UNTIL THE END OF TIME ~ DANIELLE STEEL

I keep saying I am not going to read any more of her books and yet, since I grew up reading her books, so I always tend to fall back and read another one.

This one was not one of her books that I enjoyed as much as some of the others. I thought the style of the book was just okay, but there were 2 storylines that intersected at the end and it was a bit of a surprise, but when the first story ended and the second one began, I found the book very confusing.

Bill and Jenny go from being a power couple in NYC to Bill being a minister and Jenny being a minister's wife. Tragedy strikes. Fast forward to the second story of Robert and Lillibet. Robert is a NYC book publisher that accidentally finds Lillibet's manuscript in a pile waiting to be sent back with thanks but no thanks letters. He sees it is wrapped in an apron. After reading the book Robert falls in love with it and goes to find the author, who happens to be an Amish girl, Lillibet.

Once again, does tragedy strike or can it be averted? Can two souls find each other in the afterlife? Is there such a thing as star crossed lovers?

3 stars

COVER REVEAL

Title: If Forever Comes (Take This Regret #2)
Author: A.L Jackson
Expected Release Date: September 12, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover reveal organized by: Shh Moms Reading
Goodreads:



Synopsis

If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling Regret Series (Lost to You and Take This Regret).

Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.

Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.

But life is never easy.

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.

Teaser

I stood in the hush of the darkened room, the long drapes pushed to the side as I leaned with one hand pressed to the wall just at the side of the window. I stared out, watching as winter pressed down on the city. Snowflakes fluttered toward the ground as they were set free from the inky sky. Through the haze, lights glimmered, and far below, the city was still alive even though night had grown late.

My past seemed to echo from the streets, the memories so thick they almost seemed alive.

I looked over my shoulder and let my eyes wander over the one who inhabited them all.

Elizabeth lay facing me, twisted just to the side, her blonde hair spread out over the pillow where she rested her head. Her chest lifted and fell in a slow cadence, her soft breaths released into the air.

The deepest kind of devotion quickened my heart and pumped fiercely through my veins.

Sometimes it was hard to believe we’d come this far, that this beautiful girl lying across the room from me had been strong enough to forgive me for the greatest mistake I’d ever made, that she was good enough to look past my failure, and that she had the capacity to lie there now, lost in sleep, free of fear and full of love.

A wistful smile tugged at my mouth as my gaze traveled over her perfect body. She wore a short nightgown, the creamy material bunched up over her hip, the length of her legs fully exposed. One arm was draped over her head, and the other was stretched across the sheets in the spot where I had held her in my arms as she’d fallen asleep.

Emotion squeezed my lungs, knocked at my ribs, just as strong as the desire that lifted in a crushing swell before it settled as a subdued ache in the pit of my stomach.

Elizabeth would never stop stealing my breath.

Only because she possessed my soul.

As if she felt the intensity of my stare, she stirred. Those brown eyes blinked open as she adjusted to the dimness in the room. A soft, sleepy smile crept to her lips when she found me watching her in the shadows. She ran her hand over the sheets on my side of the bed. “What are you doing way over there when you’re supposed to be in bed with me?” she whispered.

“Just thinking.”

She lifted up onto her elbow. “And what are you thinking about?”

My mouth tipped up in a slow grin as I made my way over to her. She rolled onto her back just as I crawled over her, bracing myself on my hands and knees.

“Thinking about you. What else would I be thinking about?” I trailed the back of my index finger down her cheek and along the underside of her jaw. At her chin, I twisted my hand to drag my fingers all the way down her neck to the cleft between her breasts.

A soft breath parted her lips.

“You consume me, Elizabeth,” I said. “Every second.”

Trembling, she reached up to cup my jaw. “Always.”

That word shot straight through me, her touch a firestorm that singed me from the inside out.

And she had it right. I wanted her. Always.

I pressed my hands into the bed on either side of her head, dipped to caress her mouth with mine in the same second her fingers wove through my hair. I could feel her heart hammering, pounding just as hard as mine, this thrum of need spinning through us with the slightest touch.

It’d always been that way.

Always.

I rocked and Elizabeth moaned, our bodies pitching and lifting and seeking, the soft skin of her inner thighs like strokes of fire as they brushed against mine. Our tongues caressed and every last inch of my body hardened.
God, there was nothing in this world that felt so good.

I pulled back, one hand gripping the fabric at her hip as I searched her face.

“Elizabeth, I don’t want to wait. I know that’s what we planned, but being here, in this city, it just makes me think of all the time I wasted, and I don’t want to waste any more.”

