Update - Moved to Goodreads!

So I found a new way to keep track of my books... it's so simple to create lists of things I want to read, keep track of things I've read, rate books, etc.  It's Goodreads, and I've already started keeping track of my things over there.  :)  It also gives you recommendations of what else you might like based on your books and their ratings.  Yay!

You can also search your friends, share book lists, and the like.  :)

To the Moon and Back by Jill Mansell

★★★★★

The hardest part of love is moving on... 

It's been a year since Ellie Kendall's husband, Jamie, was killed in an accident, but she's still haunted by his memory. In fact, she finds herself talking to him regularly. At the urging of Jamie's successful actor father Tony, Ellie moves to London's glamorous Primrose Hill, where nobody knows her past...

But even in her new home-and with her hardworking new boss, Zack McLaren; and Jamie's best friend Todd to distract her-Ellie can't seem to leave Jamie behind. Will Ellie stay stuck in the past?

Or will she realize the man of her dreams is flesh and blood-and right in front of her eyes...

Oh, this is not the first time I've said it, but I just LOVE Jill Mansell!  I was so excited when this book came available at bn.com for $1.99!  To the Moon and Back is characteristic of Mansell's stories:  Great characters, quirky friends, lots of humor (like the laugh-out-loud kind), and a great love story.  She puts an element of depth and reality into her stories that make them such great reads!!

Falling for You by Julie Ortolon

★★★★☆

What happens when Mr. Slow and Steady…

The forecast is smooth sailing for Oliver Chancellor, scion of Galveston’s premier financier. Destined to take his place in the hallowed marble corridors of his family’s bank, Chance is content with the future that’s been mapped out for him, right down to his upcoming engagement to a prim debutante enthusiastically approved by his socialite mother.

Finds himself on a collision course…

But when beautiful Rory St. Claire crosses his path, Chance recklessly plunges into uncharted territory with nothing but his heart to guide him-and a beautiful woman to tempt him…

With Ms. Full-Speed-Ahead?

Propelled by a lifelong goal to buy the island home reportedly haunted by her colorful ancestors, Rory desperately needs Chance’s help in securing a business loan, and she won’t take no for an answer. In the midst of convincing the hesitant blue blood to take a chance on her dream, Rory unexpectedly lands in Chance’s arms, stunned by his red-blooded passion-and her own awakened desire. Now, the mismatched pair can’t keep their hands off one another, and something tells Rory she’s headed for trouble-trouble in the name of love… 

I have to admit... I usually choose (or don't choose) books partially based on their covers.  So shallow, I know!  :)  The cover of this book made me think of 'corny romance novel,' but it had a ton of good reviews over at bn.com.  Plus, it said "USA Today Bestselling Author"... so I decided to give it a try.  I really, really liked Falling for You!  It wasn't a corny romance novel at all!!  The setting is awesome, an old historic home on Galveston island that Rory wants to convert to a bed & breakfast.  Both the setting and the storyline are unique.  I love Rory and Chance.  :)  This book is part of a trilogy, and I most definitely would read the other books in the series.  Recommended!

Her Restless Heart by Barbara Cameron

★★★☆☆

Mary Katherine is caught between the traditions of her faith and the pull of a different life. When Daniel, an Amish man living in Florida, arrives and shares her restlessness, Mary Katherine feels drawn to him and curious aboutthe life he leads away from Lancaster County.

But her longtime friend Jacob has been in love with her for years. He’s discouraged that she’s never viewed him as anything but a friend and despairs that he is about to lose Mary Katherine to this outsider.

Will the conflicted Mary Katherine be lost to the Englisch world, or toDaniel, who might take her away to Florida? Or will she embrace her Amish faith and recognize Jacob as the man she should marry and build a life with?

I've seen this book as a freebie several times, and recently I decided to download it.  The story is about young Amish adults, and to be honest, I wasn't sure how exciting the story was going to be!  Her Restless Heart was a decent book, but it was very simple and a little slow.  The characters are extremely naive, which makes it hard to relate to and difficult to really get into the story.  I realize that is the nature of an Amish fiction book.  I probably won't be adding more Amish books to my library in the near future!

