Jen in Bookland

The Santa Society Synopsis: Magic. Myth. Miracles. They say there is truth in legends. Last Christmas, Erin came home to be with her dying mother. It's been a year, and Erin can't move on. It's a good thing a behemoth dog named Klaus and Reason-the-handsome-realtor are about to change all that. When Reason's efforts to help Erin sell her mother's house turn into a series of fiascos, Erin finds herself falling in love with him despite the quirky chaos that follows him. But Reason is more than he seems, and soon Erin is immersed in the clandestine world of the Santa Society, a centuries old secret organization that protects the truth behind Christmas. Review: Yes! Now that Thanksgiving in the US is past it is officially Christmas time for me! So I just have to say first that I love love love super cheesy Christmas stories. Think Hallmark original movies. Love them! I am so sad I don't get the Hallmark channel anymore. I always watche

Sisters in Love (Love in Bloom: Snow Sisters #1) Synopsis: Danica Snow has always been the smart, practical, and appropriate sister. As a therapist, she prides herself on making reasonable, conservative choices, even if a bit boring, and as part of the Big Sister Program, she has little time for anything more in her life. Blake Carter is a player. He never gets bored of conquering women, and with his sexy good looks and successful lifestyle, he has no trouble finding willing participants. When his friend and business partner dies in a tragic accident, he suddenly, desperately, wants to change his ways. The problem is, he doesn’t know how to stop doing what he does best. When Blake walks into Danica’s office, the attraction between them is white hot, but Danica isn't the type to give into the heat and risk her career. Danica’s desire sets her on a path of self-discovery, where she begins to question every decision she’s ever made. Just this once, Danica wants to i

Paloma: A Laurent & Dove Mystery Synopsis: Paloma, a woman with three identities, is running hard and fast. Someone wants her dead. But which identity is the killer after? Max Laurent, retired FBI agent, throws himself into the mix. Paloma must outwit the assassin. Max must outwit Paloma. Before coming to terms with past misunderstandings and a child long ago abandoned, they must, together or apart, find and eliminate the killer. Review: I was not expecting much from Paloma . Really I thought the synopsis was a bit confusing, but I saw potential. I am glad I gave it a read as it was alright. Not the best book ever, but entertaining.  Paloma felt a little scattered. Like she didn't really know what she was like. She just kept changing her mind, though she did stay a scared girl who keeps running, until the very end. She was alright, and I can understand why she would be so skeptical of everyone. It was interesting reading her thoughts on the matter

The Language of Sparrows: A Novel Synopsis: Brilliant and fluent in too many languages to count, 15-year-old Sierra Wright can't seem to communicate what is important to her in any language. Though April Wright stubbornly keeps an upbeat attitude about her daughter's future, she has let her own dreams slip away. Just across the bridge lives old Luca, scarred from his time in a Romanian gulag years before. Though he has seemingly given up on people, Sierra is drawn to him despite his prickly edges. No one else is comfortable with the unpredictable old man spending time alone with Sierra, not even Luca's son. Yet it is this unconventional relationship that will bring two families together to form friendships and unearth their family stories, stories that just might give them all the courage to soar on wings toward a new future. Review: The Language of Sparrows was a beautiful book. Heartbreaking at times, but also full of hope and just really a great s

Drawn To You (Paloma's Edge) Synopsis: Bethany Pruitt has been judged for her mother's actions ever since she could remember. When she returns from college in Miami to Franklin Parks, her hometown, for the summer, she doesn't expect to find the only home she's known to be motherless and empty. By another turn of events, she decides to accept an invitation from her uncle to stay at Paloma's Edge, Florida. Chase Lovell lives for the present and doesn't think about much else. When he goes to see his coach for a meeting, a female standing at the end of a long bus line at his college sparks his interest and earns his respect. Intent on approaching her, he misses his chance, and assumes that he'll never see her again. When Pierce, his best friend asks him to pick up his cousin, Beth, from Franklin Parks and drive her to Paloma's Edge, he can't deny that this is the girl he's been drawn to. But will Chase do whatever it takes to keep

Slaughterhouse-Five Synopsis: Slaughterhous-Five is one of the world's great anti-war books. Centering on the infamous fire-bombing of Dresden, Billy Pilgrim's odyssey through time reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning in what we are afraid to know. Review: I have never read Vonnegut before this. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, and I think that is why I did not enjoy this book as much as others. I was expecting something to happen, to learn about he Dresden bombing, and I really didn't. I waited 80% of the book for something that seemed like it could be anti-war, and then once I got to the last 20% I thought oh, okay. I see it now. I know it is satire, but I didn't see the anti-war message for most of the story. There were two things that annoyed me so much with the writing style in this book. First was the breaking up of the story into little tiny sections, only a few paragraphs lo

