Home For the Summer by Mariah Stewart

 I haven't blogged some of the books I've been reading from my own collection in some time...too long!

  First up is Home For the Summer by Mariah Stewart which has been in my pile since 12-12-13 according to the date I wrote in the flap. Was it worth the wait? Well....
  Home For the Summer is part of a series of books called The Chesapeake Diaries. I love these family saga stories where you get to see the same characters again and again through the books. Although this is the first book I've read in the series, it sounds like there is some good stuff I missed- and I'd like to read more.
  In this book, Lucy is a wedding planner from the west coast. She returns to her mom's inn to help plan a huge, upscale wedding for a couple while also having a little flirtation with her old schooltime friend, Clay.
 My only complaint about this book was the wedding planning. It went on and on in great detail, everything this couple wanted, except it doesn't really add anything to the plot. I don't really care about every detail that goes into planning a wedding. The main focus should've been on Lucy and the secret she kept for years about something that happened to her as a teenager at the inn. In the final chapters she reveals it to Clay, but it falls a little flat. It's revealed...Clay says it's okay, it's over....and it is. I would've liked her to have been more tormented by the inn and her secret, instead I got a detailed list about everything in the wedding guests gift baskets.
  Great writing though. I could really picture this beautiful little town and inn, I just wanted a little more beef to the storyline. Would I give Chespaeake Diaries another chance?? For sure. I'm not giving up yet.

Tune In by Mark Lewisohn

Here is my latest book to blog from BloggingForBooks...


   Tune In is an epic history of the early years of the Beatles by Mark Lewisohn starting from their childhood to the beginning of their music career in the early 60's. It's loaded with facts and personal details about the Fab Four-many of which I never heard before.You get to dig into what made these guys the creative icons of the music industry. Nothing is sugar coated, I came away from the book realizing I would not have liked John Lennon as a teen, he was a punk and a lazy brat at times, but without that bravado I don't think the band would've succeeded the way it did.
  I admit that I did skip a few sections that didn't interest me, mainly things on the business end of the band. It's an overwhelming amount of pages to get through, so read what interests you and skim if you want.  There is something there for every aspect you might be interested in learning about the band: Family histories, family relationships, friendships between members, how the guys managed at school and work, personal tragedies.....Whether you're a casual fan or a die hard fan-buy this book! You will not be disappointed.

Fatal Frost, Defender's of Justice by Nancy Mehl

My latest review for Bethany House Publisher's is Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl.

   This story digs into the action in the first chapter and never lets up! It features the character Mercy Brennan, a U.S. Marshal who seeks out cartel kingpins and takes them down. She finds herself paired up with her longtime friend Tally and Ex Mark on a hunt for a drug cartel leader. They get stranded in a snowstorm and take up refuge in a cabin where they believe they're safe from the thugs that are after Mercy for a flashdrive they believe is in her possession. Are they safe?? Of course not! And the survival instinct kicks in full force.
Mercy has a tough edge and is a compelling character that you root through all the way through. Mark is a great, manly match for her, and Tally is perfect as the best friend who really cares. I love the setting of the cabin in the middle of nowhere-in a snowstorm! I've always loved survival/suspense stories-will they make it? How? And who is behind the setup?? Lots of action keeps this book from ever getting boring. I'm looking forward to more!