tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24437707932369121322024-02-01T23:54:29.030-08:00My Recent ReadsI could talk about books all day long!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-15162874379638206282014-11-26T22:39:00.000-08:002014-11-26T22:39:10.894-08:00Chesapeake Shores Characters Nell- Matriarch- has three sons- Mick, Thomas, and Jeff<br />
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Dillon O'Malley- Lives in Ireland, Nell's old flame<br />
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Moira- Dillon's granddaughter, Married to Luke<br />
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Thomas O'Brien<br />
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Connie O'Brien- Married to Thomas, they have one son together, she has a daughter from a previous marriage, Jenny.<br />
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Jenny- Married to Caleb<br />
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Mick- Married to Meg. Architect, created the town of Chesapeake Shores They have 5 kids Abby, Bree, Jess, Connor, and Kevin<br />
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Meg- Owns the art gallery<br />
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Connor- Lawyer, married to Heather<br />
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Heather- owns Quilt shop<br />
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Bree- owns Flowers on Main, married to Jake<br />
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Jake- also Connie's brother<br />
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Jess- owns The Inn At Eagle Point<br />
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Kevin- married to Shanna<br />
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Shanna O'Brien- owns bookstore, adopted her stepson Henry from a previous relationship<br />
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Abby Married to Trace- has two children from previous relationship, twins<br />
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Jeff- Married to Jo O'Brien Runs a real estate management company Kids are Luke, Matthew, Susie<br />
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Jo- teacher, women's track coach<br />
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Luke- Married to Moira, opens an Irish Pub in Chesapeake Shores<br />
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Matthew- Architect, Married to Laila<br />
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Susie- Married to Mack<br />
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Will- ShrinkUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-12344886287849349922012-08-07T15:46:00.002-07:002012-08-07T15:46:39.255-07:00Another Piece of My Heart- Jane GreenThis is the book that compelled me to start writing in my book blog again!<br />
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<i>Blurb From Amazon.com: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Andi has spent much of her adult life looking for the perfect man, and at thirty-seven, she's finally found him. Ethan--divorced with two daughters, Emily and Sophia--is a devoted father and even better husband. Always hoping one day she would be a mother, Andi embraces the girls like they were her own. But in Emily’s eyes, Andi is an obstacle to her father’s love, and Emily will do whatever it takes to break her down. When the dynamics between the two escalate, they threaten everything Andi believes about love, family, and motherhood—leaving both women standing at a crossroad in their lives…and in their hearts.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kvW_z6IOfQvn0jdBuWmr4m5IYfetq6pLswAzr2vvrEFh9WM8k0tqNlNAX0s1SN9D1HLEPW5bzPVcwbIM1aCwb08-Z60C8zU1V_hDycuYFh9EgQFdU0nYw3v67rde5ZpJTnZRl8rVZEb8/s1600/anotherpieceofmyheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kvW_z6IOfQvn0jdBuWmr4m5IYfetq6pLswAzr2vvrEFh9WM8k0tqNlNAX0s1SN9D1HLEPW5bzPVcwbIM1aCwb08-Z60C8zU1V_hDycuYFh9EgQFdU0nYw3v67rde5ZpJTnZRl8rVZEb8/s320/anotherpieceofmyheart.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I absolutely LOVED this book! I could not put it down! I zoomed through it in 4 days. I loved the whole stepfamily theme, because I can relate somewhat, and I loved Emily's pregnancy storyline, and all the twists at the end. I think it ended exactly how I hoped it would, with Ethan and Andi keeping Cal. And of course, reading about Emily and Michael's relationship. I think he was exactly what she needed! I would love to see a sequel to this book about their wedding! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-71757485407127959342011-03-10T13:49:00.000-08:002011-03-10T13:57:33.895-08:00Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8ul51SLj-0zKeWidtARwsTgXLzQe_QahueAdGVsYGW6hf13_uvS-MpDpCCRjiSfV88C2FS5G-TGUuawaomyciHdShHXQrMD13STyhxm5VseLfz6-65wYrzJQ0J_RhPRgc0CuRpeqMlSQ/s1600/harvestmoon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8ul51SLj-0zKeWidtARwsTgXLzQe_QahueAdGVsYGW6hf13_uvS-MpDpCCRjiSfV88C2FS5G-TGUuawaomyciHdShHXQrMD13STyhxm5VseLfz6-65wYrzJQ0J_RhPRgc0CuRpeqMlSQ/s320/harvestmoon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582571973935728258" /></a>I finished this around February 28th. (Behind in my blog AGAIN!) I absolutely LOVED this book. Out of the 3 that came out this year, Promise Canyon was just ok, Wild Man Creek was awesome, in fact I thought that was my favorite, but that was until I read Harvest Moon! As I predicted Jillian's sister, Kelly moved to town and lived with Jillian for awhile. She met Greg, who was a writer, and who'd recently moved to Virgin River to get his stepdaughter, Courtney, out of LA. Courtney is a troubled teenager, who recently lost her mom and who was going through the grieving process. She felt like no one wanted her and was tired of feeling like she was being shuffled between Greg and her real dad. I really felt for Courtney. The book ended exactly how I wanted it to and I can't wait to read more about them in next year's books. I really loved Kelly too (she has an AWESOME name!) and really enjoyed hearing about all her cooking. I'm not into cooking, but alot of her recipes sounded good. Some people in my book group were upset that the "regulars" weren't really in this book much. I actually didn't mind that. I think if each book has the same characters, it would get boring after awhile. I enjoyed reading about new people for a change. <div><br /></div><div>I definitely gave this one 5 out of 5 stars. And this should really go on my list of favorites. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-28368081168770103782011-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T17:18:47.676-08:00Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKO6uorngQBNOYeAmEvZ9reuClVSC2m3Jp9LmKIwsQYaoFb96TgYH-hPxFM3Y1B8lkdqlFgq0V_9_9jAHk9Z8rFUucUQgaAzowseg9ETgHong4JD9v4vSsDvSrxLOSXlxUOSZPnRfQONa/s1600/wildmancreek.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKO6uorngQBNOYeAmEvZ9reuClVSC2m3Jp9LmKIwsQYaoFb96TgYH-hPxFM3Y1B8lkdqlFgq0V_9_9jAHk9Z8rFUucUQgaAzowseg9ETgHong4JD9v4vSsDvSrxLOSXlxUOSZPnRfQONa/s320/wildmancreek.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571119655277905266" /></a><br />I just finished reading Wild Man Creek. That will probably be my favorite book out of this set of 3. I loved Jillian, and hearing about her Garden. I thought her and Colin were meant for each other. And I did kind of predict that he'd come back earlier than expected. <div><br /></div><div>Another character that I really like is Shelby. She seems so comfortable to be around. </div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily I only have to wait a couple more weeks for the next book. I really don't know who that book will be about. Maybe Jillian's sister, Kelly? Hopefully. And I think Denny needs a girlfriend. I really liked that Storyline too. </div><div><br /></div><div>For now, I'm moving on to Marrying Daisy Bellamy by Susan Wiggs! </div><div><br /></div><div>I just wanted to get my initial thoughts down before I forgot them. I hope I can add more to this post as time goes on. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-58482248979983061262011-02-02T13:03:00.000-08:002011-02-07T20:40:05.762-08:00Upcoming Releases I'm Looking Forward to<p class="MsoNormal">Well for the first half of the year anyway...I'll add to this as I find more. </p><p class="MsoNormal">January<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Promise Canyon- Robyn Carr 1/25</p><p class="MsoNormal">Marrying Daisy Bellamy<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>1/25<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Lakeshore Chronicles)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here To Stay- Catherine Anderson 1/25<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(Harrigan) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Against the Fire- Kat Martin (Raines Brothers) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">February- </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Angel’s Rest- Emily March 2/15 (Eternity Springs) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Harvest Moon- Robyn Carr 2/22 </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Against the Law- Kat Martin 2/22 (Raines Brothers) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A Light At Winter’s End- Julia London 2/22 (Cedar Springs) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A Creed In Stone Creek- Linda Lael Miller 2/22 (Creed Brothers) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Completely Smitten- Susan Mallery 2/22 </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">March- </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sing You Home- Jodi Picoult 3/1 </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Night Road- Kristin Hannah 3/22 </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Hummingbird</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Lake-</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Emily</st1:placename></st1:place> March <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>3/22 (Eternity Springs) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Leaving- Karen Kingsbury 3/22 (Bailey Flanigan) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Almost Home- Mariah Stewart 3/22 (<st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chesapeake</st1:city></st1:place> Diaries) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Already Home- Susan Mallery 3/29<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Driftwood Cottage- Sherryl Woods 3/29<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Chesapeake</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Shores</st1:placetype></st1:place>) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Knitting Diaries- Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery, Christina Skye 3/29 </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Goodbye Quilt- Susan Wiggs- 3/29 </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Sweetst Thing- Jill Shalvis 3/29 (Lucky Harbor) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">My One and Only- Kristan Higgins 3/29 </p><p class="MsoNormal">The Welcome Home Garden Club- Lori Wilde 3/29 (Twilight, Texas) </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">April- </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Slow Dancing on Price’s Pier- Lisa Dale 4/5<br />Exposure- Susan Andersen<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>4/5 </p> <p class="MsoNormal">44 Charles Street- Danielle Steele 4/5 </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Save Me- Lisa Scottoline 4/12 <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A Turn In the Road- Debbie Macomber 4/26 (<st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Blossom Street</st1:address></st1:street>) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Moonlight Cove- Sherryl Woods 4/26 (<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Chesapeake</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Shores</st1:placetype></st1:place>) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Any Man of Mine- Rachel Gibson- 4/26 </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">May- </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Beach Lane- Sherryl Woods 5/31 (<st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Chesapeake</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Shores</st1:placetype></st1:place>) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Creeds Honor- Linda Lael Miller 5/31 (Creeds) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">June- </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Creed Legacy- Linda Lael Miller- 6/21 (Creeds) </p><p class="MsoNormal">Learning- Karen Kingsbury 6/21 (Bailey Flanigan) </p><p class="MsoNormal">Sunset Bridges- Emilie Richards 6/21 (Happiness Key) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">July- </p><p class="MsoNormal">Can't Hurry Love- Christie Ridgway 7/5 (Three Kisses) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Escape- Barbara Delinsky- 7/12 </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-2518158793082737562011-02-02T12:26:00.001-08:002011-02-02T12:30:42.964-08:00<p class="MsoTitle">A lady in my Robyn Carr bookgroup wrote this list and was nice enough to share, so I thought I'd post it in here for safekeeping. That's the thing with series, sometimes it's hard to keep track of who's who. Looking back through my entries I made a list for Grace Valley (Robyn Carr) and Lakeshore Series (Susan Wiggs) but surprisingly enough I never made one for Virgin River. Again, I didn't write this, so I can't take any credit for it. I'm just putting it in here so I'll be able to find it when I need to. </p><p class="MsoTitle"><br /></p><p class="MsoTitle">ROBYN CARR’S VIRGIN RIVER SERIES</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">CAST OF CHARACTERS<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">AS OF END OF OCT. 2010<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1>Melinda (Mel) Monroe – nurse practitioner, widow (Mark, dec.) Worked with Doc Mullins.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She is formerly from CA.</h1> <h1>Jack Sheridan – owns Jack’s Bar – former marine</h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children: Davy and Emma<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">John (Preacher) Middleton – cook in Jack’s Bar – former marine<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Paige – ran away from ex Wes<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children: Christopher and Dana<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Budd – her brother; bossy<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Vanessa (Vanni) Rutledge – husband Matt killed in Bagdad<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Paul Haggerty – Matt’s best friend<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Little Matt and Hannah (adopted from Paul’s friend Teri; dec.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Walt Booth – Vanni’s dad; retired general; dates Muriel St. Claire; actress<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Tommy – Vanni’s brother<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">North, Stan and Mitch – Paul’s brothers<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nikki Jorgensen – Vanni’s best friend<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Carol and Lance – Matt’s parents.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cold people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tried to fix Vanni up with<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Cameron.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Marianne and Stan – Paul’s parents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Mike Venezula – former marine, former LAPD, now police officer for Virgin<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">River.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Brie Sheridan – 30 yrs old. Jack’s sister.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>County DA, ex: Brad cheated on her with her best friend, Christine who is married to Glenn<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ness<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Luke Riordan – 36 yrs old. Retired from army; fixed up house and cabins that he recently purchased.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Shelby – Walt’s niece.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Took care of mom for 25 years until she died. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Brett Lucas<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Luke’s brothers: Colin, Aiden, Sean and Patrick<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Cameron – doctor<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Abby – Nikki and Vanni’s friend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her ex Ross is a rock star and left her right after the marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Julia and Justin (twins)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Joe Benson – designs houses for Haggerty Construction.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He is Paul’s friend from Marine Corps.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nikki Jorgensen – Vanni’s best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>none so far.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aiden Riordan – Luke’s brother.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Navy med school.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Erin Foley – lawyer<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children: none so far.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Marcie – Erin’s sister.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dewey – their brother<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Marcie Foley; widow of Bobby (dec.) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Ian Bucannan<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Heath<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Joey – Mel Sheridan’s sister<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bill – her husband<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">They live in Colorado<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Hope McCrea<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>-- elderly lady; deals in real estate; knows everything and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">everyone<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Doc Mullins – worked with Mel Sheridan at clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He died (Temptation Ridge); left clinic and his money to Mel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sam – Jack Sheridan’s father.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lives in Sacramento<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">His children:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jack Sheridan – owns Jack’s Bar; married to Mel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jeanne – 43 yrs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>CPA; married to a developer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Donna – 45 yrs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>College professor; married to a professor.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Mary – 37 yrs. Commercial airline pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Married to a real estate broker.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Ricky – joined Marines. (later called Rick).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lydie Sudder – his grandma.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Liz – Ricky’s girlfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Was pregnant with his child (stillborn)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Rick lost a leg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now goes to college.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Will work with Paul and Dan Brady will be his supervisor.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Connie and Ron – own corner store.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Liz – Connie’s niece.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Connie had bypass surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Joy and Bruce – Connie’s friend<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Carrie and Fish Bristol<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Doug and Sue Carpenter<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Charmaine – waitress in Clear River.