The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts (The Innsboro Trilogy Book 2)

Title: The Last Boyfriend (The Innsboro Trilogy #2)

Author: Nora Roberts

Genre: Romance

Source: Bought

Published: Berkley Trade -May 1, 2012

Type:  Trade Paperback - 336 pages

ISBN: 9780425246030

Synopsis of Book:  Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish... 

Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent.

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…

 Why I Read This Book: I love this series and could not wait to read the second book in this series. I also read this with the Novel Ladies on Goodreads

 What I liked: I really liked how Nora makes the characters seem like real people. I also like the connection they have with each other. Another thing I enjoyed was watching Avery realize she was in love. 

 What I didn't Liked: Nothing, except Avery's mom. I was glad she was not around long. 

Overall Impression: I enjoyed learning a little more about Lizzie and can't wait for the next book so I can find out some about her story. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Owen found out about Willie B and his mom, I thought that was funny. I also enjoyed the part where Owen saw Avery in the drug store, it was funny to see him come unraveled. It is great the way all the brothers treat Clare's boys so good. It is just one big happy family. I really like the ending of the book with Owen and Avery. I have already pre-ordered book three as I can't wait to read the next installment. I give this book 5 stars. 

Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay ( Cupcake Bakery Mystery #2)

Title: Buttercream Bump Off (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #2)

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Source: won in contest

Published: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery -January 4, 2011

Type:  Mass Market Paperback - 219 pages

ISBN: 9780425239247

Synopsis of Book: Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura must be doing something right with their Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. Their business rival, Olivia Puckett, is parading up and down the sidewalk dressed as a giant cupcake to steal customers. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, she's clearly feeling desperate.
Unfortunately, she's not the only desperate one in Scottsdale, Arizona. Someone has iced Baxter Malloy on his first date with Mel's mother. Her mom had been hoping for someone drop dead gorgeous - but not literally. Now she's a suspect, and Mel and Angie need to find time between frosting Kiss Me Cupcakes to dig into Malloy's shady past and discover who served him his just desserts.
Why I Read This Book: I am a fan of cozy mysteries and a collector of them. I have become addicted to them. Also I read this with a friend from Novel Ladies on Goodreads
What I liked: I enjoyed the mystery of this book had to offer. I also liked that it is a fast fun read. My favorite characters are Mel and Joe.
What I didn't Liked: The only thing I can say that I did not like in this book is a couple of characters. I still do not like Olivia even though she has a little part in this book and I did not care for "Roach". Also the author left us hanging at the end of this book so you want to pick up the next one right away to see what happens to Angie.
Overall Impression: I liked this book just as much as I did the first one and I can't wait to read number three. I felt a little bad for Mel in this one. First she is having trouble getting her romance to move along and then her mom becomes a suspect in the murder of Baxter. Mel's mother is so nice who could even think she would murder someone. Angie is trying to find a relationship in Roach who is Baxter's son even though she still has feelings for Tate. I love the addition of the new character Martin. He is such a cute little old man who comes up with some great comebacks. I had no idea that the murderer ended up being who it was I had it all picked out to be someone else. Then a small cliffhanger at the end of the book left me wanting to plunge right into the next one - but I will not be reading it until September. I think overall this was a good cozy mystery and am glad I have continued with this series. 5 stars

Just Over the Mountain by Robyn Carr (Grace Valley #2)

Title: Just Over the Mountain (Grace Valley #2)

