Welcome Home,Cowboy(Hero's Welcome, #2)

☆☆☆☆☆

welcome home, cowboy

Hero's Welcome,#2
 annie rains.

Publisher  Loveswept.

Publication Date: April 26,2016.

Genre: Contemporary Romance.

Format|Pages: EBook|261.

 Source:  Goodreads|Bought.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

After a bad breakup leaves Julie Chandler completely devastated, she comes to Seaside seeking a fresh start. A talented, compassionate yoga teacher, she has developed a program to help alleviate the effects of PTSD, but getting a bunch of bullheaded Marines into downward facing dog might be impossible. So Julie’s shocked when one of her first students dives in headfirst—and almost tempts her to take down her walls with his easy smile and electrifying touch.



Ever since Texas cowboy turned Marine pilot Lawson Phillips lost a crew member in a helicopter accident, he hasn’t been able to fly. When a psychologist orders him to attend, of all things, a yoga class, Lawson’s outraged—until he finds out Julie is the instructor. She’s beautiful, graceful, and completely guarded when it comes to his advances, but he’s determined to find out what makes her tick. Because underneath Julie’s hard shell is a woman Lawson knows he could fall for—and he’s not ready for the ride to end. 

 ☂

A heartwarming, incredible story about love, and new beginnings.




WELCOME HOME, COWBOY was an unforgettable story, and even as I finished the book, I thought about it for a while after. I wondered, what would happen to Lawson and Julie after? I loved the two of them together, I was rooting from them from start, the moment that the two of them met one another. I read the first book, WELCOME TO FOREVER with a good friend of mine for buddy read. I fell in love with the story, the plot instantly. I been eager to pick up the next book in Hero’s Welcome Series ever since, and moment I picked up WELCOME HOME, COWBOY the only thing that I regret, is that I didn’t read it before now. I already know that Hero’s Welcome is going be a series that I am going fall in love with, I think that I already am.



I loved WELCOME TO FOREVER , But once I started reading WELCOME HOME, COWBOY I found myself loving the book a bit more than the first book in the series. I fell in love with Julie and Lawson. I loved Lawson since he was introduced in the first book, and I was curious about Julie and what happened to her, to come back home. Like Lawson, I wanted to give her ex a piece of my mind myself, she didn’t deserve what he had put her through. Lawson, how can you not love him? Despite his issues, his fears about flying, He’s the type of guy that every girl dreams of. I wish he didn’t push away Julie when he did, but at the same time I understood why he did. He’s lucky that Julie loved him so much, that she forgave him. Of course I couldn’t help but smile. How could I not? Julie deserved someone who loved her for who she was, and did not try to control. Lawson too, he deserved someone who be there for him, no matter what. Lawson and Julie, they belonged together.



The story, characters and the plot weren’t only what pulled into story. Did you see the cover? It’s stunning. Just looking at the picture will make you smile. Even if you didn’t know what story is about, cover will want you to find out what it is about. I am already eager to see what is in store for new couple in this heartwarming series. I only read two books by this author, and I am in love. I can’t get enough.



Magnificent from start to end.

The Mountain Between Us.

☆☆☆☆☆

the mountain between us.

charles martin.

Publisher Broadway Books.

Publication Date: June 1,2010

Genre:  Cotemporary Romance|Adventure

Format|Pages: Paperback|336

      Source:  Goodreads|Bought.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

When a blizzard strands them in Salt Lake City, two strangers agree to charter a plane together, hoping to return home; Ben Payne is a gifted surgeon returning from a conference, and Ashley Knox, a magazine writer, is en route to her wedding. But when unthinkable tragedy strikes, the pair find themselves stranded in Utah's most remote wilderness in the dead of winter, badly injured and miles from civilization. Without food or shelter, and only Ben's mountain climbing gear to protect themselves, Ashley and Ben's chances for survival look bleak, but their reliance on each other sparks an immediate connection, which soon evolves into something more.



