Friday, February 24, 2012

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre

**I Only Have Eyes For You is book number 4 in the Sullivan Series. However, the characters show up throughout all the books, it is not necessary to read them in order**

The Look Of Love (Chase & Chloe, The Sullivans #1)
From This Moment On (Marcus & Nicola, The Sullivans #2)
Can't Help Falling In Love (Gabe & Megan, The Sullivans #3)

Look for the book, If You Were Mine coming out Summer of 2012!

This love story was yet a brilliant one by Bella Andre. In the previous books, it has all been about the Sullivan Boys, this one was about their younger sister, Sophie.

According to Goodreads:

Get ready for another Sullivan to fall in love in Bella Andre's bestselling contemporary romance series!

Sophie Sullivan, a librarian in San Francisco, was five years old when she fell head over heels in love with Jake McCann. Twenty years later, she's convinced the notorious bad boy still sees her as the "nice" Sullivan twin. That is, when he bothers to look at her at all. But when they both get caught up in the magic of the first Sullivan wedding, she knows it's long past time to do whatever it takes to make him see her for who she truly is...the woman who will love him forever.

Jake has always been a magnet for women, especially since his Irish pubs made him extremely wealthy. But the only woman he really wants is the one he can never have. Not only is Sophie his best friend's off-limits younger sister...he can't risk letting her get close enough to discover his deeply hidden secret.

Only, when Sophie appears on his doorstep as Jake's every fantasy come to life-smart, beautiful, and shockingly sexy-he doesn't have a prayer of taking his eyes, or his hands, off her. And he can't stop craving more of her sweet smiles and sinful kisses. Because even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn't the right thing to do...how can he possibly resist?


I really don't know why it is so hard for a man to admit when he is in love! This book seemed to go by faster than the others did. Maybe because I was able to read it straight through with no interruptions.  I enjoyed getting to know both Sophie's and Jake's characters. It's nice to know that the "nice" girls have a wild side. Sophie knew what she wanted and once she had the confidence in herself, she went after it.


I was a little surprised by Jake's secret considering Sophie's career choice. However, that doesn't define who a person is and Sophie realized that! I am so glad that Jake let down his guard and told Sophie about his childhood. He was so cute when it came to Sophie.


I have enjoyed reading each and every story thus far. Each story has its own unique love story. I can't wait to read Zach Sullivans story next and hopefully read a little more about Sophie and Jake along the way!


I rate this book 5/5!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Wings of Morning by Murray Pura

 **I received this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley. I am not required to give a positive review, just an honest one. This review is posted on Amazon, Goodreads, and my personal blog: http://nickswifey09.blogspot.com**

 According to Goodreads:


Lovers of Amish fiction will quickly sign on as fans of award-winning author Murray Pura as they keep turning the pages of this exciting new historical romance set in 1917 during America's participation in World War I.

Jude Whetstone and Lyyndaya Kurtz, whose families are converts to the Amish faith, are slowly falling in love.

Jude has also fallen in love with flying that new-fangled invention, the aeroplane.
The Amish communities have rejected the telephone and have forbidden motorcar ownership but not yet electricity or aeroplanes.

Though exempt from military service on religious grounds, Jude is manipulated by unscrupulous army officers into enlisting in order to protect several Amish men. No one in the community understands Jude's sudden enlistment and so he is shunned. Lyyndaya's despair deepens at the reports that Jude has been shot down in France. In her grief, she turns to nursing Spanish flu victims in Philadelphia. After many months of caring for stricken soldiers, Lyyndaya is stunned when an emaciated Jude turns up in her ward.
Lyyndaya's joy at receiving Jude back from the dead is quickly diminished when the Amish leadership insist the shunning remain in force. How then can they marry without the blessing of their families? Will happiness elude them forever?

Welcome a powerful new voice to the world of Amish fiction

This book definitely took on a new twist, at least where I was concerned. I have never read another book quite like this one. This story took place around 1917, WW1 and the Spanish Influenza epidemic. At first, I was a little hesitant to read this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

I was shocked to find out that at that time, aeroplanes were not banned from the Amish. I was so upset when the soldiers came to the community to take the Amish men away for war. Jude showed extreme strength throughout this book. He sacrificed himself so his friends could go home safely.

The more I read Amish books, the more I fall in love with their way of life.

The description throughout this book, was fantastic. Not only did I laugh, I also cried.

I rate this book 5/5!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Following Your Heart by Jerry S. Eicher


**I received this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley. I am not required to give a positive review, just an honest one.

Look for this review to be posted soon!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Missing Your Smile by Jerry S. Eicher

**I received this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley. I am not required to give a positive review, just an honest one**

 Susan Hostetler decides to leaver her Amish Community after her boyfriend, Thomas Stoll broke her heart. This begins Susan's journey in Asbury Park, New Jersey and the beginning of her new English life. In a short period of time Susan gets her GED, her driver's license, and falls in love with Duane. Meanwhile her parents miss her terribly and pray for her return home.


Just as Susan was settling into English life, she meets Teresa Long, an unwed mother to be. Teresa pleads with Susan to help her find a nice Amish family to adopt her baby boy. Little did Susan know that being drawn to Teresa would also keep her drawn to her Amish roots. Will Susan help Teresa find a nice Amish family to adopt her baby? Even if it means leaving Duane behind as well? To find out read: Missing Your Smile.