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Divorced; mother of two.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Harv – lineman for phone company.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Buck Anderson – sheep rancher<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lily – had baby Chloe; left her at Mel’s for Mel to take care of her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lily died of breast cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jo and Nick Fitch – rented rooms to Ellie Baldwin – former stripper.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jo cannot conceived; got close to Ellie’s children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Darryl and Polly Fishburn – Mel delivered Polly’s baby<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nick and Jo Ellen<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">June and Jim Hudson (Grace Valley)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">June – doctor<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jim – retired law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jamie<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">June and Jim Hudson’s friends from Grace Valley:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">John and Sue Stone (Grace Valley)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sue – nurse; is June’s friend<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sydney – 7 yrs <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>baby boy<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Anne and Jeremy Givens<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Juliana and Mike Dickson<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Tommy Rutledge – Vanni’s younger brother.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>18 yrs old.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Going to basic<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Training then to West Point for four years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Brenda – his girlfriend<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dan Brady (Shady Brady) – worked in construction at 18.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Marines at 25. Works for Paul Haggerty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Saved Jack from fire.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Has artificial leg, which he showed Rick.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dates Cheryl<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Noah Kincaid – minister<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Ellie Baldwin – former stripper.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Worked for Noah and fell in love.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rents rooms from Jo and Nick Fitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Children: Danielle – 8 yrs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Trevor – 4 yrs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Maureen Riordan – mother to the Riordan boys: Luke, Colin, Aiden, Sean and Patrick.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">George – teacher; loves Maureen<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Maureen sold condo and will travel with George in his RV.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Drew Foley – brother of Marcie and Erin; med school resident at UCLA.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sunny Archer – photographer; visiting her Uncle Nate in Virgin River<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .75pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">CHARACTERS FROM MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS (2010)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Clay Tahoma – new to Virgin River.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Originally from Flagstaff and the Navajo nation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lately from LA, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Works for Nate Jensen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Isabel – Clay’s ex<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Gabe – Clay’s son<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Ursula – Clay’s sister<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Tom Toopeek – Ursula’s husband.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Police Chief in Grace Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have five children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lilly Yazhi – Hope Indian.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Works in her grandfather Yaz’s fed store.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She delivers feed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dane – Lilly’s good friend<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jillian and Kelly Matlock – rents one of Luke’s cabins for their vacation, along with their friends Penny and Jackie.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kelly is a sous chef in San Fran.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Penny – works in Public Relations<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jackie – political analyst<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Jillian (Jill) – Vice President in a software company<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Denny Cutler – discharged from Marines….came to Virgin River to find his real father.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-22837552001217620032011-02-02T09:35:00.000-08:002011-02-02T12:28:18.927-08:00Promise Canyon- Robyn Carr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uQxGnV3B1H8YY6L7tfkvAZN9ULj4KH-C2Zw7xMrvOsjGBzSr4Mo3wxQmD-LCwLZPIWJunRNIEl3Upww042G1lVWJOPZoPlgY-YAVm13ZJ73valy1IHqiJbUS-0OCSL6DIhu3n62alO2Z/s1600/promisecanyon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uQxGnV3B1H8YY6L7tfkvAZN9ULj4KH-C2Zw7xMrvOsjGBzSr4Mo3wxQmD-LCwLZPIWJunRNIEl3Upww042G1lVWJOPZoPlgY-YAVm13ZJ73valy1IHqiJbUS-0OCSL6DIhu3n62alO2Z/s320/promisecanyon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569191633102844098" /></a><br />I am so excited that I FINALLY finished a book. Once again, I enjoyed another awesome book. I love this series because everyone feels like family, and I definitely feel peaceful when I read them. We were introduced to some new characters in this book. Clay Tahoma comes to work at Nathan Jensen's Vet Clinic. He is the brother of Ursula Toopeek, from the Grace Valley Series. I love how Robyn incorporated the Toopeek Family into this series...now hopefully we'll start to hear about more characters from the Grace Valley Series. I really wish she'd continue with the Grace Valley Series. Anyway, Lily works for her grandfather at his feed store, and makes daily deliveries to the Vet Clinic. It is there that she meets Clay. Of course they fall in love, but with many bumps along the way. <div><br /></div><div>I plan to start Wild Man Creek, the next book in the series today. There were several new characters introduced in Promise Canyon, to set the stage for Wild Man Creek. Jillian and Kelly are a couple of the new characters. They were passing through Virgin River on their way home from a yearly road trip/vacation with two of their girlfriends, Jackie and Penny. And it looks like we'll hear more about Collin Riordan and his brothers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can't wait!! </div><div><br /></div><div>I am dying to start Marrying Daisy Bellamy by Susan Wiggs, but I want to read Wild Man Creek while Promise Canyon is still fresh in my mind, and also I can be ready for the next book when it comes out at the end of this month. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other books I want to read very soon include: </div><div><br /></div><div>Here To Stay- Catherine Anderson (I think I'm going to read this book out of order). </div><div>Against the Wind & Against the Fire by Kat Martin </div><div>The Backup Plan by Sherryl Woods </div><div>Home At Rose Cottage and Return To Rose Cottage by Sherryl Woods </div><div><br /></div><div>And I really need to read Chesapeake Shores Christmas before Sherryl's 3 books for the year come out, starting in March or April. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-63332657025875149342011-01-14T17:22:00.000-08:002011-01-14T17:28:17.578-08:00I really want to get back in the habit of writing in this blog. It was/is definitely one of my goals for the new year. But in order to do that, I need to actually READ something. I have started several books but seem to lose interest in them. And, I have too many other addicting hobbies so I haven't been doing ANY reading lately. :(. I hope to change that really soon. <div><br /></div><div>Some books I want to read and/or finish include </div><div><br /></div><div>Promise Canyon- Robyn Carr </div><div>Christmas Eve At Friday Harbor- Lisa Kleypas (I know it's past Christmas but I still want to read it). </div><div>The Christmas Clock- Kat Martin (I was about halfway through when I developed my case of "reading restlessness"). </div><div>A Chesapeake Shores Christmas- Sherryl Woods *Need to read this ASAP before the next 3 books coming out. </div><div><br /></div><div>After I finish this list, I would like to read the Bride Quartet Series by Nora Roberts. Since it has been so long since I read the first book, I think I'm going to re-read the first one so it will be fresh in my mind when I read the other three. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's also alot of upcoming releases that I'm excited about. I think I will write that list in a seperate entry. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-78214720616676641532010-07-01T12:38:00.001-07:002010-07-01T12:42:05.360-07:00So Many Books...So Little Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPkHb0g01EwD7_nUd2t0RqHr6OzjzWvsyVuDKRl71RFhYdGoz4krhmVc-M3P3RSQ4Zd0CL8EuXBwo90j9DghBDiETNyE9eO3SXQEiLW77Kcmjw2uB6h5sLSJhHC_y3W5EdQHRUdtBA5lw/s1600/blog.