Book Review: Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne

Being a part of the Snowfall of Haven Point blog tour has been exciting. I have loved getting to read others reviews since its release on September 27th and today I get to share mine with you! The full video review will be linked below within the week. I finished the book last night and when I woke this morning to film the review, I just couldn’t. I got hit with a really bad cold (like I can barely talk or move) otherwise I would have gotten it up for you! Until then… please enjoy all this goodness!

Synopsis:

It’s been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie’s friend asks a favor – to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who’s recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie’s gentle nature is a salve, and her kids’ excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want – each other – their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

A holiday romance perfect for Winter | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of Snowfall on Haven Point

Overview: 
After a traumatic few years, Andrea moves herself and her two kids to Haven Point with hopes of a fresh start and a holiday full of excitement. When her friend, Wyn, asks her to watch over her brother who was recently involved in a hit-and-run accident, she can’t say no. Wyn’s brother is proud, stubborn and constantly reminds Andie that he doesn’t need help, but what sparks between them surprises them both.

What I loved: 
Strong and relatable characters, a charming small town with cozy surroundings and the best holiday cheer, a great holiday love story that had me hooked from the start, and the reoccurring themes of family and community!

What I didn’t: 
I wish I had read all the previous books now!

For my full review of Snowfall on Haven Point, click play!

coming soon.

I received a copy from Little Bird Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Review: The Writers Room by Justen Davila

Great Collection | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of The Writers Room

Overview: 
A collection of poems and shorts that centers mostly around change. The Writers Room is thought provoking and challenges you to not only think, but grow.

What I loved: I was left inspired! What a lovely surprise this was.

What I didn’t: It didn’t move me as I was hoping.

If you liked milk and honey or contemporary poetry collections: check out The Writers Room! It’s a great debut collection.

For my full review of The Writers Room, click play!

I received a copy from the Author, Justen, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Operation Tenley by Jennifer Gooch Hummer

Read | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of Operation Tenley

Overview: 
Tenley, an elemental teen, is at risk. Mother Nature wants her power and Penny, Tenley’s Fair One (“fairy godmother-ish figure”) has 48 hours to convince Tenley to give up her power or be erased.

What I loved: Unique, entertaining, and had great characters.

What I didn’t: Tenley was annoying for a majority of the book and it was pretty short.

For my full review of Operation Tenley, click play!

I received a copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr

A Charming Read | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of The Life She Wants

Overview: 
After Emma’s husband commits suicide she is left to deal with his crimes and the backlash. Alone and lost in New York, she heads back to her hometown in California with nothing more than she left with nine years earlier. With the help of an old high school friend and some hard work she gets back on her feet.

What I loved: Well paced, addictive, and Emma was a great character who showed strength, forgiveness, and perseverance.

The Life She Wants was well paced and addictive! I love how the story all came together however the epilogue, I could have either gone without or extended it just a bit. I felt it was really short for how much was thrown at us. Giving just a few more paragraphs or even a page would have been a terrific way to wrap up the book and leave me with all those feel goods!

What I didn’t: The ending. There was so much thrown all at once… I wish it would have let it soak in a bit and extended it out just a little, and there weren’t any big wow moments.

If you liked The One That Got Away (putting your life back together), The Choices We Make (friendship), So Close (difficult pasts), or anything Nicholas Sparks (romance): don’t miss this darling read!

For my full review of The Life She Wants, click play!

I received a copy from Little Bird Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Book Haul: September 2016

Holy cow. This past month I’ve accumulated quite a stack of books. 16 total! This definitely isn’t helping my situation (you know, the TBR grows so much faster than you can actually read them. Yeah, that one), but I couldn’t be more thrilled about the reads that I did receive. They all sound amazing. A HUGE thank you to the authors, bookstagrammers, and publishers for sending such incredible reads my way this past month! I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to choose…

Purchase or add these reads to your list on Amazon:

Southernmost by Sarah Sadler
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne
Operation Tenley by Jennifer Gooch Hummer
The Red Sun by Alane Adams
Kalifus Rising by Alane Adams
The Twilight Wife by A.J. Banner
The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee
Pretty Little World by Elizabeth Laban & Melissa Depino
On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins
Bream Gives Me Hiccups by Jesse Eisenberg
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter
Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale
We Are Unprepared by Meg Little Reilly
Alex + Ada Volume 2

BookSparks & Little Bird, you know just how to spoil a girl ❤

Wrap Up: September 2016

September was a little crazy. I flew to Nevada to go house hunting, put in an offer, got the offer accepted, packed up our home in Denver, made a big Uhaul move into storage in Nevada, flew back home to prep the Denver house to go on the market, and now I’m back in Nevada playing catch up!! Phew! What a month it has been. We’re thrilled to be so close to closing on our new home soon and it’s very bittersweet to see our home in Denver go on the market. We know it will be just as good to the new family as it was to us and can’t wait to begin our transition into life in Nevada.

