Blog Posts

Review: Dr. Arthur Spohn: Surgeon, Inventor, and Texas Medical Pioneer

1/20/2019

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I need to start off by saying I love reading biographies, and memoirs. I love learning about people! And in going into any nonfiction book, it is important to know that some areas may seem dry with all its facts and figures - but ultimately, you have to remember that these bits matter when you're learning about your subject.

In the case of this book, Dr. Spohn was a fascinating person to read about. He had a wealthy background, sure, but what struck me the most interesting was his commitment to treat anyone who needed it - whether they could "afford" it or not. To do this during a time where the technology we have today didn't exist is just astounding. That's the other plus of reading about Dr. Spohn's life - you also learn so much about the medical field before everything we know now. I learned extensive information about how very different being a doctor was back then to what appears to be now than I did before picking up this book.

This book is best for people who love to learn about other people, and ESPECIALLY if you have a specific interest in medical history. It is written in a way that flows and that the average (i.e. non-doctor lol) can understand. Definitely worth picking up!

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
1/15/19
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Hall Ways Blog

1/16/19
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Reading by Moonlight

1/17/19
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All the Ups and Downs

1/18/19
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That's What She's Reading

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Review
Forgotten Winds

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Excerpt
The Clueless Gent

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Book Fidelity

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Kelly Well Read

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Chapter Break Book Blog

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2 Comments

Cover Reveal: Handle With Care

1/18/2019

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About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
Social Media Links:

Look for Handle With Care to be available August 27, 2019!

Click here for more information!

An Excerpt

NOTE: This is an unedited excerpt and is subject to change.

I’m startled out of my thoughts when my brother jumps up and shouts a bunch of profane nonsense, hands flailing like he’s trying to swim on land, or approximate the chicken dance while on an LSD trip.

“You can’t do this! It’s absolute bullshit!” Armstrong yells.

I look around the table, trying to piece together what I missed.

“I’m sorry, Armstrong. I know this is a shock, but we feel it’s in the company’s best interest to put Lincoln at the helm during this transitional stage,” G-mom says firmly.

At the helm? I look to G-mom who’s busy not looking at me.

Armstrong jabs at finger at himself. “But I’m the one who’s put in all the time here! I deserve to run the company! Lincoln doesn’t know the first thing about Moorehead. All he knows how to do is dig wells and forage for food in the wilderness. How are those valuable assets here?” He turns his attention to our mother. “Did you know about this? How can you let this happen? Look at him. How can that be the face of our company? He looks like he crawled out of a gutter and mugged a twenty-year-old college kid on a bender. How is this better for our bottom line?”

My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Armstrong, but this decision wasn’t mine to make. I know this is hard for you, but your grandmother and fath—”

Armstrong stomps his foot, exactly as a toddler would. “The company is mine! Lincoln can’t have it!”

I raise a hand, half to quiet my brother and also to find out what the freaking deal is. “Whoa, let’s back this bus up. Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“You’ve been appointed as the CEO of Moorehead Media, according to the will,” Christophe—no R, because that would make it far too pedestrian a name—my father’s lawyer says.

I’m working on trying to remain calm as I address my grandmother. “You didn’t say anything about me being CEO. You said you needed my help.”

“Running the company, yes,” she says through a practiced, stiff smile.

It’s her warning face, but seriously, when she said she needed my help for a few months I figured it meant I’d be keeping Armstrong in line while she sorted out who was going to take over the company, which I realize now was a stupid assumption.

“I didn’t think that meant CEO. How am I going to run a company with this dickhead on staff?” I motion to my brother.

“The name calling is unnecessary,” G-mom replies.

“Lincoln’s not even part of this family! He hasn’t attended one event in the past five years except for Dad’s funeral. He didn’t bother coming to my wedding and now he’s going to run the company? How is that fair?”

I snort. “Your wedding was an expensive joke.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I was set up. Amalie had cold feet and made me out to look like the bad guy.”

The woman beside him shoots him disgusted look.

Armstrong clears his throat and tugs at his collar. “My wedding is not the real issue. The point is that you’ve never involved yourself in any part of this family and now you think you can come in and take over. I will not stand by and let this happen!” He keeps jabbing his finger at me, as if he’s engaged in a finger sword fight.

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers behind my neck. Armstrong has always been reactive. And self-absorbed. For a while it seemed like he finally had it together—back when he was engaged. But ever since that fiasco of a wedding he seems to have come completely unglued. Again. But worse this time. “Someone needs a timeout.”

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Review: Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe

1/18/2019

2 Comments

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe
by Carla Laureano

Genre: Christian Fiction; Contemporary; Romance

Synopsis

From the RITA Award–winning author of Five Days in Skye comes a sweet, romantic treat that will leave you hungry for more.

Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.

Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.

Review

This is quite unlike the other romance books I read and review. I mean - there's no naked guy on the cover, for one. And you will not find any sex within it's pages. However, setting all that aside (because I do not believe a book needs to have sex in order for it to be a worthwhile romance), this was a lovely book about Melody, a woman yearning to return to Paris to open up her own bakery, and Justin, a pilot finding a relationship when that is the last thing he's wanting.

