Sunday, October 25, 2020

 



The Book of CarolSue

By

Lynne Hugo

"There's an upside and a downside to every way of life. It was the downside of this life that I hadn't missed when I was in Atlanta." (CarolSue)

This book had my emotions jumping all over the place. What a heart tugging story of a family that drew me in from the first page. I haven't read the first book "The Testament of Harold's Wife" but I had no problem finding myself lost in the pages of this book and not feeling confused in the least bit. Ms. Hugo wove CarolSue's story with finesse, humor, heartbreak, and lots of family drama. CarolSue finds herself living with her best friend and sister, Louisa, back on the home farm in Indiana after her beloved husband, Charlie dies. This isn't what she expected at this stage in her life. How does she cope and what purpose will she have in this animal menagerie with family and friends that are off the "normal" chart?

Ms. Hugo has crafted her characters with amazing detail. Each one is as individual and unique as any I've read. They are written with deep convictions and emotions. I couldn't help but feel for them as the story evolved. She writes them into a story that is dramatic yet her humor lightens the seriousnesses. She places the characters in scenarios that are relevant to the times but she does it with sensitivity. I had my heart yanked apart at certain places in the book and yearned for a resolution that was satisfying to the characters and for me. Then there were scenes that I laughed out loud. Especially at the sarcastic lines. This story is filled with so much that made it a great read....like a Glitter Jesus, afternoon "napping", a baby that is missing a mother, and the "Plan" are among a few of them.

There are also profound lines that perfectly blend with the story and will stick with me for a long time. They made me think but also touched me with the insightful meanings.
"Isn't it strange how we think one thing is going to happen and then something so utterly different happens? Inside we are so disappointed and have no idea that life might just have handed us a huge gift. And it's so difficult to remember to be open to that possibility, isn't it? Because we never know when that might be the case."
"....love isn't measured in length of time, but in tenderness and gratitude."

This is a story of a famly's love for each other. Through the thick and thin of life's challenges, they stick together. It's not always pretty but it's the right thing to do. This was a great getaway read for me. I want to thank Ms. Hugo for the privilege of reading her very entertaining story. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020


                          Christmas Rings

By

Tess Thompson


What a great premise and collaboration of these authors to create this Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge series.  Knowing the work of the authors involved in this collection, it is no doubt a heartwarming, emotional escape with the characters in the stories.  Christmas Rings is Tess Thompson's Cedar Mountain Lodge series contribution.  Her superb hometown, storytelling talent shines through in this sweet novella.  This is Alissa and Jed's story.   


Alissa and Jed. Two people from totally different walks of life.  Two people who have a chemistry and attraction despite those differences.   Alissa is a kindergarten teacher by day.  She loves what she does and she has a heart for the children but she needs to supplement her income so she moonlights at a gentlemen's club as a cocktail waitress.   Enter Jed Marsh.


Jed is the son of  Marsh Vodka magnate owners and the business is soon to be passed down to him.  His parents are controlling and no woman has ever been "good enough"  for their son.  How in the world will Alissa ever be accepted?   His heart is totally devoted to Alissa but at what cost?   


I love Tess Thompson's characters.  They are so easily to connect with and to become a part of the story.  Every single character is filled with emotions and stories that pull at my mine. The emotions are there from the amazing way Tess Thompson creates word stories in her books. Stories that draw you in and make you feel a part of them. She puts the reader into the lives of her characters in such a deep and involved way that you can't help but become a part of them. 


Ms. Thompson pulls her readers in and makes them feel the emotions throughout her books.  Christmas Rings is a tender love story that made me yearn for the HEA for Alissa and Jed.  The supporting cast of characters are perfectly entwined around Alissa and Jed's story.  This is such a sweet novella and I enjoyed every page from the front cover to the back.  I especially appreciated her dedication to sisters.   We have bonds through family and bonds through people who are our chosen families.  Love can overcome.   


I want to thank Ms. Thompson for the honor and privilege of reading another one of her amazing books.  It is a great read and touched my heart.   Thank you!  All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.

 

Thursday, October 1, 2020


                                                                                                                                                                                 Blue String

By

Tess Thompson

Blue String starts out with a gut-wrenching first chapter. I was drawn into the world of Teagan and Wyatt immediately! The sparks, the chemistry, the attraction, the pure romance of a Tess Thompson novel is "strung" throughout the pages of this book. Ms. Thompson adds characters that bring out emotional feelings that grab hold and I can't help but fall in love with them. She places them in situations that draw on my every desire to see them overcome and find their HEA through determination and strong relationships between the characters.

This is the love story of Teagan and Wyatt. Teagan is the youngest of the Lanigan clan and the most fiesty. She's a redhead with a temper but I couldn't help loving her. She is such a loving mom to her son, Chris, and she wants him to have a wholesome and secure childhood growing up. She puts her career on hold and they move back to her roots and family in Peregine, Idaho. A small hometown that is the perfect place to raise her son with uncles, aunts, and a mother she's a bit disconnected with. (This makes an interesting element to the story.) A place where loyalties, traditions, and a slower pace abound. It's also where she's retreated after a passionate, non-committed relationship with country super star Wyatt Black. "Never in my life had I been as drawn to a man, both physically and mentally. Which was exactly the problem."

Wyatt Black has been through a life-changing, traumatic event. It's left him broken and devastated for the families and people it affected. His creativity and drive are nonexistent and he can't get into his singing and writing music with the horrors that invade his mind. The only thing he thinks about is Teagan and what they had together. She's his hope. She's the love of his life and he is bound and determined to prove to Teagan she's the only one for him.

Tess Thompson has a talent for writing stories that are from her heart. Every single character is filled with emotions and stories that pull at my mine. The emotions are there from the amazing way Tess Thompson creates word stories in her books. Stories that draw you in and make you feel a part of them. She puts the reader into the lives of her characters in such a deep and involved way that you can't help but become a part of them. Then she places them in settings that I just want to close my eyes and step into. Blue String is another fantastic read by the super talented Tess Thompson. I loved reading Teagan's and Wyatt's story.

Thank you, Tess Thompson, for the wonderful read and the story of Teagan and Wyatt. The entire series has been a journey with a family I loved spending time with. A great ending to a great series. My heart is happy! All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

Christmas Memories By Nancy Carey Johnson If I could fill my  Christmas stocking with goodies and stories it would be filled to over flowing...