Book Review: I Belong With You by Shannon Guymon

I Belong With You by Shannon Guymon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is also posted on Amazon.

So. I love Shannon Guymon's books. Clean, sweet, and all of them end happily. Now, some people might have a problem with that. But she does it on purpose... 'cause fiction can be an escape. Doesn't have to be, but it can be and she chooses to make it one.

This book in particular was lovely. I haven't read the first one yet, but aside from a few things I didn't know... this book could have stood alone. Shannon does a good job filling in the gaps and reminding readers what happened in the previous book without making it seem like she's retelling the whole thing.

I literally had a smile on my face for most of this book and I finished it within a couple of hours. I had to know how it ended. Also, because I'm that kind of reader (don't hate) I skipped to the end for a moment because the suspense was killing me and I HAD TO KNOW who she was going to end up with.

A lot of suspense (both romantic and otherwise)... clean... fun... thrilling... and enough to make me smile while reading.

I also, just to add a note, should say that if you like girl power, sister relationshipos, close girl friends... any of Shannon's books would be for you. The way she writes about the bond between sisters and friends in her books makes me think she would be a lovely, lovely friend to have.

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BLOG TOUR: Book Review: Emma A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

 This is Rebecca Jamison.

And this is her new book.

I am excited to be a part of this blog tour and to have had the opportunity to read this book. Welcome if you're visiting from Rebecca's website and welcome back if you are a returning reader.

I love Jane Austen... not that unusual ;). I also love when an author can take a plot that obviously works and make it feel fresh and new.  In this version, the characters were modernized in a way that I really enjoyed. It felt halfway between "Clueless" and "Emma".

Emma has recently found success as a matchmaker so when quiet, sweet, poorly dressed Harri catches her notice Emma decides to keep the ball rolling. Enter Phil. A single guy that Emma is sure would be just the guy for Harri. Just as in the book, Emma, Harri is persuadable and easily led.  Phil is not on the same page. Emma is determined to force things that won't be forced. Justin Knightley is lovely. And Emma's dad provides a little comic relief.

I knew what plot twists were coming because I've read and watched Emma before so the really intriguing part about this book was seeing how Rebecca Jamison modernized the characters and setting.  I also love how well LDS culture blends into classic stories.  Keeps the classics as clean as when they were first written. I do not like seeing classics "smutted up" for the masses.

A sweet, twisty, silly love story that makes you think about perceptions and makes you wonder if you really do know what's best for someone else.

Worth a read... NOT a waste of time. Not even a little.

GO JANE!!!

Head to this link to read a cute little story about Jane Austen and British money... I am now going to obtain a ten pound note.

http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-jane-austen-british-10-pound-note-20130724,0,2907066.story

Book Review: The Deepest Night

The Deepest Night by Shana Abe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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I had read "The Sweetest Dark" and was glad to see where the story went in this book. I will be glad to finish the series just to see how it all wraps up.

Armand is lovely and I hated all the back and forth, but am glad for the way the book ended.

This book was never... explicit and yet sometimes it felt that way. I feel so frustrated by this. It is set in a time period where even a kiss would be scandalous and exciting. Why add so much sexual tension and overtones?

The story was good. There was danger and intrigue in the last half of the book and a whole lot of (sometimes dull) social intrigue in the beginning.

I don't feel like I wasted my time. I enjoyed the book and I don't feel dirty having read it, but there were definitely parts that made me uncomfortable and I was always on edge as to whether or not I'd have to skip a few pages. I never did, thankfully, but there was a lot of "toeing the line" going on.

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Book Review: Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So. This book. Typically I just rate a series, but there aren't always five great books in a five book series.

This book was good. Definitely better than the third book. There was a definite purpose behind this book and not just as a filler. Seth's character was definitely not super obnoxious, but I still hate how he is constantly breaking rules and always justifying it.

What I didn't like about this book (and this is a trend in this series):
There are a lot of convenient things that go on to make everything fall into place. There's no subtlety when the author is placing something that will later help the plot move along or save the characters when they find themselves in dire straits. This is not to say that there aren't surprises and plot twists... there definitely are and definitely not ones you see coming.

Overall a fun, intriguing book. Clean and exciting with characters and circumstances that will enthrall boys and girls of many ages.

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HEADS UP! Blog tour upcoming.

Hey all. It has been a busy couple of months. I kind of dropped off the blog world for a mo' but I wanted to let you know to keep checkin' back. I'm going to be part of another blog tour soon. August 3rd is the day I'll be reviewing a new book, "Emma: A Latter-day Tale" by Rebecca H. Jamison

I am just starting to read it now. I'm excited to review it for you.