Friday, April 22, 2011

Book Review - Love Finds a Home by Wanda E. Brunstetter

From the Publisher:  When times are tough. . .. . .will love find a home? 
Daddy’s Girl:  Glenna Moore has become accustomed to a life of hardship while following her father on his gambling jaunts across America. But when a night of gambling turns into catastrophe, will Glenna’s heart be capable of letting a young reverend’s kindness save her from despair? Reverend David Green trusts God in every action, but will his offer to help a desperate young woman backfire and uproot a past he would rather forget? 
Dear Teacher  Wherever Judith King goes, her physical flaw—one brown eye and one blue—follows her. As she adjusts to her life as a one-room schoolteacher in a Pennsylvania canal town, she insists that no man could fall in love with her. Single father Ernie Snyder is captivated by the beautiful new schoolmarm, but believes it is a hopeless case for a man like him to marry a woman like her. Can two stubborn souls learn to let love into their lives? 
Twice Loved  A position in a used toy shop is an answer to prayer for Bev Winters who finds herself widowed with a young daughter after World War II. But when her employer shows her surprising kindness, she is unsure how to react. After his wife’s death, Dan Fisher dutifully maintains her used toy shop and closes his heart to ever loving another woman. Then Bev Winters enters his life, and he is drawn to help her and her daughter. Will this working relationship turn into love?

My thoughts:  Three short stories of historical fiction and romance.  Each of the three main characters are well described and lovable.  The stories are unique and easy reads.  I highly recommend this book - great for moms with little kids who are looking to escape for a little bit but don't have enough time to "read a book".  You can pick this up and read one of the short stories in a night or two, depending on how much quiet time you really do get.  

Love Finds a Home will  be released on 7/1/11 and is available for prepurchase at Amazon.com.  It will be a fantastic book for you to take on vacation with you!! A great read for the airport, the plane or even the train.  This was my first read of this author; you can bet it will not be my last. 

Monday, April 18, 2011

A Book Review: Frost Moon

From the publisher:

Her Magic Will Get Under Your Skin
Her Story Will Fill Your Imagination
Dakota Frost's Enthralling Saga Begins . . .
In an alternate Atlanta where magic is practiced openly,where shapeshifters party at the urban clubs and vampires rule the southern nights like gangsters, where demure witches sip coffees at the local cafes and mysterious creatures command the dark caverns beneath the city, Dakota Frost's talents are coveted by all: She's the best magical tattoo artist in the southeast: a SkinDancer, able to bring her amazing tats to life. When a serial killer begins stalking Atlanta's tattooed elite, the police and Feds seek Dakota's help. Can she find the killer in the dark fringe of the city's magical Edgeworld? What kind of enemies and allies will she attract among the powerful outcasts and tormented loners, who see her as a threat, a seduction, an unexpected champion . . . or as delicious prey.
FROST MOON is Book One of the SKINDANCER fantasy series by debut author Anthony Francis. Filled with unforgettable characters, spine-tingling action, scenes of sheer wonder, kinky rebellion and edgy love, FROST MOON is storytelling at its most classic, and Dakota Frost is an irresistible new star of fantasy fiction.

This book was a pleasant surprise.  If you're into shapeshifters, mystery, and magic, this book is definitely worth your time to read.   The characters are unique:  vampires, shifters, witches, intertwine their magic and mystique with the "real" world.  Magical tattoos, a subject I've never heard of before, was very intriguing.  Add a serial killer into the mix, and you've got a great story.

A lot of attention was spent on describing the alternate "Atlanta", which I dare to assume is based on the "real" Atlanta, that I know nothing about.  I am not sure if someone who is more familiar with that area will find the attention to detail in the description of the locale an important part of the storyline, but since I am not familiar with the area, I thought the time could have been better spent with the storyline.

That being said, I enjoyed this book.  I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars and am anxious for the 2nd of the series to be released.

I was given a review Kindle copy of this book by the Publisher.  I was asked only for an honest review of the book, and am pleased to provide a favorable one.  

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Spring Collection of Awesomeness at Pier 1

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Our patio is in serious need of new furniture.  I think our chaises can be "re-strung" or whatever that is called now but Hubs thinks it is just time to buckle down and buy new furniture.  So I've been checking out the website over at Pier 1.  Have you checked it out lately?  I am in love.  Cool stuff.  Bargains galore.  Indoor/Outdoor furniture.  What more could a gal ask for?
I coveting a iconic Pier 1 Papasan which has evolved so much from my college days. It is now available as a "regular" (single) Papasan (indoor and outdoor!), a double Papasan (indoor and outdoor), and a (outdoor)  Swingasan.  Huh?  You ask?  Wait, it gets better:  an indoor Rockasan Chair!  Comfort, coziness, inside or out.
The other furniture I want is indoor/outdoor too - this means we can furnish the currently unfurnished sun porch during the "off" season (winter) and have wonderful grown-up furniture outside on the patio during the "prime" (spring/summer/fall) months.
Two of these Outdoor Ciudad Corner Chairs could easily surround a few of these
Outdoor Ciudad Armless Chairs to make an AWESOME couch on the patio. They can be broken down inside to make lounge chairs for reading in the sunroom.   A rug outside?  I have never done it before but I think this would look wonderful and it is quite the bargain at only $29.95.  I think the blue would "pop" against our tan pavers and the brown/white of the Outdoor Ciudad chairs.
Are you not looking for new furniture but simply looking to update the look of your current outdoor furniture?  How about a touch of whimsy with the pattern Whimsical Garden?  This is a great and fun look and are available as shown (bistro cushion), seette cushions, and chair cushions too : 

With Easter right around the corner, are you looking for spring-y decorations or basket fillers?  These are cute and inexpensive (less than $3 each!!)
                                       

Pier 1 still has a "tweetup" remaining this spring.  Are you in the NYC area or planning to be on April 20?  Check this out!!! Pier 1 Tweetups
Have you checked out your local Pier 1 store?  If you don't have one close to you, a virtual world awaits you at their website.  Feel free to browse around and tell me what you like best!!
Visit Sponsor's Site