Cheryl's Book Nook

Suzanne Paris is running away. Someone terrible is trying to find her. Suzanne is heading to Atlanta, when the bus stops at Walton, Georgia. Suzanne feels a strong pull towards this small town. Well it also does not hurt that the necklace that Suzanne’s mother gave her has the name R. Michael Jewelers, Walton inscribed on the back. Suzanne does not make the best first impression, especially on the mayor, Joe. After the Rain is the follow up to Falling Home. You do not have to read that book prior to reading this one. In fact, it has been a while since I read Falling Home that I did not realize in the beginning that this book was the follow up to Falling Home. One thing that I enjoy about Karen White’s books are her characters. Good or bad the characters do draw me into their world. When I say bad what I really mean is that the character may be a bad person but I still feel something towards them. Luckily for this book, there was not really any “bad” persons, other then the pers...

I picked up this book because the premise of it and the book cover got my attention. Also, I am always in the mood for a good laugh or two. Well I have to say that there were a few moments when I did laugh but not at much as I had hoped. I was looking for the kinds of laughs that would have me wanting to read the lines over again and almost have tears of laughter. This did not happen for me. This was a bummer. Just like with some of the readers, I bounced around in this book. However, I did pick up a few interesting tips from this book like for example for any non readers who are trying to sound smart and impress a true reader…Don’t mention that you are planning to pick up a copy of any of the latest top ten best sellers or a book that has recently been turned into a movie. Of course, if you were really smart of happened to pick up a copy of this book, then you could always flash forward to the chapter “How to Fake It”. It teaches you how to “fake” reading some of the classic aut...

Review by Nancy You don’t get the title until the ending but the getting TO the title – well, it’s one heck of a ride! Sam Munro is a British journalist for a high tech car magazine. He travels to Montana to get a look at one cherry 1970 Mustang Mach 1 belonging to Doug Bamber. Doug and Sam hit it off and Sam is invited to Doug’s BBQ the next evening. He checks into the Inn he’s staying at and immediately things start happening Mirrors with HELP ME written on them being one. At Doug’s Sam meets many locals including a couple named Alison and Dave. It doesn’t hit him until much later, because he’d not met them before;but they are the parents of the girl he was in love with in high school. He loved and lost her because he wasn’t strong enough/brave enough to stand up to the boy who hassled them. When he asks Doug how Jane is, he is devastated to hear she has been missing for over 6 years and presumed dead. Suddenly the Mustang article is on the backburner and miscues, in...

Molly Hagan must get her feet wet and enter the working class world again. Her husband has left her and their son, Aidan for a younger woman. This means that Molly must find a way to support her and Aidan and pay for insurance. Molly’s friend, John offers Molly a job opportunity being a copy writing for a new bakery. The chef is Simon, who is one of the most in demand and hottest chefs around. Besides working with Simon, Molly will be working with Nick. This would not be a problem if Nick was not such a bore. I enjoyed this book a lot more then I thought I would. Molly and her son, Aidan were good. I am glad that Molly ended up with the right guy. I was rooting for Nick way before Molly realized that he was the one for her. I knew exactly why he was acting aloof when it came to Molly and Simon. There were some funny moments. Like the ones between Molly and her psychologist. It was the lists that Molly would write up to give to Dr. Lowell during their sessions together. Lists lik...

Ethan and his daughter, Daisy are in New York. They are on a very special mission. To pick up the perfect engagement ring for Vanessa. Ethan and Vanessa have been dating for a while. Ethan is happy that Daisy agrees, especially after Daisy’s mother passed away. Ethan and Daisy are leaving Tiffany’s when they spot a man who has been run over by a taxi. Gary and his girlfriend, Rachel are also in New York. Rachel expects soon for Gary to propose to her. Only she has no clue that Gary has no plans to settle down. Also, Gary is a real tight-wad about money. In fact he goes to Tiffany and picks up a charm bracelet for Rachel for Christmas. One a charm bracelet shows that he is not serious and two it is one of the cheapest items in Tiffany’s. Gary is the one that is run over. It is during this time that Ethan and Gary’s bags get mixed up. As you can imagine craziness ensures. A Gift from  However, I could not really get into the two main couples that were featured. This is becaus...

