Calliope

Review: Patchwork Family in the Outback by Soraya Lane

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Poppy leaves the city and heads to a teaching position in the outback, hoping for a fresh start after her husband did her wrong. Harrison loves the land he was raised on and is determined to raise his own children there – despite his wife leaving the family for a more exciting city life.

This novella is very well-written, and the small cast of characters is nicely developed. There’s a meet-cute, the push and pull of new and unexpected chemistry, and a convenient storm that gives Poppy and Harrison a final push toward each other.

I loved the relationship between Harrison’s children and Poppy. I thought it was pretty realistic for a teacher to want to care for mother-less children. I also liked that Harrison was so rough and tough, but had a soft spot for his children.

I enjoyed reading about this Patchwork Family, and wished it was a full-length novel. For an hour or two I was transported to rural Aussie ranch country, and fell in love with Harrison’s family just like Poppy did.

–Calliope

For a quick, enjoyable, uplifting read for under $4:

Buy It Now Patchwork Family in the Outback

Review: Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

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Seating Arrangements was one of those books I saw on a list of “must reads.” The description mentioned a wedding, a beach setting, a few families getting together, New England seaside living, and summer vacation. What’s not to love?!

And then I read the book. The description above is technically correct. However, the mood of this novel is dreary, dingy, grimy, contemptible, and depressing. No one is happy. I’ve never read such gloomy characters in a plot that I expected to be so lovely and delightful.

Maggie Shipstead writes beautifully – both technically and emotionally. And the plot at face value – families get together at the beach house to celebrate a wedding – is one that would normally interest me. But the crass and sad approach to it bogged me down. Each character fails at managing what life threw at them. Each character fails to live up to his own standards. Each character has more flaws than redeeming qualities. The story ends up being a description of this family’s debacles.

I enjoy light and upbeat books – or ones that at least have some ups and downs. Seating Arrangements just brought me down.

5 stars for writing ability, literary accomplishment (great symbolism and allusions), and character development.

1 star for enjoyability and plot presentation.

-Calliope

For literary fiction fans who don’t mind their novels on the depressing side, you’ll appreciate the writing!
Buy It Now Seating Arrangements

For fans of jovial, lighthearted stories of beaches and friends and weddings, try this August release instead!
Buy It Now Plus One is a Lucky Number: HarperImpulse RomCom

Review: All Over the Place by Serena Clarke

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4 stars

Livi is a New Zealander who runs away to London after a humiliating – and very public – breakup. While she’s doing the single-working-girl thing in England, the book read like straight chick-lit, which I love. She had fun with her best friends, kept in touch with some schoolmates back home, flirted with a smattering of guys, and alternately complained about and thrived on her work in a hair salon.

And then all hell broke loose.

Livi’s mother came to London to “find herself” while Livi’s dad was nowhere to be found. Livi’s best friend Cam was sometimes being his sweet self and sometimes ignoring her texts and emails. Finally, Livi got stuck with a handsome American’s leather satchel due to a mishap on the train.

With a nudge from her flatmate, Livi went all over the place – throughout town, on day trips around England, and even a few days in romantic Paris – trying to find the American and return his satchel. She also went all over the place in her heart and mind, trying to figure out where her life was going and who she wanted to spend it with.

And there’s where chick-lit turned to romance.

I won’t give away details, but Livi got one of the best, most romantic, awe-inspiring and awwwww-inspiring happily ever afters I’ve read in a long time.

Brava, Serena Clarke! I plan to read more by you.

–Calliope

The Kindle format is less than $4!
Buy It Now All Over the Place

Review Take 2: Plus One is a Lucky Number by Teresa Morgan

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Clio wrote an awesome advance review of this 4 star romance. Now that the book has been released I’m just going to add my two cents. 🙂

British rom-coms are one of my favorite genres. This one made the grade. I chuckled during Sophie and Adam’s wedding weekend, hurt for Sophie when she was getting her feelings trampled all over, and sighed with relief when Sophie and Adam finally started being honest with each other.

Low points included Sophie’s insecurities being too exaggerated, and being reminded repeatedly of Adam’s “player” reputation.

