Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot  

Harriet Kirk tries to start her life anew by moving to Ladreville, Texas, to become a schoolteacher, but after meeting Lawrence Wood, a former Texas Ranger, she and Lawrence both realize they must put the past behind them if they are to find happiness.

Third book in the series and I enjoyed reading how the characters from the first 2 books were living now.  This is an Inspirational book, but still has murders, arson and vandalism.  Love this author.

 

Riverbend Gap by Denise Hunter-324 pages

This is the first installment in the Riverbend series.  A nice clean read about a love triangle...two brothers who are in love with the same woman.  Just when Katelyn, who was a foster child, thinks she has finally found family an unexpected friendship develops through a test of fate.  Chemistry grows..but who will Katelyn choose.  You will have to read it to find out!  I enjoyed the plot twists very much and found myself cheering for Katelyn.

 

The Wish by Nicholas Sparks-387 pages

Typical Nicholas Sparks.  Well written but predictable.  Some happy moments but a lot of sad ones.  Back and forth between the past and present.  I really cannot say much more without giving it all away.  Those of you that are Sparks fans will enjoy it very much.

One Bright Christmas by Katherine Spencer

                                                              

                                                              

One Bright Christmas by Katherine Spencer, Thomas Kinkade-353 pages

When Lauren Willoughby returns to Cape Light for the holidays, she’s hardly feeling festive. Although her family views her as a sharp, successful New York attorney, she’s come home to heal from a bad breakup and a career setback. While freelancing for a local law firm, Lauren meets Cole McGuire, a widower with a very cute little girl who steals Laurens heart.  This is the 21st installment in the Cape Light series.  I have read enjoyed coming to know the characters and their families over the years.  Always a light, clean and enjoyable read.

Under the Alaskan Ice by Karen Harper

 

                                         Under the Alaskan Ice by Karen Harper-311 pages

This is the second installment in the Alaska Wild series.  It is always fun to follow characters and see how the author expands their stories.  This one is mainly about Meg and her son Chip.  She is a young widow of a pilot of a small plane.  Some of this book delves into her fear of ever flying again..let alone allowing her young son to fly.  When Meg and Chip happen to witness a small bush plane crash it brings all things back to her.  But then Commander Bryce comes to investigate the crash and they find out that they are indispensable to each other in more ways than one.  It was an enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns.  

                                                                         

Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter

 

                                           Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter-307 pages

Through several twists and turns, a couple finds out that they are truly better together than apart.  A very sweet love story that takes place in the remote countryside.  Forced to finally tell Noah her deepest secrets, Josephine finds that Noah's unconditional love is the only thing that can heal her troubled soul.  A nice easy read, that has you screaming at Josephine, "just tell him"!! You are pulling for both of them as they try to survive a late spring snowstorm out in the wilds.  Knowing that they belong together if they can just get past all the hurt.  I enjoyed it very much.

     Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman-391 pages

The story takes place in the year 1944 in Hawaii during World War II.  It is about a mother and daughter who are struggling to make it on their own after the disappearance of their husband and father.  The daughter is having physical and mental breakdowns and will not tell her mother why.  Does she know something about her fathers disappearance?  

I enjoyed this book as it takes us back to a time when everyone had a part to play in wartime history.  It also showed how the whole community came together to fight prejudices and help each other survive and possibly find new love and a new life after tragedy.

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard, 241 pages

I did with this book what I usually try not to do: I watched the movie before I read the book which I never to do. The book was exactly like the movie except for maybe just a few small details.  I am not sure I have ever read a book which mirrored the movie.  In Labor Day, you can't help but root for Frank who takes up living with Adele and her son, Henry, after escaping from prison.  The ending surprised me, but made me feel happy to see that love won in the end.

The Wind is Not a River by Brain Payton

The Wind is Not a River by Brain Payton - 309 pages

The Wind is Not a River is an epic novel of war, love, and survival all in one emotionally-charged story.  John Easely is a journalist who managed to sneak into the Aleutian Islands during World War II, a time when reporters are banned and the Japanese are on U.S. soil, and hitch a ride with a bomber crew only to be shot down and stranded on the island of Attu, then fully occupied by the Japanese.  Readers then see his struggle to survive amidst the cold and the enemy.  In alternating chapters, we see the story of his wife Helen.  John left after an argument both regret.  When John goes missing, Helen does everything in her power to find him, including traveling to entertain troops in the Aleutians as part of the USO.  John's side of the story is very reminiscent of Jake London's works, while Helen's is a poignant love story from an older era.

And yes, the Japanese did succeed in invading and holding two of the largest islands in the Aleutians for approximately a year (May, 1942-May, 1943).  That is not fiction; just a little known fact because of how long the information was classified.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, 544 pages

When Twilight first came out years ago and my teens were going nuts over it (and parents were asking multiple questions about it), I decided to pick it up and read it. I'm glad I did -- It was an enjoyable read. 8 years later, I read it again and still like it. There was so much that I had forgotten about, it was like reading a new book. The love story of Bella and Edward, while at times borderline unhealthy, is at the same time innocent and sweet. There is a mutual respect for each other that I find lacking in teen romance novels of today.  The second read, after reading all the other books in the series, seems to give more nuggets of information ... little subtle hints here and there that you missed the first time.  If you've never given Twilight a chance, I'd recommend picking it up this time. Told in first person, the story is well-written and the characters nicely fleshed out. They are also believable despite some being the stuff of fantasies. Bella seems old for her age and very protective of her family, yet she falls in love with someone who could easily take her life. She's very trusting, very loyal and humble ... a good combo for a main character.