The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

From Goodreads: - What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise?  Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there… or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done.  Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.  In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love….

I don't really like the story at the beginning, as I really dislike Dana. And Brogan is not very likeable too. It's not about the writing. I would say this is just not the kind of story that will warm my heart. Although I dislike Dana and Brogan, but I like Honor. I like the way how she handles the whole betrayal and friendship thing with Dana. And Tom is another likeable character. And he's hot! He is really kind to Charlie. I think it's very hard to find this kind of guy, who can be so patient, put so much effort on a child who can say has no relation to him, in these days. It broke my heart when Charlie did not return his love. It also broke my heart when Tom pushed Honor away. I couldn't hold back my tears. The event happened at the end was rather unexpected. But it touches my heart so much. Absolutely love the ending. Absolutely love both Honor and Tom. 

I'm looking forward reading the next book in this series. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. 

Beautiful Stranger (Beautiful Bastard #2) by Christina Lauren

From Goodreads: - A charming British Playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color. Book two in the NYT Bestselling series.  Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon's moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night's fun. But the manner--and speed--with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger. The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he's ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it's not until Sara--and the wild photos she lets him take of her--that he starts wondering if there's someone for him outside of the bedroom. Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

Having dissapointed at Beautiful Bastard, I would say this second book in the series exceed my expectation. In fact, I quite enjoy reading it. Similar to Beautiful Bastard, there are quite a number of sex scenes in this Beautiful Strangers. But they are not like the boring bedroom sex as in BB, in fact like Sara, I was curious and looking forward to what would be the next destination that Max had chosen for her on Friday. I actually like the way they interacted with each other. And they had developed feeling with each other without realizing about it until later. Max had this charm that was irresistable. And he's definitely a man who knew what he wants.


In overall I enjoy reading this book very much. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Release Me (Stark Trilogy #1) by J. Kenner

From Goodreads: - For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally charged romance between a powerful man who’s never heard “no” and a fiery woman who says “yes” on her own terms. He was the one man I couldn’t avoid. And the one man I couldn’t resist. Damien Stark could have his way with any woman. He was sexy, confident, and commanding: Anything he wanted, he got. And what he wanted was me. Our attraction was unmistakable, almost beyond control, but as much as I ached to be his, I feared the pressures of his demands. Submitting to Damien meant I had to bare the darkest truth about my past—and risk breaking us apart. But Damien was haunted, too. And as our passion came to obsess us both, his secrets threatened to destroy him—and us—forever. Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences

Alright, I'm not a fan of 50 Shades. But I find this book acceptable to me. I like how the story is being unfolded. And the little suspense incorporated into the story.

Nicky Fairchild is strong and bold. She may have her own past demon, but she learn to deal with it. And I would say she did quite well on that. Damien, as expected, is rich and bossy. But then he never look down on Nikki and her best friend who are not as wealthy. In fact, he would try to help in his own way. The attractions between Damien and Nikki are very hot. Close but not entirely a dominant and submissive thing. Though bossy but Damien never play a dominant role, at least it's never spell out in their agreement and Nikki submitted herself out of desire and trust. But she would not submit herself entirely if it's against her believe and her true self. Sometimes I think the way Damien treated Nikki is too perfect, a little unrealistic. I mean, it's very hard to find such man where you are his whole world. Alright, maybe not when Damien being shut off and distance himself from her. But then his intention was to protect Nikki. He thought he can handle everything, he wanted to handle everything. But isn't every man think like this too?

Although the story line may not be very original, but I did not have a tough time finishing the book. The little suspense element in the story keep my interest on.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Reaping Me Softly (The Reaper Series #1) by Kate Evangelista

From Goodreads: - Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper. At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Reaping Me Softly is an interesting read. It's nice to read something that is not vampire or werewolf in the paranormal genre. The author did a good job in developing the plot as well as the characters in the story. Niko was a refreshing character. I like how he took care Arianne and trying his best way to protect her. Arianne was a kind and a lovely girl who cared a lot for her family. I envy her best-friend-like relationship with her sister Carrie. And how far she would do for her sister. Arianne's best friend, Ben is a very likeable character too. And I was not surprise of his action at the ending. Another very interesting character here was Death. Kate made Death and his minion, the reaper totally different from the 'traditional'. The idea of the reaper could grow old like normal human being, and then be reborn, made the romance between Niko and Arianne very possible. I won't say the ending is unpredictable. But I really did not see the "losing memory" part coming. And honestly, I'm anxious to read the next installment of the series.