I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book that I have read by Jerry S. Eicher and I wasn't disappointed. Let's talk about the story. As the story unfolded, it was apparent that Susan was not completely ready to give up her Amish roots. Keeping that in mind, she was still willing to try. Hence, she received her GED and got her drivers license. I think Susan was a God sent to Robby throughout this story. She helped him in more ways than she could even imagine.


I enjoyed that there was more than one story line going on. Of course there was Susan's story, Susan and Duane, Susan and Laura, Susan and Robby, and of course Susan's parents story. All of which kept me wanting to turn the pages. 


The ending of the story has left me waiting to start the next book in the series, Follow Your Heart. I am curious to see what happens to Teresa as she enters the Amish Community. I am also curious to see what life has in store for Susan.


I rate this book 5/5!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina by Loree Lough

Holly Leonard is not your ordinary doctor. In fact, she is not your ordinary Marine Biologist either. Holly is energetic, clumsy, and warm spirited. Holly embarks on her journey to Folly Beach, South Carolina to help Parker Brant with his book for the summer.

Parker, ex-military, just wants to get his book finished. He pictures Holly being this grandmother looking type of doctor. Imagine his surprise when he realizes that she is the complete opposite. At first sight, he is mesmerized by her. He can't help imagine how this summer will turn out. Is love in the air? To find out read: Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina.

I enjoyed my short visit in South Carolina. I thought this book was both fast paced at the beginning and slow paced at the end. I enjoyed the journey that Holly and Parker embarked on together. I enjoyed getting to know their characters as well as Hank and Maude.

I was a little disappointed with the ending. I thought there could have been more to it.

I did enjoy the description and the fact that I could imagine myself in the story.

I rate this book 4/5

Monday, February 6, 2012

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

**Regardless if you are a military family or not, this book will bring both joy and tears. The Home Front makes you re-think about what really matters in life; life, love, and happiness. Be prepared to ride an emotional roller coaster**

According to Goodreads:



In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war.

All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life---children, careers, bills, chores---even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own---for everything that matters to his family.

At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope. 

I normally try and summarize a book myself. However, I think Kristin Hannah summed it up quite well. I had my reservations about reading this book. I heard there was bad language being used. There is. However, I feel that it wasn't used out of context. In fact, if I was in the situation; it probably would have been a lot worse!

I am a military wife. I know what it is like to watch your spouse leave and go to war. I also know what it is like to be on the home front. I know I worried all the time when my husband was gone. They always tell us spouses that no news is good news. Really? For who? I must say I can relate to Michael a lot in this story. I may not have always agreed with they way he treated Jolene in the beginning but it took his wife being away at war for him to realize what he had. It happens to all of us.

My husband always says that the people you meet in the military are like family. You are with them just as much as you are with your family, sometimes more. With that being said, I can understand the bond between Jolene and Tami, a bond like only sisters have. I am so glad that they had each other when they needed each other the most.

The Home Front really hit home for me. I laughed and cried even more as the story progressed. I can totally relate to the fear that one experiences and the ups and downs that come with being associated with the military. My husband loves what he does. He is proud to be a soldier and I am so proud of him for his sacrifices. We must never forget that our soldiers wouldn't be able to do the job that they do if it wasn't for the people back on the home front and the people on the home front wouldn't be able to be strong if it wasn't for the man/woman that they stand behind.

I rate this book 5/5!!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq by Kristen Holmstedt

According to Goodreads:

 In Iraq, the front line is everywhere...and everywhere in Iraq, women in the U.S. military fight. More than 155,000 of them have served in Iraq since 2003--four times the number of women sent to Desert Storm in 1991--and more than 430 have been wounded and over 60 killed, almost twice the number of U.S. military women killed in action in Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm combined. Band of Sisters presents twelve amazing and often heart-wrenching stories of American women in the frontlines including America's first female pilot to be shot down and survive, the U.S. military's first black female combat pilot, a 21-year-old turret gunner defending a convoy, two military policewomen in a firefight, a nurse struggling to save lives, including her own and more...

I thought that I would read this book because of my affiliation with the military. I am an Army Wife. I have heard of the struggles that women have had, and still have being in the military. Many still believe that the military is not a place for a woman. 

I will say that the book, The Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq was alright. I was hoping for more in-depth details about there experiences in Iraq. This book covered a handful of women's encounters as they experienced it. The writing style wasn't my cup of tea and the author seemed to only gather the basic information to write the book. I felt that more emotion and detail could have been put into writing this book.


I rate this book 3/5

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn

Sierra came to Sunset Beach, Hawaii for relaxation and to make one of the biggest decisions of her life; go back to Brazil or stay in the states. She did not come for the surfing, and she certainly didn't have love in mind.

Jordan came to Hawaii on an assignment. First, he was to photograph a wedding and then the surfing competition. He certainly wasn't looking for love. His career was finally taking off and he was enjoying the ride.

Jordan and Sierra happen to meet at the wedding. This is where their journey begins. Both realize the connection but are focused on business. Will Sierra and Jordan find love on Sunset Beach? Will they go their separate ways? To find out read: Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii.

I must say that I enjoyed my journey in Hawaii. I almost felt as though I was there experiencing everything that Sierra felt. I could imagine the rain on my face, the wind blowing in my hair, and the salt on my face. The description in the book was spectacular.

For those who believe in the higher power(God), you may believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe this is true when it came to Sierra and Jordan. It was no coincidence that they were both at the wedding and neighbors in the apartment. That was God. He opens doors for you. As long as you believe.

I have enjoyed the Love Finds You in series very much. Each book I read brings a whole new adventure. I especially liked this one because of the characters. I felt as if they were friends of mine.

I rate this book 5/5!