A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand

★★★☆☆

Claire Danner Crispin, mother of four young children and nationally renowned glassblower, bites off more than she can chew when she agrees to co-chair the Nantucket's Children Summer Gala. Claire is asked to chair the benefit, in part, because she is the former high school sweetheart of rock star Max West. Max agrees to play the gala and it looks like smooth sailing for Claire-until she promises a "museum-quality" piece of glass for the auction, offers her best friend the catering job, goes nose-to-nose with her Manhattan socialite co-chair, and begins a "good-hearted" affair with the charity's Executive Director, Lockhart Dixon.

Hearts break and emotions are pushed to the limit in this riveting story of one woman's attempt to deal with loves past and present, family, business, and high-powered social pressures. Elin Hilderbrand's unique understanding of the joys and longings that animate women's lives will make this her newest summer bestseller.

I was a little disappointed in A Summer Affair.  On one hand, the characters were realistic and it was a well written book... but this book really was about the affair that this mom of 4 is having.  It's about the lies, secrecy, and guilt that goes along with having an affair, and quite frankly, I did not like even reading about it!  I just had kind of a sick feeling for this lady.  I did like some of the (non-affair having!) characters, but overall I was ready to be done with the storyline.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

★★★☆☆

In the opening pages of Jamie Ford’s stunning debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol.

This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry’s world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While “scholarshipping” at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship–and innocent love–that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept.

Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that the parasol belonged to Keiko. In the hotel’s dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of the Okabe family’s belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now a widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice–words that might explain the actions of his nationalistic father; words that might bridge the gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront the choices he made many years ago.

Set during one of the most conflicted and volatile times in American history, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. In Henry and Keiko, Jamie Ford has created an unforgettable duo whose story teaches us of the power of forgiveness and the human heart.

Oh, I have mixed feelings about Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet!  On one hand, I think it sets out to be this epic novel, as a story taking place during World War II and with talk of internment camps and other serious injustices of the time period.  The book felt very authentic historically, like it takes you back in time.  But on the other hand, in my opinion it was a very slow moving book.  It keeps you just interested enough to keep reading, but there are really no surprises.  It really does turn into a love story, but not the kind that make for page-turners!  It was a good book, and I stayed up late to finish reading it, but only so I could get to the end and start my next book.  :(  It gets really good reviews pretty much everywhere, so maybe I just don't like reading this type of book.  I think the undertones were too depressing throughout the book for me to thoroughly enjoy reading it.

Hired by the Cowboy by Donna Alward

★★★★☆

Alexis Grayson is good at looking after herself—she's been doing it all her life. So what if she's alone and pregnant? She'll cope! But gorgeous cowboy Connor Madsen seems determined to take care of her. And Alexis can help him—he needs a temporary wife; she needs somewhere to live until the baby's born. A short-term marriage will solve all their difficulties!

As Alexis gets to know the courageous, honorable Connor, she realizes that she might have made the biggest mistake of her life. Because all this wife-for-hire wants is a marriage for real!

Hired by the Cowboy was another freebie I picked up, and I'm not sure why!  I don't think I've ever read a 'Harlequin Romance' and wasn't quite sure what to expect!!  I decided before I started reading that if it was corny and smutty, I wasn't going to keep reading it.  I'm glad I read it... it was far from either!  Like probably most romance novels, there was an element of predictability about it, being that you know it is a love story.  However, I thought the author developed the characters very well and developed their love story over time.  It is a relatively short book (145 pages on my Nook anyways), but I was really pleasantly surprised with this story!!  I guess I might keep my eye out for more Harlequin Romances in the future.  :)

Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater

★★★★☆

Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content. A partner on her father's successful ranch, she is surrounded by family and friends. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she ever noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago.

And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.

Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves.

I really enjoyed Jenna's Cowboy!!  It was a freebie, so I decided to give it a try and really ended up liking it!  It's a love story - of course.  :)  Jenna and Nate knew each other in high school, and although neither knew it, they had been attracted to one another back then.  Jenna has since married and had a baby, only to be walked out on by her husband.  Nate returns from the armed forces as the hometown hero, but he's struggling with the effects of war - PTSD.  This element definitely adds an aspect of depth and realism to the story.  Of course Jenna and Nate fall for each other, and that's where the love story happens!  Before reading this book, I never realized the impact of PTSD on a person's life... the author herself became well-educated on the subject before writing this story, so it's role in the story feels very real.  I really enjoyed this book!!

