Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publish Date: April 14, 2009
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 305
ISBN: 978 0312385187

Hennie Comfort is eighty-six and has lived in the mountains of Middle Swan, Colorado since before it was Colorado.  Nit Spindle is just seventeen and newly married.  She and her husband have just moved to the high country in search of work.  It’s 1936 and the depression has ravaged the country and Nit and her husband have suffered greatly.  Hennie notices the young woman loitering near the old sign outside her house that promises “Prayers For Sale.”  Hennie doesn't sell prayers, never has, but there’s something about the young woman that she’s drawn to.  The harsh conditions of life that each have endured create an instant bond and an unlikely friendship is formed, one in which the deepest of hardships are shared and the darkest of secrets are confessed.

My Thoughts

I unexpectedly really enjoyed this book.  It wasn't one I would normally pick for myself and am happy I ended up liking it so much.  This book is filled with many great life lessons and stories told by Hennie that she wants passed on long after she is gone.  There are many factors that made this a great story: friendship, faith and forgiveness.  

I really enjoyed the theme of the story - Hennie taking young Nit under her wing and trying to teach her the ways of mining living in the mountains of Colorado and the hardships that come along with it.  There were a few unexpected twists the made my want to keep reading...and what an amazing ending!  Although I knew what the outcome would most likely be (and was right) the secret I didn't see coming.  

Just an overall heartwarming read from an author that is new to me. Now I'll be sure to check out her other novels.

My Rating: ««««

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The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books.

Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon

Publisher: West 26th Street Press

Publish Date: October 25, 2013

Format: Kobo ereader

Pages: -

ISBN: 978 1630640101

Hollie Porter is the chairwoman of Generation Disillusioned: at twenty-five years old, she’s saddled with a job she hates, a boyfriend who’s all wrong for her, and a vexing inability to say no.  She’s already near her breaking point, so when one caller too many kicks the bucket during Hollie’s 911 shift, she cashes in the Sweethearts’ Spa & Stay gift certificate from her dad and heads to Revelation Cove, British Columbia.  Once caveat: she’s going solo.  Any sweethearts will have to be found on site.

Hollie hopes to find her beloved otters in the wilds of the Great White North, but instead she’s providing comic relief for staff and guests alike.  Even Concierge Ryan, a former NHL star with bad knees and broken dreams, can’t stop her from stumbling from one (mis)adventure to another.  Just when Hollie starts to think that a change of venue doesn't mean a change in circumstances, the island works its charm and she starts to think she might have found the rejuvenation she so desperately desires.  But then an uninvited guest crashes the party, forcing her to step out of the discomfort zone where she dwells and saves the day… and maybe even herself in the process.

My Thoughts

I thought this book was freaking hilarious and it must be made into a movie immediately!  I absolutely loved Hollie and the misfortunes she got herself into...everything she did I felt like I was reading about myself.  I would be that girl stuck in a rowboat with no oars in a rainstorm.  I'm just unlucky, what can I say.  I bought this book solely based on the title...who doesn't love otters!?  They have to be the cutest animal there is.  Oh and Ryan, how can you not instantly fall in love and root for him?

Written by the husband and wife duo team of Eliza Gordon, I thought it was witty, sharp and very original.  I can't wait to read more from this dynamic team.  I laughed and cried then laughed some more...it was that good!

I highly recommend Must Love Otters to anyone who loves a feel-good romantic comedy that you don't want to end. 

My Rating: «««««

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The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books.

White Girl Problems by Babe Walker

Publisher: Hyperion

Publish Date: January 17, 2012

Format: Kobo ereader

Pages: - 

ISBN: 978 1401304119

Babe Walker, center of the universe, is a painstakingly manicured white girl with an expensive smoothie habit, a proclivity for Louboutins, a mysterious mother she’s never met, and approximately 50 bajillion Twitter followers.  But her “problems” have landed her in shopping rehab – that’s what happens when you spend $246,893.50 in one afternoon at Barneys.  Now she’s decided to write her memoir, revealing the gut-wrenching hurdles she’s had to overcome in order to be perfect in every way, every day.  Hurdles such as: I hate my horse.  Every job I've ever had is the worst job I've ever had.  He’s not a doctor, a lawyer, or a prince.  I’ll eat anything, as long as it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, low-calorie, sugar-free, and organic.

My Thoughts

If you enjoy reading "memoirs" about an overly rich, spoiled, shallow, neurotic, self-absorbed, materialistic, annoying, selfish socialite with major "problems" then this is the "memoir" for you!  Yes there were parts that I found funny and gave myself a chuckle but overall I just found it unrealistic.  You just want to be embarrassed for Babe Walker, but you can't.

After attempting to Google Babe Walker and finding nothing but a blog and Twitter account I then learned that she isn't even a real person - just a made up character.

Yes I purchased the book (on sale for $2.99) and yes I will probably read the next book Psychos: A White Girl Problems Novel (when it also goes on sale for $2.99) and yes I started following @whitegrlproblems on Twitter (for entertainment purposes) but overall this was a bit of a disappointing read.  But in the end I guess it served it's purpose because I've clearly gotten caught up in the antics of "Babe Walker." xo

My Rating: ««

Buy it Now!

The reviews made here are my personal opinion. I’m not being paid to review any of these books. I am by no means a professional book reviewer or editor.  I do this for the love of books.