Review: From the Start by Melissa Tagg

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

My source for book: Review Copy

My Thoughts:
People in the public eye and entertainment industry often seem mysterious to me, so reading about them--even in a fictional way--is always intriguing. This novel's got two of those "public eye" figures, though they're on completely different levels. I liked Kate's involvement with writing screenplays for tv movies, as it's a behind-the-scenes job and not a common occupation for a novel character to have. I was also intrigued to see her feelings and reactions when people would watch the movies she had written. Her desire to move on to something more important in life--but feeling stuck where she's at--is something most people can likely relate to, and it was interesting to watch her branch out and piece together what she really wanted from life by spending time with a different set of people while visiting "home" in Maple Valley.

Since Colton is a retired football player, there is quite a bit of talk about football--though honestly not as much as I expected, which I was thankful for. Like me, Kate knows zero about the game, so the conversations never get overly technical or involved. If you are *not* a football fan, don't let that push you away from the book. It was actually good for me to read since it puts a face and personality onto a player, and it emphasizes that sports idols are just regular people like you and me, which is much different from the stereo-types and ideas we often have about them.

If you follow the author online at all, you know she is a big fan of Gilmore Girls. This is also pretty apparent by looking at some of the settings and different events that take place in Maple Valley. I won't get into specifics to avoid spoilers, but I admit I felt some things were ideas pulled directly from the tv show with just minor tweaking. I do love the Gilmore's, and maybe some of this was meant as homage to the show, but there's enough parallels between the two that it seemed like one of the characters should point it out as a good natured way to poke-fun-at and openly acknowledge it. That didn't happen though, so I think a few less parallels would've been more to my liking.

For those interested in this book, I recommend reading the novella "Three Little Words" beforehand, as it acts as a great intro to the town and some of the characters. It's not absolutely necessary, but it just adds a bit of back-story that's nice to have. (Plus it's a great story!)

Overall, I did enjoy "From The Start" for the most part, though I don't think it will be a story that sticks with me very long as it doesn't really stand out from the crowd in my mind. Still, I did enjoy it while reading, and I liked how the ending was happy but wasn't a carbon copy of many others. If you've enjoyed any of Melissa's previous stories, I would say picking this one up is a good bet as you'll likely enjoy it too.

My Rating: 4 stars

Thanks to the publisher (BethanyHouse) for providing me with a review copy via NetGalley.

Review: Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

My source for book: Personal Library

My Thoughts:
I love when a novella doesn't actually feel like a novella. The pacing on this one is really good, and it's very much a complete story despite the shorter length. It doesn't seem rushed or lacking details at all. Score!

While I couldn't identify with Ava's love of sports and (strange!) desire to be a football coach, I certainly could relate and sympathize--as I'm sure most can--to her struggle of knowing where to take her life next. As for Seth, I really admired his desire to keep his relationships solid and to not imitate his split-up parents. It was interesting to see him weigh this conviction against his feelings and come to terms with what he ultimately wanted.

I liked how the story was built on the basis of a long distance email friendship. Not many emails are actually featured, but they are the foundation for the growing relationship between Ava and Seth. I thought it was cute how they continued to email each other even when they were in the same town, and even the same room! :)

This novella serves as an introduction to Melissa Tagg's "Walker Family" series, but it would also work well as a stand alone. It's definitely one of the best novellas I've read in quite a while, and I can easily recommend it.

My Rating: 5 stars

Review: Match Made by Erynn Mangum

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Annie McKay is a perpetual loner who moves to town for a job and expects for life to pretty much stay the same as it's always been - until she meets Lauren Holbrook Palmer and her group of crazy, fun friends. Being alone has always been Annie's way of life, but with Jesus and Lauren at the helm, things are likely going to change.

My source for book: Personal Library

My Thoughts:
I just love Erynn Mangum's novels. She has such a fun and peppy way of writing that makes reading a pure joy. This one is much like her other novels in the fact that it's light, but it still manages to get across a good message while being extremely entertaining.

It's been a while since I read the first 3 Lauren Holbrook novels so I didn't remember everything, but that actually didn't matter. Laurie and her gang are just supporting characters (large ones) in this novel, while newcomer Annie is the main focus. I really liked the way Laurie and her gang sort of ambushed Annie and dragged her into their friend circle, and the visible changes that occurred in Annie as she got used to having friends were really cool to see.

Annie is quite a bit different from Laurie, but she does have a similar--though slightly less wacky--sense of humor, so it doesn't seem odd that the focus of the story has turned to Annie. I liked her right away, and my fondness for her continued to grow throughout the story. Oddly enough, she actually reminds me of myself in a lot of ways, which may be why I felt so connected to her.

Match Made is an e-book only at this point, and I do admit that it didn't seem quite as polished as the author's print books are. There's a fair amount of typos and some misplaced words, which I know can bother some people so I thought I would mention it. I don't count this against the author or story, and honestly I enjoyed the story so much that it didn't bother me much, though I did continually notice it. I imagine it's possible this may be fixed in a later release.

To sum things up: This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in quite a while. The only sad thing is that the next book won't be released for several months, and this one ends on sort of a cliff-hanger. No doubt the intention was to get you hooked, and it surely worked for me. I will gladly be purchasing the next book as soon as it becomes available!

My Rating: 5 stars!