Tell Me No Lies Synopsis: Two days before her wedding, Tessa Crawford’s world crumbles, leaving her hurt and betrayed. Worse, if Tessa doesn’t marry and receive her trust fund, her younger sister will lose her house and the homeless girls she helps will have nowhere to go. But Tessa can’t marry just anyone, can she? Gage Braxton, the guy from next door, is willing to help her out, but rumors hint that he's an ex-con. Tessa soon finds herself attracted to a man who has no intention of ever falling in love or of passing on his terrible legacy. When Tessa stumbles across evidence that may be proof of Gage's innocence, suspects begin to line up. Someone is willing to kill again to see that the truth remains buried, and if Tessa doesn’t hurry and solve the old murder, she will lose not only her chance at love but may become the murder’s next victim. Review: Tell Me No Lies really surprised me. It wasn't as intense as I thought it would be, but it w

The Law of Attraction (Lawyers in Love) Synopsis: Once upon a time two lawyers fell in love across a courtroom … Gabrielle Ginsberg was a public defender with plenty of nerve and Braden Pierce was an assistant district attorney with a whole lot of swagger. Gabrielle wanted Braden and Braden wanted Gabrielle. And Cameron wanted Gabrielle. And Marla wanted Braden. And Cole wanted Gabrielle.  And Mrs. Mason wanted Braden. And an anonymous letter writer wanted to keep Gabrielle and Braden apart.  Together Gabrielle and Braden discovered many important things, like which doors at the courthouse actually locked, and that desks could be useful for more than writing. They also found out that the path of love was not always smooth, and it was sometimes trod upon by some really wacky people, like a confused fanny grabber, an eighty-two year old pothead and a gentleman who threw a wine and cheese party in his pants. Could true love overcome a lack of privacy, interference by j

In the Middle of Nowhere (Willow's Journey #1) Synopsis: Butterflies. Little, fluttering butterflies. That’s what fifteen-year-old Willow Flynn feels in the pit of her stomach every time the mysterious boy is near. But Willow has other things to contend with as she deals with the tragic loss of her father, as well as her emotionally preoccupied mother, while being uprooted to a new house, a new school, a new life, far away, on an island, in the middle of nowhere. At the beginning of the school year, the sickly, but cute Michael sends Willow the first of many cryptic notes during homeroom. He stares at Willow and gives her the creeps. Michael never returns to school after that, but Willow ends up connecting with the poetic boy on-line where they strike up an unusual friendship. As Willow attempts to fit in and find her niche in the ever-cliquey high school world, she is further confused by Michael who strives to win her over and mend her broken heart. But will he be

STRONGER (Runaway) Synopsis:  My name is Jasmine and I have HIV. I was 14 years old the first time my mother’s boyfriend hit me and at the age of 18, I was forced to be a prostitute. Cast away by the same people I thought were family, I was ready to take my own life. Until I met Nate. He didn't run away when I said I was sick. But I wonder why a handsome, funny, Mr. Right like him would love someone like me? My name is Nate and I have a secret. I met Jasmine at a crossroads in my life. She was beautiful, desperate, and inspired me in ways I didn't know were possible. She makes me better in everything and I want to help her get better, too. But I have a secret, one she doesn't have to know - until the time is right. Review: I really wanted to like Stronger . It is the kind of story I enjoy reading. This story though was too simple. Very few, if any, people could go through what Jasmine does and just instantly be okay. It just didn't make any

Secret Seduction (Secret Series Romance Novels) Synopsis: To Katie life was simple. She wanted a little house in upper Boston, and four kids fathered by her best friend Jason, who she’s been infatuated with since she was eight. After a devastating family secret is exposed, all she wants now is to escape the media hype that follows her everywhere she turns. Leaving her family, friends, and Jason behind, she travels to places she’s only read about, to find a father she’s never known. Jason is on a mission and he’s come halfway around the world to complete it. Despite his feelings for Katie, he won’t let her resistance deter him, even if it means she’ll never trust him again. As their world spirals out of control, their relationship will be tested and changed forever. If he can keep them alive and out of harm’s way, he may have a chance to make everything right. Review: I read the first book in Jill Sanders Pride Series and remember liking it quite a bit. When I saw

