Two nights ago, after much debate if I wanted to read Just Dessert or another book from the Ladies of Larkspur series, I decided to start with Just Dessert since it is set up so that you need not read the books in order.
Heather Gray created characters and a world that soon had me going without sleep. The past two nights I was up until 2 in the morning reading. The original plan had been to get my 3 year old to sleep then settle down and read for an hour, maybe two. Time slipped away as I get swept up into the story of Mary Fitzgerald and her family.
This book is set in the Idaho Territory in 1878; Mary Fitzgerald will do anything to protect her siblings from their abusive father. She bakes a pie, gets her brothers and sisters cleaned up, and goes to the church picnic hoping that someone will buy her buy and she can get married. She does not care who she marries as long as she will be able to take her younger siblings with her. Her father shows up at the picnic drunk. Mary runs with her siblings to try to make it home. When a wagon pulls up alongside of them she instinctively steps in front of her siblings. The man in the wagon is Grady Carlisle, he and Mary used to play together when they were younger and he would spend the summers with his grandparents. Reluctantly, Mary accepts his offer to help them by giving them a ride back to their farm; his grandparents' farm neighbors theirs.
Grady cannot help but notice the fear, uncertainty, and anger that radiate from these children. He realizes that Mary is not the happy, carefree girl that she used to be. Grady decides that he needs to help this family as much as he can while he is with his grandparents for the summer. The next day he shows up to help clear out the drive, so the children will not get hurt when they walk to school and to make it easier to get a wagon through. Really, he just wanted an excuse to be able to help this family and to see them again. Grady comes from a Christian family, he does not push his Christianity onto the Fitzgerald children though.
Gigi is the youngest, she is talkative and dramatic. She begins to open up to Grady right away. Lizzie is quiet, seemingly shy, when she has something to say she says it. Bobby, is eager to learn, he wants to start going to church with Grady. Clive, the oldest boy has a chip on his shoulder. Who wouldn't after being through the things that their Pa put them all through since their Ma died. Clive wants to protect his younger brother and his sisters. Mary worries that if he has to be around their Pa much longer that Clive will turn out to be like him; believing that is the way a man should be.
Mary had to become a mother to her siblings when her Ma died. Her Pa made her quit school so she could take care of the house. She has done the best that she could to protect them from the violence that seemed to consume their Pa after their Ma died. Mary took the brunt of his anger in order to shield them. She has a hard time trusting; she turned her back on God thinking that he had abandoned them when they needed him the most.
What will happen to the Fitzgerald clan? Will Mary end up marrying a 90 year old man like she said she would just to escape her Pa? Will Clive be able to work through his anger? Will Gigi and Lizzie ever have a chance at a normal, happy childhood? What about Bobby, will he be able to keep going to school, or will he have to do what he can to help keep the far going? The farm that the children have to run by themselves and in secret so they do not anger their Pa. Will Grady find a way to help without losing his heart to this family, especially Mary?
This book left me wanting more. I know there are more books by this author, more Ladies of Larkspur books and I will be getting those. I still want to know more about the Fitzgerald clan. The only problem I found in the book was a proofreading problem towards the end. There were three spots that drew me out of the book temporarily. Twice, names got mixed up and once I had to re-read a sentence several times because it made no sense to me. I have seen far worse than this when it comes to editing, I am not sure I have come across an e-book that has not had some mistake like this. Despite those 3 moments though I was drawn right back in.
This book was absolutely delish! I craved more. I loved the fact that God was present in this book. I loved the messages that were given. This book was not in your face, "here you believe what I believe" but it was wonderfully well written and the author has a wonderful grasp on how to reach people with her characters. I found myself relating to some of the problems that the Fitzgerald children were facing. I just can not tell you enough about this book.
Go pick up a copy today at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
Happy Reading!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
The Cinderella Moment............Just read the post
Many people love the story of Cinderella; here is a woman who after her father dies she is forced to be the servant for her step-mother and step-sisters. She manages to get to the ball with the help of a fairy godmother, meets the prince, falls in love, leaves behind a shoe as her only calling card. The prince does not give up; he takes the shoe and uses that to find her (because apparently only one person could fit into one shoe size but this shoe was created by a fairy godmother so it does have magical qualities I suppose). Anyway, he finds her, they marry and live happily ever after. This story is so beloved that it has inspired so many versions to be created. There was one year where I think 3 different takes on Cinderella had been made into movies.