Review: Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell

Book Cover and Synopsis:

For years Charlotte Withersby has worked as an assistant to her father, an eminent English botanist. As she approaches the old age of twenty-four, her father pushes her out into society, swayed by an uncle who believes God's only two roles for women are marriage and motherhood. When one of the Withersbys' colonial correspondents, Edward Trimble, returns to England, he's drafted as the new assistant so Charlotte is free to marry. This suits Edward's plans quite well, since the last thing he wants to do is reunite with the family he is ashamed to call his own.

Though Edward proves himself vexingly capable on the job, Charlotte won't surrender the job without a fight, and schemes with her best friend to regain her position. Perhaps if a proposal seems imminent, Charlotte's father will see his error and ask her to return. Charlotte tries to make headway in her town's social life, but reveals herself to be unaware of all the intricacies of polite society. Though Edward pitches in, tutoring her in society's expectations, she just seems to make things worse. And the more she comes to know of her father's assistant, the more trouble she has imagining life without him. Caught in a trap of her own making and seeing the hopelessness of her prospects, will Charlotte get to keep her work or will she have to cede her heart?

My source for book: Review Copy

My Thoughts:
Though I really wanted to like this one, it unfortunately grated on my nerves quite a bit. Much of the story has a very repetitive feeling with Charlotte constantly trying to bring the same scheme to fruition. She doesn't often change her tactics, so she just takes the scheme further and further until she is in completely over her head. She's extremely (and a bit unbelievably) clueless about society and relationships, which makes her very unsuited to pull off her society-based scheme.

Botany was apparently a popular fad in this era as literally almost everyone had an interest--however small--in it. Some people, like the rector (pastor), seemed to have flower collections only because it was expected and fashionable, and whether or not they actually enjoyed the hobby seemed of little matter. Though this does shed some light on the things people do only because it's expected of them, honestly all the talk about flowers got old and seemed a bit unrealistic. It seemed as if no one had any other interests at all.

I have to admit that several times I considered giving up, but through sheer stubbornness (much like Charlotte, actually!) I finally finished the story. I just could never connect with Charlotte or the plot at all. She struck me as being sort of whiny, and her constant use of the word "specimen" in reference to flowers, though amusing at first, eventually grew quite stale. In my opinion Mr. Trimble was without a doubt the most interesting character in the whole book, and by far my favorite, yet Charlotte was always hating on him--even going so far as to sabotage some of his work. Right from the beginning it was fairly obvious how the story between these two would ultimately end, but I had a hard time getting on board with the outcome due to my feelings towards Charlotte.

Though I think the overall plot, as well as Charlotte's clueless personality, was probably intended to be charming/amusing, it just didn't hit the target for me. Honestly, I can't really recommend Like a Flower in Bloom, though judging by other reviews I am in the minority. That's ok though. I've really enjoyed many of the author's past books, so I will continue to follow her, though maybe with a bit more caution as to which books I pick up in the future.

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Thanks to the publisher (Bethany House) for providing me with a review copy.

Review: A Thing of Beauty by Lisa Samson

Book Cover and Synopsis:
Former child star Fiona Hume deserted the movie biz a decade ago--right after she left rehab. She landed in Baltimore, bought a dilapidated old mansion downtown, and hatched dreams of restoring it into a masterpiece, complete with a studio for herself. She would disappear from public view and live an artist's life.

That was the plan.

Ten years later, Fiona's huge house is filled with junk purchased at thrift stores, haggled over at yard sales, or picked up from the side of the road. Each piece was destined for an art project . . . but all she's got so far is a piece of twine with some antique buttons threaded down its length.

She's thirty-two years old and still recognizable, but Fiona's money has finally run out. She's gotten pretty desperate, too, and in her desperation she's willing to do almost anything for money. Almost. So it is that she comes to rent out the maid's quarters to a local blacksmith named Josia Yeu.

Josia is everything Fiona isn't: gregarious, peaceful, in control without controlling . . . in short, happy. As the light from the maid's quarters begins to permeate the dank rooms of Fiona's world, something else begins to transform as well--something inside Fiona. Something even she can see is beautiful. 

My source for book: Review Copy

My Thoughts:

Coming from this author and publisher I was expecting this to be a Christian novel, so I was surprised to find it more secular in nature. While there's not really any objectionable scenes, it definitely has a more "worldly" feel and there is also some mild language through-out.

The story itself is fairly interesting, though I wouldn't call it upbeat. It gives a glimpse of the damage that Hollywood and fame can do to a person's emotional state--even years after leaving the business--and at the same time it serves as a great reminder that actors really are just normal people like every one else.

There is a very thin thread of romance in the story, but it's certainly not the main plot point and it's ultimately left slightly open ended... though it's kind of assumed that Fiona will end up with a certain guy. Strangely enough, this guy is completely the opposite of who I thought she would gravitate towards.

Overall, I have to admit that the story didn't give Fiona as much progress in her damaged life as I would've liked--and expected--to see. While she does make some life and attitude changes that result in her frame of mind and social skills improving, I was really hoping for a bit more. One of her difficult family relationships gets a sad "resolution" that I didn't care for, despite how difficult the person was to deal with. I think it all ultimately comes back to the fact that the story was more secular in nature, and I was hoping Fiona would find the solutions to her problems in God instead of just trying to not focus on the difficulties in her life. Alas...the only mention of God was the handful of times when His name was misused.

The story was a diversion from reality and held my attention fairly well, but I can't really say that I would recommend it. Maybe I'm missing the point of it....but regardless, it just wasn't what I expected and it was never able to convince me that the more secular angle was the best way to carry out the plot.

My Rating: 3 stars

Thanks to the publisher (Thomas Nelson) for providing me with a review copy via NetGalley.