Love on Mimosa Lane made for great reading on a ...
934473
Love on Mimosa Lane made for great reading on a rainy day.  Just the right amount of suspense, love and understanding, along with a lot of Pride and Lack of Self Esteem.
4379488
I tend to read too quickly, and Pathways forced me to slow down and savor every beautiful sentence. This book is beautiful and sorrowful, tender, hopeful and tearful. It is about real people, that I could relate to. Many times I stopped and reread a section, that was piercing my heart with the words. The author weaved stories and novellas about very human people whose lives somehow intersect with a beautiful gem of Madison Park in NYC. It will touch your heart, male or female, young or old. It is about all of us. I am an avid reader and this is one of the few books I will reread and keep on my bookshelf near me. In some ways, I felt it connected me to "A History of Love" by Nicole Krauss which is also a book that I reread.
1776469
Like a good movie, For Love of a Cause has it all: lust, adventure, danger, sex. It is a read that draws you in and is hard to put down. Annie leaves her posh, but boring lifestyle to volunteer in the remote jungles of Bolivia. She hooks up with a band of rebels and joins them in their quest to develop a community where the peasants can live freely while governing and educating themselves. As she lives the hardship lifestyle of peasants and rebels on the run, Annie finds true friendship, love, and meaning to her life.

I am always drawn to stories about other cultures and countries and despite being fictional this book was an exciting read. It is well written with believable and interesting dialogue. Elly Michaels writes with compassion and knowledge about the plight of the villagers that still exists in some less developed countries today. The comradeship and goodwill among the peasants and rebels came across as genuine and heartfelt. As an educator living in a Latin American country, I couldn't help but applaud Annie's strong desire and hard work as she taught the peasants to read and set up a school for them.

As any great novel should, this story of comradeship, human rights, and basic justice stayed with me long after I finished reading it.
3407909
Much anticipated novella from Eloisa James!
Wistfully romantic this short story (179 pages long & then extra excerpts) will captivate.
Wallflower Lucy, of the title, has just inherited, most unexpectedly, a fortune.
Where most ladies and wallflowers in particular should be delighted by such unanticipated good fortune, our heroine is dismayed.
Her mother immediately seizes upon the news as a reason to attract a far more eligible Suitor than the fiance her daughter already has.
Which is all well and good except that Lucy is quite happy with her intended!
The hero is a complex honest and driven man who realizes his passionate nature a little too late.

The resulting collision of desires and plans drives this sweet story on.

Retold it doesn't have half the appeal which is inherent in amazing author Eloisa James every line - most earnestly I declare this book divine.
Reading it I felt afresh the ages old young love from my first romance, the weak at the knees heart-pounding emotions all rising to authors delicious prose!
971463
I wasn't sure when I started to read this book that it was something that I would enjoy, but it took place in an area that I love so I decided to give it a shot.  The more I read, the more deeply I was drawn into the story.  The people are real although not so much so as to make the book uncomfortable to read.  This deals with issues that many would like to think aren't issues in a heartfelt way that isn't offensive to anyone.  A little romance, a little mystery, a little history, all combine to make this a welcome read.
4440407
To Gain for love is a beautiful story that was a joy to read and  I could not stop until I read the last word and would love to see a sequel to this amazing novella and  the characters are realistic and well developed and There is plenty of action with true to life issues, along with laughter, sorrow, forgiveness, determination, romance, and trust being restored and this novella is a short but delightful read and  It is sweet romance with wonderful characters and a story line that had me pulled in from the first pages and The plot is interesting and holds your attention from beginning to end and the story line was well though out and the characters seemed real and  In places I remembered my husband's courtship of me and his love so i really so relate with the story of this book.
3928943
Yesterday's Love is a delightful first novel written by Karilea Rilling Jungel.  Ms. Jungel, in her elegant and poetic language, has penned a story that will warm hearts and lift spirits with her recurring theme of enduring love and friendship that fills the pages with such beauty that it is impossible to put the book down.  I kept turning the pages, all the while, hoping that the story would never end.  Now that I have reached the last page, I simply want to read it again.

The story is rich with believable dialogue, well-developed characters and scenes that come to life under Ms. Jungel's masterful pen.  There is love, devoted friendship, anger, jealousy, betrayal and deep sadness all interwoven in this tale of a century old cold case that is carefully resolved and put to rest in the present day.  It is a mystery written with parallel love stories occurring in the past and the present.

