Book Review: Better Together By Kimberly Stuart

BETTER TOGETHER
A Heidi Elliott Novel: Book #3

By: Kimberly Stuart

Published: October 31, 2016

Publisher: Blom Books

Fiction/Christian Fiction/Contemporary Romance



I first learned about Kimberly Stuart several years ago from another blogger talking about Stuart's blog and how funny and relatable she was. Stuart, who lives in Des Moines, wrote about motherhood and life in a way that I could relate to. While reading, I noticed she was also an author. Over time, I grabbed a couple of her books when they were on a Kindle deal. But, since I don't always have time to read books that aren't on my to-review stack, they got buried in my ever-growing ebook list. Then a month ago, I found out my sister-in-law was going to be on a panel with other Christian women in Des Moines and I noticed that one of the women was Kimberly Stuart. I recognized the name and checked out her blog again. A couple days later I surprisingly received an email asking me to review her latest book and I was thrilled to finally get a chance to read one of her books. Stuart also has another new book, coming out in February titled, SUGAR.

Stuart writes from a real-life perspective and weaves her faith throughout...not in an overpowering way, but in a way that many of us converse with others. BETTER TOGETHER is the third in a series about her character Heidi Elliott, but having not read the previous two books in the series, I can confidently say, this book stands alone. I may have missed out on some back stories or history, but I was able to enjoy this book without feeling like I was missing anything.

Heidi Elliott is a wife to Jake and a mom to Nora. We meet them as Nora is starting Kindergarten. Heidi is feeling lost and wondering how to spend her days while Nora is at school. Jake and Heidi have suffered multiple miscarriages since Nora was born and all Heidi wants to do is lose herself in a project at home to forget about that fact that she can't seem to carry another baby. She paints furniture, organizes and cleans the cabinets, and even tries volunteering in her daughter's classroom (which was a disaster) but none of it will take away her pain and grief over the loss of the babies.

Heidi's best friend, Willow, has been a constant for her, offering support and laughter when she needed it most but now Willow's new boyfriend seems to be taking all of her time and Heidi thinks there is something fishy about him. She makes finding out his secrets her new project and it may just cost her everything.

Stuart's witty prose and real-life heartbreak combine for a relatable story that all mothers and women will enjoy. It isn't easy to write about the pain of losing a child, but reality shows us that life has to move on. Heidi's struggles are painful to read about yet hopeful as she relies on her faith, her daughter's daily prayers, and a hope that there is a baby in their future. Jake and Heidi's relationship and their commitment to family is a bright spot in a world of dreary winter days and sad news stories. You can't help but smile through the sadness in the story because you know that no matter what happens Heidi, Jake, and Nora will have each other's back.

Favorite quote:

"I felt my heart warm up and become pliable

 in a way that I hadn't felt in far too long,

 and I knew in that moment that the thaw had happened

 because I was finally surrendering." 

Kimberly Stuart - source

Kimberly Stuart, in an effort to condone the time and money spent, would like you to know she holds degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Iowa.  She learned lots of interesting things at these fine institutions, none of which prepared her for the lethal cocktail of parenthood and writing. Stuart is the author of five published novels, including the Heidi Elliott series, Act Two, Stretch Marks, Operation Bonnet and a sixth, Sugar, set to release February 2017. She is a frequent public speaker and is passionate about helping others live great stories. To see all of Kimberly Stuart's books, click HERE. You can also check out her website, HERE.

To purchase a copy of BETTER TOGETHER, click the photo below:





Thanks to the publisher for sending an ecopy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: Falling By Jane Green

FALLING: A Love Story

By: Jane Green

Published: July 19, 2016

Publisher: Berkley

Fiction/Romance



Romance novels aren't usually my first choice, but sometimes it is nice to work in a lighter read. After reading the premise of this one, I thought this one might be a bit different. It isn't your typical love story. It's not overly gushy and there are no R-rated scenes that will make you blush. But, as in most love stories, love happens quickly and obstacles are easily conquered. I have heard many readers rave about Jane Green's stories, and this is my first of hers. I can see why readers praise her skilled storytelling. But, will it convince me to read more of her novels? Maybe. It seems even Green's biggest fans are split on FALLING, either loving it or hating it. It seems to have all the hallmarks of a winning novel: likable characters with in-depth and real situations, believable circumstances, and a few mishaps to keep you rooting for them along the way. I was easily wrapped up in the lives of Green's characters. She gets you involved in the character's individual story first so that you are more likely to root for them as their love story evolves. She makes you feel like you would be best friends with them and want to live in their community.  Then as the relationship begins, you feel emotionally involved in the choices they make.

Emma left her stuffy British family behind and became a banker, living the ritzy life in NYC. Now in her late 30's she is tired and uninspired and wants to do something more creative with her life. She moves to Westport, Connecticut, hoping to start her own interior design business. When she finds the perfect home to rent, she never expects to find a landlord she can't stop thinking about. Dominic, born and raised in Westport, loves doing odd handyman jobs, working as a bartender, and most of all, raising his young son. Dominic and Emma soon become friends and begin working together for Emma's design business. Neither one of them was looking for a serious relationship, but one begins to bloom between them. Unfortunately, it isn't without hiccups and Emma begins to wonder if all the drama and hassle of loving someone is really worth it.

