Book Review: Seeking Persephone by Sarah Eden

Here's what the book says for itself:

When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses, and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he's offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke's castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke's steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke's armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

Here's what I have to say about it:

I LOVE it when a romance is clean and sweet and you are left wishing it wasn’t clean, but so relieved when it really is clean. Sarah Eden is a masterful writer and none of her plots are the same or feel forced.  This was such a cute book, and I wondered how on earth people back then did what they did, and why they would possibly consider marrying someone they had never met to save their family from ruin. It would never happen today, but by Sarah's wonderful storytelling, you can see how the characters would do just that. And still believe it was all logical.  The only thing I didn't really love in this story is the villain and the harm he caused seemed slightly odd. His retaliation seemed a little too mean for the offense given to him. But of course, he was a jerk, so they do those things right?

Persephone went through a lot, but held up really well. She was such a positive thinker and tried so hard that I was getting really irritated at Adam for not realizing how fortunate he really was sooner. I loved how Adam was a mean bear, but still had a soft spot, and his friend Harry is so awesome. (He's featured as the Hero in a follow-up book "Courting Miss Lancaster" and I absolutely recommend it too since Persephone and Adam are in it as well) See my review on it coming soon.

Wonderful book all around. Get it. You won't be disappointed.

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BOOK REVIEW: Reasons I fell for the funny fat friend. By Becca Ann

Book review  REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND  By Becca Ann

What the book says about itself:

It's stupid to fall for your brother's ex. It's even worse to enlist another's help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips. She’s the school’s ‘matchmaker’, and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk too, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with. But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke. Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be a lot harder than simply falling in love.

What I have to say about it:

This was a cute book overall, but it was sort of offensive in places. Maybe it was because it was told from a teenage boys point of view. He was sort of crude in places, and I was very relieved when he changed his language because Hayley didn’t like the way he talked. There was also a lot of sexuality and reference to sex in it. I know that’s the “norm” for kids these days. (makes me sound like an old prude, but I guess I am) I don’t think it needed all the reference to sex and that the kids in it seemed to treat a sexual relationship as so casual and as something not important.

The things I liked about this were how Brody could see all the good qualities in Hayley. How Hayley was struggling with her own self image and that Brody could see past the whole “you have to be model perfect” image so many girls struggle with. I liked the set up in the book, the Chapter headings cracked me up a lot of the time. I liked how it came gradually for Brody to realize why he was falling for Hayley, and how even though he was trying to prove he liked her, he still screwed up and made mistakes along the way. It seemed like a very real portrayal of a true to life situation.

 

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Book Review: Gentleman of her Dreams by Jen Turano

 

A book review:

Gentleman of her Dreams by Jen Turano

 

 

What the book says about itself:

When Miss Charlotte Wilson asks God for a husband, she decides He must want her to pursue Mr. Hamilton Beckett, the catch of the season. The only problem? She's never actually met Hamilton. Fortunately, one of her oldest and dearest friends, Mr. Henry St. James--who has returned to New York after a two-year absence--does know Hamilton. Much to Henry's chagrin, Charlotte immediately ropes him into helping her meet Hamilton. However, none of her plans to catch Hamilton's eye go as she expected, and she is even more confused when her old feelings for Henry begin to resurrect themselves. In the midst of the mayhem Charlotte always seems to cause, she wonders if the gentleman of her dreams might be an entirely different man than she thought.This novella is a companion to A Change of Fortune, Jen Turano's full-length debut novel, available fall 2012!

 What I have to say about it:

This was so cute. Charlotte is a riot and that she wanted to catch Mr. Hamilton Beckett and the way she tried were hilarious to me. I loved how Henry tried to help her and put aside his own feelings for her to try to help out, but that Charlotte’s family and even the servants knew Henry was more suited to her and were rooting for him. I rooted for him too. Such a nice guy and it was wonderful that they figured it out eventually.

It was so fun and I know it was a prep or a teaser for the Change of Fortune coming out soon I loved her style of writing I’m definitely going to get it soon.

This was free or really cheap at the time of this review. Maybe it still is, but its worth paying for either way.

Check it out on Barnes and Noble HERE
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Book Review Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston

BOOK REVIEW:  Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston

What the book has to say for itself:

With his pride and her prejudice, what could possibly go wrong?

When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston's promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father's memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.

Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?

To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?

What I have to say about it:

What a cute story. This was a fun retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Addie has had a pretty rough couple months in this story. Her dad died in a car accident and the families financial situation gets pretty rough, she doesn’t get the promotion she’d been expecting at the library that was basically promised her earlier, and the guy who did get it seems to be a pretty arrogant boss type guy. Her attempts to change the citiy leaders minds about tearing down the building don’t work. She has problems with her best friends brother who she’s been crushing on for years, and then her best friend even gives her some stress. But through it all, Addie is a character you can really love and get behind. She has some down moments, but it’s so refreshing to read about a girl who has values, morals, and goals and will stick to them no matter what. Her upbeat personality shines through and you find yourself rooting for her.  It’s a very quit and easy read. A clean romance just like the Jane Austen version.

 

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Book Review TIDE EVER RISING by Mandi Tucker Slack

BOOK REVIEW of TIDE EVER RISING by Mandi Tucker Slack



What the book says about itself:

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.

Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.

  

What I have to say about it:

This was a good book with a great plot and fun storyline. The little hints of supernatural elements like a ghost were well done and something that even I could accept. I liked the characters and felt I was really getting to know them. (Little sister Maysha was one of my favorites) I even developed an understanding for the bad guy. The motivations of the bad guy seemed a little strange at first, but people want to keep their secrets buried deep and not ever admit to wrong doing. The only thing I didn’t buy in this story was how fast the relationship developed between the love interests. Through their experiences together, it was natural and evolved in a way I could accept, but it was just way fast for me. Mandi’s other story THE ALIAS was a quickly developed relationship too, but for some reason I accepted it better.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and finished it quickly. It’s a clean romance with hints of religion, but nothing preachy.

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