Book Review-The Substitute Groom-Denise Grover Swank

About the book (from authors website)

Megan Vandemeer meant  to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it’s to come clean–a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex. A couple of drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger in the seat next to her.

With only one week left to save his business, Josh McMillan boards a plane to Kansas City in a last-ditch effort, leaving the details to chance. An unexpected answer is delivered in the form of the beautiful brunette beside him. Though she’s completely loopy, her honesty, openness, and humor charm him. So when she passes out before landing, he helps her off the plane–a good deed that leads to a colossal misunderstanding. Her parents assume he’s her fiancé. In a twist of fate, the mix-up might help Josh save his business, so he plays along, figuring he can help Megan too. All he has to do is stage a public break up convincing enough to appease her mother.

Josh is only supposed to be a substitute groom, but the more time he and Megan spend together, the more their pretend engagement starts to feel real…and the less they want to break it off. Can a relationship that began as a farce turn into happily ever after?

About the series . . . 

The Wedding Pact is a hilarious, New York Times bestselling series based on the lives of three friends who received a curse from a fortune teller when they were kids. The curse, that each of them will marry before thirty, have a disaster of a wedding, and end up with a man other than her original fiancé, works its way into the lives of Megan, Blair, and Libby causing utter chaos and the occasional wedding.

About the author

Available

Purchase Links: iBooks | Amazon US. | Amazon UK | Amazon AU  | Amazon DE | Amazon CA | Kobo | Google Play

And I thought. . . 

I enjoyed The Substitute Groom.  I read the book on my phone using the Kobo app.  It was a free title.  

I enjoy a good 'ole sweet romance.  I got what I like.  The story is fast paced and only happens over a few days.  Making it a little unbelievable but that's o.k.  

The story is about Meagan who can't seem to tell her mother that 

she broke her engagement six weeks ago.  She accidentally meets Josh on a flight to Kansas City for her wedding that isn't going to happen or so it seems.  Opp's.  After taking Dramamine and drinking a little too much on the flight she ends up telling Josh her sad break up story and about her fears to break the news to her parents.  
The plot thickens.  It wouldn't be fair to tell you more.  You'll have to read it.

Josh and Meagan are delightful.  
The other characters are quirky and fun.  Meagan's two best friends both have very different personalities and opinions about Meagan and Josh.  One is for them 'getting together'.  The other goes overboard trying to find 'dirt' on Josh and send him packing. 

Meagan's mom and grandmother are both a bit crazy and funny.
There is a lot of humor and scenes that might just crack you up.

There are a few bedroom scenes that don't actually happen in the bedroom.  

Overall this was a good story.  I am looking forward to reading the remainder of the series. 

I read this book on my phone using the KOBO app.
I was not asked to review this book. 

This review will be posted on Amazon and Good Reads.
This review will also appear on the Springtime In Magnolia Book Club.

No Way Up-Mary Connealy-Book Review

About the book (provided by Bethany House)

The Fight for the Cimarron Ranch Has Just Begun!
When Cimarron Ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, only the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Before leaving by train to receive treatment to save his leg--and possibly his life--Chance demands that Heath read the patriarch's will and see its conditions enforced immediately. If Chance's three bickering adult children, Justin, Sadie, and Cole, don't live and work at the ranch for an entire year, ownership of the ranch will pass to a despised distant relative. 

Before long, however, Heath discovers that the avalanche may have been intentionally set--and that more danger lurks ominously. Finding his own future--and a desired future with Sadie--locked up in saving the Cimarron Ranch, Heath and the Boden siblings must work together against outside forces that threaten them all.

About the author ...

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

And I thought ...

A fun little summer read.  Give me a Cowboy and I'm happy.   I couldn't happier  No Way Up is full of Cowboy's!  

It was an easy fast read.  The story only takes place in a few days but it is filled with tension as the Brode family fights no only for their ranch but to stay alive!  There is suspense in the air as some unknown villain try's to 'take them out'.  

There was a little sibling squabbling going on as Sadie annoys her brothers when she starts becoming interested in ranch hand Heath. 

The humor comes out in the story as each of the siblings 'fire' Heath for one reason or another.  Mostly for getting caught kissing the irresistible Sadie.  

