Kat Fight by Dina Silver

Title: Kat Fight
 
Author: Dina Silver

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published Date: June 14, 2012 

Buy on Amazon: Paperback / Kindle 

Author Website:  www.dinasilver.com

Synopsis from Back Cover:

Readers everywhere will revel in this sharp-witted, well-meaning whirlwind in author Dina Silver’s hilarious new novel, Kat Fight. In her quest for love, Kat makes every wrong turn, juggling two men, one best friend, and her own deeply confused heart’s desires. 

After her apathetic boyfriend, Marc, sends her call straight to voicemail one too many times, she finally gathers up enough courage to confront him.  Though she’s no fan of ultimatums, Kat is at the end of her considerable wits, and lobs a massive one his way, completely confident that he'll make the right decision when faced with losing her. He doesn't. 

With radio silence from Marc, Kat’s lifelong dream of starting a family is decidedly on the skids. That’s when her childhood friend Julie steps in, forcing Kat on a blind date to help her move beyond the break-up. But instead of charming her own date,she finds herself in hot pursuit of Julie’s love interest, Ryan Sullivan, instead.

Kat’s cheeky perspective and generous heart will leave readers adoring every moment of her journey while chuckling and cheering for the razor-sharp Kat as she fights to land the love of a lifetime.

My Thoughts:

Dina Silver's, Kat Fight, is a hilarious chick lit novel that left me wanting more.  After reading and loving Silver's first book, One Pink Line (review found HERE,) I had high hopes for Kat Fight.  Let me tell you that Silver did NOT disappoint!  As soon as I started reading Silver's Kat Fight I was sucked into the story and quickly found myself escaping reality. 

Kat Fight is about Kat, a young adult that hates to be referred to as 'cute.'  For years she has looked forward to her happily ever after with her college boyfriend, Marc.  However, when it starts to look like marriage is only something she is excited for, she gives Marc an ultimatum, which he doesn't take.  Kat realizes that she has wasted years of her life and gloomily enters the single dating pool.  Unexpectedly, Kat meets Ryan, a new co-worker.  As things begin to heat up between Kat and Ryan, Marc has a sudden change of heart.  Kat then has to make the decision to permanently toss in the towel on her relationship of years and to take a chance with a new love, or to give Marc another chance.

I quickly fell in love with all of the characters in Kat Fight.  What I most enjoyed was Kat's relationship with Adam, her gay best friend.  I believe that every scene they were in together had me in stitches due to Adam's sharp and witty tongue.  The back and forth dialogue between the two was laugh out loud funny.  I especially enjoyed reading the text messages between the bff's, it reminded me of how my best friend and I interact with each other.

Another relationship that I enjoyed reading about was Kat's and her sister, Megan.  Sadly, they each have what the other wants.  All Kat has ever wanted was to be married with a family.  Meanwhile, stay at home mom Megan is married with a baby and thought she was happy until the exhaustion and frustration kicked in.  As Megan observes the freedom Kat has being single and on the prowl, she finds herself more unhappy with her life.  Megan is also upset that she is asleep in bed by 9 each night with baby throw up on her sweatshirt while her husband maintains his pre-baby lifestyle.  I found the whole Kat/Megan relationship to be very realistic!

Dina Silver's Kat Fight is a great novel that I wholeheartedly recommend to chick lit and romance lovers.  Dina Silver's writing style and humor reminds me of an earlier Jennifer Weiner.  I hope that Silver will be around as a writer for many years to come and I look forward to reading more from her!

Dina Silver has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, Kat Fight, for the purpose of review.

Dina Silver

The Father's Love by Dave Moore

Title: The Father's Love
 
Author: Dave Moore

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Published Date: March 1, 2011

Format: Paperback & Kindle

Buy on Amazon: The Father's Love

Synopsis from Back Cover:

The drive home seemed to be endless. My mind was a battleground of extremes. Ideas of what to do next to help find David seemed to constantly flood my thinking. Yet the negative side, thinking the worst of what might have happened to my son, was always occupying my mind. Though sleep was dearly needed, it was not welcomed, for even in sleep I was tormented. 