If you are thinking about a gift for the holidays, I highly recommend giving a copy of this book to a good friend for a delightful winter reading experience.
1765681
I just love that Amazon makes suggestion to your reading enjoyment.  This book by Bette Lee Crosby might not have been a book I would have ordered, but one day it popped up.  After reading the brief description and some of the reviews I felt it would make a great summertime read, when the weather is so hot in Florida that you don't want to go outside.

The story of the Memory House begins with Annie Cross; an actuarial for an insurance company comes home and finds her boyfriend of seven years gone.  The life she had imagined marriage and children was gone in that moment.  Getting in her car Annie leaves Philadelphia and heads south on I-95, with no destination in mind.  Stopping for gas, Annie is directed to The Memory House Bed and Breakfast.  The moment the door is opened by Ophelia Browne you feel the unique gift of friendship that will bloom.

Ophelia and Edward Browne never intending to buy a house after they first married fell in love with Memory House at first sight, gathering everything they had this would be the house where they would live, love and have a family.

There is an immediate bond of friendship between Annie and Ophelia.  Ophelia who still holds conversations with her deceased husband Edward believes he sent Annie to her.  As Ophelia is reaching her 90th birthday she takes Annie into her confidence and begins to tell her stories of her unique gift and forgotten memories in her treasurers as a successor is needed soon.

The story grabs you and pulls you in to the possibility of having a love that Ophelia has for Edward.  Annie searching for a life that has the magic Ophelia has described, to watch Annies journey from a job she doesnt like, to quitting the job, to the ex-boyfriend Michael trying to pick up pieces that just are not working any longer and finally to Annie the fierce desire to be with Ophelia at Memory House.  One review mentioned that the story ended abruptly; however, the 2nd book in the series was already available so I have moved into The Loft, which is a story of Annie and Oliver, and Ophelia as they move forward.
4690986
Susan Meissner once again demonstrates why she is on my short-list of must-read authors with her latest release. Intertwining the contemporary and historical in her trademark style, Stars over Sunset Boulevard transports the reader between a boutique in present day Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood of the late 1930's amidst the filming of a classic movie. Meissner creates complex and compelling characters in this story that portrays the dynamics of a friendship between two women, each seeking her heart's desires. Known for her rich prose and literary talent, the author engages the heart and the mind in this intriguing novel that begs to be read again and again to capture the nuances and imagery tucked inside. Don't miss Stars Over Sunset Boulevard!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from NAL/Penguin and Susan Meissner for a blog tour. 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 Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
4906993
New Amsterdam: Tess, the first in a series of petite novels by Ashley Pullo, is a wonderful, visual experience for the reader. Full of great imagery and detailed, witty prose, this novel is an entertaining and fun read. Pullo puts her signature touch on the book with her unique writing style, which takes the reader on a sensory experience of New York City. Its as if I were inside the book itself walking along with the characters.

The book is about a young woman in her 20s named Tess, who is the owner of a small artisanal honey shop in NYC, although the book is written in a way that you get not only her point of view, but also perspectives from all of the characters who are connected to Tess. Pullo takes the reader inside the head of many different characters who surround Tess. The reader gets insight in not only their daily lives but past experiences as well. Pullo connects the dots on how these characters intertwine with each other. She doesnt miss a single detail.

Tess has a little bit of everything: a young woman who is searching for love and success in her business, a charming love story between a couple, and a unique look inside urban millennials starting up organic businesses in NYC. Pullo writes New York well and that is no exception in this novel. She takes the reader through a tour of NYC as seen through the eyes of a young urban creative trying to make a name for herself in this vast sea of so many others.

