Category Archives: Reviews

Review: Sinners and the Sea: The Untold Story of Noah’s Wife by Rebecca Kanner

The young heroine in Sinners and the Sea is destined for greatness. Known only as “wife” in the Bible and cursed with a birthmark that many think is the brand of a demon, this unnamed woman—fated to become the mother of all generations after the great flood—lives anew through Rebecca Kanner. The author gives this virtuous woman the perfect voice to make one of the Old Testament’s stories come alive like never before.

Desperate to keep her safe, the woman’s father gives her to the righteous Noah, who weds her and takes her to the town of Sorum, a haven for outcasts. Alone in her new life, Noah’s wife gives him three sons. But living in this wicked and perverse town with an aloof husband who speaks more to God than to her takes its toll. Noah’s wife struggles to know her own identity and value. She tries to make friends with the violent and dissolute people of Sorum while raising a brood that, despite its pious upbringing, develops some sinful tendencies of its own. While Noah carries out the Lord’s commands, she tries to hide her mark and her shame as she weathers the scorn and taunts of the townspeople.

But these trials are nothing compared to what awaits her after God tells her husband that a flood is coming—and that Noah and his family must build an ark so that they alone can repopulate the world. As the floodwaters draw near, she grows in courage and honor, and when the water finally recedes, she emerges whole, displaying once and for all the indomitable strength of women. Drawing on the biblical narrative and Jewish mythology, Sinners and the Sea is a beautifully written account of the antediluvian world told in cinematic detail.

Sigh. This is a hard review for me to write. As I’ve mentioned before, I only offer to review books I anticipate liking, which means most of my reviews get pretty good star ratings. I generally enjoy Biblical fiction and the idea of the story of Noah’s wife was irresistible.

Sinners and the Sea is an interesting read that kept me “turning pages” (or pushing the arrow on my Kindle, anyway). But at the same time, I spent about half the book with an eyebrow raised at the the fantastical interpretations of parts of the story of Noah’s nameless wife. I’ve seen reviews praising the “mythical” elements as a creative and fascinating retelling of the story of Noah, but sadly, I can’t agree with that :/. For me, it stretched my incredulity way too far.

Noah’s wife has no name because of the wine-colored birthmark on her forehead. Her father believed by not giving her a name, it would shield her from the cruel taunts of the local people. It didn’t work. Eventually, she marries Noah to protect her. She’s 19. He’s 400. They live on the outskirts of a town that makes Sodom and Gomorrah look tame. Noah’s job is to get them to repent, but, well… he’s more than a little harsh about it. It’s not until the very end – like the last few pages – that I even begin to like him. When he finally gives a reason for why he was completely uninvolved with his sons as they were growing up, sons he desperately wanted, I kind of understand, but…

There’s a lot of mythical or fantastical elements I could write off as interpretation, etc. that simply didn’t resonate with me. Instead, it was too much for me. I probably would have decided not to even review it in the end, but there were a few other things that compel me to go ahead. There were a number of things that would offend many people I know.

  • Several uses of the word d*** – and not just in the “God’s going to damn us all for evil” sense.
  • Several uses of crass terms for male genitalia – not just euphemisms, though there were plenty of those as well
  • Not too explicit descriptions of life in the nearby town, including prostitution, death, murder, mercenaries and a band of “pirates” that truly disturbed me.

All in all, most of it I could write of as a well-written but ultimately not for me. But with those other things, I’ve got to say something.

I will add the caveat that NetGalley copies are generally Advance (not final) copies, but my understanding is that the edits are generally minor (punctuation, spelling, homonyms, etc.) not more substantive.

With that, I did finish the book in a fairly short period of time. It was well-written, but ultimately, not something I could recommend.

Overall rating: 4 out of 10 stars (and, sadly, that feels generous :()

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Reviews

Potentially Lovely, Perpetually Human

Potentially Lovely, Perpetually Human is a new blog by one of my oldest friends. Not OLD, of course, because that would be to admit that *I’m* old, but one of the few people in this world I’ve known over 30 years. We won’t say how many years over 30 that is ;).

