Only Time Will Tell (A Charles & Company Romance, Book 2) by Amy Matayo {Review}

Only Time Will Tell (A Charles & Company Romance, Book 2) by Amy Matayo

Kindle Edition, 257 pages
Publication June 3, 2021
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given. 

 

 

 

For newly published author Eliza Sterling, having her first book launch party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a dream come true. Since her book is a modern-day retelling of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and the Met is hosting a display of rarely seen Dickens’ artifacts at the same time, she chalks it up to a case of good timing.

For publicly disgraced, former best-selling author Lew McDonnell, seeing a debut author having her first book launch party at the Met brings up all sorts of resentments. Especially when the book this lady is promoting just happens to be one of his old manuscripts that she’s clearly plagiarized and claimed for herself.

When heated words are exchanged in front of a display case containing an original copy of Great Expectations, both Lew and Eliza are prepared for a fight. But they aren’t prepared for the room to shake, for the display case to shatter, or for the old book to send them both careening toward a new existence entirely.

When Lew wakes up on the floor of the Charles Dickens museum in London to see Eliza working there as a tour guide, he knows something has gone horribly wrong. It’s the same day and time, but suddenly he’s the best-selling author headlining his own book launch again, and Eliza is serving him drinks and working all hours to make ends meet. And the weirdest thing of all?

Lew is the only one who remembers their former lives. 

  

 

My Review: 4.5 Stars

One of my favorite things to do lately is read a book without reading the synopsis. Of course, this only works when it's written by an author I love. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one and I loved that, confusing bits and all. While there is still a time travel element in this one (more of a time shift), it didn't feel quite as shocking and pronounced, but it was every bit as entertaining and I was left wondering about the outcome until the very end.

Lew and Eliza have a wonderfully jolting clash at first meet, and that dynamic serves them well as they encounter once again. I loved that this story was about two authors and the think that ties their lives together is a book. I enjoyed watching how things developed and evolved in the lives of these great characters. Matayo's wit shines through the pages. The creativity and twists were a lot of fun, and this story was very enjoyable. I only wished for more romance.

Content: very mild romance; flashback moments of peril/danger (an accident)

Before Time Runs Out (A Charles & Company Romance, Book 1) by Amy Matayo {Review}

Before Time Runs Out (A Charles & Company Romance, Book 1) by Amy Matayo 

Kindle Edition, 223 pages

Published 9 March 2021

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given

 

 

 

Graduate student Bree Sanders is failing the one class she needs to get her degree. So when her professor gives her an ultimatum—ace her dissertation or risk having to repeat her final semester—she knows she has to pull out all the stops. After scrambling for an idea, she decides to create her own Ghost Club, a club that blames ghosts for unsolved crimes, the same type of club originally founded two centuries ago by Charles Dickens.

What she doesn’t expect is to find an original copy of one of Dickens’ early works, or to be transplanted into Dickens’s actual ghost club meeting, circa 1870, the instant she picks it up.

When Bree shows up in nineteenth-century England wearing cut-offs and an old t-shirt, her only option is to hide. The Cambridge of 1870 won’t look kindly on a woman dressed like her. So, when Theodore Keyes finds her tucked behind a bookcase at the Trinity College library and immediately demands to know where she came from, she knows he doesn’t belong here either. Turns out she’s right; the same book caused him to time-travel from 1947 almost three months ago and he’s been stuck in England since.

Together, the two vow to work side-by-side in their search for the lost book that will take them home. But as their feelings for one another deepen, Theo and Bree are caught between a desire to return to the lives they each left behind, and the knowledge that if they find the book, they won’t be able to leave together.

In the end, they each must decide which sacrifice is worth making—the one that will cost them their hearts, or the one that could cost them their very existence.

 

   

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

Time travel can be a little hit or miss for me. Sometimes it's believable and sometimes it's pretty far-fetched, so I was a little nervous. WHY?! I mean, it's Amy Matayo, so of course she could pull off something so unique and interesting, still infuse a healthy dose of her typical style, and totally make it work!  