Other than that crazy mess called life, I’ve been able to read a little bit here and there. I managed to read 2 comics/graphic novels, 1 poetry collection, and 3 books. I enjoyed everything I read and as you know loved some more than others. If I had to choose I’d say my favorite thing I read that month was Alex + Ada. It was just so surprising and beautiful. So happy to have volume 2 arriving soon and to continue on with it. You can watch my September wrap up below and don’t forget to subscribe because FULL reviews of each are headed your way soon 🙂

Buy your copies from Amazon here:
Rat Queens Vol 3
Alex + Ada Vol 1
A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi | FULL REVIEW
The Writers Room by Justen Davila
The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr
Operation Tenley by Jennifer Gooch Hummer

Wrap Up: August 2016

August was insane! We traveled to Rio to watch my brother compete in the Olympics, we came home and bought a house. Now we’re in the process of boxing up our house in Denver and getting ready for the big move to Nevada. I really thought I would have read more this past month, but I can see why I didn’t… I did manage to read 3 books and 2 comics. What I did read was fantastic! I highly recommend them all and here you’ll get a glimpse into each read, but for full reviews you can click below! This past weekend we boxed up my entire office and it makes me sad to see the empty bookshelf, but I did pull a few out. Stay tuned for my September TBR!

Buy your copies of my August reads on Amazon:

Perfectly Good Crime | FULL REVIEW

It Ends With Us | FULL REVIEW

Southern Solstice | FULL REVIEW

Rat Queens Vol 2

Lumberjanes Vol 4

Book Review: Perfectly Good Crime by Dete Meserve

Keeps the pages turning! | 5/5 stars | Buy your copy of Perfectly Good Crime


Overview: 
Kate Bradley, a Los Angeles news reporter, is covering the $20 million string of estate robberies. As it turns out there’s a Robin Hood behind the heists and he’s giving back to those in need. Piece by piece Kate begins to piece together the mystery of the sophisticated robberies to uncover who Robin Hood really is.

What I loved: 
thought provoking, unexpected, enjoyable, steady pace,

What I didn’t: 
Eric’s lapse in judgement.

If you liked The House of Bradbury or A Study in Charlotte: then you’ll enjoy this!

For my full review of Perfectly Good Crime, click play!

I received a copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Southern Solstice by Sarah Sadler

Definitely read! | 5/5 stars | Buy your copy of Southern Solstice

Overview: Larken is heartbroken when her fiancé, David, calls off the wedding and walks out of her life leaving her shaken and confused. She moves back to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina and finds herself accepting a position at a doctors office where she not only finds the job rewarding and enjoyable, but it opens her eyes to a world she never knew existed.

What I loved: Immediately hooked me, the writing and descriptions, the CHARACTERS!!, an extremely well done love triangle, and that ending!

What I didn’t: A little slow in parts, wished for more of Larken’s sister and the dynamics of her in the family.

If you like Nicolas Sparks then: what are you waiting for?! Order your copy and be charmed away by this gem! Jewels on your crown 😉

For my full review of Southern Solstice, click play!

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: So Close by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

Perfect read to end Summer or start Fall with | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of So Close


Overview: 
Amanda grew up in a trailer park where she was left to not only care for herself, but her younger siblings. With the weight of the family on her shoulders and the urge to get out, she joins Tom’s Presidential campaign. Along the way she meets Pax and Lindsay. Lindsay becomes a friend and mother figure while Pax becomes a love interest. On the campaign trail though, secrets get revealed and everything begins to crumble.

What I loved: 
The writing, all of the unexpected plot twists, and the hopeful ending!

What I didn’t: 
Amanda’s mom (ugh) and the transitions from past to present were sometimes unclear.

If you liked First Comes Love, The Assistants, The Devil Wears Prada: I think you’ll enjoy this!

For my full review of So Close, click play!

I received a copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.