When we moved to Phoenix right before I started first grade, I knew I’d be going to a Christian school. Amy, along with Mark and Jon, had gone to the same school in Kindergarten and the four of us would graduate high school together twelve years later. We all met oodles of other friends along the way, and, of course, a gazillion more since. But thanks to the advent of Facebook, I’ve come back in touch with Amy over the last several years [and Jon’s wife, another friend of ours; Mark, to my knowledge, is not on Facebook].

IMG_0034

That’s me and Amy about 15 years ago when my hubby and I had a reception in Phoenix after getting married in Missouri. Isn’t she lovely?

Amy started blogging this week and her’s is a story I’d love for you to follow. She doesn’t have it set up to follow by email [yet? I don’t think…], but put this blog on your daily “websites to visit” list.

Her first three posts are:

It’s Time wherein she outlines her goals with the blog – and for sharing their journey.

The Story Begins is Amy and Jeremy’s love story in a nutshell [I remember the two of them when they first started dating!]

Our First Addition chronicles their early married life, up until their firstborn joined them.

Doing a whole blog about a friend of mine and her new blog… well, that should tell you how highly I recommend it. Not that I’ve done a ton of blogging lately [oy – the book reviews I’ve got coming! Maybe that’s what I should do with the rest of my day… there’s a doozy coming up…], but I can’t recommend highly enough that you check out Amy, Jeremy, and their story.

And Amy, if you see this, darlin’, I’m so incredibly proud of you and Can. Not. Wait. for a flyby in June! I’m praying our plans don’t change because I can’t wait to hug your neck. Love you to pieces!

Reviews

New Blog, First Post, Update, Eagles, and Insanity

The title needs work but there you have it ;).

This is the inaugural post on my new blog. There should be pictures and fanfare and all sorts of insaneness.

But yeah. Notsomuch.

It’s nearly midnight. I don’t have enough oomph for insaneness ;).

Last year, the kids and I watched the Decorah Eagles most of the spring. But this year, Mom and Dad Decorah built a new nest and it has no eaglecams in it. We did, however, discover new eagle buddies today.

These eagles are in Colorado. Eaglet one hatched overnight last night and two during the day today.

Writing update:

I’m up to ten completed manuscripts now! 😀

That’s awesomeness.

For this year’s SpeedBo Project, I chose something I’d written about a thousand words on last year. I ditched most of those words and started over.

Then God stepped in.

In the first thirteen days of March, I completed a 71 thousand word rough draft.

I don’t think there’s any major plot holes.

It’s filled with talking heads and floating body parts.

But it’s THERE!

And since God just like downloaded it into my brain, it went into Genesis. We won’t mention how many others went into Genesis ;).

In the two weeks since, I’ve edited last year’s NaNo project [it went to critters this afternoon] and readthrough/made minor changes to a historical.

I’m kind of at loose ends. No projects really. Manuscript #9 was a sequel to the NaNo project I just finished editing. I’ve started book 3 in the series, but not too seriously yet [about 1500 words in].

So while I figure out what I’m working on next, which project to dive into deep edits on [which may depend in part on those Genesis results], I’ll fiddle with it.

I also have oodles of books to either read or review – or both. So expect an avalanche of reviews in the coming days ;).

This weeks goals [which are a bit insane]:

5K words on book 3

TBR list organized and updated [this is the HAVE TO reads – for review/influencer purposes]

6-8 books read/reviewed

Have a blessed Easter weekend! Remember, He is Risen!

Reviews, Writing

Book Review: Bound by Guilt by C.J. Darlington

TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:

Bound by Guilt
by C.J. Darlington
Published by Tyndale House

Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?


This is my first official blog tour blog ;). How cool!

My good friend Andrea over at Andrea’s Take will be posting her review shortly – head over there to see what she thought.

