Sherryl Woods is one of my favorite women's lit novelists and Seaview Inn is a prime example; it's a frothy, breezy, frozen custard fantasy where you go to escape and enjoy.
I got this book from Amazon for Christmas a few years ago and I've been patiently waiting as my pile whittled down so I could pick this book up and start reviewing. Seaview Inn is a multi-generational story (one of my favorite platforms) with Grandma Jenny trying to restore her oceanside Florida Inn, her granddaughter Hannah who's hiding out after a cancer scare and trying to decide what to do with her life, and Hannah's daughter Kelsey who's also trying to decide what to do with her life now that she's a single, pregnant college student who is not ready for marriage. Toss in a hunky former friend of Hannah's from her childhood and you've got a plot.
The story flows along and never once left me less than involved. Sure, if you're a romance/women's lit reader you know Kelsey's only going to refuse the marriage proposal for so long, Hannah's gonna trump up an excuse not to be with Hunk Luke until the last minute....of course, and then there's the happy ending. But that's what we want to happen because that's not how real life is. That's the beauty of a good book-the happy endings!
Enjoy! Especially if you're a big fan of the Debbie Macomber books (Me!!) you'll love Sherryl Woods (also me!!) Scrub out your stress with some soapy fiction fun.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy
I was excited to see this book come up on the list of books for review from Bethany House because I read the first book in the series -No Way Up - and I was eager to see what happened next in the Cimarron Legacy with the Boden Clan.
We left off with the patriarch of the family, Chance, on his way to Denver after a dangerous broken leg, his son Cole had been ambushed and shot, and Heath had just married Sadie Boden. The whole family was being pursued by some Mexican rebels that were after their land. In Book Two, Long Time Gone, we pick up where we left off: Cole recuperates with the help of pious nurse Angie (Who brother Justin takes a shining to), the family tries to flush out the traitors on the ranch, and Chance and Ronnie try to stay safe up in Denver.
(Spoiler alert) Angie gets more of the spotlight in this book for her valor when she's kidnapped. Justin's eyes are opened because of this and he realizes that she's the woman for him. There is also growth with the brothers' relationship, you can see their bond together and their love for Cimarron Ranch by keeping it protected. They're working together while trying not to knock each other out like rival brothers do.
I look forward to a book three which sounds like it has the patriarch and matriarch returning to their home and reuniting the family. The mystery continues with who is sending these killers to their ranch. And I have a feeling there will be more story with tough Mal (maybe a love interest for Cole??)
Even if you haven't read Book One, Book Two explains a lot of the past plot so it's easy to dive in.
We left off with the patriarch of the family, Chance, on his way to Denver after a dangerous broken leg, his son Cole had been ambushed and shot, and Heath had just married Sadie Boden. The whole family was being pursued by some Mexican rebels that were after their land. In Book Two, Long Time Gone, we pick up where we left off: Cole recuperates with the help of pious nurse Angie (Who brother Justin takes a shining to), the family tries to flush out the traitors on the ranch, and Chance and Ronnie try to stay safe up in Denver.
(Spoiler alert) Angie gets more of the spotlight in this book for her valor when she's kidnapped. Justin's eyes are opened because of this and he realizes that she's the woman for him. There is also growth with the brothers' relationship, you can see their bond together and their love for Cimarron Ranch by keeping it protected. They're working together while trying not to knock each other out like rival brothers do.
I look forward to a book three which sounds like it has the patriarch and matriarch returning to their home and reuniting the family. The mystery continues with who is sending these killers to their ranch. And I have a feeling there will be more story with tough Mal (maybe a love interest for Cole??)
Even if you haven't read Book One, Book Two explains a lot of the past plot so it's easy to dive in.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Super Genes by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi
My latest Blogging for Books offering is Super Genes, by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi
The subtitle to this book is "Unlock the astonishing power of your DNA for optimum health and wellbeing". That line hooked me, because who wouldn't want to learn how to achieve optimum health and well-being? Let's dig in.
