The Wanderer by Dahlia Donovan tells the story of Graham, a gay man who has never settled down. Instead, he travels the world for work as a travel wriThe Wanderer by Dahlia Donovan tells the story of Graham, a gay man who has never settled down. Instead, he travels the world for work as a travel writer, experiencing things that most men only dream about. He gets anxious when he is forced to stay in one place too long so his lifestyle, though most would consider to be a lonely existence, works well for him.
Romance is not for him. After breaking one man’s heart, he shies away from love. Instead, he enjoys the time that he spends with men, but never promises them anything. This is easy to do when he travels almost every day of the year!
Boyce Brooks, also known as BC, is also lost. After an injury has forced him to stop playing rugby on the national team, he doesn’t know what to do with himself. Then, his uncle dies and he finds himself in charge of a bed and breakfast in Cornwall, along with a little terrier. He is forced to try to keep the inn running.
The two have a chance meeting at a wedding where sparks fly but then they don’t see each other for several months. When they do, they quickly fall into a relationship, especially when Graham becomes quite ill. BC decides that he will be there for him, no matter what happens. However, will this relationship last? Will Graham be happy staying in one place? Will BC learn to travel to make it work? The two are so different and have a lot to work through before they decide whether or not they are ready to settle down as a couple.
I really enjoyed Donovan’s novel The Wanderer. The two unlikely characters end up together, which always leads to a good story. When Graham gets sick, you can just imagine them settling down, though neither of them want a relationship. I recommend this book.
Merged review:
The Wanderer by Dahlia Donovan tells the story of Graham, a gay man who has never settled down. Instead, he travels the world for work as a travel writer, experiencing things that most men only dream about. He gets anxious when he is forced to stay in one place too long so his lifestyle, though most would consider to be a lonely existence, works well for him.
Romance is not for him. After breaking one man’s heart, he shies away from love. Instead, he enjoys the time that he spends with men, but never promises them anything. This is easy to do when he travels almost every day of the year!
Boyce Brooks, also known as BC, is also lost. After an injury has forced him to stop playing rugby on the national team, he doesn’t know what to do with himself. Then, his uncle dies and he finds himself in charge of a bed and breakfast in Cornwall, along with a little terrier. He is forced to try to keep the inn running.
The two have a chance meeting at a wedding where sparks fly but then they don’t see each other for several months. When they do, they quickly fall into a relationship, especially when Graham becomes quite ill. BC decides that he will be there for him, no matter what happens. However, will this relationship last? Will Graham be happy staying in one place? Will BC learn to travel to make it work? The two are so different and have a lot to work through before they decide whether or not they are ready to settle down as a couple.
I really enjoyed Donovan’s novel The Wanderer. The two unlikely characters end up together, which always leads to a good story. When Graham gets sick, you can just imagine them settling down, though neither of them want a relationship. I recommend this book....more
A book review of The Mother's Secret by Kate Hewitt.
Laura’s life is going to change, in more ways than she realizes. She quits her job to follow her hA book review of The Mother's Secret by Kate Hewitt.
Laura’s life is going to change, in more ways than she realizes. She quits her job to follow her husband to his dream job. In doing so, she has to leave her daughter to stay with friends for the remainder of the school year. Her son transfers to the new school with the family, but he stays in the boarding house with the others. Laura is lost as she tries to find her footing in her new life.
Meanwhile, Rachel is also dealing with some big changes. After having a baby, her husband leaves for several months in order to support his new little family. However, motherhood isn’t as easy as it looks, especially when the newborn never sleeps and cries all the time.
Laura steps in to take over maternity leave for Rachel and finds herself in an uncomfortable situation that she never imagined when one of her students openly flirts with her.
Rachel also finds herself dealing with an uncomfortable situation when her son starts getting bruises on his body. She has to try to figure out who is hurting her child, while also wondering if she could have caused them without even trying.
The two women meet and find themselves as allies in the strange world of an all-boys boarding school.
Just like the other Kate Hewitt book, I couldn’t put it down. I have already downloaded a few more to read soon!...more
This collection ends with The Amish Single Mother. Jane Byler lives the life of an Amish woman shunned, though she never was. During her rumspinga, shThis collection ends with The Amish Single Mother. Jane Byler lives the life of an Amish woman shunned, though she never was. During her rumspinga, she was raped and later found out she was pregnant. As an unmarried mother, she was disowned by her parents and many in the community.
She has made a quiet but busy life with her daughter Tilly. She rents a small home from an older Amish man, where she supports herself and her daughter by making cupcakes for a restaurant in town. She doesn’t have much time for friends anyway.