I liked this book. A lot. A friend had raved to me about it and I don’t think I liked it quite as much as she did. For whatever reason, that’s making it hard to write this review.

I like Roxi. She’s got spunk. She’s led a very difficult life, one that would have shattered most of us. She longs to be loved, just like all of us, and it’s no wonder that she goes to the lengths that she does to find that love and approval. I think most humans would go to those lengths or beyond, though all of us would like to think we’d be above doing anything illegal to gain the approval of an important adult or parental figure in our lives. Can any of us truly say what we would or wouldn’t do? Same for Diego. He was raised by his mother [a cousin of Roxi’s mom], but her approval was fleeting at best.

Abby is a cop. Things aren’t going so well for her. Then her world falls completely apart. A mom who never sees her daughter. A cop who is suspended. A daughter and sister who rarely sees her family. Abby is in a difficult spot. I see her growth as a character throughout the book. Ms. Darlington didn’t give us the reconciliation with her daughter, which I’d hoped to see, but there is some hope for it. She will stop at almost nothing to find the answers she needs.

I liked Christy. I ached for her, for her loss. I have hope for her future.

Ms. Darlington has some wonderful secondary characters. Gordon the truck driver. Stan from the coffee shop. Jan, and Keith, the ranch owners [who probably shouldn’t be relegated to ‘secondary’ status]. Even Selah. All following God’s guidance to be where they needed to be, when they needed to be. Being His hands and feet in Roxi’s life.

This is a good book. I would buy it [though this copy was provided for free by the publisher – the opinion is my own]. I will likely reread it. I would buy her previous book [which wasn’t necessary for reading this one]. I will read the next one.

Overall, I give Bound by Guilt 8.5 out of 10 stars.

Great job! You kept me turning the pages.
—Francine Rivers, Internationally best selling author

C.J. is a wonderful, talented writer . . . extraordinary . . .
—Bodie Thoene, best-selling author of the A.D. Chronicles

This one engages your senses and reaches your heart.
—Jerry B. Jenkins, NY Times best-selling author & owner of The Christian Writers Guild

Watch the book trailer:

About the Author:
C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com

QUICK LINKS:

Reading, Reviews

What I’ve Read Wednesday, Julie Lessman Day 1

Current Facebook status: is changing her status to reflect her desire to win a prize. I ♥ Julie Lessman. I’m going to post a review of her first book A Passion Most Pure momentarily. Cuz she’s giving away prizes if you post reviews and I ♥ her ;).
Currently Playing in the Background: Storm Chasers, multiple vortices vorticies vortexes – don’t worry Discovery, you don’t need that warning – I won’t be attempting any time soon.
Current NaNoWriMo status: WINNER!  Finished with 50289! Story isn’t done but is still winner!

[Notes: This is Julie Lessman review month!  I have her first 4 books in hand – about half done reading #4.  I’m planning a random notes post tomorrow on a number of things.  Erynn Mangum’s second series will be reviewed Saturday.  But in the meantime, heeeeere’s Julie!]

Book Description:
Refusing to settle for anything less than a romantic relationship that pleases God, Faith O’Connor steels her heart against her desire for the roguish Collin McGuire. But when Collin tries to win her sister Charity’s hand, Faith isn’t sure she can handle the jealousy she feels. To further complicate matters, Faith finds herself the object of Collin’s affections, even as he is courting her sister. The Great War is raging overseas, and a smaller war is brewing in the O’Connor household. Full of passion, romance, rivalry, and betrayal, A Passion Most Pure will captivate readers from the first page

First, just let me say that I ADORE Julie Lessman!  In fact, I want to be Julie when I grow up.  She writes incredible books and is wonderful to boot.  I’ve gotten to know her a little bit over the last couple of months and I just flat out <3 her.  The reality is if I can write half as well, I’ll consider myself enormously blessed.

So the first book she wrote is A Passion Most Pure.  She started it as a kid and came back to it a few years ago.  You can read more of her story on her website.  Julie is also a part of the wonderful Seekerville blog.