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPkHb0g01EwD7_nUd2t0RqHr6OzjzWvsyVuDKRl71RFhYdGoz4krhmVc-M3P3RSQ4Zd0CL8EuXBwo90j9DghBDiETNyE9eO3SXQEiLW77Kcmjw2uB6h5sLSJhHC_y3W5EdQHRUdtBA5lw/s320/blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489024878086352370" border="0" /></a><br />This is the way I feel! I find new books to read, buy books, and check them out from the library faster than I can read them. With all the books I have on my shelfari shelf, I should NEVER be without a book to read for as long as I live. I will probably not even get to read all 3,000 + of them. Oh well, I can at least try. I really need to finish my current book so I can move on. And I want to start an ebook, and continue to have an ebook and a paperback going at the same time. That has worked well in the pass.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-22092341756328785232010-06-30T19:55:00.001-07:002010-06-30T21:54:05.688-07:00Way Behind!Ok, I am way behind. In an attempt to catch up, here are the books I have read recently (since reading The Summer Hideaway)<br /><br />House Rules by Jodi Picoult- I really liked this book, and found myself thinking about the characters for days after I finished. The only thing I remember not liking was the ending. I thought the ending was too abrupt.<br /><br />Take Three by Karen Kingsbury<br /><br />I Just Want You To Know: Letters to my kids on love, faith and Family by Kate Gosselin<br /><br />Despite what others may say, I like Kate Gosselin. I don't necessarily like the way she treated her ex-husband at times, but I really do think her heart is in the right place, and she only wants the best for her children, and will do anything to give them the best. This book was very heartwarming.<br /><br />Home In Carolina by Sherryl Woods<br /><br />Sweet Tea At Sunrise by Sherryl Woods<br /><br />Still the One by Robin Wells- this was a new to me author. I found out about this book through one of my online book groups. I really enjoyed it! I would like to read more by this author. Maybe even a sequel!<br /><br />Honeysuckle Summer by Sherryl Woods<br /><br />Even Now and Ever After by Karen Kingsbury- This is a 2 book series. I had started the first book once or twice and couldn't get into it, so I put it down. I started this time, and was sucked right in. I really don't know what took me so long to read these. I would definitely like to see this series be made into a movie.<br /><br />Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery- this was the first in a new series. I LOVED Josh, and was especially intrigued by Ethan. Can't wait to read the next book.<br /><br />The House On Olive Street by Robyn Carr- this was another book that I had tried to read before, but put down because I couldn't get into it. When I found out that Robyn updated and re-released it, I decided to give it another try. I'm so glad I did! I loved it! My favorite character was Barbara Ann.<br /><br />Missing Max by Karen Young- I found out about this book from a lady in my online book group. I heard the storyline, and could definitely relate, so I waited quite awhile for this book to come out. It's about a 16 year old girl who loses baby half-brother...then her relationship with her stepmom deteriorates as well as the relationship between dad and stepmom. I could definitely relate to the family dynamics of this story (the blended family/stepparent). Though I couldn't imagine losing one of my siblings.<br /><br />Take Four by Karen Kingsbury I'm so sad to see this series end. I really want to find out what happens with Andi, as well as Luke and Regan and their newly adopted baby. I really didn't care for Brandon Paul. And CANNOT wait to read Unlocked when it comes out in the fall! I'm definitely excited to read the Bailey Flanigan series.<br /><br />And I'm currently reading Crush On You by Christie Ridgway and enjoying it so far. I have a whole slew of books to read after I finish this one, so it will be hard to decide what to read next.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-27589398044156677222010-03-06T00:49:00.000-08:002010-03-06T00:55:11.594-08:00The Summer Hideaway by Susan WiggsLakeshore Chronicles #7<br />Set in Avalon, New York<br />Finished 3/6/10 12:30am<br />book #13 for the year<br /><br />I will say that the beginning was a little drawn out. I was eager to get to th part where George and Charles reunited. This DEFINITELY put a new spin on the series for me...I almost want to go back and read the books again, knowing what I know now. I probably won't since I hate re-reading books. I really liked Ross and Claire and hope to see them in future books...and the scenes toward the end of the book with the family surrounding George in his final days were very heartwarming. I would love to spend my finals days somewhere as peaceful and relaxing as Willow Lake. I also didn't remember that Phillip was George's son. For some reason, I vaguely remember a storyline about that, but I'm not 100% sure. And I was disappointed that Daisy wasn't in this book much. I also couldn't remember who a couple of the other characters were, It's too bad we have to wait a whole year for the next book in the series. But the next book will be about Daisy so it will be worth the wait!<br /><br />.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-58645054126197177762010-02-28T22:07:00.000-08:002010-02-28T22:20:57.764-08:00Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iNTtGDhPUZZ3JuUhhW0puFr8rjnlIS8Q4U3OnLl2xgfUi44lVT0Xowhyphenhyphen5i_cBkJ-SKsELMkm4g8G5m2f31V6Ql-hMoWi827611e0IlHqLCbWjg89G4mibJHridUUZcvG4k0Sf3e6Kuvm/s1600-h/moonlightroad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iNTtGDhPUZZ3JuUhhW0puFr8rjnlIS8Q4U3OnLl2xgfUi44lVT0Xowhyphenhyphen5i_cBkJ-SKsELMkm4g8G5m2f31V6Ql-hMoWi827611e0IlHqLCbWjg89G4mibJHridUUZcvG4k0Sf3e6Kuvm/s320/moonlightroad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443543580893063282" border="0" /></a><br />This was book #10 in the Virgin River Series, and like all the other books I've read by Robyn Carr, I was DEFINITELY not disappointed in this one. I really love the Riordan family, and can't wait to hear the other two brothers' stories. This book was based on Aiden Riordan. He goes up to a cabin in the mountains where he finds, a beautiful woman named Erin. Erin is the sister to Marcie, who we met in <span style="font-style: italic;">Virgin River Christmas</span>, when she went to that very same cabin to find her late husband's best friend Ian. Marcie and Ian are now married and are expecting their baby boy, who Marcie gives birth to at the very end of the book. (They name him Heath. Erin has decided that she needs a summer of from the demands of her job as a lawyer, and has the cabin totally refurbished and made liveable. Aiden continues to "visit" Erin at her cabin. However, in the beginning it's hard to tell who is more enthused about these visits, Erin or Aiden. But as time goes on, Aiden and Erin develop feelings for each other, and even manage to survive through the drama that Aiden's ex-wife causes when she turns up. After years of caring for everyone else, Erin finally has someone to care for HER!<br /><br />Luke and Shelby have their baby as well...also a little boy. They name it Brett Lucas Riordan.<br /><br />I really liked this story. However, I still liked Forbidden Falls and Angels peak better. I saw a different side of Mel in this book, which was interesting. And, I really liked Erin, which was interesting because I remember when I read Virgin River Christmas, I thought she was really bossy. I can't wait to hear what happens next for them, and my only complaint is that we have to wait 9 whole months to find out! <br /><br />Finished on 2/28/10.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-67895226235910351192010-02-28T14:21:00.000-08:002010-02-28T14:47:54.672-08:00Big Girl by Danielle Steel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEFf4WHcXTY60PQAcnLH0As1c87MhMQxElyQC3fD4qrDaZJIHoJmwQPWsJeYsDcl4P0FjB8-trRnZ-YoySm5mCzpQRj4zTjg6STjMQUNz4LEt-mWwMqaTAVJ62ZifVQRl49NUoQa54G7w/s1600-h/biggirl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEFf4WHcXTY60PQAcnLH0As1c87MhMQxElyQC3fD4qrDaZJIHoJmwQPWsJeYsDcl4P0FjB8-trRnZ-YoySm5mCzpQRj4zTjg6STjMQUNz4LEt-mWwMqaTAVJ62ZifVQRl49NUoQa54G7w/s320/biggirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443423933006456146" border="0" /></a><br />I have always been a huge fan of Danielle Steel; she was one of the first "adult" authors that I read (Mary Higgins Clark being the other). This book was just one more to add to my list of favorites. Victoria has struggled with her weight for her entire life, and unfortunately, her parents don't make it any easier, in fact they make it harder. Her dad makes fun of her any chance he gets and basically tells her she's been a huge disappointment to them right from the moment she was born, because 1) she wasn't a boy and 2) she was born with her great-grandmother's build (which was on the big side) and also her nose, and her mom never defends her to him. As Victoria grows up, this affects her in many ways. It doesn't help that when Victoria is seven years old, her mom gives birth to her little sister Gracie. Victoria loves Gracie to pieces, but she can't help notice how Gracie is "one of them" and she (Victoria) is treated like an outsider more and more as time goes on. As Victoria grows up, she learns to ignore her fathers hurtful comments, but at the same time struggles with her weight She finally meets a guy named Collin who loves her for HER, not what she looks like. He is sort of a misfit in his family too, and the two of them quickly find a special connection. Victoria's family, especially her dad, is shocked that she has found someone so good looking. Her dad would always tell her that she's too fat, and her mom would always tell her that she's too smart, both of them implying that looks are EVERYTHING. Meanwhile, Gracie ends up marrying someone that is just like her father. Victoria does everything she can to change Gracie's mind, but soon realizes that she has to let Gracie live her own life, and make her own mistakes. Victoria must also let go so she can live HER OWN life with Collin, the job she loves, and also her new body image/diet/exercise regimen.