I enjoy reading this book very much. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

From Goodreads: - When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

I find the story is quite interesting. However I feel the pace is rather slow. There are lots of actions throughout the whole book. I admire Clary's courage. She did not show any fear after knowing about her mom and her true identity. Instead, she embraces the upcoming challenges with open heart and courage. I salute her for that. And I'm glad that she's not alone in her journey. Besides the main characters, I find the other supporting characters are equally shinning in the story. And they all play an important role throughout Clary's adventures in the Shadowhunter world. The ending is a little out of my expectation. And made me can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Overall it's quite a good read. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Relentless Pursuit (Private Protectors #4) by Adrienne Giordano

From Goodreads: - You call this a mission? Yeah, ex-Army Ranger and Taylor Securities operative Billy Tripp screwed up. So instead of being assigned to a dangerous international mission, he’s sent to babysit a pricey necklace at a trendy South Beach hotel. The only bright side to the assignment is working with the manager, smoking-hot hotel heiress Kristen Dante. Kristen’s worked hard to build her father’s Miami hotel into a jet-set destination. She’s confident in business but not so much with men. What could a sexy guy like Billy want with her when he could have someone like her beautiful, party-girl sister? There’s a reason Billy’s known as Mr. Relentless. He doesn’t give up. Not on a job, or on the woman he wants. So when three luxury cars go missing from the hotel’s lot, Billy sets out to find the thief. Suddenly, he has a case with the risks he thrives on. But when his investigation leads to Kristen being threatened, the real danger is losing his heart.

The storyline is simple and fast pace. Making me reading the whole book at one sitting. I always like strong hero. Billy is hot and sexy, and strong. He may not good at talking, but I like his honestly. And the way he respects Kristen. Making Kristen to change from a person who has no confident on her body, to a person who believe she's beautiful and sexy too. I like how Billy approaches Kristen and how he wins her heart. They are perfect match for each other.

I enjoy reading this book very much. I like how the story is being developed. I definitely would look out for other books in this series.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Love Unscripted by Tina Reber

Description A-List Movie Star Ryan Christensen just wanted to be an actor. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine that fans would chase him, paparazzi would hound him, and Hollywood studios would all want a piece of him. While filming on location in Seaport, Rhode Island Ryan ducks into a pub for just a quick escape from screaming fans—but fate has other plans. Meets Small Town Girl At six foot two, with dirty blond hair, blue eyes, and an incredible body, Ryan has every girl in Seaport swooning—every girl but Taryn Mitchell. Nursing a recent heartbreak, this small town pub owner believes men are best kept at a distance. But when Ryan unexpectedly bursts into her pub, she can’t help but be drawn in by his humor, charm and intense magnetism. But Gossip Sells and They’re Paying the Price Despite her better judgment, Taryn soon finds herself swept up in a whirlwind romance with Ryan. But is their bond strong enough to survive the tabloid lies, intrusive paparazzi, and stalking fans who threaten to tear them apart? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tina Reber is the daughter of a small town spunky librarian. She lives in a suburb of Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and son who allow her to slip away into fictitious worlds on a daily basis.

I think this is the longest romance book that I have read so far. Although it is long, but the pace is good. And the interesting story line keeps me continue reading.

I don't have much pick on Ryan Christensen. On the other hand, I feel Taryn is a little lack of confident on herself. She keeps on thinking on the negative side, that she is not good enough for Ryan Christensen. She keeps on dwelling on this issue that at the end causing unnecessary tension between two of them. At first it's ok but after few episodes of the drama I feel a little annoyed on that. Taryn is a smart business owner, who run her own bar. I will expect she has higher esteem on herself. Anyway, that what makes their relationship more challenging and once they overcome the challenges, their relationship become stronger.

