Good News!!!!

This blog is being revived within thr next couple days!  Now that I'm home recuperating from a stroke this will  be a great way to stay busy and a fun way to work on my typing and fine motor activity in my left hand  As well as a way to share my love of reading!

Blog Tour: Jackson by Emily March

My Review:
4.5 stars raised to 5 stars. This is both Book 16 in the Eternity Springs series and the first book in The McBride's of Texas series. Even if you have never read a book in the Eternity Springs series, you can still read this its more a 1st book in a new series than one of a continuing series. Plus the Eternity Springs series books can all pretty much be stand alone books. The book may have some of the characters appear from the past books, but not in a way that makes you unsure of what is going on. I originally started reading book 7 and loved the book, so much I have read all the books in the series, except for #5 and #6, which I still plan to read.

I loved this book and am so excited to continue with another off shoot of the original series. It is pretty much a sweet romance with little sexual content, which is refreshing. There was only one area of the book that I wasn't crazy about or maybe a bit bored (and thus the deduction of half a star), but since I was not able to write my review immediately, but instead a couple days later; at this point, I can not quite remember specifics of what it was, so I probably could give it a full 5 stars. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and wonder which of the other 2 cousins will be the main feature in this book. I am guessing Boone, but it could be Tucker. I'll just have to wait until later this year or next year to find out.

The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris

I really did not know anything about Kamala Harris, other than she was one of over 20 people who were running for the Democratic nomination in order to run against Donald Trump in the 2020 Election and that she was born to parents of Jamaican and Indian ancestry. I found the book quite interesting; she starts with her early life as well as a bit about her parents before she was born and continues into her professional life, as well as her personal life. I am hoping to read or listen to many of the other nominees' biographies or autobiographies. for the Democratic party over the next year. 4 stars.

Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews

3 stars. I really wasn't crazy about any of the characters, especially for quite a long while into the book, even by the end I wouldn't consider him favorite characters The first part of the book, I was thinking that I might give it 3 stars, but it was near the end that made me decide it was worth 4 stars on Goodreads. The story was a little on the long side and could have been at least 50 pages shorter. There were also a few typos/mistakes that should have been caught in the editing process. There were 2 separate mysteries, 40 years or more apart from each, in one incident, one victim was given the wrong surname (that of the other victim). If I had read the ARC, I would have assumed it would be caught and not used it to judge the book, but this was a library and therefore the finished project. When I wrote this review the morning after finishing the book, I rated it 3.5 stars and was going to raise it to 4 stars on Goodreads, but now after typing it and thinking about the story more, I feel 3 stars is a better rating in my mind. I liked the book, but wasn't overly crazy about it, and I had really enjoyed the author's previous book, The High Tide Club, so I will read more by Mary Kay Andrews.

A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin, Fenwick Island, Delaware 1861 by Karen Hesse

2.5 stars raised to 3 stars. I'm not sure if this is middle grade or YA. The main character, Amelia Martin is 18 or 19; my library and the library's near me have this and the others in the Dear America series in the juvenile literature section (middle grade), but Goodreads has it as YA on the book'a main page. I usually enjoy books set in the Civil War era, but this book was not quite as engaging, although I am not of the age group that this book is targeted towards I did find the epilogue and author's note interesting..

Girl at War by Sara Novic

I've never read a book that takes place or is about Yugoslavia or Croatia or read anything about the war that occurred there in the 90s. This was probably a book that would have been better to read than listen to, but then the words were probably pronounced correctly and they may not have been if I read them. It was interesting, but not a great book. I feel there could have been a more about the history that led to this war. In some ways, it seemed to be directed more to young adults. Although, I enjoyed reading/listening to this that I knew little of, I do not feel I learned that much and therefore can only give this 3 stars, since it feels there was something missing in the telling of this story. I think I'd recommend reading it rather than listening to it. Maybe I missed something by reading it. I know sometimes there is an author note or further information that is provided in the book and is not included for some reason in the audio version.