I discovered a modern version of Cinderella with a new twist. I absolutely loved it! There was nothing, N.O.T.H.I.N.G. that was typical of the original Cinderella in this book. Jennifer Kloester created a beautiful and believable world in her book The Cinderella Moment.
The Cinderella Moment is the story of Angel, she is the daughter of the cook (Simone) and they live in the DeTourney household in New York. They had moved to New York from France when Angel was only 6 because her father needed surgery. This is where Simone took a job working for Phillip de Tourney (he is also from France), Phillip was a widower who was left to raise his daughter Lily by himself; he had cut off all ties to his mother the Comtesse de Tourney. Lily and Angel became best friends.
The story starts out with Angel and Lily as teenagers. Lily loves acting and has applied for the London Drama Academy for a 2 week summer program. Angel is entering her designs in the Teen Couture to be judged by Antoine Vidal. Margot is dating Phillip; she and her teenage daughter Clarissa have been invited to stay at the de Tourney house while Phillip was away on business. Clarissa also wants to win the Teen Couture. She wants to win this so badly that she steals Angel's designs and enters them as her own. Angel must find a way to get her entry in before Clarissa's copycat entry can be turned in.
Margot tells Lily that she is to go to visit her grandmother the Comtesse de Tourney; whom she has not seen since she was five years old. Her father does not talk to his mother. Lily does not want to iss out on the London Drama Academy so she comes up with a plan that will help not only herself but Angel as well. Angel will go to Paris. She will pretend to be Lily de Tourney and swap out her designs for the copycat designs that Clarissa had entered. Meanwhile, Lily would go to London for her 2 week drama academy. After Lily is done with London she will go to France to explain to her grandmother why they had swapped places. Angel reluctantly agrees to this plan.
Angel had not anticipated Nick, the handsome young man who remembers Lily from the last time she was in France 11 years prior. He seems like the kind of boy that she could fall for, she must stay away from him so that he does not find out the truth. The Comtesse de Tourney takes Angel out immediately for new clothes that would be proper for her to wear during the Summer Season, in which Lily (Angel) is be introduced into Paris society. Will Angel be able to keep up this masquerade? Will she be able to stop Clarissa from using her designs to win the Teen Couture?
This book has so many unexpected twists and turns that you will love it. It stays fresh and captivating the entire way through. Though I am not a fan of fashion I found myself loving the details of the dresses, loving the passion that Angel feels for fashion, a passion that she shares with the Comtesse.
This is a far cry form your typical take on Cinderella, it is a far cry from the modern twists on Cinderella. This story is fresh, new and feels completely new! I highly recommend this book.
The Cinderella Moment can be found at Amazon for Kindle it can also be found at Barnes and Noble. If you are from Australia there is an Australian version.
Happy Reading!
I discovered a modern version of Cinderella with a new twist. I absolutely loved it! There was nothing, N.O.T.H.I.N.G. that was typical of the original Cinderella in this book. Jennifer Kloester created a beautiful and believable world in her book The Cinderella Moment.
The Cinderella Moment is the story of Angel, she is the daughter of the cook (Simone) and they live in the DeTourney household in New York. They had moved to New York from France when Angel was only 6 because her father needed surgery. This is where Simone took a job working for Phillip de Tourney (he is also from France), Phillip was a widower who was left to raise his daughter Lily by himself; he had cut off all ties to his mother the Comtesse de Tourney. Lily and Angel became best friends.
The story starts out with Angel and Lily as teenagers. Lily loves acting and has applied for the London Drama Academy for a 2 week summer program. Angel is entering her designs in the Teen Couture to be judged by Antoine Vidal. Margot is dating Phillip; she and her teenage daughter Clarissa have been invited to stay at the de Tourney house while Phillip was away on business. Clarissa also wants to win the Teen Couture. She wants to win this so badly that she steals Angel's designs and enters them as her own. Angel must find a way to get her entry in before Clarissa's copycat entry can be turned in.
