Hooked on Discovering the Sweet Spot
934012
Started reading the Discover Your Sweet Spot book and got hooked right from the start on the life stories, personal experiences and steps author Scott M. Fay recounts as part of the journey of designing his own life of success and significance. What I like best about the book is that it presents a proven system that Scott used to create his own success story and now he wants to help others reach greater success by employing a strategic life plan - a three stage process created on the triad of design, build and maintain. You are in for a treat with this book; enjoy a journey of discovery that will lead you closer to reaching your own sweet spot. Well done, Scott.
313168
Would I leave the protected zone around my house intentionally, not knowing what lies outside waiting to eat me? No. I would not, which is probably why I don't have stories being written about my life. Tate is a headstrong young woman who really doesn't like being told that she isn't capable enough. When she decides to test herself against her parents' wishes, she finds out how right they really were. Tate is violently thrown into the adventure she always wanted, and it will take all the skill she possesses to stay alive long enough to see her family again...

The premise for Defy strikes me as very unusual. It's clear almost instantly that this book is going to have some MAJOR world building that could get confusing. I am intrigued by all the twists I find in the summary alone, as that usually bodes well for a mysterious story. I really enjoy how I already feel like I know Tate just from the short time I meet her in the introduction; it shows me I will connect easily to her and her character.

Within the first two chapters, I confirm that I am correct about the huge background and world building that's going to take place. It really has to when an author creates a completely new world with different people and rules. This is probably the worst thing about the book for me: the constant stream of information. I understand why it is necessary, if it is not there then I won't understand what is happening and the information is needed to set up for the rest of the books in the series. But, it does make this first book move very slowly.

The romance is my favorite part of this book. It is sweet, and I love watching the progression from strangers into a more friendly relationship. Tate's romance has many twists that I don't see coming, and they make the whole plot fun and light! I also liked Tate's relationships with her close family, especially with her twin Teige. Tate has a special bond with her family, and it makes them that much more persistent when she goes missing.

At the beginning of the book, Thomas provides a list of terms to use as reference when reading the story. They are pretty important to know. Now, on my Kindle I have no easy way to go back and look at that crucial list of words, so much of the process is touch and go. I definitely recommend reading Defy, but consider getting a paperback copy. For this type of book, it is definitely important to be able to flip back and forth to reference materials easily!! J

The Cover:

This cover is STUNNING. I really like how the girl's complexion compliments the peacock feathers in her hair. The girl's eyes match the feathers and tie the whole cover together! I love how the feathers actually look like they are a PART of her hair :) So very pretty!

I give Defy 4 out of 5 hearts: Great Book!
3988706
A spirited beginning to what I hope will be a long series.  As a tantalizing taste of what's to come, it serves the purpose of grabbing your attention and keeping it.  Not many authors can communicate so much depth of character and world in such a short amount of time, but I truly feel like I know a piece of this world now.  I experienced the Market, saw the beach, smelled the air, all without it seeming like it was being fed to me.  It's a rare thing that I feel like I'm a part of a story so quickly.  I was sad to see it stop at only 20 pages, I look forward to many more.
4870271
The Kindle is my library on the road, and when a vacation is truly working its magic, I devour my books steadily.  After exhausting my start-up stash, I found and downloaded a perfect traveling companion in The Cooking Class in Kuala Lumpur!  I was immediately engaged, eager to see what would happen next. The novel is built on a "day in the life" structure with a handful of intertwined characters you will care about, their lives progressing and complicating with each passing hour.  How will she resolve this?  The book will keep you turning pages, even electronic ones, to a satisfying ending.  If this is a series, I'm looking forward to the next one!
2839929
That sweet Place was a wonderful read...this second in the series was delightful as well as charming. Cozy up in your favorite chair and soon your transported to Freedom Indiana, where the charecters unfold in a story that is sweet as well as inspirational! From the main charecter Samantha to Main street, you'll love this book as well as the homemade recipes!
4653047
Sharon's book offers sweet ways to rekindle or ignite your relationship with your spouse. Some ideas took me out of my comfort zone and others showed me I'm already on the right track.
4540958
I sat down to read for five minutes and didn't even notice how much time passed before I'd read five chapters of this book. I was hooked from the beginning. I finished the whole book in less than a day.

If you're a sharp cookie, you might figure out some of the plot elements before they're revealed, but don't let that ruin the experience. It didn't for me. There were enough other intriguing elements keeping me turning pages all the way to the last.

