Review: The Summer That Made Us by: Robyn Carr

Title: The Summer That Made Us
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

Mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins--they lived for summers at the lake house until a tragic accident changed everything. The Summer That Made Us is an unforgettable story about a family learning to accept the past, to forgive and to love each other again. 

That was then... For the Hempsteads, two sisters who married two brothers and had three daughters each, summers were idyllic. The women would escape the city the moment school was out to gather at the family house on Lake Waseka. The lake was a magical place, a haven where they were happy and carefree. All of their problems drifted away as the days passed in sun-dappled contentment. Until the summer that changed everything. This is now... After an accidental drowning turned the lake house into a site of tragedy and grief, it was closed up. For good. Torn apart, none of the Hempstead women speak of what happened that summer, and relationships between them are uneasy at best to hurtful at worst. But in the face of new challenges, one woman is determined to draw her family together again, and the only way that can happen is to return to the lake and face the truth. 

Robyn Carr has crafted a beautifully woven story about the complexities of family dynamics and the value of strong female relationships. 

My Thoughts: 

This book weaves the story of sisters and cousins, mothers and daughters and is told with Robyn Carr's incredible brilliance to weave a wonderful story together of secrets and healing.  The Hempstead sisters Lou and Jo have married brothers Carl and Roy and spend their summers with their daughters at the Lake House which has been in their family for a very long time.  At the lake house things were carefree and fun.  When one summer everything changes and it's sister against sister.  No one goes to the Lake house now.

Meg has decided that she wants to open up the Lake house and Charly her sister will do anything even if it means upsetting their mother Lou.  No one has been to the Lake House since their sister Bunny died.  Meg is determined to fix her family as no one knows if her Cancer is gone or going to get worse.

Jo is unwilling to go to the Lake House unless Lou gives her the okay.  They were at odds with each other over some secrets from summers long past. Krista is the first to arrive and she has dealt with her own issues after just getting out of jail.  

Charly has the Lake House open and is learning more about what Krista has been up to.  In Charly's own way she helps Krista make a way for herself.  Charly having lost her job and at a cross roads with her boyfriend Michael who wants to marry her but Charly is scared of what no one really knows. 

Hope Krista's sister is living in some fantasy world that her family life is perfect that she is still married and has her girls with her and living a lie instead of facing reality.  Which gets more and more troubling as the book progresses.  

Beverly Krista's other sister was devistated over Bunny's death ended up living with a foster family as her own family was a bad train wreck.  

But these women come together to piece together their lives and reconnect with their families.  This was such a good book I couldn't put down it was captivating and pulled me in until I closed the book it was a great story and written with a style only Robyn Carr can produce.  Can't wait to see what she writes next!

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Review: Invision by: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: Invision
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Matin's
Series: Chronicles of Nick #7
Pages: 385
Forma: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Think your life is complicated and confusing? Nick Gautier was born to bring about the end of the world…It’s not easy being the heir of a demon overlord.

But Nick is determined to thwart his destiny and get into a good college. To be more than his genetics and prophecy foretell. No one is ever going to tell this stubborn Cajun who and what he really is. Or how to live his life.

Not even the Fates of the Universe. But now that he and his team of ancient gods and demons have claimed the Eye of Ananke and he sees the missteps of the future, he has to battle the demons within that are far deadlier and more treacherous than any he’s battled before. All the while his arch nemesis is back and determined to reclaim his place as the harbinger for Armageddon. Even if it means killing Nick and barbecuing everyone he loves to do so.

My Thoughts:

Nick's life is just sucking more and more.  Something is making Nick sick and some of Nick's generals are missing.  Caleb, Nick and Kody have to figure out what is going on even if it means involving Caleb's father. 

Nick gets dragged into the future to find Ambrose which proves useless.  Instead they find Nick's daughter and learn about his son killing him at some point. This book dragged you all over the place.  I really feel bad for Nick and his friends in a way.  They can't seem to catch a break no matter what they do.  But I have really found myself falling for this series in a great way.  The humor, the friendships if you can call them that and Nick's future and where it is headed.  This one left it on such a cliffhanger I really want to know what is next!

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Review: Never Too Late by: Robyn Carr

Title: Never Too Late
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 328
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr examines the lives of three sisters as they step beyond the roles of wife, mother, daughter and discover the importance of being a woman first 

Clare Wilson is starting over. She's had it with her marriage to a charming serial cheater. Even her own son thinks she's given his father too many chances. With the support of her sisters, Maggie and Sarah, she's ready to move on. Facing her fortieth birthday, Clare is finally feeling the rush of unadulterated freedom. 

