A Beautiful Story of Romance and Goodwill–@LaurieKozlowski’s #BookReview of “The Homecoming” by Robyn Carr ( @RCarrWriter )

A Beautiful Story of Romance and Goodwill (Review of “The Homecoming” by Robyn Carr)

Iris works as a florist and Seth is a disabled but active cop, assigned to Thunder Point, a small town in Portland, Oregon. Thier romance blooms gradually though they haven’t seen each other in years, because of a grudge one of them holds against the other one.

I think I’m falling in love with the town as much as the characters. Everyone, every store, everything, has a story…that is why I think I always connect with Robyn Carr’s stories and the characters she writes. It was no exception that Seth completely won me over by being completely genuine and an all around great guy. In any other book, it would seem boring–but his life story is carefully drawn where I wanted things to work out for him. He was a hell-raiser in his younger days and took many things for granted, but in this story, it’s clear he wants to make amends.

I also admire Iris for being smart and careful with her heart after she’d been taken advantage of. She was determined not to be a victim of her past and took every reasonable approach to rise above the pain and loneliness. She works as a school counselor to teens–that I loved–and I liked how her mending heart wasn’t over-exaggerated like in some novels.

I’m glad I kept reading past the first few chapters, though I wanted to put the book down because at first I couldn’t believe Seth did what he did. If I hadn’t had read Carr’s books before I may have done just that, but I knew there had to be a reason for it. And there was.

Nice and easy storytelling, with sub-plots of a mysterious domestic violence case that was solved by the end, makes this novel another hit in the collection of Thunder Point novels.

Star Rating: Four Stars * * * * 

Review by Laurie Kozlowski. Also posted to Goodreads and Amazon.

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Thunder Point, Book Six

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At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been.

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he’s been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he’s become a better, humbler version of his former self.

Winning over his father isn’t the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he’s finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?

RECENT BOOK RELEASES

Thunder Point, Book Four

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Thunder Point, Book Five

Amazon * Barnes&Noble * Kobo

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of almost fifty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. Her highly anticipated new series, Thunder Point, will be released March 2013. Robyn and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr’s website at www.RobynCarr.com.

Review by @LaurieKozlowski of “The Grimm Legacy” by Polly Shulman #yabooks #amreading #fiction

Elizabeth has a new job at an unusual library – a lending library of objects, not books. In a secret room in the basement lies the Grimm Collection. That’s where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales; seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White’s stepmother’s sinister mirror that talks in riddles.

When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before she can be accused of the crime or captured by the thief.

Polly Shulman has created a contemporary fantasy with a fascinating setting and premise, starring an ordinary girl whose after-school job is far from ordinary and leads to a world of excitement, romance and magical intrigue.

Repository Series, Book One

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REVIEW

An Adorable, Magical Story

A book of friendship, young love, and magical adventure reeled me into an exciting story with memorable characters I couldn’t put down for hours.

I most enjoyed the world of the repository, a library of magical objects from older fairy tales, and the dangerous fantasy world. It was brilliant how the objects worked. For instance, a mermaid’s comb would send a young man to his doom if used around busy traffic or near water. There were plenty of villainous suspects to grant The Grimm Legacy a great mystery in juvenile fiction, also.

Wonderful characters! Elizabeth and Aaron had a cute rapport, making them a magnetic set from the start. Marc, Anjali, and Jaya were remarkable in their bonds of friendship and sibling rivalry. Even Marc’s little brother, Andre, made me want to hug him as I envisioned a chubby faced and wobbly little toddler following his big ‘butter’ around.

I’m challenging myself to read a broad range genres and different age group novels to expand my knowledge of what works for certain age groups and audiences and what doesn’t. I can honestly say “The Grimm Legacy” is a fun book most any age reader will enjoy.

FIVE STARS * * * * *

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski * Also posted to Goodreads * Love this review? “Friend” Laurie on Goodreads! 🙂

Recent Books by Polly Shulman 

The Repository Series Book Two *  Read the excerpt HERE.

“Winsome and witty,… Enthusiasm has the makings of an instant classic.” — Time Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About The Author  http://pollyshulman.com

Polly Shulman has edited and written articles about books, infinity, edible jellyfish, planets, circuses, and many other subjects for the New York Times, Science, Salon, and many other publications. She is an alumna of Yale, where she majored in math. She puts cayenne pepper in her chocolate cookies and reads forgotten books with frontispieces. In high school she worked as a page at the New York Public Library’s main branch, where the librarians trusted her with the key to the special materials storage cage. She lives in New York City with her husband.