Shock rolled through her, and brown eyes snapped up to lock on mine. “What do you mean?”

“All of it, Elizabeth…waiting to get married…waiting to add to our family. I want it all…and now…because I want it with you.”

“Christian—”

“Don’t say anything now. I just want you to think about it.”

She grabbed my face. “I don’t need to think about it. I’m ready for this. Ready for us to move on.”

Relief and joy escaped me in a throaty groan. It was all I wanted, to spend my life with her, to spend it with our daughter, to live for my family, to watch grow.

“Oh my God, Elizabeth.” I dropped to my elbows, brought us closer, our kiss frenzied between our words.

“Christian.”

“I love you so much…so much.”

I sucked at her bottom lip, kiss her at the edge of her perfect mouth, dropped to feast along the line of her jaw.

My nose got lost behind her ear, in her hair, in the softness of her skin.

I burned.

Elizabeth arched, silently begged.

I rose to one elbow and grabbed her left hand, kissed the ring she allowed me to place on her finger. “Forever,” I promised against it.

Her heart thudded a little more. “Forever,” she said.

And I couldn’t wait for forever to begin.

About the Author

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled and When We Collide.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/aljacksonauthor?fref=ts

Twitter

Author website

Goodreads

Also, there is a rafflecopter giveaway for the following items: Grand Prize of A.L. Jackson Prize Pack including a Come To Me Quietly Poster, If Forever Comes Keychain, and signed copies of Pulled, Take This Regret, When We Collide, and Lost to You. Five second place winners choose an A.L. Jackson ebook of their choice

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CARRIE & ME ~ CAROL BURNETT

What a wonderful testament to both Carol & Carrie Burnett. The beautiful way in which Carol Burnett writes about her daughter and her daughter's problems with addiction.

At such an early age Carrie began to rebel and took it a step further and turned to drugs to help her ease herself into life. As we see a more solid Carrie later in the book, I can't help but wonder why she was not a stronger person when she was younger.

It seems as if Carrie left an impression on those she met with her smile and her quirky personality. The closeness shared with her parents at the beginning of the book it somehow lost during her years with addiction and comes full circle. I loved learning of the projects that Carol and Carrie did together and how Carol was tough when necessary, but also there for her daughter.

It is such a shame to have lost a child at 38. The second part of the book is what Carrie had already written in her book Sunrise in Memphis. I actually enjoyed the story, although at times I felt there were places that had not yet been smoothed out.

This was a solid 4 star book for me.

LOOK AGAIN ~ LISA SCOTTOLINE

When Journalist, Ellen Gleeson sees a “Have You Seen This Child” postcard in her mail, it sets off a chain of events, questioning the adoption of her son, Will.
As hard as Ellen tries to ignore the pull, her instinct is to find out the truth.

Is her legally adopted son really an abducted child? With layoffs at the paper where she works imminent, Ellen still takes the time to deal with her personal situation and it puts her in a dangerous environment.

She follows her leads and travels to Florida and back. She opens herself up to a world of hurt and in the end can she be brave and live with the choices she has made and the chain reaction that she set into motion?

This was a compelling story and I really enjoyed it.

4.5 – 5 stars for me.

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS...............

Synopsis
If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling series, Take This Regret.

Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.

Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.

But life is never easy.

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.

Expected release: September 2013

The Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17859033-if-forever-comes
Author website: http://www.aljacksonbooks.blogspot.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/aljacksonauthor?fref=ts

AND COUNTING DOWN TO A.L. JACKSON'S BOOK COVER REVEAL........

THE OTHER SIDE ~ CHEVY STEVENS

This novella serves as a summary of Never Knowing and yet it give us insight into some of the characters. I'm guessing that it will lead into her newest book which is coming out soon. There was some new information revealed and I'm sure it is to bridge the gap between the two book.

I'm excited to see where the story is going and to find out more details about the Campsite Killer and apparently there is now a story to who killed Sandy's mother and what happened. I'm looking forward to starting Always Knowing.

3.5 stars (remembering this is a novella, which I find difficult to rate)

A.L. JACKSON ~ IF FOREVER COMES ~ COVER REVEAL IN 5 DAYS

Synopsis
If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling series, Take This Regret.

Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.

Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.

But life is never easy.

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.

Expected release: September 2013

The Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17859033-if-forever-comes
Author website: http://www.aljacksonbooks.blogspot.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/aljacksonauthor?fref=ts

IF YOU SEE HER ~ SHILOH WALKER

This was another good book in the series. I am so curious to find out who the killer is. I have my thoughts about who it is but I've also changed my mind more than once.