Author: Robyn Carr

Genre: Romance

Source: paperbackswap

Published: Mira - Romance - 2002

Type:  Mass Market Paperback - 364 pages

ISBN: 9780778326960

Synopsis of Book:
Here in this peaceful community, folks look out for one another like family, though sometimes a little too well. In a town like this, it's hard to keep a secret—but Dr. June Hudson has managed to keep one heck of a humdinger.…
Though visits from her secret lover, undercover DEA agent Jim Post, are as clandestine as they are passionate, somehow it fits with her demanding schedule as the town's doctor—a calling that requires an innate ability to exist on caffeine, sticky buns and nerves of steel.
But how can a secret lover compete with a flesh-and-blood heartthrob from her past? June's old flame has just returned to town after twenty years—and he's divorced. June is seriously rattled. So when the town's most devoted wife takes buckshot to her husband and some human bones turn up in her aunt Myrna's backyard, she's almost happy for the distraction.
Sooner or later, love will have its way in Grace Valley. It always does.
Why I Read This Book: I enjoy reading Robyn's books. Also I read this with the Novel Ladies on Goodreads
What I liked: I enjoyed how this book moved smoothly along. I also enjoyed getting to know each of the characters a little more. I still like June and Jim as well as John and Susan among others.
What I didn't Liked: I did not like having some unfinished parts at the end of the book, lol, but I know that is done so you will pick up the next book. I also did not like Chris or his boys. They were just not nice.
Overall Impression: I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first book in this series. I think I got to know the characters a lot more. There were some sad parts in the book but also some happy times. There is a big surprise in this installment of the series and I am very happy with it. I can't wait to see what happens next. I loved how John and Susan and Mike and Julianna had their little tiff and how it played out in the book. There were also some new townspeople introduced. I did not care for Chris and his boys but I liked Harry the new Pastor. Another thing I liked was the mystery behind the bones found in Myrna's yard. I suggest picking this book up. 5 stars.

Just Rewards by Barbara Taylor Bradford (Emma Harte Series #6)





Title: Just Rewards (Emma Harte #6)

Author: Barbara Taylor Bradford

Genre: Romance

Source: bought

Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks - October 3, 2006

Type:  Mass Market Paperback - 480 pages

ISBN: 9780312985752

Synopsis of Book:

Linnet O'Neill, great-granddaughter of Emma Harte, finds herself following in the footsteps of the original woman of substance as she battles to modernize the family business. Returning from her honeymoon full of fresh ideas for bringing the Harte empire into the new century, Linnet locks horns with her mother, Paula, in a battle about the future...

Tessa Fairley is ready to start a new life after an acrimonious divorce--which might include rivaling her sister Linnet for the top spot in the Harte business.

India Standish, who is planning her own glamorous summer wedding in Ireland, is thrown off balance when her fiancé's daughter Atlanta comes to live with them--closely followed by his unstable ex-girlfriend, intent on trouble.

Evan Hughes, their American cousin, unwittingly brings an enemy into their midst. But Evan's sister Angharad, who tries to infiltrate the quartet of young women, meets Jonathan Ainsley, the deadly enemy of the Hartes.

Together they find themselves in a web of vengeance wherein no Harte is safe.

Why I read this book: I read the first book in this series a long time ago and fell in love with Emma and as each book came along her family as well. I am a fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford and enjoy her books.

What I liked: I like the strong ties and bonds of the families. I also enjoy how each book in the series ties in with the last one to make one great ongoing story

What I didn't like: Sometimes the book read a little slow for me but not enough for me to stop reading it. Other than that the only thing I do not like is a few of the characters.

Overall Impression:

As I said above I have enjoyed this series from book one – A Woman of Substance. Emma Harte has become an idol of mine and I wish I could only be as strong of a woman as she was. Not only was she a strong woman she was a good mother who passed on a good values and work ethic to her children. She had two great friends in her life that eventually became family thru marriage of the three “clans” children. This only made each family have a stronger connection and bond with each other. To be a part of their family would have been an honor.

In this book there were a lot of trials for the three clans (Hartes, Oneills, and Kallinskis). Each of these trials and tragedies brought the family closer except for one the infamous Jonathan Ainsley. He is still out to ruin the family. In this book we are introduced to a new family the Hughes. We find out about a deep secret that Robin kept hidden for many years. This secret will bring out good and bad. One of the best things this secret brought out was Evan. She was one of my favorite characters and I enjoyed learning about her and her talents. She fits right in with the Harte clan. One of the bad things brought out was Anghared, Evan’s adopted sister. She is a female version of Jonathan. I think we will hear more about her in the next book in the series and she is going to be trouble with a capital T.

There were many ups and downs. We had many marriages and a few babies and some good changes in the family. But we also saw the death of some loved ones and some tragedies with some of the family. These only pulled the family closer together. There is a little cliff hanger at the end of the book that makes you want to pick up the next one right away to see what is going to happen.