 

Bree is an overwhelmed college student grasping at straws to get her master's degree and suddenly finds herself flung back to 1870s England--straight into the time of her all-time idol, Charles Dickens. Theo is a fellow time traveler, but from 1947, and together they brave many challenges and perilous experiences to discover secrets and a way back home. I was so intrigued and entertained by the events that unfolded along their journey. So many minor details of the time period were suddenly forefront in my mind and Matayo did a brilliant job of merging three different times.

 

Bree is modern and spunky, but has an old soul stuck in the past. It was amusing to watch her navigate what she feels would be her ideal life. I enjoyed watching her interact with Theo and fell a little bit in love with his adaptability and seriousness. I honestly had no idea how things could possibly come together, yet come together they did. The twists and turns were perfectly complicated, and I'm beyond thrilled that this is Book 1 (that means more is coming--hooray!). 

 

Content: mild romance; mild+ language; mild moments of peril/danger 

All for You (de Piaget #12) by Lynn Kurland {Review}

All for You (de Piaget #12) by Lynn Kurland

Mass Market Paperback, 303 pages

Published April 24th 2012 by Berkley Publishing (first published January 1st 2012)  

Source: Audiobook

 

 

 

FALLING THROUGH TIME IS DANGEROUS…

Peaches Alexander is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to a weekend party given by the handsome, eligible Duke of Kenneworth. The only problem: Stephen de Piaget, a stuffy medieval studies scholar who seems determined to get in the way. Peaches has absolutely no desire to get involved with Stephen, until a quirk of Fate sends her hurtling through time…

UNLESS THERE’S SOMEONE TO CATCH YOU.

Stephen de Piaget has been leading a double life: respectable professor by day, knight-in-training during holidays and summer terms. When Peaches goes missing, Stephen knows he’s the only one who can rescue her from medieval peril. Little do they know that the greatest danger they’ll face won’t be the business end of a sword, but their own unruly hearts….

 

   

 

My Review: 4 Stars

 

The mystical elements of time travel are present in this wonderfully sweet opposites attract story. Peaches and Stephen don't immediately click, but when a rescue to the past is in order, things change.

 

Peaches is such an interesting choice of names for such a go-getter type of character and I enjoyed watching her figure out her spot in life when things go awry. Her trek to the past was very entertaining, especially when Stephen arrives. I loved the way they worked together on his medieval work and most definitely liked it when the sparks and jealous darts started to fly. Stephen, although a bit stuffy, is fascinating and manly. It was a joy to watch him spar and fend off the flirtatious women chasing him.

 

Kurland always weaves a magical tale, full of love, romance, and danger and this one was especially lovely.

 

Content: mild Bible swears; mild violence; mild+ romance   

My 90s Boy Band Boyfriend by Jennifer Griffith {Review}

My '90s Boy Band Boyfriend by Jennifer Griffith

Kindle Edition, 519 pages

Published August 30th 2018 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

   

Teenage singer Oakley Marsden is having a rough week. Pop-star Hudson’s rough week is twenty-three years long

Sixteen-year-old Oakley just wants to win a spot on TV’s The Next Radio Star. But when her bad audition goes viral, going back to school is a nightmare.

Even more humiliating, she discovers her own mother was a boy band groupie. Cringe. And Mom still has a thing for a nineties boy band killed in the tragic plane crash twenty years ago.

When things can’t get worse, a strange beggar guy ends up carrying Oakley home—and Oakley’s mom loses her mind. She’s convinced he’s the long-dead popstar Hudson Oaks, frontman for Girl Crazy and Mom’s long-lost love.

And the guy isn’t denying it. Curse him.

Oakley has to save her mom from this impostor before Mom does something insane—and before Oakley starts falling for his charm too.

My 90s Boy Band Boyfriend is a standalone story and book 2 in the Super Teen Queens series. It’s another hilarious teen fantasy with a romantic twist by clean romance author Jennifer Griffith. Great for fans of Kelly Oram and Judy Corry. 