I enjoy reading this book and I look forward for the next book in this series.


I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Slow Summer Kisses by Shannon Stacey

From Goodreads: - Anna Frazier is used to living life at 100 mph, but being downsized out of a job in the financial industry has her permanently stalled. With nowhere to "go, go, go, " Anna hails a cab to her grandparents' neglected New Hampshire camp to plan her next move. It seems like a good idea--until she realizes there's no takeout to be had and the boy next door has grown into a sexy but surly recluse. Cameron Mayfield knows he can kiss his peace and quiet goodbye when Hurricane Anna blows in. She was loud and bossy as a ten-year-old--and besides developing some attractive curves, she hasn't changed. Cam's not looking for a relationship, especially not with a woman like Anna. He nearly broke down on that road once before. So why can't he stop thinking about her? It's not long before their sizzling attraction leads to smoking-hot kisses. But as the days get shorter, Anna must decide if she's found a new road to happiness, or just taken a detour.

Having read few of the Kowalski series from Shannon Stacey, I would say I quite like her writing. However Slow Summer Kisses is not like Kowalski, there's not big family. Nonetheless I quite enjoy reading the interaction between Anna and Cameron. some parts are quite fun actually, especially when they try to annoy each other. It did annoy me a little that despite they were attracted to each other, but on the other hand they kept telling themselves why and how much they did not like each other. I like the ending. It's a good ending. I'm glad Anna came to her senses and made a wise decision.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Deep in the Valley (Grace Valley Trilogy #1) by Robyn Carr

From Goodreads: - Welcome to Grace Valley, California---where blood runs thicker...ties bind stronger...and love is all the more sweet. Visitors to the town often remark about the valley's peace and beauty---both of which are plentiful. Unlocked doors, front porches, pies cooling in the windows---this is country life at its finest. But visitors don't always see what lies at the heart of a community. Or just beyond... June Hudson grew up in Grace Valley, the daughter of the town doctor. Leaving only to get her medical training, she returned home and followed in her father's footsteps. Some might say she chose the easy, comfortable route...but June knows better. For June, her emergency room is wherever she's needed---or wherever a patient finds her. Always on call, her work is her life, these people her extended family. Which is a good thing, since this is a town where you should have picked your husband in the ninth grade. Grace Valley is not exactly the place to meet eligible men---until an undercover DEA agent suddenly starts appearing at all sorts of strange hours. Everybody has secrets down in the valley. Now June has one of her own.

This is my very first book by Robyn Carr. It took me a while to get to the story. As this book is mostly about people and life of small town. The pace is a little on the slow side. Since the setting is in small town, there are lots of mundane byt interesting details. It's not so much a romance, though the whole series is about how June met with her other half, Jim. June met Jim while Jim was still an undercover DEA agent in Grace Valley. There are not many occurence of Jim in this first book. However sufficient to explain both of them attracted to each other and had fallen in love. But due to Jim's undercover identity, they were forced to stay separated most of the time. And June had to keep his existence a secret.

Though this book is lack of romance, but I find myself quite enjoy reading the life and what's happening around Grace Valley, which are quite interesting. I'm looking forward for the next book in the series, hoping to find out more about June and Jim.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre

Title:         I Only Have Eyes For You: The Sullivan Series Publisher:     Oak Press, LLC Pub Date:     April 10, 2012 ISBN:         9781938127175 Author:     Bella Andre Sophie Sullivan, a librarian in San Francisco, was five years old when she fell head over heels in love with Jake McCann. Twenty years later, she’s convinced the notorious bad boy still sees her as the “nice” Sullivan twin. That is, when he bothers to look at her at all. But when they both get caught up in the magic of the first Sullivan wedding, she knows it’s long past time to do whatever it takes to make him see her for who she truly is...the woman who will love him forever. Jake has always been a magnet for women, especially since his Irish pubs made him extremely wealthy. But the only woman he really wants is the one he can never have. Not only is Sophie his best friend’s off-limits younger sister...he can’t risk letting her get close enough to discover his deeply hidden secret. Only, when Sophie appears on his doorstep as Jake’s every fantasy come to life—smart, beautiful, and shockingly sexy—he doesn’t have a prayer of taking his eyes, or his hands, off her. And he can’t stop craving more of her sweet smiles and sinful kisses. Because even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn’t the right thing to do...how can he possibly resist? About the author: Known for "sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance" (Publisher's Weekly) about sizzling alpha heroes and the strong women they'll love forever, many of her 20+ titles have charted on Top 20 bestseller lists, including THE LOOK OF LOVE (The Sullivans #1), FROM THIS MOMENT ON (The Sullivans #2), CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE (The Sullivans #3), GAME FOR LOVE (Bad Boys of Football #3), CANDY STORE and LOVE ME. Her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine Red Hot Reads twice and have been translated into German, Thai, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Ukrainian. NEVER TOO HOT won the Award of Excellence in 2011. The Washington Post has called her “One of the top digital writers in America” and she has been featured on NPR, Forbes.com and in The Wall Street Journal.

Although this is my very first book on The Sullivans series, I have no issue catching up with the characters and the story. To me, Jake is a very likeable character. He's independent, strong, responsible and know how to take good care of people. However he's not a person who is good at expressing himself, and probably partially due to ego too, he could not and also did not know how to tell Sophie about his problem. I enjoy reading how he tried to win over Sophie's heart within 7 days. And despite Sophie had been falling hard for Jake, I like the way she handled the whole thing with Jake. I like the Sullivan family too. They are caring, understanding and sweet! 

The story is light-hearted and warm. I enjoy reading it very much. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Booby Trap by Anne Browning Walker

Title:         The Booby Trap Publisher:  Pixel Entertainment Imprint:     PRByTheBook Pub Date:  September 01, 2012 ISBN:        9781938511011 Author:     Anne Browning Walker Welcome to The Booby Trap, a seedy bar where waitresses' skirts are high, necklines are low and customers show up for the eye candy. When brainy, beautiful, Harvard Ph.D. candidate Bambi Benson wants to study the women of the the Booby Trap for her dissertation, she goes undercover and joins them.  All is going well for Bambi until handsome local celebrity Trip Whitley enters the scene. Hoping to shock his high-society family by dating a bimbo, Trip offers to pay Bambi to pretend to be his girlfriend.  She accepts his offer and bides her time, waiting for the right moment to reveal her true identity and teach Trip not to judge based on appearances. After a series of dates carefully orchestrated for their publicity value, Bambi's trap is set.  But there's one problem: the predator might have fallen in love with her prey.

I found this book actually is quite interesting. It may not attract my attention too much at the beginning of the story. However as I read on, I found it hard to put down the book. Due to her job in the bar, Trip has made some assumptions on Bambi. He thought since it is just for show, he did not actually make much an effort trying to know more about Bambi. Bambi was not too happy on Trip having some low judgement on her, and determined to teach him a lesson. In my opinion, isn't that Bambi also made some assumptions on Trip based on his handsomely face and background too? Anyway, I'm glad that after each date, they managed to learn more about each other. Bambi was a very smart woman and Trip did not stand a chance at all. It's hard for me to imagine how they can become a couple. However as the story unfold, I enjoy reading how their relationship slowly evolved. I like Trip's honesty. The whole story seems very real. I especially like the ending.

