Book Review: Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime) by Rebecca Raisin

This small town romance has a nice easy, light style.

Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime)

by Rebecca Raisin

• File Size: 2608 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Carina; 1 edition (July 17, 2015)
• Publication Date: July 17, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B00OQD8HNY
• Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
• My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Maple sugar kisses

Lucy would do anything for her mom…but she never expected to end up promising to leave her. After her mom got sick, Lucy dropped everything to take care of her, working all hours in a greasy diner just to make ends meet and spending every spare moments she had by her mom’s hospital bedside.

Now, Lucy is faced with a whole year of living by her own rules, starting by taking the first bus out of town to anywhere...

Except she didn’t expect to find her next big adventure just around the corner! Especially when on her first day in town she bumps into grumpy, but oh-so-delicious Clay amidst the maple trees. Surrounded by the magic of Ashford, Lucy has the chance to change her life forever and finally discover a life she wants to live!

Fall in love with Ashford, Connecticut in this dazzling and beautiful romance from bestselling author Rebecca Raisin.

Review:
Lucy and her hippy mother spent many years traveling and scraping to make a living. For the past few years Lucy has worked at two jobs while being her ailing mother’s caretaker. Lucy has wonderful artistic talent and her mother wants her to go to Paris to study. Her mother makes Lucy promise to go away for a year even if she won’t go off to Paris.

Lucy takes the first bus and ends up in Ashford, a storybook beautiful small town. On the bus she meets a sweet grandmotherly woman who suggests she apply for work at the Maple Syrup Farm. The farm is being restored by a reclusive man who won’t mingle in town and won’t accept help. Lucy trudges her way to the farm thinking she will have to charm a grumpy old man. Instead she opens the door to find a buff, all too handsome, grumpy young man.

Clay resents Lucy appearing at his door but he decides he will work her until she gives up. He just doesn’t realize that Lucy doesn’t give up. Lucy is a really hard worker even if she shows up dressed in something not quite suited for farm work and doesn't think to bring gloves.

Lucy discovers that she is warmly welcomed by the town’s people. She begins to makes friends and invest feelings in the town and the farm. Being a romance, the reader knows that Lucy and Clay will eventually get together. However it is beyond half of the book before Clay really begins to soften. Meanwhile I was totally frustrated that Lucy wouldn’t share her problems and cares with any of her new friends or Clay. She expects him to tell her what hurt he suffered that closed his heart but she doesn’t share her own situation.

The story is reasonably well written but, for some reason, I never warmed up to Lucy and the story until almost 80% in. Lucy’s character is deeply (repeatedly) developed but I found her a bit too ditsy - even if it is a sweet ditsy. On the other hand Clay’s character is pretty shallow and almost mean for most of the book. Once the romance clicks it is strong and sweetly presented. There is late conflict that has to be overcome that gives the story some zing. I kept trying to like it but found myself longing for the end. I did enjoy the last 20% although I was surprised that certain important issues were left unresolved. I guess (hope) these will be handled in other books in the series.

There are plenty of positive reviews at Amazon so it may have just been that I wasn’t in the right mood. I have been leaning toward a more active genre lately. Or I was too frustrated by the lack of communication to relax and enjoy the town life which filled the first three quarters of the story. The story has a nice easy, light style. Readers who enjoy small town settings, friendships and romance might want to give this a try.

{There were some glaring editing errors that may have impacted my feelings even though I tried to ignore them. Since this is a NetGalley version I hope those were fixed for the final release.]

I selected this at NetGalley and it is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

Audible Review: Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1 by Kerry Adrienne

This is an engaging, quick story with danger, action and romance.
Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1
Written by: Kerry Adrienne
Narrated by: Jason P. Hilton

Length: 2 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-24-15
Publisher: Earthshine Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Overprotective bear shifter, Griff Martin, reluctantly rents his mountain cabin to an artist, Amy Francis. He quickly realizes the plucky artist is his mate. But danger is brewing in the forest, and Griff has to be ready to safeguard both his female and his den, at the risk of losing both.
©2015 Kerry Adrienne (P)2015 Kerry Adrienne.

Review:
Amy Francis has lost her job and left her lackluster boyfriend behind. She arranged to rent a cabin in the woods where she hopes to concentrate on her art. While signing the lease she meets her landlord, the local ranger, Griff Martin.

Griff is a big, dark, ruggedly handsome man who has awakened from a winter sleep. Even through his drowsiness he quickly recognizes that Amy is his mate. Now he has the problem of keeping her safe as well as explaining to her who he is and who she is to him. This is especially important because a rival shifter clan, the mountain lions, are moving in and threatening the bear territory.

This was a very quick story with danger, action and romance. The romance moves along quickly which is to be expected for a novella. Once Griff gets Amy to accept what he tells her their romance jumps in sexual heat. The interaction was nicely done even if the language is a bit raw.

The writing flowed well from the very beginning, pulling me in. Amy is a lovely heroine but Griff is a great male hero: strong and gentle; forceful and loving. Even with the sexual undertones and strong sexual encounter I really enjoyed this. Readers who like a strong romance, with spice, will appreciate this quick read.