 

My Review: 4.5 Stars

I was a teen in the 90s and boy, did this book take me back to those days...the days of boy bands, big  curly hair, and baggie jeans. Oakley learns a lot about her mom's obsession with a certain lead singer of the band Girl Crazy, who supposedly died in a plane crash 23 years ago, when she tries out for a singing competition. When said guy, Hudson Oaks, shows up, everything gets a little crazy--hormones, danger, and a hidden mystery.


Although this story isn't completely believable (hello, time travel?), it's certainly entertaining and fun. My inner self is still around this age and it was fun to be transported back for awhile and pretend that it was me in this story. I loved the development that Oakley goes through, especially as she deals with her bullying classmates and a budding attraction. Of course, Hudson is my favorite. His young Tom Cruise looks, charming personality, zest for life, and determination to find justice wrapped him around my heart.

The zingy chemistry sputters to life at times, but there really isn't much that comes to fruition. I loved the intensity and sparks of feelings, but would have loved a few more kisses. Overall, this was a very fun and very entertaining read.

Content: mild romance; mild violence

Topaz Reign by Teresa Richards {Blog Tour Review + Giveaway}

Topaz Reign (Altered Stones #2) by Teresa Richards

ebook

Published September 29th 2017 by Evernight Teen

    

Fairy tales are simply tales, told and re-told, but changed over time.

It has been four months since Maggie learned the dark truth behind the tale of the Princess and the Pea and freed Princess Lindy from the cursed Emerald. Lindy is now back in the past where she belongs, queen of her tiny Scandinavian country, and Maggie is a fully reformed ex-stalker.

Except … she can’t stop doing internet searches on Lindy and her country.

One morning, Maggie wakes to find history turned on its head. Apparently, you can’t destroy a centuries-old curse without consequence. In order to prevent the changes in history from wiping out the present, Maggie resurrects her stalking gene and learns that fairy tales don’t stay dead for long.

Or at all.

Back in 1623, Lindy is juggling a threat to her family, a handsome new guard she’s not supposed to have feelings for, and a cursed Topaz with ties to the tale of Thumbelina. When past and present collide, Lindy and Maggie are brought together again, and another of Andersen’s tales turns from twisted fiction to chilling fact.

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My Review: 5 Stars

I fell deep, head-over-heels in love with Book 1 and was so excited to continue on right where that one left off. Be sure to read this series in order to get the full effect.

Maggie and her brother, Tanner, are very likable and adventurous characters. Although teenagers, they do care for one another and I love how they really have each other's backs throughout this book. This story goes back and forth between modern times and the past, just as the other one did, and I love that process because I felt that I really got the full story, even though history keeps re-writing itself because of the time travel. 

Lindy and Goran are my favorite characters from the past and when their interactions meld and merge, my favorite scenes unfold. The action is very intense and I felt like I was going off to battle the evils of the world, right along with them. Some mysteries and secrets are uncovered and I was taken by surprise by some of them.

Somehow, when I read the synopsis, I missed which fairy tale this story was connecting to and I was a little disappointed to think that it wasn't going to tie in to one. About halfway through, my doubt was resolved and I found that Thumbelina was the lucky choice. I love how the fairy tales that are recreated aren't the typical, over-done stories, but are ones that are lesser known, which really gives the book a fresh vibe.

The romance is sweet and stabs at the heart a little in this book, but it's the magic and adventure that overpower this tale. The story is left hanging a little and a little clue within the pages makes me think that one more book (at least) will be written and let me just say, I CAN'T WAIT! And I really hope that one little detail that's been bugging me will be answered.

Content: mild romance; mild+ violence.