The whole story is easy to read. And the pace is good. A refreshing read from a debut writer. I enjoy reading this book very much. And looking forward for more books from the writer. I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Valley of Fire by Janelle Taylor

Title:         Valley of Fire SubTitle:   Classic contemporary romance from bestselling author Publisher:  Bell Bridge Books Pub Date:  May 01, 2012 ISBN:        9781611941302 Author:     Janelle Taylor Her world is built on Happily Ever Afters. His world is built on a cynical distrust of fairytale romance. Will he prove that she’s just another huckster selling fake dreams? Wealthy businessman Steven Winngate thinks bestselling novelist Kathleen “Brandy” Alexander is researching him for a book. When he finds her in the desert outside Las Vegas, lost and sick from the heat, he wonders if she’s pretending to be a stranded hiker—conning him just to score an introduction. But Brandy is the real deal—honest, innocent and very distraught by her sudden dependence on the handsome blue-eyed stranger who rescued her. He says his name is Lance Reynolds, but that rings false. Soon she and “Lance” are circling each other amidst the glitter of Vegas, trying to break down the wall of mystery between them. Passionate, intense, romantic and intriguing—this hot battle of the sexes will burn both sides. About the author:  Janelle Taylor has written more than fifty novels, with nine New York Times bestsellers and sales in the millions. Bell Bridge Books is proud to publish her novel, VALLEY OF FIRE, for the first time in ebook. Visit her at www.janelletaylor.com.

This is an easy read. The book was originally published in 1992, now is being released as an ebook. The story is quite simple. Brandy was being saved by Steven. They both were attracted to each other. Due to fate they kept on bump into each other at different occasions. However due to misunderstandings, Steven did not trust Brandy completely, and yet he could not just let go Brandy. At times, I feel Steven is a little too hard to Brandy. And yet he could not help himself wanted to get near her. I think if not because of this, he won't be able to get to know Brandy for real. And they may just miss each other.

I enjoy this book very much and I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling

From Goodreads: - Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. Love is not necessary--nor desired. But how to choose among a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London's infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she's not the most captivating woman he's ever met... Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she's determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife--she'll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke's affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan's desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker's number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.

I never expect reading this book can be such fun and entertaining. Tristan needed a wife. He had a long list of criteria to become his wife, but love is not one of them. With his status and look, it's definitely not an issue for him to get a wife. But to get a wife that matched all his criteria, that's another story. Tristan decided to hire Tessa, the match maker to get him a wife. Tessa believed there should be love for a man and a woman to get married. She's determined to find a woman that Tristan would love for him.

Tessa is a very likeable character. She's strong will, independent and intelligent. She definitely knows how to handle Tristan with his strict criteria to be his wife. It's fun to see how they bantered with each other. Obviously they were attracted to each other but being a match maker, Tessa knows very well that her role is to find the duke a wife and not to fall for him. Tristan's an honorable and responsible man. He has to be fair to all his bridal candidates and hooking up with the match maker is definitely a no-no. But how long can they hold back the strong chemistry between them? Can Tristan keep himself away from her?

The ending is good. A very romantic proposal from someone who claimed did not believe in love. Wish I was the one being proposed to. :) The story also has a very good pace. If you are looking for something light and fun, then this book is for you.I enjoy reading it very much. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

From Goodreads: Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

While The Hunger Games is depressing, reading Catching Fire actually made me see a different picture on this series and begin to like it. Though I get a little annoyed with Katniss over her indecision whether her heart belongs to Gale or Peeta, but I do admire her courage, her kind heart and her love and protection for her family. Just when we thought she and Peeta can have some peace and normal life after winning the Hunger Game, the twists and unexpected turn of the event change it all. Peeta continued to impress me in Catching Fire with his brilliant mind and his courage. With the past experience, he's more prepared with what he's going to face this time.

I also like other secondary characters in this book. The author has done a very good job at developing everyone including all the secondary characters. The ending is definitely unexpected. But make a good entry point for the next book in the series.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent

Book Description Deluxe, keepsake edition of the best-selling book and true story of a young boy's visit to heaven after life-saving surgery. Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready there is a coming last battle.

I was intrigued by the description of the book and being a non-Christian myself, I'm curious about how real is the Heaven. Honestly speaking, I have no idea what's in the Heaven, how Jesus looks like, whether how real is Colton's description on Heaven, but it's an enjoyable read to me. Some people may think that Colton actually learnt about those things from his father who's a pastor, but regardless he learnt that from his father or he really did go to Heaven and come back, after reading this book I do believe that Heaven does exist. Something that I have not expected is there's no old people in Heaven. And I wonder is this Heaven same as the Heaven in Buddhism.