One of my favorite things about this book is how fun the characters were. The guests at the wedding, Adam’s mom, Sophie’s best friend and relatives… they all sounded like people I’d want to meet up with for a drink. Kudos to Teresa Morgan for a cheery cast!

If you like Jill Mansell and romantic comedies, you will enjoy Plus One is a Lucky Number.

–Calliope

Buy It Now Plus One is a Lucky Number: HarperImpulse RomCom

Just released August 29!

Review: The Hero by Robyn Carr

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5 stars!

Oh, Robyn Carr, I do love your talent. Who else can make an ensemble cast and a main character develop simultaneously in the same novel? Romance leads the way while family life and suspense follow closely behind.

I liked the romantic element in The Hero — Devon runs away with her daughter from a drug dealer-run commune — and ends up falling in love with a new guy in a new town (Thunder Point). He’s her hero in a way.

And I liked the family and community themes EVEN MORE. Rawley, the antisocial, grouchy old coot who helps Cooper at the beach restaurant, finally finds a social niche. Rawley found Devon walking along the road, saved her, and gave her a place to stay — a physical home and a home in his grandfatherly heart. Devon and her daughter Mercy are the family Rawley never had. He is Devon’s hero, too.

The women of the town quickly take to Devon, meeting her for coffee and lending an ear. They make her feel part of the town, without requiring that she repay them. The women’s friendships save Devon emotionally. They are her heroes.

By the end, we see the many ways Devon is a hero – to herself, her love interest, her daughter, Rawley, the doctor’s office. And she finally sees it too.

Around Devon’s story, Robyn Carr masterfully weaves in updates on the rest of the characters, whose stories began in Thunder Point books 1 and 2: Eric and Ashley, Cooper and Sarah and Landon (and Eve), Mac and Gina, Spencer and Austin… their relationships continue to grow and develop in wonderful ways. There are new homes, engagement rings, new jobs, a new school year, and even a beach wedding.

The Hero was a combination of the best romantic elements from The Wanderer (book 1) and the well-developed family elements in The Newcomer (book 2).

Thank you for a great escape, Robyn Carr! I lived in Thunder Point for a night and enjoyed every word, every chapter.

–Calliope

Buy It Now The Hero

Review: The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

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4 stars

The House on Burra Burra Lane opened quietly, proceeded cautiously, and then had me in laughter and tears. Kind of like the novel’s romantic relationship! I liked how I got to know Sammy and Ethan as slowly as they got to know each other. Their lives unfolded gradually to each other and to the reader.

Sammy buys a house in rural Australia. The local vet helps her make the repairs. After some unique and wonderful turning points — ringing the High Striker bell at the fair, and rescuing a 300-lb pig from a muddy ditch – the two realize they can’t deny their feelings for each other. They meander through misunderstandings, personal baggage and community gossip before landing in the Happily Ever After.

This book is peaceful and light — because of the story and setting but also because of the author’s word choice and writing style. The House On Burra Burra Lane is impressively crafted, something I’ve come to appreciate in the romance genre.

–Calliope

Buy It Now The House On Burra Burra Lane

Review: The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank

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4 stars

The Last Original Wife cracked me up! One thread in the book was about how Wes, the husband, didn’t appreciate his wife Les’ humor — kind of like how some reviewers didn’t appreciate the humor in this book. But I did. 🙂

The book is ostensibly about a marriage gone wrong, a woman’s search for her own identity, and the social dynamic in the south. Underneath, the author comments on society’s expectations and prejudices. To experience it all, I went on a hilarious literary trip from Atlanta to Charleston, replete with a brother living in a haunted house, walks along the battery with iced cocktails, dinners at the Club, and a lover who wears seersucker suits.

Wes and Les had a less-than-perfect marriage. And Les finally got fed up with Wes’ idiocy. Did she make a high moral choice? No. Did he deserve it? Yeah, pretty much. They both hid their real selves from each other for years, so in my opinion they both reaped what they sowed.

I really enjoyed the humor, the insouciance, the ridiculousness of these characters and their interactions. I felt like I was reading the book version of a mural of caricatures.

I didn’t agree with everything the characters did in The Last Original Wife. I wouldn’t have made the decisions they did. But I loved reading their story.