After the attack on Law and Hope, things heat up in this book. Remy, the town DA and golden boy, acts on his feelings towards Hope. Hope's ex-husband arrives in town, Hope and Law have a disagreement that strains their relationship.

This was a fun read, there were motorcycles, people following people, chases and the killer made an appearance and joined in the search for the missing person (so as not to give a spoiler away).

I'm anxious to read the next book and finally find out (for sure) who the killer is. The book was a total set-up for what is going to happen in the next installment. Nia and Ezra will most likely have starring roles.

A solid 4 stars.

AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED ~ KHALED HOSSEINI

I had high hopes for this book since I absolutely loved the last 2 books.

After reading this book, I have to say I did not like it as much as his other two books, but it was still wonderfully written and a great read.

It differs in that it does not just focus on one person/family, but extended family. At times it was difficult to remember the cast of characters, but I think that had a lot to do with the names of the characters and not the plot itself.

As usual, the book tugged at my heartstrings and I loved learning about each and every character and piecing the puzzle together.

The book begins with a fable of a child being taken away from his family and that is what happens Pari and her brother Abdullah are separated and Pari eventually forgets that she had a brother in the end they are united, but not in the happily ever after way you would expect from a romance or even another type of book, you will need to read the entire book to find out how it ends.

This is a difficult book for me to rate. I would say it is a 4.5 star read, but giving it a 4 is too low, so I am upping it to a 5.

THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK ~ MATTHEW QUICK

Pat Peoples has had an emotional breakdown. He is now out of the “bad place” and living in his parents’ basement. He is dead set that when “apart time” is over, he will reconcile with his wife, Nikki. Pat feel that his life is playing out like a movie. He is a fitness freak and does everything he can to make up for the way he treated Nikki prior to his breakdown. What Pat is unaware of is the amount of time his was in the facility, what actually happened and where his friends and family are currently with their lives.

The introduction of Pat’s friends, the Philadelphia football games, Pat’s therapist, Cliff, the wonderful and wacky Tiffany, all add a different dimension to the way Pat sees life.

Although dark in place, funny in other and downright strange at times, this was an enjoyable read – 4 stars.

THE PERFECT MISTRESS ~ VICTORIA ALEXANDER

I absolutely loved the narrator of this book. I felt it brought to life 3 friends who were all widowed at a young age. They were strong and independent. There is Julia who has financial problems, Portia, who her family feels needs to remarry and Veronica, who is well off and very outspoken as well as longing for family.

The story revolved around Julia and memoirs of her Great Grandmother, who was a "The Perfect Mistress" and was scandalized.

This book was thoroughly entertaining and I loved the way 3 men were trying to court Julia. I did feel there were some loose ends but overall, I really enjoyed the book.

4 stars

Live To Read: 150+ Book Giveaway Laurie Stolarz - US

Live To Read: 150+ Book Giveaway Laurie Stolarz - US: Laurie Stolarz   Deadly Little Secret and Deadly Little Lies. Synopsis: Some secrets shouldn't be kept... U...

PALLISADES PARK ~ ALAN BRENNERT

Any books by Brennert are must read books for me. This book was no exception. Although lighter in subject matter than the other two books I have read by him, I still felt as though I was a part of the book and not reading it, but living it.

Brennart's storys come alive and this book was no exception. I was expecting a story about Palisades Park and I got more than I bargained for. The development of the characters in this book was awesome. I felt as if I knew Toni, Eddie, Jack, Adele, Bunty, Irving and the rest of the cast personally. While detail oriented, every detail was required to get the feel of the book. I was actually shocked at the way the book detoured on other avenues, but it made the book all the better.

Being a "Jersey Girl" made the book even more special.

As quick as Brennert writes his books, I will read them. I am a definitely fan of his wonderful story telling.

5+ stars

150 BOOK GIVEAWAY

Live to Read

THE NEWCOMER ~ ROBYN CARR

Robyn Carr's newest series, is quickly becoming my favorite series. Although I love her Virgin River series, this series is quickly surpassing it in my eyes.

The first book in the series was mostly set-up for the series, but in this book, there was a ton of character development. I love Sarah and Cooper, Gina and Mac. The teenagers in this series play pivotal roles with current topics (Ashley, Eve & Landon). The supporting characters also have important roles and just enhance the book. Carr does not just do HEAs, she throws in teenage angst, roadblocks, etc. Bravo!

If I wasn't a huge Carr fan, this book would make me one. I absolutely loved it and wish the star rating would allow for higher rates or at least "+++++"

5+ stars for me