There are many different kinds of love shared in this story. There is the love between Emma and Dominic as the reader watches them go from friends to dating to falling in love.  There is the love between Dominic and his son, Jesse. Dominic takes his role as full-time parent very seriously and the love between him and his son is evident on the pages. Emma and Jesse begin to care for each other as Jesse begins to trust her and even helps her get a pet. But there are times when Jesse becomes angry that Emma has invaded his life with his dad. Green delicately handles the balance of a single parent's dating life and how it can impact a young child. There is also the love each set of parents has for their adult child. Both sets are quite vocal about what they hope for their child and Emma and Dominic struggle with trying to please their parents along with following their heart. Both Emma and Dominic want a different life than the one they were raised in, and the reader will find their parents' dysfunctional relationships add a quirky, yet comedic relief to the story.

Emma and Dominic are easy to root for and you hope they can find a way to love each other through the obstacles.  Many of the obstacles are quickly tidied up, and I expected some of that. What I wasn't expecting was the life-changing event towards the end of the novel. Without giving anything away, this event totally changed the scope of the novel for me. I wasn't prepared and even though I appreciate the author's use of surprise, this was harsh. It hurt and maybe that is what Green was going for. But, it also made me mad and left me feeling empty when the novel finished. I was glad that a few pieces of the story ended positively, but this love story didn't end the way I had hoped. Maybe that makes it more real for the reader and less of an escape from reality. But, sometimes we want that happy ending and not the harshness of the real world when we read.

Jane Green - source

Jane Green is a bestselling author of many popular novels. She has been featured in People, Newsweek, USA Today, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. She lives in Connecticut with her family. 
For more information, connect with Jane at Facebook.com/AuthorJaneGreen.

To purchase a copy of FALLING, click the photo below:




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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this novel for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review and Giveaway: Once Upon a Wine By Beth Kendrick

ONCE UPON A WINE

By: Beth Kendrick

Published: July 26, 2016

Publisher: NAL

Fiction




Beth Kendrick has created a series of books all set in the same Delaware community of Black Dog Bay, where women go to recuperate after jilted relationships, broken marriages, or in this case, to buy a winery.

Ginger has decided to fulfill one of her bucket list items by purchasing a winery. After surviving cancer, she realized here is no time like the present and purchased the Lost Dog Vineyard in Black Dog Bay. The only problem is she knows nothing about growing grapes or making wine. Her daughter, Kat, thinks her mom has gone over the deep end and calls her cousin Cammie to come and talk some sense into her mom. Cammie, ironically, has just lost her job waitressing at a fancy restaurant and is feeling like California isn't for her anymore. She doesn't have a place to live or a job, so she has nothing to lose. She packs up her belongings and heads to Delaware to see what her aunt has gotten herself into.

Coming to Black Dog Bay brings back memories for Cammie of one summer spent with Ian, a farmer that almost made her throw caution to the wind and embark on a new life....almost. Kat, is trying to grasp a new life as well, as a retired skateboarder. A back injury has ended her career as a famous skateboarder and she is in the middle of an early mid-life crisis trying to grasp the idea of being a suburban wife instead of a sports star.

 Like the rest of Kendrick's books. this one stands alone while revisiting some of the previous characters and locations in Black Dog Bay. It is full of the witty banter and hilarious antics of her previous books with a cover that grabs your attention on the shelf.

This light-hearted romance doesn't focus on the physical part of the relationships, leaving out the sordid details and instead focusing on the relationships between the characters. This is Kendrick's strength and why this series of books has been so successful. Readers care about the characters in the story, want them to recover, and be successful. Then each book connects back to those characters and reminds you that things can work out even after devastating failures.

Tuck ONCE UPON A WINE in your beach bag or carry on and finish out your summer with the ladies of Black Dog Bay and a glass of strawberry wine!

Favorite quote:

" Failure had set them free to find new dreams, 

build new relationships, to discover who they really were." Page 283

Beth Kendrick - source

Beth Kendrick is the author of THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING, THE LUCKY DOG MATCHMAKING SERVICE, AND NEARLYWEDS, which was turned into a Hallmark Channel original movie. Although she lives in Arizona, she loves to vacation at the Delaware shore, where she brakes for turtles, eats boardwalk fries, and wishes that the Whinery really existed. For more on Beth Kendrick, check out her website, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE. Find all the books in the Black Dog Bay series, HERE. 

Lucky for you, I have one copy of ONCE UPON A WINE to give to one of my readers. To enter to win, fill in the form below. 

This giveaway is now closed.

 Thanks to all who entered. Karen is the winner. 

If you can't wait for the giveaway, you can purchase a copy of ONCE UPON A WINE, by clicking the photo below:



My review of CURE FOR THE COMMON BREAKUP
My review of NEW USES FOR OLD BOYFRIENDS
My review of PUT A RING ON IT

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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission, without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: Me Before You By Jojo Moyes

ME BEFORE YOU

By: Jojo Moyes

Published: December 31, 2012

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books/Viking

Fiction/Romance



I feel like I may have been the last person on the planet to read ME BEFORE YOU or any of Jojo Moyes' novels. I actually won a set of her novels last year but haven't read any of them, mostly because I usually have too many review books to read over books for my own enjoyment. But, since the publisher sent me these as a winner, I do feel a little obligated to read them. I also tend to avoid books if they have a lot of  hype. When a book is being raved about and talked about, I tend to hold off for a bit, because I am always afraid it is going to be a let down and my expectations are too high which then often leads to disappointment, not because it was a bad book, but because I let all the "buzz" damage my experience.  But, this book kept popping up...STILL....in my social media newsfeeds and then I heard Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy mention it several times in her podcasts (What Should I Read Next?). So, I decided it was time for me to dig in and see what it was all about.

