Summer Book Trek Time

So it is that time again. READ, REVIEW, then ENTER TO WIN FREE BOOKS! Free books are my favorite. Join me at it here.

OK. Here is my hope to read and review if I get enough personal time this month list:

1. Legally Wedded by Jannifer Griffith
2. Marrying Christopher by Michelle Paige Holmes
3. First Light by Michelle Paige Holmes
4. Second Chance Ranch by Liz Isaacson
5. Third Times a Charm by Liz Isaacson
6. Fourth And Long by Liz Isaacson
7. Chemistry Lessons by Rebecca Jamison
8. Bethany's New Reality by Rachel John
9. I am Delilah
10. Mistakenly Married by Victoria Leiske
11. Beyond the West Sea by Misty Moncur
12. Sealed With A Kiss by Kimberley Montpetit
13. Storm by Kate Palmer
14. Olivia by Kate Palmer
15. Alexis by Kate Palmer
16. Taylor Lynne by Jennifer Peel
17. Jessie Bell by Jennifer Peel
18. His Personal Relationship Manager by Jennifer Peel
19. The Girl Who Heard Demons by Jeanette Rallison
20. Vocal Crush by Lisa Swinton
21. Autumn Masquerade
22. A Midwinter Ball
23. Spring in Hyde Park
24. Summer House Party
25. Road Trip Collection
26. Rail Order Bride Collection
27. Gladly Beyond by NicoleVan
28. Refine by Nicole Van
29. The Secret Life of Daydreams by Licinda Whitney
30. Playing with Heartstrings by Lydia Winters
31. Eye on Orion
32. Not Your Match by Linzee Armstrong
33. Cupcakes and Cowboys by Linzee Armstrong
34. O'er The River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth
35. Echoes of Summer by Laura D. Bastain
36. Winter's Kiss by Laura D. Bastain

I Am Delilah by Josi S. Kilpack

I Am Delilah by Josi S. Kilpack

Dust Jacket:

Although Delilah works in New York, she’s a small-town girl and eager to finish her job as a nanny and return to Big Fork Montana where she’ll marry her high-school sweetheart. When she ends up the focus of a Hollywood stunt centered around her being the Oscar date of Hollywood heartthrob Sam Hendricks, life as she knows it becomes a thing of the past. Delilah promptly refuses him, only to find that it isn’t so easy to step out of the limelight once you’ve ended up in the middle of the public eye.

Sam Hendricks is not used to taking no for an answer, and when his rejection become a leading story, he determines to do whatever it takes to turn the tide of public opinion back in his favor. Again and again Delilah refuses him until she proposes an offer—if he’ll spend two weeks on her family’s dairy farm, she’ll be his date to the Oscars. In no way is this a fair trade, but Sam feels he has no choice and therefore agrees to her proposal—they both agree no one will ever know.

Unfortunately for them both, there are plans other than their own at play, and when everything goes wrong they are faced with another fallout, bigger than the first.

(I AM DELILAH was originally published as STAR STRUCK in 2004)

My Review: 4 Stars

The title and cover combination drew me in and had me snatching this book up right away. Books about movie star and country life culture clashes always promise some sass and whit, and this book didn't disappoint. I Am Delilah is a hilarious battleground of Hollywood glamor vs good old country values. I loved every part!

Sam Hendricks is our cocky, self absorbed movie star. Per tradition every year he asks a "nobody" to be his date to the awards ceremony. He is applauded and his Cinderella date is elevated to celebrity status over night. This year he asks Montana native, Delilah, who is working as a nanny in New York City, to be his date on television. When she refuses he must scramble to change her mind and his reputation. But Montana girls with solid fiance's aren't so easy to convince. What pursues is an entertaining and engaging clash of worlds that will keep you turning pages.

Two pages into the book I realized I've read this book before - Starstruck, same author, came out in 2004. The book has been re-faced and titled. It is still a great book!

This book is clean, and maybe a little self-righteous. I would recommend it to anyone!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

We Three Kings by John Pontius

We Three Kings by John Pontius

Dust Jacket:

"For six hundred years we have been living and dying because of our faith in someone that none of us has seen. Now that Christ is living on this earth, it is madness to not go and seek him."

When the signs of the Savior's birth appear in ancient America, the prophet Nephi witnesses another miracle—the Liahona starts working again. Now he must begin a quest that will take him far across the ocean to find the King of kings.

Join Nephi, Timothy, and Cephus on a journey that ultimately changes their lives—and the course of history—as they become the legendary Three Wise Men.

Masterfully written and wonderfully entertaining, this book is bound to become a family favorite for years to come.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Interesting adventure, cheap relationship, written for men.

The Good: So there are some really great things I loved about this book. It was really creative and thought out. It flowed pretty smoothly from actual scriptural account to fictional account. Some things were pretty far fetched, but when you get to fill in the holes, you can put whatever you want in there, right? I loved the interactions with the Christ Child. Nephi's journey to Jerusalem felt like a recreation of Lehi and Nephi's journey from Jerusalem, from the Liahona to the wickedness to the doubting and complaining.

The Not-So-Good: This book felt very man-fantasy-adventure. Though very creative and eventful, after lots of details, reasons, planning, purpose and faith our hero saves the day. Feelings are not pondered over and do not weigh heavily upon our characters but put into action. The romance is also underdeveloped. It would have been better left out. Instead it felt very, "Me, man. You, wife." On my soap box I'd say, don't bother including a relationship in a story if you aren't going to develop the relationship. She just becomes an objectified trophy at the end of his quest. I am sure 80% of the readers thought it was just fine.

Though interesting, I probably won't pass this book around.