But when a near-fatal car accident lands Clare in the hospital, her life takes another detour. While recovering, Clare realizes she has the power to choose her life's path. The wonderful younger police officer who witnessed her crash is over the moon for her. A man from her past stirs up long-buried feelings. Even her ex is pining for her. With enthusiasm and a little envy, her sisters watch her bloom. 

Together, the sisters encourage each other to seek what they need to be happy. Along the way they all learn that it's never too late to begin again. 

My Thoughts: 

Clare has caught her husband in the act one too many times and has decided to move on with her life.  After confronting her husband and getting pulled over by Officer Sam for speeding she winds up in a horrible car accident.  Which thankfully she recovers from.  Clare is more adamant then ever to move on with her life and figure out what she wants besides a physical therapist whom Clare refers to as Physical Terrorist.

First thing Clare does is get her house from her estranged husband and file for divorce.  Next she decides to work as a substitute teacher little does she know her soon to be ex was in bed with the new principal right before the accident!

There is also Peter who is a old friend of Clare's and she had an affair with him while she was engaged to his brother Mike.  Clare and Pete have been punishing themselves for years about it.  Can they move past it and become friends or will it turn into something more?

Robyn Carr never disappoints she pulls you in and won't let go until the story is told.  This story was fabulous like always.  She has such real characters and real issues they have to over come to get what they want in life.  This one is true to form and is definitely a great beach read.  Of course I read it inside too hot out lately!

Such another fabulous book by Robyn Carr even her stand alones are just as great as her series books.  Can't wait to see what is next for Robyn Carr!

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Review: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by: Ally Cartee

Title: I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You
Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Series: Gallagher Girls #1
Pages: 284
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Description:

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her? 

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love. 

My Thoughts:

This book Cammie Morgan brings you into her world of the Gallagher Girls Academy which is just a fancy name for Spy Academy.  Cammie lives at the Academy with her mother whose the headmistress.  While out on assignment classes she meets Josh a normal teenage boy who seems to be taken in by Cammie and the girls begin a dossier on the boy to find out what he's up to!  This leads to all sorts of sticky situations for Cammie and the other girls.  Will they get in over there head and not be able to spy another day?

This was such a great adventure it's like James Bond in high school.  The girls do their spy stuff with time to also study Josh and find out his agenda the more they look into it the more Cammie falls for Josh.  It's a story that pulls you in and before you know it the book is over.  

I think anyone who likes James Bond or Charlie's Angels will find they are riveted to this series!  I got this from the library with the other books so I can just jump into the next one!  Definitely found this a better way to go when you can keep reading along the series without having to get the next book!

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Review: A Deadly Éclair by: Daryl Wood Gerber

Title: A Deadly Éclair
Author: Daryl Wood Gerber
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Series: A French Bistro Mystery #1
Pages: 340
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley & GEBT

Description:

It's always been Mimi Rousseau's dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she's been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband's tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she's able to pay it off and call it her own, Mimi is throwing the inn's first wedding ever. 

The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan's half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners' dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an eclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan's will. 

Now it's up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Eclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Mimi Rousseau who is running a business with the help of Bryan Baker who is the guy who took a chance on Mimi.  Soon murder strikes in Bryan winds up dead with and eclair in his mouth who killed Mimi's mentor and why?  Whoever it is the blame is quick to blame Mimi.  Will Mimi figure it out in time?

This was a great new series which leads us to another food cozy mystery.  This one a french bistro where Mimi is doing what she loves most running a bistro.  When murder strikes Mimi has to figure it out who the murderer is or she could be in more trouble than she bargains for which is great for a new mystery not so great for Mimi.  I love reading how Mimi clears her name.  I can't wait to see what Ms. Gerber gives us next.  Definitely a great new author to check out.

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Review: The Rising by: Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Rising
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Darkness Rising #3
Pages: 406
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

The race for survival comes to a thrilling conclusion in the heart-stopping finale to the Darkness Rising trilogy, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control. But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

With all the twists, thrills, and romance that have made Kelley Armstrong an international bestseller, plus the surprising return of some fan-favorite characters, The Rising will hold you under its spell long after its breathtaking end.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Maya and her friends as they try to figure out what to do now.  They have a name and number of someone to contact in hopes to get help or answers and they stumble on the old gang of misfits The Darkest Powers group.  Of course Maya and her friends are the only who have found them the St. Cloud's have found them and are determined to catch everyone even if they have to kill them to get them.  Maya is also having trouble with having a brother and her biological father around.  Will they ever be free?