When her abuser finds out about his daughter, his family decides to get custody of their grandchild. What is Jane to do? Will her new friend stay by her side, or will he find someone in the community who is much less complicated than she is?
Then, there is The Amish Bishop’s Daughter, where we meet Anna Weaver. Because she is the Bishop’s daughter, she is held to a higher standard. Even woThen, there is The Amish Bishop’s Daughter, where we meet Anna Weaver. Because she is the Bishop’s daughter, she is held to a higher standard. Even worse, she is the only daughter. Her brothers have already moved out, married, and moved on with their lives. However, Anna is kept at home to take care of her mother, who is struggling with her health.
Anna is the one who does all the baking and cooking, as well as serving drinks and food to all the people who visit her father on church business, as well as going to him for advice. She is only allowed to go out for a few hours on Saturday to spend time with her only friend, Naomi.
When her cousin comes to visit, Anna starts to see how hard her life is. And thinking about marriage and how she would have to take care of two households when she moves out with her husband. However, the only boy that she truly cares for is struggling to settle down. He can’t seem to decide whether he wants to get baptized or leave the faith. And Anna doesn’t know where that leaves her?...more
In The Amish Spinster, we meet Lydia. She is one of the tallest women in her community, which makes her stand out. In fact, she is taller than many ofIn The Amish Spinster, we meet Lydia. She is one of the tallest women in her community, which makes her stand out. In fact, she is taller than many of the men in her community, which is why she is still unmarried. As her younger sisters fall in love, she starts to feel even worse about her situation.
Because of this, she decides to go and stay with her Aunt Stella in another community. When she arrived there, she is shocked to find out that her Aunt already has a plan to help her find a mate. Between meeting men in the community and writing to others, Lydia is sure to find the right Amish man for her. Or is she looking in the wrong place?...more
In The Amish Girl Who Never Belonged, we meet Emma, who has struggled ever since her parents died when she was young. After moving in with her disagreIn The Amish Girl Who Never Belonged, we meet Emma, who has struggled ever since her parents died when she was young. After moving in with her disagreeable grandmother, she was sent to help the Eshes, another Amish family struggling when the mother got diagnosed with cancer. Though it was hard work taking care of all the sons, she truly enjoyed her time with them.
Fast-forward a few years to the time when she was living with her aunt and uncle, her uncle announced that it was time for her to marry! Emma was shocked, but even more when Thomas Esh turned up to be a match. When she was taking care of the Eshes, it was rumored that he drank and gambled away his money. In order to get out of the engagement and marriage, she fled the house and moved to the city where she found employment as a maid and nanny for a kind woman and her two children.
Her path crosses Thomas again when she comes back to Lancaster County for a wedding. But was she wrong to run away, or should she have stayed in order to learn more about the man that she was supposed to marry?...more
The next story in the collection is My Brother’s Keeper. After Amy’s parents died, she was the sole caretaker of her brother Jonah, who has special neThe next story in the collection is My Brother’s Keeper. After Amy’s parents died, she was the sole caretaker of her brother Jonah, who has special needs. She works from home as a seamstress, trying to make enough money for the two of them while taking care of Jonah, which is a full-time job in itself!
She is so busy working and caring for Jonah, she doesn’t have time for a social life. The last thing that she needs in her life is Adam, another one who is visiting the bishop who lives next door. He comes over and starts spending time with the two of them. Though they get off on the wrong foot, Amy starts to wonder if he might be the right person for her (or if there is anyone who would care enough for her to take on her brother). However, when the real reason for his visit is made clear, she doesn’t know what to think....more
The second story is Jeremiah’s Daughter. In it, we meet Beverly, a woman who left the Amish after she had a big fight with her stepmother. She never lThe second story is Jeremiah’s Daughter. In it, we meet Beverly, a woman who left the Amish after she had a big fight with her stepmother. She never looked back, until her father called asking her for help.
Besides breaking a leg, his bed-and-breakfast was failing, and he knew that Beverly was good with numbers. He was hoping that she could come back to help them turn it around.
As soon as she came home, she found out that nothing had changed. She was still going to but heads with Janet, her stepmother. Even worse, Janet didn’t think that she could turn things around on her own. She brought her nephew David Hilty in to help.
