To Begin Anew by Eliza Gerard

Book Description:

When Eric lost his wife to a short battle with cancer, he knew he couldn’t go on as he’d been doing. Tina had been his rock and his best friend - the one who had held the family together while he traveled into the city to film his own TV show. With her dying, he became lost.

But one thing he knew was that he needed to be there for his seven-year-old twins. He resigned from his show, packed up everything and moved to a small town. He was lucky to get a job in the general hospital in a larger town a few miles away, but he needs help with the boys, especially after school.

Everywhere he goes one name keeps popping up - Debra Brown. From the reports he hears, she’s the answer to his prayers, his guardian angel and fairy godmother all rolled into one.

But no matter how hard he tries, she won’t talk to him. Finally, he decides to play dirty and ambushes her with his kids in tow. If what he’s heard is true, she won’t be able to resist them

Debra has lived in the same small town her entire life. To most of the townfolk, Debra is a sweet angel. After her parents drowned in a boat accident when she was only sixteen, didn’t she drop out of high school and take care of the younger ones? And when her younger sister came back from college and married Debra’s fiancé, did she not smile and prepare a grand wedding for them?

There was no one with a finer heart than Debra Brown and who else can help the Nelson boys in their time of need? But Debra knows better...

Christina's BookReview 

RECAP

Eric has been at a lost since losing his wife. After quitting his job as an actor on a popular hit show Eric moves away with his twin boys. In his new town he gets a new job but has encountered a dilemma. He needs someone to watch his boys. And not the women that are looking for a chance with the hot doctor/actor.

Everyone in town suggest that sweet townie Debra Brown would be a perfect sitter. But Debra isn't easy to convince. 
 

Debra has lived a complicated life. With her parents dead Debra took over raising her brother and sister and seeing to it that their future is bright. This includes handling the situation with her sister and ex fiance getting married. Now she just wants to run her Inn and go about life quietly. She isn't expecting for Eric to be persistent and to fall in love with the twins.

Will fate have something else in store for Eric and Debra? Will it be easy for them to take a plunge into something new?   

MY TAKE

This book was an okay read. I was looking for a light romance read and this one was free so I took a chance. 

Debra is used to keeping to herself and not having to deal with others on a constant basis. When she meets the Nelson boys she quickly enjoys spending time with them and loving them. But when their father shows interest in her she quickly tries to cut off the relationship. So most of the book is her trying to stay away from Eric and him wanting to spend time with her. I didn't really like Debra and didn't feel any connection to her character. I don't feel like there was any type of change in her and didn't feel her emotions while reading. She was bland. 

They meet, she pulls away, he pulls back, she has a breakthrough, they live happily ever after. 

  

So this was an okay read. Not something I would ever read again. If you want a quick romance read then this is your book. If you want more this may not be it. 

Happy Reading! 

 

Killing Caroline by Christina Dotson

Book Description:

Nothing can come between two sisters. Except murder…

Althea James is the girl everyone loves to ignore. Even her parents act like she doesn't exist, especially after her perfect sister, Caroline, arrives home from college for summer break. But the sibling rivalry Althea shares with Caroline goes much deeper than competing for their parents' affection. Caroline represents everything Althea isn't and never will be. Until one tragic night that threatens to change her life forever.

Suddenly, Althea is forced into the blinding spotlight of fame, but for all the wrong reasons. Her sister is dead, her boyfriend is in jail, and her parents have reported her missing. Now, caught in the middle of the media storm, Althea is the girl no one can stop talking about. But is her newfound fame worth the secret she so desperately wants to keep?

Christina's BookReview

 

RECAP

Althea James has always had a rough childhood. She is sick of being compared to her "not-so-perfect" sister and being the "ugly" one in the family. The only person she knows loves her is her perfect boyfriend Jacob. But when Carolina takes that as well, Althea is furious and takes matters into her own hands.When Althea is finally given the attention she seeks she has to accept that their are consequences to her actions.

But will she listen to her conscience or get in with the wrong person? Will her life end like her dear sisters'?

MY TAKE

I was given this book by it's author in return for an honest review. 

When I read the synopsis I was looking forward to reading something different. I was expecting to sympathize with Althea. Yeah...that didn't happen. 

 I'm going to be very honest right how.Everyone in this book is bat shit CRAZY!! :-) Which is an understatement. Maybe psychotic? That might not be the best word either...They all need to go see a therapist or be locked up in prison because not one of them has a redeemable quality. Well just one. Jacob was the only character that isn't included in that. He was sweet and really loved Althea and what was done to him was horrific! I wanted to reach through the book and just hug him and get him away from everyone.

Althea's sister is TERRIBLE to her and I can understand where the hate came from. I couldn't help but be relieved when she wasn't in the story anymore because I wanted to strangle her myself. Does that make me a psycho too? LOL...Trust me you would feel the way too. 

So the reasons this is only 3 Stars:

-I felt no connection with any character

-The main protag was as bad her sister in different ways

-Every character in the book was terrible, personality wise.

-There is no redeeming quality with the protag. She feels no real guilt for what she did.