Suzanne Hart is the owner of Donut Hearts. Suzanne is minding her own business when she hears a woman scream. She quickly discovers the cause of the scream. It is because James Settle has been murdered. The prime suspect is none other than Suzanne. Earlier Suzanne and James had a dispute. James was going to put on a demonstration in the park and the smoke from his stove was blowing into Suzanne’s donut shop. Suzanne knows that the only person who can clear her name is herself. Well with some help from her friend and fellow crime solving partner, Grace. This is my first introduction to Suzanne and any of the Donut Shop Mystery books. I have to say that this was a good first date with Jessica Beck. I like Suzanne and Grace. They make a great team together. Grace is more of the outgoing one but Suzanne brings entertainment to the pair. The town of April Springs is a place that I would like to be at if it was a real place. Most of the people are nice. In addition, it is nice to b...

Review by Nancy If you’re looking for a book full of conundrums, you’ll find in The Scholar of Moab by Steven L Peck. Through “letters” and “diaries” and conversations with the characters, Peck creates the world of Hyrum Thayne and his circle of friends. The setting is Moab, Utah, a beautiful part of the world if you haven’t been there and a bit of a town of revolution if you have. Hyrum isn’t a scholar buy any means but sure would like to be. If we read his diaries that is the one thing that shines thorugh – Hyrum is working hard at scholarly things. He “borrows” books form the local library. Oh, he does bring them back – eventually. But since they leave under his coat most of the time they aren’t really missed. Then there is Dora Daphne Tanner, possibly Hyrum’s lover (which would make him the father of her baby – which she lost in the brush {maybe}). His friends the conjoined Babcock twins witnessed the birth and rode looking for the mother and child when Dora took...

It is Ariel’s birthday party or I should say birthday bash. The bash is going to be huge with guest singer, Hudson Winter. Ariel used to be Sera’s best friend until she turned the whole school against Sera. Sera’s father convinces Sera to attend Ariel’s bash. All of the partygoers get a big surprise when a group of mercenaries take over the house and hold Sera and her classmates’ hostiles. Ariel goes into hiding in the hidden stairwell. The mercenaries demand Ariel or they will shoot everyone until she appears. The only person that knows where Ariel is hiding is Sera. Will Sera give up Ariel? Daphne Benedis-Grab is a new to me author. So I did not know what she brought to the table in regards to young adult books. Well after reading The Girl in the Wall , I would say that Daphne brings action, relatable characters, and an author that I want to read again. While there was no mystery as to who was behind the crime, there was plenty of action. To keep my interest and the hype high...

Miranda has been exiled to get a job. As if things could not be bad enough, the only jobs left at the mall was working in the food court. Miranda has a uniform that includes a hat with a spinning hot dog. Luckily, Miranda’s co-worker, Ariel is cool. However Miranda blames her ex-boyfriend, Brian and his new girlfriend, Rachel for her predicament. Fortunately for Miranda she only has a few hours until her shift is over. As Miranda’s bad luck would have it a storm blows in and traps her and her enemies in the mall. Now it is a battle of epic proportions between Miranda on one side and Rachel on the other side. Oh and did I forget to mention that Miranda will have to battle while being handcuffed to Caleb, a possible love interest of Miranda’s. To be honest, I was not familiar with the story of The Tempest. I had to read up on the story. Having once done that, I thought this book was a nice modern day twist on William’s story. I think that the teen audience will enjoy this book. ...

Review by Nancy If you’re a James Rollins fan like I am, I jumped at the change to review an exclusive short story called City of Screams. Things are happening right and left in the 60 pages that comprise this introduction to the full-length novel, Blood Gospel which you’ve got to find! Jordan Stone hears the screams coming from a small town in Afghanistan. He sees the girl lying terrified on the bed in the hut. He also sees her taken away by creatures that speak a language so old that virtually no one can translate it. What happens to Jordan and his crew and to the people in the succeeding chapters is what makes Rollins one of my favorite authors – you just never know what will happen. Just when you’ve got it all figured out nice and cozy he throws in something that really rocks you. Do yourself a huge favor – go get Blood Gospel, keep the lights on and cuddle up with an afghan to protect you and read this one!