*I received a copy, which didn't affect my opinion in any way.*

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Emerald Bound (Altered Stones #1) by Teresa Richards {Review}

Emerald Bound (Altered Stones #1) by Teresa Richards

Paperback, 312 pages

Published September 29th 2015 by Evernight Teen

                        

A princess, a pea, and a tower of mattresses. This is the sliver that survives of a story more nightmare than fairytale... Maggie Rhodes, high school junior and semi-reformed stalker, learns the tale's true roots after a spying attempt goes awry and her best friend Kate ends up as the victim of an ancient curse. At the center of the curse lies an enchanted emerald that has been residing quietly in a museum for the past fifty years. Admirers of the gem have no idea that it feeds on life. Or that it's found its next victim in Kate. Enter Lindy, a school acquaintance who knows more than she's letting on, and Garon, a handsome stranger claiming he knows how to help, and Maggie is left wondering who to trust and how to save her best friend before it's too late. If only Maggie knew her connection to the fairy tale was rooted far deeper than an endangered best friend.

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My Review: 4.5 Stars

I love a good fairy tale retelling and I have my favorites, but it's so refreshing to have a story that isn't normally told. I thought the author did a great job of taking The Princess and the Pea and tweaking it to fit a contemporary YA story, while also taking the story back to the roots. The book waffles between modern times and the past, where the reader discovers some of the history of the emerald and the curse. Danger, romance, and time travel abound in this fun adventure. 

A game of Truth or Dare gone awry is what sets the stage for the Maggie and her friends. Maggie is so brave and determined to help her friends, both new and old. I love what resulted from her stubborn nature and was completely swept away in this book.

I really enjoyed the secrets and mysteries. I was on the edge of my seat at  times, wondering how in the world things would resolve. I'm so glad that I had the next book on hand because it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. So much creativity went into making this a fascinating tale!

Content: mild romance, mild-moderate violence.

*I received a copy, which didn't influence my opinion in any way.*

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Buy Links:

 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emerald-bound-teresa-richards/1122718368?ean=9781772335248

Gladly Beyond (A Brothers Maledetti Romance) by Nichole Van {Review}

Gladly Beyond by Nichole Van

Kindle Edition, 400 pages

Published April 5th 2016 by Fiorenza Publishing 

 

 

Claire Raythorn arrives in Florence, Italy, shattered, alone, and anxious to rebuild her life--preferably one without men. But she soon finds herself hunted and haunted-- literally--when a mysterious stalker dressed like Mr. Darcy from BBC central casting appears in her photos. And only her photos. Who is this man? And what does his ghostly presence mean?

Dante D'Angelo simply wants to safeguard his brothers, despite the family curse that hounds his vision. But then Claire Raythorn walks into his life, untouched somehow by his curse. Soon, everything Dante thought he knew about himself starts to unravel, dragging Claire down with him.

Set against the lush backdrop of Florence, Italy--both past and present--Claire and Dante fight for a future together. But, first, they must uncover their shared past . . .

 

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My Review: 4 Stars

 

It's hard to resist a story with a little touch of paranormal--especially when the "ghost" appears in the form of Mr. Darcy. There is an element of time travel and reincarnation, but it's done in a way of flashbacks, instead of the characters actively engaging in those components. 

 

Claire goes to Italy to find herself after the death of her grandmother and a horrific break-up. She's in the running for her dream job and finds herself up against her ex-boyfriend and an intriguing man, Dante. I really loved Dante--a lot. He's had time to figure out a little of what's going on, with his family's curse, and uses that to his advance in many aspects of his life. I liked Claire. She has a lot of class, especially given the situation she found herself in that resulted in a viral video. She's very mature in the way she handles herself. Dante and Claire have a very sweet relationship, although she is very hesitant to trust and has thick walls up. I love watching a couple work through their issues and work together to not only come together, but to solve issues in the story. 

This book has a lot of fascinating history, but I have to say that some of the events that occur, while interesting, are a little strange. It was really hard to wrap my head around some things, yet I couldn't stop reading, because I really wanted to know what was going on and how things were going to end up.

 

Overall, this is a great story for those who enjoy a contemporary, romantic suspense, with fantasy elements. I'm looking forward to reading more about this family, especially Dante's brothers.

 

Content: mild expletives (moderately used); mild romance (kissing, implied affair, some innuendo). Clean for a more mature reader.

 

*I received a copy from eBooks for review in exchange for an honest review*

 

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Buy Links:

 

 

About the Author:

An Amazon bestselling author, Nichole Van is an artist who feels life is too short to only have one obsession. In former lives, she has been a contemporary dancer, pianist, art historian, choreographer, culinary artist and English professor.

