Left to Chance by Amy Sue Nathan

In Left to Chance, Teddi leaves after a heart-shattering loss of her best friend, Celia. Though she keeps a loving, yet long-distance relationship with Celia’s twelve-year-old daughter, Shayna, she has fully avoided a trip back to the town of Chance—until Shayna begs her to come to photograph her father’s wedding.

Yep, her best friend’s husband is getting married again. Teddi is a nationally well-known wedding photographer—how can she refuse? She loves Shayna, so she does it for her.

She expects all the conflicting feelings anyone would have in this situation…meeting the new fiancé, reliving the memories, and facing the reasons she fled from town during Celia’s funeral. What she didn’t expect was the full-force repercussions from her unexplained departure.

Teddi’s emotions are heart-felt, and the things she ran away from—and ran to—finally comes to the surface. She must deal with this and mend the hearts she damaged when she left in such a hurry. But how?

The busy life she lives in San Francisco is a far cry from the one she lived in Chance--and the love interest she left in Chance is a far cry from the one waiting in San Francisco…another thing she must deal with…which she wasn’t aware was an issue until running into her old sweetheart.

The author did a fine job of portraying small town life. The characters and their many different personalities, be it quirky, fun or serious, were well developed. I loved how the serious moments were carefully depicted, and the fun times made me smile. Teddi’s perseverance endures, and is admirable—and painful at times.

The characters come to life, and I could picture the town of Chance, and those who reside there. The friendships are varied, from warm embraces to cold shoulders, but Teddi knows she is lucky for the first, and deserved the latter.

Never does Teddi take on the victim role. I like that fact. The personal growth throughout Left to Chance is admirable and realistic.

I recommend this read, and thank Net Galley for gracing me a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

4 Stars

Persistant by Allie Kincheloe

Persistent, by Allie Kincheloe, captured me from the first page. Yup.Totally invested.

I love it when a good girl falls for a bad boy. This book is filled with all the reasons why a good girl should steer clear, but Talia refuses to steer anywhere but into Sean's heart.

  

Sean, a victim of an unstable upbringing and his own demons, has made mistakes in his past. However, for the last five years he's done nothing but good. No matter his great intentions, or the fact he is a different man, he doesn't feel worthy of any relationship. 

Talia, the young woman who he rescues from an unsavory and abusive situation at the club he owns, has other ideas. Talia doesn't give up. She bounds into his heart and captures his interest, but he fights the attraction. Sean insists that she's too young, innocent and doesn't want a man like him in her life.

Long story short, Sean basically tries to convince his daggone stubborn self that he shouldn't pursue Talia. On the other hand, Talia does whatever she can to sway his conviction to keep her at arm's length. She succeeds—for a moment, anyway. Once their lips meet, She's not too crazy about the fact Sean captures her with a kiss then pushes away. 

The ensuing antics, serious moments and sometimes dangerous twists kept me riveted and wondering how the heck these two could ever find a happy ending. The story's plot is believable and intriguing. Just when I thought I had things figured out between the two main characters, the author threw in a twist… or three. (I love plot twists.)

Allie Kincheloe created flawed and lovable characters…and ones I loved to hate. (Especially Talia's ex-boyfriend, who is a domineering jerk.)  Talia made me smile so much my cheeks hurt. And Sean absolutely broke my heart at times. Quite a myriad of emotions, huh? 

Two thumbs up. This story has everything. I stayed up late many nights because I had to read "just one more chapter" of Sean's Sweetheart. (Which ended up being yet another…and another.) 

I highly recommend this romance if you like bad boys, good girls and the excitement the combination creates. You won't be disappointed.

5 Stars

Copy courtesy of author All opinions are my own.

The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy

I love the dual timeline in The Mapmaker's Children. Both stories intertwine into each other as the book progresses.

The historical timeline follows the life of Sarah Brown, and her role in the Underground Railroad. Sarah is unable to have children, but she is a mother in many ways, both to her sister Annie, and the children she helps along the way. The author obviously did her research and made the characters walk right off the pages and into the reader's hearts. Sarah Brown's strength and growth were inspiring. (I also loved the historical photos at the end of the book.) 

The modern-day timeline is 2014 in a small town, New Charleston, West Virginia. The main character, Eden Anderson, recently settled in this town. Well, maybe using the word settled is not right. Eden is anything but settled, both in the recent move, and her state of mind.

 Eden is struggling with many issues but the most heartbreaking is her recent miscarriage. While exploring her new home, she finds a porcelain doll head in a very mysterious place. This head is a pivotal part of the story. Her young neighbor, Cleo just about steals the story. I adore this kid. Eden initially doesn't know what to think of Cleo, but soon the two are inseparable. 

4 Stars

The Perfect Letter by Chris Harrison

The Perfect Letter deserves a perfect grade--A+. Chris Harrison has a lot of imagination and writing kudos beneath those good looks and hosting abilities of his. I'm surprised he didn't follow the dream of publishing instead of hosting the Bachelor and Bachelorette. Then again, perhaps that's where he garnered so much about Leigh Merrill's, the heroine's, point of view. 