Under the Banner of Heaven vy Jon Krakauer

I originally started reading this in April, but decided to wait until this book was available as an audiobook. I had hoped the book would be better on audio. I was able to get through the book much quicker this way, but of course it was still inundated with Mormon history and the actual true crime element is a relatively small part of the book. I have read many biographies of former Mormon Fundamentalists, mainly from FLDS, but this is one of the most boring I've read/listened to. There were parts that were interesting, but much of the book was the history and history of the Mormon church, including that of the Mormon Fundamentalists. 1.5 stars

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamont

 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. This is told in its entirety by an 80 year old grandmother to her recent college-graduate granddaughter, who has asked her how she became the woman she is. I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Linda Lavin, who played Alice in the early 80s TV series. Alice. She is the perfect narrator with her, I believe, authentic Boston/Jewish accent. Reading the story wouldn't have been the same, it seemed more authentic with her narration. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, though.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

3 stars. I found the historical aspect of Roosevelt’s Work Progress Administration Pack Horse Library Project, as well as the history of the blue-skinned people of Kentucky, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder, methemoglobinemia very interesting. I had been looking forward to reading this book and had hoped to give it 4 or even 5 stars, but in the end there was something in the writing style that made me not be able to love it. The second half of the book is much better than the first and ultimately it was the reason I gave this 3 stars rather than 2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Sourcebooks and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene

1 star. It is extremely rare that I give a book 1 star; usually I'd DNF a book before I finished a book that was headed in that direction. I got this as an audiobook and since it was only somewhat over 3 hours long, the Nancy Drew books are favorites of many and considered a classic children's novel, and that for a challenge I was doing for a Goodreads group, I needed to read a book with stairs on the book cover, as well as I was able to do various other things while listening to this, I decided to stick with the book. I listened to it less than 24 hours ago and I can honestly say that a whole lot of the book has not stuck in my memory. According to Goodreads, this is considered a young adult book, I guess since the heroine, Nancy Drew is 18 or 19, but I can not see those who are considered young adults really enjoying this book. Even those that fit in the category of middle-grade readers may not really find this that interesting. I know I read a couple books in this series when I was young, but maybe I only read a few because I did not find the books that interesting.

Unbelievable by Katy Tur

I'm giving this 2 stars, but as far as enjoyment it is closer to a 1.5 star, if even that. I think I am so sick of all the Trump books. I am just feeling Trump overload. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely no fan of the man, in the least and will be happy when his presidency is over, however that happens, but hopefully sooner rather than later. But there is no new information that is gleaned from reading this and the dual timeline, jumping back and forth in such a relatively short span of time is needlessly confusing. Had it been a straight timeline, it would have been better. As time goes on, I may change this to a 1-star review.

April Wrap Up

April was kind of a mediocre to good month.  A total of 10 books were finished, which is quite good.  8 of these were audiobooks and one was all on my Kindle and another was partly on my Kindle and partly a hardcover from the library, when the Kindle version from the library ran out.  This is a very rare occurrence, since for the most part, I can read a book a week, give or take on my Kindle or as a physical book.  I didn't DNF as many books as I did last month, but more than I would have liked to.  I just can't see the sense of forcing myself to finish a book that I'm not enjoying.  Especially when I have so many books on my TBR and WTR lists and the purpose of reading, or at least for me, is enjoyment and relaxation.

The books I DNF'd were Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani
                                         Beartown by Fredrick Backman
                                         and Midnight at the Wandering Vineyard by Jamie Raintree


Of those that I read:
1 was 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It Had to be Fate (I really wasn't expecting that this would be that highly rated).
3 were 🌟🌟🌟🌟
4 were 🌟🌟🌟 and
2 were 🌟🌟
I didn't give any 🌟, but I was debating giving  Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder 1 star, but there were parts in the book that were interesting, but for the most part I did not enjoy the book and really do not recommend the book.

I ended April reading The Book Women of Troublesome Creek,  I am still early into it, just over 50 pages or so into it.  I'm not loving it, but I'm not hating it either.  The conversation is somewhat in the dialect they use in the Appalachians, so I'm having to get used to that.  Listening to it may have been a better way to ho, but I got this as an ARC and since the book won't be out until next week, I'm hoping to get it done around then.

The Unicorn Rescue Society #2 The Basque Dragon by Adam Gidwitz

2 stars.  Personally this book was just ok! I hadn't expected much from it and the only reason I read it (on audio, actually) was that I needed a book that had a character with a :U: name or a series name that started with "U" which it had both of. It would probably be enjoyed by early middle-grade readers, probably 3rd through 5th graders.

Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis

Ugh, I just deleted my long review. Too make it more short and sweet. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Animal Magnetism. I wasn't crazy about Jade, but I did like Dillon the former foster child who made something out of himself. I found way too many sex scenes in the book, which since I listened to this, I found myself thinking not again and fast forwarding through the love scenes. I'd give this more a 2.75 or even 2.5 stats. I'll give this series another chance.

Also, another thing that really turned me off was although this book was published in 2011, the author used the term mentally retarded. By that time, that term was not politically correct and I don't think that term was used since the 80s. The story doesn't take place then and is not a reprint of a book published back then. I think that terminology should have been caught and changed during the editing process.

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

4 stars. About a year ago, I tried reading this on my Kindle, but it just didn't hold my attention and I DNF'd it for the time being. I just picked this up on audio through Overdrive and I enjoyed this very much. I found the narrator, Laura Hicks very good. She gave each character their own unique voice, making the story enjoyable. It is told in diary format and is an alternate history historical fiction novel. An Indian Chief had requested a trade of horses and 1,000 white women to be brides for the Indians, which of course, the U.S. Government refused. But this is the story of what may have happened if the trade had happened. There is a sequel, which I'd like to read eventually, especially if I can find a copy of the audio version, so far my library's Overdrive only has the e-book versions, but since I enjoyed the narrator so much and she narrates the sequel, I'd like to listen to it on audio if I can.

Homes by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah

This is a rather short book, just about 100 pages, depending on the format you read. It delivers quite a punch, though.  It is the true story of an Iraqi family, who first seeked shelter in Syria and then after sometime there seeked refugee status and gained asylum in Canada.  It is very eye-opening; how they almost normalize things that we'd consider alarming, but I think they do it as a means of survival and to maintain their sanity and to promote a sense of trying of normal family life for their children.  It is good in these times to see that the majority of Muslim families are not that different than our own.  They may have a different religion with some different beliefs, but underlying it all, they want safety and security in their lives like anyone else.  Through out history, there has always been hatred or dislike of those cultures that seem different from our own, the two examples that most come to mind are those of the Jewish faith, especially during WWII and Native American through most of American history, as well as countless other minority groups throughout the world and throughout the centuries.  Of course many of the individuals, who would most benefit from reading this or similar life stories won't but even if only a small number who read these books, change their perspectives that will help make this a better country and world.  I would love a follow up of this book, once Abu Baker and his family have been here a longer time.  I believe they moved to Canada in late 2015.4 stars.

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder

I'm having trouble just starting the review of this book. It's difficult even to rate this. I've wanted to read this for a long time and I was on reserve for it on Overdrive for a ridiculously long time, also. Maybe the reason that I was on the reserve list, so long was that it took others an incredibly long time to read it as it took me. In fact, I don't know when the last time was it took me so long to read a book (4 weeks) . 4 WEEKS!! That is unbelievable; I usually read a book a week, give or take. I know nonfiction often takes longer to read than fiction, but 4 WEEKS? The last time it took me that long to read a book, which I faithfully read each day was many years ago, probably decades ago and then it was usually because I did not have the time to sit and read it on a daily basis.

This book is incredibly dense, full of 25 cent words, which were totally unnecessary. Nearly 85 pages of this tome are footnotes, some of which offer further information while some just offer the source or are merely stating. Ibid. There were several times during the book, when I felt like I might DNF this, but then I went a little further and found some interesting parts, For the most part, when you think of the book in its entirety, there were more parts that were boring and/or irritating than that I sincerely enjoyed. I appreciate that the author went into some, well maybe a lot (maybe a little too much of the historical background. This was a highly detailed accounting of the life of not only Laura Ingalls Wilder, but her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Rose Wilder Lane was not a nice person. She has a history of bizarre behavior, and relatively radical political views; she suffered sometimes from severe depression, often with suicidal thoughts. It appears to me that she may have been manic-depressive and/or suffered from bipolar disorder. (Is manic-depressive and bipolar disorder, the same thing?)

This book is highly-rated. There are many, many 3, 4 and 5 stars on Goodreads. The book has even won a Pulitzer, as well as many other awards. I usually don't do well on books that have won prestigious awards, like the Pulitzer and others for great writing, etc, Goodreads Awards for the best book of the year in several different genres are the exception, but those awards aregiven based on what "normal" everyday readers think.