Days in the mountains become weeks, as their hope for rescue dwindles. How will they make it out of the wilderness and if they do, how will this experience change them forever? 

 ☂

Remarkable, Heart aching, beautifully written novel.



How did I not read this book earlier? I saw a movie trailer for THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US but I wasn’t aware that it was based off a book. Now that I have read the book, I am eager to see the movie. I can’t remember last time I read a such emotional book. I enjoy reading stories about survival, adventure. I can’t remember last time that I read a book about survival that was as intense, as THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US . Every page, every page I was on the edge of the seat, wondering if Ben and Ashley would get rescued or if the two of them would end up dying out there. I don’t know how the two of them managed to survive, as long as they had, if it were me, I don’t think I would lasted that long, especially not with the injuries that Ashley had. I believe that both Ashley and Ben are two of most bravest people I read about. Everything that they had to face, and Ben could left her but he stayed by her side, refusing to leave her. I feel if It was anyone else, they would given up after few weeks. To me, that’s brave.



You could tell that there was a connection, between Ben and Ashley even before crash. When the two of them met at the airport. Also there was a fact that he invited her to charter a plane with him, despite that he barely knew her at time. Ben was always by her side, taking care of her and not once did he gave up. Ashley told him to leave her, so he could her. But he didn’t. I had a feeling that there was some sort feelings between him and Ashley, but I also know that he loved his wife, Rachel. His feelings was bit conflicted because of that, but I knew they were there. I could tell by way he was with her, and how he took care of her, how he looked at her. But also those recordings he made for Rachel, how he talked to her. He loved her. I felt as I could hear his voice as he did his recordings. I kind of hope he worked out whatever problems he had with her.



I did not see the ending coming. I was in shock. I think I found myself re-reading couple times just to make sure that I read it right. What a way to put a twist into a story. That’s what makes a great story, because even you as reader don’t see it coming. THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US, was the first book that I read by CHARLES MARTIN and after such breathtaking story, I cannot wait to read his other works. I wish that I could give this book more than five stars, because that’s what it deserves. One of my favorites.

The Girl With The Red Balloon((The Balloonmakers, #1)

☆☆☆☆☆

the girl with the red balloon.

The  Balloonmakers,#1

katherine locke.

Publisher  Albert Whitman Company.

Publication Date: September 1,2017.

Genre: YA Fantasy|Romance.

Format|Pages: Paperback|256.

 Source:  Goodreads|Bought.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

When sixteen-year-old Ellie Baum accidentally time-travels via red balloon to 1988 East Berlin, she’s caught up in a conspiracy of history and magic. She meets members of an underground guild in East Berlin who use balloons and magic to help people escape over the Wall—but even to the balloon makers, Ellie’s time travel is a mystery.



When it becomes clear that someone is using dark magic to change history, Ellie must risk everything—including her only way home—to stop the process. 

 ☂

A magical, emotional, thrilling ride.



I love novels with historical fiction, time travel themes. Those are the types of stories that capture my attention fast. THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON had both of those, historical and time travel put together, and maybe that’s what made it more realistic than other time travel novels that I have read before. THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON I was hooked from first sentence. Time travel by balloon? How can you not wonder how is that even possible? That is what made the story different from other time travel books, it was unique. I love the idea of time traveling, by balloon and not just any balloon, a red balloon which happens to be one of my favorite colors. For while, I wondered how they managed to accomplish that. Like everyone else, I wondered how Ellie ended up one getting the balloon. If it was actually an accident. When passengers started showing up dead, my curiosity turned to suspicion, I had a feeling that something wasn’t right.



I loved reading from different point of views. Ellie, Kai and Ellie’s grandfather, Benna and the different years. It felt as I was reading two different stories, going back into time. There were parts that were emotional, hard to read in this book. I teared up few times during this book. I can’t even imagine how it must been for Ellie, to be so far away from home and at first barely know any German, being in completely different time. I would been terrified. I am pretty sure that Ellie was also, and having Kai and Mitzi helped her get adjusted to it. I think it was a bit easier to have someone there. It was not long before I could see the attraction between Ellie and Kai, the way he cared her, and looked at her even if he barely knew her. There might been something there from moment that the two of them met. I can’t imagine how it must been for him to have say goodbye at her towards the end. You meet someone from another time, fall in love. How can you say goodbye? I know that I wouldn’t be able to. That would be heartbreaking.