There was so much going  on in this book it was incredible I loved seeing Chloe, Derek, Simon, Tori and company!  It was great watching them work together to try to figure out what is next.  It also showed that Chloe really wants to stop running they are tired of it.  Maya certainly understands that. 

It also wrapped up really well in the end and was a great adventure to be on.  Glad to see where it went from where it began!

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Review: The Calling by: Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Calling
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Darkness Rising #2
Pages: 326
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is - a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

My Thoughts: 

Maya and her friends are on the run.  They are running from everything they've known and more specifically adults who won't them for something not sure what!  They are going through so much in this book finding out they've been listed as dead running from everyone who is out to get them various friends getting hit with tranq guns just adds to the adventure!

I love this series it's just as good as the Darkest Powers series it pulls you in and won't let go I kept reading until the book was complete and wondering what those kids would do next!  Such a fabulous page turner!

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Review: The Gathering by: Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Gathering
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Darkness Rising #1
Pages: 359
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel...different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Maya, Daniel, Nicole, Sam, Hayley, Rafe, Annie and Corey along with their friends and family who live in a secluded town of Salmon Creek on Vancouver Island.  In the beginning we see an interaction with Maya and her best friend Serena who meets a horrible demise.  Ruled an accident but both Maya and Daniel have trouble buying it what really happened to their friend and why?

Maya is also excited to get her birthmark darkened in a paw print.  That leads to lots of issues at the tattoo parlor as the woman's grandmother informs Maya and her mother what the tattoo represents.  A Skin walker which is apparently what Maya is.

There is also someone new in town Mina Lee under the guise of being a reporter but secretly digging into the town and teenagers to find out as much as she can before she finds out anything she winds up dead.  What did she want and why so interested in these kids?

I love Kelley Armstrong some of the things she write I could never think of she has such a vivid imagination when it comes to The Darkest Powers or Darkness Rising series.  I always find myself feeling like I'm right there with the characters experiencing what they are going through and loving every minute of it!

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Review: Instinct by: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: Instinct
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Martin's
Series: Chronicles of Nick #6
Pages: 480
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Zombies, demons, vampires, shapeshifters— another day in the life of Nick Gautier– and those are just his friends. But now that he’s accepted the demon that lives inside him, he must learn to control it and temper the very emotions that threaten the lives of everyone he cares for. Something that’s hard to do while trying to stay off the menus of those who want his head on a platter. And no one wants him more than the dark gods who created his race. Now that they know where he is, they will stop at nothing to reclaim him. And without knowing it, Nick has just embraced the one person he should never have trusted. The one person who will hand him over to his enemies to get back the life they lost.

Nick has finally accepted his fate, now he must learn to defy his destiny, and the dark, deadly forces that will stop at nothing to destroy everyone he loves so that they can again return to the world of man and own it.

My Thoughts: 

Nick's days keep getting better after closing the gate he finds that both his mother and Caleb are unconcious and things are attacking looking for Nick and Caleb.  Caleb finds he has to team up with other people he's recently freed to declare himself the Malachi and pick his generals but one of his people are working against him.  Will he figure it out in time?  Or will our smart mouthed Cajun find his time is run out?

I love Nick he's funny his friends and family are great and Nick relies on what he knows.  Which is that those he trusts he really trusts and until someone wrongs him he will trust his new allies.  We learn a lot about the new people in Nick's life their back story and even more about Caleb, Simi and Kody!  This book pulls you in until the last page is turned and you see how Nick's adventure plays out!

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Review: Illusion by: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: Illusion
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Series: Chronicles of Nick #5
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Be careful what you wish for…

You just might get it.

Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.

But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.

Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.

Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.

My Thoughts:

Nick's days just get better now that his powers have been binded Nick finds himself waking up in an alternate world where his mom has married Bubba, Caleb and Nick are scrawny geeks.  Add to the fact Nick has no powers at all.  What happened to Nick and why?

Nick has so much to do in this book he needs to get his spirit back into his body.  Find out who tried to kill him this time, and escape with his life.  Can he do it in time?  Just another day in the life of Nick or is it?

This book had so much crap going on.  Nick being in a new universe where Nick's parents are married.  His father is Bubba.  Not everyone is what they seem will Nick get through it only time will tell!

I love this series and the way Ms. Kenyon gets through it all with Nick.  She has really hit on a great series with The Chronicles of Nick it really pulls you in and won't let you go until you close the last page.  I'm addicted to this wonderful adventure!

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