I enjoyed the sub story line about Angelique who comes to town to work at the orphanage when Sadie has to leave her position to 'help at home'

I'm a little curious if Book 2 will offer us a little romance with the new in town Angelique and one of the brothers.  

No Way Up (Kind of a strange title to me which is explained within just a few pages) is book 1 of the Cimmarron Legacy. 

I look forward to Book 2.  

No Way Up was a good summer read appropriate for all audiences.  

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. 

This review will be posted at My Journey Back, Good Reads, retail sites and linked at blog linky parties.  

Visit these retails to read additional reviews or purchase:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBC.

Someone Like You--Victoria Bylin--Book Review

                                                    

                                              There is a giveaway.  Click here to enter.
         I would have bought this one because of the cover!
Speaks 'Dreamy' to me.  This is probably the best cover I've seen all year.  
                      The inside's not too shabby either.  

What it's about . . . (provided by Litfuse)

Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate.

A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father’s less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort’s general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

And I thought . . . 

The story was almost as dreamy as the cover. This was just a fun read.   Complete with two romances!

 To me it wasn't the typical romance kind of story where the couple slowly gets together and then drama tears them apart and then they get back together at the end.  

Zeke and Julia were a couple during their college years.  Julia broke off their relationship and ended up with Hunter Zeke's nemesis from college 

Whoa.  A bit awkward when they meet again and still have feelings for each other some 5 or so years later.  Especially since Julia has a son. 

As Zeke and Julia both struggle with work related situations. Julia has a brand new business as an event planner.  Zeke is managing a resort that's seen better days. 

Zeke and Julia join forces as Julia plans a wedding for the resort owners that are considering selling Julia struggles with dealing with her son's father Hunter.  Who is a piece of work!  I had a difficult time with the relationship and character of the father.  Mostly because it was too close to home.  (Hunter was out of touch with reality and didn't have any parenting skills!) 

All the while Zeke is struggling with keeping the resorts doors open.  Fighting his feelings for Julia.  And struggling with his feelings about God.

While all this is going on Julia's widowed mother becomes involved with the owner of the resort where Zeke and Julia are working. 

Someone Like You is filled with not only sweet romance (no bedroom scenes) but struggles with faith, forgiveness and redemption.  

And there's some humor too.  A terrorizing goat named Lady Bug that wrecks havoc for Chet the grizzled old Cow Hand.  

The pace was steady and the story kept me interested from page one all the way to the end making this a 5 star book!

Here's a little about the author . . .

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.

Find out more about Victoria at http://www.victoriabylin.com

I received a complimentary copy of Someone Like You from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. 

To read more reviews or purchase visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble or ChristianBook(dot)Com.  This reviews is posted on these consumer sites and on Good Reads.

This review is be posted at MyReadingJourneys

This review will be linked on  FaceBook , Pinterest and blog linky parties (See the list on my Blog Party Page)  

Wrinkles, Waistlines and Wet Pants-Book Review

Wrinkles, Waistlines and Wet pants

A re-post.  My original post is here. 

Turned out better than I first thought. I actually had a tough time with the first few pages. The book started with the first few chapters talking about doctors visits and dignity. Personally I would have put those chapters in the middle of the book and replaced the first ones with the chapters about working out or dealing with hair coloring or something.

It is a fairly decent length book of 242 pages and it is a funny read. I think if my mother was a reader she would enjoy it. I know my sister would and I know lots of women and bloggers that would enjoy the book.

From the back cover: Wrinkles, Waistlines, and Wet Pants is an irreverent look at aging. Fashion, self-improvement and social etiquette are thrown out the window in this hilarious book that disregards good taste and dignity. The author disproves the theory that fifty is the new thirty with anecdotes, some of them actually true. 

But personally. I just thought it was ok. Lot's of parts are really hilarious like the whole incident at the fitness center in Chapter 16 and the chapters about dealing with pets were really funny also. I thought chapter 2 The Intervention and then Chapter 3 Beauty Abounds at Allure n Appeal were quite funny.

But as the back of the book describes it is irreverent and disregards good taste and dignity.