 

Confronting depression, fatigue, and evil, Dave Moore goes on a cross-country search for his missing son. Becoming increasingly desperate and having done all that is humanly possible without results, what will he do? Who will he turn to? In this amazing true story, you will experience Dave Moore's anguish in going through a father's worst nightmare-a missing child. Through his fear, Dave confronts his soul's emptiness and learns the heavenly Father's Love.

My Thoughts:

Dave Moore's, The Father's Love, is a wonderful true story about the journey, both physical and spiritual, that one father takes to find his missing son.  Dave arrives home from work one Friday afternoon to what he believes is the start of an ordinary weekend with his wife, Dorinda, and son, David.  After placing a pizza order, Dave and his wife await his 18 year old son's arrival.  However, Dave's life is never the same when Dorinda finds a note in David's room explaining his intention to run away due to his struggles in school. Dave quickly finds himself on a tearful five day journey to bring his son home.  After exhausting all of his options and having no where else to turn, Dave finds himself asking God for help and then seeing a miracle unfold before his eyes.

I truly loved reading Moore's story, The Father's Love.  At just over 100 pages, The Father's Love is an inspirational story that you can easily read in one afternoon.  My heart truly went out to Dave and Dorinda while they came face to face with their nightmare.  I also loved reading about the spiritual journey Dave underwent.  I believe Moore's book is a great read for believers and non-believers everywhere.  The Father's Love would also be a great addition to a Christian Book Club or a great read for small groups in a local church.  Don't miss out on this inspiring story, it left me blessed!

Dave Moore has provided me with a complimentary copy of his book, The Father's Love, for the purpose of review.   
 

'Stairway to My Heart' by Marion Marchetto

Title: Stairway to My Heart

Author: Marion Marchetto

Publisher: iUniverse

Published Date: June 30, 2012

Format: Paperback, Hardcover & Kindle

Buy on Amazon: Stairway to My Heart

Author's Website : http://marionmarchetto.com/wp/

Synopsis from Back Cover:

From the moment Cordelia Conner is born in New York in 1890, her seamstress mother vows her daughter's life will be far better than hers. As she kisses her tiny newborn's head, she dreams that one day, her daughter will become a lady of quality and marry a wealthy man-and she is prepared to dedicate her life to make it happen.

Hundreds of miles away, young Kevin Newkirk is growing up in an influential Boston family. Kevin is accustomed to a life of prestige. But he is also very aware that he is the last male in the line and in need of a suitable wife to provide him with a son. In love with a woman whose heritage is questionable, Kevin has no idea that Cordelia even exists. But when fate brings Kevin and Cordelia together during a weekend at a summer home, Kevin decides she is the answer to his dilemma. Cordelia sees Kevin as the means to fulfill her mother's burning passion. Their relationship seems destined to be a match made in heaven.

As the young couple marries and establishes their new life, only time will tell if the union between an unlikely pair will survive and create the dynasty their parents dreamed of.

My Thoughts:

Marion Marchetto's Stairway to My Heart, the first book in her new Bridgewater Chronicles series, is sure to be an instant hit among historical fiction buffs.  Beginning in 1890 and spanning across many decades, Stairway to My Heart will capture your attention and leave you asking for more.  Marchetto is able to capture the feeling of 20th century America as she brings you the story of the Newkirk and Conner families.

Bostonian Kevin Newkirk is the heir to his prestigious family's business, Newkirk Trading.  Growing up he is a bright boy, more interested in horses and working in the Newkirk stables than going on hunting parties with the men of his family.  When Kevin comes of age he meets Jeannette, a Parlor Maid, who he falls in love with.  He has dreams of rescuing her from her hard life by marrying her.  However, because Jeannette is from a low social class, Kevin's parents nix his idea and insist that he marry a suitable bride that will bear him a son to carry on the Newkirk name.

