Unlovable by Sherry Gammon

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 102011
 

Unlovable

Author: Sherry Gammon

Publisher: Wordpainting Unlimited

Published: January 2011

ASIN: B004K1F9BA

FTC: I received a PDF copy from the author which did not affect my review

Goodreads summary: Seventeen year-old Maggie Brown is truly the poster child for Heroin Chic, complete with her jutting bones and her dark-ringed eyes. She’s struggling with her growing feelings for the new guy at school, Seth Prescott, and fears he is just another person who will let her down, like everyone in her life has done thus far.
Seth Prescott is an undercover cop assigned to Port Fare High, and despite his job, he’s developed strong feelings for Maggie. Seth’s working tirelessly to flush out the sadistic heroin peddlers that have invaded the small town of Port Fare, New York, while Maggie fights to stay alive as the search turns deadly.  Seth and Maggie’s romantic journey is one of humor, heartbreak and self-discovery as their world is about to change forever.

Maggie has had a hard life.  Her mother is a drunk, and pays her no attention.  When Maggie does get noticed, her mother’s words are cruel and hurtful.  Maggie tries her hardest to get good grades, all while she is practically starving to death.  Seth’s notices Maggie and is drawn to her.  Hoping she is not involved in drugs.  Seth tries to get Maggie to warm up to him, to even talk to him.  But, she hesitates.  Maggie already likes Seth, but can’t understand what he wants with her.  The story starts when Christmas break ends, so it’s the start of a new semester.  Seth is in so many of her classes, and they keep getting paired up.  But, why?  As the story progresses their relationship gets stronger, and Maggie starts to realize, she not only likes Seth, but she may love him.  How will Seth reveal his big secret without hurting her?

Seth has two best friends, Cole and Booker.  I enjoyed their relationship.  Each of the friends has their own story of heart break, especially Booker.  Also involved in the story are drug dealers.  These are not good guys.  At times I wanted Maggie to not be so naive about what was going on around her and listen more to Seth.  I also liked how the author brought in Maggie’s co-dependant relationships.  Sad things happen with her mother, and I liked how those issues were addressed.

This was a clean book, and I appreciated that.  Unlovable is the author’s first novel.  Learn more about Sherry Gammon here.

3 out of 5 stars

Content:

Some violence, drugs, and kissing (no sex, clean)

Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 132011
 

Wrong Number

Rachelle J. Christensen

Publisher: Bonneville Books/Cedar Fort

Published: 2010

Softcover: 198 pages

ISBN: 978-1-59955-364-1

FTC: Borrowed from library

“Aubree dug through a pile of papers on the kitchen counter, searching for her cell phone. She finally notices the familiar silver gleam under a stack of bills. She grabbed the phone, flipped it open, and groaned. The battery was dead.
“My cell phone is dead again!” Aubrey yelled up the stairs. She heard Devin muttering as he climbed out of bed. Plugging the phone in, she watched the empty battery image flash red and frowned. “I can’t wait for it to charge.” (page 1)

Aubree Stewart is happily married and expecting her first baby. This morning she is rushing off to work, and needs to borrow her husbands cell phone. On her way, she receives a strange call from a voice she doesn’t recognize, and a voice she has a hard time forgetting. He mentions where a body is hidden, something about green, and an intruder. Aubree tells him he has the wrong number and hangs up. All day she feels funny about this phone call, and tries to call her husband, with no luck. She calls the police and it starts a chain of events that include the FBI, witness protection, and fleeing for her life. To top it off, she’s worried about her unborn child. Will the police think she is suspect, and why can’t she get a hold of her husband? Most importantly, who can she trust?

4 out of 5 stars.  I really enjoyed this book. It is very exciting, and thrilling. I read it very fast, my attention was held the whole time, and I had nervous knots! Aubree is a character that grows a lot throughout. She is smart and has the ability to cope in a really tough situation. I enjoyed the turn the story took.

Wrong Number is Rachelle J. Christensen’s first novel and it is a finalist for a 2010 Whitney Award in the mystery category.

The Legend of Shannonderry by Carol Warburton

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Mar 302011
 

The Legend of Shannonderry

Author: Carol Warburton

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2010

Softcover: 254 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-59811-902-2

FTC FYI: I borrowed from the library

I think the first thing that grabbed me about this book was the cover.  The girl is beautiful, and who doesn’t love horses?  The Legend of Shannonderry is a finalist for a 2010 Whitney award in the romance category.