That ending. It made my heart break for both Kai and Ellie. I was thinking about once I reached the end, and there was a part of me that wished there were more pages. I couldn’t help but wonder, what’s next? I wanted to find out what happens once she got back home, if she would remember and if Kai and Ellie would see each other again. THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON was the first book that I read by KATHERINE LOCKE and I was lucky to have met her at signing. I was blown away by this novel. I think it might be my favorite time travel book. I am already eager to see what other adventures she comes up with next. You will be on edge of your seat until the end.

The Victoria In My Head.

☆☆☆☆☆

the Victoria in my head.

janelle milanes.

Publisher Simon Pulse.

Publication Date: September 19,2017

Genre:  YA Contemporary Romance.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|400.

      Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Victoria Cruz inhabits two worlds: In one, she is a rock star, thrashing the stage with her husky voice and purple-streaked hair. In the other, currently serving as her reality, Victoria is a shy teenager with overprotective Cuban parents, who sleepwalks through her life at the prestigious Evanston Academy. Unable to overcome the whole paralyzing-stage-fright thing, Victoria settles for living inside her fantasies, where nothing can go wrong and everything is set to her expertly crafted music playlists.



But after a chance encounter with an unattainably gorgeous boy named Strand, whose band seeks a lead singer, Victoria is tempted to turn her fevered daydreams into reality. To do that, she must confront her insecurities and break away from the treadmill that is her life. Suddenly, Victoria is faced with the choice of staying on the path she’s always known and straying off-course to find love, adventure, and danger. 

☂

It wasn’t hard not to fall in love with this book. The characters, mostly Victoria made you feel attached, a feeling that you were besides them. After the first chapter, I had a good feeling about THE VICTORIA IN MY HEAD , I knew that it would end up a book that I was going to love. I just didn’t realize how much I was going to love it. There was parts of me that couldn’t believe that it was her debut novel. I think that it became one of my favorite books of 2017. I am still thinking about it, even though I finished it last night. Not only was the story was beautiful, take a look at the cover, how can you not want pick up a book like this? Actually that was the first what captured my attention was the stunning cover, and of course the title. I couldn’t help but get curious about it. Once I found that it was about music, I knew that I had read it. I am happy that I did, I just wish that I read it sooner than I had.



Levi, I felt as if that was a bad choice to begin with. There was no real connection between two of them. I know that Levi liked her, at least at first but he probably sensed that she might not feel the same about him. I think that the two of them should broken up, way before they did. Of course that didn’t give him excuse to treat her way he did. Half of time he acted as if he didn’t even care. I do feel that Victoria shouldn’t agree to date to begin with, if she was not interested in him, that is why it did not work. There was no connection, no attraction between two of them. Strand on other, he was the one that she belonged right from start. I felt as there was some sort of attraction between two of them, from moment that two of them met in hallway. Plus he treated like she should have been by Levi, respected her, listened to her and top of it, her parents loved him. If your parents love a guy that is always a good sign. All through the book, I hoped she would come senses and come realized that it was Strand she wanted to be with. Even Annie realized it before her.



Besides Victoria, Annie was one of my favorite characters. I love how she was always there for Victoria. I think if it wasn’t for Annie for sending that tape, she wouldn’t end up in band, because she wouldn’t get enough courage to do it on her own. Annie gave her the push that she needed. I just wish that her parents were more understanding, at least a bit more understanding. At same time why they reacted way they had, especially when they saw the change in Victoria. Like her parents, I saw a signfigant change in Victoria but in good way. I am still curious what happened to everyone after, did their band get back together? I couldn’t help but get inside Victoria’s head as I read THE VICTORIA IN MY HEAD .