Audio Notes: Jason P. Hilton does a fine job of narration. It was a little odd to hear a man’s voice but he gives the characters, especially Griff, just the right inflection. I enjoyed listening to this in audio although I recommend this in digital for those who don’t listen to audio books.

I received this for review from Barclay Publicity. This adds to my Audio Challenge.

Format: Digital eBook
Release Date: April 24, 2015
Page Count: 65 pages
Publisher: Earthshine Publishing
AISN: B00WOVSAMS

Available at: Amazon | Goodreads | Audible

About Kerry Adrienne:

Kerry loves history and spends large amounts of time wondering about people who lived and walked on Earth in the past. She’s a mom to three daughters, six cats, and various small animals, including a panther chameleon. Her shoe horde will attest to her fine shopping skills.

In addition to writing, she’s a college instructor, artist, costumer, and editor. Her new love is her Mini Cooper Convertible, Sheldon, and they have already gone on many adventures.

Kerry is represented by Marisa Corvisiero.

Website | Facebook  | Twitter | Newsletter |  Goodreads | Amazon Author page

Audible Review: Resurrecting Home: A Novel by A. American

This is still entertaining although not as action packed as prior books in the series.

Resurrecting Home: A Novel

Written by: A. American

Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Series: Survivalist, Book 5

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-31-14

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Against all odds, Morgan Carter and his family have endured despite the deteriorating conditions surrounding them. Armed with survivalist tactics, Morgan's crew, alongside their new friends from the recently-liberated DHS camp, have worked together to build a sustainable community. But not all situations can be prepared for. When a massive wildfire threatens their very existence, they must decide: fight or flight?
From the author of the hit Survivalist Series books, Resurrecting Home is an action-packed adventure that depicts the harrowing possibilities of a world gone awry, and the courage it takes to protect what matters most.
©2014 A. American (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Review:
This is book five in an action, post apocalyptic series. EMP strikes have left the state of Florida with no power, water or other vital services. There are no food supplies and society has broken down. Morgan Carter and his family have survived and returned to their home neighborhood to establish a new life. They had been somewhat prepared so they have solar power, a water system and a supply of food that is quickly dwindling. They have received help from some tough army friends, led by Sarge, who Morgan met on his dangerous journey home (Book 1, Going Home).

Things have begun to quiet down a bit and the small community of seventeen or so are planning on setting up a garden and hunting for food to see them through the winter. In Book 4, Forsaking Home, they found Jess, who traveled part of the way home with Morgan and Thad, in the nearby government DHS camp. Sarge and his men helped the army capture the DHS camp tyrants and free Jess and the other people who were being used as slaves and worse.

There are those who are glad to be released and they begin to disburse to home or other destinations. But many of the people have become little more than cattle expecting to be taken care of even if they have to suffer abuse and loss of freedoms. They object when the army is given orders to move out.

Morgan is less concerned with the fate of the squatters at the camp than he is with the drifters who are challenging his neighborhood and nearby friends. He has to confront thieves who would go so far as to kill for a can of food, a house to live in or even a female to take for pleasure.

Morgan and his friends are mostly ready to deal with society threats but they hadn’t prepared for nature to flare up in a raging fire that is sweeping towards their community. Unless they can divert the conflagration, the band of survivors will be forced to pack up and move again.

This is a good continuation of the story, and moves at a good pace. There is some action but not as much as some of the prior books. This story addresses more relational issues as the group tries to rebuild and protect what they have.

I liked revisiting the characters and learning how they were getting on. I enjoyed the entertainment.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine has done a good job with the series. He portrays the different character voices and personalities helping to keep the story moving along well. The narration has enhanced my enjoyment of this series.

Other books in the Series:
Book 1, Going Home
Book 2, Surviving Home
Book 3, Escaping Home
Book 4, Forsaking Home

This is from my own Audible library and is part of my Audio Challenge. It is R for Alphabet Soup Challenge. :-)

Sunday Post August 30, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 31, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! at Book Journey may be active again in September.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I am mostly feeling better. I actually got out and walked three mornings this past week! 
I am still juggling to get caught up at work. Instead of work on Saturday I attending an End Time Prophesy Conference.  I learned new information that was good. 

I had a good reading week - finished three books: one ebook, and two audibles. I posted four reviews and the usual memes.

Yay - I got to visit early in the week!
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 23, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 24, 2015.

• Audible Review: Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley; Historical Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Audible Review: The Remaining by D. J. Molles; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.

• Friday Pick Giveaway August 28, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/3/2015.

• Book Review: To Honor You Call Us (Man of War Book 1) by H. Paul Honsinger; Sci Fi Military, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.