As the two come up with a plan and put it into motion, they learn more about each other in the process. Beverly starts thinking about coming back, marrying, and having babies, until an unexpected guest changes everything!...more
In this second collection, we start with The Temporary Amish Nanny. Marta has been taking care of a widower Nathan, and his two precious daughters forIn this second collection, we start with The Temporary Amish Nanny. Marta has been taking care of a widower Nathan, and his two precious daughters for two years, as his intended. However, as the years go by, she can’t figure out what the hold-up is. After being engaged almost that entire time, Nathan still hasn’t set a date for their wedding.
What is a girl to do? Marta decides to get away. She tells her family and friends that she needs to help her ill grandmother, who is in another community. But before she goes, she decides to help Nathan find another woman to care for his children. She finds Deborah Fisher, her best friend’s sister. She chooses her because she is much too young for Nathan. Plus, she isn’t as attractive as herself, so Marta doesn’t have to worry about Nathan falling for her.
The people who work together in airplane companies become family, especially when one of them needs another. Nikki lost custody of her children in theThe people who work together in airplane companies become family, especially when one of them needs another. Nikki lost custody of her children in the divorce and has to pay child support. However, when her ex dies, she becomes part of her children’s lives again!
Dixie, though all she wants is marriage and a family, can’t seem to find a guy who won’t lie to her. She has plenty of expensive gifts, but nobody who wants to share her life with her.
Carlisle is trying to find a way to get over his ex. It is hard to do when he moves in with Dixie, who lives right around the corner from his old home.
All three friends are ready for change, and they find it when they get the chance to help start a new airline in Las Vegas. Maybe a fresh start is all they need to find what they are looking for!
Will Nikki, Dixie, and Carlisle find the happiness that they all deserve? You won’t want to stop reading to find out!...more
All I can really say about this book is that I couldn’t put it down! I went away this weekend with friends, and I still made sure that I spent time reAll I can really say about this book is that I couldn’t put it down! I went away this weekend with friends, and I still made sure that I spent time reading it! I even read it while I was in a parade because I truly couldn’t wait to see how everything played out. I was mesmerized by this book and you will be too!
Margo feels lost as she buries her beloved husband, wondering what is next. Her neighbors are a great help as they work to get the beautiful Rathmoney House ready for guests, which is what Margo’s husband wanted. Margo and Connor bought the home to use as an inn, until Connor’s illness and death took over any other plans that they had.
Luckily for Margo, she still has her daughter, Elsa, who needs her more than ever as she mourns the loss of her father. Together, they can get through anything, until Margo receives a letter that changes everything!
Across the pond, American Cassie’s life is changing drastically as her husband leaves her and requests a paternity test for their daughter Tilly. Cassie thinks that it is a waste of time, but the results can change everything!
Both mothers learn that their daughters had been switched at birth when they were in the hospital. Unsure about the future, the women decide to stick together to ensure that both daughters are safe and cared for. Going against their lawyers’ advice, the two work together to do whatever they can for both of their daughters....more
The latest book I read is about the complicated relationship that most women have with their mother-in-law. That being said, I have a good one in my lThe latest book I read is about the complicated relationship that most women have with their mother-in-law. That being said, I have a good one in my life!
Lucy has always known she wasn’t what her mother-in-law wanted for her son. That being said, Diana has always been polite and friendly around Lucy, but she isn’t overly friendly and loving toward her. She loves her grandchildren but hasn’t warmed up to Lucy in all of the years that they have known each other.
That being said, Diana is great when it comes to her charities, especially helping female refugees who have moved into the country and are struggling to restart their lives. She is quite taken with them.
When Diana ends up dead with a suicide note hidden in the drawer, nobody is sure what to believe. Dying of cancer, she was found with poison beside her. However, there was no poison beside her and no cancer was detected in her autopsy. There was evidence of suffocation.
So who could want this woman dead? Especially when her will was changed and her children didn’t get a penny? Was it Lucy? Her children? Her son-in-law?
I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Diana. The book is written from different perspectives, so you can learn more about Diana, Lucy, and Nettie (Diana’s daughter). It is really interesting how everything turns out. You won’t believe the ending!...more
A book review of Please Take My Baby by Emma Robinson.
Emma Robinson is a delightful storyteller, and this novel was no different. The twists and turnsA book review of Please Take My Baby by Emma Robinson.
Emma Robinson is a delightful storyteller, and this novel was no different. The twists and turns will surprise readers and bring them to tears.
Erin is a struggling single mother with a teenage daughter and a mother who is quickly losing herself to dementia. In fact, she has to sell her home to move in with her mother with her daughter. When she finds some old photographs, she learns that she has a sister named Imogen.
The funny thing is that she never heard the name before in her life and has no memories of a sister. But her mother has trouble talking about it when she is in a good state of mind. The name is enough to upset her mother, so Erin knows that she has to figure out what is going and quickly (before her mother forgets everything).