An incredible journey.

Tumbling.

☆☆☆☆☆

tumbling.

caela carter.

Publisher Viking Books.

Publication Date: June 7,2016.

Genre:  YA Contemporary|Sports.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|432..

      Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Five gymnasts. One goal.

Grace lives and breathes gymnastics—but no matter how hard she pushes herself, she can never be perfect enough.



Leigh, Grace’s best friend, has it all: a gymnastics career, a normal high-school life…and a secret that could ruin everything.



Camille wants to please her mom, wants to please her boyfriend, and most of all, wants to walk away.



Wilhelmina was denied her Olympic dream four years ago, and she won’t let anything stop her again. No matter what.



Monica is terrified. Nobody believes in her—and why should they?



By the end of the two days of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, some of these girls will be stars. Some will be going home with nothing. And all will have their lives changed forever. 

☂

I love gymnastics, well I love anything do with gymnastics, considering I am not good at it, I tried it when was younger. I watched gymnastics Olympics and even saw trials ones. Gabby Douglas she’s my favorite gymnast. I had read few non-fiction books about gymnastics in past. TUMBLING was the first fiction book I read about gymnastics, especially about gymnastic trials. I have read CAELA CARTER book last year and when I found out that it was about gymnastics, I knew that I had to read it. Not long into the book, I had a feeling that I was going to fall in love with it. I did. TUMBLING had a lot of going one with these 5 Gymnast, there were a lot of tension, anxiety and sometimes, hate. Considering that it was Olympics trials how could there could be no drama? I know some about gymnastics from reading the books, and watching Olympics and I could picture each girl in my mind as they did they routine. It was an amazing feeling, because I had that feeling that I was there along with Grace, Leigh, Camille, Wilhelmia and Monica.



I loved reading from each girl’s point of view. That made it all seem more real. Each girl, I could feel their thought and found myself feeling their anxiety, excitement, fear when they went through gymnastics Olympics trials. Then felt their disappointment when they didn’t do as well as they wanted to. When I saw their standings scores after each rotation, I found myself rooting for them. However, it was hard for me to pick up who I should be rooting for, mostly because I liked them all. Grace, Leigh, Camille, Wilhelmia and Monica were all unique in their own way. In beginning, I wanted Grace to make it, seeing how she was one of people who wanted this, and how she had deal with her father’s constant critique. Afterwards I was between Leigh and Monica. I did not like how Leigh and Grace made fun of Monica, or how Grace treated Monica, I think it was because she was jealous about attention that her father giving her. The attention he wasn’t giving her. There seemed a lot hate going on there, but guess that’s not that surprising.



I tried to like Grace’s father, I couldn’t. Even towards the ending. I didn’t like how he treated her, or the way he seemed to have over her life. How gymnastics is all she could think about. No distractions. I felt like he didn’t want for her to have a normal life, even outside gymnastics. There was also Bobby, I had a feeling that it couldn’t be anything good with him showing up at her trials, I knew that he was up to something. I guess I can’t blame him completely how he tried for her to quit gymnastics, but mostly I didn’t like how he tried to do it. TUMBLING was everything I enjoy watching, reading about gymnastics. I didn’t know much about process of gymnastic Olympic trials but once I read TUMBLING I felt like I knew about it, and gymnastics in general then I knew prior to reading it. I loved about each girl’s journey, I laughed, I cried, I hoped along with them. I know that book is fictional but to me it wasn’t. I felt as each of those girls became my friends.




A must read book for sports, gymnastics fans.

Windfall.

☆☆☆☆☆

windfall.

jennifer e. smith.

Publisher Delacorte Press.

Publication Date: May 2,2017.

Genre:  YA Contemporary Romance.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|416.

      Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Let luck find you.

Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.



At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.



As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined…and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect 

☂

Another beautifully written, heartwarming story by JENNIFER E. SMITH .

