Dessert Gift

Jill Galloway has made a success of marriage. She has had a long standing syndicated radio talk show on marriage and now her first book is coming out. Just as she and her husband Jack are getting ready for a California book tour and long needed vacation, he tells her he is not going with her. He wants out. He wants a divorce. And then he puts her on a plane and sends her away. 


As her world crashes down around her, Jill flees to her parents' home in the California desert, wondering if everything she's built her career on- and everything she's built her life around- is a sham. She thought she'd done everything right. So how did her marriage slowly slip away? And will she ever get it back? 


I will fully admit that I am single and have never been married. I will also admit that I loved this book and was completely engrossed in it. John does an excellent job of weaving a story that grips you and makes feel alongside the characters. The depth of this story will amaze you. I walked away having learned something about relationships and about myself. It was truly a great read. I give it five stars :) 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Restless in Carolina

Dreadlock wearing, tree hugging, earthy Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan is thirty-one and she's been a widow for four years. Unable to even say the words "happily ever after" her view of God and happy endings has been severely skewered. However, she's beginning to realize she needs to finally come to grips with her widowhood and move on with her life. In the midst of all of that she also needs to sell her family estate near her home in North Carolina, preferably to an eco-friendly developer. Bridget is determined to sell the estate to someone who will help preserve it's beauty and not turn it into a run of the mill housing developement.

Enter J.C. Dirk. He's a green developer from Atlanta who's extremely high energy and has a secret interest in the Pickwick estate. J.C. and Bridget meet face to face in Atlanta after J.C. doesn't return her calls. He's interested in Bridget's offer the minute her hears her family name. Sparks fly between these two as J.C.'s interest in the estate spreads further to interest in Bridget. Bridget finds her white knight but the secrets he's hiding just may break her heart.

This is a fun chick flick read with southern sass. Bridget is extremely likeable and well-developed. J.C. is a little bit of an irritant at first but he does grow on you. The "secret" part of the story could be seen coming a mile away but it did add intrigue to the story. Although not exceptionally well put together it's a light, enjoyable read. This is the third installment in the Southern Discomfort series but you can definitely read it as a standalone. It's such a cute easy read, why not read all of them? I think if I would have read the first two I would have completely fallen in love with the endearing Pickwick family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books (Thomas Nelson) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Thunder Dog

This book is Mr. Hingson's  account of his experience as a survivor of the attacks on the World Trade center in September of 2001.  Blind and with only his guide dog Roselle to guide him this story is about his journey down the stairs from the 78th floor and the heroism of a remarkable four-legged creature. 

The author's relationships with guide dogs started at a very young age. Growing up blind, they helped him navigate school, college, and his jobs. Hingson learned early to rely on his guide dogs dedication, loyalty, and courage. This incredible read will captivate your attention from the very beginning. The first-hand account of Roselle and Hingson's descent down 78 floors and 1,463 steps is absolutely amazing. Interspersing the terror of the day with stories from the author's childhood makes this read all the more real and delightful. It will captivate you, move you, and enrich you. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com http://BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.