Monday, February 24, 2014

Marriage Monday: Safety




"Make it your goal to create a marriage that feels like
 the safest place on earth." -Greg Smalley


Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.




Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Reading Report January 2014

Reading Report
What I've read from January 1-January 31


An Unlikely Match by Sarah M. Eden
Regency Romance

Pritchard comes into an estate by an inheritance of a distant relative but once there realizes the home is already occupied...by a ghost. Unlike the previous owners who couldn't handle the haunting's the two manage to find some common ground.

I adore Sarah Eden and have yet to read one of her books I don't enjoy thoroughly. This one had been sitting on my shelf for a while and I admit I hadn't read the synopsis again when I picked it up so I was somewhat surprised to learn where the story was going, but I'll tell ya what. She totally pulled it off!



Anne of Green Gabels by L. M. Montgomery
Classic, Childrens / Middle Grade

Awaiting an orphan boy, the Cuthburts unexpectedly receive Anne Shirley instead. Not quite the hired hand they were hoping for, they still decide to give her a chance. But it's not hard to fall in love Anne. 

I picked this one up a few years ago but lost it in my move and decided I needed to actually get around to reading it. Of course, now I want to go watch the movie. Perhaps I need to schedule a weekend of tv. 



Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Classic, Childrens, Animals

As told by Black Beauty and his many adventures through his life from an easy life as a colt, to a carriage horse and later hard driven cab horse. 

I had never read this one before and thought it would be fun to get a few more classics read this year. I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would after reading a few reviews. I'm going to read this one with my 6, 8 and 10 year olds. 



The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Contemporary, Adult, Humor, Romance

To quote from Goodreads: "oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love."

Quirky, funny, frustrating, sweet. This is one you gotta read to get the real feel of it. Certainly one I'll recommend to the right reader. (Warning: once you start you'll want to finish it, so make sure you have some time carved out.)



Three Little Words by Susan Mallery
(Fools Gold #12)
Romance, Contemporary

Isabelle comes home to Fools Gold to help run the family's bridal shop while she recovers from her failed marriage. Of course, she then crosses paths with an old crush.

A formulaic romance but if you're looking for easy and fun here's your thing. I haven't read the others in the series so I'm betting you could pick up any of them and still enjoy. 


The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Classic, Childrens

Mowgli the man cub is raised by the wilds of the jungle. 

Another classic I wanted to be able to say I could read. 


My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White
Contemporary, Romance

Obsessed about Mr. Darcy in the movie Elizabeth bases her dating life on somewhat of a far fetched dream. After a dare from her best friend she finally gives a guy (very un-Darcy) a chance only to run into a close competitor a few weeks later. 

I was up and down with this one. When I was done though I really did like it. Overall a good story telling and a decent plot (a tiny twist on a very overdone topic) but I felt she told me too much instead of let me watch the characters experience it (they went here. they ate this). Go into this one with a 'fluff' attitude and I think you'll enjoy it plenty! 


Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Classic

Jim Hawkins adventures on and off the sea. 

This one couldn't end soon enough. I just couldn't get into it. I'm not sure if it's because I've seen a few versions of the movie but I was just so bored.


Haven by Kristi Cook
Young Adult, Paranormal

Violet is starting her first year of boarding school and realizes her 'differences' aren't so different anymore. 

I feel I've been a little paranormal-ed out so I haven't really picked many up, but this one was cute and fun (though formulaic, but few aren't these days).  I think I'll pick up the next in the series. 

Monday, February 3, 2014

Marriage Monday: A little extra





The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little "extra".


Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.