So what did I like about A Passion Most Pure?  A better question would be what didn’t I like?  There’s nothing I can specifically put my finger on that I didn’t like.  There were times that I wanted to go knock on Julie’s door and shake the book at her and demand she explain why on God’s green Earth did Collin do this or Faith do that?  And Charity?!  What about her?!  And Mitch?! And I did do that – virtually.  Emailed her my thoughts as I went ;).  Not all of them.  But enough.  When she fixed one particular situation, I literally jumped up and down [well, not literally, but I did squee]!  And emailed her to tell her what I thought.

But Julie pulled through!  She did not disappoint.  She answered enough of the questions while hinting at answers to more in books to come.  Her fourth is out, fifth is coming out in the spring [I think] and the sixth, as of this week, is officially being written.  Each child in the O’Connor family gets his or her own book and this one is Faith’s.

Faith O’Connor grew up in Boston with her Irish-American Catholic family.  She’s not the oldest child, but is the oldest daughter.  Her next youngest sister, Charity, is seeing rogue hottie Collin McGuire.  Collin has a bit of a reputation with the women – a reputation that is well-earned.  But when Faith and Collin realize they have an attraction for each other, it throws a wrench in Charity and Collin’s romance.  Collin and Faith are meant to be together.  It’s obvious, right?  But there’s a problem.  Or two.  Or more.  Dad didn’t approve of Collin for Charity, why would he for Faith?  And then there’s WWI [though they didn’t call it that, of course].

But even the ‘Great War’ isn’t the biggest problem.

The biggest problem?  Faith’s, well… faith.  A fervent Catholic [not just going through the motions], her faith is the biggest thing in her life.  She has a passion for God that surpasses all else and she won’t settle for a life with a man who has any less.  Collin?  Not so much.  But the two of them together?  Sparks fly – and not just the fighting kind.

Julie’s tagline is “Passion with Purpose”.  She writes passionately.  She writes about passion – both for God and between a man and woman.  While there is that ‘passion’ outside of marriage in the life of some of the characters [Collin in particular in this book], the emphasis is still on purity before God.  That passion is fine, good, even God-ordained, in the right time and place – within the context of marriage.  It’s refreshing to see the temptations a couple in love – or even just in lust – struggle with the kinds of things that so many do in real life.  I know there are many who feel that doesn’t have a place in a Christian book and I know that was something Julie struggled with in finding a publisher – too Christian for ABA, to secular for CBA – but she found a publisher willing to take the risk and I, for one, am so very, very glad she did.

Besides, she thinks I’m a hoot ;).

9.5 out of 10 stars [because I know there was SOMETHING that bugged me a bit, but I loaned out my copy and can’t name it off my head and besides, now she has somewhere to go with the next one =D].

NaNoWriMo, Reading, Reviews

What I’ve Read Wednesday: Mangum Edition, Part 3

Setting this one up early too so no updated statuses etc :).

From the Back Cover:
Lauren Holbrook, matchmaker extraordinaire, takes credit for four successful couples now. With her dad happily married and life settling down around her, Lauren feels quite content. That is, until the tables are turned and she’s on the receiving end of the matchmaking!

Lauren and her boyfriend, Ryan, devise a plan to make it look as if they’ve broken up so people will get off their backs about marriage. No problem, right? That’s of course until Lauren realizes she’s in love.

What I Liked:

  • Lauren is still Lauren, but now her friends have turned on her and Ryan and are playing matchmaker.  Lauren and Ryan are still sort of play dating – not that either of them is dating anyone else…
  • Love her family and friends, including her new stepmom who is wonderful.
  • Love that Lauren’s plotting and scheming backfires so that she gets what she wants all along – she just didn’t realize it was right there under her nose.