Margot tells Lily that she is to go to visit her grandmother the Comtesse de Tourney; whom she has not seen since she was five years old. Her father does not talk to his mother. Lily does not want to iss out on the London Drama Academy so she comes up with a plan that will help not only herself but Angel as well. Angel will go to Paris. She will pretend to be Lily de Tourney and swap out her designs for the copycat designs that Clarissa had entered. Meanwhile, Lily would go to London for her 2 week drama academy. After Lily is done with London she will go to France to explain to her grandmother why they had swapped places. Angel reluctantly agrees to this plan.
Angel had not anticipated Nick, the handsome young man who remembers Lily from the last time she was in France 11 years prior. He seems like the kind of boy that she could fall for, she must stay away from him so that he does not find out the truth. The Comtesse de Tourney takes Angel out immediately for new clothes that would be proper for her to wear during the Summer Season, in which Lily (Angel) is be introduced into Paris society. Will Angel be able to keep up this masquerade? Will she be able to stop Clarissa from using her designs to win the Teen Couture?
This book has so many unexpected twists and turns that you will love it. It stays fresh and captivating the entire way through. Though I am not a fan of fashion I found myself loving the details of the dresses, loving the passion that Angel feels for fashion, a passion that she shares with the Comtesse.
This is a far cry form your typical take on Cinderella, it is a far cry from the modern twists on Cinderella. This story is fresh, new and feels completely new! I highly recommend this book.
The Cinderella Moment can be found at Amazon for Kindle it can also be found at Barnes and Noble. If you are from Australia there is an Australian version.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Off Chance by Sawyer Bennett
This is the first Off book ( a series by Sawyer Bennett) that I have read. The prologue of Off Chance hooked me right away. I just wanted to keep reading this book, (I could tell from the beginning this was not like books I am used to) even though it has way more sex than I like in a book. I was completely intrigued. I had to know what would happen to Flynn Caldwell after the tragedy with Marney. I H.A.D. to know!
Fast forward eight years, Flynn is now an incredibly gorgeous firefighter who takes risks. He jumps into burning buildings without waiting for the o.k. to go in, not seeming to think of what it could do to him. This is how he met Rowan Page. When he hears barking coming from a window of a duplex that is on fire he goes in to rescue the dog (swoon, right? I means he goes in to rescue a dog!') when the dog refuses to move from the bed that he is on despite the fact that the room is filling with smoke Flynn realizes that the dog is trying to protect someone. The dog, Capone was trying to protect a young woman who was chained to the bed. Flynn rescues them both, when Rowan's grey eyes meet his, he is lost.
Rowan only wants to stand on her own two feet. She feels that all she needs is her loyal dog Capone. She does not give out her trust easy; after being kidnapped, chained to a bed and drugged by her ex-boyfriend then nearly perishing in a fire because of that who could blame her? Flynn uses Rowan's love for Capone in order to get her to allow him to help. He finds Capone for her, then offers to let the two of them stay in his guest bedroom.
Rowan does not seem to know how to trust, will she let Flynn into her life? Will she let down her walls? Will Flynn get over his hero complex before he gets himself hurt? These characters are amazing; you can actually picture them. You find yourself cheering for them because of what they have been through. You want to see them have a happy ending. Will they? To find out be sure to pick up the book on October 21, 2013.
Fast forward eight years, Flynn is now an incredibly gorgeous firefighter who takes risks. He jumps into burning buildings without waiting for the o.k. to go in, not seeming to think of what it could do to him. This is how he met Rowan Page. When he hears barking coming from a window of a duplex that is on fire he goes in to rescue the dog (swoon, right? I means he goes in to rescue a dog!') when the dog refuses to move from the bed that he is on despite the fact that the room is filling with smoke Flynn realizes that the dog is trying to protect someone. The dog, Capone was trying to protect a young woman who was chained to the bed. Flynn rescues them both, when Rowan's grey eyes meet his, he is lost.
