Fifteen Minutes

Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Zach Dylan has an amazing voice and the looks of a young Elvis Presley. When he tries out for the hot reality show 15 Minutes, Zach has already promised his family and fiancee that his faith will not be compromised. At the same time, one of the show's judges and famous female vocalists, Chandra Olson hopes that she can save one of the contestants from falling into the prison of fame and fortune. Chandra, a former 15 Minutes winner, lost her family and privacy when she followed her dreams and forgot her roots. Will Zach be snared into the same nightmare?

A very contemporary read about the price of fame....

I must agree with a few other reviewers and actually hate to write this as I admire Karen Kingsbury tremendously, but her writing is beginning to be formulaic. I found myself skimming paragraphs, something I never did in her earlier writings....

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Starry Night: A Christmas Novel

Starry Night: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Light, as the millions of stars above the Arctic Circle. Fluffy, like snow drifts. Romantic, like toasters. Hahaaa, Debbie Macomber's new Christmas book is a loveable little read that will dissolve you into giggles. Think social reporter girlygirl meets He-man from Alaska. Starry nights, an Aurora borealis, and a big, furry mutt named Hennessy lend a romantic air to the chemistry sparked between these two, that against the odds, are meant to be...



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Candlelight Christmas

Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Here it is - Christmas time and I'm trying to read all the holiday books I can find. Candlelight Christmas, part of her Lakeshore Chronicle series, includes characters within that are all familiar to long-time readers of Wiggs. Tall, athletic Logan O'Donnell, divorced with a young son, is determined that buying the local ski lodge will be a profitable and enjoyable business. His sister India's best friend, Darcy, is not only supportive but will drag her sponsor's camera crew along for a snowboarding gear shoot. Sparks seem to be flying between Logan and Darcy, but with both being divorced and hurt in their past relationships, moving forward is slow-going.

I like how Wiggs covers the worry, heartache, and guilt of shuffling children between divorced parents and the contemporary issues of today.

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A Nantucket Christmas

A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nicole Somerset, recently married and ready to begin new traditions at her husband and retired attorney's home on Nantucket, is blindsided when his "ex", Katya, appears on Christmas Eve, causing all kinds of havoc. Holiday traditions are thrown out the window as Katya is demanding and demeaning. Little does Nicole know she'll helping deliver a Christmas present that will turn all hearts toward home and family.

A warm, endearing little Christmas novel...

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Christmas Bliss

After reading Blue Christmas awhile back, it was fun to read about the double duo of "Weezie" and "Bebe" again - two great friends that have each others backs. Weezie is about to be married, on Christmas Day to boot, when she discovers her fiancee, a chef, may be canoodling with his boss in NYC. Even though the wedding is only days away and her dress isn't finished, Weezie flies off to the city to find out the truth. On the other hand, Bebe, to her horror, discovers that the divorce to her first husband was never filed. Determined to track down her ex and force him to sign the papers, Bebe, pregnant and ready to pop, hides the fact from her beloved baby daddy. Our favorite cast of characters are back and you can't help but giggle at these two fun-loving, trouble-finding, crazy gals and their adventures. A light and fluffy read!!

The Angel of Bastogne

The Angel of Bastogne by Gilbert Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ben Raines, a jaded newspaper reporter, had always been irritated and embarrassed by his dad, Willy. Mr. Raines, who now lived at the Veteran's Hospital, had been seriously hurt in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge and had trouble holding a job due to his injuries. Ben as a young lad was talented at sports, but had to step up to the plate and help the family earn an income. Soured and disillusioned, Ben has held that against his father for years. Even Christmas has no appeal for him, so he plans on getting away for a vacation in Spain, only to find out that a co-worker has suffered a heart attack and Ben must stay and write the paper's one big Christmas story. Knowing his father claims that an angel dressed as a lieutenant saved him and his comrades in France, Ben is determined to debunk the mystery and lay it to rest in the article he's writing. To his surprise, as Ben digs deeper into the men that served with his father, he learns more of Willy's heroic deeds and questions his own disbelief.


Quick read. Inspirational.

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