What I Didn’t Like:

  • This is a niggle specific to me, I’d bet.  Or pretty close.  I never got the ‘foot popping’ sense from Lauren about Ryan – even after the proposal.  They’d been dating or sort of dating for years by that point and never even a little tingle?  No real hand holding, no kisses, no anything.  That struck me as a bit odd but didn’t ruin my overall enjoyment of the series.

Overall:

More fun, rom com, chick lit stuff J.  Love it.  8 out of 10 stars.

Reviews

What I’ve Read Wednesday: Mangum Edition, Part 2

Setting this up early so no new status updates ;).

From the Back Cover:

With two matches under her belt, Lauren’s ready to get back to work. Lucky for her, her job at The Brandon Knox Photography Studio makes it even easier to work her magic on her best friend and boss, Brandon, and the adorable receptionist, Hannah. And since she’s at Shawn’s cafe every day anyway (a girl’s gotta feed her caffeine and chocolate addictions, doesn’t she?), why not look for his perfect match as well?

But with all her love-connection luck, Lauren’s thrown for a loop when her dad announces that he’s heading out of town for a singles retreat. But in the midst of panicking about her dad and potential future stepmom, there’s also the matter of Ryan–love interest or friend? Only time, vats of coffee, and pounds of chocolate will tell!

What I Liked:

  • Still love Lauren – though I was convinced that she and Brandon should end up together.  In this one, she’s determined to get Brandon, her boss and best friend, together with Hannah, the photography studio’s receptionist, Lauren’s other best friend and Ryan’s sister.
  • Ryan – still a pretend boyfriend.  Becoming a best friend especially as her relationship with Brandon changes as he and Hannah grow closer together.  While they remain close, Lauren and Brandon’s relationship has to change as he falls in love and prepares to get married.  Ryan fills the void for Lauren.
  • Love her family and quirky assortment of friends.

 

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Still think Lauren and Brandon could have been good together ;).

Overall:

Another fun, chick lit, rom com easy read.  Lauren is still Lauren and still so much fun.  Another 8.5 out of 10 stars.

Reviews

What I’ve Read Wednesday: Mangum Edition

Current Facebook Status: is thankful for doctors [and PNPs Bobbie Boyd!] who know what they’re doing. Three years ago on the day before Thanksgiving, Christopher has what was likely life saving surgery. So very thankful he is so healthy today!
Currently Playing In The Background: Special Agent Oso – Playhouse Disney.  Shocking.

Yeah – so I can’t keep track of volumes, so going with something else ;).  I’m posting three reviews throughout the day today – all three of Erynn Mangum’s Lauren Holbrook series.    They’re not real in depth reviews but hopefully enough to get a sense of them.  Tomorrow, I’ll review her Maya Davis series – book 3 was a free influencer copy ;).

Miss Match – Erynn Mangum

From the Back Cover:

Lauren Holbrook has found her life’s calling: matchmaking for the romantically challenged. And with the eclectic cast of characters in her world, there’s tons of potential to play “connect the friends.” Inspired by the recent success of matching her sister and new husband, Lauren sets out to introduce Nick, her carefree singles’ pastor, to Ruby, her neurotic coworker who plans every second of every day. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything. When Lauren’s foolproof plan begins to unravel, she learns that a simple introduction between friends can bring about complicated results. And as she reconsiders her new role as Cupid (as well as her vow to stay single forever), will Lauren finally decide that God’s plan is always good enough?

What I Liked:

  • Lauren Holbrook – she’s sweet and funny and only cares about the happiness of those around her; she’s great at customer service [having worked fast food for years, I can appreciate an employee like her!]
  • Her cast of fellow employees and friends – I liked all of them from her quirky coworkers and best friend of a boss to Ryan to her sisters and their families – and her overprotective Dad of course :).
  • Ryan – her coworker’s brother and fake boyfriend – he’s a grounding force
  • Even the more difficult customers came around.  That’s always nice :).

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Nothing in particular

Overall:

Miss Match is a fun, easy read – a chick lit, rom com book.  Lauren is, overall, secure in her faith and that comes through.  Movie quotes are great, but Bible verses abound as well.  This was my first Erynn Mangum book but won’t be my last :).  8.5 out of 10 stars.