Cordelia Conner is the daughter of immigrant parents who have found success in New York.  Determined that Cordelia have a better life than they had, her parents work hard to make her a 'woman of quality.'  Cordelia's brother, Cal, happens to meet and become best friends with Kevin at Yale.  As the years pass, the Newkirk's decide to host a party to introduce Kevin to available women who are of the correct social status.  Cordelia goes along with her brother to visit Kevin during this time.  However, once Kevin is reintroduced to the adult Cordelia, he knows who will be his wife.

All of this transpires in the first 100 pages of Stairway to My Heart.  I mention this because what I have written about is only the beginning for Kevin and Cordelia.  Marchetto's book flows wonderfully as year's pass and the duo succumb's to the will of their parents.  Kevin and Cordelia certainly do not have the perfect marriage or life.  Stairway to My Heart is full of romance, tragedy, and humor.  

I found the characters in Marchetto's Stairway to My Heart to be wonderfully written.  They were very 3 dimensional, with flaws and unique qualities.  Take Kevin, for instance.  During the beginning of Stairway to My Heart, I truly liked him and wanted to see him happy.  As time went on he changed from a bright young boy believing in love, to a pompous man very similar to his father.  Marchetto really does a great job of developing her characters to further Stairway to My Heart.

I, myself, am excited to read the next installment of The Bridgewater Chronicles.  The series is supposed to cover 5 generations of Newkirk's.  If the second book is anything like the first, it will be a fantastic read!  I have read that Marion Marchetto has hopes that The Bridgewater Chronicles will be turned into a movie or mini-series.  After reading Stairway to My Heart, this seems like the perfect story to bring to life. 

I definitely recommend Marion Marchetto's Stairway to My Heart, to any and all fiction lovers.  I thoroughly enjoyed every second of Stairway to My Heart, and believe you will too!

iUniverse and Marion Marchetto has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book, Stairway to My Heart, for the purpose of review.  

 

Lancaster House by Taylor Dean

 


Title: Lancaster House
Author: Taylor Dean
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published Date: June 7, 2012
Format: Paperback & Kindle
Buy on Amazon: Paperback or Kindle
Author Website: http://www.taylordeanbooks.com/p/lancaster-house.html

 

 

 

Synopsis from Back Cover:

 

Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated, 1920s Victorian mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways . . . and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard? 

 

The unexpected answers leave her reeling--and questioning everything she's ever known. To her dismay, Zoe's actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House . . . and the love of her life.

My Thoughts:

Taylor Dean's Lancaster House is a suspenseful tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.  Based in present day California, interior designer Zoe is going through a tough break up.  In order to keep her mind off of her relationship woes, she decides to purchase an old house in order to restore it to what it once was.  She never expects to find her true love as a result.

As rumors are running rampant around the neighborhood about long ago murders committed inside Lancaster House, Zoe is determined not to let the whisperings of ghosts keep her from her goal.  However, as strange things begin to happen inside Lancaster House, Zoe begins to question if the hype is getting to her or if she is indeed going crazy.  After many unfortunate circumstances, Zoe finds herself fighting for her freedom in a Psychiatric Hospital.  Her psychiatrist, Dr. Channing, genuinely likes Zoe and wants to see her better.  As she opens up to him about the haunting of Lancaster House, he must decide if she is telling the truth or a very troubled young woman.

Lancaster House easily fits into the Paranormal Romance genre.  It is a romantic ghost story with Zoe falling in love with the spirit that resides within her home.  No mean spirited poltergeist or unhappy ghosts here. What I liked about this story was the fact that I went back and forth several times trying to decipher the true reality.  Was Zoe really living in a haunted house, or was she truly schizophrenic?  I discovered that only time would tell.  As soon as I decided that Zoe was just insane, something would happen to change my mind and leave me guessing until the very end.  Lancaster House actually reminded me of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie Shutter Island.  I never knew what twist was going to come next.  Kudos to Dean for making me use my brain!