Most notably, however, Nichole is an acclaimed photographer, winning over thirty international accolades for her work, including Portrait of the Year from WPPI in 2007. (Think Oscars for wedding and portrait photographers.) Her unique photography style has been featured in many magazines, including Rangefinder and Professional Photographer. She is also the creative mind behind the popular website Flourish Emporium which provides resources for photographers.

All that said, Nichole has always been a writer at heart. With an MA in English, she taught technical writing at Brigham Young University for ten years and has written more technical manuals than she can quickly count. She decided in late 2013 to start writing fiction and has since become an Amazon bestselling author.

Nichole currently lives in Utah with her husband and three crazy children. Though continuing in her career as a photographer, Nichole is also now writing romance novels on the side. She is known as NicholeVan all over the web: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. Visit http://www.NicholeVan.com to sign up for her author newsletter and be notified of new book releases. Additionally, you can see her photographic work at http://photography.nicholeV.com and http://www.nicholeV.com

Review: Another Time for Love by Lynne Larson

Another Time For Love by Lynne Larson

176 pages, July 2015, Covenant Communications 

Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  

Salt Lake County, Present Day
Sam Carroll is living life in the fast lane--sleek cars, nice clothes, and lovely ladies have replaced the gospel values he grew up with, and he's going nowhere fast. But when a serious car accident brings his fun to a screeching halt, Sam is left comatose, aware only of his older brother reading aloud from the hundred-year-old journal of an LDS bishop, Moroni Chadester. As Sam drifts in and out of consciousness, the words begin to take root in his mind . . .

Alpine, Utah, 1915
Standing on a dusty mountain road, Sam is bewildered. The cars are different. The clothes are different. Where and when is he? The answer comes from an impossible source: Bishop Moroni Chadester. Hurtled back in time by forces he can't understand, Sam finds his memories of modern existence quickly fading as he becomes immersed in a new life and a romance with the town beauty, Laney Williams. But as the pair becomes entangled in a murder mystery, the thrill of courtship is replaced by terror as fate conspires to bring the couple into the path of a killer. Little do they realize that the clock is ticking on more than their lives Sam can't stay in the past forever. As danger looms ever closer, Sam must fight to save Laney. But can their love stand the test of time? 

My Review: 

As I reflect on life, I've come to realize that you never know what will happen to change the path you're on. Sam is living the life of a playboy, much to his parents' dismay. Fun times, casual dating, and fast cars are more important to him than anything else--until an accident puts him into a coma.

Sam's brother reads to him from a journal while he's in the coma and Sam suddenly finds himself transported to 1915--100 years earlier. I loved the events that took place to lead him to important realizations about himself and life.

The book mostly takes place in the past and I enjoyed the characters and the simpler way of life. I really got a feel for the way things were back then and the relationships that people had with friends, family, and townspeople. There is a tight sense of community and many families suffered from trials and hard times and all banded together to support one another. I don't live too far away from where the book takes place and it's fun to picture how things looked 100 years ago.

I couldn't image how the story would wrap up and I was satisfied with the way it all played out. I would've loved an epilogue, but it is still a fun story.

Content: clean romance (kissing); no language; mild religious elements (characters are religious and there are one or two instances where it really plays a part, but most of it is in the background); mild violence (murders). Nothing is graphic, but detailed just enough to give the reader of what's going on. Clean!

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Review: The Pauper (Book 3 in The Fall Series) by May Nicole Abbey

The Pauper by May Nicole Abbey
Book Three of The Fall Series
Publisher: River Valley Publishing (March 27, 2014)
Genre: Clean Romance, Adventure
My Source: I received a copy from the tour host in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.

Book Synopsis:
A mysterious stranger
A desperate mission
A grueling journey through time and space

Life had always been an exciting adventure to Heather Higgins. Even after the death of her father, the loss of a fortune, and a disappointing proposal, she yet sees the future as bright and full of possibilities. At the miraculous appearance of a mysterious man with piercing green eyes and a powerful intellect, Heather knows she has met her destiny. Whether he likes it or not.