Ok so I'm going to let you all judge the book yourselves. Don't expect to get a romance from this or a HEA because you won't.    

Happy Reading!!

Angel Baby by Leslie Kelly

Book Description:
Since losing her husband several months ago, the only thing Claudia Warren is looking forward to is the impending birth of her child. But she goes into labor at the worst possible time, in the worst possible place. Fortunately, a strong, protective stranger—Chase Paxton—comes to her aid, saving her life and the life of her daughter.

Chase is a loner, and he likes it that way. He tries to avoid getting caught up in anyone else’s drama…so coming to the aid of a heavily pregnant woman, and being right there for the birth of her baby, shocks him to his core. Even more shocking is that the beautiful young mother disappears from his life as quickly as she’d entered it.

Now, fate has brought Claudia back to him. And while Chase might try to resist any emotional tangles, he finds himself thoroughly ensnared by the beautiful young mother, and the adorable child he helped bring into the world. But can two people who’ve sworn off love for good ever move beyond past hurts and regrets to trust in a future together?

Christina's BookReview 

RECAP

When Claudia Warren is away from home visiting her deceased husband she gets the surprise of her life. As she suddenly goes into labor and is by herself she must depend on the help of one Chase Paxton. 

Chase Paxton is angry at the world and a loner. When he suddenly runs into a very pregnant Claudia his life will never be the same. But when she disappears and he doesn't hear from her Chase reverts back to his shell. 

Fate has other plans for these two. Will they meet up again? or will there stories change?


MY TAKE

This is my second Leslie Kelly book and although I wasn't thrilled with the first I looked forward to reading this one. This was a bit better but it was kind of as bland as the first. 

Claudia and Chase meet under crazy circumstances and then go on to live their lives. Nine months later they meet again and the attraction they felt the first time around is still there.So its a story of boy/girl have complicated past, both overcome it and live happily ever after. You all know I love a HEA but I don't like the "easy" ones. So this book was just a bland read for me.  I didn't have any connection with the characters so it made this a little difficult to finish.

The secondary characters in this one were actually good. I like Mel and Ryan and adored Chase's grandmother as well.

This was a sweet romance. If you want a quick cute romance then this book is good for you. 

Happy Reading!

The Final Piece by Maggi Myers

Book Description:

Life shouldn’t be about picking up the pieces.

Beth Bradshaw has spent her life hiding from her tragic past. From the moment a trusted family friend steals her innocence until the moment another rescues her, she struggles to just survive.

Surrounded by the comfort and protection of her extended family, Beth embarks on a journey of healing far from the horrors of her home. In her darkest moments, she meets a boy named Ryan. For one incredible summer, Ryan shows Beth what it’s like to act her own age.

To feel free and let go.
If only for a while.

Years later, another tragedy threatens to shatter the life Beth has carefully crafted. When faced, yet again, with more pieces to pick up, Beth begins to question what her choices have cost her.
Leaving her old life behind, she sets forth on a pilgrimage that will bring her back to the boy she could never forget. He wants to help her pick up the pieces of her life, but is she willing to do what it takes to become whole again?

Can she trust him with a piece of herself?

Christina's BookReview

“We are all broken in one way or another. It's how we put those pieces back together that matters."

RECAP

Elizabeth Bradshaw has not had a horrific childhood. Since the beginning Beth has been neglected by her parents. When the neglect turns out to be much more dangerous for Beth all she can do is hide in her shell. For years Beth has to put up with her circumstances but when her "knight in shining armor" finally rescues her Beth is finally able to be happy. 

As Beth starts to live her life and try to move on from her past she finds that opening up isn't easy. With the help of her extended family she will learn what it is to finally be able to be a normal fifteen year old. That summer Beth gets close to her savior's nephew, Ryan.  In his arms Beth finds something she's never had. Peace.

But when one event leads to others and Ryan isn't there anymore will Beth be able to survive her new life? Or will she never find solace again?

MY TAKE

The Final Piece is a gruesome story with events that will have your heart breaking. I never thought going into it that the circumstances that Beth went through were so horrific. I don't want to ruin it for anyone but I must warn you that Beth is a victim of a pedophile. So if you don't like stories like this maybe this isn't the book for you. 

When she is finally rescued from the place she is able to try and move on and heal. The healing starts with her trying to accept that she isn't broken and that maybe she can live a normal teenage life. With the help of her extended family and Ryan she is able to do that.

The relationship between Ryan and Beth was cute  but I thought that it wasn't deep. Or at least not deep enough to have me loving it. The jump from hating each other to loving each other with one look  is just not my type of book. I dislike the whole insta-love thing.Then they are separated and don't move on and just fall back into the same rhythm when tragedy strikes. Its just not realistic which made this book draw out for me.

Some other things I didn't like were:

-The way Beth quickly got over her past

-The continuous time jump was annoying
-Beth not really dealing with what happened to her and withholding it from Ryan.

All in all I think the book was okay. I didn't really connect with any of the characters. The only character I did like was Tommy, Ryan's uncle. He was sweet, caring and funny. I thought that his character was amazing. 

I will let you decide on this one. 

HAPPY READING!