I am looking forward to reading the last book in the near future (I have a few others I need to get to first, lol) but I will also be saddened as that is the last book in the series and I will miss reading about the family I have come to love. If you have not read any of this series, I would suggest running out and getting A Woman of Substance as it was a can’t put down book and each book in the series just added to the story this one included. I wish Harte’s store was a real store that you could travel to England to see as it sounds wonderful. I give this book 4 stars.

Life

I just wanted to post a note and tell you all why there has not been any posts/reviews lately. My dad had back surgery on July 12th. He was in the hospital for five days, coming home on the sixth day. Then just two days later he became sick and we ended up taking him via ambulance to the er on July 22nd. He has been in a total of three hospitals and is still in the hospital and will be there for probably a couple more days, then possibly to a rehab type place. His surgery was for bulging discs and stenosious (sp). He now has eight screws and a four inch metal rod in his back as well as they took bone marrow to make a paste to help hold the plastic discs in. This second bought in the hospital ended up being do to multiple infections. He has an infection on the skin that for some reason I can never remember the name of and he has menegitis (sp). It was pretty scary as at one point we were very afraid of what was going to happen. He was heavily medicated and under sedation for seven days.

Needless to say there was about a week or so that I just could not read, I tried but just could not concentrate. Well I am now back to reading when I can as things are still a little busy with fitting in hospital visits every other day. I should be finished with my book in the next day or two so I will be posting a review soon. Thank you for being patient with me.

Book Blogger Hop - July 20th - 26th

Crazy-for-Books Book Blogger Hop Link

This is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books. This weeks question is: What’s the ONE super-hyped book you’ll NEVER read?

I can think of four that I won't read. Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games and 50 Shades of Grey. I have nothing against the books or the authors they are just not for me. What book that the whole world loves will you not read? I would like to hear your thoughts. 

Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr (Grace Valley #1)

Title: Deep in the Valley (Grace Valley #1)

Author: Robyn Carr

Genre: Romance

Source: paperback swap

Published: Mira - January 1, 2010

Type:  Mass Market Paperback - 366 pages

ISBN: 9780778326953

 

Synopsis of Book: Visitors to the town often remark about the valley's peace and beauty—both of which are plentiful. Unlocked doors, front porches, pies cooling in the windows—this is country life at its finest. But visitors don't always see what lies at the heart of a community. Or just beyond… June Hudson grew up in Grace Valley, the daughter of the town doctor. Leaving only to get her medical training, she returned home and followed in her father's footsteps. Some might say she chose the easy, comfortable route…but June knows better.
For June, her emergency room is wherever she's needed—or wherever a patient finds her. She is always on call, her work is her life and these people are her extended family. Which is a good thing, since this is a town where you should have picked your husband in the ninth grade. Grace Valley is not exactly the place to meet eligible men—until an undercover DEA agent suddenly starts appearing at all sorts of strange hours.
Everybody has secrets down in the valley. Now June has one of her own.

Why I read this book: I read this book for more than one reason. First, I enjoyed reading all of Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and wanted to learn more about Grace Valley. Second, my online book club chose to do this book as a buddy read.

What I liked: I liked how the town pulls together when there is a crisis. I enjoyed getting to know each of the town members. Some of my favorite characters in the book are June, John Stone, and police chief Tom. I also liked how it was not all roses in the book, you had struggle but you saw how they worked thru it together.

What I didn't like: I didn't  like that I read the Virgin River series first. If you have not read any of the books I recommend starting with the Grace Valley trilogy first and then move on to Virgin River. I felt like I was back tracking a bit. A few of the characters I did not like were Myrna - she was a little strange to me, Gus and the preacher.

Overall Impression: I enjoyed this book and even though I wish I would have read this series before the Virgin River series I still thought is was a very good book. I like how things turned out for some of the towns people and can't wait to read the next book to see how things work out for some of the other towns people. I love how the small town is so close without seeming to be in everyone's business. It is sure not like the small town I grew up in, Grace Valley is a town where you love to live. 5 stars for me.