Quote of the Week

"A library is a hospital for the mind." -- Anonymous

A Tale Worth Readin'

This heartfelt story is set in the South and told with a Southern charm. Within the first few pages, I could feel the emotions of the main character, Maggie, and understand why she finds comfort in lying about her family life. If only her sugar sweet lies were truth, and little Maggie didn't have a mother that was schizophrenic.

Maggie and her Daddy move to Pearl, Louisiana into a small house near the state mental hospital, where her mother is a patient. The house is equipped with pink azaleas, a tree house in the front yard, and a little girl named Sam. She seems to be a permanent fixture to the house, arriving at a moment's notice on her bicycle with a carefree smile and untamed strawberry-colored hair. Then one day, Sam can no longer hide the truth after appearing beaten. Over a game of "Go Fish" and peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, the girls stop lying about their mamas and realize they share a common bond: mothers that are troubled with sicknesses.

The descriptive, vibrant author takes us on a journey through the lives of two eleven-year-olds as they experience events that most adults will never encounter. They learn how to cope with family issues, a distant community, and learning life lessons. Pour a glass of sweet tea or coffee milk, sit on your porch swing, and enjoy this great read. Well done, Toni Teepell! The truth really is worth telling!


Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Chick Lit Meets Mystery

Author Jill Brock has mastered the art of writing chick lit and mystery in the same novel. Before I get into the reviews, let me ask a couple questions.

1) Do you enjoy chick lit?

2) Are you in the mood for a good mystery?

3) Are you a sucker for unforgettable characters that return with new adventures?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then add the Maggie & Odessa Mysteries to your TBR pile.

Odessa Wilkes had it all: a project head job at an advertisement agency, a two-year relationship with a loving man, and a successful life living in New York City. In less than a New York minute, her world flips upside down. She loses her job thanks to an embezzling boss. Carrying her desk belongings in a box walking on the street, her boyfriend suddenly dumps her. He didn't even offer to carry the heavy box like the gentlemen Odessa knew him to be. On the same day, she was trapped in a subway fire. Odessa developed anxiety attacks from all the stress. Right now the only thing that relaxes her is baking desserts for the family restaurant, Blue Moon.

Just when things seem calm, Odessa's best friend, Maggie Swift, storms into Blue Moon unexpectantly with her ADD son in tow. The homemaker needs help finding her missing husband, Roger. Could Roger be having an affair? Or has something gone terribly wrong with his insurance career? Instead of alerting authorities, the two best friends set out to become Private Investigators. Their friendship and personal lives change during the search for Roger. Odessa discovers a new life and love interest when she least expects it. Maggie gains a new career and independence.

This book is filled with comedic adventures of the amateur detectives. Author Jill Brock's debut novel is a fast, great weekend read. The plot is engaging and descriptive. The characters are memorable and hilarious. Jill Brock describes the setting and characters in such vivid detail; it was like watching it on the big screen. There are moments you will literally laugh out loud, and other moments you feel the emotions of the character as if you're really there. If you're looking for light, fun reading and a story to escape in, I recommend picking up and reading Pennywise, the first novel of a mystery series. 

In Drop Dead Delicious, Odessa Wilkes and her best friend, Maggie Swift, are back in another hilarious mystery. Odessa has recovered from her anxiety attacks and started a new life. Comfortably baking desserts at her family's restaurant, The Blue Moon, and settled into her new romantic relationship, all seems well and calm. Then Odessa's embezzling ex-boss from Eastman & Kendrick, Burke Peterson, comes back. Did he make some kind of deal? Why is Burke back in town? Is Odessa going to kill him like she always planned?

Much to everyone's surprise, Odessa has the opposite reaction. She greets Burke Peterson with a huge warm hug. Maggie is confused. Lee goes into crazy boyfriend mode and shows a jealous streak. Candace just wants everyone to stop making a scene in front of the customers. Burke soon obliges the crowd and makes an exit, leaving behind his wallet. Its not long before Maggie & Odessa try to find out why Burke has returned and if he's really guilty of embezzlement.

Meanwhile, Odessa has entered a Bake Off contest. She needs to determine the best recipe ever in order to win. If only her Aunt left behind the recipes to her delicious cakes like she left behind handmade quilts.

This book is filled with comedic adventures of the amateur detectives. The plot has multiple storylines, but very easy to keep up with. The characters are just as memorable and hilarious as when we first met them in Pennywise.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Quote of the Week

"No girl was ever ruined by a book." -- James J. Walker

Quote of the Week

"All good and true-book lovers practice the pleasing and improving avocation of reading in bed. No book can be appreciated until it has been slept with and dreamed over." --   Eugene Field

Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume

The title says it all. There aren’t too many women out here that do not agree. At least one of her books made a girl feel normal. You may have even thought that Judy Blume was writing about you through at least one of her characters.

Over twenty of the most popular female authors pay tribute to Judy Blume by offering their personal experiences. This collection of 24 essays will bring up memories of how Judy Blume had an effect on your childhood growing up. The common books discussed were Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, Forever, Deenie, and my personal favorite “Just As Long As We’re Together.”

I remember wishing for a bigger bust-size just like Margaret. “I must, I must, I must increase my bust” was a daily chant. And I remember the time in the 4^th grade when my best friend felt jealous because I befriended someone else. Our confrontation was almost identical to Stephanie and Rachel’s.

“You can have more than one best friend at a time.”

“No, you can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because best means best.”

In the end, we came to a compromise. We’re still true friends to this very day.

Judy Blume had a story for everything a girl could possibly go through: religion, parents divorcing, friendships, relationships, sexual desires, and more. Her coming-of-age stories helped us through those times. Even now as an adult, I think back to the lessons she taught me. I agree 110% that everything I needed to know about being a girl I learned from Judy Blume.

Rating: ♥♥♥

♡ Happy Valentine's Day Book Lovers ♡

Everyone loves a good love story. My all-time favorite love stories are Sundays At Tiffany's and Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson. I literally dropped a couple tears of sadness and happiness while reading both books. The stories are so heartfelt and descriptive, you have no other choice than to feel emotions. I am a big fan of his Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series. It amazes me how this author can write different genres so well.


If you're into classic predictable romance novels (with the cheesy covers), read Irresistible Forces by Brenda Jackson. Taylor Steele knows exactly what she wants: a baby with no strings, no commitments, and no relationship. All she needs is the perfect man that will agree to such an arrangement. After careful planning, Taylor approaches her sexy, wealthy client, Dominic Saxon. It doesn't take long to convince Dominic that this is a perfect idea since he wants children without the marriage. The two professionals enter into a business...and each other bodies. As the arranged lovers procreate on the island, their relationship suddenly takes an unexpected turn. Events begin to happen that were not previously agreed upon in the contract. 



Just like every other romance novel, this is an entertaining read with a predictable plot. From the beginning chapters, you can tell how the story will end. The love scenes are repetitive, but steamy. If you're looking for a quick book to read and a happy ending, read Brenda Jackson's romance novel to see how Taylor and Dominic handle the irresistible forces between them.

The ever-so-popular The Notebook, is more famous because of the movie. But did you know it was a book originally written by Nicholas Sparks? 


Rating ♥♥♥♥♥