Summer Book Trek

It is my favorite time of the year...time for the Summer Book Trek!!!  I love to read so getting rewarded just makes it that much better.  Every one should head over to http://bit.ly/UGOyvh to enter too!

This month my goal is to read:

Annette Lyon Romance Collection
The Kiss that Launched 1000 GIFs by Sheralyn Pratt
With No Regrets by Julie Ford
Wildflowers and Kisses by Jaclyn M Haweks
Lined with Silver by Rosanne Wilkins
After the Wind by Jaclyn Hawkes
The Superstitious Romance by Anastasia Alexander
Last Play by Taylor Hart
Hello Again by Heather Tullis


And we will leave it with those for now.  If I need to add more later I will!!

Loving Helen (A Hearthfire Romance Book 2) by Michele Paige Holmes

 

 I recently had the chance to read and review Loving Helen. I was so happy that I did! I almost didn't take the chance to read it because I read Saving Grace and didn't just love it. Loving Helen is one I absolutely loved.

Here is a summary of the book from Amazon.com:
Eighteen-year-old Helen Thatcher grew up under the protection of her older siblings, Grace and Christopher. Living in their shadows and keeping to herself suited Helen just fine—until she met widower Samuel Preston. Watching Mr. Preston care for his young daughter and seeing his concern extend to her own family, Helen felt her reserve slipping away, as she learned first to trust him and then realized she had fallen in love with him. But instead of returning—or even noticing her affection—Mr. Preston developed his own tender, and unrequited feelings, for Grace. 

In the midst of each silently nursing their broken hearts, Helen and Samuel are faced with a daunting task—reuniting Grace with her fiancé, Nicholas Sutherland. Now it is Helen who must look out for her sister and sacrifice her own fragile heart, as she and Samuel pretend to be engaged. Helen finds the role surprisingly easy to play, allowing herself to imagine that Samuel’s loving remarks are sincere. As the time for their charade to end draws near Helen must summon her courage and tell Samuel the truth of her feelings, or risk losing him forever. 


 Here is a copy of my review on Amazon:

I do not normally like this type of romance book but I absolutely loved this one.  I loved that Helen’s story was continually progressing and changing instead of staying in one spot like many similar books do.  I have read Grace’s story and I can say I liked Helen’s story so much more.  Michele Paige Holmes does a very good job in her writing.  Her stories are real and she writes in a way that you are put right in the story.  The one thing I would change is that I would bring up the reason Helen has such a hard time around men earlier in the book.  It always talks about her being uncomfortable around men and especially when a man touches her she recoils.  It did not come out until later in the book that she had been attacked as a child.  I wish I would have known that before because you knew there was a reason.  It was hinted at but you didn’t learn what really happened for quite some time.  I would still highly recommend the book and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rough Edges: Allie's Story by Kimberly Krey

I just finished reading Rough Edges: Allie's Story.  I loved it.  It is the third book I have read by Kimberly Krey and I am really loving all of her books.

Summary from Amazon:
Divorced mother, Allie Emerson, never imagined she'd be raising two teenage girls on her own. Between parenting and paying the bills, she hasn't even thought about meeting a man. That changes once she hears local carpenter, Braden Fox, is in need of a secretary. Back in high school, Allie had done all she could to deny the sparks burning between her and Braden; but would the chemistry still be there after all this time?

Braden has heard all about what Terrance did to Allie and the girls, has been planning to stop by and see how she's getting along, but Allie beats him to it by showing up at his shop in search of a job. Her unexpected visit reignites the old flame Braden used to torch for her; trouble is, old feelings of resentment return as well. Allie did choose Terrance over him, after all. And as much as Braden wants Allie in his life, he's not sure he can open his heart to her again.

With this second chance at romance, will the

bumps in their relationship be too much to get over,

or will this carpenter learn to smooth out the past?


My review:

Kimberly Krey is quickly becoming a favorite author.  I love that she writes CLEAN romance stories.  There is a fade to black sex scene between a married couple in this book.  The language in the book is also clean.  I love that in this story Allie is trying to get her life back on track after a not very good marriage and divorce.  I love that she has tried to keep the dirty parts of her divorce away from her kids.  The love story of Allie and Braden is one that goes back to high school.  Fast forward to now and Allie goes in to Braden’s woodworking shop looking for a job.  I like that the story moved at a good pace…not too fast, not too slow!  I would highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a sweet romance story.  The main characters have some issues to work through and some setbacks but I like that they don’t give up and that they care enough about each other to help each other through the challenges they face.

I did receive a free copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.

Double Chocolate Chip Brownie

Today was an extra crazy day.  I am wondering if there is a full moon but I haven't checked!  Two of my kids came home from school and immediately started yelling and screaming at everyone.  They obviously had a horrible day at school and decided to take out their frustrations on the family.  I finally got them settled down, got the baby fed, and then it was time to think about dinner.  I hate finding time to make dinner amid all the homework craziness.  I also didn't make it to the grocery store today because the baby was asleep and I was not going to interrupt that time.  We put in an order to Papa Johns for some pizza.  I sometimes get the Chocolate Chip Cookie they have for a treat.  Today I noticed they had a new Double Chocolate Chip Brownie.  I thought it looked good so we got it.  It was so rich.  It think it is definitely a brownie you need to have ice cream with.  It could also be that I don't like things that are really rich or really chocolaty and this was both of those things.  So, if you are like me and want to grab some brownies with your next pizza order, make sure you have some ice cream to go with them or LOTS of milk!!

MORE COMING SOON

Watch for book reviews and other ideas to help you escape the craziness of everyday life coming soon!!

Why?

I have been thinking about starting this for a long time.  I am a mom to five kids ages 10 to 1.  Life can get a little crazy...or a lot crazy!  I have to find things that make me happy and keep me sane so that I can avoid going crazy.  My biggest escape is reading so most of the posts will be about books that I read.  My second favorite thing to do is find amazing deals on things my family needs so if I find any of those I might post them too.  Either way, I will hopefully be helping you find different ways to escape the craziness of your life so that you can keep your sanity too!