Taylor Dean did an excellent job in describing the setting in Lancaster House.  Since Zoe is an interior designer, Dean made sure to describe Lancaster House and its beauty in detail.  I clearly had the picture of Zoe's new home in my mind by the time she had finished depicting its image.  I could also tell that Dean had done her research regarding Victorian era houses.  I felt like I was discovering the hidden rooms and little intricacies right along with Zoe. 

I definitely recommend Taylor Dean's Lancaster House for those that enjoy Paranormal Romance.  I really enjoyed the novel and the suspense it created.  I'm very excited to read the sequel, The Middle Aisle, so that I can see what happens next with Zoe and Dr. Channing.  If it is anything like Lancaster House, I'm sure it will leave me thinking!

CreateSpace has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book, Lancaster House, for the purpose of review.  

Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers by Julia Dumont

Title: Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers

Author: Julia Dumont

Publisher: BroadLit

Published Date: April 24, 2012

Format: Paperback & Kindle
Buy on Amazon: Paperback or Kindle

Synopsis from Back Cover:

Cynthia Amas has her hands full. In the middle of launching a boutique matchmaking service- Second Acts- amid the sun, surf, and celebrities of Southern California, her own romantic life gets a whole lot more complicated...and steamy. While expertly juggling the needs of her exclusive clients, her own maddeningly irresistible bad-boy, sometime lover unexpectedly returns for a hot and heavy reunion. Meanwhile, her high-maintenance mother busily concocts harebrained schemes for meddling in Cynthia’s affairs. And her new best girlfriend—the sexy proprietress of a chic Beverly Hills dog-grooming salon—just happens to roll with a purebred entourage of curiously gifted canines.

Before long, Cynthia’s personal, professional, and amorous lives begin crashing hilariously into one another.

Join Cynthia as she begins her own "Second Act " and find out who accidentally slips into bed with whom, who has a penchant for low-cut lederhosen, and who winds up naked and alone on a beautiful beach in Malibu!

My Thoughts:

Julia Dumont's Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers, is a steamy, laugh out loud funny book for ladies looking for a novel with romance, sex, and comedy all in one package.  Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers is a very quick read, perfect for a weekend filled with your man watching football (can you tell I'm speaking from experience?)  This is the first book in the Second Acts series.  Be warned that Dumont's novel is sexually graphic in language and scenes!  If you like more of a vanilla read then you probably shouldn't pick up Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers.  However, if you are ready to be sucked into a hilarious contemporary romance about dating, friendships, and meddling mothers then this is for you!         

Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers begins on the first day that Cynthia's new dating business, Second Acts, opens up to the public.  Always gifted at matchmaking, Cynthia realizes that California has the cream of the crop clientele that will make her new venture soar.  Deciding to put her own failing love life on the back burner, Cynthia is ready to play cupid to those in need.  However, before she can focus all of her energy on Second Acts, Cynthia's ex-lover, Max, pops back up in town and is determined to pick up where they left off.  What follows is a funny story with crazy escapades and shocking situations.    

Dumont has great characters in Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers.  I believe my favorite has to be Cynthia's mother, Margie.  A lonely widow, she makes it her life's work to annoy Cythnia and try to find her the 'perfect man.'  After multiple visits to her gynecologist to check for suspicious lumps (that of course aren't there, she is the queen of stalking) Margie decides he happens to be perfect for her daughter.  Dumont wrote, "Earlier in life, Margie never would have pulled shenanigans like this, but she had officially entered the WTF stage...She was grabbing for all the gusto she could get and if eliciting cheap thrills from a handsome unmarried gynecologist was her greatest sin, she was still going to heaven." (Dumot, 42.)  Who wouldn't love a character like this!

I had a little more trouble warming to the character of Lolita, Cynthia's first and most focused upon client.  Lolita is a dog groomer in Beverly Hills and works with A List celebrities.  She is pretty self involved but quickly becomes Cynthia's new friend.  I think what felt strange to me about Lolita was her relationship with her three dogs.  At first I thought she was just quirky, but the more I read, the more I came to realize that her dogs have special powers.  King, her Great Dane, is able to magically appear where he wants to and seems to be able to communicate with Lolita.  There is definitely more to this story and I'm eager to see what Dumont has up her sleeve in the next book!       