In pursuit of a dangerous mission, Ammon Maharahi doesn’t have time for spoiled, doe eyed beauties. But no matter how hard he tries, he cannot dismiss her. Amidst his frantic travels through time and space in the effort to fix a dark future, his illness wears him down. He must find and stop a fellow time traveler before it is too late and all is lost. Tired, ill and disheartened, he wonders if he is fighting a losing battle when Heather Higgins is thrust into his path, infusing energy and life into his weary heart.

But time is running out. The answer lies with a gifted university professor from the future, as bizarre as she is brilliant. As Ammon and Heather race through time to unlock the puzzle, they know Ammon’s life and the future of all humankind slip closer to catastrophe with every tick of the clock.

My Review: This is Book 3 in the series and I haven't read the others yet, but I really want to now. This can stand alone, yet I feel that I missed a few details about some of the characters from not reading the previous books first.

Heather is a well-bred woman from the 1700s who knows her heart and mind. In my opinion, she's ahead of her time. She takes in upon herself to nurse Ammon back to health after she rescues him. Ammon seems very smug and overconfident, but he's just a well-traveled man on a mission. They both go through a lot of growth throughout the story and my opinions of them changed quite a bit through the course of it. I've been reading a lot of books lately that show that things aren't always how they seem and this book was no exception. There are plenty of things that I discovered that opened my eyes to relationships and life in general--that one decision can change the outcome of so many things.

The one thing that really jumped out at me was how one little change in the past can completely change the future. This isn't really a new idea, yet for some reason, the events in the story really made that clear to me.


I loved the way this story was woven together, including pirates, ancient Egyptians, the 18th Century, and more. There was adventure, mystery, tense moments, as well as romantic ones. I thought it was well written and best of all, it's a clean read!

Author Bios:
Caroline Gregory and Shawnette Nielson are sisters on a mission. Their goal is to write clean, adventuresome romance stories, full of lovely characters, personal growth, truth, and hope. Although they live nearly a thousand miles from each other, and are both busy with the daily needs of their respective families, they carve out time each night to put fingers to keyboard and write.  Their goal? Twenty completed books. Set all over the world and throughout time, they thrill at the freedom that writing time travel offers them. From Georgian society, to Ancient Egypt, and plans for a western, contemporary, and even a book set in ancient Greece, the possibilities are limitless.

Links:
Website: http://www.maynicoleabbey.com
Twitter: @mayicoleabbey
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MayNicoleAbbey

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Class of '98 by A.L. Player REVIEW

November 2013, Swoon Romances, 238 pages

Description: Jackie Dunn and Matt Stewart barely knew each other in high school, back when she was a blue-haired alterna-kid and he was a preppy jock. High school rules dictated they'd never hang out, or sit at the same lunch table, or God forbid, date.

But when a weird storm transports them from their ten-year reunion back to senior year, they have to work together to figure out a way to get back to 2008.

Stuck in high school, Jackie and Matt agree to tough it out. They agree to do everything exactly as they remember, even though that means staying with the boyfriend Jackie knows will betray her, or playing nice with the girl that will someday be Matt’s ex-wife. Soon, they come to rely on one other, even become friends.

Jackie’s just starting to get used to curfews and term papers again, when Matt hits her with the biggest surprise of all: he’s fallen in love with her. He’ll change the past however he has to if it means a future with Jackie. But Jackie’s terrified they’ll not only alter their lives, but the lives of everyone around them.

Back to the Future meets She's All That, Class of '98 is a young adult/adult crossover that will appeal to teens and adults.

My Review: I thought this was a darling storyline. Doesn't pretty much everyone wonder what it would be like if you could go back to the past and change things? Even one thing? This story had all the ingredients to make a terrific story, but I didn't like some of the content.