This book TOTALLY lived up to the hype. First of all, I love novels set in the UK. I don't know why, because the weather is usually dreary and rainy, but I have always been fascinated by novels that are set there. I didn't even know it was set in a village near London until I started reading and in fact, I really didn't know much about it at all except that it was a romantic story. Again, this is usually a turn off for me, but not this time. I think reading this without knowing too much about it is good. Just traveling through the story of Louisa and Will and their families was quite an experience. Moyes knows how to create characters that readers will buy into, care about, and deeply miss when the book is done.

So, if you don't know anything about it, here's a bit of a tease to convince you to read it, if you were like me and have been avoiding it.

Louisa is newly unemployed. Will is a quadriplegic. Louisa becomes his caretaker (aka babysitter) and the two of them have quite a difficult time getting along with each other. Louisa's boyfriend, Patrick, is too focused on training for a marathon to worry about Louisa's new job and her family is thrilled that she is working at all since she seems to be solely responsible for financially taking care of her parents, her sister, and her nephew. Will's family has an ulterior motive for hiring Louisa and when she finds out their secret, she will have to decide if she can continue to play the part the family expects her to be.

I laughed, I cried, I cried some more and then I cried again. It really is a love story that will shatter your heart into a million pieces....in a good way....if that is possible.  Just. Read. It. Then you will understand what I mean. There is also a sequel to ME BEFORE YOU, titled ME AFTER YOU.

Favorite Quote:

"It was as if everything had shifted, fragmented and settled 

in some other place, into a pattern I barely recognized."

Also, in case you haven't heard, ME BEFORE YOU will be in theaters this June. I can't wait, but this trailer will give you a little tease.

Jojo Moyes - source

Jojo Moyes was born in 1969 and grew up in London. After a varied career including stints as a minicab controller, typer of braille statements for blind people for NatWest, and brochure writer for Club 18-30, she did a degree at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, London University. In 1992, she won a bursary financed by The Independent newspaper to attend the postgraduate newspaper journalism course at City University. Jojo worked as a journalist for ten years, including a year at South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, and nine at The Independent where she worked variously as News Reporter, Assistant News Editor and Arts and Media Correspondent.

Jojo has been a full-time novelist since 2002, when her first book, SHELTERING RAIN was published. Since then she has written eleven novels, all of which have been widely critically acclaimed. She has won the Romantic Novelist’s Award twice, and ME BEFORE YOU has been nominated for Book of the Year at the UK Galaxy Book Awards. She is married to journalist Charles Arthur and has three children. 

For more info on Jojo Moyes, check out her website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of ME BEFORE YOU, click the photo below:

To purchase ME AFTER YOU, click the photo below:

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Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book through a giveaway. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive as small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: Secret Sisters By Jayne Ann Krentz

SECRET SISTERS

By: Jayne Ann Krentz

Published: December 8, 2015

Publisher: Berkley

Fiction/Romance/Mystery



Jayne Ann Krentz has written over 50 New York Times Best-Selling novels and this is the first one that I have read. I don't usually read the romance/suspense genre, but the synopsis intrigued me so I gave it a try.

Madeline and Daphne are best friends and spend their days together while Daphne's mom works for Madeline's grandma at the hotel she runs. After a brutal attack on Madeline during a party at the hotel, their lives are forever changed. They have been bound by a secret that will haunt both of them forever.

Madeline and Daphne haven't spoken since that fateful night and now, eighteen years later, the past has come back to confront them. When Madeline returns to Washington after her grandmother's death she comes upon the death of the hotel caretaker. Now she is wondering if these deaths are truly accidental and if they have anything to do with the attack on her many years ago. Madeline must find Daphne and along with her security expert, Jack, they need to get to the truth of what truly happened the night Madeline was attacked.

Krentz is extremely talented at building suspense throughout the story. Nothing goes smoothly for the characters and she builds in multiple surprises to keep you guessing. Each twist in the story will leave you suspecting one person over another.  As Madeline and Jack investigate the loose ends, the reader will also try to see what clue they are missing. As more and more people are found dead and Madeline and Daphne confront dangerous situations, the novel begins to move quickly. Since I'm not a romance reader, I found the relationships rushed and unrealistic. But, Krentz's readers would be sure to remind me that an entire romance has to fit in just 300 some pages.

Fans of Krentz will find her latest book thrilling as well as passionate. The culmination of solving the crime will leave you shocked and wondering how you didn't figure it out in the beginning.

Side Notes:

Favorite Quote: "He kissed her with the soaring passion of a man who has just been set free from a cage. She understood his response because she had only recently escaped from an invisible prison herself. "

Cover: I like it, but don't see the connection to the story except for the fact that Madeline may be running away from something. Still, maybe a shot of the hotel on Cooper Island would have been better.

Jayne Ann Krentz - source

The author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, Jayne Ann Krentz writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full-time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.

Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington. For more on Krentz, visit her website, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of this book, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 


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Book Review: 34 Seconds By Stella Samuel

34 SECONDS

By: Stella Samuel

Published: October 4, 2015

Publisher: Stella Samuel

Fiction/Romance




Nikki and Will had that summer romance that every girl dreams about. They sat on the beach, they took long walks, and Will sang Nikki the songs they wrote together. Their romance was full of passion and Nikki thought they would be together forever. Instead, Will wasn't "marriage material" and ended their relationship. Nikki now lives in Colorado with her husband, Chris, and two young children. Her past is being brought back to the front of her mind because she is traveling back home to Virginia to attend Will's wedding. Will and Nikki have maintained a solid friendship over the years, talking weekly, even after Will broke Nikki's heart. A year after Nikki revisits her past by attending Will's wedding, she must again confront it in a much more heartbreaking way, by returning home to Will for his final journey.