Personally, I give this 1.5 stars and round it up to 2 stars, which might be generous, but since there were parts that I enjoyed and were interesting rounding it down to 1 star would not be giving the book justice.

Inheritance

2.5 stars. I was not overly impressed with this book. A woman takes a genetics test through ancestry.com and finds a surprising twist that she never knew about. I listened to it on audio and it was narrated by the author. I found it interesting, but not as emotional as I thought it would be, especially since it was narrated by the author of this memoir.

The House on Olive Street

This is not the typical Robyn Carr you know from Virgin River. I did like it though. It took me a while to warm up to the characters, but after I did I finally was hooked on the story. The story revolves around 4 women, all writers, who were going to get together with their good friend, Gabby for her 50th birthday, who lives on Olive Street and they find she has died. They pretty much stay the summer to go through her personal things and in the process get their lives changed for the better. 3 stars.

Our Now and Forever

3.5 stars. Parts of this book, I loved, but there were other parts where the characters did some stupid things. I love this series, but based on some of the stupid things done , I couldn't give this 5 stars, so I rounded the 3.5 stars up to 4 stars. The 4 stars are based on me loving a lot of the book. 

It Had to Be Fate

I've been enjoying this new series by new-to-me author, Tamra Baumann that I have been listening to on Audible through Kindle Unlimited. This one focuses on the oldest sister in the Anderson family of Anderson Butte, Colorado, who fall for a "bad boy" musician. I thought this would be my least favorite, but boy was I surprised when it turned out to be my favorite, so fat. 5 stars.

The Memory of Butterflies

3 stars. I don't have much to say about this audiobook. There were a lot of secrets that were uncovered in the last half of this book, but I felt the ending was wrapped up too quickly. Another 30 to 50 more pages would have been better.

March Reading Wrap-Up

I'm late posting my wrap-up and I, of course apologize.  March was a great reading month. I finished 13 books.  12 audiobooks and an ARC on my Kindle.  Unfortunately, I did DNF 5 books during March.  But I wasn't enjoying them, so why force oneself?
The DNF'd books were:

• The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie
• Die Trying by Lee Child (I just don't think his books are for me)
• The Island of Sea Women (I've loved several of Lisa See's books, but this one I could not get into at all and I was disappointed in the one before that, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane)
• Burying The Honeysuckle Girls by Emily Carpenter
• The Sometimes Sisters (Another author who I don't think is for me.  I tried listening to another of her books in January or February and that one I also DNF'd.  I might give her one more chance and if I do I will read the book, instead of listening to it.

I read: 

3 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟books: The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews, Daughter of Molokai'i by Alan Brennert, and Never Stop Walking:A Memoir of Finding Home Across the World by Christina Rickardsson
6 🌟🌟🌟🌟books
3 🌟🌟🌟 books
1 🌟🌟book
and no 🌟books

I went into April reading Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I should be posting that review to this blog later today or tomorrow.

Dear Bob and Sue

4 stars! I really enjoyed this one; I wasn't bored at all. It is written as emails from Matt Smith, but a few are from his wife, Karen to their friends named, of course, Bob and Sue, about their year plus trip to all 58 of the country's national parks. I was chuckling to myself at some of the comments. I highly recommend this fun read . Humorous and you learn something about the United States as well in the process.

Tumble

Neely returns to Tennessee after being looked over for a promotion that should have been hers from the get-go. There she reunites with old friends and an old flame that broke her heart. For most of the book, I was wavering between 2 stars (ok) and 3 stars (good), but the last few chapters is what cinched it for into being a 4 star book.

American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land

3 Stars. During the winter of 2011 to 2012 for about 5 months in Accomack County, Virginia was inundated with over 60 arson fires, This is the story of those fires and the couple that set them. This is a good, but not great true crime novel. I originally was going to give this 2 stars, but as I thought more about it over the 2 days since I read it, I feel 3 stars is more deserving. Interesting and well-researched, but not a favorite that will stay in my memory for very long

Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage, and Fighting Back

The deaths at Jonestown is the first real news story that I remember happening in my lifetime. It occurred on my 10th birthday, so between me being 10 and being all over the news on my birthday that is probably why I remember it so clearly. Before that time, nothing in the news sticks with me except the occasion of President Ford falling down the stairs of Air Force One or whatever plane they used and him hitting people with golf balls when his golf shots went into the crowds.