Moira Donahue lives at Shannonderry.  A once beautiful estate in Ireland, famous for it’s stallions many years ago.  Shannonderry is falling apart, and is in need of a miracle.  Moira knows her daughter, Dierdre, died in childbirth and had a child.  She summons a trusted neighbor Cormac D’Arcy to go to England, find her grandchild, and see if she would like to come live with her at Shannonderry.  Cormac was worried, he didn’t want the old woman hurt.  What if she didn’t want to come?

Gwyneth Beddows was born in England in 1788.  When her mother, Dierdre, died in childbirth there was a controversy surrounding her.  As Gwyneth grows up, her father does not treat her well.  Gwyneth raised a feisty stallion, Toryn, and he is the only thing that brings her joy.  He is fast and beautiful, but will only let a few people around him.  One day when a stranger comes from Ireland with an offer to take her from Yorkshire to Shannonderry, she eagerly accepts.  There may be a catch.  They have to sneak away.  When Gwyneth arrives in Ireland she is immediately accepted by her grandmother.  Her nanny, Kate, that was sent away years ago by her father, is also there.  It is a happy reunion.  But, there is a lot more to this story. As it progresses the “legend of Shannonderry” is told and things happen that prove the difficult relationship with the English and Irish.

4 out of 5 stars.  I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the developing relationship between Gwyneth and Cormac, and with Gwyneth and her grandmother as well.

Carol Warburton has written four other books.  On a personal note… I was thrilled when I read the acknowledgments.  She is in a writing group with my dear aunt, Dorothy M. Keddington.

City of Angels by Sheralyn Pratt

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Mar 232011
 

City of Angels

Author: Sheralyn Pratt

Publisher: Cedar Fort/Bonneville Books

Published: 2010 (originally published in 2003 as Spies, Lies, and a Pair of Ties)

Paperback: 215 pages

ISBN: 978-1-59955-404-4

FTC FYI: I borrowed from the library

“A joyful sob mingled with the happy chatter of birds in the outdoor restuarant. “Yes!” the woman three tables down on my right cried out, just before leaning to drop a kiss on the man kneeling before her.  The proposal and acceptance earned a gentle clap from older couples at surrounding tables.

… And my date was late” (page 1)

Rhea Jensen is my kind of girl.  Spunky, fun, smart, and real smart alec.  City of Angels starts off fast and never lets go.

Rhea is on a case.  Her date is late, so she practices trying to get out a handcuffs with a special device she’s made.  She seats herself in a secluded corner in the restaurant and “tags” her best friend/reporter Kaye.  Rhea is trying to stop a serial date rapist by posing as one of his dates, even down to faking being drugged by a tainted drink.  While pretending to bob her head, she pulls out her cop-style cuffs and hides them under the table.  Date man shows up, thinking she is out of it, and what he gets is the surprise of his life.

Rhea is a private investigator, one of the best.  Her boss Elliott, has another case for her.  A big shot at Jock Stock, Stephan Martel, is suspected of embezzling from his company, but here’s the catch.  The amount of money, isn’t a lot to shake a stick at, 200k.  But enough to land him in jail.  Martel is sure he knows who is it, but once she takes the case, Rhea has her own suspicions.

Of course, I’m paraphrasing.  Lots of things happen. I haven’t mentioned her crazy roommates that drive her nuts, Ben, (who needs a couple paragraphs to explain their relationship) and Kaye.  And oh yeah, LDS missionaries.

What I like most about Sheralyn’s books is the action.  But also, she has a perfect way of adding things that you’ll care about and want for Rhea.  How it’s added in, is great.  Especially the missionaries part.

4 out of 5 stars.  I have also read book 2 in this series, Welcome to Stalk Lake City.  I would give that one 4.5 stars out of five.  There are two more books: City Limits and Kay’sville. Kay’sville was nominated for a 2010 Whitney.  On a personal note, Sheralyn is a great gal, and an awesome author.  I picture her as Rhea as I’m reading.  She is awesome to be around, very spunky, and fun!

 Newer Entries