There’s nothing left for Tara Sweet in landlocked Dexton, Missouri. Her fiancé called off their wedding, her sister is moving to Manhattan, and now her mother is marrying a much younger man with plans for a yearlong honeymoon in Europe. Tara believes a move back to her childhood home of Otter Bay, California, will help restore the fun and fearlessness she’s already missing in her twenties. Playing back memories of idyllic times spent there with her father along the majestic coast, a fairytale seems just around the corner.

Better make that a soap opera. After Tara finds a job in Otter Bay, makes friends at The Red Abalone Grill, and perhaps even a new flame in firefighter Josh, she begins to uncover shocking secrets about why her family left this heaven on earth all those years ago. And though she will have to question everything she has ever known, the faith that Tara must depend upon will be sweeter than ever before.

My Review: “Sweet Waters” is a great beach read.  The cover alone invites you to take this book out on your front porch with a class of diet coke or to sun yourself while reading on your blanket at the beach.  The story is about three young sisters searching for their roots without really realizing that is what they are doing.  I like this book although in some ways it is not believable.  Some aspects are a little out of my realm of reality, but who wouldn’t want to move from landlocked Missouri to sunny California.  Tara (don’t you love that name?) finds a sweet romance, she also finds out many truths about her past that are shocking to her and her sisters.  They find out the facts little by little as the story moves along.  The book causes me to want to know more about some of the characters and their families. The story takes a few twists and turns until it ends leaving me wanting for more.

About the book:

Watch the tangled mess a Kansas hairdresser gets herself into when she reports to the funeral home that the body she is to work on is not the same as in her reference photo. Is she being punished when the director accuses her of stealing a diamond ring? Will Hilde Higgins’s former boyfriend help her unravel the issue or only bring more trouble to her life?

Now that Gabby is back on her feet after being in a homeless shelter, she has a new dream that will stretch her faith farther than ever.

Gabby expects a fight from her husband over custody of their boys, but she is taken aback when he leans on her for a loan to cover his gambling debts. When she turns him down, Philip makes a desperate move that puts Gabby, her friends at the shelter, and even the House of Hope at risk.

The props Gabby usually leans on–Jodi, her Yada Yada prayer partner; her friend Harry, the ex-cop; and Lee, her lawyer, who has fallen in love with Gabby–are not always there when she needs them most. Gabby must make a decision that could change the course of her life. But is it for better–or for worse?

My Review: I enjoy these books soooo much.  I think it’s because I wish I was in a group like the Yada Yada prayer group!  They so take care of each other and everyone else they come into contact with!  I can’t really relate to the character Gabby, I would just like to tell her what to do in the case of her love life.  I guess my mantra is don’t trust anyone for a while at least.  I always love Jodi Baxter and I can relate to her – happy marriage and public school teacher.  The only difference is I have three kids and they are older.

I  ordered the first parallel novel, Harry Bentley’s Second Chance by Neta Jackson’s husband Dave.  Can’t wait to get it.  These books take off on the secondary characters in Neta’s books.  It will be nice to read about Christian men from a Christian man’s point of view!  This book will help me wait until March 2011 when the next book in the series comes out, Who is My Shelter? These books rate at the top of my list of favorite Christian fiction books.  Keep them coming, Neta and Dave!

“The perfect cup of coffee is a mystifying thing. To many of my customers, the entire process seems like some sort of alchemy they dare not try at home….” Ten years ago, Clare Cosi left an unhappy marriage along with a job she loved: managing the historic Village Blend coffeehouse in New York’s Greenwich Village. For a decade, she was happy raising her daughter in the quiet suburbs of New Jersey; but now that Joy is grown and gone, life has gotten way too quiet for Clare. With a little cajoling from Madame, the Blend’s flamboyant, elderly owner, Clare agrees to return to her old job, and right from the start she gets one heck of a jolt. On her first morning back as Village Blend manager, Clare unlocks the front door to find her beautiful, young assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. As Anabelle is rushed to the hospital, police arrive to investigate, but Detective Mike Quinn finds no sign of forced entry or foul play, and he deems it an accident. Clare disagrees; and after Quinn leaves, there are a few questions she just can’t get out of her mind, like why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn’t an accident, are her other baristas in danger? And are all NYPD detectives this attractive?

My Review: This is my new favorite series.  I love the setting –  a coffeehouse in Greenwich Village, New York City –  I can relate to the main character – Clare Cosi, and the mystery keeps me engaged.  It is difficult to figure out “who did it.”  There is usually a twist in the end, so I THINK I know, but I really don’t – I like that!  In the end it all comes together and makes perfect sense.  Again, this author has added recipes and hints for making great coffee!  I haven’t exactly read these in order but I’m on my fifth story, Murder Most Frothy, I have downloaded two of them to my Nook, and have bought the ones which aren’t available to download on my Nook.  I look forward to reading the rest.  A new one is available for pre-order titled Roast Mortem will be I believe book 9 in the series.  I plan to read them all.

On the anniversary of his beloved wife’s death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah had written him. In it she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request. I want you to marry again. She tells him he shouldn’t spend the years he has left grieving her. And to that end she’s chosen three women she asks him to consider. During the months that follow, he spends time with Winter, Leanne, and Macy, learning more about each of them…and about himself. Learning what Hannah already knew. He’s a man who needs the completeness only love can offer. And Hannah’s list leads him to the woman who can help him find it.

Macomber2010Bookmark

This book is slated to be published in May of 2010 – be watching for it!

