CHRISTMAS AT DOVE CREEK by Scarlett Dunn

Historical Inspirational Romance4 stars MILD

1868 USA

Scarlett Dunn sets up an amazing historical tale with a resourseful, to the point, crack shot lead woman. With short, to the point sentences, there are no extra fill in words to take away from the action giving a fast to moderate pace throughout. Written in the third person omniscient point of view, we fall in love with the wonderfully portrayed characters as they travel and experience many twists and turns. This book will stay with you long after it is over. Recommended for all.

SUMMARY: Thorpe Turlow gets left at the alter while his fiancee leaves town with a man she claims is the father of her unborn baby. Thorpe seeks her out to get answers and is relieved she left him. On his way back home, he encounters Indians and their arrows. Lily Starr comes to his aid and patches him back up. Together they finish their journey to Wyoming. Will they arrive safely or encounter more than just Indians trying to get them? (ZEBRA, Nov. 2016, 352 pp, $7.99) 

Reviewed by: JENNY FALCONE

ISBN: 978-1420142235

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

THE SILENT SONGBIRD by Melanie Dickerson

Historical Inspirational Romance
4 stars MILD

1384 England

Melanie Dickerson weaves a compelling tale that takes place long ago in England. Written in the third person omniscient point of view, we encounter lies, deceit, attempted murder,  jealousy, rage, forgiveness, faith and hope. This book will have you jumping out of your seat with anticipation at times.  Moderate to fast paced, you will not want this book to end. Recommended for all, especially lovers of historical romance.

SUMMARY:  House confined Evangeline is the ward of her cousin, the king, due to her parents passing at a very young age. The King has deemed her to marry his closest adviser who is years older and repulses Evangeline. She decides to run away and is stopped by her handmaiden, who insists on not letting her go alone.  They tag along with "servant" Wesley le Wyse and his men who were in town to sell items.  Lies buy their passage to another town where they discover Wesley is the son of that town's Lord. Will Wesley fall in love with Evangeline despite all her lies or will he turn her in to the guards looking for her? (HARPER COLLINS, Nov. 2016, 320 pp, $14.99)

Reviewed by: JENNY FALCONE
ISBN: 978-0718026318

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

The Angel if Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall

THE ANGEL OF FOREST HILL
Cindy Woodsmall
4 stars

Another great Old-Order Amish read by Cindy Woodsmall. If you are looking for a quick afternoon read, this is the one to choose. Written in the third person omniscient point of view, we encounter grief from tragedy, overcoming past hurts and hangups,  forgiveness, God's grace, love, friendship, and more. Makes you reflect on how you speak and act toward others and how hurtful and lasting your words can be. Recommended for all.

SUMMARY: Old Order Amish Rose Kurtz is asked to help Joel Dienner in a far away district with his children wile his wife is ill. After traveling all day, Rose enters to find tragedy, a dazed Joel, and a starving newborn. Joel and Rose marry in a whirlwind to give the kids a stable household. As time goes by, will they learn to love each other or will they let past events interfere?

(Waterbrook, October 2016, 208 pages, $14.99, PB, ISBN: 978-1601427052)

Reviewed by: JENNY FALCONE

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

Blood on the Tracks by Barbara Nickless

BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
Barbara Nickless
4 stars MILD

For her first novel, Nickless, creates in intricate tale. Written in the first person limited point of view, we experience what it is like to live with PTSD as well the life of a police officer working with a canine on the rail system. Don't let the page count turn you off, as the fast pace will have you finished in no time. Nickless seamlessly ties everything together with a shocking ending but leaves a question in case she decides to do a second installment. Recommended for romance fiction readers as well as anyone with a interest in war, PTSD, canine police, and suspense with discretion due to a lightly descriptive intimacy scene in the second half of the book, lots of cursing throughout, violently detailed descriptions of war and the use of Jesus' name as a curse.

SUMMARY: Railroad Police Special Agent, Sydney Rose Parnell is cIt seems to be a set up but the fiancé can't seem to remember anything after walking into the apartment where the victim is found. Parnell and her k9 partner, Clyde, work together with the department homicide unit to discover the true killer.

alled to the scene when a young woman is murdered and her Iraq veteran fiancé is seen fleeing the scene and hops the first railway out of town.