Mine 'Til Monday Synopsis: Dorothy Albright has known Mud Taylor all her life. They’ve shared skinned knees, picnics, and rope swings..and somewhere along the line, a first kiss. Then Mud grew up one summer and left her behind. He’s a forgotten page in her history, until a crisis in her professional life brings him back. Dorothy’s dream boss is looking for a certain kind of protégée: the married kind. Unfortunately, Dorothy’s social life has taken a dive while her career has taken off, and there’s no fiancé in sight, fictional or otherwise.  Then she remembers Mud, and she has to admit that her old best friend is the only man who can help her pull off her plan, even if he stirs up long-buried passions. Review: I had read another book by Ruby Laska, but I couldn't remember if I enjoyed it or not (it was a while ago). I started this book not expecting to enjoy it much, but found I really liked this. I was worried it was going to be an all sex no story

Frostbite (Touch of Frost) Synopsis: Amanda gives a whole new meaning to cool… Amanda Smith is sick of getting chased from town-to-town. So when she lands in tiny Trifle, Arizona, she hopes it’s her last move for a long time. Despite hating the smallness of the town, she settles in and finds a best friend, and even a boyfriend. Normality at its finest. But for a girl who can shoot snow from her hands and lift a two-ton truck over her head like a bag of feathers—normal is not an option. The scientists who murdered her mother come barreling into Amanda’s quiet life. She must decide if she’ll run again or stay and fight. The price of either choice might be her life or the lives of those she’s come to love… Review: I started Frostbite and thought oh this is going to be a long book. I really was not enjoying the story for about the first half of the book. Amanda was annoying and just...I was not enjoying it. Then somehow in the second half I started getting in

The Fourth Sunrise: A Love Story (Night Romances #1) Synopsis: This review was originally posted to www.jeninbookland.com Once in a while a powerful love story comes along that forever captures our hearts and imaginations. The Fourth Sunrise is such a book. It is a celebration of how love transcends time, a story that makes us believe in true love all over again. When the team bus breaks down in Delta, Colorado, minor league baseball player Joel Murphy sets eyes for the first time on Christine, a waitress. Instantly smitten, he will spend the rest of the night getting to know her...and falling helplessly in love. In fact, he's certain she's the one. But when morning comes, Joel must leave quicker than planned and, tragically, never gets to say goodbye. And when he returns after a grueling season on the road, he discovers that Christine has moved on...and has married someone else. That was thirty years ago... Now in the present day, as Joel Murphy wai

Heart Strings Synopsis: Tripp Andrews is the first boy Keely's been attracted to since her boyfriend Mark was killed drag racing, but why is he moving in with Mark's mother? Tripp has a second chance at life, thanks to a new heart, but what would Keely say if she knew it was Mark's? Review: Heart Strings is a quick and easy read, though not a particularly good one. It wasn't horrible, but I wouldn't recommend it either. Maybe you need to be younger to enjoy reading it. I don't know. Everything came together and worked out a little too easy. It wasn't really believable.  Keely is so hung up on Mark still, who died 8 months ago in a racing accident. Then suddenly Tripp shows up and she is almost instantly starting to like him. There were two brief freak outs, but then it was just like Tripp all the way for her. Alright I guess, but if you are so in love with Mark shouldn't it take a little more to get over him?  Then Tripp. I get

Joe Synopsis: From the author of the Alexa Montgomery Saga, comes a book that will take you into the mind of a genuine psychopath, the lives of six ordinary people, and the world of a very special girl named Joe.  Joe is seemingly an ordinary college student. She works, studies and reads. But in between these activities Joe has a gift that promises to add a dose of color to her life at any given moment. Joe sees things before they happen. Bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. Someone is planning a massacre at the college university that Joe attends, and the only person with a hope of stopping the psychopath is her.  Oh, the beauty of foresight. More like a curse. Joe has four days to figure out the mystery, make plans to take down the psycho, and save the lives of people. People like you and me. Ordinary people. Review: Wow. I was not expecting this book to be so intense. I thought Joe would be some light read, maybe it

Love Thy Neighbor (Friend-Zoned) Synopsis: Asher 'Ghost' Collins and Natalie Kovac shared a passionate night together. One neither of them can forget. So why is it so hard for them to be around each other? With no hope of the two getting along they decide to go their separate ways. And somehow end up closer than they've ever been. Will friendship ever be enough for the pair? Review: I started reading Love Thy Neighbor and thought hmm..this is not as good as the first book. Really I think the beginning took way too much time recapping what had happened in the first book and who everyone was. I like short and sweet one sentence here or there when needed to clue in people who haven't read prior books, not paragraphs telling me. Plus at first I wasn't really connecting with Nat. I'm not sure why but I was just eh about her. I didn't really get her at the beginning, and really I didn't totally get her at the end either, but I l