Destiny by Carly Phillips



Serendipity Series #2

      Ethan, Nash and Dare are the 3 Barron brothers. Ethan the oldest of the Barron brothers is getting married, but it is Nash who is the male lead in this 2nd book of the Serendipity Series. Nash is a very attractive lawyer and he is attending his brothers wedding when he meets Kelly. Like a magnet to a piece of metal, Nash and Kelly become very attracted to one another. The main problem between them is Tess. Tess is Kelly's sister but she is also Nash's sister. Confusing huh? Well apparently Kelly's mother and Nash's father had an affair and produced sister Tess. Teenager Tess has been living with Kelly, but she has been a handful and giving Kelly problems so Kelly sends Tess to live with her older brother Ethan. Tess doesn't like Nash.

     Not everything with this family is hunky dory. They all have issues and problems to deal with. Nash was sent to a foster home as a child after the death of his parents. His brother Dare also went to foster care, but to a poor family. And brother Ethan disappeared and left them all behind, so as you can see, there are trust issues to deal with here. Problems escalate when Nash finds out that Kelly has a  big secret she has been hiding. Apparently everyone knew her secret but him and that makes him really mad. Add Nash's ex into the picture, Kelly and Tess's mother and you have a big mess!

     I have to speak truthfully, I am partial to Carly's books. I have always enjoyed them just as I have enjoyed this one. I didn't really like Nash in the beginning because he was the type of guy who was unforgiving and just couldn't let things that happend in the past go. But, as the book progressed you could tell that his love for Kelly had changed him and he was able to open his heat and learn to forgive. Only thing is that it took him much longer to change than it should have. I was about to give up on this guy, but love conquered all in the end.

HAPPY READING!



LEAVING SOPHIE DEAN

by

ALEXANDRA WHITAKER

Sophie and her husband Adam have been married for several years and have 2 lovely boys. They were happy and had the kind of marriage that could last forever, at least thats what Sophie thought.  Poor Sophie didn't know that her husband Adam was having an affair with one of his co-workers. Adams' mistress gives him an ultimatum, its either his wife or her. 

Sophie is devastated at the news that her husband has a mistress and is leaving her and their sons so that he can live with his mistress.  Adam says Sophie can keep the house for her and the boys because he wants whatever is best for the children and too much change wouldn't be good for them. Sophie agrees with that, and Adam thinks he is going to live the free and easy life with his mistress and no kids.

Adam never saw this coming, Sophie decides she will be the one to leave and he must stay at the house with the kids. Sophie knows that this is what would be best for the boys. They need their father and Sophie needs to go out and see how she can make a living to provide for herself and their kids. It might take a while, but until then Adam will be the one responsible for the children.  Adam is stunned, this is not what he had in mind and what will his mistress think!  Will she be upset and leave him? Was this all for nothing?

This is a great story and has an unexpected ending, but I am sure it is one that you will enjoy. Sophie and Adam both learn lessons and come to realize what is important to them.  I really liked this book and I hope you will too.

HAPPY READING!

A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE

A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE

By Karen Witemeyer

        Jericho Tucker, the owner of the local livery stable is not too keen on the new resident in Coventry, Texas. Not only has she taken residence and ownership of a shop he has been trying to purchase, but she is also a dressmaker. A dressmaker must be full of vanity, always concerned about looks on the outside, when its the beauty on the inside of a woman that counts. Jericho known as J.T. hates vanity. His mother was one of those women who was always trying to beautify herself on the outside and look where that got them. She ran off with another man and left her whole family behind. So J.T. is naturally wary of women who try to beautify themselves and others.

        Hannah Richards has been left a wonderful gift. A shop of her own in Coventry, Texas. Hannah has eagerly awaited the day when she can open her own dress shop and is very excited about her starting her own business, but J.T. Tucker the local livery owner seems to dislike her and she doesn't know why. He has shown her kindness and helps her out when she is in distress but she can't understand why he dislikes her.

        Even though, J. T. dislikes the new dressmaker Hannah, he soon realizes that she isn't the kind of women he thought she was. He  finds himself very attracted to Hannah, and before you know it love is in the air!

        Even though this is not a new book, it has been on my reading list for quite some time. I wish I had read this book sooner, because it was a delight to read. The words and story flowed so nicely that before I realized it, I had read through most of the book. This book is catagorized as christian fiction at most libraries and I think that you will find it charming. Looking forward to reading another book by this author!

HAPPY READING!