Watch for the other two Reviews later today :).

Reviews

What I Read… Whatever Day I Read It ;)

Current Facebook Status: has lots to do and still no motivation to do it. Where’s the chocolate?
Currently Playing in the Background: Castle from Monday night

I was going to post this last night but was distracted by a phone call [I’ll mention the topic later this week; let’s just say it was bad news and leave it at that for now].  That took up a fair bit of the rest of the evening so this is getting posted today.

Next week will be Erynn Mangum week!  I got my influencer’s copy of Double Shot so…  All six of Erynn’s books will be reviewed!  Wish I had like a giveaway or something to go with it but since I have like four readers*, and I know all of them, that would be kind of pointless anyway ;).  Maybe by this time next year!

Kingsbury Every Now and Then

This is the third [and final?] book in Kingsbury’s 9/11 series.  The first two are One Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday Morning.  Unlike the other two, this one takes place solely in California, about three or four years after book 2.

From the Back Cover:

Well, there’s nothing on this back cover either, so here’s the description from Zondervan’s website:

A wall went up around Alex Brady’s heart when his father, a New York firefighter, died in the Twin Towers. Turning his back on the only woman he ever loved, Alex shut out all the people who cared about him to concentrate on fighting crime. He and his trusty K9 partner, Bo, are determined to eliminate evil in the world and prevent tragedies like 9-11.

Then the worst fire season in California’s history erupts, and Alex faces the ultimate challenge to protect the community he serves. An environmental terrorist group is targeting the plush Oak Canyon Estates. At the risk of losing his job, and his soul, Alex is determined to infiltrate the group and put an end to their corruption. Only the friendship of Clay and Jamie Michaels—and the love of a dedicated young woman—can help Alex drop the walls around his heart and move forward into the future God has for him.

What I Liked:

  • I liked the characters.  That wasn’t my problem with the other two books.  I liked the characters but I thought the plot, especially in the first one, left something to be desired.
  • I love seeing Jamie and Clay and their family and what’s happened to them.  Same with Eric and Laura.
  • I enjoyed getting to know both Alex and Holly.
  • Bo.  I loved Bo.
  • I was glad to get away from the 9/11 stuff to an extent – that’s odd because I’m still enthralled with it.  I think it has more to do with this series than 9/11 itself.
  • Alex as a K-9 guy and his investigation.

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Nothing in particular in this one either.

Overall:

I think this is the best in the series.  I don’t know if she’s planning on more or not [I’m thinking not], but I think getting further away from the relative absurdity of the plot in the first one has helped quite a bit.  I like the characters and their lives, but not crazy about the plot of the first one so getting away from it – something like seven years removed at this point – has helped a lot.  Despite the rating, I probably won’t buy it just because it’s book 3 of a series and I’m more likely to just get it from the library.

8 out of 10

*To be fair, I’ve noticed a spike in hits recently – probably due to assorted website based discussions on the ACFW loop.  So if there’s more than four of you… YAY!
Reviews

What I’ve Read Wednesday, Volume 5

Current Facebook Status: feels all medicine head-y but hasn’t taken any medicine. Wonders if it’s allergies or the beginnings of a sinus infection :p.
Currently Playing the Background: getting ready to start tonight’s Survivor

Have I mentioned that I love Candace Calvert?  I am deeply saddened that her next book won’t be out for a while!  Three in a short time spoiled me!  The first two were already out when I started reading them and the third was nearly out.  You should check out her Facebook page.  She even tells you when she notices other favorite authors have free e-downloads ;).

By the way, currently Kindle has Brenda Warner’s First Things First is free.  So is Terri Blackstock’s Intervention and Tracie Peterson’s Dawn’s Prelude.

