Award-winning author tells *sweet* tale
350513
This is a YA paranormal romance that struck just the right chord for me -- funny, sweetly romantic/sexy but not over the top; steeped in romance. Utterly believable! Christina Mercer is an actual beekeeper in real life and her extensive knowledge of mythology, herb-lore and bee-folklore enriches the story from start to finish. Mercer has a deft hand with a story, leading us on an adventure that kept me turning pages til the end, at an exciting but not breathless pace. She slows it down and then charges ahead, giving us new knowledge as well as a familiar fairy tale-made-modern. I loved it. For the romantic in all of us -- lovely tale! Can't wait for more from this gifted author.
4150467
Susan Shapiro's fiction debut is funny, fast-paced, and sweet as the cupcakes that grace its pages. I devoured it like a delicious dessert, but luckily it's calorie-free. A fabulous indulgence!
4672507
I loved SWEET TALK ME! But then I'm a sucker for a good bad-boy-makes-good story. I also love good writing, a unique and distinct author voice, and clever verbiage. Kramer's writing is filled with humorous language and delicious "Southern-isms." I laughed out loud at her descriptions such as "We'll look like the Hardy Boys without a mystery to solve" and "Andy Griffith's backwoods cousin's man cave!" The lyrics to the hero's country songs: "Snack on This" and "Whoopie" were as clever as many of the real country songs out there today. Besides adoring the hero and heroine, I was drawn to Kramer's quirky secondary characters who added depth and poignancy to the story. Brava to Kieran Kramer for her first contemporary romance! I can't wait for her next book!!!
2484607
This book is about the multi-generational familial experiences of the author. It is beautiful, endearing, and hopeful. It is a great read for children ages 5-9. This book award is well-deserved.
2024024
I bought this book at the Jambalaya Writers' Conference of 2013. I meet the author and got it sign. She was amazingly sweet and I enjoyed the book. I hope to see her at this next one :D
3361946
Karen Rose Smith is publishing her 75th romance in 2012 and has been honored with multiple awards and made numerous bestseller lists - but here, this talented novelist is into short-story telling, an entirely different task, and she succeeds admirably. A short story requires focus on a few points and the ability to catch the reader with the first sentence and keep him/her interested in a situation that can only be sketched - not plumbed in depth. Everyone of Karen Rose Smith's short stories is a delightful sketch, light like a watercolor, catching that special moment when one falls in love.

Told from the point of view of the woman, each one of her protagonists hesitates, engaging in an intricate psychological two-step dance, back and forth. She is fighting her own demons, afraid or hesitant to give into a "prince charming" who courts her and is (clearly to the reader) the "right man" for her - an everyday man, someone you and I could meet any day. We root for her, and as readers, feel highly satisfied when the plot resolves itself.

Don't expect drama here or great flights of tragedy and much less social commentary. It is perhaps the limitation of this kind of literature, but it is also its greatest charm:  this is all about when love is right for you and feels warm and full of promise like a Spring day. A must read, particularly if you are in that mood, and if you're not, you will certainly find it uplifting!
4896948
Ingrid Hahns flagship novel To Win a Ladys Hand marks the ushering of a new entourage of talented newbie authors hitting book shelves.

To Win a Ladys Heart is a sweet romance with lots of angst and an almost near missed in the happily-ever-after category. Dont be fooled by her poetic prose, yet clever storytelling ability and character development techniques as Hahns words and story pulls you along with the suffering hero and heroine, page after page wondering, hoping, praying that these two will defeat the pressures of society and find their way back to each other.

I was reminded of New York Times bestseller, Amanda Quick. This young author is someone to watch out for. Cant wait for her next book.
1679227
I am a big fan of this writer and I use many of her stories in my 8th grade LA class. This gentle, sweet, yet poignant story can be read aloud and it will encourage discussions on several different levels.

I enjoyed the story, characters, and setting, but found the "magic" in the book irresistable.
3240598
Perfect Agreement has something for everyone: humor, pathos, social commentary, stunning prose, grammar tips, and even a little history of sorts. In addition to all this, Downing is a captivating storyteller, and this novel intertwines the telling of two stories, one set in the past and one in the present. The present revolves around the career and relationships of Mark Sternum, a man who is remarkably likable, possibly because he is exceptionally devoid of self pity and self deception. Downing's images are so vivid that the reader not only visualizes the story but smells, tastes and feels the events as well. Usually, when I read "a really good piece of literature" I find an astute observation or an exceptionally tastey tidbit of prose which I copy out and save. In the case of Perfect Agreement, I couldn't begin to do this, as nearly every page contained at least one passage that I wanted to savour, copy or memorize. This reader hasn't been this excited about an author since she discovered Faulker twenty-seven years ago. The two authors' ability to sensitively see and juxtapose humor and pain is not dissimilar.
3137743
What caught my attention initially about this book was the cover.  "Don't judge a book by its cover" they say...but sometimes that's the bait you need to catch someone's attentions :)  But what sold the deal was the not-to-common premise: A baker who can infuse emotions into her goods, emotions that don't manipulate it's eater, but inspire their emotions.  Now, that was the hook...a hook that drove me to finish this 278 page book in two days.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE TALE (NO SPOILERS):

Fragmented Narrative:
I really appreciate that though the narrative has a clear progression, it does not feel very linear...but that we get glimpses of pieces that we aren't completely sure about...encourage you to to think and TRY to piece things together.  Of course all that is settled by the end.  But I couldn't help but try to anticipate the direction of things...and sometimes I was wrong...or my assumption was only partly correct.  No book has had me guessing wrong in a long time.  In addition to all this, the multiple fragments of seemingly three different storylines add to the "world-is-bigger" feeling of the tale.  And may I add that the inclusion of other literary sources was ingeniously utilized?