Rowan only wants to stand on her own two feet. She feels that all she needs is her loyal dog Capone. She does not give out her trust easy; after being kidnapped, chained to a bed and drugged by her ex-boyfriend then nearly perishing in a fire because of that who could blame her? Flynn uses Rowan's love for Capone in order to get her to allow him to help. He finds Capone for her, then offers to let the two of them stay in his guest bedroom.
Rowan does not seem to know how to trust, will she let Flynn into her life? Will she let down her walls? Will Flynn get over his hero complex before he gets himself hurt? These characters are amazing; you can actually picture them. You find yourself cheering for them because of what they have been through. You want to see them have a happy ending. Will they? To find out be sure to pick up the book on October 21, 2013.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Big is Beautiful
I purchased Big is Beautiful with the goal of taking a break from reading series. I was on a complete overload from the Grey Wolves series that I had just finished. I had no idea what I wanted to read. I was browsing through Facebook and came across Kelly Martin's page, she had just had a Facebook event for the book Big is Beautiful and I had missed it by three minutes. After reading the comments I decided that I was going to check out this book.
I was hooked! I absolutely loved Brittany and the dynamic that she has with her mom straight from the first page. Brittany is informed by her mom that she is to have a tutor for geometry starting that day after school. Brittany is not thrilled with this; she is being tormented at school by Kendra and her lackeys; along with just about everyone else. Her only real friend seems to be Jillian, a nice girl in the grade below her.
Kendra, is the popular girl; reading about her made me think of all those mean girls who have the cliques that everyone seems to want to be a part of even though the girls are the meanest in school. You sort of want to know what is going to come out of her mouth next even though you know that you will not like what she says and may even be a bit disgusted by it.
Matt, is the quarterback of the football team and a senior. He is to be Brittany's tutor. He is the all around Southern gentleman, though he has a secret. He does not make fun of Brittany like the other students do, he never calls her BIG (Kendra realized one day that Brittany's initials were B.I.G. and ever since then everyone seemed to call her that). Could he be interested in her?
Brittany is faced with bullying everyday and she needs to find a way to deal with that. She wants what every other teenager wants. To go out on dates, hang out with friends, to go to the Red Ball. What will she do in order to fit in? Following Brittany on her journey was a heartbreaking. I literally cried for her.
This is a great book with a wonderful message. I have passed the book along to my 13 year old daughter; I hope that it gets picked up by her school's book club. I think it will really help these teens to understand what it is like to be on the receiving end of bullying.
This is an amazing read! I definitely recommend it.
You can purchase the book at Barnes and Noble and at Amazon.
Happy Reading!
I was hooked! I absolutely loved Brittany and the dynamic that she has with her mom straight from the first page. Brittany is informed by her mom that she is to have a tutor for geometry starting that day after school. Brittany is not thrilled with this; she is being tormented at school by Kendra and her lackeys; along with just about everyone else. Her only real friend seems to be Jillian, a nice girl in the grade below her.
Kendra, is the popular girl; reading about her made me think of all those mean girls who have the cliques that everyone seems to want to be a part of even though the girls are the meanest in school. You sort of want to know what is going to come out of her mouth next even though you know that you will not like what she says and may even be a bit disgusted by it.
Matt, is the quarterback of the football team and a senior. He is to be Brittany's tutor. He is the all around Southern gentleman, though he has a secret. He does not make fun of Brittany like the other students do, he never calls her BIG (Kendra realized one day that Brittany's initials were B.I.G. and ever since then everyone seemed to call her that). Could he be interested in her?
Brittany is faced with bullying everyday and she needs to find a way to deal with that. She wants what every other teenager wants. To go out on dates, hang out with friends, to go to the Red Ball. What will she do in order to fit in? Following Brittany on her journey was a heartbreaking. I literally cried for her.
This is a great book with a wonderful message. I have passed the book along to my 13 year old daughter; I hope that it gets picked up by her school's book club. I think it will really help these teens to understand what it is like to be on the receiving end of bullying.
This is an amazing read! I definitely recommend it.
You can purchase the book at Barnes and Noble and at Amazon.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Grey Wolves Series
I had some downtime after finishing my book before I had to start on edits for it. I searched through the Nook books and came across Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis. I downloaded the book thinking that my newly turned 13 year old daughter would enjoy it. As always, I decided to read it to be sure that it was appropriate for her age. I fell in love!