My Review: This was a great read!  I cried and I laughed.  If you have read any of the Blossom Street books, you will recognize many of the characters.  What a different concept.  A husband receives a letter from his dead wife which listed  three women she wanted him to consider for remarriage. He thought it impossible because he was still deeply grieving her death.  The characters are colorful and probably resemble some of your friends.  I know they reminded me of people I know.   Three couples are highlighted so I would call this book a romance and slice of life read.  The link above will take you to a Debbie Maccomber bookmark that lists all of her books being published in 2010.  I’m also looking forward to the new Cedar Cove book.  If you enjoy easy, enjoyable reading with happy endings you will love this book!

From Back Cover:  When her husband, John, is recruited to be a big-time hedge fund manager, Marcy Emerson gives up her job, uproots her life, and moves from Chicago to New York City.  But try as she might, March is never going to fit into one of the supposed seven categories of Hedge Fund Wives – the Accidental, the Westminster, the Stephanie Seymour, the Former Secretary, the Socialite, the Workaholic, or the Breeder – especially when behind every male may lurk a stab in the back.

In a perfect world John would have been there to help her navigate the waters, but in this volatile financial market, relationships have a way of nosediving faster than the Dow, and Marcy quickly finds herself tossed aside for a thinner, blonder model.  But while living out of suitcases and drowning her sorrows in cocktails, Marcy realizes it’s time to get back up on her own two feet again…and fight for those things in life that are far more important than money.

My Review:   Every once in a while it is fun to take a peek at how the “other half” lives, and this book provides just that.   I liked the main character, Marcy, but found her rather naive and gullible at times.  Her marriage and family dynamics were both rather odd to me.  Neither seemed especially healthy, although in many ways, she herself seemed healthy and she was likable.  Her husband, John, was the kind of man you love to hate.  The marriage never seemed especially stable from the beginning of the book.  As you can tell from the description of the book above, people who seemingly have it all are still not necessarily happy.  I enjoyed this book, but I could live without the overuse of the f word and graphic sexual scenes.  There were also a few blatant errors in editing.  Overall, I found Hedge Fund Wives an enjoyable and entertaining read with a happy ending.

Product Description: In his 14th book, bestselling author Nicholas Sparks tells the unforgettable story of a man whose brushes with death lead him to the love of his life.

Is there really such thing as a lucky charm? The hero of Nicholas Sparks’s new novel believes he’s found one in the form of a photograph of a smiling woman he’s never met, but who he comes to believe holds the key to his destiny. The chain of events that leads to him possessing the photograph and finding the woman pictured in it is the stuff of love stories only a master such as Sparks can write.

My Review: I always find Nicholas Sparks’ books rather surreal, and this one was no exception.  I will say it was the first one I have finished since Night in Rodanthe (I have all the ones in between as well).  He is a great writer and the story was riveting, just not at all true to life.  The characters are likeable (except the one you are not supposed to like), the setting was great (a dog kennel in rural North Carolina), and the story which was quite romantic was also very engaging. I read it in two days.  I have a problem with the dichotomy of a couple going to a Baptist church also sleeping together.  I don’t know why this is always necessary.  However, I liked this book and recommend it if you are looking for a great and entertaining escape.  I wonder if this one will become a movie?

Product Description
As John Baxter makes plans to marry Elaine, one of the Baxters enters into the most trying season of all. During a time of renewed love and hope for the future, the Baxters try to come together to establish the sacred ground of marriage and to chart a course for the future. Memories of times gone by meet with the changes of today in a story that proves only the support of faith and family can take a person into the sunset years of life.

My Review: This is the last book of many books of the Baxter Family.  Whew!  Never fear dieheart fans – I read that these characters will make some visits in future Kingsbury books, so don’t fear withdrawal.

I don’t want to ruin this book for you, but it was, in my opinion rather weak.  The ending was happy and most of the loose ends were tied up – no huge surprises.  I think it’s time for this series to end, although I do feel like I know the Baxters.  I do not, however, know anyone LIKE the Baxters.  The same Scripture verses are used repeatedly throughout the series.  I think this is one reason I like the Baxter series; that is, it is somewhat realistic and God always answers prayers the way we feel He should.  I will continue to read Karen Kingsbury books – they draw out deep emotion in me and provide a positive escape.  I enjoy the nice, sweet story.  I recommend this book, it’s a good ending to a long series.

Product Description
Dear Reader,I have something to confide in you. I think my husband, Dave, might be having an affair. I found an earring in his pocket, and it’s not mine. I’m also worried because some jewelry was recently stolen from an old woman—and Dave used to visit her a lot.

You see, he’s a pastor. And a good man. I can’t believe he’s guilty of anything, but why won’t he tell me where he’s been when he comes home so late?

Reader, I’d love to hear what you think. I also want to tell you what’s going on with your other friends in Cedar Cove. Like Sheriff Troy Davis, to mention one. His long-ago love, Faith Beckwith, just moved here!

So come on in and join me for a cup of tea.

Emily Flemming

My Review:  I love this series!  This is the eighth book in the series named “Cedar Cove.”  Each book is named after an address, and the main characters are the family who live there.  The other characters in the town are interspersed throughout the story as well.  So you are able to revisit favorite characters.  This book resonated with me because it was about a pastor’s family.  These books are quite realistic as one of the characters goes through cancer treatment, the pastor’s family is not perfect, and relationships need lots of work.  The book is relatively clean with very little offensive language.  I also love the setting in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  The next book in this series is a Christmas book.  I already have that book in my pile to read.  I recommend Dabbie Macomber books to anyone who likes a relaxing and enjoyable escape.  She has written several series and I am in the midst of reading them all!