Review of Every Bride Has Her Day

From the back cover:

Katie's determined to make it down the aisle this time--but it may be easier said than done
Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. But it's hard to focus on her own happily ever after when her calendar is filling up with celebrations for friends and family. Beyond that, it seems everyone around her has an opinion--and a strong one at that--on what Katie's special day should look like. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for her storybook wedding? Or will her overzealous friends and relations make a mess of everything?

My thoughts:

This was such a sweet ending to the Brides with Style Series! It's another winner from Janice Thompson. :) Seriously, if you love happy endings wrapped up and finished off with a beautiful bow, move this to the top of your TBR pile.

I thought this story was so relatable. What bride hasn't been overwhelmed by well intentioned family and friends trying to plan their wedding? The concept of every bride having her day was perfect. However, my favorite part is the happy ending. It's seeing everything come together. When I read a story like this, it makes me think of how God has brought things together in my own life. It gives me joy, perspective, and hope. That's what I love most about Janice Thompson's books. They are a lovely escape from the hardships of real life, and Every Bride Has Her Day was no exception.

I received a copy of Every Bride Has Her Day by Janice Thompson from Revell in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.

God bless you guys! See you next time!

V. Joy Palmer

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom and I were talking a couple days ago. I asked her what she wanted for mother's day, and she said she didn't want anything. I pressed her, and she jokingly said a bag of dirt for her flower gardens.

Nothing says "I love you, Mom," like a bag of dirt.

Yeah, right.

But that's a mom for you. They love to bless their children, help them, make life easier for them, and they will love any bizarre gift that comes from the heart.

Because you gave it to them.

I haven't been a mom for very long, but from the moment I knew I was pregnant with my baby girl, there isn't anything I wouldn't have done for her. I would give my life for her, almost did. Since becoming a mom, I have a new appreciation for all that my mother and all the motherly women in my life have done for me. I'm so thankful that they continue to be there for me.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, stepmoms, mother-in-laws, aunts, birth moms, adoptive moms, and "second" moms out there. You guys are amazing.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed...." Proverbs 31:28a

V. Joy Palmer

Link to Snack Time Devotions, We Can't Understand

Did you guys check out my latest blog on Snack Time Devotions? We went Psalm 139 style about something we don't understand. Find out here.

V. Joy Palmer

Review of Remember to Forget

Description:

In Remember to Forget from Watty Award-winning author Ashley Royer, Levi has refused to speak since the tragic death of his girlfriend, Delia, and can't seem to come out of his depression and hindering self-doubt. Desperate to make some positive change in Levi’s life, his mother sends him to live with his father in Maine. Though the idea of moving from Australia to America seems completely daunting, Levi passively accepts his fate, but once he lands faces personal struggles and self-doubt at the same time he and his dad battle through resentment and misunderstanding. And then, while at therapy, Levi meets Delilah, a girl who eerily reminds him of someone he lost.

My thoughts:

This is so, so, so not my normal type of story. I mean, hello, sad! Tragic is in the first line of the description. Yet something drew me to this book, and beckoned me to read it.

And I am so glad I did. Remember to Forget was incredible! This story is the definition of the feels. This book will give you all the feels. Remember to Forget is THE FEELS. Heartbreaking emotion collides with eternal hope and then meets up hysterical one-liners. I couldn't love this book more. Bravo Ashley Royer!

Levi is broken. His family and friends are at a loss. So they move Levi across the world, and where he meets a special girl who refuses to give up on him, who reminds him of all that he had lost, who is wonderfully different, who helps him see the light in the world again. The heartache is beautifully balanced with yearning, love, and hope. I love how this small group of friends became a support for Levi, and then you get to see Levi reach out to someone else who's hurting. Very touching. Levi started off being an angry twit, before he starts to heal. His character was well developed.

It should also be noted that while Blink is a Christian publishing company, their awesome books are not intended to be overtly Christian, and instead be more like mainstream fiction. There might be situations or less polite words that shock the conservative reader in this story. However, it is real life and genuine, and Christ-like undertones drive the characters forward.

I received a copy of Remember to Forget by Ashley Royer from Blink via BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.

See you guys next time! :) God bless!!!

V. Joy Palmer

Review of Like Never Before

From the back cover:

A dying newspaper. An intriguing mystery. And a love they didn't see coming.

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

My thoughts:

I really liked this adorable, sweet story! So, so, so many sweet moments and swoony feels. There are tons of references to classic movies, and what I'm going to take as a veiled Gilmore Girls reference. (By the way, Gilmore Girls forever!) Amelia and Logan have instant chemistry. Melissa Tagg has not been exaggerating Logan's mega charm! Who doesn't love a book savvy, writer man?

Amelia and Logan have both been through heartbreak, and honestly, they've lost hope. But then God shows up, hope is found, and sparks fly! God works a new thing out of their broken ashes and shattered dreams.

My only critique would be that there were parts I felt could have been trimmed down, and other scenes (like at the end) that could have been expanded. I would have liked to see more of a Godly, "Ah!" moment for the characters. However, I don't think this detracts from the story, or it's important message. Also, the widower and divorce angles were not so extreme that the entire story felt depressing. This was a big plus for me.

This is the second book in Walker Family Series, but you can read it as a stand alone novel as well. However, you will be certain to have the feels if you read the first book in the series. I'm looking forward to reading Beckett's and Reagan's stories!

So this is the bottom line book friends: I liked this story, and I think you will, too!

I received a copy of Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

God bless you guys! See you next time! (May 1st... or 2nd! Can you say baby on board? Lol.) :) :) :)

V. Joy Palmer

Blog on Snack Time Devotions: When You Answer God's Call...

Hey all!

You can check out my post on my other blog, Snack Time Devotions here. It's about Ananias, what he did, and how he might have felt when God told him to talk to Saul. And what we should be doing when God speaks, and we answer.

God bless you guys! :)

Review of Playing the Part

Description:

Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan's interest turns threatening. Lucetta's widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta's life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson's estate to hide out.

Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there's much more to him than society knows.

Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail's matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can't ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it'll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed Playing the Part by Jen Turano. The story started a little slow for me. It took about sixty pages for me to really feel drawn into the story, and for me to start to see Jen Turano's trademark humor. Once I did, I enjoyed the story much more. I liked the goat. Yes, I said goat. Trust me.

Lucetta was a strong-willed, independent heroine, and while I like a strong heroine, it does become a mite bit frustrating when they constantly refuse help because they don't want to be seen as a damsel in distress. I was happy to see Lucetta learn that it's ok to be strong and accepting of someone's help. Bram indeed was dishy. ;) I enjoyed his character very much, finding him very amusing and fun - but that's all I can say about him! I thought both of their characters had good development throughout the story.

Playing the Part is the third book in the A Class of Their Own Series, however, it can be read as a stand alone novel without feeling lost, confused, and hurt. ;) But if you've read the previous series, you will see characters you love without feeling like they steal from Lucetta's story.

I received a copy of Playing the Part by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.

God bless you guys! :)

V. Joy Palmer