Jacque is a regular, not-so-regular 17 year old who has her two constant companions Jen; who is the wild one and Sally, who is the one who seem to keep the other two grounded. (I think every group a friends has a Jacque, Jen and Sally). Things begin to change when Fane the exchange student from Romania moves in across the street from Jacque. She hears a voice in her mind that she is certain belongs to the boy that just saw get out of a limo and look directly towards her bedroom window. This book was so amazing that I finished it within 24 hours.
I immediately purchased the rest of the books in the Grey Wolves Series. I was in love with the characters. How can you not love hot werewolves with foreign accents? The three best friends are so relatable. I fell in love with these characters. I cried with them, laughed with them, cheered for them, yelled at them. Quinn Loftis creates characters that you can love. You love to hate the villians that she creates.
I finished the 7 books in this series in about a week and a half. I am waiting for the eighth and final book though it is sort of going to be a prequel from what I understand. Meanwhile, I am beginning on the Elfin series. I am certain that this series will be just as captivating with characters who we can relate to and love.
The Wolf Prince (book one)
Blood Rites (book two)
Just One Drop (book three)
Out of the Dark (book four)
Beyond the Veil (book five)
Fate and Fury (book six)
Sacrifice of Love (book seven)
This is not your average run of the mill werewolf series where some girl falls in love with a guy and he goes all furry; scaring her. These books create a world. The last set of books that I loved the way that I love these was The Chronicles of Narnia. I am more of a classics type of girl and not very into werewolves or vampires so to be drawn into this world that Quinn created was a little surprising to me at first. I suggest that anyone who enjoys books give this series a read. You will be hooked before you get to the halfway point of the first book.
Jacque is a regular, not-so-regular 17 year old who has her two constant companions Jen; who is the wild one and Sally, who is the one who seem to keep the other two grounded. (I think every group a friends has a Jacque, Jen and Sally). Things begin to change when Fane the exchange student from Romania moves in across the street from Jacque. She hears a voice in her mind that she is certain belongs to the boy that just saw get out of a limo and look directly towards her bedroom window. This book was so amazing that I finished it within 24 hours.
I immediately purchased the rest of the books in the Grey Wolves Series. I was in love with the characters. How can you not love hot werewolves with foreign accents? The three best friends are so relatable. I fell in love with these characters. I cried with them, laughed with them, cheered for them, yelled at them. Quinn Loftis creates characters that you can love. You love to hate the villians that she creates.
I finished the 7 books in this series in about a week and a half. I am waiting for the eighth and final book though it is sort of going to be a prequel from what I understand. Meanwhile, I am beginning on the Elfin series. I am certain that this series will be just as captivating with characters who we can relate to and love.
The Wolf Prince (book one)
Blood Rites (book two)
Just One Drop (book three)
Out of the Dark (book four)
Beyond the Veil (book five)
Fate and Fury (book six)
Sacrifice of Love (book seven)
This is not your average run of the mill werewolf series where some girl falls in love with a guy and he goes all furry; scaring her. These books create a world. The last set of books that I loved the way that I love these was The Chronicles of Narnia. I am more of a classics type of girl and not very into werewolves or vampires so to be drawn into this world that Quinn created was a little surprising to me at first. I suggest that anyone who enjoys books give this series a read. You will be hooked before you get to the halfway point of the first book.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Nook or Kindle?
Hello Readers,
As it gets closer to the release date for Love Overcomes I am beginning to wonder what kind of e-readers people have. The book will be out on Nook before the end of October. I know there are members in my family who prefer the Kindle to the Nook and the opposite is true for others in my family.
What are some pros and cons that you have experienced with the e-reader of your choice? What device do you use to read books?
I have a Nook but I also have Kindle for PC on my computer. This way I can get books from either place.
Here is what I am asking you, dear readers. Do you prefer Kindle or Nook? I have inquired about getting the book out on Kindle but not sure if it will be available on the same day or not. I just do not want potential readers to not be able to get the book if it is not published to Kindle, especially if that is what most of you have.
Please leave a comment below to let me know what e-reader is the one that you prefer. It would greatly help me out in knowing my audience. Thank you.