<br /><br />I really loved this book, it was definitely one of my favorite Danielle Steel books. I stayed up until 2am this morning finishing this book, and to me, any book that keeps me awake until 2am autom atically goes on my favorites. I could definitely relate to Victoria on some level. While I wasn't overweight my entire life, I did become overweight as an adult, and reading this book, made me start to think about some of my own exercise/diet/weight loss goals. AND, once again it proved to me that there ARE men who will see women for who they are NOT what they look like. I think Danielle covered issue that alot of women struggle with, and it was a nice change from her usual books where they fall in love right away. I finished the book feeling really happy for Victoria. I spent most of the book with my jaw dropped, appalled at some of the things her dad said to her. I think if that were me, I'd curl into a ball and cry. I don't know how she was able to take that for so long. I was glad she got away from them when she did.<br /><br />After I finished the book, I found a clip in youtube where Danielle Steel is discussing this book. She says "The message in big girl is that you don't have to look like everyone else, you don't have to be on the cover of Vogue to be happy, meet a great guy, have a nice life, and have self-esteem. I think it's about succeeding and prevailing and feeling good about yourself for who you are". This is exactly how I felt when I finished the book. I think I was able to relate to Victoria because she was a very "real" person. Danielle also mentioned that alot of books are about characters who are gorgeous, lead the perfect lives, have the perfect boyfriend. And Victoria was just the opposite. Though she did end up with the perfect guy, she wasn't gorgeous, perfect, and definitely had some issues with herself that most women do, therefore, very relatable. Normally I do read books to ESCAPE from reality, so it doesn't matter whether the characters are imperfect, but it is always nice when there's that one character that I can relate to. <br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-33192323068191118782010-02-18T11:02:00.000-08:002010-02-18T15:38:31.107-08:00Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJJWVakE0tIRC8lTirYU73hAui8CIYjhew4oqdpOuFTlFt4S0YHETkUJHW6R9TgcgtYEszX8xRq7UkVEpIjyKoQQUstXt3Tm9vOeFwx7D213VT4iLK404XouVSTlEBKd9jEw0ecDDp8Wa/s1600-h/lakemagic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJJWVakE0tIRC8lTirYU73hAui8CIYjhew4oqdpOuFTlFt4S0YHETkUJHW6R9TgcgtYEszX8xRq7UkVEpIjyKoQQUstXt3Tm9vOeFwx7D213VT4iLK404XouVSTlEBKd9jEw0ecDDp8Wa/s320/lakemagic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439731961938362018" border="0" /></a><br />You can find the link <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lake-Magic-Berkley-Sensation-Kimberly/dp/0425232026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266519758&sr=1-1">here</a>.<br /><br />Kimberly Fisk was another new author to me. Lake Magic is actually her debut book. I found this book when I was at Borders, and honestly, the cover---AND probably the title-was what urged me to pick it up and read the back cover. I didn't buy it the day I found it, but came home and mentioned it to some of book reading friends, who said they also planned to read it. So, the next time I went back to Borders (to pick up The Next Best Thing, and another book) I got Lake Magic too.<br /><br />I will say this---I started out giving the book 3 stars, but ended up changing it to 4. I don't know what it was about the beginning..a little too slow going, perhaps? I had a hard time sticking with it. And the beginning VAGUELY reminded me of another book I've read in the past, but soon came enough twists in the story to make it unique. Toward the end I got more "into" the story and became eager to find out what happened. I didn't really care for Jared, and if you read the story it should be obvious as to why. I was able to relate to Jenny on SO MANY different levels, and that usually makes me like a book that much more.<br /><br />I will also say that, in my opinion, it was quite obvious that this was Kimberly Fisk's debut novel. BUT, I definitely think she has alot of potential to improve with each future book she writes, and would definitely read any of her future books.<br /><br />This book was set in Washington in a fictional town called Hidden Lake, near the Olympic Mountains.<br /><br />I finished this book on or around February 10th (again this is what I get for not writing my thoughts AS SOON AS I finish the book!)<br /><br />This was book #7 for the year.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-15878174967186108382010-02-18T10:49:00.000-08:002010-02-18T15:39:11.342-08:00The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKHjGl0dOEEZv1ZaWEwT_PdenT0W_nMqftH-wudKPS8JTC5Wcbu1ZQs5mAjj2tjAKKRbKJ8YiVnjEeoZLjLy926RUIv3NbEcTCGrC-1pr9VZHzUai-4Rerm3jUs2RqTnrShJYOQ9esYy4/s1600-h/nextbestthing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKHjGl0dOEEZv1ZaWEwT_PdenT0W_nMqftH-wudKPS8JTC5Wcbu1ZQs5mAjj2tjAKKRbKJ8YiVnjEeoZLjLy926RUIv3NbEcTCGrC-1pr9VZHzUai-4Rerm3jUs2RqTnrShJYOQ9esYy4/s320/nextbestthing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732173376707106" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Next-Best-Thing-Hqn/dp/0373774389/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266519040&sr=8-1">Here</a> is the link to Amazon.<br /><br />I really, really, REALLY liked this book! It was definitely one of my favorites for the year. This was also a NEW author to me! I have her other 4 books on my ebook reader, but haven't read them yet. I LOVED her writing style and loved reading the interaction between the characters. She has such a sarcastic, witty way of writing. The main family was Hungarian, but I loved how the secondary family---I gues you could call them that--was Italian, and loved the descriptions of food, their restuarant, and whatnot. As for the characters there really weren't any that I disliked. I knew all along that Lucy belonged with Ethan, and the only times I wanted to smack Lucy was when she pushed Ethan away. But luckily both came to their senses. Obviously, in real life, a guy wanting to date his dead brother's wife WOULD bother me, but since this is fiction and I do, after all, read to ESCAPE reality, this aspect did not bother me one bit.<br /><br />I would LOVE to see any book centered around these same characters, perhaps with one of the Black Widows as the main character. I also liked how this story was written in first person...a nice change from the usual books that aren't. And I can't wait to read her other books soon.<br /><br />(I know this review does not do the book justice...my own fault for not writing this entry as soon as I had finished the book, when my emotions were fresh in my mind).<br /><br />a few other tidbits:<br /><br />This book was set in a small town in Rhode Island--The Lang family owns a Hungarian Bakery and Ethan's family owns an Italian Restaurant.<br /><br />I finished this on 1/31/2009<br />book #6 for the year (not too happy about this total)<br /><br />I first heard about this author through my friends in the Robyn Carr Chatgroup--one of my many online bookgroups---about a year or so ago.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-18780942142388667722010-02-17T23:22:00.000-08:002010-02-17T23:30:47.788-08:00Behind....AGAIN!So I seem to be in a reading slump...I have a TON of books I want to read, I just can't settle on any one of them. I started several, and maybe that was part of my problem...I should just focus on one at a time.<br /><br />Anyway....here is where I'm at<br /><br />I recently finished two great books. The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins and Lake Magic by Kimberly Fisk. Both were "new to me" authors and I will write in depth reviews soon...hopefully tomorrow.<br /><br />Books I started but never seemed to finish:<br /><br />Amazing Gracie by Sherryl Woods<br />It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale<br />Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl<br /><br /><br />Library books I have:<br /><br />Between Husbands and Friends<br />Custody<br />Belonging <br /><br />All of these are by Nancy Thayer<br /><br />Lonestar Sanctuary- Colleen Coble<br />True Colors and The The Winter Garden by Kristan Hannah<br />Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani<br />The Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin<br /><br />Morgan<br />Sawyer<br /><br />These two are by Lori Foster and are the first two books in her Buckhorn Brothers Series.<br /><br />I really need to get moving if I plan to get all these books read!<br /><br />I also recently bought Knock Me For A Loop by Heidi Betts- third in her Chicks With Sticks Series. And also Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl--the sequel to Talk Me Down--because none of the libraries had it. I hate when they have the first and third book but NOT the second. Oh well.<br /><br />Ok thats my update.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-7133181717786728172010-01-27T11:20:00.000-08:002010-02-18T15:40:12.630-08:00Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU8khqAlIXk3alwN97SUqJZ2cXJRt57S7-c_zO5_u1RXbAuBPBvO4yvjwa2N3a9S-xq1Nh2aUwcYGOUFR1loybkY0z_QRKb7t7rEInZkByrxqRgiJ9TMtTyaNRDETztX2UeEYgaEa5rEa/s1600-h/angelspeak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU8khqAlIXk3alwN97SUqJZ2cXJRt57S7-c_zO5_u1RXbAuBPBvO4yvjwa2N3a9S-xq1Nh2aUwcYGOUFR1loybkY0z_QRKb7t7rEInZkByrxqRgiJ9TMtTyaNRDETztX2UeEYgaEa5rEa/s320/angelspeak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732419527404978" border="0" /></a><br />Angel's Peak--<br />Angel's peak centered around the story of Sean Riordan and Franci. They dated several years ago, but broke up after a huge fight. Franci desperately wanted marriage and a family, and that was the last thing Sean wanted. He thought a family would hold him back from enjoying life, and he preferred to give his life to the Army. Right after they broke up, Franci discovered she was pregnant with Sean's child- a baby girl. However, she does not tell him because she doesn't want him to marry her out of obligation. Sean doesn't find out until 3 1/2 years later when he runs into Franci at a bar, and then manages to track her down at her house. After introducing Sean to their daughter, Franci realizes how much she really does love Sean and what an amazing father she is. And they get married.