Crowning Design

by Leila Meacham

 

 

 

Crowning Design is not a usual genre read for me but it sounded like a really sweet book so I just had to read it. The writing style was a bit dated but that might have been more how the author writes than the book since it wasn’t an older era book. The characters were well developed and well-rounded, they seemed like real people and I enjoyed reading their story as it unfolded. There were some secrets that were exposed, that were not predictable that provided a bit of a twist. There were some predictable parts  to this story that I saw even though I don’t read lots in the romance genre but nothing that takes away from the book. The romance was actually pretty clean for an adult book and for that I saw thank you Leila Meacham. This is a thin book with a little over 200 pages. You could easily read this in a day or weekend setting. It was a good story and I would be interested to see what her other books are like.

summary: Some people aren’t meant for happily-ever-after. And Deborah Standridge is one of them. When she called off her wedding to the perfect man to pursue her passion as an architect, she didn’t mean to hurt anyone. But Deborah saw her chance to finally make her own dreams come and she took it, setting in motion a tragedy that has haunted her ever since.

Now, as one of Denver’s most successful architects, Deborah has avoided love at all costs…until Daniel Parker walks into her life. He commissions her to design his company’s headquarters and soon makes her want to believe in love again. But Dan is keeping a shocking secret that could rip apart everything they’ve built–and break Deborah’s heart once and for all. Will Deborah find the strength to put the past behind her to fight for a love that could last for all time?

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Leila Meacham for allowing me to read Crowning Design. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.

TWO BY TWO {launch day blitz}

by Nicholas Sparks (October 4, 2016; Grand Central Publishing; Hardcover; $27.00)

 #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with his  signature combination of gripping, emotionally resonant storytelling and love overcoming all odds.

Enter RaffleCopter giveaway to win one of 10 Hardcover Copies of TWO BY TWO by Nicholas Sparks

 

At 32, Russell Green has it all:  a stunning wife, a lovable 6 year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive and an expansive home in Raleigh.  He is living the Dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that dream.  But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear . . . and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down.

In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter London while struggling to adapt to a new and baffling reality.  Trying to launch his own business while grappling with the demise of his marriage, the only thing he knows for certain is that London must be sheltered from the consequences of these radical changes.  Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding – one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he ever imagined.

When a chance encounter with an old flame tempts him to take a chance on love again, he will navigate this new opportunity with trepidation and wonder.  But with the loyal support of his parents and his wise older sister Marge, and in the hard-won lessons of fatherhood, Russ will finally come to understand the true nature of unconditional love –  that it is a treasure to be bestowed, never earned.

 

Buy the Book!

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About the Author:

With over 100 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. His novels include 12 #1 New York Times bestsellers. All his books have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than 50 languages. Ten Sparks novels have been adapted into major motion pictures, with The Choice coming in February 2016.

 

Social Media Links:

http://nicholassparks.com/

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Enter to win a copy of TWO BY TWO. There will be 10 winners.

Private Paris

by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

 

I’ve been a James Patterson fan since 1995, when I read Kiss The Girl. I stayed up all night reading it. Seriously, I did. I drank lots of Irish Breakfast Tea and refused to go to sleep till I knew how it ended. I finished it by morning handed to my mom and she did the same that day. Now she is a big James Patterson fan also. I haven’t read all his books, he has A LOT, but I’ve read most. I really like the Private series and so I was excited to read Private Paris.

Private Paris was a really good very fast paced book that I couldn’t put down. I like that while Private is a series you can pick up any book and start reading and not be lost. The characters are well developed and I think the writing team of James Patterson and Mark Sullivan is a good one and I hope they continue writing more books in the series. I can honestly say I don’t think there is a book I haven’t liked that had James Patterson on the cover. Private Paris has many topics and world events that are sadly happening right now. They handle these sensitive issues well and Jack Morgan the main character is a good guy that gets the job done. Over all I think Private Paris was a great book to read and loved sneaking moments of reading time. Overall I give Private Paris 4 stars. 🙂

 

summary: Paris is burning–and only Private’s Jack Morgan can put out the fire.

When Jack Morgan stops by Private’s Paris office, he envisions a quick hello during an otherwise relaxing trip filled with fine food and sightseeing. But Jack is quickly pressed into duty after a call from his client Sherman Wilkerson, asking Jack to track down his young granddaughter who is on the run from a brutal drug dealer.

Before Jack can locate her, several members of France’s cultural elite are found dead–murdered in stunning, symbolic fashion. The only link between the crimes is a mysterious graffiti tag. As religious and ethnic tensions simmer in the City of Lights, only Jack and his Private team can connect the dots before the smoldering powder keg explodes.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read and review Private Paris. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.

