Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Sep 142015
 

26203824Simply Anna

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-68047-364-3

Paperback: 210 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary

Suffering from a cruel heartbreak, Lord Philip Hamilton has been driven to seek refuge from the painful memories haunting London, and his father’s Jamaican sugar cane plantation provides just the escape he needs. Philip finds solace in his hard work and takes comfort in the fact that his distance from society ensures that his heart will be protected from future entanglements. Protected, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a mysterious woman with no memory of her past. The only clue to her identity is a necklace inscribed with a name: Anna. In a matter of weeks, this gentle, intelligent, and impossibly beautiful stranger turns Philip’s world upside down. But as the bond between the pair grows, the threat of Philip losing his heart once more is only the beginning of the dangers that await. Island renegades and a ruthless band of pirates clash in a swashbuckling battle, and it soon becomes clear that these villains may be the key to unlocking Anna’s past.

My Review

This book is simply amazing.  I was immediately taken into the story and wonderfulness that is Anna herself.  I love how she is with people, her knowledge, her kindness, and especially her love for others.  That is what starts her journey, when she is deck on a stormy night trying to locate a lost toy.  I also really liked Phillip.  I was worried at first with how spoiled he was, but I was happy how he took to his new surroundings and accepted his new life in Jamaica.  I really appreciate it when author’s take care in their secondary characters.  Jenny does a fabulous job with this skill.  Ezekiel, Betty, and Malachi were unforgettable.  Ezekiel especially was very special.  The pirates were a fun surprise and I would have loved to have had them around more!  I also liked how Phillip was already trying to be a better man before he met Anna, but she really helped bring out the best in him.  I would have liked to see the reactions of Anna’s friends when she returned but realized that this is Anna and Phillip’s story and it wasn’t necessary.

5 out of 5 stars.  The last thing I appreciated in this story was the Author’s Note.  I have known for awhile that Jenny is a wonderful person, but this proves it even more.

Author Links

Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Blog Tour Schedule

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A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jun 052013
 

A Change of Plans CoverA Change of Plans

Author: Donna K. Weaver

Publisher: Rhemalda

Published: June 1st, 2013

Paperback: 326 pages

ISBN13: 9781936850778

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary

When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He’s everything her fiancé wasn’t, and against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world, her emotions come alive.
Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it’s hard to get away from someone when you’re stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn’s fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

Mindy’s Review

I thought this book was brilliant.  I loved it.  I also loved how Donna threw some of my favorite movie references in it.  Especially Hobbits.  But, I didn’t love the book just for those reasons.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I was reading A Change of Plans, but immediately I was drawn to the cover, and while reading, what was inside it.  This book has everything a reader could ask for.  Romance, humor, suspense, love, hope, strong, likeable characters, and a great fast-paced plot that will keep you reading until the end.  I read this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down.  I don’t want to give things away, but my heart would break for Lyn.  Many things happened to here, but I loved how her stunning character would help her through it.  Braedon was also a fav, and Jori too.  I could tell that all of Donna’s characters were important to her through her writing because of the way they all shine.  Am I gushing?  I’m gushing, but this book deserves it.  This book has it all, I laughed and I cried.

5 of out 5 stars.  I can’t wait to read more from this awesome debut author.

Sheila’s Review

I always love it when I’m surprised by a novel.  Most of the time readers think they know pretty much what will happen in a story.  Don’t do this when you read A Change of Plans.  This book is SO much more than your typical romance.  It has suspense, drama, adventure, and romance.  One more thing, it will make you cry at some point as you are reading.  (I’m not divulging where those moments will take place in the story.)  You can be assured that you will go through a variety of emotions before you read the last page.  This novel should be your first choice when you are looking for that perfect summer read.

Author Links

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Rhemalda
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Peter and the Star Catchers Series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 292010
 


Shanda told me about this series, and I was intrigued. I love Peter Pan. (It’s also one my favorite rides at Disneyland.) It originally was a series of three, but fans wanted more, so the authors released Peter and the Sword of Mercy last year.

The first book is Peter and the Star Catchers. Peter starts his journey in an orphanage. He and a bunch of boys are put on a boat headed to the Rundoon to be slaves to the king. In Starcatchers we are introduced to many key players in the books. And the mysterious starstuff, which carries the plot of Peter’s books. Molly Aster, her father Leonard, Fighting Prawn (leader of the Mollusks tribe), Slank, Mister Grin, Smee, and Black Stache (aka the future Captain Hook) are introduced. So many exciting things happen in this book. There are explanations as to the mysteries of Peter, how he flies, mermaids, the Lost Boys, why Peter doesn’t age, how Neverland gets its name… Too many to name. And, at the end, a special character is born. There is a little bit of unnecessary language, and references, but not in the others.
The second is Peter and the Shadow Thieves. It takes place shortly after Starcatchers. It’s a little darker (which I liked) and really exciting. Peter needs to make it to London to warn Molly of some danger coming to harm her. It takes a couple unnecessary turns that I didn’t love. But, during it, Peter runs into a gentleman named James Barrie (the original writer of the Peter Pan story). He gives some directions that are reminiscent of finding your way to Neverland. The villain, along with others, is Lord Ombra. A shadow thief, that steals shadows to get others to do his bidding. I can’t really go into too much detail without revealing the plots from this and Starcatchers. The end is so exciting, that I had to finish, even though it was 1:00 am.
The Secret of Rondoon grabs you at the start, and doesn’t let go. There is so much action and excitement. Peter is in trouble with The Others, and is wanted in the city of Rundoon because of his “special abilities”. In this third book, you find out about Peter’s parents, and why Peter survived a certain event that took place in Starcatchers. Molly is back, along with George Darling who helped in the second book. Mollusk Island is in trouble and is taken over by a vicious tribe of savages called the Scorpions. This book is in a slight lead for my favorite, closely followed by the fourth. Rundoon has great action and suspense, we are introduced again to characters that were in the first, but not mentioned again until this book.
Peter and the Sword of Mercy takes place 23 years after Rundoon. An old nemesis is back and causing trouble in the palace. He’s after a key to finding more starstuff. We’re introduced to the Skeleton, who is a very intense and scary character. Molly and George married, and get themselves in a pickle, so this time around it’s Wendy (their daughter) who needs Peter’s help. Who can they trust? The police are corrupt and there is danger everywhere they go. Peter is afraid, and seems sad in Mercy. But, creative and surprising things happen on this adventure and old friends are in need of help too. Great ending. I hope there is a Book 5.
What got old for me: In the first three, Lord Aster is, understandably, protective of his daughter and doesn’t want her coming along, or getting herself in trouble, but she always does, and helps save the day. I just wanted him to accept the fact that she is capable of helping, and didn’t need to be held back.

What I liked the most: Each book have many different sub plots going. Peter’s activities, Molly’s, the island, Hook. Each plot is exciting and page turning.
Four stars for the series.
I would definitely read it again.
I would and have read others from these guys. Actually, just Ridley Pearson. He wrote The Kingdom Keepers series, which I really enjoyed.
Peter and the Starcatchers/Peter and the Shadow Thieves/Peter and the Secret of Rundoon/Peter and the Sword of Mercy
Authors: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Publisher: Disney Edition/Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: Starcatchers 0-7868-5445-6 Published 2004 451 pages
Shadow Thieves 0-7868-3787-X Published 2006 556 pages
Rundoon ISBN -13: 978-078683788-5 ISBN-10: 078683788-8 Published 2007 482 pages
Mercy 978-142312134-3 Published 2009 515 pages
Hardcover
FTC: all books were checked out from the library.