Review by Nancy There are many songs and tales of Boudicca – the warrior queen who led thousands against the Roman troups set on claiming her homeland. Many depict her as a tattooed Pict, running naked, blood flying carrying a sword. She conquered Londimium (London) and sent the Romans living there into the sea. There was no mercy. This book shows us another Boudicca. A young princess waiting to dance the Maiden’s Dance, a girl possibly loving another but submitting to her father’s choice to strenghten her tribe. A mother bravely protecting her daughters until the day she couldn’t. For a first novel the research done is astounding. Ms. Surasky has done a creditable job of showing us life in 1st Century Briton, the tribal divisions, the food, the cultures and also those in Rome. Why Claudius felt it necessary to travel to Briton is unknown but, as we all know, he wasn’t the calmest person in history. A great gift for your favorite historian or romance lover this i...

Ethan Chase is the brother of Megan, the Iron Queen. Ethan has the ability to see fey. However, he would rather not have this ability. He hates the hate, especially since they just remind him of his sister, Megan who is gone now. Try as much as Ethan might, he just can not avoid them. Not when his new best friend ends up being part fey. After Todd is kidnapped, Ethan and Kenzie turn to the last person Ethan wanted to see for help, Megan. I had an enjoyable time reading this book. I fell in love with the Iron Fey series and Ethan’s sister, Megan. So it was great to reconnect with all of the past characters and see Ethan all grown up in this book. I kind of wondered what had happened to him after he was rescued. I could instantly relate to Ethan and his feelings toward everything fey. The fey are what took Ethan and his sister, Megan away from him. Wow, Megan has also really matured. She is taking the role of Queen seriously. While still on the fence about the starting romantic ...

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories Volume 2  is a fun collection of short stories. Some of the stories are quirky, which I liked. The illustrations that went with the stories were great. I almost could tell what some of the story were about by just by looking at the pictures. I did not need the words to go with them. In addition, I like the idea of how this collection of stories came about. I checked out Joseph’s website, HitRecord and it is a very cool site. Everyone should check the site out. There are stories in this book for everyone. Some of my favorites are: One day she looked Up and discovered an Opening in her planet, She wondered if she Wasn’t alone after all. ----------------------------- I just need some time away To remember why I stay. ------------------------- After you died I realized that I never really liked hunting. I just liked hanging out with you. After reading this collection of stories, I am inspired enough that I just migh...

Jackson Meyer may seem like your ordinary nineteen year old going to school, hanging out with his friends, and his girlfriend, Holly but Jackson is not ordinary. Jackson has a special ability. He can jump back in time. This is a good thing because one night Jackson and Holly while hanging out in her dorm room are interrupted by several men. The men want Jackson. There is a struggle and Holly is shot. Jackson in a rush of panic jumps back in time two years. Jackson has a second chance to save Holly but he better watch his back he is being hunted. Tempest is the first book from new author, Julie Cross. It is also the first book in the Tempest series. When I read the concept for this book, I got excited. Instantly, I thought of the movie, Jumper. I knew I needed to check this book out right away. Well sadly, the book was just alright. The romance between Jackson and Holly was so, so. It felt like Jackson had to really work at making Holly like him in the beginning. Then with all of...

Dr. Lou Welcome receives a phone call from a friend, Dr. Gary McHugh. Dr. McHugh tells Dr. Lou that he urgently needs his help. He needs to come to his house before the police arrive. Lou arrives to learn that Gary is the prime suspect in the murder of Congressman Elias Colston. To make matters worse, Gary can not remember a thing. He was found unconscious in his car. Thus the reason for Lou’s help. Gary knows that Lou will get to the truth. I must admit that it has been a long time since I have picked up another one of Mr. Palmer’s books to read. My first introduction to this author was The Fifth Vial. From this book, I knew Mr. Palmer was an author to watch out for. Thus my reason for wanting to read another one of his books. Political Suicide features the return of Dr. Lou Welcome from Oath of Office. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. I liked this book. It had a good steady pace to it. The flow of the story kept moving which is always a great thing. Dr. Lou is a s...

