The Guy Next Door/Kate Palmer

Synopsis:

    "On the surface, Eva Black's life seems practically perfect. The small-town kindergarten teacher is set to wed ambitious lawyer Sean Langley, and their plans for a dream wedding are well underway. Eva accepts that she will soon live life in the spotlight as a member of the prestigious Langley family, but can she overlook her fiance's tendency to dominate the details of her life and push the limits of her standards?
    Mere weeks before the wedding, Eva is thrown into a traumatic, life-changing event that changes her view of her ideals and Sean's. With her engagement to Sean in jeopardy, Eva finds herself relying on the support and encouragement of Peter, her kind and attentive next-door neighbor. Faced with a choice between her penitent fiance and the increasingly mysterious Peter, Eva is unprepared for the consequences-and peril-that come with her decision."

Review:

    Eva has lost a lot in her life. With another tragedy, she finds herself in a situation that she knows was meant to be, but her fiance Sean has different plans. Then enters Peter, her new next door neighbor, who happens to be her brother-in-laws cousin and a very mysterious man. He wont tell her anything about his job, and always leaves for long periods of time. But always seems to be there when she needs help.
    When the truth finally comes out about who Peter is, it was by mistake. Now Eva, Sean, and Peter may be at risk of losing their lives. Through a shocking encounter of betrayal they never saw coming, they have to work together or die. And if they survive, where does Eva's heart belong?
    This was a fun romance, mystery, suspense, drama. A touch of everything your looking for in a book. I have to say that I gravitated a little more towards a certain love interest then the other. I know she ended up with the right man. I am not sure but I think Kate might be doing a sequel. There is definitely enough to go on for another book, but it does leave you comfortable at the end of this one.
    It was a great read, It makes you look at your family in a different way as well. Cherish the people you hold close, because at any time they could be taken from you.
    I cant wait to see what Kate writes in the future (I hope a sequel). hehe

The Guy Next Door

  ** I will be posting my review for this book on the 14th of this month, so stay tuned..............

Guest Post by the Author Kate Palmer:

 Fall colors now dot the mountain view from my kitchen window. Each morning I wake to the crisp, clean smell of fall. The changing seasons signal a time for accounting in my own life, a time to reflect and set new goals. I’m grateful it comes four times a year here. I don’t know if I’d accomplish as much living in a more temperate clime.

I look forward to this time to reenergize and refocus. The changing seasons bring new excitement, new energy, new challenges, and new growth.

October 2008 is when I decided to try writing fiction. It’s been an intense four years of study and learning for me. I enjoy challenges and this latest project has certainly been one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s good to push myself to accomplish something difficult. I believe goal setting and achieving is key to feeling worthwhile.

However, this goal setting is a balancing act of great importance for me. I have to remember that accomplishing my personal goals only feels satisfactory if my goals as a wife and mother get first priority. Otherwise, I feel like a failure. There is a scripture in the Bible that has become my mantra.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

These words are my guiding light in my many seasons of life.

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back/Sariah Wilson

Synopsis:

   "Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her."

Review:

    This YA novel was absolutely fantastic! I have always been a fan of Cinderella stories (Ask anyone who knows me, that Cinderella is my favorite princess). This story takes it to an all new level.
    Mattie has loved Jake Kingston for years but when Ella, her step-sister starts dating him, Mattie's whole world seems to crumble around her. Her mother is no help either. Her Father loves her but spends most of his time in his art studio. When Mattie gets an up close encounter with the love of her life, she comes to question why she ever fell in love with this jerk. But things aren't as they seem and things around her start changing drastically. With the help of Ella, things start looking up, and she doesn't even have to blow out the candles on a birthday cake for her wish to come true!
    I laughed a lot while reading this book. I found myself Fighting alongside Mattie while she underwent changes as a senior in High School, and outside of school. This book had romance, comedy, drama, and courage. Even though this book was written for young adults I read it in a few hours cause I didn't want to put it down. If you are a fan of Cinderella and romance, this is a book for all ages!
    Sariah also has other books out as well that are great, so check those ones out too!

Castles On The Sand/E.M. Tippetts

Summary:

   "Madison Lukas knows her place in the world. She's not pretty, not interesting, and therefore easy to forget. John Britton is serving his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has been praying for fifteen years to find the sister he lost in his parents' divorce. She is beautiful, talented, and makes kindness a fine art.
    When John and Madison cross paths, he recognizes her at once, but Madison is certain that he's got it all wrong. Even if she is his long-lost sister, she can't possibly be the exceptional, amazing girl he thinks she is, can she?"

