First Date

“First Date” by Krista McGee by is a YA fiction book based loosely on the story of Esther. The story follows teen girl Addy Davidson as she competes to win a date with the President’s son on a reality show. She is reluctant to be in the competition and only ends up in it because her high school principle talks her into it for the sake of promoting her school. Once she is there and actually meets the President’s son, Jonathon Jackson, she starts to change her attitude toward the whole situation. She is challenged by the other girls, who aren’t so reluctant to compete, and learns more about herself through the process. Also, by being herself and not being one of the other clamoring girls she catches the eye of Jonathon and romance pursues.

I thought the book was a fun, easy read. Being young adult fiction did not mean that I didn’t enjoy it as an adult. Yes it was thematically geared toward teens but not so much that I felt like I couldn’t relate. I also know that my teen self would have loved having a book like this to read. It was clean and yet still had enough romance and intrigue that I was entertained throughout. Having the Bible story Esther weaved into the storyline made the book somewhat predictable but at the same time I enjoyed it. McGee did a good job of mixing up the elements enough that it was a fresh take on the Biblical tale. 

I would recommend this book for a day on the beach. It is slightly fluffy but perfectly enjoyable for a relaxing day. Add a blended coconut mocha and you will have a perfect sunny day.

Your Sippin Chick

*I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Smitten

Next in my list of recent reads is “Smitten: Love is on the way” a novella by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. I will start right off the bat and say that the foreword made this book for me. In it you learn that all of the writers are friends and have genuinely worked in collaboration to create this book. I have read my fair share of novellas and most of the time it seems like the writers have never even met each other. Along with that, most of them tend to be standalone stories and are not well connected to each other. “Smitten” is different though. The friendship really tied this book together. They knew each others writing style as well as knew each others personalities. The writers put themselves into their characters and in turn the friendship was intertwined into the book.

The book's overall theme is that the town of Smitten, Vermont has lost their major work source, a mill, and now must come up with an alternative. The book’s four leading ladies come up with the idea of making the town into a romantic destination that plays upon the town’s name. In the four stories, each woman does their part to turn the town into a love retreat. Through the process each woman ends up finding a love of their own. As can be expected, in all but one of the stories the men involved are against the town revamp and must be brought around to the idea. This of course gives the background for romance to build and overcome obstacle.

I thought each story was cute and worth a read. I wouldn’t say that they were the most in-depth storylines (depth is hard in a novella setting.) I also thought that the stories were quite predictable, but all in all they were cute. The standout story for me would be Denise Hunter’s “Reese: All Along.” I am a big fan of Hunter and this was another great piece of writing that didn’t disappoint. I will even rate Hunter’s worth a multiple read status. Grab a cozy blanket, a warm caramel apple cider, and check out this book.

Your Sippin Chick

*I received this book for free from booksneeze.com in return for a honest review

Lonestar Angel

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble is a romantic suspense based on Eden and Clay Larson’s journey to find their missing daughter. It begins with Eden and Clay separated, Eden thinking they are divorced. Come to find out Clay didn’t sign the papers and has come to find Eden to bring her to the Bluebird Ranch to help him find their lost daughter Brianna. Their daughter had been kidnapped when she was just six weeks old. When they went to exchange the ransom money for their daughter, the car they believed her to be in got pushed into the river and sunk. From then on they believed her to be dead. Yet, about five years later, Clay has been sent a mysterious picture of five foster girls staying at the Bluebird Youth Ranch. Writing on the back of the photo it claims that one of them is Brianna. Clay knowing he can’t dismiss this even if there is a very slim chance this is true, goes to Eden and convinces her to the Bluebird Ranch to help him find the girl that could be their daughter.

The majority of the story takes place at the Bluebird Ranch which is the same ranch in Coble’s first book in the Lonestar series, Lonestar Sanctuary. At the ranch, Eden and Clay find themselves drawn to all of the girls and each other. Relationships and bonds are built with each of the girls. Also along the way Clay and Eden are forced to look at the reasons their relationship crumbled and start rebuilding something new and stronger. An element that is also very prominent in this book is the mystery and suspense of why their daughter was taken and the danger that has followed them to the ranch.

