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Friday, December 31, 2010

Human Blend by Lori Pescatore

Marion, Virginia seemed like a nice place to live a normal life, but she is not a normal girl. Laney has special abilities that keep her looking over her shoulder as she makes her escape from the men who had kidnapped her. A young doctor's interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child's illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harboring secrets of his own. Laney's budding relationship with a local boy puts both of them in danger when the men she was hiding from find her. All of their lives will change forever as ancient secrets become unearthed.

Laney is used and abused from the time she was little. She runs away but is caught and pays for her escapes. This time she is careful and gets a new identity and moves to a small town, hoping for a 'normal' life.
Right away, normal seems to be what she gets: she becomes a volunteer at the hospital using her special healing powers, she gets a boyfriend and a doctor who isn't what he seems to be and at the same time is attracted to Laney.

I'm not sure how to review this book. I don't usually read/review adult romance. Some of the scenes made me uncomfortable.
I enjoyed the storyline and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to the three main characters.  I must confess I shut the book several times and vowed not to continue reading only to open it again because I wanted to know the ending.
Why did I shut the book you ask? One reason: Lori really needed an editor/proofreader/critique group. There were many grammar, etc. errors that took me out of the story. Self-publishing is hard and I applaud Lori for getting her book written and published. Authors need to believe in their work and Lori does.
The characters were interesting. They had unique abilities that were uplifting but sometimes used for bad things. I enjoyed reading how they worked through their trials.
I would recommend this book as an adult romance.  This is also the first book of a trilogy.


Rating: PG 17
L: Swear words sprinkled throughout
V: Young girl beat up; people killed; nothing bloody or gory but sad
S: Yes but not graphic


"...that he does, she is unable to resist telling him what he wants to know.
"Ready to do this?" he asked her.
"Yes," she replied. "I'm going to go change first," she said.
"Meet me in my office," he said, and started off down the hall.
After changing, Julie made a quick call to the laundromat. she couldn't remember if she had made plans with Austin or not. "Hey, how's that washer coming?" she asked when she recognized his voice.
"Hey, Jules. It's all fixed actually. I picked up the part it needed after school, and she is up and running. Are you done work?" he asked.
"Yes and no. I am gonna hang out here. there is a little girl that is undergoing a procedure, and I kinda want to be here when she comes through it," she explained.
"Want me to come wait with you?" Austin asked.
"No, that's okay. I'm not sure how late it will run. Oh hey, I got some good news. I found an ad for an apartment, like one block from the hospital. I have an appointment to see it tomorrow morning," she said, changing the subject.
That's great, Jules," Austin said, sounding genuinely happy. "Maybe tomorrow night will have something to celebrate," he said.
"I'd like that," Julie said.
"Me too," Austin replied.
"Have a good night, then," Julie wished him.
"Sweet dreams," he said. Julie hung up and made her way to the doctor's office.
"All set?" Eli asked, when she entered.
"Ready when you are," she replied. Julie and Eli walked down to the room next door. it was a small, private, patient's room. Michele was there, still curled into her fetal position. The quiet, steady beeping of machines was the only sound.
"Before you begin," Eli said. "I want you to describe what you feel when you touch her," he said. Julie nodded and walked over to the child's sleeping form. She reached under the covers and..."

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

FINDING ROSE by Stephanie Humphreys

On his deathbed, Rose Sterling’s father asks her to consider Miles Crandall as a suitor. Then Rose is sent to live with an uncle in Spring Creek, Montana, far from her carefree life with her family in Utah. Miles is returning to his hometown of Spring Creek to set up a medical practice, so Rose is certain her being sent there is a setup. Yet Miles doesn’t seem interested in her, and after Rose falls ill in Montana, he seems content to act as her physician and friend. When Rose captures the attention of Miles’s younger, flamboyant brother as well as the town sheriff, Miles retreats even further from
any attempt at courtship.

How can Rose honor her father’s last wish if Miles doesn’t even try to court her? Will she have the courage to put her heart on the line and fight for the one she really loves?



This is part of LDS history I wasn't educated on. I'm from Logan, Utah and it was interesting to read some history from this era.
I felt the characters were portrayed younger than their age. But this is a sweet, innocent, clean romance that many will enjoy.

Ratings: PG
S: None
L: None
V: None


Page 69 Test:
Chapter 8
""Where have you been?" Maggie frowned as Rose approached the house. All the guests had gone and the house was quiet. "Surely I have taught you better than to run around the countryside like a boy, especially on the day of your father's funeral."
"I guess that's my fault, Mama," Sean said. He came out of the house and put his arm around the two women. "You shouldn't have let her tag along with me so much when she was younger. I guess we'll never see her grow out of those unladylike ways, will we?"
Maggie smiled wearily. "I'm so glad to see a little spirit back in the two of you." She closed the door and took Rose's hand. "Sean, would you please find Carrie and tell her I want to speak to all of you in the parlor? We need to talk about the future."
The Future. Rose grimaced. She hoped for a few days ot just pretend nothing else would change. Rose drew the drapes in the window and sat in a chair close to the fire. She loved the parlor. Her mother's ebroidery hung on the walls. the fireplace was flanked by two armchairs, but Maggie sat in the rocker that..."

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain First Chapter

I don't have a review of this book OR page 69 but I do have the first chapter if you're interested:

Here's the link to The Lost Saint first chapter.

Here's the trailer:

Friday, December 10, 2010

PROMISE ME by Richard Paul Evans

"As you read my story, there is something I want you to understand. That in spite of all the pain—past, present and that still to come—I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Nor would I trade the time I had with him for anything—except for what, in the end, I traded it for." Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change. For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life. Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she’s fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny. From the New York Times bestselling author of the beloved classics The Christmas Box and The Christmas List comes a breathtaking story of the transcendent power of love."