<br />Meanwhile, Noah and Ellie, who were featured in Forbidden Falls, also get married. They also buy this really run down house, and the day after their wedding, the pulled up at the new house to discover the community had come together and was helping them clean up the place. Both Noah and Ellie were new to the town, so this act of kindness by their new friends was definitely touching to them and made them feel like they belonged there.<br />Shelby and Luke also announce they are expecting their lst child.<br />Out of the first 3, Shelter Mountain was definitely my favorite, I can't remember which was my favorite out of the second 3, and I had THOUGHT Forbidden Falls was my favorite out of the current 3, but I think Angel's Peak may now be my favorite! I LOVE the Riordan family...I definitely can't get enough of them. I see so many more stories for future books....Maureen and George, Aiden (although he'll be covered in next month's book--Moonlight Road), the other two brothers-Colin and Patrick.<br />One of the things that I noticed, especially in this book was that Robyn Carr definitely has a way with words. I like how she words alot of things, just general expressions, that make me want to burst out laughing. I was even reading at work and several times wanted to burst out laughing. There were also a few moments that brought tears to my eyes. I feel that any book that can bring out that many different emotions is amazing.<br />I loved this storyline...particular reading about Rosie, and her newfound relationship with her dad, grandma, and uncles. And my favorite thing about these books is the amount of detail Robyn goes into when describing a place. I especially love when she describes the various houses being built.<br /><br />finished on 1/26/2010<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-91024419645033435612010-01-18T13:31:00.000-08:002010-02-18T15:41:08.184-08:00Not My Daughter- Barbara Delinsky<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvg_Gtsipz9ob_1RsbMs3fm68sE8_KvGZkExXA_2a9VLvFL_k0BTz1rzc_qd5mT__mwtWAWIq4Vc2P8gDKZA3iKdnKdYWqnQsUSNNEwaiY0gafcKhzCjCRc0xNaOzSLUPWOkPwZT1p8se/s1600-h/notmydaughter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvg_Gtsipz9ob_1RsbMs3fm68sE8_KvGZkExXA_2a9VLvFL_k0BTz1rzc_qd5mT__mwtWAWIq4Vc2P8gDKZA3iKdnKdYWqnQsUSNNEwaiY0gafcKhzCjCRc0xNaOzSLUPWOkPwZT1p8se/s320/notmydaughter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732657559952770" border="0" /></a><br />I really enjoyed this book. I have never been disappointed by a Barbara Delinsky book, and have found her books to be a nice break from the cutesy little romance books that take place in small towns. There's nothing WRONG with those books at all, in fact I love them, however, sometimes its nice to change things up a bit.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Not My Daughter</span> was quite an interesting read. Four highschool seniors and best friends, Lily, Mark Kate, Jessica, and Abby make a pact to become pregnant, much to the shock and dismay of their parents. Lily's mom, Sue, also happens to be the high school principal, who's gone to great lengths to educate and try to prevent teen pregnancy. SHE also became pregnant at the age of seventeen, the same age these girls are now. When word gets out, the families of the girls try to keep the names quiet, as there is alot of opinions and controversy right from the start. This also puts Lily's mom in an awkward position, having her credibility questioned, both as a principal AND as a mother. Some feel that Sue has enabled past mistakes to repeat themselves. This also creates tension among the mothers of the four girls who are also friends, as well as each of the moms and their husbands. Lily's mom is actually not married, but has support from Lily's dad, and instead of struggling in her relationship with her husband, she struggles with her relationship with her mother, after just losing her father.<br /><br />toward the end of the book, we find out that Lily's baby suffers from a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, in which the kidneys appear outside the abdominal cavity. It is not known whether or not this baby will survive. So, on top of the tension in her position as principal, her anger over Lily's pregnancy to begin with, Susan must also deal with this, and support Lily in dealing with this as well. They are able to do surgery before Lily gives birth, and the baby ends up being fine.<br /><br />We get to the epilogue and find out that Mary Kate and Jessica have also given birth; Mary Kate has a boy, and Jessica, a girl. We also find out that Susan has married Lily's father, Rick.<br /><br />Again, I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to strangle the girls on several occasions, yet at the same time, I could relate to how they were feeling. I was alot like them at that age, and when I was in my early 20s, I desperately wanted a child right then. (Now, I have gotten older, I still want children, I just value my freedom and SLEEP too much to have them now). The girls WERE very self-centered to go through with this, but thats really how kids that age are. And, I was honestly surprised to see how the parents reacted, I was surprised to see them so angry, I thought for sure they'd come to terms with this right away and forgive, and coddle their daughters from that point on, but instead they stayed mad. Jessica's mom didn't even want to see her.<br /><br />At first I didn't think this storyline was very realistic, not so much teen pregnancy (because we all know that is VERY realistic), but more so the idea of the pregnancy pact. In the end of the book, it mentioned a smiliar case in Massachusetts that happened in 2008, where 17 girls made a pact to become pregnant. (I am now trying to google that news story for more information).<br /><br />I can see how some people who prefer more "realistic" storylines may not like this book, because even though there are a high number of teen pregnancies, pregnancy "pacts" don't seem to happen very often. I, however, read to ESCAPE reality, and it really doesn't matter to me how realistic or unrealistic a book sounds. I read books based on the storyline, and also based on the authors who write them.<br /><br />finished this book on 1/17/2010<br />Book #3 for 2010<br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-70994128768264390042010-01-06T22:28:00.000-08:002010-01-06T22:41:22.005-08:00The Sweethearts Knitting Club- Lori Wilde<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDUwPzULLVDycm4yV57WrosedgTNsnsIUFrUeUsemABqO7qBGWpLGJdhd-8tmOr8JYwmH6qh1L9NgHS3AU2VEOqdy4QfEJ9xRD-n0HxN6_jFA_IPw2lA416dl_3RBd29dPVmROVOzyMTs/s1600-h/51k2Q2p53UL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDUwPzULLVDycm4yV57WrosedgTNsnsIUFrUeUsemABqO7qBGWpLGJdhd-8tmOr8JYwmH6qh1L9NgHS3AU2VEOqdy4QfEJ9xRD-n0HxN6_jFA_IPw2lA416dl_3RBd29dPVmROVOzyMTs/s400/51k2Q2p53UL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423881794940403506" border="0" /></a><br />This was the first book I read by Lori Wilde, and DEFINITELY not my last. I had seen this in Borders recently, and of course the title caught my eye, but the fact that it was a story about a group of friends was an added bonus! I guess there really wasn't as much about the knitting group as I thought it would be. It was more focused around the Flynn/Jess/Beau triangle (I was on Team Jesse). Flynn and Jesse have been friends since highschool. Beau has also been envious and resentful of Jesse, and even had him arrested on graduation day. 10 years later, Jesse is finally out of prison and learns that Flynn and Beau are engaged. Flynn and Jess meet for the first time in 10 years, and after awhile Flynn realizes it's Jesse that she wants, not Beau. <br /><br />The Sweethearts are a group of ladies who knit together. Flynn's mom, who passed away a few years ago was also in the group, and the ladies sort of took Flynn under their wing after her mom died. It was also Lynn's dying wish for Flynn to open a yarn store, which she names Lynn's Yarn Barn. It happens to be in the old theater on the floor above Jesse's Motorcycle Shop.<br /><br />Luckily, this book is first in a series. The next book, the true love Quilting Club comes out in April 2010 and I'm excited to read that one. I hope We will hear more about Flynn and Jesse. She also has a 3rd book coming out around Christmas time about a Cookie Club, and another one about a gardening club coming out later. The other series of hers I want to read is the Wedding Veil Wishes series.<br /><br />Date Finished: 1/6/2010 12:53am<br />book 2 for the year<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-60655958909205625492010-01-04T01:32:00.000-08:002010-01-04T01:41:16.330-08:00Catching Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJetEjRV7K3smPRPrC7NgAM00ad0cb9sviSTLC1hFxyxys2iD9AKG6uf1kyBp2IehRwvqAD4cb8flnVefe_tAuPp41rBWGm2XU77gif3hxdlaFodlKGe5yc10aJQbE65yRuG-9a9dkh3m/s1600-h/6716019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJetEjRV7K3smPRPrC7NgAM00ad0cb9sviSTLC1hFxyxys2iD9AKG6uf1kyBp2IehRwvqAD4cb8flnVefe_tAuPp41rBWGm2XU77gif3hxdlaFodlKGe5yc10aJQbE65yRuG-9a9dkh3m/s400/6716019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422817351063469682" border="0" /></a><br />Well I see I am behind yet again. Sadly, in 2009 I read only 54 books. In 2008, I read 73 books. I was hoping to surpass that and get to 75. DIDN'T HAPPEN! I blame that fully on FACEBOOK! I wasted way too much of my life on facebook this past year. In 2010 things are going to be very different! I joined a 100 book challenge on Shelfari. I started this on December 26th, so I have until 12/26/10 to read 100 books. I am going to pace myself and try to read 8-9 books each month. I already finished one..Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr. It was a great book and I can't wait until next month. Robyn introduced some new characters in this book. Ellie, Noah's assistant. She was a former stripper (which I think added some "spice" to the storyline) and she was a CRACKUP! I really hope we'll be seeing more of her in future books, maybe even read about her and Noah's wedding! There was also quite an interesting storyline between Paul and Vanni. Paul's ex-girlfriend got pregnant, and tried to fool Paul into believing the baby was his. Paul found out the truth, after they'd broken up. NOW, the girlfriend was killed and in her Will, she stated that she wanted Paul to raise her daughter. This caused some tension between Paul and Vanni, but they worked it out, and little hannah became part of their family for good.