Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

Every Bride Has Her Day – Fun and Delightful!

by Leave a Comment

Every Bride Has Her Day (Brides with Style #3)Every Bride Has Her Day by Janice Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every Bride Has Her Day creates a delightful book about an engaged couple and the interruptions and interferences they encounter on the way to the altar. This is surprising because they work at a bridal shop and make others’ wedding wishes come true. Of course, everyone has their ideas of what they ought to do, what they should wear, and the theme for the wedding. This funny, cute novel takes the reader along as Katie Fisher finds her true self and desires.

I received a copy of Every Bride Has Her Day from NetGalley for my honest review.

View all my reviews

Review of A Powerful Secret – Can’t wait to read more in this series!

by Leave a Comment

A Powerful Secret (The Worthington Destiny, #2)A Powerful Secret by Kevin Leman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Powerful Secret caught my attention immediately! This book contains twists and turns throughout and kept me up reading into the night. Two brothers’ lives interconnect yet vary vastly. The mystery and suspense are powerful. I would read more by these two authors. It is clean yet real. Kevin Leman has been one of my favorite non-fiction writers and now I’m intrigued by his fiction work.
I received a copy of A Powerful Secret from Net Galley for my honest review. This was an excellent choice and I highly recommend it.

View all my reviews

Terrific Read!

by Leave a Comment

Dangerous Game (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #53) (Harbor Intrigue #2)Dangerous Game (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #53) by Lyn Cote
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lyn Cote wrote Dangerous Game with a brilliant hand. She had me from the first page. I devoured this book and was rewarded by suspense, surprises, and romance. Her characters stay true to form throughout and they pull you into their world. Grey returns home from prison back to his hometown where his crime was committed. Forgiving and forgetting come hard for this small village and he faces tough challenges. You will want to read this book to discover the mysteries within. I highly recommend Dangerous Game and this series!

View all my reviews

Review of Murder at the Courthouse – Amusing and Suspenseful!

by Leave a Comment

Murder at the Courthouse (The Hidden Springs Mysteries #1)Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this one sneaks up on you! I loved the main character, Michael, a small town officer of the law. Obviously, this is about a murder but a challenging one to solve for sure. I found Murder at the Courthouse amusing, deep, and suspenseful. The dialogue going on in Michael’s head is written so well. I could not put this one down until the mystery became clear. A.H. Gabhart captures the flavor of the small town atmosphere, dilemmas, and foibles. This was enjoyable to read and I understand this book is a real change from her normal writing. I will definitely read more of her books.

I highly recommend Murder at the Courthouse!

I received a copy from Net Galley for my honest review which I have given.

View all my reviews

Whiskey Sunrise – Review of Murder, Guns, and Action Filled Book

by Leave a Comment

Whiskey SunriseWhiskey Sunrise by John Turney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Initially I was caught off guard by the gnarly, grotesque and confusing brutality in the opening of this book. I had read another review that stated the same concern. Since I had offered to read Whiskey Sunrise for Lighthouse Publishing I ventured on and became mesmerized by the intrigue, suspense, and mystery surrounding the town and the Sheriff Rye Dawlsen. The tone of the book changed when the characters were fleshed out and the storyline focused on Rye and his deputies/friends. My attention was kept by the rapid pace of the book. I could see this book becoming a movie. This isn’t a book for the tenderhearted but if you are a grueling guns and knives, action addict you will enjoy it. Bombs, drug cartel, and gun smuggling are all included. Rye’s faith and his struggle with alcohol are tested as he fights someone or something who wants him dead. Will his decisions win his wife, Dee back into his life?

I received an ebook copy of Whiskey Sunrise from Lighthouse Publishing for my honest review which I have given.

View all my reviews

Somehow Christmas Will Come – Dramatic and Hopeful

by Leave a Comment

Somehow, Christmas Will ComeSomehow, Christmas Will Come by Peggy Blann Phifer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This dramatic story kept my attention to discover how everything would turn out for the characters. Alcoholism and grief create the themes in this read. How each person handles these issues makes a difference in how they face life. Read this book by Peggy Blann Phifer and look for hope at Christmas time.

