. Speaking of characters I absolutely loved the characters in Deceived! They were very true to life and it was very easy for me as the reader to connect with them. I like how you get to know who the 'bad guy' is from pretty much the start. That way you have to figure out the why instead of the who. There is no need to scrutinize ever character you meet along the way in case they are 'it', if you get what I mean. 
All in all I really really loved this book and can't wait to read Irene's next book, Buried Secrets! 

5 out of 5. A suspenseful Afternoon Snack! 

I got a free review copy of Deceived from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

A Love Undone Review

More Info

Author Bio

A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone.
A young woman who sacrificed her dreams.
How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way? 
At nineteen years old, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene throws herself into family life—and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year-old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.
 
Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him – that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife has abandoned him six years past, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy has wrestled with God concerning his reality, and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him…until he met Jolene.
 
As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God's guidance—or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?

A Love Undone is the newest release by Cindy Woodsmall. While its not my favorite of hers I still enjoyed it. The characters stand out and are easy to become attached to. The plot to A Love Undone was unlike any I have read. I used to feel like if you have read one or two Amish fiction books then you had read them all (every Amish book I picked up seemed to have the same plot). But now as I start to find new Amish authors (or new-to-me ones) I have fallen in love with this genre. Cindy is one of the authors that made that happen. I feel like when I pick up one of her book I will always get something new. That being said I really did enjoy A Love Undone. The only thing I wish was that she had spent a little more time on the end, it seemed to me that it ended a little... um quickly? I don't think that's the right word. I don't know but, I just felt like I wanted it to end in a different way or something. But all in all A Love Undone is definitely worth your time.

4 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that you will be sure to enjoy. 

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Tried & True Review

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!
Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister--and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk--they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"--but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future? 

Tried & True by Mary Connealy is yet another amazing comical historical romance. Like with all of the other books I have read by Mary Connealy, the moment I picked up this book I was caught. I didn't put Tried & True down until I had finished the whole thing. I don't know if Kylie Wilde and Aaron Masterson are my favorite characters of Mary's but the come real close. :) I loved everything about the Wilde sisters and I can't wait to read Shannon's story! If you have ever read a Mary Connealy book and loved it then this one will not disappoint. And if you haven't read one of her books before then 

what are you waiting for?!?!? 

5 out of 5. One really amazing Afternoon Snack!! 

I got a free review copy of Tried & True from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Litfuse Publicity is have a contest! Enter here.

Hit Review

After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her … that is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings. Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket—one that will declare her feelings once and for all.

Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.

But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road, and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her.

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover is a fast intense read. The story is made more real by the fact that its based off of something that happen to the authors daughters best friend. I really enjoyed the story but I just wish that it was a bit longer. More fleshed out I guess. I felt like I needed more. More of a back story and more of an ending. But then without those things it makes you focus more on the accident itself and thats what this whole book is about. 

4 out of 5. An enjoyable Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Destined for Doon Review

 

In this sequel to Doon, Mackenna Reid realizes she made a horrible mistake in choosing to follow her dreams of Broadway instead of staying in the enchanted land of Doon. To make everything worse, she's received her Calling—proof she and Duncan are each other's one true love—and it's pure torment, especially when visions of the very alluring Scottish prince appear right before she goes on stage. So when Duncan tells her an ancient curse threatens to overtake Doon and the new queen and Kenna’s best friend, Veronica, needs her to return, Kenna doesn't have to think twice. With darkness closing in on all sides, Kenna and Vee must battle a world of nightmares in order to protect the kingdom. But it will take the ultimate test of courage for Kenna to salvage her happily ever after.

Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Landgon was a really fun adventure. The kingdom of Doon is simply enchanting, just as it was in the first book. I enjoyed  being able to dive back into the world of Doon once again. I find it so great that Carey and Lorie are able to stuff one book so full of creativity and fun. The characters are pretty enjoyable to spend time with and I can't wait to read the third book in this series.... really I can't wait! The way this book ended frustrates me so much because I need to know what happens! But alas waiting is what I must do so I shall... but I won't be very good at it. 

4 out of 5. an Afternoon Snack that was pretty fantastical. 

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.