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.

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!

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!

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!

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison

★★★☆☆
As mothers today we are faced with a daunting list of responsibilities. How easy it is to simply rush headlong through our lives, slaves to our daily obligations, and in the process race our children through their childhood. But there is a better way... In Mitten Strings for God, Katrina Kenison shares her own search for a more satisfying balance in her life. The result is a lyrical and tender series of reflections, interwoven with gentle suggestions and advice, that remind us what happens when we slow down and are fully present in our lives. Suddenly there is room for joy and play and intimacy, space for wonder and reverie, and time to awaken to the beauty of the world and discover the sacred in the ordinary. Tranquil in our own hearts and minds, we can offer our children the one thing they need more than anything else: us. And we receive something priceless in return-the chance to savor our lives and the precious people in them.


I was really looking forward to reading Mitten Strings for God because I think so many times I feel caught up in getting 'stuff' done, even if it's for the kids, that I have to remind myself to sit down with them and just enjoy the moment.  Based upon the title, I also thought this book was written from a Christian perspective.


I thought the concepts in this book were great: slow down, play with your kids, enjoy being with them.  Your time with your children doesn't have to be constant instruction.  I thought these were great concepts and great reminders.  However, contrary to what I thought, this book wasn't written from a Christian perspective (which was fine); but for me it was a little too 'touchy-feely.'  I could only read so much about watching trees sway in the wind and listening to crickets chirp (I may be making that up, but that's the feeling I got when reading).  Maybe that's my not-slowing-down mentality coming through!!  But I actually didn't finish reading the book because I got the gist pretty early on and got bored of reading more of the same.


This book has high ratings on bn.com, so if it sounds interesting I'd say give it a whirl.  I totally agree with the concepts of enjoying your children, but the style of this book was a little over-the-top for me. 

Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell

★★★☆☆
When you meet the man of your dreams on girls night out, it's hardly…Perfect Timing.  In this fresh and funny contemporary romance by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Poppy Dunbar's whole life gets turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger...Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be done—which included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Could she really be falling in love with a stranger?  Unable to forget Tom, or go through with the wedding, Poppy runs off to London. Her new life and colorful friends are anything but predictable. Misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue, but can Poppy stop running long enough to figure out what—or, rather, who—is in her heart?

I've read a few Jill Mansell novels and thoroughly enjoyed them, so I was really looking forward to reading Perfect Timing.  Sadly, this book was a bit of a let down for me.  It certainly wasn't a page-turner for me like her other novels I've read (Miranda's Big Mistake and Millie's Fling).  Unfortunately, I thought this book was a little slow and boring at parts.  The last 60 or so pages were really good, and I did like how the book ended (although slightly predictable).  I thought there was a good story buried in there, but it could've used to have been trimmed of the slow sections.  Cute story, but not as good as her others.

Life's a Beach by Claire Cook

★★★☆☆

Life's a bit of a beach these days for Ginger Walsh, who's single at forty-one and living back home in the family FROG (Finished Room Over Garage). She's hoping for a more fulfilling life as a sea glass artist, but instead is babysitting her sister's kids and sharing overnights with Noah, her sexy artist boyfriend with commitment issues and a dog Ginger's cat isn't too crazy about. Geri, her BlackBerry-obsessed sister, is also nearly over the deep end about her pending fiftieth birthday (and might just drag Ginger with her). Toss in a dumpster-picking father, a Kama Sutra T-shirt-wearing mother, a movie crew come to town with a very cute gaffer, an on-again-off-again glassblower boyfriend, plus a couple of Red Hat realtors, and hilarity ensues. The perfect summer read, Life's a Beach is a warm, witty, and wise look at what it takes to move forward at any stage in life.

Overall I was disappointed in this book, Life's a Beach.  I chose it to read next because I was looking for something light, funny, and set in a beach town, and the book description seemed to match.  Sadly, I was disappointed.  Maybe it was just that I couldn't really connect with Ginger, the main character, or really anyone in the book for that matter.  Maybe it was just that the storyline was kind of boring.  I did enjoy the last 30 pages or so, but that's really it.  I would say it was a mildly entertaining book, but definitely not one I would recommend running out and purchasing.  It has some quirky characters, but none I really fell in love with or could relate to.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

★★★☆☆
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

I was really excited to read Water for Elephants, it has almost 10,000 ratings on BN.com and still has a 4.5 star rating.  They made a movie about the book after all - it has to be good, right?!  However, I was really disappointed in this book. 

There are some very depressing overtones - much of the beginning of the story is told by Jacob, the main character, while he is in a nursing home in a decrepit, depressive state.  It was a relief when the book jumped back to the 20-something Jacob telling the story.  But the whole first half to two-thirds of the book is filled with traumatic and depressing occurrences.  In addition, there's not much of a story up to that point, just a lot of describing what life on the circus was like and some character descriptions.  The book title includes the word 'Elephant,' the synopsis of the book talks about Rosie the elephant, and yet she doesn't even make an appearance in the book until it's halfway over.  I started reading some of the 'bad' reviews on BN.com, and the people who gave it 1 and 2 stars said things like, "Am I missing something?" and "What's all the hype about?"  Those were my feelings exactly for the vast majority of this book.

As disappointed as I was in the beginning, once I got through the first two-thirds of it, the storyline really started to pick up (there was actually a story!), and the love story emerged.  As I've said before, I am a sucker for a good one.  So even though this love story took a while to reveal itself, there were a good 45 pages or so of this book that I really enjoyed.

I will say it is interesting to read about the circus from a historical perspective.  I think the author did a lot of background research to make it historically accurate, and she even incorporated some real events into the book.  I just wish the plot filtered through the whole book instead of just a portion, and I wish much of it weren't so depressing.  Also, I feel like it just kind of ended empty.

There are several scenes of violence in this book, both toward people and toward animals.  There are some sexually explicit scenes as well.  I get that the author was trying to depict some of the things that happened, I just thought the level of detail was probably unnecessary.

Overall, I am glad I read this book.  Although I didn't love all of it, there was a portion that I did enjoy.