WITH THIS KISS



                                                                                

WITH THIS KISS

by

Bella Riley

     If you are looking for a good romance paperback to read this summer, then WITH THIS KISS is for you. Innkeeper Rebecca Campbell has just had her engagement terminated by her finace Stu Murphy. Then Stu disappears by leaving town and leaves Rebecca holding down the fort so to speak at the inn. With guests at the inn, a friends wedding to coordinate, and a festival to arrange and manage in town Rebecca has her hands full.

     But things get really complicated when Stu's brother Sean shows up in town for Stu's wedding. Apparently no one told him the wedding was off. Sean sticks around to help out at the inn and he quickly becomes attracted to his brothers ex-fiance, Rebecca. But what will his parents think, what will people in town think, and what will brother Stu think?

     Apparently, there are other secrets that people are keeping and certain relationships won't be put to rights until those secrets are revealed. Add a certain ghost who resides at the inn into the mixture and you have a great romance in the works.

     I really liked this book and I think it makes a great summer read to take along to the beach, on vacation, or just relaxing at home with a nice tall glass of iced tea! Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

HAPPY READING!

     

                                                                      

Midnight in Austenland



MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND

by

SHANNON HALE

If you are looking for a bit of a flashback to the days of Jane Austen with a bit of mystery added in, then this book is for you! I admit I am a big, big Jane Austen fan, and I do read all books I can get my hands on dealing with this subject but I really think you will like this book. It kept me going to the very end. I found it to be an easy read that flowed very naturally and it was very enjoyable! I really liked this book!

Our lead character in this book, Charlotte Kinder finds herself badly needing a vacation. ( I just love the name Charlotte, it has an old timey feel to it!) She has to deal with an ex-husband, his new wife, and of course her own 2 children who at times seem to dislike her intensely. Charlotte decides to leave the U.S. on an adventure to Austenland. She arrives in England at Pembrook Park Manor and immerses herself into the Jane Austen era.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that there are some very handsome actors there who give the guests just a touch of romance, Jane Austen style. There are other guests there as well and before you know it, they are embroiled in "Bloody Murder"! This book takes you from parlour games to ancient ruins and tales of murder along with a bit of romance! So, will Charlotte find an escape and love in Austenland?

You'll have to read it to find out! Don't miss out on this book, it's a good read!  Till next time!

HAPPY READING!

Crystal Gardens

CRYSTAL GARDENS by Amanda Quick

Evangeline Ames is a novelist and a professional companion. She has rented a cottage in a small country town in order to recooperate from an attack on her life. Her small cottage is located next to an area of paranormal energy called Crystal Gardens. Evangeline diverts herself by sneaking into these gardens to explore. She finds them fascinating!

Once again Evangeline is attacked while at the cottage. She flees to Crystal Gardens to outrun the villian and finds herself face to face with the owner of Crystal Gardens, Lucas Sebastian. He is more than eager to help this lady in distress.  Who is chasing Evangeline and why has she been attacked twice?

Crystal Gardens and Lucas Sebastian's family have been a hot topic around the town of Little Dixby. People sense that there is something very unusual about these gardens and the experiements Lucas' uncle did on them. Add a rumour of ancient buried treasure into the mix and you have a story of mystery, love and strange  botanical plants that like to eat whatever and whomever they can get their vines into. The plants have gotten quite worse over the years and it seems as if some paranormal energy is helping them to thrive.

Can Evangeline and Lucas find the source of energy that feeds these plants and can they save Evangeline from these men who are trying to kill her? I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I found it quite entertaining and I think you will too.

Happy Reading!

What Doesn't Kill You



WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU by Iris Johanesn

We were all introduced to this main character Catherin Ling in the Eve Duncan novels by author Iris Johansen. But here she has a book all of her own. CIA Agent Catherine Ling is thrown into danger and mayhem in this new book and only time will tell if she can survive this round of dangerous criminals.  This is a personal mission for Catherine, a very personal mission. Her friend and mentor Hu Chang is in deep trouble and Catherine has to find a way to rescue him. Hu Chang likes to delve into herbs and plants and discovers a formula that is much sought after not only by the CIA, but also by some very dangerous people who only want to use his formula to kill!  And they will do everything they can to make sure that they get it, including kidnapping Hu Chang! Now Catherine must do everything in her power to get Hu Chang out of this tangled web hi finds himself in.  Things get really complicated when Catherine's own son Luke, goes missing and is kidnapped. But where is Hu Chang and who has taken Luke?

Here comes John Gallo riding to the rescue! Most of us remember John Gallo as the father of Eve Duncans's daughter Bonnie. But as you know, whenever John and Catherine get together, sparks fly high!  I really enjoyed this novel as it takes us into the underworld in the streets of China.  As I was reading I found this a difficult book to put down.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  Till next time!

Happy Reading!