Review by @LaurieKozlowski of EXCLUSIVELY YOURS by Shannon Stacey

 When Keri Daniels’s boss finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe’s never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he’s intrigued to hear Keri’s back in town—and looking for him. He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping trip, Keri can ask one question.

The chemistry between Joe and Keri is as potent as the bug spray, but Joe’s sister is out to avenge his broken heart, and Keri hasn’t ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever?

 

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Five Stars * * * * *

Romantic, Family-Centered, Page-Turner: A New Favorite Series!
The Kowalski series is quickly moving up on my reading list as this book was great! Joe, a bestselling thriller author, wears black boxer briefs, has a big heart for his family, and has overcome alcoholism to make a very decent living doing what he loves to do – writing. Keri, a magazine journalist in the entertainment industry, has one mission from her boss: get the dirt on Joe Kowalski in an interview, or lose her job.
The main issue for Joe is knowing if he can trust his ex-high-school sweetheart, after all the years apart. He was also betrayed by another girlfriend he trusted, just after he and Kari’s breakup.
For Keri, she’s unwilling to sacrifice a juicy offer for job security. But instead of Joe being at her mercy, the tables turn when he sets the rules for the trip, allowing her one question a day—if she survives the Kowalski family for a week.
This story moved quickly for me because I felt like I was right in the story, myself. I watched as Joe and Keri grew closer, through their doubts and fears. The children in this big family were not those of Joe and Keri, but were nieces and nephews…and they were silly and adorable. The Kowalski brothers’ bond was undeniable and endearing. Their roughhousing and teasing were hilarious. Ma and Dad of the Kowalski’s were another great couple of characters. Ma K was no-nonsense and loving while Dad K was loud, direct, and boisterous.
The side stories will capture your heart, too. Kevin, a Kowalski brother who is formerly Boston PD, has and interesting and dark past. I love how he is the loner of the group. Also, Terry (Kowalski) Porter and Evan have a very heart-wrenching story that will keep you optimistic concerning their love story. Lastly, what happens between Mike and Lisa may cause your eyes to mist.
Be prepared for a superb story, full of love, joy, passion, lust, and a great beginning to a series that will have you hooked from the start!

Reviewed by Laurie Kozlowski — also posted to Goodreads and Barnes and Noble

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~*~*~* Newest Releases By Shannon Stacey *~*~*~

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Jack Donovan went through hell and back to save Isabelle once. Now she’s back in his life, hunted by an assassin so elusive some claim he’s only an urban legend. More than just a gun for hire, the killer is driven by a pathological need to take down his targets and, when Isabelle escapes the bullet meant for her, Jack knows he’ll strike again. The only way to keep her alive is to keep her close, and Jack’s about to learn what hell really is.

In the year since Jack rescued her from a guerrilla compound and then walked away, Isabelle Arceneau has begun to put her life back on track. Now somebody wants her dead and Jack is once again her only hope for survival. As the Devlin Group races to uncover the killer’s identity and Jack and Isabelle go on the run in a desperate bid to keep her alive, she knows she can trust him with her life, but never again with her heart.

No Place To Hide is also available in paperback from Amazon.

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Christina Forrester is starting over. After a financial scandal sent her ex-husband to prison, she’s left raising her young son without any of the comforts of their old life. Budgets, coupons, lawn care—you name it, she’s learning to do it all on her own. Well, almost on her own—she’d be lost without Gail Broughton, the kind widow across the street. But when Gail’s son comes home, Christina’s vow to never trust a man again is put to the test.

Will Broughton left town because he was tired of being “that poor man” who lost his wife and unborn child in a tragic accident. But years have passed and, with his dad gone and his mom alone, it’s time to go home. Only his mother’s not alone. She’s taken Christina under her wing, and the beautiful and determined single mother awakens something in Will he thought was buried forever.

As Will and Christina are forced to spend more time together, feelings that are more than neighborly grow between them. And with Christmas coming and a child filling both houses with holiday cheer, it becomes nearly impossible not to embrace the joy—and the love—in their lives.

~*~*~ About The Author ~*~*~

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her two favorite activities are writing stories of happily ever after and riding her four-wheeler. From May to November, the Stacey family spends their weekends on their ATVs, making loads of muddy laundry to keep Shannon busy when she’s not at her computer. She prefers writing to laundry, however, and considers herself lucky she got to be an author when she grew up.

You can contact Shannon through her website, where she maintains an almost daily blog, or visit her on Twitter, her Facebook page, or email her at shannon@shannonstacey.com.