Content: drinking, some (non-graphic) violence, scantly clad women

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

Dust Jacket:

From Amazon Top 100 Regency Romance author, Michele Paige Holmes, comes MARRYING CHRISTOPHER, a regency romance from the Hearthfire Romance series.

Having seen both his sisters Grace and Helen happily married, Christopher Thatcher is free to pursue his dream of life in America. With adventure in his heart and mind, he boards one of the first steamships set to cross the Atlantic in the record breaking time of only twenty-five days. Within the first two of those, his resolve—to avoid women and the complications they often bring to a man’s life—falters when he meets Marsali Abbott, a young woman with a past even more troubling than his own. Whether from years of habit protecting his sisters, or simply because he feels drawn to Marsali, Christopher chooses to help her and becomes her friend. As the truth about what awaits Marsali in America becomes evident, he is faced with a more difficult choice, one that will impact their lives far beyond four weeks together at sea.

Other Hearthfire Romances:
Saving Grace
Loving Helen


My Review: 5 Stars!

'Nurturing Love in Barren Soil' kind of book. Loved it!

Christopher is determined to be independent of his sisters, charity, and any woman. Embarking on a journey by steam ship across the Atlantic, at a time when these ships were brand new, he attempts to avoid the three other passengers on ship, all women. Even though Christopher is done taking care of his sisters and anyone else, he can't help himself but want to watch out for a woman, Marsali, who gratefully takes care of herself, even in horrible circumstances.

Among circumstances seemingly barren, an unexpectedly beautiful flower of friendship, true love, and admiration unfold. The nature of the characters provide all the nutrients needed to grow a loving garden and new life for Christopher. (Maybe corn or wheat is more manly than a flower, but you get the idea. Love that Christopher wants to be a farmer and work the land and that this first "crop" took root at sea. Did I say I love Michele Paige Holmes? Can't wait for her next book!)

Can be read as a stand alone BUT the first two books are so good. Just read them, too!

This book is clean and the characters inspiring. I would recommend it to anyone.

*Received a copy for an honest review.

Eye On Orion by Laura D Bastain

Eye On Orion by Laura D. Bastain

Dust Jacket:

Falling in love with your gorgeous new neighbor isn't a bad thing, but when he turns out to be the bodyguard of a princess from a planet nine billion light-years away, life gets complicated. Seventeen-year-old stargazer Holly Adams never imagined she’d find herself trying to prevent the overthrow of an alien government. When Jai and his sister Amira move into the house down the street, Holly is immediately drawn to them. Jai acts suspicious of her from the start, making Holly more curious about their oddities. When Holly learns they are from a different planet, she does what she can to help protect Amira from Shander, a man who wants to marry her by force in order to take over the kingdom her father rules. Mistaken identity, a botched kidnapping, and a first kiss that bonds Holly and Jai for life are hard enough, but when Shander believes Holly to be the princess, things get even more dangerous.

My Review: 5 Stars!

Wow! This book is Awesome! It is a stargazer's story - not exactly sci-fi. Filled with the wonders of two people coning together from worlds across the universe. This is a sweet YA story that is very creative and even believable. There is just enough reality and 'what if' weaving though the story line to keep you turning pages.

This story could be a stand alone but you will want to read the sequel to find out what happens to the rest of the characters. It is clean with some modest kissing. It is even somewhat educational as they talk about the stars, their stories, and the universe. I would recommend it for all ages.

The Kiss That Launched 1000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt

The Kiss That Launched 1000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt

Dust Jacket:

Each weekday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Grace and Ashton cohost Battle of the Sexes, a radio program arguing the he-said/she-said issues of the day. Their fiery debates often have listeners wondering if there’s more to their relationship than just talk, even though Grace has been dating Phillip, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Perfect, since long before she ever met Ashton Miller.

Yet when news comes that Battle of the Sexes is on the bubble for cancellation, Grace and Ashton need to step up their efforts to engage their audience to keep the show alive. When a charity organization approaches them and proposes that the two of them kiss for a fund raiser, Grace and Ash agree to kiss for a good cause. A kiss is just a kiss, right?

Or can one kiss really change everything?

My Review: 4 Stars

This book was full of sassy and sexist banter. Tall handsome macho male co-host clashes with is petite spitfire feminist counterpart in daily battle of the sexes radio show. Sparks are flying all over that sound booth. Even the listeners think their getting together is inevitable. But she has a three year boyfriend and he knows he doesn't have a chance.

This book was fresh, fun, sassy, and kind of sexy. Lots of oogling each others hot bodies and denied attraction. The banter and show debates are really well done. The author switches points of view, keeps the characters and their positions clear all while smoothly delivering clean and quick moving story.

Content: Oogling body parts, talk of rape, talk of characters' sex lives, relationship mostly built on sexual tension and consistent history of interest

Meet Your Match (No Match For Love) by Lindzee Armstrong

Meet Your Match (No Match For Love) by Lindzee Armstrong

Dust Jacket:

Sixteen-year-old Brooke Pierce doesn’t need her mom to tell her all boys are trouble. After watching her dad break up the family for a woman half his age, dating is the last thing on her mind.

On the first day at a new high school Brooke meets Luke, the school flirt with a reputation for heartbreak. He’s interested. She’s not. That only makes him chase her more. After a shocking revelation from her dad, Brooke and Luke form an unexpected bond, complete with crazy rules to keep them safely in the friend zone. Problem is, that’s the worst place to be when you’re falling in love.

My Review: 4 Stars

This novella is a prequel to Miss Match. It is sweet and clean. In this story High School Brooke and Luke start building the solid foundation of their friendship, even though they are attracted to one another. They deal with life issues and learn to navigate the opposite sex. The story sets up the first book in the series, Miss Match.

Content: clean, friendship, maybe a few crude comments