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

★★★★★
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance, takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off. 

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment she meets Matt, Kate can't help but be attracted to him -- he's got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there's zero chance of a romance between them. Matt's in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren't, Kate realizes that she's way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife--an honest-to-goodness former Miss America--was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt's been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way. 

No, Kate's not looking for love. She knows better than that by now. But when the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

Oh my goodness, I LOVED this book!!  Like stay-up-late, read-while-putting-on-makeup loved.  I'm not even joking... I brought my Nook in the car so I could read at the stoplights, hahaha!  I've realized recently that, by far, love stories are my absolute favorite kind of books to read.  My Stubborn Heart was so authentic and real.  Some love stories can teeter on the brink of trite or predictable, and sometimes it's okay to read those.  But this book was so well-written... the characters were really well developed, there is a cast of funny senior citizens, and the love story between Kate and Matt is palpable.  My Stubborn Heart is a christian fiction story, so there is also a spiritual aspect to the story that centers on God's timing.  This book had everything I love to read about all wrapped up into one.  I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Becky Wade!

The Mother Road by Jennifer AlLee

★★★☆☆

Within the course of a week, Natalie is dumped by her husband, receives an urgent call home from her father, and discovers her estranged sister is pregnant.

A road trip on Route 66 may not help, but it sure couldn't hurt. Or so Natalie thinks, until Lindsay's boyfriend starts stalking them. Will their trip down the Mother Road bring the two sisters closer together or turn out to be the biggest wrong turn yet?

I just finished reading The Mother Road, and I'm kind of glad it's over!  :(  It was definitely a slower-paced book, and there were many depressing undertones to the book: a mom who has Alzheimer's and doesn't remember one of her children, the sad dad who has to care for her, the main character's marriage that has crumbled after 18 years, and a lost-soul sister who is pregnant and unwed.  Although it ends hopeful, it wasn't an extremely uplifting read.  There are cute parts to the story, but overall I am glad this book is over.  I am ready for a good read!

The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs

★★★★☆

From the bestselling author of The Know-It-All comes a fascinating and timely exploration of religion and the Bible.

Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, A.J. Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the Bible as literally as possible for one full year. He vows to follow the Ten Commandments. To be fruitful and multiply. To love his neighbor. But also to obey the hundreds of less publicized rules: to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers; to play a ten-string harp; to stone adulterers.

The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal and will make you see history's most influential book with new eyes.

Jacobs's quest transforms his life even more radically than the year spent reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica for The Know-It-All. His beard grows so unruly that he is regularly mistaken for a member of ZZ Top. He immerses himself in prayer, tends sheep in the Israeli desert, battles idolatry, and tells the absolute truth in all situations - much to his wife's chagrin.

Throughout the book, Jacobs also embeds himself in a cross-section of communities that take the Bible literally. He tours a Kentucky-based creationist museum and sings hymns with Pennsylvania Amish. He dances with Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn and does Scripture study with Jehovah's Witnesses. He discovers ancient biblical wisdom of startling relevance. And he wrestles with seemingly archaic rules that baffle the twenty-first-century brain. Jacobs's extraordinary undertaking yields unexpected epiphanies and challenges. A book that will charm readers both secular and religious, The Year of Living Biblically is part Cliff Notes to the Bible, part memoir, and part look into worlds unimaginable. Thou shalt not be able to put it down.

My sister lent me her copy of The Year of Living Biblically, so technically I didn't read it on my Nook!  (I will say, it takes me much longer to finish a paper book than when I'm reading on my Nook.  :)  )  Anyways, I really enjoyed this book!  The author, who was born Jewish but is an agnostic, decides that he will immerse himself in the Bible for an entire year, and that he will follow it as literally as possible.  This book recounts his experiences.  I liked that he was coming into this 'project' with no preconceived notions about religion or what the Bible says.  He was really reading it for the first time and interpreting it without many outside influences.  Along the way, he meets with many members of the Jewish and Christian faith, some of them extremists.  Some of his experiences are hilarious, and it's funny to read about his wife's reactions to some of the stuff he does over the course of the year.  He came away from this experience a different person than the guy he started as.  This was really an enjoyable, funny, and insightful read!

Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks

★★★★☆

McKenna Mason, a New York City attorney with a love of all things Prada, is on the run from a group of powerful, dangerous men. McKenna turns to a teenage crush, Will Ashton, for help in starting a new life in beautiful horse country. She finds that Will is now a handsome, successful race horse farm owner. As the old flame is ignited, complications are aplenty in the form of a nasty ex-wife, an ex-boyfriend intent on killing her, and a feisty race horse who refuses to race without a kiss. Can Will and McKenna cross the finish line together, and more importantly, alive?

I loved Bluegrass State of Mind!  What's not to love about a hunky but kind and humble main character!!  Kenna experiences almost a cultural shift as she moves from hectic NYC to down-home Kentucky.  The people of the town are so loving and friendly, although they all know your business!  I loved the cast of characters in this book, and it was a fresh storyline.  There is a love story along with some mystery and drama.  Great new story!

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

★★★★☆
Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl? Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. 

There's only one catch—she doesn't know a thing about country music. 

Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash. 

Fools Rush In was a really cute book!  It started off a little slow, but I really grew to love the characters.  There is such a sweet little love story between DJ and Bella.  I loved reading about their interactions with each other.  This book is a Christian fiction book, and the author did a really great job handling the characters' reactions when something drastic went wrong.  It makes me think, "Oh!  I would have probably never handled that situation in a good way, but here is an example of someone who did!  Next time something happens, I can do better!"  It's funny that a fiction story can make you do that, but it's true!! 

Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate

★★★★☆

Every Once in a Blue Moon Your Heart Waits at a Crossroads.

For Seattle architect Heather Hampton, a trip back to tiny Moses Lake, Texas, is hardly in the plan. Yet because a promotion hinges on the sale of the family farmland, Heather heads to the last place she ever wanted to go. She's determined to return home, signed contract in hand, the next day.

But the currents of Moses Lake take visitors on unexpected journeys. As Heather's stay lengthens, she discovers a family steeped in secrets and an unexpected connection to local banker Blaine Underhill, despite his opposition to Heather's project. With each new revelation and question, Heather can't help but wonder if the handsome banker—and the family she has come to know again—are crooks or crusaders. Somehow she must find out the truth before she loses everything she has worked for and everything she's found on the shores of Moses Lake.

I really ended up liking Blue Moon Bay.  It was something a little different than what I usually read... it had some suspense and a little mystery, but thankfully there was also a love story.  :)  There were some depressing undertones at the beginning of the book, as the main character is trapped in a life where she is glued to her job and gets her satisfaction from her lifestyle... where she lives, what she wears, etc.  For her job, she has to go back to a town she hates, where she spent a year of her life in high school and where terrible tragedy had fallen on her family.  She is dreading the trip back, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets once she gets there.

Overall I enjoyed this book.  It definitely got good near the end, even though I wasn't positive it was going to!  It was a freebie for me, and I'm glad that I ended up reading it.  It turned out to be a really good book!

Glorious Mess by Mike Howerton

★★★★★
We all spend a significant portion of life running, chasing down our own plans and desires. Despite God's call on our lives, we, like Jonah, are often found rowing against the storms that God is using to pull us back on course. But God's relentless grace is always there, in the midst of the messes we make and no matter how far we've strayed. In Glorious Mess, Mike Howerton clearly reveals God's perfect love for imperfect people. He shows you how to hear God's voice, how to embrace God's calling, how to make the most of your messes, and how to see God working through them. Howerton encourages, inspires, and challenges you to be your best self before God and others.

I really loved Glorious Mess!  On the front cover, Rick Warren, Author of Purpose Driven Life (which is awesome!), says, "This book is pure gold!"  I decided I needed to read it!

The main theme of the book is that God can and DOES use you, no matter what your situation is.  So many times we think we are such messes of individuals, that we're not ready to be used.  Howerton takes Jonah's response to God's calling (Jonah initially runs away from what God is asking him to do), and he likens it to our own reaction when God calls us to do something.  We don't feel ready or equipped to walk out God's calling on our lives.  But the great message is this... all those people in the Bible that we read about were messes, too!  None were perfect.  God is simply asking us to be obedient... he can use us in all our Glorious Mess.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

★★★★☆

God is love.  Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love.  Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?