First, isn’t cover beautiful? I know that if I haven’t read the author before, that would be one of first things that would catch my attention. Title as well, WINDFALL , think about it, can you see yourself not be curious about the title, wondering if there is a reason behind the title. WINDFALL deals with winning lottery, friendship with romance in mix. I had always loved titles for JENNIFER E. SMITH books, to me they were always eye catching, with a reason behind it. At least that’s the feeling I got through years that I had read her books. I wasn’t aware that she came out with new book until I was at library and came across it. I was excited to read it. I started reading her books in 2012, and there hasn’t been a book of hers that I didn’t end up falling in love with. WINDFALL wasn’t any different, it didn’t take long before I was hooked, craving the next chapter and the next.

When I read summary, I wonder how things would change between Teddy and Alice after he won 140 million, considering that Alice was the one who bought the winning ticket, as a gift. It could been her. I can’t even begin to imagine to have that much money, or what to do with it. I do know I would want use part of it, to help a charity, to help someone in need. Not long after he won the money, I saw a change in Teddy, in his behavior. I think that the money got into his head. Considering how him and his mom lived before the winnings, I can’t say that I blame him. I was hoping that at some point he would possibly put some aside for college, just like his mom wanted. I was proud of him when he didn’t give to his dad when he asked to lend him some money. I thought something was fishy him coming into town after Teddy won, and like Alice I was suspicious about his intentions. My heart broke for Teddy when the truth came out.

I liked the fact that most of the book wasn’t based on relationship. It took time for Teddy and Alice grow closer, and eventually form a relationship. That felt realistic to me. I knew there was something between two of them and not only from Alice’s side. The way that Teddy kept offering part of money, went to visit college with her. Plus he admitted that he didn’t want her that far away. He wouldn’t admit it in beginning but there was something there, that went beyond friendship. You can imagine how happy I was when he finally confessed those feelings to Alice. I been wanting them get together since the kiss they shared, after Teddy won the lottery. Besides Teddy and Alice, Leo was my favorite character, you can’t help but love him. I loved how he was always there for her when she needed him, always supported her and listened to her. That’s a friendship that will last a lifetime.

I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t seem to stop wondering about what would happen to them after. Most of her books seemed to have that effect on me, where I am thinking about story afterwards. I have feeling that WINDFALL will end up one of those books that I will end up reading multiple times. I would recommend this book to others, especially if you love YA Contemporary romance.

Margot.

☆☆☆☆☆

margot.

jillian cantor.

Publisher Riverhead Books.

Publication Date: September 3,2013.

Genre:  Historical  Fiction.

Format|Pages: Paperback|338.

      Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Anne Frank has long been a symbol of bravery and hope, but there were two sisters hidden in the annex, two young Jewish girls, one a cultural icon made famous by her published diary and the other, nearly forgotten.

In the spring of 1959, The Diary of Anne Frank has just come to the silver screen to great acclaim, and a young woman named Margie Franklin is working in Philadelphia as a secretary at a Jewish law firm. On the surface she lives a quiet life, but Margie has a secret: a life she once lived, a past and a religion she has denied, and a family and a country she left behind.



Margie Franklin is really Margot Frank, older sister of Anne, who did not die in Bergen-Belsen as reported, but who instead escaped the Nazis for America. But now, as her sister becomes a global icon, Margie’s carefully constructed American life begins to fall apart. A new relationship threatens to overtake the young love that sustained her during the war, and her past and present begin to collide. Margie is forced to come to terms with Margot, with the people she loved, and with a life swept up into the course of history 

☂

I remember reading The Diary Of Anne Frank in my English class when I was in high school, and even though a tough subject, I loved the book. I remember that I even ended up re-reading the novel couple more times. I did, however always wondered about her older sister, Margot, I couldn’t help but not to. When I came across MARGOT and realized that book was about Anne’s sister, Margot if she had survived, I was curious. I couldn’t help but let the curiosity get the best of me. Once I started reading the book, I was drawn into the story within the first few sentence. There were still a small part of me that felt that she did not escape, she was still hiding. Her name, her religion. I could imagine what would happen if she were discovered, if her real name was discovered. I can understand why she went under different name and why she hid, considering what she went through. I can’t even begin to imagine how it must been to go through what she went through. To have those memories come surface back especially after Diary Of Anne Frank came to the big screen. I wondered if the truth was discovered, and what Joshua and Shelby would think.