Another thing that I learn from this book is: God always answer our prayer. However some people may complain, why God did not take away Colton, but He took away their child? Weren't they pray too? I doubt Colton's father could answer this but I do believe thing happen for a reason. If it's yours, it yours. It's just like some babies could survive some natural disaster while some other babies could choke to death from drinking milk from the bottle

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
 

Note: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Midnight Remedy by Eve Gaddy

Title:         Midnight Remedy SubTitle:   Hot romance Publisher:  Bell Bridge Books Pub Date:  February 18, 2012 ISBN:        9781611940886 Author:     Eve Gaddy BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES . . . Piper Stevenson's mysterious "potion" cured one of his patients. Dr. Eric Chambers is determined to unravel the secret of her painful past. Can they heal each other's hearts? About the author: Eve Gaddy is the bestselling, award-winning author of sixteen novels for Bantam Loveswept and Harlequin Superromance, with more than a million copies in print. Her books have won and been nominated for awards from Romantic Times, Golden Quill, Bookseller's Best, Holt Medallion, Texas Gold, Daphne Du Maurier and more. She was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Innovative Series romance as well as winning the 2008 Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Series Storyteller of the year. Visit her at http://www.evegaddy.net.

Midnight Remedy is short and easy read. It's a story about love, trust, forgiveness and moving on from the past. Eric is a likeable character. He did not judge but form his opinion based on observation and facts. On the opposite, I found Piper jumped into conclusion fairly quickly. The plot of the story is simple. Piper won't know her heart unless she is faced with some challenges. If you want a quick read on some sweet romance, this is a book for you.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Title:         The Warrior Heir Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion Pub Date:  March 28, 2006 ISBN:        9780786839179 Author:     Cinda Williams Chima Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great-until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts. Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game-a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir. As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he's not just another member of Weirlind-he's one of the last of the warriors-at a time when both houses are scouting for a player.

I find the story is kind of interesting. Despite the pace is a little slow, the development of the story and the characters are quite good. The thing that keep me reading the book is the tournament and the outcome of it. There are few twists that out of my expectations. But his opponent at the tournament was someone that I have expected. Though the ending is kind of unexpected and a little disappointed, but I think it's still a good ending.

Overall it was worth the read, especially if you like a story with lots of actions and adventures, with some suspense elements in it. I would like to read the other 2 books in this series.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

An O'Brien Family Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Title:         An O'Brien Family Christmas Publisher:  Harlequin Imprint:     MIRAbooks Pub Date:  September 27, 2011 ISBN:       9780778312703 Author:    Sherryl Woods New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author SHERRYL WOODS takes the O’Briens to Ireland for a family Christmas they’ll never forget! Dating Matthew O’Brien—a playboy and a younger man—cost Laila Riley her career and her parents’ respect. A high price, even for love—and when Laila decides it was just a fling, she breaks it off , despite Matthew’s objections. But the O’Brien family has other ideas, and they conspire to get Laila to join them on a Dublin holiday. It’s a great time to get away from it all, but Laila has reservations about the trip. Matthew’s bound to be there, and she’s far from immune. What if she can’t resist temptation? Meanwhile, the O’Briens are in an uproar over matriarch Nell’s unexpected romance with an old fl ame. Will she follow her heart despite the risks? And will Laila discover that some risks are actually once-in-a-lifetime opportunities? About the author: With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than one hundred books in that distinctive setting, whether her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much-adored South Carolina. She’s also especially partial to small towns wherever they may be. With her Chesapeake Shores series, Woods has created a fi ctional setting on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, an area not that far from her Virginia home and yet another area dear to her heart. One of her cousins, in fact, was one of the original authors of the Chesapeake Bay Act, designed to preserve this vast estuary. A member of Novelists, Inc. and Sisters in Crime, Sherryl divides her time between her childhood summer home overlooking the Potomac River in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and her oceanfront home with its lighthouse view in Key Biscayne, Florida. “Wherever I am, if there’s no water in sight, I get a little antsy,” she says.