Formatting:
Also the way they format the pages and chapter headings is very intentional and accentuates the above point.

Charisma in the visuals and a clear, but impactful and personable narration:
This author is really really good at helping you visualize what's going on to the point that you begin to feel the situation.

Themes:
At the base of this grandiose tale is the them of "Bitter & Sweet"  and how it impacts not only the protagonist, but those around her.  Bitterness from immediate trials, Sweetness from generous random acts of kindness, bitterness that grew from mistakes of the past to Sweetness at knowing you are still loved.  This book covers a lot of ground, but all of them are wonderful to explore.

A NOTE OF CONTENT:
However, with all the good things about this book (and the very playful cover).  This is not a young adult book but a very mature one.  In addition, the author is largely characterized by her vividness in the writing.  This does also include the more brutal and violent parts of the Tale.  These don't happen all to often, nor are they gratuitous, and they do add an important layer to the tale, but they definitely are intense.  So, if you are particularly averse to that, this could be a difficult aspect for you.  Also, love making is alluded to at one point.  It's hard to describe this without going into specific spoilers, but I'll try.  Basically, this is not pornographic or dime-romance style.  It's poetically utilized to describe when a divine couple have decided to become husband and wife ("lahsts" is the term used here).  You'll understand it in context, but basically, it signifies a union between the two...but does not go into any detail of the actual act.

THE PACKAGE:
My book is the paperback edition.  Besides the tale itself, it also has the prologue of her other book "Followed by Frost".  This book uses typical modern novel paper as often found in "New York times bestseller paperbacks".

All in All:
This is a book that, though brutally dark at times, uses that darkness to help us face brutal realities, break past the bitterness, and enter a time of sweetness and hope.
2142867
Whimsical and entertaining yet sweet, "Story Tellers:  In Pursuit of Happiness" is an enjoyably unique take on folklore.  There's a lot that you will recognize, but it's told through a unique new lens that offers new insights.  I liked the bilateral structure, with the different storytelling emphasis in Books 1 and 2 respectively.  Overall, this is a touching and whimsical tale that I would highly recommend!
839823
This is my second book to review by this author. I LOVE her writing style and stories. They are fairy tale sweet but lifelike in their realism and presentation. In this novel, she mixes up traditional fairy tales and delivers them on a lovely platter of lyrical fantasy.

Jack, Jacqueline, is our main hero. This chick is sweet, vulnerable, and kind. She also has an uber power hidden within herself that is unleashed once she sets out on an adventure to escape her abusive home life. Giants, magic, princes (selfish and not), inn keepers, a rideable raven and our lovely protagonist is in for a whole lot more than she bargained for. Love, adventure, sorrow, and discovering her true family ends for a happily tied up ever after.

Please, if you're a lover of fantasy or anything in a similar genre pick up Ms. Huchtons books. They make for excellent reads and her newest release does not fail to entertain!
4099487
Joanne Bischof has one of the smoothest, most readable writing styles. Like melted butter. Her voice is so real and down-to-earth, it feels like the author is talking directly to the reader.

Riley and Becca's story is written in Riley's young adult-overcoming-teen-mistakes point of view. Having lived that myself, I dove into the story. Like I said, her writing just flows along with scenes and emotions so smooth it's like hot chocolate.

Butter, hot chocolate. These are very good things, and so are Joanne's stories. :)

A few pages in and Riley is real, his fears and emotions vivid, and I'm emotionally invested in this journey with him to help Becca and her family.

Though I wanted a little more together-time with him and Becca in the beginning of the story, the sweet ending made up for it and was quite satisfying.

Sigh.

I read To Get to You during a very busy time in my life, and looked forward to the escape and the beautiful scope of emotions the author weaves into the pages and story. Joanne mixes real-life grit with heart-touching grace, and the result is a tender, realistic story that will long stay with me.

I particularly appreciated the gentle message about the power of a father's presence in his son's life, and the vivid way the author brings their relationship to life.