I received a copy of this book from the Bookclub Network for an honest review which I have given.

View all my reviews

Fantastic Computer Tips!

by Leave a Comment

100 Amazing Computer Tips (Amazing Tips)100 Amazing Computer Tips by Diane McKeever
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

100 Amazing Computer Tips by Diane McKeever Outstanding advice and practical shortcuts for any computer user! With a friendly contents list, a quick reference guide, and appendices the reader can find answers to computer challenges for every day use and the once in a while need. I will keep this handy tool by my computer from now on. Along with savvy tips, Diane includes some fun items like making word clouds (buy the book!). This is an easy to understand guide for newbies and pros. Most tips are one to two pages long in a great font size with examples on the sidebar. She goes into further detail with Microsoft Word and Excel topics. One can read through briefly to get an overview and then select particular pages to return to later on. The best way to use this book is to implement the tips while sitting with your computer.
I absolutely recommend 100 Amazing Computer Tips!

I received a copy of this book from the author through a contest. This is my honest review. Thank you, Diane and Conny Withay

View all my reviews

Winter 2014-2105 COYER (Clean Out Your E-Reads Challenge)

by 2 Comments

Because Reading Is better than real life

I’m so excited to join in for Winter 2014-2015 COYER, hosted by Berls @ Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @ Because Reading. It runs from December 20th 2014 – March 6th 2015 and you can sign up here until January 25th! Go check out the details and if you do sign up, be sure to indicate that I sent you on the linky, where it says “Who referred you?” so I can win $5 to Amazon!
My Goals

I have no idea what I will read that far ahead – I’m a total mood reader. But since I’m limited to E-Books and Audiobooks that are FREE or NEARLY FREE, I’m going to try and make a big dent in my NetGalley & Review books. I also have a ton of FREE Kindle books I’ve picked up that I’m going to try and read. Here are my goals:

Read & review at least 20 books – that would be two books a week!
Visit and comment on at least 7 reviews from the linky a week
Participate in 3 of the read-a-thons… definitely the scavenger hunt!
Participate in at least one twitter party
Join in at least 1 social media activity a week in the Facebook group
Do at least 1 mini-challenge
Have a blast!

These are my starting goals, but they will probably change – so I’ll do updates as the event progresses.
So, what do you say? Will you join me? Don’t forget to list me when you sign up!

Follow on Bloglovin

Sweet Book!

by 1 Comment

At Bluebonnet Lake (Texas Crossroads, #1)At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At Bluebonnet Lake takes you on a journey through several character’s lives weaving them together by bringing them all to a resort in Texas. This resort, Rainbow’s End has seen it’s better days yet has a marvelous cook, Carmen. Kate joins her grandmother, Sally for a month long vacation there and has no idea how she will manage thirty days away from her job in New York. Amanda Cabot fleshes out her characters well and you are able to identify with them. I found at times that the book was long, but I understand why she takes the reader through all the happenings and changes as the story develops. Love, hope, and trust in God are main themes. The book is amusing and at the same time dramatic.

I recommend reading At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot. I understand there are sequels coming.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

View all my reviews

Real and Compelling!

by Leave a Comment

Why the Sky Is BlueWhy the Sky Is Blue by Susan Meissner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Susan Meissner is one of my top 5 favorite authors. I found that I had not read Why the Sky is Blue, one of her earliest books so I just had to pick it up (on my Kindle). I’m very glad I did! The story is hard to imagine as the main character has some very difficult things to deal with; ones that I would not want to have in my life. She wakes up in the hospital after being attacked, raped, and not remembering it. The decisions she must make along with her husband change their lives and their children’s forever. The mind struggles she faces follow her throughout the whole book. The book is told in two segments; one in the main character’s voice and the other by her daughter. The tone is different in both yet adds to the depth of the damage done and the redemption that occurs. Life does not go as we plan and this book is a good reminder of that reality. It’s how we deal with what comes along and how much we depend on God to give us direction, comfort, and peace.

I recommend this complex book Why the Sky is Blue by Susan Meissner. She does not disappoint!

View all my reviews

Categories