I could tell from beginning, there was a special connection between Margot and Joshua, that went beyond her being his secretary. Fact, how much he trusted her with this secret case, and it was as if he knew, that she would help him. I knew that Margie would do anything that Joshua would ask her, I had this feeling that she didn’t have it in her to say no to him, even if she wanted to. In the end, she still ended up helping her. I know that Joshua liked Margie, more than a friend, mostly by way he was always smiling at her, and how upset he got when one client wanted meet her for coffee, he was protective over her. There was more to his feelings then he was willing to admit because he didn’t think that she was Jewish. I think that even Shelby noticed, that there might be something between two of them. I was hoping that at least Joshua would find out the truth about her. So he could finally admit his feelings about her. Margie deserved happiness.



I loved the memories that Margie had about her and Anne, and Peter. There is part of me that was curious, if it happened or not. Considering that Margot’s diary was never recovered. MARGOT Was a heartbreaking story, a story that will stay with you long after you finish the last page and have you asking What happened after? at least that is the thought that ran through my head. Despite a hard subject, a beautifully written book. If you loved Diary Of Anne Frank and curious about her older sister, MARGOT Is a book you will fall in love with.

Gem & Dixie.

☆☆☆☆☆

gem &dixie.

sara zarr.

Publisher Balzer+Bray.

Publication Date: April 4,2017.

Genre:  YA Contemporary.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|288.

      Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Gem has never known what it is to have security. She’s never known an adult she can truly rely on. But the one constant in her life has been Dixie. Gem grew up taking care of her sister when no one else could: not their mother, whose issues make it hard for her to keep food on the table, and definitely not their father, whose intermittent presence is the only thing worse than his frequent absence. Even as Gem and Dixie have grown apart, they’ve always had each other.



When their dad returns home for the first time in years and tries to insert himself back into their lives, Gem finds herself with an unexpected opportunity: three days with Dixie—on their own in Seattle and beyond. But this short trip soon becomes something more, as Gem discovers that that to save herself, she may have to sever the one bond she’s tried so hard to keep. 

☂

There is something about her books. SARA ZARR has a way to make readers fall in love with her story more, by each new book she writes. At least, from my experience. Just when I think that her novels can’t get any better, I am proven wrong. There hasn’t been a single book of hers that I read, that I didn’t love. It wasn’t any different for GEM & DIXIE first I love the title and the cover. I feel like a title alone and the cover would attract any reader’s attention. By looking at those girls laying there, you can’t help but wonder about them, wonder what they are thinking about. I feel like the cover itself tells a bit of story about Gem and Dixie.



I love stories about family relationships. GEM & DIXIE was just about that, but mostly it dealt with sisters, family drama. Two of them were so different, at least when it came to their parents. I feel that Dixie was wrapped around her father’s finger, the way she still managed to think best of him. Even after they found all that money. Nobody could have that much money and not be in trouble, especially considering how he was demanding the money once he realized that they had it. I had a feeling that him coming, couldn’t be good, that he came because he needed something. When Gem & Dixie found the money, it all made sense. He needed somewhere to hide the money. Dixie still believed that both her parents changed, Gem didn’t. She knew that they wouldn’t.



I haven’t read SARA ZARR book in few years. Minute that I started to read GEM & DIXIE I remembered why she became one of my favorite authors. Despite, what Gem & Dixie had go through and all the fights, I think getting away for a while from their mom is what they needed. I think is what Gem needed most of all, to realize that she needed to get away, to get help. I was glad that she was finally be able to escape. GEM & DIXIE was a beautiful, hear aching about family, loss, choices and the true meaning of family. I still can’t get the story out of my mind. Another masterpiece by SARA ZARR