We learn so much about these two as they navigate dating and a relationship. From similarities and differences, to real life obstacles of decisions and change - we experience it all with these characters.

Since this is a Christian romance (definitely a FIRST for this blog), there is mentioning of God. I say this knowing that not all my readers may want to read about God (I respect all, y'all).

I recommend this book to everyone and anyone wanting to read a heartfelt romance with real-life obstacles - especially if you enjoy a book that has to do with food and baking! Truly a lovely read.

2 Comments

Review: To Be Honest

1/13/2019

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To Be Honest
by Maggie Ann Martin

Synopsis

Savannah is dreading being home alone with her overbearing mother after her big sister―and best friend―goes off to college. But if she can just get through senior year, she'll be able to escape to college, too. What she doesn't count on is that her mother's obsession with weight has only grown deeper since her appearance on an extreme weight-loss show, and now Savvy's mom is pressuring her even harder to be constantly mindful of what she eats.

Between her mom's diet-helicoptering, missing her sister, and worrying about her collegiate future, Savvy has enough to worry about. And then she meets George, the cute new kid at school who has insecurities of his own. As Savvy and George grow closer, they help each other discover how to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now before it disappears.

To Be Honest is another sharp, witty novel from Maggie Ann Martin, about a spunky heroine who is dealing with very real issues―body image, parental pressure, loneliness, first love, and finding your way―with heart and humor.

Review

This book was not what I thought it was going to be.

It was better.

I started reading To Be Honest expecting a love story with the back drop of the issues of a fat girl. Since I am a fat girl (woman. whatever.), I was curious as to how the protagonist's size would be treated. Big people are not usually written about, and when we are written about - we usually hate ourselves etc. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book did not follow the formula I usually find in other stories. Beware - spoilers.

Savvy is having some difficulty because her sister, who is also her best friend, is going off to college - leaving her behind with the shadow of her mother. Their mother had been a part of a weight-loss show that appears to have had a less than healthy effect on her and the family. Aside from that, Savvy is busy focusing on her journalism efforts with her other, non sister best friend, Grace, and trying to figure out what is going on between her and Grace's cousin, George.

Instead of the focus being on Savvy's would-be love life, the focus was actually on Savvy herself. The author focused on the struggles Savvy has with her mother who back-handedly insults Savvy's body, the disappointment of having a father who prioritizes his new wife over his daughter, the adjustment of having her sister at college, and THEN comes the trouble with how George feels about her. Through all these experiences, we get to know Savvy - the anxiety and panic she feels in certain situations, how she actually loves how she looks, but is cut down by comments her mother makes, or when she thinks about how her best friend is treated differently because of their size difference.

Not once does Savvy turn bitter at the women around her for them being smaller than she is. Savvy's concern for her mother is more about her mother's moods and overall health than any kind of jealousy. Savvy has also learned to be strong - maybe too strong that is translating as too tough to be around, something Grace helps her to see.

Then after everything we have George. He is adorable as he is infuriating. Once he explains himself, it makes more sense - but I don't blame you if you want to smack him in the meantime. I know I did.

All in all - I was surprised when I turned the last page (not knowing it was the last page) to find the story had ended. This was not because the author failed to write a well-rounded story, no, it was because I wanted to learn more about Savvy - especially after her receiving validation from her family, George, and herself.

The only downfall for me about this story is that some things were wrapped up together too quickly, like the journalism project and Savvy's decision to possibly attend school for journalism. I was totally for that direction - I just thought she accepted it a bit too quickly for an anxious person haha (did I mention I also have anxiety?).

Even with that in mind - I definitely recommend this book for all readers. I'd love to know what you think, so feel free to let me know!

0 Comments

Promo: Einstein's Compass

1/7/2019

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|Amazon|

PRAISE FOR EINSTEIN'S COMPASS:

idea for her book, Einstein's Compass. She lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, Dr. John Blair.

| Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads |
| Amazon Author Page | Bublish |

Laren Bright is a three-time Emmy nominated award-winning author who has written nearly 100 children's animated cartoon scripts. He has spent the majority of his professional life over the last two decades assisting authors to produce topnotch books with titles and other promotional writing indistinguishable from those of mainstream publishers. During that time, in addition to Einstein's Compass, he also co-authored a young adult fantasy series and several books for young children about positive values. Laren lives in Los Angeles with his wife, computer, and two grand dogs.

| IMDB | Amazon Author Page | Website |

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Visit the other great blogs on the tour:
1/2/19
Guest Post
All the Ups and Downs

1/2/19
Theme Song
Hall Ways Blog

1/3/19
Review
That's What She's Reading

1/4/19
Book Trailer
Story Schmoozing Book Reviews

1/4/19
Author Spotlight
Chapter Break Book Blog

1/5/19
Review
Reading by Moonlight

1/6/19
Review
Forgotten Winds

1/7/19
Excerpt
Max Knight

1/8/19
Review
StoreyBook Reviews

1/8/19
Author Interview
Book Fidelity

1/9/19
Character Spotlight
The Book Review

1/9/19
Character Spotlight
Rainy Days with Amanda

1/10/19
Review
The Clueless Gent

1/11/19
Author Interview
Sybrina's Book Blog

1/11/19
Review
Missus Gonzo