(Thomas & Mercer, October 2016, 414 pages, $10.98, PB, ISBN: 978-1503936867)

Book 1 in the Sydney Rose Parnell series 

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

STEALING SNOW by Danielle Paige

STEALING SNOW
Danielle Paige
4 1/2 stars Top Pick

A grand adventure to a different world, Paige weaves an alternate tale written in the first person limited point of view that follows Snow Yardley aka "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" as she discovers who she really is and reveals all the lies that surround her whole existence. Moderately paced with some fast, heart racing scenes, we get sucked into the life and story through the ups, downs and numerous, unexpected surprises. In this coming of Age, Snow will face deceit, heartbrokenness, lies, truth, confusion and more as she must determine who is actually the truth tellers. Recommended for young adults but great for all, especially those that like an interesting twist to original fairy tales.

SUMMARY: Snow Yardley has spent about the last ten years of her life in a high security mental hospital after she tried to walk through a mirror with a friend at the age of six. Her friend Bale is the only thing that keeps her sane throughout the years. Now he has been taken through a mirror. She must break out of the hospital and find him in the land of Algid, where nothing is quite what it seems.

(Bloomsbury, September 2016, 384 pages, $18.99, ISBN: 9781681190761, HC, 14+)

Book 1 in Stealing Snow series 

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

UNTIL I LOVE AGAIN by Jerry Eicher

UNTIL I LOVE AGAIN
Jerry Eicher
4 stars 

A truly original Amish story, with some unexpected twists. Eicher will make you laugh, cry and then laugh some more. An intriguing fast-paced, page-turner written in the third person limited point of view that you just won't be able to put down. We encounter conflict, deceit, heartbrokenness as well as love and understanding. You won't want to miss this one.

SUMMARY: Susanna Miller's family have allowed her to work with Englisha's during her rumspringa. Now it is time for her to settle down and join the church, giving up everything she has been doing to take her proper place in the community. Widower Ernest Helmuth wants to claim her as his bride and mother for his two little girls but will past secrets make Susanna choose to jump the fence instead?

(Harvest House, September 2016, 352 pages, $14.99)
ISBN: 9780736965897

Book 2 in The St. Lawrence County Amish series

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

FINDING LOVE IN BIG SKY, MONTANA by Angela Ruth Strong

FINDING LOVE IN BIG SKY, MONTANA
Angela Ruth Strong
4 stars

Written in the third person head hopping point of view we see both sides and dilemmas of the story. We encounter love and past hurts, personal demons and choices between God and money. With a moderate to fast pace, this is a quick read you won't want to miss. Recommended to all who are looking for an enjoyable story.

SUMMARY: Paisley Sheridan is trying to revamp her recently acquired family ranch; all she needs is a website and financial assistance. Josh Lake is suspended from his big-bucks city job after his contract is leaked to the opposing company. He stops at a coffee shop running on mental fumes after being on the road for a number of hours and sees Paisley, the girl he doesn't remember kissing at prom. In exchange for letting him recoup his energy at the ranch, he offers professional advertising advice and ranch help. When his name is cleared, will he stay or return to the city?

(Mountain Brook, September 2016, 254 pages, $2.99 dl)

Book 2 in Resort to Love series  

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

THE DREAM QUEST OF VELLITT BOEBy Kij Johnson

THE DREAM QUEST OF VELLITT BOE
Kij Johnson
3 stars MILD

A grand adventure to a different world, Johnson weaves a tale you would find in dreams and nightmares. With very detailed descriptions, new words and little dialogue, you may find yourself lost, confused and struggling to get through to the end; the real adventure doesn't begin until mid-way. Written in the first person limited point of view, we encounter the inner turmoil of an older woman with secrets who has put her wandering spirit to rest in order to teach at a prestigious college.

SUMMARY: Professor Vellitt Boe has been teaching for the past 20 years at Ulthar Women's College when a descendant of one of the gods falls in love with a dreamer from the waking world. Having been a free spirit in her youth, it is up to Boe to retrieve her most gifted student before the gods discover anything is amiss and destroy something big. Boe must overcome her past before achieving her goal.

(Tor, August 2016, 176 pages, $13.95)

ISBN: 978-0765391414

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

False Hearts by Laura Lam

FALSE HEARTS
Laura Lam
Setting: Futuristic San Francesco
4 1/2 star Top Pick MILD

False Hearts by Laura Lam is an original, riveting, multi-layered, suspenseful page turner with vivid character development that is flawlessly executed throughout. You will be sucked in from the very first words. We come across futuristic developments in hover cars, ocular implants and drugs that can make your dreams come true and memories better. Written in the first person limited point of view, changing between previously conjoined twins. We encounter bisexuality and same sex marriages as well as some mild intimacy scenes.

