October 9, 2012

5 Stars: The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller.... Robert Kincaid, a photographer and free spirit, and Francesca Johnson, the farm wife waiting for the fulfillment of a girlhood dream, reveal what it is like to love and be loved so intensely that life is never the same again. I must say that I have watched this movie several times and it is my all time favorite romantic movie. I still cry like a baby every time I watch it. But it wasn't until recently that I read the book. I am so glad that I finally did. It was even more intense than the movie. Have you ever felt that you were one of the characters in a book? Well, that is how I felt with Francesca.  I could feel her love, pain, sorrow, even her broken heart. And I grieved right along with her. A once in a lifetime love.........I also decided to read the follow up book to The Bridges of Madison County, which is A Thousand Country Roads. This book fills in a few things (that weren't necessarily missing from Bridges), and helps to explain some of the story of Robert and Francesca in the time that they weren't together. Before they met, and after. I give it 5 Stars....I needed that extra part of the story, because after finishing Bridges, I was mourning.....the end of Robert and Francesca.

October 9, 2012

5 Stars ...The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks....THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past. I loved this book. Who doesn't think back to their first love and wonder..what if?

5 Stars.."The Good Dream..by Donna VanLiere. Set in the 1950's in Tennessee. A lonely 'old maid' discovers a feral, malnourished little boy stealing from her garden. Who is he? Where has he come from? Will she be able to save him?.......Wow. This is a book you will not want to put down. It made me cry, it made me smile. It gave me a lot to think about it. I can see this book being made into a movie. This book officially comes out in July. Pre-order and put this on your 'to be read' list. I received a free advanced readers edition of this book. This in no way changes my views of this book. "

A Journey in the Arizona Territory, January 11, 2012

By Angela Adair    

This review is from: These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 (P.S.) (Paperback)

These is My Words is based on the diary of the authors great grandmother. Based in the late 1800's, join along as Sarah Prine's family travels the Arizona territory in search of a new home. Traveling along the frontier they run into other families hoping for a better life, as well as the Army, Indians and outlaws. Sarah shows her strength and courage as her hard life unravels. Read along as she gets married and raises her family, and finds out what real love is. This book made me smile, laugh and cry. It's a book you won't want to put down.

Crescent Rising by Ryan Black

***** Crescent Rising (Ryan Black Thriller) (Kindle Edition) This is a 'save the world' action packed book. Very believable. Makes you realize this could actually happen. Very well written, down to every last detail. The author spares nothing when it comes to detail. Makes you want to befriend Mr. Ryan Black. Angie Adair

A Well Behaved Woman's Life by Susan McGeown

***** A Well Behaved Woman's Life (Kindle Edition) Wow...Just finished A Well Behaved Woman's Life and I must say, I hated for it to end. You can put yourself in her place and know exactly how she is feeling. Hurt, hatred, alone. This book will make you laugh, cry, sympathize and smile. Great writing Susan McGeown. The only bad part of this ebook was the formatting. Some of the sentences were misplaced in the paragraphs, but I was able to figure them out with a little work.  Angie Adair

Spirit of Union Trilogy by Gordon Ryan

Stars *** Spirit of Union Trilogy (Paperback) While the first part of the trilogy kept me interested, the second didn't. And I cannot get myself to finish this book, sorry. Though it was very well written, it lacked passion. Events in the book that needed to be drawn out in detail, were not. Then I found myself skipping over useless extended details in other parts of the book. I was happy to see Tom and Katrinka finally together, but every time there was a major event in their life...it felt like it was just skipped over. (The wedding, births, etc...) I wanted to see the passion and detail in these characters. It just wasn't there for me. Angie Adair

P.M. Richter

Stars ***** Midnight Reflections (Kindle Edition) I really enjoyed this book. It was very realistic and well written. Lots of suspense and action with a romantic story line. Its a book I didn't want to put down. In fact, I put off reading the last chapter because I didn't want it to end. But alas, I couldn't help myself and finished the book. A nice ending. It left me with a good feeling.Angie Adair

A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

Stars **** A Gift of Grace: A Novel (Kauffman Amish Bakery Series) (Kindle Edition) Really enjoyed this book and even had a good cry towards the end of the book. The only part I didn't like was the abrupt ending...expected a bit more to the ending of the story. Yes, I know there is a series of books, and it was leading into the next book. But I still expected a more detailed ending to this one. But all in all I enjoyed this book! Angie Adair

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Stars *****  The Keeper: A Novel (Stoney Ridge Seasons) (Paperback)

You will enjoy this new series. The Keeper was a wonderful book. You will get to know every single character in this book. Poor Julia's wedding has been postponed by her fiance again. It's all Bee Man's fault...or is it a blessing? Her Father Amos has a bad heart and needs a heart transplant that he refuses to get. Then the new housekeeper Fern arrives making everyone nervous. Teen Sadie struggles with her body image. Little Mary Kate will have you laughing. The characters will have you laughing and crying. Will Julia ever wed? Will Amos get a transplant? You will enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.   Angie Adair