Jane Porter - It's You

I know whenever I pick up a Jane Porter book, I'll be immediately captivated by her story. So it was no surprise that this book quickly sucked me in. Due to my ARC reading schedule and all the books out there, I haven't been able to read before now and I feel bad I'm just now getting to this story. I had pre-ordered it so I've had it on my kindle since release day but it was really nice starting out 2016 with this book. 

I hadn't read the book's summary in many months so I sorta went in blindly. I was excited to see a familiar character from the Brennan sisters books. You should read the first book, The Good Woman. But Ali was interesting and so very sad. We get pulled into her life and see what's going on. Being an only child myself, I could feel some of her pain and anguish. And that's what I love so much about Jane's writing. It's real. It's gritty. It grabs a hold of you. Ali is dealing with loss and trying to cope. She wants to be with her dad, but he's content where he lives. Then we begin meeting his friends. 

Edie is an interesting lady. She's gruff, doesn't like people knowing her business but yet I feel like she and Ali are kindred spirits. And Edie's story breaks. my. heart. I was captivated by her journal entries. 

I do love a good historical, fiction piece. And that was a surprising addition to this book. The material was heavy and even worse because it's true. We hear about Hitler's Germany and the horrible things the Jews and anyone opposed to Hitler had to endure. Yet, I couldn't stop reading. I loved the way this book moved through present day to Berlin 1944. 

This book captivated and entertained me. It was sweet, poignant, powerful.  And all the feels.... I'm overwhelmed by emotions and am suffering from my first book hangover of 2016. Jane's books can produce so many emotions. This book will be one to stick with me for a long while. 

(Isn't this a beautiful book cover?)

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Brennan Sisters novels comes a heartwarming story about finding love and strength, even in the darkest moments…

In the wake of a tragedy that tore her life down to the foundations, Dr. Alison McAdams has lost her way. So when she’s summoned to Napa to care for her ailing father, she’s not sure she has anything to offer him—or anyone else.

What Ali finds in Northern California wine country is a gift—an opportunity to rest, and distance from her painful memories. Most unexpectedly, she finds people who aren’t afraid of her grief or desperate for her to hurry up and move on.

As Ali becomes part of her father’s community, makes new friends of her own, and hears the stories of a generation who survived the Second World War, she begins to find hope again. In a quest to discover the truth about another woman’s lost love, she sets off on a journey across oceans and deep into history. And in making sense of that long-ago tragedy, Ali is able to put together the broken pieces of her heart and make new choices that are right for her.

Heather Gudenkauf - Missing Pieces

When I saw Heather Gudenkauf on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read her book. I've read several from her and I've never been disappointed! 

I was hooked from the very beginning. My first thought was, how sad, she knew her killer. There was an eeriness to the book from the get-go and I kept wondering if things weren't as they seemed. I felt on edge the entire time I was reading. 

Be prepared for this book to grip you and not let you go until the very end. I read this book in a matter of a few hours because I couldn't put it down. As I was reading, I had an inclination as to who it could be but I still couldn't put it down. This is a sad, dark story that had many twists and turns and oh my gosh, what now vibe?! 

After finishing the book (in which I yelled out loud as things came to light) I need to do something else for awhile because this book still has its hold on me. I highly recommend this book! 

A woman uncovers earth-shattering secrets about her husband's family in this chilling page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf 

Sarah Quinlan's husband, Jack, has been haunted for decades by the untimely death of his mother when he was just a teenager, her body found in the cellar of their family farm, the circumstances a mystery. The case rocked the small farm town of Penny Gate, Iowa, where Jack was raised, and for years Jack avoided returning home. But when his beloved aunt Julia is in an accident, hospitalized in a coma, Jack and Sarah are forced to confront the past that they have long evaded. 

Upon arriving in Penny Gate, Sarah and Jack are welcomed by the family Jack left behind all those years ago—barely a trace of the wounds that had once devastated them all. But as facts about Julia's accident begin to surface, Sarah realizes that nothing about the Quinlans is what it seems. Caught in a flurry of unanswered questions, Sarah dives deep into the puzzling rabbit hole of Jack's past. But the farther in she climbs, the harder it is for her to get out. And soon she is faced with a deadly truth she may not be prepared for.

2015 has come to an end

Well, 2015 has come to an end and now I'll have to get used to writing 2016! I'm ready for a new year. Last year wasn't bad, but I look forward to what's to come. There will always be bad times, but with those comes really great times too. I know God has a plan for me and He truly doesn't give me more than I can handle. 

I try to appreciate all the moments I get with people, places, big and small. I don't make resolutions but I don't want to say "no" too often this year. I want to grab life and go wherever God may lead me. I want to volunteer more and try to see family more often. I need to run more and get to the gym more often. Back on the band wagon, it's time for a healthier year. For everyday, not just January. Lol

I managed to read 256 books in 2015. My goal was 234 because I had read 233 the year before and I didn't think I'd do much more than that. Ha! I surprised myself there. 2015 brought really great books with it and I have so many on my TBR lists (yes, I have more than 1), sitting on my bookshelves and on my kindle waiting for me to pick them up. I know 2016 is already looking strong. I'm excited for the new authors I discover, new stories from favorite authors and all the recommendations I receive/find! I hope my blog helps you fall in love with different stories and different authors. Try someone new, grab a book by a favorite but just read! I know there are many books and authors out there and you may not like all the books I read, but that's the joy of books to me. There's always something out there for you and maybe my book recommendations will lead you to your favorite reads!

Cheers to 2016! 

Lisa De Jong - Break Even

This is my first Lisa De Jong book but it won't be my last!  I was immediately pulled into this story. And Marley is a girl I could be friends with. How do I know this, you ask? She loves the movie Pitch Perfect! She even talks her man into watching with her. "Aubrey and Fat Amy get me every time. They get him too." Just like that. *snaps fingers.* instant bestie! Anyone who likes Pitch Perfect is good people :)

Marley and Cole are married lawyers running a firm together except it feels like Cole is letting Marley run it. She's lonely and misses her husband. We, the reader, can feel Marley's pain and sadness and watching her keep getting the brush off from her husband is sad.  "Tears flow down my cheeks as I realize what true loneliness feels like. It's the saddest place I've ever been, and I don't have a clue what I did to deserve the ticket that got me here."  Have I gotten your attention yet? Good! 

The way she writes makes you feel like part of their marriage. I hated Cole! He was interested in fixing things a little too late. Granted, Marley hadn't said anything to him, however, he had to notice the difference in her/their relationship. And I had this feeling he'd been having an affair on her. There's just something sneaky about him. But you'll have to read it to find out what REALLY happens. 

Hold the phone! I didn't see that coming. Whaaaaaat?! Oh my heavens. I'm SO MAD!!!!!!!! Cole sucks. For real.  I just want to drink wine and be there for Marley because. OH. MY. GOSH. I can't even. Speechless I tell you. You HAVE TO read this book.  

So I have a billion emotions going through me after reading this book. First off it's not what I expected but it's definitely so, so good!!  Now I'm left with a book hangover. As much as I hate them, I love them.  So go now and 1-click this book!

My story isn’t a love story … not the typical kind anyway. 
As a lawyer, I’m used to discovery, but I never saw this one coming. 

Every day, River gives me ten reasons to stay away, and then eleven reasons why I can't. Our relationship was to remain strictly business, or at least I tried. 

Four years of marriage, and everything with Cole has changed. I never knew two people who lived together could be so distant. But I’m not ready to give up on him. 

One man wants to break me. 
The other is just trying to get even. 

Both are lying to me. 

**This is a standalone!**