This book only covers one, maybe two chapters on Jonestown, so don't be looking for much on that, but this memoir is an account of Jackie Speier's life up through modern times, including mentions of President Trump.

I listened to this on audio and it is narrated by the author. Sometimes, when the author narrates his or her own book, it adds to the experience, but in this case, I think a different narrator would have been better. I found the book very interesting and everything Jackie Speirs has had to endure and the tragedies, etc. that she has had to deal with was remarkable. I give the book 3.5 stars and raise it up to 4 stars for Goodreads.

A Curve in the Road

3 stars. The beginning of this book really sucked me in right from the start, but unfortunately it did not stay that way throughout.  Although most of the book was relatively good and I never harbored thoughts of DNF'ing it, I was disappointed in the ending.  It was wrapped up to neatly for me with everything turning out good.  What I did love in the book was Abby's devotion to her dog.  After the car (this happens in the first chapter, I believe, so it is not a spoiler; her first thoughts are of her dog, Winston, who was in the car with her and through out the story, he plays a role. 

The Beantown Girls

4 stars The first half of this book, I thought this was interesting but in between ok and good, but by the end I really did enjoy this and found it more than just good. I never heard about the Red Cross Clubmobile girls from WWII and found this rather interesting. At first, I wasn't crazy about the characters, but I liked how they ended up growing as individuals in the book. I am giving this 4 stars and although I don't think this book will be as memorable, long term, as some books that I have read. It was quite entertaining and I learned about an aspect of the war/war effort that I never knew about and through the female perspective

It Had to Be Love

Like the first book, It Had to Be You, the beginning was all right, but the further I got into this book, the more I liked it. Tara Carter is the new town dentist in Anderson Butte; Ryan Anderson, who is the sheriff of the town and son of the mayor of the town feels there is something that Tara is hiding, And yes, she is hiding her something, but for a very good reason. Will Ryan uncover it without getting Tara, himself or anyone else killed? I got this book through Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audio version through Audible. It is narrated by Kate Rudd, who is a very good narrator and makes whatever book she is narrating very enjoyable. I do feel, the first part of the book is missing something and therefore rating this overall a 3.5 stars, but raising it to 4 stars on Goodreads.

Daughter of Moloka'i

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I loved the 1st book, Molokai, so I hoped this sequel written over a decade and a half later would be just as great. Well, it turns out this book is just as wonderful as its predecessor. The first book is the story of Rachel Umagawa, who was sent to live on Molokai at the age of 6, when it was discovered she had leprosy, while this book is about her daughter, Ruth, who was taken away soon after her birth and then adopted to a Japanese couple, who moved later to California. The book covers about 50 years and covers in more detail the reunion of Ruth and Rachel


I'm not sure which book I enjoyed more. The 1st book covered much that I did not know of at all, while this book covers the time period of the 1920s through 1970. Both were very informative and well-written and I recommend both books highly. Although you do not have to read Molokai to enjoy Daughter of Molokai, I'd recommend reading the first one for a better understanding of leprosy (Hansen's Disease) and the history of Rachel. 5 stars!

Never Stop Walking: A Memoir of Finding Home Across the World

This is the memoir of a woman who as a child lived in extreme poverty in Brazil both in a cave with her mother and as a street child during the 80s and early 90s. She and her younger brother ended up in an orphanage and then were adopted together to a family in Sweden. Much of the book takes place in Brazil first as a child and then in her early 30s, she made a trip to Brazil to find out the facts surrounding her adoption and reunion with her biological family. I got this book through Kindle Unlimited and was able to listen to this on audio through Audible. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. This book is translated from Sweden, since Cristina speaks exclusively Swedish, since she was raised in Sweden from 8 years old and lost all her knowledge of Portuguese. 5 stars

The HighTide Club

I was expecting a light, beachy, chick-lit book. Instead it is both a contemporary and historical with a mystery mixed in. I loved this book; it's full of secrets, friendships, and family. It's not at all what I thought it would be, but it's exactly what I wanted. This is my first book, by Mary Kay Andrews, but if this one is any indication of her other books, it will definitely not be my last. This is a long book, but it kept my attention throughout and I just loved all of the secrets and surprises along the way. I ended up listening to it on audio, but thank you to NetGalley, the publisher-St. Martin's Press, and the author for providing me with an ARC.  I may not have got to experience this book and I have found another author that I want to read more by.  Excellent! 5 stars..
Highly Recommended!