Samuel's debut novel is full of emotion, romance, heartbreak, and love. Nikki flashes back often to her time with Will while she is getting her children breakfast, while they nap, and lying in bed. The passion she and Will shared seems to monopolize her thoughts and takes her focus away from her family. Attending Will's wedding was very difficult for Nikki and she spends a large amount of time obsessing over Will rather than enjoying the festivities and her family.  I found  Nikki's whining and obsession became a bit annoying as I traveled through the story.

When her weekly phone calls with Will stop abruptly after the wedding, Nikki is confused and hurt. She can't understand why Will no longer is making their friendship a priority and his new wife isn't offering any information. A few months later, Nikki is summoned to Will's bedside, and again, the story focuses on Nikki's obsession with her memories of Will. I found the flashbacks to Nikki's relationship with Will to be a bit boring at times. The first few gave a nice picture of the intensity of their romance and the passion Will and Nikki shared, but after awhile, I started skimming them as they were a bit repetitive. Samuel is extremely talented in her writing and I'm sure worked hard on the editing process, I just felt like it was a bit much. The words to the many songs that Will and Nikki wrote were written from the heart. A neat addition to this novel would be a recording of these songs!

When Nikki returns home to be with Will, I felt like his final days were a bit too bogged down in the details. I understand the difficulty associated with someone in his final days without the minutiae of details, including pages of him thrashing in bed or unable to get off the floor. Her focus on Hospice and the wonderful care they provide to patients and their families is commendable. She shows that the final days can be anything but smooth and predictable, but with guidance from Hospice, they can be an invaluable resource.

I think Samuel has a knack for romance writing but needs to find a more concise way to tell the story that will keep readers from skimming. Less is more.

Stella Samuel - Source

Stella Samuel lives in Colorado with her husband, three children, two cats, and two beautiful Saint Bernards. She's been writing for years but decided to begin publishing once her children were in school and away from home a few hours each day. She enjoys writing, reading, watching children laugh, and music. For more on the author, check out her website, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of this novel, click the photo below:

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Thanks to the author for sending a copy of this novel for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Book Review: Put A Ring On It By Beth Kendrick

PUT A RING ON IT
Black Dog Bay #3

By: Beth Kendrick

Published: November 3, 2015

Publisher: NAL

Fiction



Black Dog Bay, Delaware is the place women run to after horrible break-ups. It's filled with businesses such as the Better Off Bed-and-Breakfast, Whinery, Rebound Salon, Eat Your Heart Out Bakery and the Naked Finger jewelry store. All these businesses are run by women who came to Black Dog Bay to recover from broken hearts. Brighton decides to visit her college roommate, Kira, who just started her psychiatry practice in Black Dog Bay. Brighton's engagement to Colin has just ended and she is throwing her structured and planned life out the window and taking off a few days to catch up with Kira.

As Brighton arrives in Black Dog Bay, she finds herself being introduced to the resident bachelor, Jake Sorenson. When she receives a call from Colin that he has married a woman he just met, she one-ups him by flying to Vegas in Jake Sorenson's private jet and marrying him while sending texts to Colin of the whole event. None of this is part of Brighton's life plan and as an actuary, she is constantly weighing all the risks after they return. When the risks start to feel too overwhelming, she decides to have fun with it and take a few weeks off a work. She even takes some time to dabble in her favorite hobby, jewelry design. Brighton finds she can easily picture herself living this life of wealth and creating jewelry, but it is too full of risks. Brighton can't believe that a marriage built on revenge can really be about love and stand the test of time.

Of the three books in the Black Dog Bay series, this was the most unrealistic for me. All three of the novels in the series have been fun, light-hearted, and witty. But, this storyline felt a bit more forced and contrite for me. I didn't connect with the characters as much because the true romance piece to the story wasn't until the very end. Even though it is a quick and satisfying read, and the setting of Black Dog Bay makes for a creative story, the romance in this one was a bit dull.

Kendrick has created a unique setting for these Black Dog Bay novels and each of them stands on their own as well as reignites some of the much-loved characters from the other novels. A romantic interlude, spontaneous decisions, and a close-knit community make for an entertaining read.

If you would like to see my reviews of her other novels, click the titles:
CURE FOR THE COMMON BREAKUP
NEW USES FOR OLD BOYFRIENDS

Side notes:
It took over half-way through the novel for the dog in the story to be introduced. I think the cover is cute and eye-catching, but not sure it if is the right cover for this book. The dog on the cover isn't even the type of dog described in the story.

Favorite Quote:

"This was the real problem with marrying someone she didn't know. 

It made her question whether she really knew herself."  Page 71

Beth Kendrick - source

Beth Kendrick is the author of THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING, THE LUCKY DOG MATCHMAKING SERVICE, AND NEARLYWEDS, which was turned into a Hallmark Channel original movie. Although she lives in Arizona, she loves to vacation at the Delaware shore, where she brakes for turtles, eats boardwalk fries, and wishes that the Whinery really existed. For more on Beth Kendrick, check out her website, HERE. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE.

To purchase PUT A RING ON IT, click the photo below:

To purchase CURE FOR THE COMMON BREAKUP, click the photo below:

To purchase NEW USES FOR OLD BOYFRIENDS, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this novel for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

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Books that Came My Way in September

I have no business accepting all these great books for review. My schedule is beyond crazy and I went a whole week without even turning a page in a book because I subbed every day and had meetings and kids' activities in the evening as well as a busy weekend. I have fallen behind on summer books already and the fall books are rolling in. Fall isn't looking to be any less busy, but I try to read a little bit every day and squeeze it a bit more if I have to miss a few days....or a week. People always ask me how I read so many books, and the truth is...sometimes I don't. Life happens and other obligations have to come before reading time. 