I recommend Julia Dumont's, Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers, to any woman looking for a fun escape from reality.  The next book in Julia Dumont's Second Acts series is Starstruck Romance and Other Hollywood Tails.  I'm excited to see what Cynthia gets herself into next and I'm definitely hoping that there is some love in the cards for Margie!  As for Lolita and her special dogs, I believe the title gives us a hint that they will be present as well! 

BroadLit has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book, Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers, for the purpose of review. 

The Guest Book by Marybeth Whalen

Title: The Guest Book

Author: Marybeth Whalen

Publisher: Zondervan

Published Date: July 3, 2012

Format: Paperback & Kindle

Buy on Amazon: Paperback or Kindle

Author Website: www .marybethwhalen.com 

Synopsis from Back Cover:

When Macy Dillon was five years old, her father encouraged her to draw a picture in the guestbook of a Carolina beach house. The next year, Macy returned to discover a drawing by an unidentified little boy, on the facing page. Over the next eleven years, the children continued to exchange drawings ... until tragedy ended visits to the beach house altogether. 

During her last trip to Sunset Beach, Macy asks her anonymous friend to draw her one last picture and told him where to hide the guest book, hoping that one day she would return to find it---and him. 

Twenty-one years after that first picture, Macy is back at Sunset Beach---this time toting a broken family and a hurting heart. One night, alone by the ocean, Macy asks God to help her find the boy she never forgot, the one whose beautiful pictures touched something deep inside her. 

Will God answer her prayer?  Will she find the artist?  And if she does, will the guest book unite them or merely be the relic of a lost childhood?

My Thoughts:

Marybeth Whalen's The Guest Book is a captivating story about love, loss, family, and new beginnings.  Macy and her family went to the beach every summer growing up and stayed in the Time in a Bottle beach house.  From the ages of five until sixteen, Macy corresponded with a boy through the pages of Time in a Bottle's guest book.  Every year they would anonymously draw each other pictures of what was important to them at the beach.  Through these 'letters', Macy and her mystery artist came to know each other better than anyone and they found that they developed feelings for each other.  Unexpectedly, Macy's father dies and leaves her family in shock.  Macy, her mother Brenda, and brother Max decide to return to the beach house that year when Macy is sixteen.  Plans were made to meet her mystery artist that summer, but with memories of her father at every turn, Macy and her family leave the beach house before her meeting.

Ten years pass and Macy and her family are still mourning the loss of their father and husband.  In an attempt to finally move on, Macy, her five year old daughter Emma, Max, and her mother decide to go back to Time in a Bottle.  As they arrive it appears that not much has changed.  Brenda soon reconnects with their neighbor Buzz, and Macy sets out on a quest to finally discover the identity of her mystery artist.  After a heartfelt prayer to God, Macy finds herself with three men who come 'a courting' and have connections to Time in a Bottle.  Pastor Nate, the young, artistic pastor that used to vacation at the beach house; Dockery, a volunteer at a local Art Camp that Emma attends; and Wyatt, Buzz's son that had easy access to Time in a Bottle while growing up.  Could one of them be her childhood love?       

In The Guest Book, Macy's passion is drawing.  Macy discovered her love for sketching when she was a little girl drawing shells with colored pencils in a beach house guest book.  Twenty-one years later, Macy finds herself as a Grocery Store employee.  Macy's life is not how she envisioned it.  Art school went out the window when she became a single parent.  To satisfy her love of drawing, Macy creates signs and window scenes at the store she works in.  Dreams of being a 'real artist' are all but gone.

Marybeth Whalen's The Guest Book is a great, feel good read.  Once I started reading it I found I had to keep reading to uncover the mystery of who 'The Artist' was.  I definitely recommend The Guest Book to anyone looking for a fun and touching story.  Filled with romance, mystery, and healing, The Guest Book is the novel to pick up this fall!

Marybeth Whalen has provided me with a complimentary copy of her book, The Guest Book,, for the purpose of review.