I loved the characters and the little details the author included, especially via memories, which really grounded the relationships in the story and gave it so much more depth and flavor. As with Where Stars Still Shine, this story has an incredibly well-developed setting, and an unusual one for a Florida vacation!
4672425
If you don't know yet, Im very much addicted to Cora Cormacks Rusk University series. In fact, I want to enroll there and major at ogling football players. Alas.

Book numero tres is Nell and Torress story. Getting more of Torres, who was Silas housemate and also part of the Rusk University football team, upon reading All Broke Down was one of the many things that made me incredibly fond of the book. His character made me laugh so effortlessly and I knew then I needed to more of him. I just adore characters with a great sense of humor and I couldn't help but be thrilled for All Played Out. I definitely had high expectations that book three will turn out to be a very fun read. As always, Cora Carmack did not let me down.

Nell, who we also briefly met in the second book as Dylans studious room mate, and is the leading lady for All Played Out, was interesting to read. Torres dubbed her girl genius which was apt because this girl was diligent. Focused on her academics. Maybe a little too much that she hasn't been able to enjoy a normal college life. When she comes to a realization that she should explore the fun possibilities of college, she makes a bucket list of normal college things to do. This aspect- how All Played Out was propelled by Nells lists- was something I particularly enjoyed as a list lover myself. Other than that, I also really liked Nells narrative and related to how she worried about her future. Seeing her breaking out of her shell as she crossed off each item on her list was uplifting. As was watching her fall for Torres.

Reading All Played Out gave glimpse to another side of Mateo Torres that surprised me. The more serious side of him. I loved how Cora is able to find a balance in the book that we got to see how fun Teo was (which is to infinity) but also that theres something more profound in him to be discovered. How hes actually utterly sweet, how he can be a gentleman and knows when to be patient, how he sometimes plays the fool to hide his shattered heart. All those times I wish I could throw my arms around him but most especially when he revealed a list of his own during the last parts of the book. I teared up from the perfection and feels. ALL THE SWOON.

Another thing that I really liked seeing more of was the Rusk U party gang- the couples from the first two books- Carson and Dallas, Silas and Dylan- also, Stella, Ryan and Brookes! I loved that their group of friends is growing. I just adore the camaraderie and inside jokes between them. I was happy that they were easily taken with Nell and also happy for Nell for making new friends. I loved the chemistry between this cast of characters so much!

Speaking of chemistry, Nell and Teo had a perfect one. Again, its an opposites attract story, this time with a loud guy and a quiet girl, and it just worked so well! The romance that begins between the two is hottttt, yes with the extra ts. More importantly, its so earnest. Theres no doubt the two belong together.

All Played Out was yet again another excellent installment for the Rusk University books. If you need a good laugh and lots of swooning, you really ought to meet Torres. And if you think you might relate to slightly awkward but trying to move out of her comfort zone Nell, then you definitely ought to read her story. Either way, check this book out!! Meanwhile, I will pine for All Closed Off.
747660
THE DISTANCE FROM A TO Z surprised me with how addicting it was! I got completely caught up in Abby and Zeke's summer of learning French and getting to know each other. From the beginning they had great banter and tension. I soaked up every moment. And let me tell you, French is definitely the language of LOVEEE.

I don't think the end revelations were particularly surprising, though I'm not sure they were suppose to be to anyone but Abby, and some of the angst got to be a bit much for me in the middle (I know many people love that sort of stuff, but my tolerance is very low). BUT that also made me want to KEEEEP READING, and this was one of the quickest books I read last year. Not because it was short, but because I was totally invested.

I also love strong female friendships and Abby's relationship with her roommate Alice was a major highlight of this book for me. I enjoyed seeing their friendship bloom - and how much both of them cared and protected each other from Abby helping Alice with her anxiety issues to Alice always being there when Abby needed to talk. Everyone needs a close friendship like these two.

I am not much of a sports person, but I grew up around people who love baseball, including attending games, so that part of Abby's life was very nostalgic for me (although she would see it differently herself). I also used to play trivial pursuit with my family and my cousins were experts on all the sports stuff, so I loved that scene. Plus it's a yummy one, so keep your eyes peeled.

I wish this book could be in print so I could add it to my shelves. This is an author to keep your eye on. Highly recommended!
3380895
Fun and addictive story, I'd recommend trying this book out
2717339
It was such a treat to read this book - it provided a breath of fresh air, the same feeling of comfort you get from a warm cup of coffee or a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Kim shares how she views the world, the conversations she has with herself that enable her to connect with the world in a beautiful, gentle, and loving way. And in doing so, she invites you to see the world, to experience the world in the same gentle, curious, and loving way. I can't wait to read Offering, and I am beyond excited to get my hands on the project she is currently working on which (as I understand it, since it's WIP), it's about boundaries and how to engage with fellow humans.