As always, if I am choosing to read a book, then you can be sure that I truly think it is worthy of my time. Of course, some books just find their way to my mailbox without my previous knowledge. I am only going to spend time reading and reviewing books that I enjoy. If I'm not feeling it, I'm going to put it aside. I can't get to all these great books that come my way, but at least I can tell you about them here and I hope to review them just as soon as I can!

Enjoy these books that came my way in September!

If you would like to purchase any of these books, 

clicking on the photo of the book will take you directly to Amazon.  

If you choose to purchase, I will receive a small commission 

without you having to pay any more for your purchase.  

I appreciate your support of SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

I'm linking up with The Deliberate Reader to share our stacks of books for September.

To see her Stack of Books as well as other bloggers Book Stacks, click HERE. 

BOOKS FOR REVIEW

PUT A RING ON IT
Black Dog Bay #3
By: Beth Kendrick
To Be Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher: NAL
Format: Paperback

I have read the first two in the Black Dog Bay series. Both novels were witty and fun stories of women rising above in a town full of breakups and disastrous relationships. I'm looking forward getting back to the stories of the people in Black Dog Bay! Click on the titles to see my reviews for the two previous novels in the series, CURE FOR THE COMMON BREAKUP and NEW USES FOR OLD BOYFRIENDS.

Brighton Smith doesn’t do outrageous. As an insurance actuary, it’s her job to assess risk and avoid bad investments. But when her fiancé calls to confess he’s married someone else on a whim (“I looked at her and I just knew!”), she snaps…

That night, at a local bar, Jake Sorensen—hot, rich, and way out of her league—buys Brighton a cocktail. At midnight, she kisses him. And by dawn, they’re exchanging vows at a drive-through chapel.

Brighton knows Jake is a bad bet, but she doesn’t care. After a lifetime of playing it safe, she’s finally having fun. Until the whirlwind romance gives way to painful reality...and Brighton finds out the truth about why a guy like Jake married a girl like her. With her heart on the line and the odds stacked against them, Brighton must decide whether to cut her losses or take a leap of faith that this love affair is one in a million.

STONES IN THE ROAD
By: E.B. Moore
Published: October 6, 2015
Publisher: NAL
Format: Paperback

I read and reviewed E.B. Moore's first novel, AN UNSEEMLY WIFE last October and really loved it. You can see my review, HERE.  It was amazing to me that it was Moore's first novel at the age of 72 and now she has another one out just one year later. I have no doubt I will love this one as well.

A young Amish boy ventures from Pennsylvania to California in this richly imagined historical novel from the author of AN UNSEEMLY WIFE.

1867. Growing up among the Pennsylvania Amish, eleven-year-old Joshua knows that his father is a respected church deacon who has the ear of God. But he’s also seen his father’s weakness for drink, and borne the brunt of his violent rages. In the aftermath of a disastrous fire, Joshua fears his father’s reprimand enough to run away from home. Having never experienced the ways of the English, Joshua now embarks on a decade-long journey to California, where he’s heard it’s always summer.

His mother, Miriam, is forced to take on the unusual role of head of the family when her husband is unable to recover physically, emotionally, or spiritually from the fire. As mother and son each find themselves in uncharted territory, they must draw on strength and forgiveness from within. Urged by everyone to accept her son’s death, Miriam never gives up hope of seeing Joshua again. But even as her prayers are answered so many years later, Joshua’s reunion will require him to face his father once again.

THE ITALIAN WIFE
By: Kate Furnivall
Published: October 6, 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Format: Paperback

This one grabbed me with the synopsis. Plus, it is set in Italy. Don't you just love the cover. I think it's my favorite this month! I'll be starting this one next and reviewing before the end of the month!

One bright autumn morning, architect Isabella Berotti sits at a café in the vibrant centre of Bellina, when a woman she's never met asks her to watch her ten-year-old daughter, just for a moment. Reluctantly, Isabella agrees -- and then watches in horror as the woman climbs to the top of the town's clock tower and steps over the edge.

This tragic encounter draws vivid memories to the surface, forcing Isabella to probe deeper into the secrets of her own past as she tries to protect the young girl from the authorities. Together with charismatic photographer Roberto Falco, Isabella is about to discover that secrets run deeper, and are more dangerous, than either of them could have possibly imagined . . .

From the glittering marble piazzas, to the picturesque hillside villages and winding streets of Rome, Kate Furnivall's epic new novel will take you on an breathtaking journey of intrigue, romance and betrayal.

ANOTHER WOMAN'S DAUGHTER
A Novel
By: Fiona Sussman
Published: October 6, 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Format: Paperback

Stories of mother's in heart-breaking situations seem to grab my attention. This is one I'm sure will be tough to read, but one I won't be able to put down or forget.

Celia Mphephu knows her place in the world. A black servant working in the white suburbs of 1960s Johannesburg, she’s all too aware of her limitations. Nonetheless, she has found herself a comfortable corner: She has a job, can support her faraway family, and is raising her youngest child, Miriam.

But as racial tensions explode, Celia’s world shifts. Her employers decide to flee the political turmoil and move to England—and they ask to adopt Miriam and take her with them. Devastated at the prospect of losing her only daughter, yet unable to deny her child a safer and more promising future, Celia agrees, forever defining both their futures.