Review:

    So Madison has to deal with High School and all the drama that goes with it. Her best friend Kailie I found to be a bit crazy, but who doesn't have one or more friends like that? Being a good friend Madison sticks by Kailie no matter what predicament she finds herself in. Madison is faced with lots of peer pressure, but to me handles it well. Her long lost brother shows up whom she didn't even know existed, and finds out she has two other older brothers as well.
    John helps Madison realize how special she really is when those around her make her feel useless, when the truth is, she is always there for everyone but herself. John is an angel sent to her and will not give up trying to make his little sister realize what a wonderful and beautiful person she is.
    She also has 3 different guy's in her life. There's JP, Carson, and Alex. They all bring something different and I truly believe she ends up with the right guy!
    Another great book from Emily! She always brings something new with each book she writes. I cant wait to see what the next one will bring!

Paige/Annette Lyon

Synopsis:

   "After a bitter divorce from her unfaithful husband, Paige moves from Utah to California with her two little boys and vows to make a fresh start. She finds a job at a dental practice that helps her get back on her feet, but it's the friends she makes at her new book club who help her realize how strong she is and who give her support to carry on as she faces challenges of being a single mom. She also meets Derryl, a wonderful, kind, attentive man who treats her right-something her ex never did. Yet, Paige struggles to figure out who she is as a woman rather than a wife, how to help her boys adjust to a broken home, and whether she can ever trust a man or love again. As Paige leans on the book club ladies and Derryl's ever present care, one thing becomes clear: healing from the past requires more than a change of address."

Review: 

   Paige is the third book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series and is written by a different author as all the books have, and will be.
   While reading about Paige it was interesting to see that Olivia, Daisy, and also Athena (that book comes out around November) seem to lean on Paige and confide in her compared to each other. I learned far more about Athena as well in this book then I did in the other two.
   Paige is a strength for single mother's and divorced women out there. If you are one of those women then you should pick up this book and realize you are special and important, not just to your kids, but your family and friends! You are AMAZING!
   I fell in love with Derryl and what a wonderful character he is. Doug I definitely disliked! What a creep, and not just to Paige, but his own boys!
   I enjoyed watching the friendship blossom between each of the very different women. It was a fun and insightful book. Friendship is what everyone needs, and who knows you might get your next friend attending a book club. Follow Paige this time around and take in some romance, drama, heartache, and a mothers love.

Choosing Charity/Terri Ferran

Synopsis:

   "When Kit learns that her biological mother wants to meet her, it seems her perfect life is about to come tumbling down. With a new job, a husband she adores, and friends all around her, can Kit possibly be expected to risk everything for a woman who left her in a dumpster to die?
    Of course, love comes in many forms. Now Kit's about to learn that when faith and hope aren't enough, charity can make things right."

Review: 

   This is the third and final book in the Faith, Hope, and Charity series. You do not need to read the first two to enjoy this book, but they help you understand how Kit and her husband Adam met and gives you better input on those people in her life. The first two books are called 1. Finding Faith  2. Having Hope
    I have to say that this was definitely my favorite in the series! Kit has really grown since the first book but still has many unexpected surprises still ahead of her that are brought forward in this last one. She faces her parents sudden divorce and juggling relationships with both and their changing lives. Also the fact that her biological mother finds her after all these years and it's not how Kit planned the meeting would go. Of course Adam is the perfect husband who helps her look past all the negative that's creeping up and brings in the positive. She also has great support from his family and their friends.
   I loved how Terri tied in the word "Charity" and used it in a couple different ways. It was truly an inspirational read! It had love, drama, heartache, laughter, and of course Faith, Hope, and Charity. Family is a powerful thing and these books hold to what it means to be one. To be there for one another, no matter the circumstance. Love never dies. 
   Read all three books and get the know Kit, Adam, and the rest of these fun characters Terri brought to life through her writing.

The Lost Stones/Paul Rimmasch

Review:

    Instead of putting up a synopsis I put up the book trailer. Check it out! The question to ask now is, what did happen to the 16 glowing stones that the Lord touched to bring forth light for the boats that brought the Brother of Jared and his people to the Promised Land? This book is a work of fiction, but uses historical facts from the Book of Mormon.
    Ammon Rogers grew up in an LDS home, but fell away until he returned home from his 2nd tour in Iraq. Now at BYU he is trying to find ways to produce alternate energy. Still trying to understand the truthfulness of the Gospel and Book of Mormon he finds himself traveling with John Byrd and his feisty daugther Sariah. From Utah, to Mexico, to a few other places on the map, they search for clues on the whereabouts of those lost stones which could be the answer to Ammon's alternate energy solutions. While on this journey they must evade "Accident Man" who is hired to stop those people who make significant discoveries and cause an "accident" before the findings can be heard.
    I would recommend this book to those who love history and archeology! It is a very informative book on ancient discoveries and possibilities. I liked how it explained the reason why the church doesn't use scientific proof to prove fact, even if it is genuine. It just goes to show you don't need proof to know the truth.
    Do they find the lost stones? Do they evade the "Accident Man"? Find it all out when you read this book by Paul Rimmasch.