I assumed The Perfect Letter would somewhat revolve around the world of the shows Chris hosts, but I was wrong. The characters feel real, the mystery surrounding a murder is tangible, and the romance put me through a myriad of emotions. 

I highly recommend this book. Get “The Bachelor” out of your head and think “The Notebook” instead. A moving read with depth and purpose. 

A+ and 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ARC from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Rouge Heroes by Ben MacIntyre

The author, Ben MacIntyre, knows how to engage a reader. It’s a real page turner. The book does a fine job of depicting the amazing history of the SAS during WWII. 

The focus of Rouge Heroes is on the founder of the SAS, David Stirling, but there is a full list of all the men involved at the end of the book. 

This page turner is a must read for any military history buff. The unorthodox ways the SAS’s road to success Instead of “standing down”, David Sterling gained permission to form his own type of team. The notorious and highly regarded, SAS.

The photographs throughout the book brought the subject to life, and made the book even more interesting.

4 stars

I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper

Sweet Tea and Sympathy is the first book I’ve read by Molly Harper, and it will certainly not be the last. This story is so witty I laughed to tears several times. After finishing the book, I stood at my stove, cooking dinner and busted out laughing about random, hilarious banter from the book. (Yeah, that earned me a weird look from the others gathered in the kitchen.) 

Sweet Tea and Sympathy is full of memorable, witty, and tear-jerking scenes. I found it hard to put the book down. 

Molly Harper’s author voice sprinkled sweetness and reality throughout. All the characters are REAL. Yep, kudos to the author. 

The main character, Margot, is easy to like—and sympathize with. She stumbles through sudden changes in her life. From culture shock between her former home of Chicago, to the southern quirks (and charm) of Lake Sackett, Georgia is not the only stumble. She has a whole family to adjust to—one she has not been in contact with since she was a young child. The loving, open-armed welcome she receives is yet another thing she needs to acclimate to.

Though the McCready family is huge, the author did a fine job of making each one memorable. I didn’t have any problem figuring out who was who. 

Margot’s growth is gradual, and I found myself chuckling, wiping a tear, and biting my nails during the many twists and turns in Sweet Tea and Sympathy. 

I adore the author’s voice, and her quirky way of writing about everyday life. I will certainly read more of her books. 

5 stars

I received this complimentary copy from Net Galley.

Save a Truck, Ride a Cowboy by Molly Harper

Molly Harper’s novella, Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck, is a great introduction into her series. I love the location of Lake Sackett, GA. I don’t know if such a place really exists, but the author made it real if it isn’t. I read this book after enjoying Sweet Tea and Sympathy, and only then realized Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck was the first in the series—not the second like it is depicted on Amazon. 

The southern comfort of family and values is prevalent throughout this book. However, the main character, Marianne is aghast when her old beau is the tow truck who comes to her rescue after her unfortunate near-miss with a deer. This is certainly not the entrance she had hoped to portray upon visiting her folks for the summer after attending college for 4 years. She did not leave on a good note—and to run into her high school sweetheart after breaking his heart, is super uncomfortable. 

The trek through southern charm and sass is a fun read. As usual, Molly Harper spurs blasts of laughter throughout the book. 

I highly recommend this short but sassy novella. It’s a great introduction into the world of the McCready family. 

The Girl in the Picture by Kerry Barrett

I love dual time period books; but they must be intricately woven to keep me interested.

The Girl in the Picture by Kerry Barrett does not disappoint. In addition to the historical aspect, the mystery is believable and intriguing.

Ella, is the present day main character while Violet’s life is reflected during the mid 1800’s. The mystery revolves around the disappearance of Violet. Something the villagers still talk about 150 years later.

The uncanny parallel lives are what hooks Ella’s heartstrings and piques her drive to dive into the mystery. They both lost their mothers and unborn baby sibling at the age of five. In turn a strained, but loving relationship with their fathers ensues…along with insecurities.

Ella, has left her secure job as an accountant to write full time. They move from London and rent an old home in a small village—Violet’s former home. Soon, she hears about the history behind the house.

Violet, a talented painter, is swayed by a married neighbor, Edwin. The 1800’s is no place for a woman with dreams, but Edwin encourages her, and tells her he has ties in the art world. He is a predator in every sense of the word. (I hated him.)
Violet is an innocent, sheltered eighteen-year-old young woman. She is swayed by Edwin’s snake-like charm, and soon allows him into her life and heart.

It was painful to watch. Yeah, I said watch. The author actually planted me in the story so well it felt as if I watched the scenes play before my eyes. The switch between present day and 1855 were seamless.
The characters are easy to love, except for Edwin. He is a villainous sleaze.

The mystery unfolds a little at a time, and I followed along with undying interest. I didn’t find the ending unbelievable, as I do some mysteries. This plot was well thought out.

Ella and Violet stumble through their insecurities, but there is growth in both main characters.

I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes dual time period mysteries.