This is a rather sweet story. I like the O'Brien family. They are fun and good people. Although Matthew is younger than Laila, but I like the way he wants to win back Laila's heart, and it's very well planned out too. Although I wish he could be more persisted when Laila split up with him the very first time. Laila on the other hand has no confident on herself. And she's also taking her father's opinion a little too hard. Can't blame her though. Who does not want recognition from own parents?

Anyway this is an enjoyable read. Light and sweet. I like the O'Brien clan. I will look for other books in this series.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital copy of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Title:         Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride Publisher:  Abingdon Press Pub Date: October 03, 2011 ISBN:      9781426731600 Author:     Sandra D. Bricker As a wedding planner, you'd think she would have the perfect wedding experience... Sherilyn Caine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details. But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiance? About the Author For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles and, while writing in every spare moment, worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. Since then she has written three novels for middle-grade readers and several romance novels, including unWANTED: Husband, Change of Heart, Sins of the Past, Wish I Weren't Here, Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas and The Big 5-0h!. Visit Sandra on the web at www.sandradbricker.com.  Follow Sandie on her blog at http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com.

This is a rather sweet story. As Sherilyn and Andrew do not get to know each others for long before they are engaged, they knew they are right for each other, but they are unsure if the other party are ready to settle down. Moreover they are moving to another town, starting the new life there. In this story, we see how they work out those insecurities, dealing with the new life in new town, and their past too. Actually it's not really a new town to them, but they both have left the place many years ago. I like the way how Andrew handles the issues, especially dealing with his mom and his ex-girl friend, very mature and letting them know about his thoughts very clearly. Sherilyn has her moments too but she handles herself very well. I like Emma. She plays this best friend's role very well. :)

Overall it is light-hearted and I enjoy reading it very much despite the pace is slightly on the slow side. I did not read the first book of the series, but I do not have any problem following this second book. And I certainly looking forward for the next book in the series.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital copy of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Ruby Kiss by Helen Scott Taylor

Title:         The Ruby Kiss Publisher:     Dorchester Publishing Imprint:     Dorchester Publishing Pub Date:     November 01, 2011 ISBN:         9781428511774 Author:     Helen Scott Taylor A POWERFUL NIGHTSTALKER Nightshade hungers to bring the strong and beautiful to their knees beneath the ecstasy of his bite, but he has never known sexual lust—not until he meets Ruby McDonald, the curvy redhead who wields attitude and strength like an ax, and who would be the perfect mother of his children. Caught in a clash between the Seelie and Unseelie courts, he vows not only her survival but also to win her heart. A MORTAL WITH A SECRET Plagued by magic inherited from a father she never knew, Ruby wants answers. Nightshade has them. And when he crashes into her bedroom late one night, the fairy’s silvery eyes, dark intensity, and striking black wings tempt her with a whole lot more: a mysterious world waiting to be explored, a dangerous love that binds her in body, mind, and spirit…and the children she thought she could never have. Ahead looms a choice between freedom and a power some would kill to possess. Should she deny her desires, or succumb to the seduction of… THE RUBY KISS

This is actually book 4 of The Magic Knot series. I actually have never read other books in the same series, but I don't really have much problem picking up this book. It is mostly about Nightshade and Ruby. How they met, and then how their relationship developed from then. There are lots of actions and adventure on this story. At times, I feel a little frustrated with Ruby. She is a goddess, she has power and yet she could not use her power. Each time she has to rely on others to protect her, to help her. And so coincidence, both Nightshade and Ruby have very selfish father, who only care about themselves and not the children. I like Troy and Devin though. Nightshade is so lucky to have them as his friend. As they are willing to do anything to help Nightshade and Ruby, even if require them to sacrifice themselves. The ending is good. If you like fantasy and paranormal, you may like this book.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.