The book examines a new scientific area called the Epigenome which the book describes as "The entire amount of epigenetic modification of the DNA in your body." (The first chapters explain it better than I ever could and are a must read.) People have assumed that your DNA is fixed from birth and can't be altered, but epigenetics challenges that thought by claiming the things that happen in our body and mind can alter DNA. 'Leaky Gut Syndrome' is one example of the connection between your body DNA. It's one of the topics covered in the book that has become a very popular topic in the health world recently. Several studies can now prove 'you are what you eat', and if you eat junk-you'll feel like junk, and it could even have an effect on changes in our epigenome..
Deepak Chopra has been an advocate for many years of healing your body and mind through meditation and that is also covered in the second half of the book.
The evidence shown is persuasive, They feature many different cases and types of research to support their idea of the mind-body-genome connection. I am especially fascinated by this new area of science. I think there is a lot we still don't know about our genes that I hope they will continue to research at The Chopra Center.
The book realizes you can't just change overnight, so they offer 3 Step Plans for eating better, sleeping better, and practicing meditation. You start with a few things you find achievable from step one and work them into your routine. There are a lot of tips we already have heard - like eating organic and getting a full night's sleep - The most helpful thing here is having a physical list you can check off to track your progress.
Overall, a fascinating read. Some understanding of DNA and the genome (Telomeres, DNA sequencing) is needed to really understand the first few chapters about epigenetics, so take it slow if you're not familiar with the terminology and you'll learn quickly.
The subtitle to this book is "Unlock the astonishing power of your DNA for optimum health and wellbeing". That line hooked me, because who wouldn't want to learn how to achieve optimum health and well-being? Let's dig in.
The book examines a new scientific area called the Epigenome which the book describes as "The entire amount of epigenetic modification of the DNA in your body." (The first chapters explain it better than I ever could and are a must read.) People have assumed that your DNA is fixed from birth and can't be altered, but epigenetics challenges that thought by claiming the things that happen in our body and mind can alter DNA. 'Leaky Gut Syndrome' is one example of the connection between your body DNA. It's one of the topics covered in the book that has become a very popular topic in the health world recently. Several studies can now prove 'you are what you eat', and if you eat junk-you'll feel like junk, and it could even have an effect on changes in our epigenome..
Deepak Chopra has been an advocate for many years of healing your body and mind through meditation and that is also covered in the second half of the book.
The evidence shown is persuasive, They feature many different cases and types of research to support their idea of the mind-body-genome connection. I am especially fascinated by this new area of science. I think there is a lot we still don't know about our genes that I hope they will continue to research at The Chopra Center.
The book realizes you can't just change overnight, so they offer 3 Step Plans for eating better, sleeping better, and practicing meditation. You start with a few things you find achievable from step one and work them into your routine. There are a lot of tips we already have heard - like eating organic and getting a full night's sleep - The most helpful thing here is having a physical list you can check off to track your progress.
Overall, a fascinating read. Some understanding of DNA and the genome (Telomeres, DNA sequencing) is needed to really understand the first few chapters about epigenetics, so take it slow if you're not familiar with the terminology and you'll learn quickly.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Beneath the Night Tree by Nicole Caart
Beneath the Night Tree is an enthralling women's fiction read which takes place in a small town in Iowa. A multi-generational household including Julia, her son, her younger brother, and Julia's grandma all live together on a small farm. Julia is then torn between her current boyfriend-who is 6 hours away in med school- or her son's father, who reappears in their lives.
Fantastic writing that really captures the spirit of Iowa living, ( The author is originally from Iowa, so that explains her on-point perspective.) The main thing you want in a book is to be able to relate to the characters and to place yourself in their shoes, both of which Beneath the Night Tree Does.
Recommend: Yes!
Fantastic writing that really captures the spirit of Iowa living, ( The author is originally from Iowa, so that explains her on-point perspective.) The main thing you want in a book is to be able to relate to the characters and to place yourself in their shoes, both of which Beneath the Night Tree Does.
Recommend: Yes!
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