It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Crazy Love is a really good book to put our time here on Earth in perspective.  We aren't here strictly to be comfortable, happy, and occupied.  We are here to love others.  The author argues that the 'American Dream' most people strive for is the exact thing that can keep us away from God.  He talks about the fact that the lukewarm Christian isn't a Christian at all, and what God promises to do those that are lukewarm.  He argues that there is plenty of grace for us when we fall down and sin, but that having a relationship with Him simply does not allow us to be lukewarm.  This really is a great book!

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

★★★☆☆

As a wedding planner, Sherilyn Caine should have the perfect wedding experience...

After all, she just landed her dream job at the wedding destination hotel, The Tanglewood. The rest should be a piece of cake for Sherilyn's Type A personality.

But while everything else goes smoothly, her own wedding plans start to sink right before her eyes. One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiancé?

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride was a cute story.  It was kind of simple and a little bit trite.  It wasn't a story with lots of depth, but it was a cute, semi-quick read.  I got it as a freebie and am glad I had a chance to read it.  I would probably read another of Bricker's stories if they were freebies, but I'm not sure I would actually purchase one.  I'm glad I read this, though.  :)

Becoming Fearless by Michelle Aguilar

★★★☆☆
Michelle Aguilar’s inspiring story goes beyond her grand-prize victory on television’s immensely popular The Biggest Loser. Becoming Fearless is about having faith in God when you’ve lost faith in yourself. It is an encouragement to “feel the fear” in any obstacle in life without being paralyzed by it. Finally, it is a story about reconciliation between Michelle and her mother, an exploration of the difficult and freeing work of forgiveness, and a reminder that what you learn on the journey is even more important than the destination.

This book is a story by Michelle Aguilar, one of the winners of the TV Show The Biggest Loser.  It was a decent book, but I thought it would be more about her journey of faith throughout the process based on the summary!  It was more about the Biggest Loser process and the issues she had (still has?) with her mom.  It was a decent book, but I guess I was hoping for something more!

Pillow Talk by Freya North

★★☆☆☆

By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweler working in a lively London studio. By night, she's a sleepwalker troubled by a past she can't put to bed and a present that leaves her clinging to an unsuitable boyfriend. Arlo Savidge was once a budding heartthrob musician. Then tragedy struck and he chose to forsake stardom and all future affairs of the heart for a quiet life in the countryside as a music teacher.

Petra and Arlo haven't seen each other since they were teenagers-when their feelings ran deep but the timing wasn't right. Now, seventeen years later, they run into each other once more. Might first love get a second chance-or will what keeps them up at night keep them apart forever?

I don't know if it's because I had just finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey or what, but I could NOT get into this Pillow Talk.  It is one of the few books I have stopped reading mid-read.  I was probably 80 pages into it, and I just decided to abandon ship.  The storyline was silly, the characters weren't all that interesting, and I was bored reading it!  It is about a girl who sleepwalks and doesn't know she's doing it (hence 'Pillow Talk'), but that's all I really got out of it.  It was a flub.  :(

Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy

★★★★★
When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating.  The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires.

There is so much hype right now about the Fifty Shades of Grey books, I just had to see what they were all about!  Well, they sucked me right in.  By this point, it is well-known that there are lots and lots of steamy scenes in these books.  That is true.  But I think the reason for all the hype is the actual love story that occurs over the course of these books.  Grey learns to actually romance Ana.

I will say that when I first started reading the first book in the series, I wasn't that in to it.  Grey, in my mind, was depicted as creepy and almost evil.  I wasn't into reading a trilogy about him.  But oh how his character develops and changes!  There were several moments where it reminded me of the movie Pretty Woman.  It is such a great love story about surrendering preconceived ideas of yourself so you can love your partner more.  Grey's character changes so much from the beginning that you can't help but fall in love with him just as Ana does.

I don't think I'm unusual in finishing the trilogy in probably a week and a half!  The first two books took me about 4 days... the third was a bit slower but still good.  The second was probably my favorite.

The storyline makes these truly 5-star books in my opinion.  It was really hard to find another good read after this, I had to settle on something non-fiction because nothing could quite compare with this story!  Definitely recommended if you haven't read them.

Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate

★★★★☆

In this compelling tale by Lisa Wingate-award winning author of the national best-seller Lone Star Café-the associate producer of TV's hottest show fears Amber Amberson's tiny Texas hometown already knows its Amber is an American Megastar finalist. But after several hilarious culture clashes, the Hollywood pro enlists the help of the quirky townsfolk when the sweet and naïve Amber goes missing.

I was excited to read Talk of the Town because there were lots of good reviews on it (it was a freebie when I got it).  I have to say, though, this book did not capture my attention right off the bat.  I was about 60 or so pages into it, and I thought I might abandon ship.  It just seemed kind of trite, cutesy, and predictable.  It definitely didn't draw me in from the get-go.

I went back to make sure I really did see some good reviews on this book, and I decided to keep reading.  I'm so glad I did!  :)  This ended up being such a cute story.  The main character, Mandalay, is really sweet, and I loved reading about her interactions with Carter.  He is gentle, kind, and reserved, and I found myself not wanting to put this book down after a while.  I'm glad I stuck with it, it's a feel-good book.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

★★★★☆
Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life-- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies--he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him . . . and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heart wrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

I really enjoyed The Choice!  I wouldn't say it was one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels, but it was a page-turner nonetheless.  I don't want to say too much to give away any of the plot!  But you really grow to love Travis' character, and Sparks weaves a great love story between him and Gabby. 

Also, as a sidenote, since I've read Sparks' memoir Three Weeks with My Brother, I am convinced that Travis was based off his brother Micah!! 

Both are great reads.

Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks

★★★★★
As moving as his bestselling works of fiction, Nicholas Sparks's unique memoir, written with his brother, chronicles the life-affirming journey of two brothers bound by memories, both humorous and tragic.In January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, set off on a three-week trip around the globe. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world and often overtaken by their feelings, daredevil Micah and the more serious, introspective Nicholas recalled their rambunctious childhood adventures and the tragedies that tested their faith. And in the process, they discovered startling truths about loss, love, and hope.  Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photos, THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties...and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.

I had heard of Three Weeks with My Brother quite a while ago, but at the time it just didn't seem like anything I would like to read.  Though I love Sparks' fiction novels, I just didn't know if I wanted to read a nonfiction memoir.  But when I recently borrowed another Nicholas Sparks book from my mom, she said I just HAD to read this.  So I did!

Goodness, it was SO good!  This book chronicles Sparks' once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world with his brother in addition to reflecting on their lives growing up.  It's unbelievable the tragedy these brothers dealt with throughout their lives.  It makes you understand why not all of Sparks' books have happy endings.  His own life was so riddled with sadness and hardship, there were many spots in the book I was reading with a lump in my throat, just as in his novels.

I really enjoyed learning about Sparks' personality (overachieving, type-A, introspective), and I loved seeing how he has been able to accomplish pretty much anything he's wanted to through sheer determination and hard work... even helping his autistic (they think) son.

I also enjoyed getting to 'know' the members of his family... I'm currently reading his novel The Choice, and I'm convinced the main character is very closely based on his brother!

Having read this book, it makes me appreciate his other novels on a much deeper level.  I would definitely recommend this book!!  It was surprisingly great!

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

★★★★★

After U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman buried in the dirt during his tour of duty in Iraq, he experiences a sudden streak of luck — winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph — his lucky charm.

Back home in Colorado, Thibault can't seem to get the woman in the photograph out of his mind and he sets out on a journey across the country to find her. But Thibault is caught off guard by the strong attraction he feels for the woman he encounters in North Carolina - Elizabeth, a divorced mother — and he keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate love affair, his secret soon threatens to tear them apart — destroying not only their love, but also their lives.
 

Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, THE LUCKY ONE is an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love.

How did I not know about this book before now??!!  The Lucky One has been one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks books!  I saw that the movie was coming out, so of course I had to read the book first.  :)

As always, the characters are vivid, the storyline unique, and it's a love story you can't help but to fall in love with.  I can't wait to see the movie, just to re-live the story again.  Recommended!

Staying at Daisy's by Jill Mansell

★★★★★
Life is easy, it's men she'll never figure out...

When hotel manager Daisy MacLean meets cocky sports hero Dev Tyzack, it's a no brainer-stay away. He is arrogant and sarcastic-but also incredibly sexy.