This book helped me be more present - it was delicious, like a Nutella crepe - and enjoy life more. It was my guilty pleasure read in the morning, and made life more enjoyable and better. Absolutely read it if you want to be more present and feel more connected to your senses.
746285
From the opening, I was hooked. The main characters are charming and lovable right off the bat, and their constant banter is addictive. Filled with lots of activity, quirk, and love, I gobbled up this book (and the rest of the Cocktail Series) earlier this week and am cycling back through it now. Just wonderful -- the most I've enjoyed myself since Evanovich's Stephanie Plum or Tracy Ellen's Anabel Axelrod.
3255124
I've read the first chapter and am hooked!  What I love about this book is that I feel like I'm a customer, the chef, the owner and everyone who has  touch point with the restaurant industry.  We all eat out but this book makes me stop and think about everything that goes into having a positive or negative experience.

The software Mogavero created is priceless and transformative to the restaurant industry, and probably many others.

I look forward to reading the rest of the book and having a glass of rose in Montauk!
4710053
I loved this book.  I was looking for something new and I found a goldmine.  I was able to really escape into this story.  It was a delicious read.  I read part of it while sitting oceanside in Florida--perfect!  Ms. Frank, I hope you have more books planned.  Hurry, hurry!
2372033
"There's beauty out there and we're going to find it".

When Jack first saw the mysterious and intriguing girl in the coffee shop, he didn't know how hard it would be to gather the courage to reach out to her. Finding her on a beach and later discovering her message in a bottle gives him the opening he needs.

As Jack romances Dakota through charmingly-penned letters as Alejandro from Barcelona Spain, he simultaneously struggles through, at first, awkward and stilling attempts at a face-to-face friendship with her as Jack, socially awkward, gifted pianist and only child of wealth parents. Soon though he find himself having to compete with his alter ego for Dakota's attention.

I loved this book. It was refreshing and uplifting. The writing style is artistic and beautiful. I was sucked in from the very first lines. The words just flow off the page to create vibrant pictures, and I loved curling up in the beautiful world it creates. Told in alternating points of view, each voice is distinctive - Jack is charming and amusing, with a little boy-child shyness and introspection mixed in, while Dakota is a free thinking girl, eloquent, lonely and vivacious. Their chemistry, both in person and through their written communication is captivating, like soaking in the warmth of the sun on a brisk day.

While the mix up that comes from writing as someone else is inevitable, the book still feels original and the whole 'I lied to you' fiasco never felt dragged out or over done. Expecting a sweet romance, I was surprised that The Truth About Jack is also imaginative and totally addictive.

The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3815197
Banter, snark, construction workers, pink shoes and cute mischievous dogs have me devouring Everywhere and Every Thing. Their story is delivered in dual perspectives and being inside Calebs head is F-I-N-E fine. I will readily admit I am smitten. The man is honorable, sweet, naughty, and smart. Fans of Property Brothers on HGTV will love the brothers/construction side of this story and Morgan had me drooling as she revealed design plans. Delicious tension, stolen kisses and talks of potato chips had me swooning, laughing and enjoying the ride. Probst knows how to weave a story and kept things fresh. I loved how these two battled their attraction until it exploded. Both are control freaks who mentally set limits on the relationship and I was anxious to see their limits all go to hell.

The romance between Morgan and Caleb heats up and their feelings move beyond attraction. Between moments of laughter and discovery, they ignite with a passion that heated my earbuds. I loved how balanced the story was between the brothers and the romance. She weaved them together brilliantly, and hinted at things to come as she made me fall for all of them. The relationship is delivered a blow when Morgan reveals something, but Probst kept the angst low all while having me hold my breath. Do the brothers meet the terms of the contract? Will Caleb find his happy? Are the brothers united? Grab your earbuds and find out! Audiobook provided by publisher, full review at caffeinated book reviewer.
1028755
I admit that I wasn't completely hooked to "Very! Very! Sweet" when it first came out (title was weird, wasn't crazy about Be-Ri's hairdo, the beginning of the story was so-so, etc). However, since I loved the Chocolat series, I decided to be patient & give JiSang Shin and Geo's new manhwa series a go.

Now, I can't get enough of it!  I adore the main characters and what pops from the pages: laugh-out-loud scenes, unrequited love/s, tension, misunderstandings, love triangles, surprises, and some poignant moments as well.  Even Be-Ri's hair is growing on me. =)

Check this series out (or go to Yen Press for more info)...

P.S. Thanks to Amazon for always shipping my mangas/manhwas fast!