Review by Nancy You see some very strange things when you work in an Emergency Room, but Nadine was NOT planning on a hunk with grey all over him who spoke Latin for Heaven’s sake! There was a good reason for the grey as it turns out, is because the hunk just arrived back in the ”Fixed Realm” from the Shadowlands where he had been for the last several Milleniums. When he was last on Earth, the Romans were running around with swords. And his whole family was butchered. Meryn was afraid. He, the General of the Goblin King’s armies was terrified. No one could speak to him and he really couldn’t understand them either. His cousin, Dai had brought him over to live in the Now, but he didn’t trust Dai as he had been a slave so Meryn took off. He also took off from the hospital. Nadine and Meryn meet again and try to communicate. Meryn is a quick learner of languages but is having a hard time transitioning to cars, phones, beds with sheets and all the stuff we take for granted. F...

Review by Nancy I had to request this title. I mean, wouldn’t you have? Unfortunately the title is possibly the best part of this story. The illustrations were amusing but the text was not. Although I must say that is only my opinion. You should probably check it out yourself. The Fart That Saved Christmas Book Summary: The behind the scenes story of what really happened "The Night Before Christmas." It's Christmas Eve. The reindeer go on strike with a list of demands for Santa, the elves and Mrs. Claus. Santa gets "loaded" and threatens to cancel Christmas, fire the deer and divorce Mrs. Claus. But, just when all seems lost, Christmas is saved by a timely fart. Jacob Morningside's Bio: Born into a body inhabited by multiple muse personalities, I create stories by stretching the "normal" beyond the boundaries of the absurd. The result is a worm-hole ride to the Far Side. I love a good story — so, I wrote one. Enjoy it with ...

Review by Nancy Jordan Sandor is an ex-spy basically. Worked for the CIA and made a lot of enemies while doing so. One of his few friends was Dan Peters who knew all about Jordan’s past but liked him any. Theirs was a mutual respect and it led to Jordan agreeing to see a man Dan had come across who had a story to tell to someone who would know what the information was worth. But before they could meet up with the guy, they met up with some folks they could have done without. Especially Dan who is fatally injured when they stop assist a downed officer. The guy had a sister who can’t keep herself out of trouble and who doesn’t want out of whatever happened to him. She attaches herself to Jordan with the intent of “helping”. She travels with him to Paris, Italy and points oceanward until Jordan gets a call from another old friend who tells him something he really didn’t need to hear: the guy didn’t have a sister. A fast-moving great read which is the beginning of the Jordan...

EBOOK SPECIALS FROM FOREVER ROMANCE IN DECEMBER! Beginning December 3rd IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, Lisa Dale ($2.99/Dec 3-Dec 17)--Lana Biel plans to leave Vermont to see the world until a lighthearted spring fling leads to pregnancy and changes her life forever. She turns to the one man whose shoulders can lighten any burden: her best friend, Eli Ward. Eli has always been there for Lana. But Eli is keeping secrets of his own that threaten their relationship. As summer turns to fall, new desires awaken between them, even as old fears tear them apart. DARK AWAKENING, Dark Dynasties, Book 1, Kendra Leigh Castle ($2.99/Dec 3-Jan 17)--This tale of the ancient vampire dynasties that rule the night, tells the story of Tynan MacGillivrary, who gets more than he bargained for when his new target, a human woman whose rare abilities make her the only hope for saving the greatest of the dynasties, turns out to be far more than she seems. HOW SWEET IT IS, Sophie Gunn ($2.99/Dec 3-Dec 31)--Liz...

Article courtesy of Teaching Degree If you can remember the day you first learned to read, you probably recall that profound sense of accomplishment that came from sounding out the words in your favorite storybooks. But whether you’re 15 or 50, you know that books as we know them have changed a lot since you first cracked open your beloved pieces of childhood literature. Ever since the first spurt of popularity in the now widespread e-readers, experts and speculators from all sides have been pondering the question, "will e-readers destroy books as we know them?" Despite the entertaining back and forth on this question, the state of the topic right now seems to suggest that, to the surprise of some, books and e-readers won’t edge one another out of the literary arena: They’ll merely coexist. There’s plenty to love about the weight and feel of a physical book in your hands, just as there is something delightful about the convenience and portability of an e-reader. But for boo...