I thought the characters in this book were very likeable, especially the little girls. As I got to know each girl I started hoping that each one of the girls was their Brianna. This book shows the reality of all of the kids in the foster system and how each have gone through so much and are just waiting for a family. I like that this book brought into light that reality. I will say that the girls are one of the elements that made this book good. On the other side of the spectrum, I found myself getting bored with this book. It took me a bit to finish it because the special ingredient to keep me hooked was missing. I can’t pinpoint the exact reason why this was so but I will say that I found it to be slow moving and thought it jumped from one thing to another. I found myself having to go back a page to figure out how the story connected from one page to the next. If I was to give my recommendation for this book I would say that it is worth giving it a read. Who knows maybe you’re less scatter-brained than I am! I would pair this book with a nice warm coconut mocha because with one, your experience will be enjoyable no matter what!

Your Sippin Chick

*I received this (e)book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for a honest review.*

The Inconvenient Marriage

Up for review is: The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y’Barbo. This is a book about one of my favorite subjects in fiction, that of a marriage of convenience. There is something warm and fuzzy about two people being tied to each other for reasons other than love and yet through the process end up finding just that. The subject always lends to the characters moments of awkwardness, companionship, angst, and yes some passion. Needless to say I was excited to read another book with this theme. I also had never read any of Y’Barbo’s books and was very eager to see if I had found a new author to keep up with.

The description on the back of The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck goes something like: Charlotte Beck, feisty and hardheaded daughter of an American socialite, is matched with Alex Hambly, distinguished English viscount and astronomer, in a marriage of convenience. Both enter into the agreement, Charlotte because she wants to attend school and Alex because he needs money, to meet their respective needs. What comes about from this marriage is two people who detest each other yet are (supposedly) irrevocably tied to each other. Yet in the process feelings start to change and complications ensue.

After reading the book, I would completely rewrite the description. It should include the fact that the two don’t end up married until part II which starts at 59% (as calculated by my Kindle) through the book. Thus the marriage is only given 41% of the book to actually play out. I was very disappointed because that’s what I wanted to read about, the tension and romance that could be found in the “inconvenient marriage” not about what lead up to them getting married. I will give in and say that yes there is some romance leading up to the marriage and some details are needed to build a foundation for the characters and story line. However, I would have loved to have seen all of that condensed down to maybe 20% to 30% max. When I did finally wade through part I and arrive at part II I thought to myself “finally this will be really good.” Sadly I was disappointed again. There was just too little time to actually incorporate all of the factors that make this subject exciting.

I wouldn’t say this book is a waste. I do think that Y’Barbo added in many elements such as humor, danger, romance, and history. That is a lot to accomplish in one book and can be applauded. I won’t be adding this book to my list of favorites but I can see many people with tastes that vary from mine liking it a lot. My recommendation is to go ahead and read it if it sounds interesting to you, just make sure to have a triple shot soy latte on hand to keep you awake through the beginning.

Your Sippin Chick

*I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.*

Coffee Coffee Coffee (tell me more!)

A coffee-aholic's dictionary:

a shot- a infusion of life or also known as a compression brewed, shot glass worth of coffee. A very strong dose in a small amount.

a latte- yummy in a cup or also known as a shot of coffee mixed with milk (or soy milk)

a white mocha- one of my favorite beverages or also known as a latte with white chocolate syrup or sauce added. Note: sauce is always better than syrup. When in doubt choose sauce!

an americano- better than a cup of coffee or also known as a shot(s) combined with water to make in essence a cup of coffee. The difference: it's a bit stronger and smoother (if made correctly)

12 seconds- the amount of time a shot lasts before it "burns." Ever wonder why your drink sometimes tastes like the coffee is burnt? It's probably because your shot expired. To save a shot it must be added to milk or water. If either is added before the 12 second mark then the shot will be saved. Hallelujah!

a pumpkin spice latte- fall in a cup or also known as a latte with pumpkin added (also see white mocha)


Your Sippin Chick