From the Back Cover:

Dr. Leigh Stathos likes her ER shifts fast, furious, and adrenaline-infused-“Treat ’em and street ’em”-with no emotional complications. Life’s taught her a soul-rending lesson: nothing lasts forever, including marriage. And the clock is ticking toward the end of hers. Then an unwelcome confrontation with “the other woman” begins a whole new set of lessons.

San Francisco police officer Nick Stathos never gives up, whether protecting his patrol neighborhood, holding fast to faith-or trying to save his marriage. Seven days is all he has to reach Leigh’s heart. But when a desperate act of violence slams Golden Gate Mercy Hospital into lockdown, it starts a chain of events that will change lives forever.

What I Liked:

  • Leigh and Nick Stathos – this book didn’t have a ‘will they, won’t they’ component to it for me.  I already knew whether Leigh and Nick would end up trying to fix their marriage.  Or I made an educated guess.  They have their faults.  Nick slept with another woman [this isn’t a spoiler; we learned it in Disaster Status].  He’s trying to make things right but he doesn’t completely cut contact with TOW.  He does have to have some contact with her in the course of work, but I think he probably should have been a bit clearer with her about her about the status of their relationship [or non-relationship] – I think a lot of people would have the same problem in that situation.  When the chips are down, though, I want Nick on my side.
  • Leigh wasn’t perfect either.  She had a hard time forgiving [though I don’t blame her for that].  She escaped to spend time with her horse more than she probably should have.
  • Riley.  She’s from Texas.  Something bad happened to her [I’m not entirely clear on what it was except it involved a flight of stairs so either a. I wasn’t paying close enough attention or b. we’re not supposed to really know what happened because Candace’s next series is set in Texas and Riley is going to go back to star in her own book – I’m going with b ;)]
  • Kristi and her kids – She’s just a mom trying to make a life for her kids.  She’s made some bad choices that she’s trying to make better.  She made some questionable choices while trying to make things better.  But overall she has the best interests of her kids at heart.
  • Cappy.  The hospital security guard who did his best to protect others.
  • Caroline – Leigh’s sister.  She’s got hard times behind her and is coming out stronger.  I’d like to see her move to Texas ;).
  • Antoinette and Harry.  So sweet.  ‘Forever and Ever.’
  • The wrap-up – at the end we got to see all three couples from the series together in one spot.  As much as I liked it though, I’d like more =D.  Me and my literary voyeurism!
  • There is a parrot ;).

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Sam – She’s the other woman intent on making Nick fall for her and her daughter.  She wants Nick to end his marriage to be with her.  I don’t think we were supposed to like her ;).
  • Kurt – Kristi’s ex.  But we’re not supposed to like him.  Unlike the ‘villain’ in Disaster Status, Kurt really is a bad guy.
  • This isn’t really a ‘dislike’ per se, but something I would have liked to see.  One of the symbols of their relationship is Leigh and Nick’s lack of dining room table.  As a reader, we know why Nick wants one and why Leigh doesn’t – what things happened to them that made them feel the way they did.  I would have liked to see them talk about it and come to some sort of compromise.
  • No Elmer Fudd or Jonah!  [Okay – Jonah made a cameo at the end but not nearly enough!]

Overall:

It’s not surprising that this is already on my bookshelf.  I thoroughly enjoyed Candace’s first two books [Reviews for them can be found under the Review tab].  I ordered this one since the library hadn’t.  They have now and I actually did get a copy of it from them last week.  I’ll be returning it for someone else to enjoy [didn’t realize I hadn’t canceled my request].  I am, however, saddened that it will be a while before there is another Calvert book out L.  I will have it ordered from Amazon before it’s released.

Edit: I’m squeeeeeeeeing because Julie Lessman posted on the Seekerville blog about hooks at the end of chapters [you know the ones that make you start the next chapter and then it’s 3am and you’ve finished the book].  She used one of Candace’s chapters from Critical Care. She asked people to post the ends of chapters so I posted the end of Chapter 3 and she loved it =D.  She also loved ‘literary voyeur’ ;).
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