As Celia fights against the shattering violence of her time, Miriam battles the quiet racism of England, struggling to find her place in a land to which she doesn’t belong—until the call of her heritage inexorably draws her back to Africa to discover the truth behind her mother’s choices and uncover a heartbreaking secret from long ago. 

CHANCE HARBOR
By: Holly Robinson
Published: October 6, 2015
Publisher: NAL
Format: Paperback

I'm always a sucker for sister stories. Holly Robinson is a wonderful author and I loved her novel THE WISHING HILL. See my review, HERE. This one sounds like a definite page-turner.

Catherine and Zoe are sisters, but even their mother, Eve, admits her daughters are nothing alike. Catherine is calm and responsible. Zoe is passionate and rebellious.  Nobody is surprised when Zoe gets pregnant, drops out of college, and spirals into drug addiction.
 
One night Catherine gets a call from Zoe’s terrified daughter, Willow, saying her mother has abandoned her in a bus station and disappeared. Eve blames herself, while Catherine, unable to have children, is delighted to raise Willow as her own. 
 
Now, five years later, Eve is grieving her husband’s death and making reluctant plans to sell the family’s beloved summer home on Prince Edward Island. But a series of unexpected revelations will upend the family and rock three generations of women.

SKIPPY DIES
By: Paul Murry
Published: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Format: Paperback

This book came in my Book Riot shipment. I love getting these packages because they are always full of new-to-me authors and other bookish goodies.

Why does Skippy, a fourteen-year-old boy at Dublin's venerable Seabrook College, end up dead on the floor of the local doughnut shop?

Could it have something to do with his friend Ruprecht Van Doren, an overweight genius who is determined to open a portal into a parallel universe using ten-dimensional string theory?

Could it involve Carl, the teenage drug dealer and borderline psychotic who is Skippy's rival in love?

Or could "the Automator"--the ruthless, smooth-talking headmaster intent on modernizing the school--have something to hide?

Why Skippy dies and what happens next is the subject of this dazzling and uproarious novel, unraveling a mystery that links the boys of Seabrook College to their parents and teachers in ways nobody could have imagined. With a cast of characters that ranges from hip-hop-loving fourteen-year-old Eoin "MC Sexecutioner" Flynn to basketball playing midget Philip Kilfether, packed with questions and answers on everything from Ritalin, to M-theory, to bungee jumping, to the hidden meaning of the poetry of Robert Frost, SKIPPY DIES is a heartfelt, hilarious portrait of the pain, joy, and occasional beauty of adolescence, and a tragic depiction of a world always happy to sacrifice its weakest members. As the twenty-first century enters its teenage years, this is a breathtaking novel from a young writer who will come to define his generation.

ON BEAUTY
By: Zadie Smith
Published: August 29, 2006
Publisher: Penguin Books
Format: Paperback

This book also came in my Book Riot shipment. With it being nearly ten years since it's original published date, I'm curious why they sent it now.

Howard Belsey is an Englishman abroad, an academic teaching in Wellington, a college town in New England. Married young, thirty years later he is struggling to revive his love for his African American wife Kiki. Meanwhile, his three teenage children— Jerome, Zora and Levi—are each seeking the passions, ideals and commitments that will guide them through their own lives. 

"After Howard has a disastrous affair with a colleague, his sensitive older son, Jerome, escapes to England for the holidays. In London he defies everything the Belseys represent when he goes to work for Trinidadian right-wing academic and pundit, Monty Kipps. Taken in by the Kipps family for the summer, Jerome falls for Monty's beautiful, capricious daughter, Victoria." But this short-lived romance has long-lasting consequences, drawing these very different families into each other's lives. As Kiki develops a friendship with Mrs. Kipps, and Howard and Monty do battle on different sides of the culture war, hot-headed Zora brings a handsome young man from the Boston streets into their midst whom she is determined to draw into the fold of the black middle class - but at what price?

THE MIND CONNECTION
How the Thoughts You Choose Affect Your Mood, Behavior, and Decisions
By: Joyce Meyer
Published: September 1, 2015
Publisher: FaithWords
Format: Hardcover

I enjoy Joyce Meyer's writing and have found it insightful and thought-provoking. Her idea of your mood and thoughts connecting your behavior is spot on. I can think of multiple times when this has happened to me....my mind had raced to a horrible conclusion, it dampened my mood, which then resulted in awful behavior being lashed out at either my husband or children. I'm anxious to see what Meyer has to say.

Are your thoughts random and meaningless, or do they affect your life in ways you have not yet understood?

In THE MIND CONNECTION, Joyce Meyer explains that the quality of your thoughts directly affects your quality of life. What you think impacts your words, attitude, decisions and emotions. It's all connected: thoughts affect your entire life by influencing how you relate to yourself, other people and to God.

Joyce shows you how to develop and maintain the right mental position - no matter what you face. Through practical advice and Scriptural insights, she'll help you think with purpose and gain the confidence to claim the life you were meant to lead.

TAMING MY TO-DO LIST
By: Glynnis Whitwer
Published: August 18, 2015
Publisher: Revell
Format: Paperback

I couldn't wait to dive into this one and I've already finished it. Stay tuned to a review coming soon. I can tell you now that if you have difficult starting tasks, putting things off, or completing projects, this book is for you! I learned so much from this book and will be putting Whitwer's insight into practice right now.

Ever just wish the world would stop for a day so you could catch up?

No matter how much we accomplish in a day, we nearly always feel a little guilt over what we didn’t do. But do we really have more to do than the women who came before us? Maybe not.