RATING: PG
S: None
L: None
V: None


I have no idea how to rate this book or even review it. I can't do much in the way of review because it could give the plot away.
There was no character building. The characters didn't grow except in love when they shouldn't have. Money flowed conveniently when it needed to. Help came when needed and in the form of a gorgeous man.
Maybe I was having an off day in my reading. I don't know. Personally? I did not like this book. It was a little too wacky for me but I can't tell you because it would spoil the twists.
If your looking for an intriguing and clean romance, this book just might be for you!


Page 69 test:
"...sad that even if they put me through chemo and radiation it would only buy me a few months at est. He said, 'god home, put things in order and cherish every minute with your loved ones.'" He began to cry again. "I told him I didn't have a home."
"You do. You have us. And that's what we'll do. We'll make the most of every minute. I love you. I always have."
Marc dropped his head on my shoulder and we both wept."

Monday, December 6, 2010

CROSS MY HEART by Julie Wright

The first man is Geoffrey--in Boston, which is Jillian's hometown. Hazel-eyed Geoffrey, the brilliant ad exec whom Jillian would've married if he hadn't stolen some of her best work and gotten her promotion as a result. The second man is Jack in Los Angeles. Insecure Jack, who signs Jillian up for a love study at a local university "just for fun" but secretly intends to find out if she still loves Geoffrey. Flaky Jack, who splits as soon as her brain neurons fire and emphatic yes. The third man is Allen on the airplane from LA to Boston, where Jillian's boss has ordered her to investigate the underhanded dealings of a competing agency and where Jillian's crazy parents still live. Allen, the electric-blue-eyed dentist who hates the advertising industry because his ex-girlfriend, Nicole, recently dumped him for some hotshot ad exec. Head spinning yet? Well, forget about love triangles--this turns into a full-blown love quadrangle that quickly becomes a high-stakes game with savvy players, snappy dialogue, and a plot that won't stop twisting...until another love study delivers surprising results.



Rating: PG
S: None
V: None
L: None


I've enjoyed reading Julie's books and seeing her writing become better and better. Plus, Julie's such a cute person! I mention that last sentence because it seems the main character, Jillian, has the same voice as Julie; funny, quick and witty.
Cross My Heart is a good, clean romance. Julie has written the characters in such a way that I found myself cheering for Jillian and Allen and wanting Geoffrey to dangle with the Labradors instead of Jillian. The characters grew throughout the book. I was so happy to watch Jillian come to terms with her past and move toward a happy future.

 Go forth and by this book for your BFF, your mom or sister. It would make a great gift!
I look forward to the next book, Julie!


Page 69 test:
""Are you okay?" His concern and gentle voice was a total polar opposite from the way he'd spoken to Nicole.
I shrugged.
"What's a nice girl like you doing here with those two anyway?" Allen asked once he had me in the chair.
I never really understood why dentists insisted on asking questions when they knew your mouth was filled with their hands and who knew what horrid, sharp, pain-inflicting tools.
I tried to articulate, but nothing intelligible came out.
"So what happened to you?"
"Ah riip on dowgs--"
He removed his hand from my mouth. "Sorry. What was that?"
"I tripped over a woman and her two huge Labradors. I think that's what they mean when they say dog pile."
"Dont' worry. I've seen worse, and I'm good with same-day repairs. I'll do a CEREC crown, and you'll leave here looking like nothing ever happened."
I hoped he was right since I had imagined I'd have to wait for them to cast a mold and order a crown from a factory somewhere. I didn't have weeks to wait to get my smile back.
"Are you friends with him?" Allen asked. "You work for the same advertising company or something?"

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

THE CHRISTMAS SHOES by Donna VanLiere

Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life -- and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately himself. Eight year old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life, and struggling to hold onto every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Even brings Robert and Nathan together-he is shopping for a family he hardly knows and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. The Christmas Shoes is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity, a tale of our shared humanity, and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives.




Rating: G
S: None
V: None
L: None


I have to confess...I didn't finish this book. I just couldn't. I enjoyed the storyline but not the way it was written. I wanted to finish it just to see how everyones lives got better.
I have another confession...I like the Christmas song this book is based on. Also, I don't mind the movie. But reading it wasn't the experience I hoped it would be.


Page 69 test:
""Mom, wait," she begged. "I didn't know that would upset you."
Evelyn patted her daughter's hand.
"I'm not upset. I just want to make sure Jack's had enough to eat." She attempted to make her getaway again.
"Mom, come on. Look at me, I can't chase you down. What's wrong?"
Evelyn sighed, trying her best to maintain control.
"It's just one of those things that I never imagined I'd ever have to think about," she said slowly. "I wish that Rachel would wear your dress. I wish that she'd want to wear it." Evelyn felt her emotions swelling, but she held them back. Jack leaned on the stove. This was a moment he knew would come, but he was not prepared for talking about the reality of Maggie not being with them for track races or football games, cheerleading tryouts or senior proms, graduations or wedding days. he braced himself as he walked into the living room and sat on the chair next to Maggie.
"Listen," Maggie started, looking at Jack and her mother. "We all know that Rachel's too young to remember me." A tear rolled slowly down Evelyn's face. "It's true, Mom. She is. But my things aren't going to make me alive to her. I want her to know things about my personality. I want her to know why I fell in love with her daddy. I want her to know that I would nearly burst into tears when I'd carry her through Ferguson's and..."