<br /><br />Right now, I'm reading Lori Wilde's "The Sweethearts Knitting Club". More on that later....SOOOO happy to be out of my reading slump!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-66914657346485626752009-11-19T15:24:00.000-08:002009-11-20T09:59:49.926-08:00Well...Before reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Summer of Two Wishes</span>, I read several books that I never blogged about. I'm trying hard to get back into the blogging mojo.<br /><br /><br />Here are the books I read prior to <span style="font-style: italic;">Summer of Two Wishes</span>. And a few thoughts on each one.<br /><br />Best Friends Forever- Jennifer Weiner finished 7/31/09 <br /><br />This was a good book...not quite what I was expecting...I guess I don't really know WHAT I was expecting. Two best friends reunited after being apart for several years. I guess I had hoped the storyline would be different than it was, but surprisingly, I kept going back for more. This was an ebook. This was also a new author for me! (another goal for this year was to read as many new authors as possible).<br /><br />Tangled Up In Love by Heidi Betts- finished 8/28/09<br /><br />This turned out to be an awesome book. This is the first book in the "Chicks With Sticks" series. I heard about this from my friends in the Robyn Carr chatgroup. Once I heard it had a knitting theme, I knew I'd like it. Since I like books that take place in some type of store and are centered around a group of friends. This was ANOTHER new author for me. Sadly, this was the only book I finished in August.<br /><br />Any Minute- Joyce Meyer Finished 9/6/09<br /><br />This was a great book. I recently realized that I like storylines where characters have the perfect life, then suddenly something catastrophic and life changing happens to them. The woman in this book didn't realize how lucky she was. She just wanted to go, go, go, and always seemed to want more, more, more. She didn't seem to appreciate anything. I had originally seen this on a website...I can't remember where, and knew that I wanted to read. I was even tempted to buy it, but decided to hold off, which is a good thing because my library eventually got the ebook, so I got to read it for FREE. Free is good. I would definitely reccomend this one. I do enjoy reading some Christian Fiction and this was definitely a good one.<br /><br />92 Pacific Blvd.- Debbie Macomber Finished 9/8/2009<br /><br />#9 in Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series. It was ok. Not my favorite, but I didn't hate it either. Can't wait to read more.<br /><br />Loves Me, Loves Me Knot- Heidi Betts Finished 9/19/2009<br /><br />This was #2 in the Chicks with sticks series. I think I liked this better than the first book. This centered around Gage and Jenna, Ronnie's good friend. who were recently divorced. Also gave us a little background for the next book--<span style="font-style: italic;">Knock Me For A Loop. </span>Can't wait to read that one!<br /><br />The Castaways- Elin Hilderbrand Finished 9/19/2009<br /><br />This was definitely one of my favorite books for the year. I loved reading about all the relationships/love triangles among this group of friends. I wish more authors would write storylines like this. This was an ebook and also another first time author for me! ALSO one that I had considered buying, but held off, and was delighted when it showed up at my library!!<br />I definitely plan to read more books by this author. She's a nice change from the cutesy little romance books I normally read.<br /><br />No Time To Wave Goodbye- Jacquelyn Mitchard<br /><br />I usually like to follow this author's new releases, and have yet to be disappointed by one of her books. I was walking around Barnes and Noble one day, when I came across this book. I was beyond delighted when I realized this was a SEQUEL to a book I read a long time ago...<span style="font-style: italic;">Deep End of the Ocean</span>. This takes place 19-20 years later, and reflects on the aftermath of Ben's disappearance and the reunion of him and his family. Unbeknownst to Beth, Vincent writes a screenplay based on this exact event. Later the family suffers all over again, when Ben's baby is found, but luckily she is found and SAFE! This is another one that will go on my favorites list for the year. I hope they do a movie based on this book, even a made for tv movie would be great!<br /><br />The Christmas Bus- Melody Carlson Finished 10/20/2009<br /><br />I had been planning to read this anyway, but it became free in the Kindle Store, so I downloaded it to read on my ipod. A Very cute, feel-good Story. I have read two books by Melody Carlson now, and really enjoyed both of them. Can't wait to read more. I recommended this to several of my book reading friends, I liked it so much. It took place in a bed and breakfast inn, one of my favorite types of settings!<br /><br />Lakeshores Christmas- Susan Wiggs Finished 10/31/2009<br /><br />This is part of another one of my favorite series. The Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs. I liked this book, but it seemed like it was a struggle to finish it. I kept putting it down to read other books. I didn't really care for alot of the storyline, although the library closure storyline was interesting, and I did like Maureen. I was just hoping that it would be more about Daisy Bellamy, since she is my favorite character in that series. Oh well. At least we only have to wait a few months for the next book!<br /><br />Shades of Blue- Karen Kingsbury Finished 10/25/2009<br /><br />This was ANOTHER one of my favorite books. I think it was while reading this book that I realized I liked storylines where people have the perfect life, then something catastrophic happens to them. I have been waiting for this book since I found out she was writing it. This would make an awesome movie. <br /><br />Ok...so this brought me up to a total of 52 books read for the year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-30906446591240924582009-11-02T10:07:00.000-08:002010-02-18T15:41:57.517-08:00Summer of Two Wishes- Julia London<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_91SxnTzQwrI3Pb0Zo8hiJOGsPtsG2BWbABY9LVZIggAhA0kawpADyK_Y7AtjZCUdoVi2PibKRFGaGfmLqR2_68KvIbZveJZv62KigEbWnhhLtAzHStu-I4LddTsESK1qqWwluPKJTKMJ/s1600-h/summeroftwowishes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_91SxnTzQwrI3Pb0Zo8hiJOGsPtsG2BWbABY9LVZIggAhA0kawpADyK_Y7AtjZCUdoVi2PibKRFGaGfmLqR2_68KvIbZveJZv62KigEbWnhhLtAzHStu-I4LddTsESK1qqWwluPKJTKMJ/s320/summeroftwowishes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732881304813026" border="0" /></a><br />I started Summer of Two Wishes on Saturday night (10/31) and once I started this book, I pretty much could NOT put this book down. I whipped through it and finished it a day later on 11/2/09 at 1:17am. When I went to bed, I started off on page 158 and figured my goal would be to get to page 200..well I passed right by page 200, and soon I figured "ok I'll stop at 300", which soon became "well why don't I just finished this book!" So that is what I did. I found myself not wanting to put this book down, only wanting to wait and see what happened. I had never really read a book with storyline before (the closest thing was the 9/11 series by Karen Kingsbury and even that was quite different). This was also my first book by Julia London, but definitely not my last! She writes mainly Historical romance, which I'm not that into, but she does also have some Contemporaries which I will definitely check out. I joined her fan page on facebook, where I read that she will have future books set in Cedar Springs, Texas, where Summer of Two Wishes Took Place. This is very exciting because (I'm hoping) it means that there will be a sequel to this book.<br /><br />Here's a little blurb: Macy's first husband ,Finn, was killed in Afghanistan, while fighting in the war. She was devastated to lose him, but 3 years after he died, she married Wyatt. 7 months after THEY married, Macy finds out that Finn is, in fact ALIVE! This turns her life, as well as everyone's elses' lives upside down while Macy decides what she wants to do, or better, who she wants to be with. Basically she can either declare her marriage to Wyatt void, and stay with Finn, or divorce Finn, which would automatically make her marriage to Wyatt valid. She takes far too long to make this decision (in my opinion) and chooses Finn. In the meantime, she finds out that she is carrying Wyatt's baby!! But STILL chooses to stay with Finn. She says she loves both men, but she always has and always will love Finn. And poor Wyatt soon realized that he'd always been competing against Finn.<br /><br />I was on Team Wyatt through the entire book. I didn't like Finn, and his mother drove me crazy. It drove me nuts how Finn just ASSUMED that Macy would come back to him, not even giving Wyatt a second thought. Finn and his Mom seemed really put out that Macy Moved on with life after Finn died. Isn't that what you'd expect someone to do? Even though I didn't like these characters, they obviously made the book what it was. And it was funny to see the drama between them. I cheered when Macy and Finn found that Wyatt had sold Finn's ranch, AFTER Macy put Wyatt through hell while she was deciding to go back to Finn (I think she knew what she would do all along). And I also cheered when Wyatt refused to give Finn's dog back. He deserved SOMETHING out of this horrible deal that he got.<br /><br />I think it would be awesome if the sequel was centered on Wyatt's life. :)<br /><br />Wow, I can tell I loved this book because I had a ton to say in my review!!<br /><br />This is book #53 for the year. My "current" goal is to get to 75.