I’m Still Here { Je Suis La }

By Clelie Avit

Publication Date: August 23rd 2016

Oh my stars I fell in love with sweet romance  and I’m not a big romance novel fan. I’m Still Here is just magical. It’s almost like a modern-day Sleeping Beauty with a twist. The twist is that Elsa is in a coma. Elsa had an ice climbing accident that left her family with a difficult decision to make. Thibault is her prince charming and in a way even though she is in a coma and can’t talk to him she is his life saving princess. Thibault is at the hospital because he has to take his mom to see his brother. He can’t bring himself to visit his brother after what he did to land in the hospital so he goes wandering the halls for a place to take a nap. He walks in on Elsa’s room and this is where their lives take very unexpected turns. They saved each other and the story line was very well written. The characters were great, well except for Thibault’s brother couldn’t stand him. The way the story left off I was really hoping for more but I don’t believe there will be more. The author leaves it up to the reader to decide how the story truly ends. The whole time I read this I could totally see it being made into a movie and that would be great. I was always a Me Before You book fan and didn’t think anything would replace it. I’m Still Here replaced it within the first few chapters. I simply fell for this book and can’t thank the author enough!

summary: Elsa has been in a coma for five months. With all hope of reviving her gone, her family and doctors are having to face the devastating fact that it might be time to turn off her life support… They don’t realise that in the past few weeks Elsa has regained partial consciousness; she knows where she is and can hear everyone talking around her bed, but she has no way of telling them she’s there.
Thibault is in the same hospital visiting his brother, a drunk driver responsible for the deaths of two teenage girls. Thibault’s emotions are in turmoil and, needing a retreat, he finds his way into Elsa’s room. Seeing her lying there so peacefully, he finds it hard to believe she is not just sleeping.
Thibault begins to visit Elsa regularly. As he learns more about her through her family and friends, he begins to realise that he is developing feelings for her. And when he talks to her, he can’t help feeling that she can hear his every word…
For Elsa, his visits are like a breath of fresh air. Here is finally someone who speaks to her as if she is a real life person. Who makes her laugh. And who gives her something to fight for…
And so begins a love story that might just save both their lives…

thank you so much Grand Central Publishing, Clelie Avit, and netgalley for allowing me to read and review I’m Still Here. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.

Between Sisters

by Cathy Kelly

 

Between Sisters takes place in Dublin Ireland and I was hooked and knew I had to read this the minute I saw this. I love all things Ireland and so I thought for sure I would be whisked away to dreamy Ireland. Between Sisters is a first book for me by Cathy Kelly and it is what I would describe as sweet chick lit. You get the feel good moments and the happy endings that are always in these type of books. While the story moved a bit slow and at times I felt like maybe I was jumping into the middle of a series and was a bit lost.  Overall I enjoyed this book and finished the book thinking that it was a sweet story. I will look for other books by Cathy Kelly and when I’m in the mood for something sweet and sentimental she would be the author to grab and read.

summary: Meet the women of Delaney Gardens, a bustling suburban village in the outer reaches of Dublin.

There’s Cassie, who’s spent her married life doing everything right for her children, husband, and mother-in-law, yet feels so exhausted that “wine o’clock” comes a littler earlier each afternoon.

There’s her sister Coco, who runs a vintage dress shop, but has avoided the complications of romantic commitment.

Watching over them is their grandmother Pearl, who, despite caring deeply for her family, is contending with a long-buried secret.

And then there’s Elsa, the polished face of daytime TV, who’s triumphed over demons before, but is now facing her toughest battle yet.

At every crossroad these women face, readers are taken deeper into the heart of what it means to be a family.

thank you Grand Central Publishing for sending my a copy of Between Sister to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.

Two Across

by Jeff Bartsch

 

When I was told about Two Across I thought summary sounded so cute and good, and  I was looking forward to reading it. While I know it is a love story it came across to me as more a love story between two friends that were just amazing friends than in love. It was a bit slower moving than the usual fast paced books that I’m use to but that is not a bad thing. The beginning and end were great and I really liked those parts. The middle was a bit draggy for me but I am glad I kept reading. I think Two Across is a good book to grab for some summer beach, pool or lazy day reading book. I wish the events of the 60’s and all would have been more prominent or portrayed more. So much happened that could have made this a great historical fiction book but it was not touched upon and I was a bit sad at that. That is probably just me since I really like reading about the 60’s. I would recommend Two Across to several friends I know that would really love this book. Over all for me I enjoyed it and I would say it’s a 3 star book for me.

summary: Highly awkward teenager Stanley Owens meets his match in beautiful, brainy Vera Baxter when they tie for first place in the annual National Spelling Bee-and the two form a bond that will change both of their lives.

Though their mothers have big plans for them-Stanley will become a senator, Vera a mathematics professor-neither wants to follow these pre-determined paths. So Stanley hatches a scheme to marry Vera in a sham wedding for the cash gifts, hoping they will enable him to pursue his one true love: crossword puzzle construction. In enlisting Vera to marry him, though, he neglects one variable: she’s secretly in love with him, which makes their counterfeit ceremony an exercise in misery for her.

Realizing the truth only after she’s moved away and cut him out of her life, Stanley tries to atone for his mistakes and win her back. But he’s unable to find her, until one day he comes across a puzzle whose clues make him think it could only have been created by Vera. Intrigued, he plays along, communicating back to her via his own gridded clues. But will they connect again before it’s all too late?

thank you Grand Central Publishing for sending me a copy of Two Across. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by the free book.