In TAMING THE TO-DO LIST, Glynnis Whitwer exposes a seismic shift in society: from one in which most of us were proactive to one in which we carry the burden of having to respond—to every email, text, tweet, and message we receive. This creates a cycle where everyone else sets the priorities for our days rather than us directing our own lives. The result? We procrastinate, putting off the important stuff for later while we tend to the “urgent” stuff right now.

It’s time to take back your schedule! Ready to tame that to-do list? This book shows you how. 

ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS TOO
Exploring Emotions from A to Z
By: Karen Lee Stevens
Published: 2011
Publisher: All for Animals
Format: Paperback

A first glance at the book and I can already recommend it for parents, teachers, counselors, and social workers. This is a book I will be keeping in my library. I'll be participating in a book tour for this book in a couple weeks, so stay tuned.

Filled with humor and whimsical illustrations, this enchanting and educational A-Z guide takes young readers on a journey through the alphabet with Sandy, a lovable Labrador retriever, who shows them that animals and people share many of the same feelings.

34 SECONDS
By: Stella Samuel
Published: October 4, 2015
Publisher: Stella Samuel
Format: eBook

When one of my dearest friends moved to Colorado, one of her newest friends that she met after moving in was Stella Samuel. When my friend asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing her friend's first book, I was honored! I can't wait to check it out!

Nikki and Will fell in love a lifetime ago in Deltaville, Virginia. Now living in Colorado with her family, Nikki is invited to attend Will’s wedding back in Virginia where she finds her past staring her in the face.
Will never wanted a wife, and he broke Nikki's heart long ago. Nikki knew what she wanted: a strong, happy marriage and children, a future. She found those things when she married Chris, and she and Will managed to grow their friendship after heartbreak. A year after the wedding, Nikki is faced with her painful past again. She soon discovers she must find the strength to help Will on his own personal journey. In thirty-four seconds, she sees him slip from her life forever. Watching Will cross over to his fate, her past collides with her present, and Nikki learns she’s never been in control of her own destiny. Her own journey back to her family in Colorado becomes one of self-discovery. With the help of Will’s voice to carry her across the country, Nikki must decide how she will move forward.

THE BEST OF ENEMIES
By: Jen Lancaster
Published: August 4, 2015
Publisher: NAL
Format: eBook

Honestly this isn't my usual read, but I'll give it a shot. It is a storyline I have seen several times and not sure if it will be enough to hold my attention.  Lancaster has a huge fan base, so there must be a good reason.

Jacqueline Jordan knows conflict. A fearless journalist, she’s spent the past decade embedded in the world’s hot spots, writing about the fall of nations and the rise of despots. But if you were to inquire about who topped Jack’s enemy list, she’d not hesitate to answer: Kitty Carricoe.

Kitty reigns supreme over the world of carpools and minivans. A SAHM, she spends her days caring for her dentist husband and three towheaded children, running the PTA, and hiding vegetables in deceptively delicious packed lunches.

Kitty and Jack haven’t a single thing in common—except for Sarabeth Chandler, their mutual bestie. Sarabeth and Jack can be tomboys with the best of them, while Sarabeth can get her girly-girl on with Kitty. In fact, the three of them were college friends until the notorious frat party incident, when Jack accidentally hooked up with Kitty’s boyfriend…

Yet both women drop everything and rush to Sarabeth’s side when they get the call that her fabulously wealthy husband has perished in a suspicious boating accident. To solve the mystery surrounding his death, Jack and Kitty must bury the hatchet and hit the road for a trip that just may bring them together—if it doesn’t kill them first.

SECRET SISTERS
By: Jayne Ann Krentz
To Be Published: December 8, 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Format: eBook

Jayne Krentz  is a much loved author but, I have never read any of her books. I'm anxious to see what all her adoring fans love about her.

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother's hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn't be bothering them anymore...ever. Still their lives would never be the same. 

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother's mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts...and wants. 

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack's brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth.

WHISTLING WOMEN
A Novel
By: Kelly Romo
To Be Published: November 17, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Format: eBook

This synopsis had me right away. Again, we've got a sister story that I'm a sucker for. Plus it is set during the World's Fair. It's gotta be a good one!

Life went terribly wrong for Addie Bates in San Diego, and she’s been running from dark memories ever since. For fifteen years, the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony has provided a safe haven for Addie to hide from the crime she committed. But when the residents pack up to go on exhibit at the 1935 world’s fair in San Diego, Addie returns and must face the thrilling yet terrifying prospect of reuniting with her estranged sister, Wavey.


Addie isn’t the only one interested in a reunion. When her niece, Rumor, discovers she has an aunt, Rumor is determined to bring her family together. But it’s not so easy when the women are forced to confront family secrets, past and present.

Set against the backdrop of the 1935 world’s fair, WHISTLING WOMEN explores the complex relationships between sisters, the sacrifices required to protect family, and the devastating consequences of a single impulsive act.

BOOKS I PURCHASED

THE MAKING OF HOME
The 500-Year Story of How our Houses Became Our Homes
By: Judith Flanders
Published: September 8, 2015
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Format: Hardcover

When I first read about this book, I knew exactly who to buy it for. It will be a perfect Christmas present for someone special and I am hoping to at least skim it a bit before I hand it over. I think it sounds like a fascinating book.

The 500-year story of how, and why, our homes have come to be what they are, from the bestselling author of THE VICTORIAN CITY and THE VICTORIAN HOUSE.