SUMMARY: Conjoined twins Taema and Tila were raised in a secluded cult where all technology was forbidden. After heart failure at the age of 16 they escaped the cult, were separated and given mechanical hearts. Now 10 years later, Tila is being accused of the murder of a drug lords henchman. She is locked up, the event is suppressed by the police and Taema is asked to go undercover and take her sisters place and find out exactly what occurred.

(Tor, June 2016, 384 pages, $13.99)

ISBN: 978-0765382054

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

The Wolf in the Attic by Paul Kearney

THE WOLF IN THE ATTIC
Paul Kearney
4 stars MILD

Paul Kearney's The Wolf in the Attic is written in the form of a coming-of-age narrative, in the present-tense, first-person POV. Fast paced and engaging, you wont even notice the long paragraphs or that dialogue is few and far between with our main character, Anna, a pre-teen Greek girl, describing her daily experiences. Christianity is discussed throughout. Recommended for fans of memoir's and coming-of-age stories with a bit of fairy tale thrown in.

SUMMARY: Anna and her father are Greek refugees that have watched Anna's mother being murdered and having to relocate to Oxford. Pie, her doll, is her comforting vice that she never lets go of. She experiences loss, murder and abuse, all with Pie by her side. She safely daydreams grand adventures until one night she leaves to escape the noise from her father's committee meeting and stumbles upon someone who may turn into her savior.

(Solaris, May 2016, 320 pages, $14.99)
ISBN: 978-1781083628

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

Miller's Valley by Anna Quidlen

MILLER'S VALLEY
Anna Quindlen
3 stars MILD

Anna Quindlen's Miller's Valley is written in the form of a coming-of-age memoir, in the present-tense, first-person POV. Quindlen makes you feel the emotional battles taking place, through the flood, family secrets, relocations, deaths and births. Some confusion is found by the jumping from our main characters' memories to her present-day reflection of that memory. The long paragraphs make the sections feel drawn out and dialogue is few and far between in most cases. There are references to intimacy scenes but no descriptions. Christianity is discussed but not upheld. Recommended for fans of memoir's and coming-of-age stories.

SUMMARY: Mary Margaret "Mimi" Miller tells the story of her life from the 1960's to present. The town wants to relocate the Miller's from the valley they live in due to the water table level. As Mimi grows, she discovers that life is full of secrets and changes. Her brother goes to war and returns a different person and to find he has a son; her friends change and some move away; her discoveries in new relationships; unexpected pregnancies; and career choices.

(Random House, April 2016, 272 pages, $21.43)

ISBN: 978-0812996081

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTSHADE LOUNGE By Paul Krueger

LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTSHADE LOUNGE
Paul Krueger
3 star MILD

Last Call is an interesting read, written in the third person limited point of view. It gets off to a slow start but has heart racing scenes throughout.  You will be intrigued from the very first words. Enclosed are cocktail lore and recipes. We encounter immortality, betrayal, alcohol, magic, inferences to sex, gorey violence and strong language. Recommended for anyone interested in magic and mixology with a hint of romance thrown in.

SUMMARY: Bailey Chen is a college grad who got a job working in a bar, while waiting for her dream job to open up. Zane, the bar owners nephew, is a bartender and also in charge of protecting civilians from monsters who feed on intoxicated individuals. They must get over their past hurts to work together and save many lives.

(Random House, June 2016, 288 pages, $14.99)

ISBN: 978-1594747595

Reviewed for RT BOOK REVIEWS

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery

THE FRIENDS WE KEEP
Susan Mallery
4 stars MILD

Teen pregnancy, divorce, marriage struggles, and adoption are just some topics touched on by Susan Mallery in this highly original and fascinating page turner you may lose sleep over. Mallery brings our inner lives to the surface and evokes deep emotions from her readers. You will fall in love with the Girls of Mischief Bay.

SUMMARY: Gabby, a stay-at-home mom of twins and a teen step-daughter, Hayley, whose heart's desire is to be a mom, and Nicole, recently divorced mom, band together to battle lifes obstacles. Gabby wants to go back to work when an unexpected turn takes place; Hayley's husband wants her to stop risking her life with miscarriages; and Nicole has an unexpected mystery man enter her life. "The best things in life aren't safe. What moves up, what we want the most, always means taking a risk. Isn't that what makes things worthwhile?"