Take one secure teenager, Jackie, add another secure teenager from a different clique and watch how the future may or may not change. It seemed that Jackie became more insecure as she grew older because of something that happened to her in high school. She looked like a rebel with her blue hair, but was a really good girl and I loved the changes she made with herself. Matt was also pretty secure with himself and was such a good friend and support to Jackie, even when she tried pushing him away. I had forgotten how far the technological world has come in 16 years.

I hate it when I can't decide how to rate a book. I'm not a big fan of teenage "hooking up" and drinking; I know it happens, but it's just not something I approve of, nor is it something in my standards, and that's what makes it hard for me to rate. Technically, the one night stand was between two 28 year old people who had traveled back to their 18 year old lives, and it faded to black--no descriptions. Technically, the two main characters aren't underage drinkers, but everyone else at the parties are too young to be doing what they're doing. But I really, really liked the storyline, the lessons learned, and the way it ended, therefore, I gave it a higher rating. Just take note of the content.

Content: moderate swearing; no violence; kissing, talk of hooking up, lots of drinking, talk of drug use, a fade-to-black one night stand. I would say it's still PG-13, but for older readers.

Amazon  |  Goodreads  |  Barnes & Noble

Book Review: A Way Back to You by Emily Gray Clawson

*****--5 Stars.

May 2013, 208 pages
My Source: borrowed from the library

Amazon Description: What would you do if you were given a second chance?
Annabelle, whom nearly everyone calls Anne, has been stuck in the past for two years. Numbed by grief over her husband's unexpected death and overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising their three young children alone, Anne agrees to let a friend take the kids for the weekend while she tries to get some much-needed rest at her parent's home.
But when Anne wakes up the next morning, she is suddenly sixteen again. And it just happens to be the worst day she spent as a teenager.
High school the second time around brings unforeseen changes and frustrations, but remembering that her future husband, Mitch, has just returned from a mission and is living on the other side of town gives Anne hope. Getting Mitch's attention (for the second time) is more complicated than she could have imagined, but Anne discovers she is stronger than she believed possible—and there just might be a future for her after all.

My Review: I thought the premise of this book sounded very intriguing. Who hasn't thought about the decisions and choices they've made and wondered what life would be like if different paths were taken? I know I've wondered that. Especially with some big decisions. What if I had gone to a different college, like I was seriously thinking about? Would I have still met my husband? What if I would have been more confident in high school and had made different friends. Would I be where I am now and who I am? I believe our experiences in life shape us and changes to those things could possibly change who were are.

I could totally relate to Anne. Not only are we the same age, but I sometimes feel overwhelmed with life too. I'm not grieving for the loss of my husband, but the day to day feelings with a household and kids felt familiar. I LOVED how she took her knowledge from now and try to make a difference to her life as a teen. Isn't that how it is? Hindsight is always 20/20 and knowing what I do know about life would certainly change some ways I would have dealt with things back then.

I loved the relationships Anne was able to build and fix. I even loved how she tried so hard to find Mitch back then. I am also a believer that timing is everything--Mitch was the right guy, but the timing was all wrong.

This book was great!! I love how things connected and the lessons that Anne learned along the way. I wish the story would have gone on and on, which is the sign of a great book to me.

Content: clean!!

To check it out, click here.

FREE Today!! Book Review: Waterfall (River of Time #1) by Lisa Tawn Bergen

February 2011, 384 pages.

Amazon Description:

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

           

And thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

 

My Review: Waterfall is the story of two sisters who travel to Italy for the summer while their archeologist mom goes through ruins. They enter a tomb with their mom and somehow end up in the same place--only it's 1332. There are real knights and real battles. The sisters, Gabi and Lia, are separated and it's now a quest to find one another and return home. But a lot of things stand in their way.

I really enjoyed the writing style. The common here and now expressions, words, language was true to form and had the people from the middle ages baffled. I love how self reliant and tough Gabi is. I wanted to hate Lady Rossi, but she was so sweet that hating her was hard to do. Ah, Marcello.....a swoon-worthy character. Tough, yet sweet. Fun, fun time travel story.

This book is FREE on Amazon right now. Be be warned--once you start the series, you won't want to stop!! Pick up your copy here .