Pullo specializes in writing authentic characters and there are many to enjoy in Tess. The secondary characters are just as intriguing as the main character herself. I felt like I was watching a movie unfold through a series of scenes behind a lens. A fun and delightful read, Tess is one to pick up if you want to cozy up on your sofa during a rainy afternoon or spend a day at the beach. It had me smiling and wishing for honey and shaved ice after I finished reading! This is a wonderful debut into womens fiction by this author.
2137524
Solving for X is a story that enlightens you in the path of love, friendship and self-assurance. Reading the book has been a delightful experience for several reasons:
One of the things that keeps you interested in the story is the fact that the characters don't rush into a relationship. Their frienship is fast but the process of falling in love takes some time. Therefore, you want to keep reading and you really feel that their love is not only believable, but deep and true. Apart from that, Casey and Lexie are not perfect (and you get to know them very well since their lives are described in great detail). Even though they are wealthy and famous, they are down to earth and sensitive, so you love them all the way as human beings and interesting women.
Sandi Glauser is a talented writer when it comes to descriptions. Whenever she talks about a place or city (Casey's luxurious house or the beautiful hotels in Vegas) you really feel that you are there, visiting the restaurants, the casinos and even the studio where Casey works. It is good that a writer is not only engaged with the lesbian content, but also the literary details that make it a work of quality.
In the end, Solving for X leaves you wanting more. I think that the best stories are the ones that make you wish you could read it fast so that you can find out what's going to happen, and when they finish, you feel melancholy for knowing you've finally gotten to the last page. This is definitely one of those books.
3636114
I needed something uplifting, sweet, fun, well written, and character driven. Linda Apple's Women of Washington Avenue fit the bill perfectly.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, well written story, with characters that are real enough to identify with. There are enough twists and turns to keep it fresh - even a bit of a mystery to chew on - and Linda does a fantastic job of weaving the stories of her characters together.
It truly was a joy to read this book, and I cannot fully express how much I love it, hence the five stars!
4945581
This was another fantastic, feel good novel by Debbie Macomber that showcases regular women, in extraordinary romances, never shying away from the realities that many of us face. Max Scranton's business partner and fellow biker, Rooster is knocked head over heels when he sees Lauren Elliot on Blossom Street. I enjoyed the follow up to this biker, remembering this character from A Turn in the Road. Lydia Goetz, owner of A Good Yarn, is dealing with both an aging parent and a troubled teen. Bethanne and her new husband, Max are navigating their new marriage while maintaining households in two states. I really liked catching up with various characters from earlier Blossom Street books, via cameos and as friends of the women detailed here. I heartily recommend setting aside a nice spring afternoon for a visit with Macomber's characters.
4779985
I just finished this book  really gripping. Esme, a young reporter in eastern Washington state, becomes entangled with a devilishly handsome stranger, and a haunting love from her past. She's drawn into mysterious events that lead her to discover her true self. The story is interwoven with tales Mexican mythology  which ultimately provide clues to the mystery.

The characters are all drawn clearly  you feel as though you know them and want to spend time with them. There's wit and beauty in the writing  true sensuality and romance  which feels realistic and yet poetic at the same time. The author brings the landscape to life very evocatively  the details of small town life, the apple orchards, the feeling of winter. You really feel like you've been there. I'd recommend it for readers of romance, fantasy, mystery. I also bought a copy for a friend.
2180495
Malliet has the perfect touch if you like well written English village cozies with a sense of place and a touch of humor and romance.  This is her second with hero Max Tudor, a cool customer with real feelings, needs and tastes.  I look forward to future visits with Max -- I hope he finds a way to earn a little more money, so we can join him as he occasionally enjoys his taste for luxury.
1472006
"Sam's Letters" is a delightful story of two love stories. We read it for a church book group last spring and culminated the event with a boat trip on Lake Geneva to get a real feel for the area. Living 50 miles away that was easily achieved. It was my first Patterson book and I intend to read more. He brings out the depth of emotion in the characters and keeps you reading to learn where both of these stories are going. The grandmother-granddaughter relationship is one to be admired .Both of the women had love relationships that were unique and special. That said they both had their hardships to endure and they gained strength from each other.
This copy was purchased for a friend who is a "new" reader--and she finished it in 3 days. Now I have her equipped with a library card as well.
1197879
Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

I am learning to love books written around Christmas time. There is something so welcoming when one reads of snow drifts, crackling fires and warm receptions, I guess.

This book was a lovely gift from the first view. The cover invited me in from the start and I felt whisked away into the plot immediately.

It was like reading a happy Christmas movie instead of watching it and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There is a sparkling ribbon of romance flowing through the pages. Glimpses of various characters offered a sense of community and sparked a desire to reach more closely into my own.

I might tie a pretty bow around it and offer as a present to someone needing to read through a place where not everything has to be commonplace.

I was given this book by WATER BROOK publishing company to review at no cost to me.