She decides that she will stop at nothing to figure out who Imogen is and what happened to her. When she finally finds her, Erin’s whole life changes completely. You will never believe what happened to Imogen and Erin!...more
As a businesswoman (with a farm and a writing/freelance business), I enjoy reading books about business. This one caught me from the title. Many peoplAs a businesswoman (with a farm and a writing/freelance business), I enjoy reading books about business. This one caught me from the title. Many people have said that women can’t have both. They can’t have the family that they want, with a rising career. They have to pick one or the other.
In Darling, You Can’t Do Both, authors Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk aim to tell you that you can do whatever you set your mind to! You can have a family and the job that you want. They even bring plenty of examples of women at the top of their careers who have become moms and continued working their way up even further.
In fact, moms are often better than their male counterparts. They are willing to work hard, just to prove that they can still do their job and raise their children.
Women are also less likely to bring up difficult conversations with their bosses, in order to keep rising to the top. Men have no problems asking for a raise and other things that they want, while women have been told from a young age to not rock the boat!
If you are looking for a book to make you think about motherhood and business (or career), this should be one that you start with. Both authors have worked hard over their entire careers to show themselves (and others) how much is possible, if you are only willing to ask for it and work hard once you get it!...more
A book review of Jill Duggar-Dillard's book Counting the Cost.
Like many others, I became obsessed with the Duggar family when I first saw them on teleA book review of Jill Duggar-Dillard's book Counting the Cost.
Like many others, I became obsessed with the Duggar family when I first saw them on television. Now, I didn’t get a chance to see them right away since we didn’t have cable television. However, I just had to learn more once I got a peek into their lives.
A family with nineteen children seemed so extreme, yet all children were so well-behaved. There weren’t fights and broken things. All of the children worked together to help the household run smoothly. It was amazing!
As the girls got older, started courting, and got married, I was equally excited to see these girls grow into the women that they were meant to be. I was (like most) equally curious about whether or not they would start growing their family regularly like their parents.
I never knew much about Jill Duggar since she wasn’t on the show as much due to her ministry. However, I was equally curious about why she seemed to grow apart from her own family.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I opened her book, but wow, I was impressed! Jill isn’t afraid to open up her heart and let us see what she has been dealing with all these years. Though she always was a dutiful first daughter, the truth is that she was in a lot of pain throughout her childhood. She did as she was told, smiled, and grew up in front of all of us.
When it came to the show, the truth was that she really didn’t know what was going on. She knew that there were better groceries and more elaborate trips when the cameras were rolling. However, as she married and started her own family and life as a missionary, she started to realize that there were some red flags about life in front of the cameras.
Between everything that was going on with her brother Josh and not receiving any money for filming, Jill and Derick had a lot to learn about the secrets, manipulation, and intimidation that was going on. Some of it was from the TV show, while her father was also a part of the problem.
It has taken years and plenty of therapy, but Jill is finally ready to talk (and you should want to listen)! It amazes me that, even though she was married, she was still supposed to be under her parents’ control. She isn’t afraid to talk about wearing pants, using contraceptives (for her own health), her mental health, and much more. Even better, it is good to see that she found a good partner in Derick. Despite their strange start, they seem to be a good match and have a nice family. Here is to the hope that they can move on and have the life that they deserve!...more
This made me look toward other Duggars. Jinger was one of my favorites when I watched the show off and on, so I couldn’t wait to pick up her book, TheThis made me look toward other Duggars. Jinger was one of my favorites when I watched the show off and on, so I couldn’t wait to pick up her book, The Hope we Hold. I was not disappointed (and I have already bought her next book)!
In it, we hear both sides of the story, Jinger and Jeremy. They start with their childhood, how they met, and how hard Jeremy had to work to have a future with Jinger. They also talk about their experiences in Laredo and what compelled them to move to LA. Included in this book are parts about their honeymoon, finding out they were having a baby, and even dealing with a terrible miscarriage. Jinger even talks about changing her beliefs about what she could wear, and still be a godly woman.
Through all of their stories, one thing rings true. These two are devoted to the Lord and each other. They aren’t afraid to talk about the hard things, because they know that they can get through anything, if they just put Him first. And even in their darkest days, they know that they can count on Him (and each other) to get through them.
Whether you are a fan of this couple, a devout Christian, or someone who just isn’t sure, this book will delight you. You may be amazed to learn how important the scripture is to those who believe, which may also give you hope and a new lease on life!...more
All I can say about this book is wow. Jodi Picoult does it again with The Book of Two Ways.