(Mira, February 2016, 416 pages, $12.55

)

ISBN: 978-0778318729

REVIEWED FOR RT BOOK REVIEWS

The Devil You Know by KJ Parker

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
K.J. Parker
4 stars

Parker writes a short, twisted, action packed book full of questions and deceit that keeps your mind activated and confused all the way, with clues thrown in to shift your thinking until the very end. It is written in the first person, with point of view changing between scenes keeping the reader engaged and thinking, however confusion is evoked in some beginning head-hopping scenes. I would recommend this book to fans of twisted, realistic science fiction.

SUMMARY: Saloninus, the greatest philosopher of all time, signs his life away to the devil in order to become twenty five again and receive twenty immortal years to finish some experiment he is working on. To the one assigned his contract, something does not seem right and there must be some underlying reason Saloninus would sell his pure soul for an afterlife in hell.

(Tor, March 2016, 128 pages, $10.99)

ISBN: 978-0765387899

Reviewed for RT Book Reviews

Jamberry Nail Wraps (Review)

Have you ever looked at someone's nails and went who, they look amazing? When you go into CVS sometimes you come across Nail Wraps like Sally Hanson. I have tried all the ones you can in CVS to get those amazing looking nails. Some work better than others but they all seem to snag my hair, some right away, some within 24 hours. It was easier just not to do my nails then to deal with chips, smudges, chips and snags.

I have recently encountered a different type of nail wrap. Jamberry makes nail wraps that I was skeptical to try after so many times of wasting money on designs. Lets just say that after trying these wraps, I was hooked and joined Jamberry as a consultant.

AMAZING is an understatement.  They are heat activated and approved for even nurses and pregnancy. Check out the website and my facebook group for all that is available.

There are over 300 designs

I was impressed with how the wraps stayed on my nails for over 2 weeks and my toes for almost 6 weeks. I was even more impressed on how they stayed on my 2 year olds nails for almost 2 weeks and her toes for almost 3 weeks. When applying polish to her little nails, if she sits still long enough for it to dry, she would only get 2 days out of the polish, if that.

Each sheet of regular wraps are $15 and you receive enough strips to do at least 2 manicures and 2 pedicures. And the BEST part? You can buy 3 sheets and get 1 free.

 

 

Would you be interested in hosting a 100% online group for your Facebook friends? Not only will they receive great information about the nail wraps but they will also be able to win free stuff and given the opportunity to buy and even create their own nail designs. As a host, you would get product credit based on any sales and just for hosting I would give you accent samples.

Love Jamberry? Some people join for the extra money but some just join to get the discount. By joining, not only do you get a discount, but you receive cash back and product credit from all your purchases.

 

 



This is what you get in your consultant kit when you join

 

 

 

Check out the website jennyfalcone.jamberry.com

Facebook Group: Jenny's Jamtastic Nails

Please ask me anything.

Be Frank with Me by Julia Clairborne Johnson

Released January 2016

Johnson’s debut novel is highly original and brought to life by its unusual characters and their witty dialogue. The unique relationships that the characters create with one another make for an interesting and touching read but the anti-climatic ending will leave you unsatisfied. 3 out of 5 stars.

SUMMARY: Mimi, a reclusive, former best-selling author and single mother, needs help to complete her second novel. After a 25-year silence, she calls her editor and asks him to send someone to keep her on track. His assistant, Alice, arrives at Mimi's California home to help her finish the book on time, but Mimi has other plans for her. Mimi locks herself away, leaving Alice to care for Mimi's eccentric 9-year-old son, Frank, who gets into mischief at every turn. As Alice gets to know Frank, she becomes intensely curious as to who Frank's father is while trying to discover what role Xander, Frank's transient ex-piano teacher, plays within the family. She wonders if Frank's father and Xander, the man she has fallen for, are one and the same.

Unhinge by Calia Read (review)

This is a new release, just out on January 12th.

This book keeps you guessing until the end and then you will want to reread everything. By jumping from present day to flashbacks, we feel the characters confusion, frustration and determination to uncover the truth, no matter the consequences. Her "dead" husband tells her she has been in Fairfax for three years; a mysterious stranger says only six months. I highly recommend this mind-boggling book to fans of twisting psychological thrillers and romantic intrigue with a warning due to three detailed intimacy scenes and some strong language. NOT CHRISTIAN APPROVED.

 

SUMMARY: Garden-lover and ex-nurse, Victoria, awakens in a psych ward with a faulty memory. Victoria's confusion and frustration with being in Fairfax leads to her quest to unlock the last three years of memories. She remembers marrying Wesley Donovan, a cutthroat lawyer, soon after meeting.  The key may lie with Sinclair Montgomery, the mysterious stranger who shows up at Fairfax, claiming to know and love her.  4.5 out of 5 stars.