The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd

Loved the cover on this book! I must admit that I'm a total cover shopper. If the cover doesn't catch me, I'm not picking it up unless I know the author or was looking for that specific book but I digress. This book was just okay. I was hoping for more but I would still give the series a shot. This is the first in a series entitled "Whispers on the Moor". The book involves the heiress to a fortune who must marry to inherit, a close friend who dies and leaves her child to this woman's care, and the husband/father who returns from sea many months later. Can you guess where this is going? Maybe, but it is not your typical setup. A fiance, snarky relatives, and a kidnapping throw some kinks in the way. All in all, it was still a good read although a bit predictable and a tad unbelievable but his is fiction. However, I did like the fact that the kidnapping did not occupy the majority of the book. From the synopsis, it sounds like the book will spend the majority of the time on that event and the book is actually halfway through at least when the kidnapping occurs. The characters had plenty of time for development and the story line is clearly mapped out. I received this book for free from Booksneeze for this review.

The balance of motherhood and a good book

So, the first year with the kiddo has been fabulous! I could never have imagined how wonderful being a parent would be. I also never could have imagined that my love of books would not just suffer because of it but come to a screeching halt. Ha! However, I would not take one second away from my son to give to my books. I have missed them though. Life is now getting into a regular rhythm and one that involves some book reading time again. I was so ashamed when I logged into my book review accounts to see that it had been a looooong time since I had reviewed a book. Well, I'm back in the game now. I have taken my son's nap time today (a coveted time to do whatever is most pressing for the day be it laundry, cleaning, work, reading time, etc.) to update my book catalog on Goodreads. I've got plenty of books that have back-logged on my shelves for the last few months. I may not have time to read them but I can sure keep buying them. You can never have too many books! Look for a review coming your way soon!

The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

Kristin Billerbeck is not a new author for me. I have read many of her previous books. They are usually fun, light, entertaining reads and this one follows suit. The premise of a formally trained "nose" losing her sense of smell is new and interesting. The book is an easy read and keeps your interest throughout with a few twists and turns you may not expect. My one complaint about this book is the pace of the romantic relationship that develops. In my opinion, it moves too quickly to be realistic but hey, this is a fiction book after all so I can overlook it. This book won't be on my top ten list or anything but its good for a weekend or beach read. I received this book for free from Booksneeze for this review.

Living Close to God (When You're Not Good At It) by Gene Edwards

I'm not usually a reader of non-fiction books so I thought I would go out on a limb and try this genre out for once. I came back off of the limb. I'm just not a non-fiction reader. I'll stick with my good ole fiction thank you very much. That said, the book was very well-written and thought out. Non-fiction just doesn't hold my attention unless it's a true story like a biography and thus still a "story" book instead of what I call an "information" book. Please don't let this discourage you from trying this book out for yourself if you do enjoy non-fiction works. In fact, I choose this one on my non-fiction adventure because of my parents. They are fans of Gene Edwards. In fact, I gave them my copy to read and enjoy after I was done. The book gives great insight into how Mr. Edwards connected with God and just slowed down enough to listen. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review through their Blogging For Books program.

I'm baaaaaack!!!

Well, did you think I had left for good? I'm back! I took a little time off to have a kid but now I have a little time (emphasis on little) so I'm starting it up again.

My favorite Christmas reading

I know it's a little close to Christmas to post about great Christmas reads but these are well worth it. My favorite Christmas reading is a two book series by Robin Jones Gunn. The books are entitled "Finding Father Christmas" and "Engaging Father Christmas". Gunn is one of my favorite authors and these books take us along with the heroine Miranda Carson on an adventure to England. Miranda was raised by her mother Eve Carson the actress (as she always introduced herself). Miranda never knew her father and finds a few clues that may lead her to him in her mother's belongings. Her mother died when Miranda was a child and, after an unconventional upbringing, she decides to pursue the search for her father. This search takes her to a little village in England on her Christmas vacation. The people she meets and what she discovers there is not what she expected. I can't really give you any information about the second book in the interest of not ruining any surprises in the first. The lovely setting and the inviting people you meet along the way will make you feel like you're in the book and watching it happen. The books are a quick read not just because they keep your attention the whole way through but also because they are a bit shorter than normal. Each are only about 150 pages. These are a wonderful addition or start to any Christmas reading list you may have!

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