Whisper Me This

This book surprised me in how much I liked it. I got this book through Kindle Unlimited and listened to it since the audio was available for free as well. This book kept my interest from the beginning and really did not let go. I'd consider this book more a mystery rather than a thriller. I am giving this 4 stars, but I'm debating to increase it to 5 stars. I'm going to be on the look out for other books by Kerry Anne King.

Beneath A Scarlet Sky

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This book is rated quite highly on Goodreads, 4.4 stars, as of the date of this review. In my opinion, I personally feel that it is a 2 star book, maybe a 2.25 or 2.5, just an okay book. What I did like was this was a WWII historical novel, which centers more on Italy during the war, while most other books of this genre seem to focus on Poland or Germany or even France or England. But overall, the story which is based on truth, how much I don't exactly know, (there was a Pino Lella) is not all that engaging. It is also a very long book at over 500 pages and 17+ hours of listening tome if listened to at 1.0 speed. I feel that it is definitely overrated ; there are much better books out there that deal with WWII in an interesting manner, but this is the only one that I know of from an Italian perspective.

Summer in Good Hope

I'm rating this 3 stars on Goodreads, but it is more 2.75 or 2.5 stars. The story is basically good, but there was something that I was not crazy about in this book. I felt similar with the 1st book. I'm not quite sure what I don't care for, but I think I'll give this series another chance to win me over. I really like that this takes in northeastern Wisconsin, near Green Bay.

February Reading

I completed 9 books (all of which I posted reviews) in February: 5 audiobooks and 4 e-books or physical books and DNF'd 3 books, all of which were audiobooks: When We Were Worthy, From Sand and Ash, and Twisted Up.

I read:
1 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟book; Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains
3 🌟🌟🌟🌟books
3 🌟🌟🌟 books
No 2 🌟🌟 books
1 🌟 book

Springtime at Hope Cottage was by far my favorite.  I just love this author's books.and this is her best series so far.

The other day, I started The Complete Cross-Referenced Guide to the Baby Buster Generation's Collective Unconscious, which I have had for ages, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it's been over 15 years.  I am guessing that I may have bought this back when Borders was still in existence and then some years back.  I actually may still have even been single so that would have been 2003 or before.  So, its about time I get to this since it's like a encyclopedia of the 80s, I'm taking it slow and will read a few pages a day or so.

Either tonight or tomorrow, I'll start on the ARC of Daughter of Molokai.  I loved the first book, Molokai that came out back in 2003, although I read it a few years ago.

Review of His One and Only by Terri Osburne

4 stars. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. Initially, when I started it, I did not care fir Lorelei, She seemed to appear to think, she was better than everyone else and he was just waiting to get out of her hometown of Ardent Springs. But as the story went on, she grew on me and really was a good person and just got a bad rap by many of the town citizens for what was done by others or what the citizens deemed as wrongs done to them, but were really snubs to themselves. I ended up really liking the storylines and the characters, except for a few, who you really weren't suppose to like, anyway. I'd like to continue with this series.

Review of Springtime at Hope Cottage by Annie Rains

Love, love, love! Love the characters, love the storylines, love the small town (I'd love to visit or even live there!) and love the cover (Just gorgeous and oh so charming!) There's just so much to love when it comes to Annie Rains. Her books just keep getting better and better! I've been following this author since her first series and will continue reading her until she stops writing.


This book follows the first book in her newest series, Christmas on Mistletoe Lane, which takes place in the fictional North Carolina town of Sweetwater Springs. Josie comes to visit her best friend, who inherited a B and B from her grandparents, Kaitlyn's story is told in the previous book. There she injured herself and meets her sexy physical therapist, Tucker and things go from there. The story includes, Tucker's therapy dog, Shadow and also Tucker's 11 yr. old patient, Maddie. A great combination in my book. I can't wait for the next book, Snowfall on Cedar Trail for Alex and Halona's story