Book Review ~ LFYI Pendleton Oregon by Melody Carlson ~ 10/26/17

 

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Blurb:

 

Native American beauty Sunny Westcott is not one to let her hair down. But her friend Aubrey manages to drag her to Pendleton, Oregon, and the pair arrives just as the hundredth annual Pendleton Round-Up begins. Sunny is surprised by how much she enjoys watching the rodeo, riding horseback, and getting to know Aubrey's family--particularly a handsome cowboy named Cody.

 

Pendleton is also home to the Umatilla reservation where Sunny's ancestors once lived, and the trip gives her the chance to do some digging into her family's history--a topic she knows next to nothing about. But will Sunny like what she finds? And how will skeletons from the past compete with the current drama unfolding in Cody's own family? 

My Thoughts:

 

I, in general, have loved the LOVE FINDS YOU IN series because with each one, I learn so much about history, cultures and different places that I'll probably never see.

 

This book had all that.

 

But...the romance left a lot to be desired.

 

Seven-eighths of the book was about Sunny learning about her heritage, which was great.  However, the romance was VERY rushed.

 

We're talking about Sunny and Cody spending one afternoon together, if that and then all of a sudden they are in love!  A bit unrealistic for me.

 

So, great story for the history and culture but not so much in the romance department.

 

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Book Review ~ LFYI Daisy Oklahoma by Janice Hanna ~ 5/25/17

 

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Blurb:

 

  Love blooms in unlikely places. In 1912, two years after a tornado left many children homeless, the town of Daisy, Oklahoma, needs help with its orphanage. Enter Rena Jewel, 38 years old and still single, who longs to do something important with her life. A lover of flowers, Rena believes the letter from Daisy to be a sign from the Lord, and she promises to help.

 

Sheriff Gene Wyatt is a widowed father struggling to control 23 unruly orphans--and to keep his own two boys from burning down the town. So when he receives word that help is on the way, Gene rejoices. Until he meets Rena, that is--a genteel and far too pretty woman whom he assumes is not up to the challenge. And after meeting the children, Rena begins to agree with him! At her wits' end, she helps the children plant a garden and slowly earns their respect and obedience.

 

The new orphanage director arrives just as the garden begins to bloom, and Rena must decide whether she can leave the town, the children--and the man--she's come to love. 

My Thoughts:

 

 I've really enjoyed the "Love Finds You In" series.

 

I love the fact that the heroine isn't a typical romance heroine.  Rena (not sure if it is Ren-nay or Ree-na) is 38 years-old.  I love stories where the characters are a bit older especially as I've gotten "older".  ahem...

 

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the town of Daisy, OK.  The children were precocious and precious at the same time.

 

I like how the author started each chapter with "Tips for Dealing with Unruly Young'uns" written by different residents of Daisy.  It really gave insight into that character and added a lot to the story.

 

The love story was sweet and really fun to read.  There were some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed also, but I don't want to give too much away!

 

You should definitely give this book and the other LFYI books a read.

 

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Book Review ~ LFYI Sunflower Kansas by Pamela Tracy ~ 3/2/17

 

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Blurb:

 

 Will Annie find treasure in her field of sunflowers?

 

Annie Jamison is the sister who keeps the peace. So when her mother goes missing, Annie's the one sent to retrieve her. There's one problem. It seems the town Willa Jamison (willingly) ran off to--Sunflower, Kansas-- doesn't exist. Sure, it's on the map, but when Annie drives there, she finds herself in the middle of a field. Of sunflowers.

 

In nearby Bonner Springs, Kansas, Annie finds her errant mother...and Joe Kelly, a handsome veterinarian who thinks Annie is part of a team of con artists out to swindle his father. It takes some time, but eventually, Joe's working with Annie instead of against her to bring their wacky parents to their senses.

 

When this unlikely team turns into an unlikely couple, Annie no longer wants to leave her field of sunflowers. She wants happily-ever-after with Joe Kelly. But when evidence of the con resurfaces, will Joe have enough faith in Annie to recognize the truth?    

My Thoughts:

 

This is the first book I've read by Pamela Tracy but I knew that it would be a good one due to the book being part of the "Love Finds You In" series.

 

I really enjoyed the concept of the daughter trying to track down her mother and get her out of "trouble", real or perceived.  Even though I don't have any sisters of my own, I have lots of aunts and cousins, so I know what family drama can be like!

 

I was really intrigued by the setting in the book, especially the old farm in Sunflower.

 

As for the love story (and there had to be one in this series!), I loved it!

 

Talk about a chance meeting between two complete strangers from different parts of the country.  All brought together by an oddly placed add for an armchair detective!

 

There were some seriously laughable moments in this book, as well as the mystery of finding the lost coins.

 

The author winds the story up nice and neat.  Just the way I like them :)

 

 

 

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Book Review ~ LFYI Sunset Beach Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn ~ 1/19/17

 

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Blurb:

 

 Sierra came to Sunset Beach for relaxation--not for world-class surfing and certainly not for romance! When a wealthy friend offers Sierra Jensen a vacation at an oceanfront beach house, she envisions a quiet retreat where she can plan her next move. Instead, she arrives at the start of the noisy surfing competitions and is surprised to learn that her friend had an ulterior motive--namely, introducing Sierra to Jordan Bryce, the tenant staying below them.

 

Jordan is a photographer whose lens and attention are focused on the surfers, and he is not willing to let anyone get in his way of landing the next cover shot for Surf Days magazine. Sierra and Jordan came to Sunset Beach looking for different things. But as the surf pounds the North Shore, will they discover something better than either of them had imagined?    

My Thoughts:

 

 

I have loved every Robin Jones Gunn book that I've ever read.  Honestly.

 

I haven't read any of her YA novels where Sierra Jensen was apparently introduced.  I'm a bit glad that I got to know Sierra in Sunset Beach, Hawaii as an adult rather than a teenager.

 

This book was amazing!

 

I loved learning about Hawaii and the photography/surf scene.  I enjoyed getting to know Sierra and Jordan in that setting.

 

This book makes me want to visit Hawaii even more than I already did!

 

I was drawn to this book by the cover and was not disappointed in the contents.  It was a great addition to my Robin Jones Gunn reads :)

 

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