Cassie has just moved into a beach house with her four young nieces and nephews when they meet their new neighbor, Wade. Wade tries to keep his distance from the family, but he keeps finding himself drawn to them and attracted to Cassie, who he feels is too young for him. But as the romance begins to blossom, Wade struggles with a secret that could drive from him all those he’s come to love.
This book tugs on the heart strings. Ms. Whren does an admirable job writing realistic children who just aren’t window dressings in the book. She also is able to inject a Christian message without hitting the reader over the head by being too preachy. I enjoyed the story and characters even if it was rather simplistic in plot. But this story was all about the characters and didn’t need an explosive plot.
Manny and Celia meet at their friends' wedding where he propositions her and she slugs him. Months later, Manny has given his wild lifestyle and wants to make amends and really get to know Celia. He ends up grounded by a parachuting accident and is finally able to spend time with Celia and her son, but Celia doesn’t want to get to get involved with a man holding a dangerous job. Will she be able to take a leap of faith?
"A Soldier’s Family" is an inspirational tale that can get a little preachy at times. Both characters seem to be a little extreme. I kept wishing they were not so intense. On the other hand, it was refreshing to read a story with Latin-American characters and both were slightly older than your typical romance hero and heroine.
I have see this book before, but never picked it up. The other day was browsing the stacks in my local library, so I picked it up and took it home. I really had no idea what to expect, but it was a quick read.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Before I list some of the Kindergarten lessons, let me just say this... I think these are great lessons, and they are ones that parents and teachers try to instill in kids growing up, BUT we forget them as we get older. For instance... sharing. How many times did hear that you must share your toys etc with your brothers and sisters and others, yet right now how many of you would not be willing to share most of your stuff.
Here is a small part of Robert Fulghum's
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Take a nap every afternoon.
Live a balanced life- learn some and think some and draw some and paint some and sing some and dance some and play some and work every day some.
With just those few... imagine what life would be like if everyone remembered and practiced what they learning in Kindergarten.
I have mixed feelings about these stories. But first, here is a quick summary of them.
In "Upon a Midnight Clear", Callie takes a job caring for a troubled little girl and eventually falls in love with the child and her widowed father. But will a dark secret in her past keep them apart?
And in "Secrets of the Heart", Kate longs for a man who shares her faith and values. She meets Scott who wants to share her life, but will a long-ago mistake keep them apart?
Let's start with the good. I found the first story to be more complete and enjoyable. The characters were more interesting and relatable... or at least easier to sympathize with.
Now the bad. The two stories were too similar to be bundled together. By the time I got halfway through the second story, I felt like I was reading a re-worked version of story one with some minor changes (names, occupations, ages). "Secrets" was also a little too preachy for my tastes and I found it hard to really like or care about the characters. My suggestion, read "Upon a Midnight Clear" and call it a day.
“Tidings of Joy” by Margaret Daley
This is the right kind of inspirational romance. The reader gets a message about the Christian faith without it sounding preachy, which can be a definite turn off. I found I was able to relate to the characters and the plot was believable. I thank Ms. Daley for setting the story over the course of several months to allow the characters time to develop their relationship.