I highly recommend this story to teens and to adults as well.
271173
The Sugar Queen has to be the most adorable book I've ever read. It's sweet and salty, and a little magical and mysterious. Like chocolate covered pretzels. And like chocolate covered pretzels, I didn't want to put it down. I haven't had such a visceral reaction to a book like that in... well, I don't know how long. And I don't mean visceral like the book was such an amazing piece of literature that I wanted to curl in a ball and die. I mean visceral as in this book made me smell peppermint when it wasn't there; and drool over grilled tomato and cheese; and last night I made fried egg sandwiches, with a sprinkle of dill, and cheddar cheese because I craved them due to this book (amazingly delicious, directions on page 86). It's such an incredibly satisfying read, like watching a good love-story, but it also has a tinge of mystery to it, making it so much more than a romance. Putting this book into the category of a romance is wrong; it's far beyond cheap mass-market paperbacks, it's literary and beautiful. And every chapter is the name of another type of candy.

The book starts by introducing us to Josey Cirrini, a plump anti-southern belle who devotes her life to her mother in retribution for being a spolied, horrible child. Forced to remember her childhood antics every day she has secluded herself from the town of Bald Slope. She has no friends, aside from their housekeeper, and her mother is her only surviving family member. Her only happiness is the stock pile of romance novels and sweets hidden in a secret compartment in her closet.

Her closet and her secret love for her mailman are Josey's only personal enjoyments. But Josey's carefully constructed routine starts to unravel when Della Lee Baker shows up. Della Lee snuck into Josey's closet overnight to hide from her abusive boyfriend. The two form an unlikely friendship, and Josey lets her stay in her closet until Della Lee decides she's ready to head north and leave Bald Slope behind. Della Lee is sassy and different, but she's also sad and lonely.

The two bond and Della Lee starts to work her magic on Josey. Through her manipulations, Josey meets Chloe, a sandwich shop owner whose just found out her boyfriend cheated on her. Like Josey's feelings for her mailman, and Della Lee's hideout, Chloe also has a secret: she has a "special relationship" with books. They appear to her out of nowhere for every situation she needs. After the first few times it happened during her childhood she got used to it.

Don't we all wish that would happen to us?

This book is more than just a tale about three women and how their lives relate to each other. There's a mystery, an affair, a fourty-year-old heartbreak, a murder, a burgeoning romance, and lots and lots of food. With Josey's help Chloe starts to heal from her heartbreak; and with Della Lee's help, Josey starts to crawl out of the hole she's been living her entire adult life. The three lives of these women mysteriously intermingle with the men they love, and you will enjoy the way the pieces all come together. It made me smile, it made my eyes tear up, it made me hungry (both for food and for more of the book). I didn't want to stop once I had started it.

Rating: 5 out of 5. I'm being a tad generous, because it feels wrong to give it a 4 1/2. I think it would be a fabulous movie. Visual and magical and fabulous. I will definitely be reading her first book, Garden Spells, and can't wait for her next release in 2010.
3831533
This is a sweet and heart-warming book written by Karen Moore.  Oogie is a bear that loves to tell stories.  He is entering hibernation and wishes to share a story with all of his friends before going to sleep.  After trying several times to write a story and often facing rejection, he finally succeeds with his own creative masterpiece.  This book is a delightful read with beautiful illustrations.  It teaches a great lesson to never give up and to always persevere.  My grandkids LOVE THIS BOOK as do I.
882688
Wow! Great job by this ten year old author! Sweet story and pretty illustrations!
4211465
The Shell Seekers is a literary gift. As every page turns, the author brings us into this captivating, realistic, and affecting family saga with eloquence that will make you fall in love with this book.

There are certain times when you read a book and you know that it will be something special. Instantly you fall in love with the story, the writing, and the characters. The Shell Seekers is one of those books.

The world of Penelope Keeling is far from perfect. Though on the surface everything may appear to be ideal, the reader soon realizes that there is much more to her. I could easily sit at my laptop and type out a detailed synopsis of Penelope Keeling's life. Telling you that she loved and lost. Telling you that her children don't appreciate her and what she sacrificed. I could let you let you know that I wanted to smack Nancy and Noel for acting like spoiled brats, all the while loving Olivia, Antonia, and Danus. Secretly wishing that these three find a happy ending. But how could I do justice to this family? How could I possibly put in a couple of paragraphs what the author did so perfectly in this book? The answer is simple. I cannot.

For a short period of time, I was able to meet and love character of Penelope. Her actions and reactions to those around her are based in such reality, that you cant help but become protective of her. You live her life alongside her and feel what she feels. As the reader, I wanted more for her. I know that she is a fictional character, but still. Arent the best stories the ones that make you feel as if you are glimpsing in on a version of reality? Maybe it is a true testament to the author who seamlessly reflects our world in the one that she presents in this book.

The writing is superb. I cannot remember the last time I read a book with such literary quality. Of course, I have loved books and the authors style of writing, but Rosamunde Pilcher raised the bar for me. Each sentence is so carefully crafted. Each scene is so expertly set. The words just flow into such a beautiful story.

And I know what you are thinkingI am gushing. So what! I absolutely adored this book. I am so grateful that I was able to open the pages and discover this book. I didn't read it when it was first published, and to be honest, I don't know if I would have appreciated it as much as I do now.

I could not possibly recommend this book more. If you are looking for a beach read or just a book to curl up with on a rainy day. The Shell Seekers is one of my top Summer Reading picks.