• Audible Review: The Witch with No Name: The Hollows, Book 13 by Kim Harrison; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #217 Comment Giveaway for August 29, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 9/5/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 30, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible

Resurrecting Home: A Novel
Written by: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine
This is a good continuation of the series.
This is from my own Audible library.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible

Waking the Bear: Broken Chains, Book 1
Written by: Kerry Adrienne
Narrated by: Jason P. Hilton
This was enjoyable for a quick listen.
I received this from Barclay Publicity.
I will review it this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime)
by Rebecca Raisin
This is a sweet, small town contemporary.
I selected this at NetGalley.
I plan to post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP4

The Empire's Corps
Written by: Christopher G. Nuttall
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
This looked like another sci fi military I would like. I am enjoying the action.
This was from my Audible Library. 
Publisher's Summary
You should never speak truth to power…
The Galactic Empire is dying and chaos and anarchy are breaking out everywhere. After a disastrous mission against terrorists on Earth itself, Captain Edward Stalker of the Terran Marine Corps makes the mistake of speaking truth to power, telling one of the most powerful men in the Empire a few home truths. As a result, Captain Stalker and his men are unceremoniously exiled to Avalon, a world right on the Rim of the Empire. It should have been an easy posting....
Well, apart from the bandits infesting the countryside, an insurgency that threatens to topple the Empire's loose control over Avalon, and a corrupt civil government more interested in what it can extort from the population than fighting a war. The Marines rapidly find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of political and economic chaos, fighting to preserve Avalon before the competing factions tear the world apart. They're Marines; if anyone can do it, they can.
The battle to save the Empire starts here.
©2012 Christopher G. Nuttall (P)2014 Podium Publishing

2. eBook/Kindle

The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 1)
by Jeff Wheeler
I am only 15% into this but this is engaging.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Death of the Blue Flower
by Roxann Hill (Author), Paul Wagle (Translator)
I am looking forward to reading this.
I picked this up from NetGalley.
Working in an exclusive, high-end rehab clinic in Germany, ex-con Alicia Petersen does her job well enough to get through the day. Battered by life, she’s generally not one for conversation, escaping her dreary existence through daydreams of her childhood. These dreams and the friendship of Miriam Morgenroth, an elderly patient, are all that keep her going.
One day, Miriam disappears without a trace. But patients do walk away from rehab time and again, so no one suspects foul play—no one except Alicia. Determined to conduct her own search, she asks for help from a chemo-ravaged police detective, Chris Winkler, who jumps at a chance to put his dormant expertise to use in the investigation.
From the Bavarian Alps to the northern German Coast, the two follow a bloody trail into a world of betrayal, revenge, and murder, with motives that reach far back into an appalling past. As Alicia and Chris grow closer, they soon discover that Miriam had many secrets—the sort that threaten the lives of those who attempt to bring them to light.
Will they be able to uncover the truth before the past catches up with them?

4. Print Book

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, O'Malley Series #1
By Dee Henderson
I picked this up on sale for my ladies' book club. 
I may finish it by Saturday which is our next meeting.
Product Description
It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.
The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.
She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire family.

June 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning.. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.

I posted four reviews last week which left just the three new for this week. I hope I will be able to catch up this week. 
I finished another NetGalley and am reading two books from NetGalley. I added one new book so my waiting NetGalley shelf remains at five.
I still want to pull in more books off TBR shelves, print and digital. 

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I picked up one new NetGalley title this past week although I have been eyeing others.
I forgot to list my Ladies Book Club book which is added here now.
I adding more free kindle titles to my library.

(I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I selected one title at NetGalley this week.

Nirvana (Nirvana Series Book 1)
by J.R. Stewart
Nirvana is the first installment in the three-part “Nirvana” series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so. Are you ready to enter Nirvana?

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked this book up for my Ladies Book Club. See above under current reading for full details.

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, O'Malley Series #1
By Dee Henderson

Free

Over the past week I added 52 (again) free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 30, 2015

I have had a blessed weekend in God's word. Saturday we attended an end-times prophesy conference and one of the presenters spoke at our church this morning. Eric Broome who shares Revelationship Ministries. God uses the sun, moon and stars for signs (Gen 1:14) of His glory and His control of events. (Luke 21:25.)

Knowledge has increased (Dan 12:4) and so has lawlessness (Matt 24:12). We are watching and anticipating things to occur soon (much going on in September) and in the next few years. I believe, with many others, that Christ's return is imminent. I feel the need to share the message; be a watchman (Ez 33). We are called to act - not only to stand firm but to take the offensive - pushing against the enemy.

This morning our choir sang this song which fits today's message:

Let the Church Rise ... and move the gates of hell!
(Sorry I didn't find a version with lyrics written.)

A Verse for Today:
Luke 21:11 (NIV)
11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

It was nice to be back with our church family this morning. It is refreshing to have the fellowship.
Since I shared on the end-time message above I didn’t get to do an update on the Haiti mission we are supporting. God preformed a miracle by supplying a larger container trailer after title problems arose with the first trailer. We are very excited about the supplies being shipped and the upcoming missions trip. (Unfortunately Bob and I will be away on prior arrangements when the trip takes place.) For more info on the project here is the new facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Band-of-Brothers-Ministries/1059116097464768?fref=ts