A Heart Revealed

The ring on her hand belongs to one man … but her heart belongs to another.

As a battered woman, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston ten years ago, seeking shelter for a heart badly bruised by both her husband and guilt. But when she falls in love with Sean O’Connor, a man who wrestles with demons of his own, fear and shame almost destroy her … until she is finally set free by a heart revealed. (from author's website)

In A Heart Revealed (Winds of Change book #2) by Julie Lessman, it's Sean's turn in the O'Connor family to fall in love and marry. (I saw this coming in the first installment of the trilogy.) All the favorite characters return. New situations add to this story. And as always, the woman gets her man. This time though it is a bit more heart wrenching due to Emma's revelations from her past. I loved A Heart Revealed and I am looking forward to the next and final book to this trilogy.

One Night

Morning deejay Carrie Jamison spouts the quirky brand of comedy Kansas City loves to wake up to. She's skyrocketing in the ratings, and her quick wit has won her the admiration of everyone at KUTE radio - except Kyle Harris. A serious, no-frills newscaster, Kyle disapproves of Carrie's antics, and isn't afraid to broadcast his feelings to her or anyone else. When the tension between them approaches a meltdown, the station manager delivers a shocking ultimatum: Carrie and Kyle must make nice or end up on the unemployment line.

With so much at stake, how hard could it be to give peace a chance? As they both open up to the possibility, they are startled to discover how simple it is. And, even more surprising, how quickly the warmth of friendship can flare into the splendors of love. (from author's website)

One Night by Debbie Macomber was not exactly what I expected. The above was the description given when I decided to download the book to my Kindle. It's fairly accurate, until the introductory part of the story is complete and it then takes a very different turn becoming a mystery of sorts. Then, in my opinion, the next part of the story becomes less enjoyable of a read and is somewhat odd (though it's hard to describe what I mean by "odd") due to another turn of events. Then, once again, the story takes another turn and returns to being a love story.  Then one final turn of events makes it become part mystery thriller and part love story, ending abruptly (in my opinion) when the mystery is solved. What these turn of events are I can not say without leaking details that are vital to the story. Some of the events are predictable and some are not.

Needless to say, as much as I've loved Macomber's books in the past, I was left a bit disappointed by One Night. I wouldn't call it a total waste of reading time as it did keep my interest. I would just say it wasn't one of my favorites.

April Reading

This month was a slower month when it came to how many books I read. I was busy and just didn't find much time to read. But I did read the following two books:

The Hot Rock: A Dortmunder Novel
Donald W. Westlake
(series) (kindle book)

"The Hot Rock introduces John Archibald Dortmunder, the thief whose capers never quite come off, as he and his convict friends plot to steal the fabulous Balaboma Emerald." (goodreads)

This story included some tongue in cheek humor that made it a somewhat interesting read. I'm not sure I will continue with the series, but it's one I'll keep in mind for possible future reading. Dortmunder is now out of prison and ready for his next job - to find a "rock" that has much meaning to another country. He and his sidekicks have to complete this "job" in various stages due to circumstances that are somewhat humorous and somewhat unpredicted. Again, a bit of humor and a bit of mystery made this a fair to good read.



Bet Me
Jennifer Crusie

"Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairly tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Cal Morrisey knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again. But Fate has other plans, and it's not long before Min and Cal are dealing with a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kreme donuts, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a freakishly intelligent cat, Chicken Marsala, and more risky propositions that either one of them ever dreamed of. Including the biggest gamble of all--true love." (book cover)

I love Jennifer Crusie and this book did not let me down! Romantic comedy is the best way to describe her fun and easy to read books. I've read her before and I will read her again!

I was cheering for Min throughout the entire story! And donuts will never mean the same to me ever again!

Feb/March Reads

Although I haven't posted any reviews for the past month, that doesn't mean I haven't been reading! I have enjoyed several books this past month and will give a brief overview of them in one posting.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

This book was recommended to me by a co-worker who said this was one of her favorite books. However, this quirky story did not grab my interest and I found it rather slow reading. I am labeling it DNF for now and hope to return to the book in the near future.