Personally would I buy it for myself? I would have to say no. Personally would I buy it for my sister absolutely. She would love it! Personally would I buy it for my sister in law. Well she would absolutely love it. But personally I wouldn't buy her anything. If she was nicer to me Yes I would definitely buy her a copy. Personally would I check it out of the library? Maybe.

So if you know some really crazy women that love humor. I personally think anyone that loves to read humor or watch comedians would love this book. I don't think you have to be 50 or older to appreciate it. My husband actually might even enjoy it. I'll have to ask him to check it out.

You can purchase at Amazon here's the link. Here's the link to the authors website for more info. It can also be purchased here at he publishers site.

About the book:
Wrinkles, Waistlines and Wet Pants by JeanneKraus
ISBN: 978-1450200850
Publisher: iUniverse
Date of publish: Feb 3, 2010
Pages: 256
S.R.P.: $19.95

This book was offered for review by the author through Bostick Communications. 

Kissed A Cowboy-Debra Clopton-Book Review

Kissed by a Cowboy--Book Review

                                          
I had to giggle when I was offered this book for review.  
All my readers know that my husband is referred here on the blog as The Cowboy.  

I enjoyed the story line in this fun little book.  It's a little bit of the typical story of boy meets girl.  Boy runs from girl/romance.  
Girl gets married/divorced and comes back to town and that's kind of where the typical ends . . . 
The story of Rancher Jarrod and Cassidy's budding long overdue 
romance is charming, funny and eventful.  
Jarrod's character is strong, stoic and exasperated with Cassidy's 
stubbornness.  Her quirkiness keeps him on his toes.
Their romance is woven around her plans to open a Bed and Breakfast and Jarrod's own struggle of running the family ranch while his cattle are being rustled. 

I loved this modern day Cowboy romance.  

I was a bit sad to see that this is the 3rd and last installment in The Four Of Hearts Ranch series.   I'd love to read books 1 and 2.

It's setting in Wishing Springs, Texas was pure romance for me. 
I'd like to see more of the characters in Wishing Springs.  

On a side note: This book is published as a Christian novel yet it isn't overly 'church ie' feeling which I think might appeal to someone who doesn't normally read this genre.  

And I think that is a good thing. 

Overall this was a fun 4 star read.  

This book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and
Christian Book (dot) com.

Fine Print:
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. 

Sit, Stay, Love--Book Review

 Novel--Book Review

                                                   
                                      The author is committed to donating a portion of the proceeds
                                                                 toward senior dog rescue

                        Please don't confuse this book with a children' s book with the same title

I laughed from Chapter 1.  I giggled from Chapter 2.  And all the way through.  

My first thought was this book is just gonna be a chuckle.  Is there any depth?  I found it to be light-heartened and fun.  

I enjoyed the characters.  The hero is a professional baseball player described as a abrasive.  The heroine is described as quirky.

And, yes there was depth as Cal struggles with his feelings of insecurity and with forgiveness.  

From the back cover . . . 
Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother’s elderly dog, Tippy, he’s quick to call on a pet-sitting service. Gina isn’t thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can’t abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy. As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too… Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together. 

A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

"There's just something about a dog, isn't there? What is it about these loyal, quirky, laughable, loving creatures that turn our lives upside down? I've been honored to share my life with many canine companions and each one has taught me a thing or two (or three.) In this novel, you'll meet Tippy, a dog who seems to be able to grasp the important things in life much better than his human companions. I'm convinced that God gave us dogs so we can have some adorable reminders about what unconditional love looks like. I hope you enjoy your travels with Tippy!"  

For more information about the authors other works visit her website.  Click Here. 

Dana Mentink, author of Sit, Stay, Love

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

"...[O]ne part comedy of errors and circumstance, one part innocent love story, and one part testament to the power of God's love and forgiveness. Cheers, laughter, tears, and thoughtful moments are guaranteed."

  I enjoyed Sit Stay Love.  It's worthy of my 5 star rating.

                                

This book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Christian Book(dot)Com.

This review is also posted on the above retailers websites. (click on the bold words for direct links) 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse and Harvest House Publishers.
This post is linked at:
The Art of Homemaking, Share Your Cup, Create With Joy Book Nook and  Literary Musings