  Review by Nancy Did John Wilkes Booth act alone? Who was really behind Lincoln’s assassination? What about Mary Lincoln’s supposed “madness”? These questions and more are what set Temple McFadden and friends on what may well be a life-ending quest for some of them. The Lincoln Conspiracy is a very well-researched book that throws up a few theories to make us think in a year when there seems to be a much-renewed interest in Abraham Lincoln and his life. In this novel he doesn’t really appear as this is after the assassination. Temple, a police detective, acquires two small books: One is Mary Lincoln’s diary and one is mostly in code. Mrs. Lincoln’s diary is interesting and reveals more about her husband than was previously known. The other book? Well, that’s the one that is causing Temple all his problems. Temple’s friends and his wife decide to act. Fiona is to return the personal diary to Mrs. Lincoln. Temple, his friend Augustus (a freed slave) and more work to dec...

Micah Jones works for KFA, a bounty hunting service. Micah’s latest target is Maggie O’Malley. Maggie just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is a book keeper for her Uncle. Unfortunately for Maggie her Uncle is conducting some shady business. Maggie decides to hire Micah to clear her name. Slow Heat is the latest book in the Bounty Hunters series. I am enjoying this series. Besides, what is not to love about this series…romance, strong male and female leads, and a good storyline. Of course, I must admit that for me it is all about the guys. The guys can track me down anytime. I really liked Micah. He was the bad boy that did reform and turn into the good guy in the end. While, it was easy to see the chemistry between Micah and Maggie, it still took me a little while to see them together as a couple. However, it did not take but the first love making scene for me to quickly see that Micah and Maggie were good together. This book should be called Scorching He...

A kid is maintaining his parents shop when a man comes in. The kid goes into the back store room for more supplies and when he comes out the man is gone. All that is left is a call with a piece of gum stuck on the back. The card reads “This is my first crime. My next will be bigger”. All the guy stole was a pack of gum. Only as time pass the crimes do get bigger and with each crime, the same card is left counting down the crime number. “This is my XXX crime. My next will be bigger”. Special Agent Dagny Gray is on the case. However when things take a turn for the worse, things get personal for Dagny. So when I first read the premise of the premise of this book, I was very intrigued to read this book. Unfortunately for me this book did not hit the spot. Not to say that I did not like it. I just wanted the story line to move faster. In addition, I expected as the crimes got bigger that more focus would be on the killer and the crimes but the crimes were described as more of a pas...

This book is not something that I would typically pick up to read as one of my first choices but I thought I would give it a look. I am intrigued on learning on how to help improve myself and my relationship all the time. Not to say that I have a bad relationship with my husband but there is always room for improvement. Besides, I think of these types of books as not only self help books but as my own private sessions with psychologist without the huge doctor bill and appointment waiting time. I found this book well written. It was insightful and had helpful tips. It was written in a way that the “regular” person could understand without feeling stupid trying to figure out the meanings. What I liked about this book as the examples or the couples featured in this book and the different situations were very relatable. At the end of the chapters is a “Help Yourself” section. It lists a few questions for discussion or just to thin about for yourself. Another thing nice about this b...

Review by Nancy Somehow, it was all his fault. His best friend, his swim buddy Don, dead. He got them out. Alive or not because you never leave anyone behind. He has a heck of a scar on the back of his head to prove he was injured. So why can’t he remember what happened? His life as a SEAL depends on his remembering. Hell, his LIFE depends on it! After playing psycho babble for a few days, Jack decides to try something different. He’d met a lovely lady at a party – a physical therapist – maybe she can help him remember. Or somethin’. …Laurie on the other hand is dedicated to her profession and one rule she has held to her whole life. Do NOT date a Navy Seal. Her dad was one and she saw how he ended up. So, nope. As it turns out, Laurie is able to help with massage, acupressure, etc. Which is good because they are so drawn to each other it’s ridiculous. Jack’s memory is returning bit by bit but there is a real question to be answered – does everyone involved in the Op want i...