Mad About You (Boxed Set of Beloved Romances) by Stephanie Bond

Yes, I am now the proud owner of a Kindle Fire and learning how to read something that isn't made of paper. Mad About You is a set of stories that include: License to Thrill (a romantic mystery), Almost a Family (a heartwarming romance), and Three Wishes (a romantic comedy). Each is a fun and easy read.

Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks

Ok, this was just to see if I would enjoy a book for mature readers. And guiltily I must say I really enjoyed it. It is the first book in the Sweet Series. Not sure if I'll start this series or just enjoy this one book.

When They First Met by Debbie MacComber

I finished the author's Cedar Cove series recently and read about this short story which she offered for e-readers (yes, for my new Kindle) to become acquainted with the Rose Harbor Series. I can't wait to start reading this new series!

Before The Storm by Diane Chamberlain

"Because," I said, "today I learned that I don't know a thing about the people that I love." (p. 380)

I read this author a while back and came upon this mystery at Barnes & Noble. I absolutely could not put this book down! Loved the story, how it was written, the characters, and the twists in the plot. I highly recommend this book to others!

Hope Undaunted (Winds of Change Book #1) by Julie Lessman

"Now this is how love should be - nice and neat." (first sentence)

And that is exactly what Katie Rose O'Connor found out is absolutely not true in her romances with Jack, Luke, and Parker. Who is her true soul mate? This series continues a few years later where The Daughters of Boston Series left off. I continue to love these characters and their stories.

A Passion Denied

BOOK 3 -- A PASSION DENIED

Has she fallen in love with a man who cannot love her back?

Book 3,  A Passion Denied,  is the story of Faith and Charity’s little sister, Lizzie, a shy bookworm who dreams of a fairy-tale romance.  It unfolds a man’s dark past and a young girl’s shattered dreams … and the God who redeems it all.
Elizabeth O’Connor is the little sister John always longed for. With a fire for God in his belly, he has been her spiritual mentor since she was thirteen, sharing her love of literature and her thirst for God.  But when his gangly protégé blossoms into a beautiful young woman bent on loving him,  he refuses to act on the attraction he feels.  His past won’t let him go there.  Unfortunately, “Lizzie” won’t let him go anywhere else … until his dark and shocking secrets push her away. (author's website)

The concluding book in The Daughters of Boston series, Lessman takes her main characters to a place that they never knew - forgiveness for the unforgivable. Can they do it? I loved this series from beginning to end, and I plan to continue with the next series that follows these characters through Winds of Change. I highly recommend Julie Lessman's A Passion Denied.

Deception Point

A shocking scientific discovery.
A conspiracy of staggering brilliance.
A thriller unlike any you've ever read ....
Deception Point

When a NASA satellite discovers an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory - a victory with profound implications for NASA policy and the impending presidential election. (back cover)

One thing that I appreciate about reading Dan Brown is that I sometimes forget that it's fiction and that the story feels very real. I felt this again while reading Deception Point, a story of NASA, government, and discoveries of more than one kind. Rachel is caught in a web of deception, and she must decide who knows the truth and who is trying to better their positions with others. Of course, there's cover-up, romance, and little details that make a big difference! A book I could not put down, I recommend Dan Brown's Deception Point.

A Passion Redeemed

Charity O'Connor is a woman who gets what she wants. Her stunning beauty and flirtatious ways have always succeeded with men. Until Mitch Dennehy, that is. Brilliant and dangerously handsome, Mitch is a no-nonsense newspaperman who wants nothing to do with her. Charity burned him once, destroying his engagement to the only woman he ever truly loved. He won't play with matches again. But Charity has a plan to turn up the heat, hoping to ignite the heart of the man she loves. And she always gets what she wants - one way or another.

Or does she? Will her best-laid schemes win his love? Or will her seductive ways drive him away forever?

Book 2 in the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Redeemed will captivate your heart and stir your soul with a story of faith and redemption rising from the ashes of temptation, desire, and shame. (back cover)

Julie Lessman's book A Passion Redeemed was a great read. However, I also found it frustrating  with Charity's continuous schemes yet shocking with the consequences of her actions. I continue to enjoy this series and will hopefully read the third and final installment in the near future.