Dawn Edelstein thought she was happy. She had a decent marrAll I can say about this book is wow. Jodi Picoult does it again with The Book of Two Ways.
Dawn Edelstein thought she was happy. She had a decent marriage with Brian and a daughter that they both loved. However, when he makes a dumb mistake, she gets on a plane to figure out what to do next.
Only, instead of landing where she wants, she finds herself getting ready to crash! Her entire life flashes in front of her, not just of her husband and family, but of the man that she left fifteen years ago.
Once she lands safely, the airlines are ready to send the survivors wherever they want to go. Dawn has a choice to make. Does she go back to her home in Boston, or does she fly to Egypt and complete her research on The Book of Two Ways — the first known map of the afterlife? Does she return to the life that she had with Wyatt, before she had to leave?
The story unfolds, and Dawn looks back at the life she has lived and how her life with Brian moves forward. However, she also looks at what would happen if she moved back to Egypt to finish what she started fifteen years ago.
Like all of Picoult’s books, you won’t be able to put it down and the ending will surely shock you, just like it did me...more
The opening line of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing starts with a chilling statement, especially if you keep up with celebrity gossip.
“Hi,The opening line of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing starts with a chilling statement, especially if you keep up with celebrity gossip.
“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”
As soon as I had some money for reading, I knew that I had to pick up Perry’s memoir, and it is chilling. He takes us along his ride, from his parents splitting up to flying alone from one to the other, finding fame and addiction, as well as recovery in this journey that we call life. He also is brutally honest about his life-threatening health scare. In fact, he is brutally honest with all of it.
We learn about a five-year-old boy flying alone, a nationally ranked tennis star, and then the goofball who got the part of his dreams, Chandler Bing. In fact, he didn’t have to play a part. He was Chandler Bing! However, he quickly finds out that fame isn’t what he is expecting. He still was scared of commitment and of being alone. He had it all, yet something was missing.
Drinking and drugs took over his life. He worked and spent his evenings alone so that nobody knew how much he drank and how many drugs it took to keep him going. He got sober many times. When his life was good, it was good. He was able to stay sober and help others reach the same point. But unfortunately, he couldn’t stay away from the drinking and drugs. Cigarettes also became a habit that he had to break.
He often says that his only regret is that he didn’t let anyone in and start a family. He could have been a good father. In the book, he had hope for the future. Only now, we know that it isn’t going to happen. And it makes me sad, but I am truly glad I read this book.
I had no idea about addiction. Like many others, I thought it was just something you could stop. However, after reading this book, I now know that it truly is a disease, and it is one that you have to deal with for the rest of your life! It was truly, truly eye-opening! It is a must-read, especially if you have someone who is addicted in your life. You will really begin to understand what they are going through!...more
A book review of Jessica Simpson's Essay Take the Lead.
I have liked Jessica Simpson since she first came out singing. Then, she met the love of her liA book review of Jessica Simpson's Essay Take the Lead.
I have liked Jessica Simpson since she first came out singing. Then, she met the love of her life, and I was so excited that she found her happily ever after, until it all fell apart. I followed her as she struggled to find herself after that, releasing music occasionally and trying out new things like acting in a movie. I watched her weight go up and down, and felt like she was someone that I could relate to. She seemed like a normal girl who was struggling in front of everyone’s eyes.
I found her essay Take the Lead by accident, and I am really glad that I did. Short and sweet, she talked to us like she would a friend. She talks about journaling and how that has helped her to let go of fear and find ways to make the changes that she wants. She wants a happy life and is willing to do what she can to make sure that she does!
If you are looking for a quick read to give you some things to think about, you should definitely check out Simpson’s essay. You will be glad that you did....more
A book review of Elizabeth Berg's Earth's the Right Place for Love.
Arthur Moses is pretty happy living in his small town. He has his parents, and his A book review of Elizabeth Berg's Earth's the Right Place for Love.
Arthur Moses is pretty happy living in his small town. He has his parents, and his best friend is his brother Frank. However, he finds himself in love with a girl, Nola McCollum. She is one of the most popular girls in school, and doesn’t even notice Arthur. Frank is busy with his own romance.
As Arthur and Nola find a good friendship, a tragedy strikes the family and Arthur isn’t sure how to move on with his life. Arthur struggles to find a way forward, and Nola tries to do the same. Do they move forward together or separately?
Just like all of Elizabeth Berg’s novels, you can expect a good book about the power of family, love, and kindness....more