The idea that 'home' is a special place, a separate place, a place where we can be our true selves, is so obvious to us today that we barely pause to think about it. But, as Judith Flanders shows in her fascinating new book, 'home' is a relatively new idea. When in 1900 Dorothy assured the citizens of Oz that 'There is no place like home', she was expressing a view that was the climax of 300 years of change.

In THE MAKING OF HOME, Flanders traces the evolution of the house from the sixteenth to the early twentieth century across northern Europe and America, and shows how the 'homes' we know today bear only a faint resemblance to 'homes' through history. Along the way she investigates the development of ordinary household items - from cutlery, chairs and curtains, to the fitted kitchen, plumbing and windows - while also dismantling many domestic myths. 

WHEN BOOKS WENT TO WAR
The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II
By: Molly Guptill Manning
Published: December 2, 2014
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Hardcover

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile. Books about wars are high on my list of favorites and especially WWII. I love that librarians found a way to get books in soldiers hands which allowed them to escape a bit from their current situation. I had been watching this book go down in price on Amazon and when it hit $5 I snagged it. It is currently $2.62 for the hardcover. That's a steal!

When America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned over 100 million books and caused fearful citizens to hide or destroy many more. Outraged librarians launched a campaign to send free books to American troops and gathered 20 million hardcover donations. In 1943, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 million small, lightweight paperbacks, for troops to carry in their pockets and their rucksacks, in every theater of war.
 Comprising 1,200 different titles of every imaginable type, these paperbacks were beloved by the troops and are still fondly remembered today. Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy; in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific; in field hospitals; and on long bombing flights. They wrote to the authors, many of whom responded to every letter.  WHEN BOOKS WENT TO WAR is an inspiring story for history buffs and book lovers alike.  

THE 52 LISTS PROJECT
A Year of Weekly Journaling Inspiration
By: Moorea Seal
Published: September 8, 2015
Publisher: Sasquatch Books
Format: Hardcover

I purchased this for myself. I love making lists but they are usually to-do lists. This journal includes a list for every week of the year including Goals and Dreams, Best Qualities, Qualities You Admire in Others, and Things You Love Outdoors. Since I just had a birthday, I plan to start it this week and finish it by my next birthday. It is set up to start in January, but doesn't seem like the categories will affect me starting it now. I think it would make a great gift for someone with a milestone birthday or someone who likes to journal. I love all the prompts for each week.

Create 52 lists, one for every week of the year, that will help you discover the beauty, joy, creativity, and power you already have! THE 52 LISTS PROJECT is a gorgeous journal for list lovers, based on the popular blog series by Moorea Seal. This beautiful undated journal of weekly lists will help nurture self-expression and self-development. Each seasonal section includes list prompts, with plenty of space to write your own lists, and challenges to help you take action and make your dreams a reality. With perfectly timed prompts that meet you where you are throughout the different seasons, this journal will open up new avenues of self-knowledge and help you celebrate, enjoy, and take ownership of your life, as each week of the year becomes more thoughtful and vibrant.

AUGGIE AND ME
Three Wonder Stories
By: R.J. Palacio
Published: August 27, 2015
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover

I loved, loved, loved WONDER and wanted to read this too. My daughter already snagged it so I haven't had a chance to even look at it yet.

WONDER tells the story of Auggie Pullman: an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, whose first year at school changed the lives and the perspectives of everyone around him.

AUGGIE & ME is a new side to the WONDER story: three new chapters from three different characters - bully Julian, oldest friend Christopher and classmate Charlotte - giving an insight into how Auggie has touched their own lives. Thought-provoking, surprising, infuriating, heartbreaking and heartwarming, AUGGIE & ME is a must-read for the thousands of readers who loved WONDER.

PRAY, WRITE, GROW
Cultivating Prayer and Writing Together
By: Ed Cyzewski
Published: February 28, 2015
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Format: eBook

I heard about this book from Modern Mrs. Darcy and I immediately thought that my sister-in-law would benefit from it. Then when I read more about it, I decided that I might enjoy it as well. For $2.99 on Kindle, I think it is well-worth the price.

If you want to improve your prayer life, try writing. 
If you want to improve your writing life, try praying. 

The two require many of the same practices, disciplines, and virtues. If you’re already inclined to both write and pray, you may as well figure out how they can help each other. If you’re experienced in one, you may find opportunities for personal or spiritual growth by trying out the other. 

This book offers life-giving practices that will help you grow in both prayer and writing and show how the two can work together to improve your craft as a writer and your spiritual practices as a person of faith.

BOOKS I WON

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS BRAIN GAMES
The Mind-Blowing Science of Your Amazing Brain

By: Jennifer Swanson

Published: September 8, 2015

Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books

Format: Paperback

I love National Geographic shows, books, and magazines. Our kids love the show "Brain Games" on the National Geographic Channel. So, when I saw there was a giveaway for this book, I entered right away and lucky me, I won! The author was also kind enough to autograph it for our daughter. 
"Fire up your neurons and hang onto your hippocampus!" How fun! 

When it arrived in the mail I showed it to her and she immediately sat on the couch and I didn't hear a word from her until supper-time. She loves it! I am anxious to look through it and likely learn something as well. This would make a great gift idea for a science-loving child.

QUICK: Name the most powerful and complex supercomputer ever built. Give up? Here’s a hint: It’s housed in your head and it’s the one thing that makes you YOU. Your brain is mission control for the rest of your body and steers you through life. Not bad for something the size of a softball that looks like a wrinkled grey sponge!In this fascinating, interactive book -- a companion to the National Geographic Channel hit show – kids explore the parts of the brain and how it all works, brainy news nuggets from a neuroscientist, plus fun facts and crazy challenges.