<br /><br />Finished 11/2/2009<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-55492482458967764152009-07-27T02:28:00.000-07:002010-02-18T15:42:35.191-08:00Home At Last by Anna Schmidt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0JOvUIqVQSD0YElE1iPPJwHSljClDXxiUNWcvT7PXDp-K184Wu78u76ZJu9xrd652ARLnjsiACJqJudI3gJx9oxpQqO7PSRrCwzOzm7-HkRHaxhklz8uA_5yRU65vZbEPiQ-miLn376d/s1600-h/homeatlast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0JOvUIqVQSD0YElE1iPPJwHSljClDXxiUNWcvT7PXDp-K184Wu78u76ZJu9xrd652ARLnjsiACJqJudI3gJx9oxpQqO7PSRrCwzOzm7-HkRHaxhklz8uA_5yRU65vZbEPiQ-miLn376d/s320/homeatlast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439733041766676354" border="0" /></a><br />It is now 2:28am and I have just finished<span style="font-style: italic;"> Home At Last</span> by Anna Schmidt. This is another book in the Harlequin Love Inspired Line. Like the previous book, I was walking down the book aisle at Walmart and saw this book, and after reading the back cover, I know instantly I would love. I had never heard of this author before, but after reading this book, I will definitely look for more of her books. I only wish that Home At Last was part of a series, and I could see many ways that the author could continue with the story.<br /><br />Home At Last reminded me somewhat of one of the characters in Susan Wiggs' Lakeshore Chronicles Series--Daisy Bellamy, and her father. This book was centered around a teenager, Jazzamine or "Jazz", an indifferent, moody, somewhat rebellious teenager, and her single father, Daniel. Daniel is also the owner of a hotel in Manhattan, and when his mother falls and injures her hip, he adds that to his already full plate of things to deal with as well. His Ex-wife Gloria makes frequent appearances, causing a stir whenever she arrives. Then, when he goes to visit his mom's farm, he meets Jo, the lady his mom has hired to tend the cranberry crops. Daniel and Jo fight their feelings for each other and also can't agree on the best place for his mother to live her final days. But they soon give in to their feelings of mutual attraction.<br /><br />This was definitely a feel good story, and I was very entertained, especially by Jazz. I could not put this down, and like I mentioned above, I only wish the author would make this book into a series. Any book that keeps me up until 2:30am is obviously a good one!!<br /><br />Date Finished: 7/27/09 2:38am!!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-68176196372913603472009-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:002010-02-18T15:43:19.283-08:00Second Chance Family by Margaret Daley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCPOC5u_LiOlQaJjBSJhGGTEX5jli3sm2sjSjn462fdgsjxPoZCdABbBYMIgdeEGXlUI-wcdV47-fZo36v1tZDc2S-jCi3wgvLzwO-8bDyRgN8tstV4UnsLI7zBBtpmRAbo7XyoAyLaPB/s1600-h/secondchancefamily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCPOC5u_LiOlQaJjBSJhGGTEX5jli3sm2sjSjn462fdgsjxPoZCdABbBYMIgdeEGXlUI-wcdV47-fZo36v1tZDc2S-jCi3wgvLzwO-8bDyRgN8tstV4UnsLI7zBBtpmRAbo7XyoAyLaPB/s320/secondchancefamily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439733234969996562" border="0" /></a><br />I just now finished <span style="font-style: italic;">Second Chance Family</span> by Margaret Daley. It is part of the Steeple Hill Love Inspired Fiction line and is the last book of the Fostered by Love series. I found this book when I was in Walmart searching for another book by the same publisher, and when I saw that it had to do with foster care as well as children with special needs, I knew I'd love it.<br /><br />Jason McCoy is a little boy about to start kindergarten. He is autistic and his (single) dad, Shane, is fighting the school district because he feels Jason should be placed in a regular mainstream classroom. The school finally agrees to honor Shane's wishes and try it. Whitney Maxwell has recently moved back to Cimarron City to be closer to her brother and start her life over. She has a bit of a troubled past that she's trying to get away from. She actually meets Shane one morning when she's passing by his house, looking for an address on his street, and little Jason darts in front of her car, because it is yellow, and he loves yellow objects. It just so happens that Whitney has also accepted a job as a teacher's aide at Jason's school and she ends up being Jason's special aide in his classroom, since his teacher really doesn't feel comfortable interacting with him. As time goes on, Shane and Whitney become friends, but soon Shane realizes he's just not ready for their relationship to progress that far. He lost his pregnant wife and baby daughter in a house fire, and feels he was responsible for not saving them. He soon turns to God for help in forgiving the arsonist, and once he's able to forgive, he's ready to move forward in his relationship with Whitney.<br /><br />Steeple Hill books are considered Christian Fiction and/or inspirational so all of the characters in every one of their books has some type of relationship with God. I've started getting into Christian Fiction a little bit and have really enjoyed these stories.<br /><br />I especially enjoyed Second Chance Family because it was about a child with special needs, Foster Care, and also one of the settings was a rescue center for children. I only wish I would've found about these books earlier so I could've read them in order, since each story builds on the previous one. But I still plan to go back and read the first 3 books if I can track them down.<br /><br />Date Finished 7/23/2009<br /># of books for the year: 41<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443770793236912132.post-29070212709165564252009-07-19T18:56:00.000-07:002010-02-18T15:43:57.272-08:00Where Yesterday Lives by Karen Kingsbury<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_yKcP-zYcQnkevOALCYhzFSH4vbtRpw3CGjYNsTIUIS261aWVieBC7jws2LzmG-tbBO2g326zrnOv6RXPZFuF6SkX9BccZgbr-B79B9EmMPemDeQOrzC3wJsMWK_GQklBUT9rnysUonu/s1600-h/whereyesterdaylives.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_yKcP-zYcQnkevOALCYhzFSH4vbtRpw3CGjYNsTIUIS261aWVieBC7jws2LzmG-tbBO2g326zrnOv6RXPZFuF6SkX9BccZgbr-B79B9EmMPemDeQOrzC3wJsMWK_GQklBUT9rnysUonu/s320/whereyesterdaylives.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439733402986197490" border="0" /></a><br />I finished <span style="font-style: italic;">Where Yesterday Lives </span>the other day. It was one of Karen Kingsbury's older books, but in my opinion, one of her best. In my mission to read every single one of Karen's books, I'd known about this book for awhile, but never had the urge to read it until now. After reading it, I have no idea why I waited so long. My favorite part of the book was the Family Dynamics. <span style="font-style: italic;">Where Yesterday Lives</span> was about the Barrett family who lived in Petoskey, Michigan (Which I ALSO was able to relate to because my boyfriend is from Michigan). The five Barret children are grown now and have their own lives, and 2 of the older daughters have moved away from Michigan.<br /><br />The book takes Place in July 1998 in Petoskey, Michigan, a little town off Traverse Bay. Most of the book takes place in the aftermath the Patriarch, John Barrett, dying of a massive heart attack. None of the Barrett children are very close to one another and it's been awhile since they were all together. Each one has their own issues they're dealing with as well as their own thoughts about their family.<br /><br />Here's a brief description of each member of the Barrett Family<br /><br />Jon Barrett worked for IBM and a few other jobs, which required constant relocating, and as a result their family moved around from place to place quite a bit, not establishing permanent roots until they arrived in Petoskey.<br /><br />Ellen is the oldest child and is 31 years old. She is a reporter for the Miami Times. She lives in Miami with her husband, Mike, and so far they have been unable to have any children. In highschool, her best friend was Leslie and her boyfriend was Jake Sadler, the boy she thought she would end up marrying.<br /><br />Jane is 29 years old, has been married to Troy for 7 years and they have 3 children--Koley, 6 year old boy, Kala--3 year old girl, and Kyle--one year old boy. They live in Central Arizona.<br /><br />Jane has always resented the close relationship that Megan and their father have. Jane and her father have never been that close and Jane never felt that she was good enough for their father. Also, the one time when she needed him the most, he was not there to help her. This affected their relationship in many ways. Jane feels especially angry at their dad after he dies.<br /><br />Megan is 27 years old. She is still single...she went through a period of time where she used some heavy drugs and drifted away from the family. She seems to be out of that now. Megan also seems to be in denial that her siblings' relationships are strained, as they are.<br /><br />Amy is 25 years old. She has a degree in Child Development and is married to Frank. She is quiet and sometimes seems like the odd one out of all the children. Amy is especially close with her mother.<br /><br />Aaron is 23 years old. He has anger issues and hasn't been able to hold down a job because of it. He is also the yougest, and the only son with 4 sisters, so he's had alot of issues because of that (or so he says). He and his dad did have somewhat of a good relationship. They enjoyed golfing together frequently.<br /><br />The book shifted back and forth between the present (1998) and back when Ellen was in highschool and college, and dating Jake. While Ellen is visiting Petoskey for her dad's funeral, she is questioning her marriage to Mike, and whether their relationship can make it through dealing with their problems. She also runs into her old flame Jake Sadler, and spends time with her, but in the end realizes that Mike is the one she really belongs with.<br /><br />No one really knows why Jane is so mean and nasty, and why she treats Ellen the way she does. At John's funeral, each of them read eulogies that they've written and alot of things are explained. Jane reveals that she was raped as a teenager, the same week that their dad took off, and that the fact that he wasn't there for her when she needed him most really hurt her and ruined their relationship. Ellen also begins to understand why Jane resented her all these years. After hearing each others' eulogies, they are all able to understand each other better and begin to have better relationships with each other.<br /><br />I really enjoyed the family dynamics (and drama!) and even though characters made me really mad on a few occassions, it was easy to understand why they acted the way they did. I could easily see this book being made into a movie. <br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0