As it gets closer to the release date for Love Overcomes I am beginning to wonder what kind of e-readers people have. The book will be out on Nook before the end of October. I know there are members in my family who prefer the Kindle to the Nook and the opposite is true for others in my family.
What are some pros and cons that you have experienced with the e-reader of your choice? What device do you use to read books?
I have a Nook but I also have Kindle for PC on my computer. This way I can get books from either place.
Here is what I am asking you, dear readers. Do you prefer Kindle or Nook? I have inquired about getting the book out on Kindle but not sure if it will be available on the same day or not. I just do not want potential readers to not be able to get the book if it is not published to Kindle, especially if that is what most of you have.
Please leave a comment below to let me know what e-reader is the one that you prefer. It would greatly help me out in knowing my audience. Thank you.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Release Date
As it stands right now the Nook release date for Love Overcomes: Book One of the Mackenzie Sisters series will be Tuesday October 15, 2013. I am getting excited about this book. The cover is currently in the works. I have a talented young lady (14) who is hoping to do the cover for the second book in the series, but that will be discussed more later.
More to come about characters that you are sure to fall in love with.
Arabella Mackenzie and her son Liam have never wanted or
needed anyone other than their family. When Arabella meets Jeremy Fowlis she
begins to have feelings for a man for the first time since before her son was
born. Shy, Clara begins to fall for an actor of her own when she meets dashing
Jake. Jeremy is not use to women who do not want to date him because he is an
in-demand actor let alone a woman who does not even recognize him. He finds he wants
to know more about her but is not sure if he can handle the fact that she is a
single mother and has a past that seems to be shrouded in mystery. Can Arabella
and Jeremy both overcome their doubts, fears and past in order to find love?
More to come about characters that you are sure to fall in love with.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Newbie Blues
Alright, so I am completely new to this entire blog thing. This afternoon I had some amazing help from a dear friend of mine Jamie over at Designed By Jamie and now I have these awesome buttons that will allow all of you amazing readers to easily discover me on Twitter and Facebook. (If you L.O.V.E. food then you should check out Jamie's blog; she will NOT disappoint.)
After all, is there anything better than curling up with a good read and some great comfort food?
I hope you all bear with me while I am learning the ropes.
An update on my book will be coming later.
After all, is there anything better than curling up with a good read and some great comfort food?
I hope you all bear with me while I am learning the ropes.
An update on my book will be coming later.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Welcome
Welcome readers!
My name is Angela Schroeder and I am a single mother to three amazing children. They keep me on my toes and keep the creative juices flowing. My three year old is constantly asking me to tell him stories. They cannot be stories that someone else has written unless it is bedtime; then he has his favorite books. I have to make up stories on the fly with him. He will pick out a random object then the story begins. One day I just may write down all the random stories that I make up for him only.
My daughter is very much like me when it comes to books. Her nose is always in one. We share books often times, then discuss them.
My middle child is the most encouraging. He loves to help his little brother and always wants to know what his sister is doing. He will listen as I make up a story then tell me how much he likes it. He has a story I am writing for him which will hopefully be out before the end of next summer for his birthday.
I am currently working on the layout for Love Overcomes: Book One of the Mackenzie Sisters series. I am excited about this book that will be available soon.
I hope that you come back for more to keep informed about upcoming books.
My name is Angela Schroeder and I am a single mother to three amazing children. They keep me on my toes and keep the creative juices flowing. My three year old is constantly asking me to tell him stories. They cannot be stories that someone else has written unless it is bedtime; then he has his favorite books. I have to make up stories on the fly with him. He will pick out a random object then the story begins. One day I just may write down all the random stories that I make up for him only.
My daughter is very much like me when it comes to books. Her nose is always in one. We share books often times, then discuss them.
My middle child is the most encouraging. He loves to help his little brother and always wants to know what his sister is doing. He will listen as I make up a story then tell me how much he likes it. He has a story I am writing for him which will hopefully be out before the end of next summer for his birthday.
I am currently working on the layout for Love Overcomes: Book One of the Mackenzie Sisters series. I am excited about this book that will be available soon.
I hope that you come back for more to keep informed about upcoming books.
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