Daisy tries her best to steer clear of him, yet soon comes to realize he is the one guest she can't bear to see leave.

Then she learns a devastating truth: most people are not who they seem to be, for better or worse...

Oh how I love Jill Mansell!  I'm so sad that Staying at Daisy's is the last book of hers on my Nook for me to read - I need to purchase some of her others soon!!

This book follows in typical Mansell fashion - eccentric, lovable characters, several love stories going on at the same time, people trying to figure their lives out, and happy endings.  Love her!

Staying at Daisy's doesn't disappoint.  There is a cast of lovable characters - Daisy, her eccentric dad, Hector, best friend Tara, studly Dev, and many more.  There's also a sweet little dog in this story.  It's an all-round fun story, and I would definitely recommend it!

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

★★★★★
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

How did I not know about these books before recently!  I read all 3 of them in 4 days... lots of late nights and prolonged breakfasts!!  But the Hunger Games series is extremely captivating, I just couldn't put these books down.

Just based upon the excerpt, I would never have picked up The Hunger Games to read.  But my sister-in-law said I had to read these, and I'm SO glad I did!  These books are very well-written, unexpected, and all around good!  The main characters are so well-developed, as are lots of the supporting characters.

I just saw the movie last weekend to experience the story again.  The movie was very true to the first book - of course the character-development was much less in the movie, and many details were missing.  But the movie was still good as well!

I would highly, highly recommend this series!

Take a Chance On Me by Jill Mansell

★★★★★

Even in a small town the drama is larger than life...

Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away.

Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own-husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?

The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places...

Okay, another Jill Mansell book!  I loved Take a Chance on Me.  The characters are lovable and the story is not always predictable.  I love when I'm reading a book and mentally 'rooting' for the characters.  This is a page-turner, just because you want to see how things turn out for the characters!  I definitely enjoyed this book, it's a light-hearted read and I would recommend it!

An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell

★★★☆☆

What's a girl to do with... An offer you can't refuse?

A new bestseller from one of the UK's biggest authors!

Nothing could tear Lola and Dougie apart, except his mother...

Seventeen-year-old Lola has no intention of accepting when her boyfriend's snobbish mother offers her a huge bribe to break up with him. Then Lola discovers a secret that makes her think again, and the only way she can help one of the people she loves most in the world is to take the money and break Dougie's heart.

Ten years later, when Lola meets Dougie again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever. She'll do almost anything to get him back, but she can never tell him the truth. Can she overcome his bitterness and win his heart? She's attractive, persuasive, and endlessly optimistic, but even Lola's got her work cut out for her this time.

As you probably know by now, I love Jill Mansell.  Several of her books were on sale at BN.com, and I stocked up!  An Offer You Can't Refuse was one I picked up, and I'm sad to say it wasn't one of my favorite stories of hers.  Don't get me wrong, it was a cute story and all, but so many of her books are delightful through and through.  I felt like parts of this book dragged a little, and it wasn't as much of a page-turner as I'm used to from her.  It was probably better than 3-Stars, but not as good as 4-Stars (in my un-scientific way of measuring stories!)  If you can get it on discount, I'd say it is a cute read, but I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this one.  I still love her, though!

Rumor Has it by Jill Mansell

★★★★★
Rumor Has It sizzles with Mansell's signature fresh sense of humor, poignancy, and happy ending with a twist.

Newly single Tilly Cole impulsively moves to a small town, only to find she's arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue, and rampant rivalry for the most desirable man—Jack Lucas, whose reputation is beyond bad. Tilly has no intention of becoming another notch on his bedpost. But she finds the thoughtful, caring guy she comes to value as a friend doesn't seem to fit the town's playboy image. Should she listen to her friends or her heart? Is Tilly being mature and sensible—or running away from the love of her life?

Ahhh!  Another Jill Mansell book that I just loved!  I thought Rumor Has It was so good.  If you haven't seen any of my other reviews on this author, she is a British chick-lit author.  Her stories are funny and sweet and witty, and they have happy endings.  They are feel good, funny stories that are a pleasure to read.  I really enjoyed this book - Tilly is such a sweet character, and she ends up in an unexpected situation and place.  I found myself rooting for her to find someone to make her happy.  Recommended!