–Calliope

Buy It Now The Last Original Wife

Review: Homecoming Ranch by Julia London

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4 stars

I was excited to start this book, because I had so much fun reading Julia London’s first book in The Fancy Lives of the Lear Sisters series. I figured, this London chick knows how to write, so I picked up Homecoming Ranch, an August release. I’m glad I did.

I’m going to admit I was confused in the beginning. Three sisters — Emma, Madeline and Libby — were left a ranch in their dad’s will. But the ranch was the lifelong home of a completely different family. And one sister had already made herself at home when the story began.

But then it sorted itself out. Once I was un-confused, I could sit back and enjoy London’s fabulous, real characters. These sisters pouted and gave dirty looks, hugged and cowered, laughed and made fools of themselves… just like people I know in real life. And the male love interest? Whoohoooo! He was pretty real too (well, okay, except for the customary perfect physique). Luke got annoyed, angry, impatient, confused, distant, sappy, happy, passionate… hey, just like a real guy.

Leo (Luke’s brother) provided some comic relief and a reality check amidst Luke and Madeline’s love story. London’s “Leo” voice was brilliant, so so brilliant. Changing literary points of view made the story so genuine. Yeah, there’s a romance happening, but yoohoo, readers, there’s real life baggage to deal with too. Just because London writes a Happily Ever After doesn’t mean she skims over the struggles.

Besides writing superb characters, London illustrates the fun, funny and difficult moments of families, whatever package they come in.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

-Calliope

P.S. It’s only $3.99 for Kindle!

Buy It Now Homecoming Ranch

Why I Read

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As I raced around to note a bunch of book club reads and new Advanced Review Copies of books, I felt rushed. I have this list of books I want to read and review by certain dates, but I just don’t know if I’ll have time. I’d need to read pretty fast to get it done.

So I stopped and reflected. I shouldn’t be rushing to read, no matter what. Reading shouldn’t be a chore. Why am I stressing about something I love doing? Why am I reading, anyway?

Apart from that moment of stress, I consider reading my favorite hobby. I read to relax. Just the process of seeing, consuming and understanding written words relaxes me. That’s why I enjoy my morning coffee with the newspaper. Or the back of the cereal box.

I also read to escape. You’ll notice I review a lot of Happily Ever After type books. That’s because I’m trying to forget – for a little while – about my worries, the stuff I have to do the next day, and the crazy things happening in the world around me.

In the past I read to learn, to be informed, to become enlightened. But now I just want some really good writing to draw me in, and a nice happy story to entertain me.

I decided I’m not going to rush around or give myself time limits to get certain books read. I’m going to savor the writing, settle in to the characters’ lives, and enjoy the happily ever afters — however long it takes me.

–Calliope

Review: North Country Hero (Northern Lights #1) by Lois Richer

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3 stars

Kyle is a war veteran who lost a leg in Afghanistan. Sara is a victim of childhood abuse who has a lot of love to give. They get to know each other while working for a new school for at-risk teenage boys. Sara tries to overcome her adversity and shows her love through cooking and serving others. Kyle is bitter because of the physical damage he has suffered, but Sara softens his heart.

I totally loved the rural Canadian setting: beluga whales, snow and ice, polar bears and Northern Lights. The boys attending the school were sweethearts (a little unbelievable for troubled teenagers, but okay). The cast of characters were likable and well-developed.

One thing I didn’t like was how lost and unsure of herself Sara was. Sara’s actions showed her as well-adjusted in society but the author wrote her thoughts as self-doubting at every turn. It seemed contrived.

I did like the love story and how slowly the relationship grew. I thought it was realistic for two people afraid of taking a risk on another person. Though predictable, I enjoyed the emotional push and pull until the Happily Ever After.

North Country Hero is a Love Inspired Christian Romance, so expect a lot of talk about prayer, God, faith, and the Bible. Most of it was written in naturally but there were a few hokey, Pollyanna instances that evoked an eye-roll. Christianity was an integral part of the plot and main character.

My sure sign of a good book is one that makes me laugh and cry. North Country Hero had my heart bursting and tears flowing.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

–Calliope

Buy It Now North Country Hero