Two Reviews Are Better Than One

Good evening, ladies!

I've been doing a bunch of reading lately--is that any surprise?! *wink* And I would like to devote this post to two books I've finished in the past week.

The Wedding Journey

Book Rating: Here a little, there a little

I thought this little LIH was very cute. If you are needing a quick read, lots of adorable romance and a fun setting, this has it. However, for me the heroine was a bit too blunt and at times naive for my taste. (But the hero sure seemed to like it! *teehee*) Cheryl St. John is a talented writer, conveys the emotions and situations very skillfully, but her style really wasn't my cup of tea.
All of that being said, its a sweet story and I would recommend reading it.
(Buy it!)

The next story, however . . .

Sisters of Mercy Flats

Book Rating: Meh. . .

It has been a V-HERY long time since I've rated a book in my lowest category. And, as you know I really don't like to do it. This little story had a lot going for it, but in the end, well, I found everything completely lacking.
The heroine Abigail, in my opinion, had nothing going for her and I hate to lay blame at her door, but I must--she did this story in, in my opinion. I suppose the author was trying to create a relationship between the hero and heroine that was full of jocular sparring, but I didn't see it. As for the hero, he had too many issues (that were mentioned too late in the book) for me to relate to him.
It was a quick read, very short and very fast. There was some good adventure, but it was tainted by Abigail's tedious personality.
Again this is all my own opinion.

Feeling adventurous? (Pun intended *teehee*)
Buy it!

Rugged and Relentless

It’s hard for me to write reviews about books I don’t care for.  I want to be honest and give my true opinion, but I fear appearing harsh or unkind.  That being said, this latest book was really tough for me to get through.  So, here’s my honest review…*long sigh*

Book Rating: Meh…

I reserve my lowest rating for books that I will never read again.  DISCLAIMER:  There is nothing morally wrong in this book—in fact it has a great Christian element to it.  It was simply the story and writing style that was so unappealing to me.

This was my first book by Kelly Eileen Hake, and I’m not sure I will be able to read any more of hers if they are all like this.  There was something about her style that I simply could not get used to!  First off, there were gobs of characters, which made it difficult for me to follow—and also made it difficult for me to get attached to the hero and heroine who were supposed to be the “main” characters!  I felt like I had to spend too much time reading about other people.  Now, keep in mind this is the first book in a series, so I can understand that the author wanted you to become familiar with the other characters of the other books, but still—it was too much for me.

My next little-bitty beef was, the fact that I felt that there was so little romance.  Romance!!  Where was it?!  It was sprinkled in here and there, and then it picked up a bit at the end, but I still felt like, “That was it?!”

A story should grab you in at least the first few pages.  The characters should be so real you feel like you know them through and through.  I got none of that with RUGGED AND RELENTLESS.

Again, this is just my take on things…I always suggest you read it for yourself and come to your own conclusions.  But as for me, I won’t be reading this again.

Also, sorry, I won’t be giving a synopsis of the book here.  But I will give you what's on the back of the book:  “WANTED: 3 God-fearing men…object: marriage and joint ownership of sawmill.”  Sounds interesting doesn't it?  I know!  That's why I read it!

If you read it, please let me know what you think and tell me if I’m just way off-base here.



Happy Reading!
Buy it!

Courting Trouble

Courting Trouble is a book that I declined to read for a while, based on the, um, very unflattering reviews I’d seen.  (And “unflattering” is putting it lightly…)  But, I said to myself, “Amber, be brave.  Venture forth with courage.”  Well, actually, it may have been more like, “Eh, just read it.”  So I did.  I would like to be able to echo the sentiments of the few pleasing reviews that I read, but alas, I cannot.

Book Rating:  Meh…

I hate to do it.  I hate to rate this book so low, but I just have to.  This is my first “Meh…” rating.  I can honestly say that I went in to this book truly believing that I would like it.  Every Gist book that I have read so far I have thoroughly enjoyed--loved, really.  I struggled through the first bit, and after a while, I decided I just couldn’t finish it.

Essie is a “spinster”.  At the ripe old age of thirty she is afraid she will never get married.   So, she chooses a kind, older widower and decides that she will use her charms to get him--whether she is in love with him or not.  She desperately wants a family of her own!  Then along comes a “drifter” of sorts named Adam.  He’s handsome, flattering and a complete scoundrel!  Wow.  I disliked Adam from the beginning and that dislike grew to a strong visceral hatred as I continued reading.

As Essie and Adam’s relationship develops, I kept thinking to myself, “Holy cow!  Poor girl, can’t she see he is just using her!  He is SO creepy!”  He continues to get more forward with her, (ew!) and gets her to be more and more physical with him (jerk!) until finally they…well… I was super uncomfortable with that, and I couldn’t keep reading.  I skimmed the rest, and I kind of got the feeling that Gist might have been trying to share a message of repentance and God’s loving atonement—which is a very good thing, since we are all sinners.  But I have to admit, reading about their encounters was just too much for me. 

But, please don't be hatin' on me! I could not be a bigger Gist fan, at all! She is wonderful and a very gifted writer, but this book just didn't do it for me--but you might love it, and if you read it, please let me know what you thought!

I wanna hear what you think about it!

Happy Reading!

Buy it!