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#BookReview: Worth the Risk by Jamie Beck

Absolutely “worth the risk”. In this conclusion to the St James series, Jackson, middle son, is dealing with the repercussions of the end of Worth the Trouble and has decided to leave town for a few weeks to sort out his issues. He heads to Vermont, and just as he is getting into town he almost literally runs into Gabby during a thunderstorm. He’s a mess, and she has a kid. But this is a romance novel, and these are our leads, so you know where this is going. As always in this series, very real handling of the various situations, and I really do love the decisions Jackson ultimately comes to. Great conclusion to a great series.

This review of Worth the Risk by Jamie Beck was originally published on September 11, 2018.

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#BookReview: Worth the Trouble by Jamie Beck

Even Better Than The First. To me, this story was even better than the first book in this series, Worth the Wait – which was excellent in its own right. Cat and Hank’s interactions seem just as real, and given what both are dealing with, even more personally impactful for me. Without going into detail on this review, suffice it to say that I am thankful that these types of issues are being explored in a romance novel, as often they are not. So very many kudos for that and for the excellent-as-usual story and writing. 🙂

This review of Worth the Trouble by Jamie Beck was originally published on September 9, 2018.

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#BookReview: Worth the Wait by Jamie Beck

Excellent Romance. This is a hardcore romantic drama, quite different in that respect from my typical romance fare of late – and an excellent example of why I like the entire breadth of the genre. The author is a touch more realistic than some of her peers, and it shines here. Both leads are believable, and the supporting cast – most of which is destined to appear in future books as leads themselves – are fully fleshed out for purposes of this story as well. (Obviously for those featuring in future books, we should get better views of them there.) Very much looking forward to the next book in the series – indeed, I’ve already started it.

This review of Worth the Wait by Jamie Beck was originally published on September 5, 2018.

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#BookReview: The Postman by David Brin

Book And Movie Equally Awesome – In Their Own Ways. I was first exposed to the tale of The Postman through the movie starring Kevin Costner and Will Patton – and I love that movie so much it inspired one of my tattoos. The book is VERY different, though of the same tone and with at least some of the early events similar if not identical. In particular, the point of becoming the Postman and the first time the costume is used in Pine View are almost identical, though from there the story diverges. Whereas the movie gave us a tale of a singular tyrannical Holnist – Will Patton’s General Bethlehem – that is constantly right on the cusp of killing the Postman and everything he holds dear, the book is more of a tale of the Postman’s travels and survival across Oregon. Both share that it isn’t just the Postman’s survival that is in peril, but that of the very concept of hope. And both ultimately share the tale of how that other most powerful force – love – is the strength that allows hope to survive. How each tells these tales, and the other points each makes along the way, are very, very different. But how the book – written over three decades ago – speaks to the modern political era is particularly prescient, and for that reason alone the book is well worth the 5 stars.

This review of The Postman by David Brin was originally published on September 1, 2018.

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#BookReview: The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi

Are Secrets Really Comfortable? In this tale, we meet Cat and Ryan. And Ryan… both has secrets and has people holding secrets from him. In at least some ways, I can certainly identify with Ryan due to at least *some* similar situations (though to be clear, not an abusive parent myself). In this tale of family triumphing all, the more pessimistic among us might be tempted to label it as much fantasy as any swords and sorcery book, but aren’t romance books supposed to take us out of the real world and give us a happily ever after? And in that, Nolfi does a great job. The Sirens may be a bunch of wacky old biddies, but they do form a memorable cast of supporting characters – ones who almost steal the show from the central couple. Very much enjoyed this book, and very much looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy. (Yes, I started in the middle. :D)

This review of The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi was originally published on August 24, 2018.

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#BookReview: Circumstantial Evidence by Lisa Clark O’Neill

Follow The Evidence. This book flows well from the previous book, much like the previous book did from the book before it. Here, we delve further into the story of Will and Cam, who first met up in Admit One. But this time, the stakes are higher than they’ve been in Sweetwater. Ever. There was a kid that was murdered, and right when Will thinks he finally found his man… it turns out, his evidence was too circumstantial. There is another killer on the loose. And Will just put his burgeoning family square in its crosshairs… Excellent conclusion to this particular triliogy, while also more concretely (finally) tying into the author’s other works. Looking forward to exploring more from Ms. O’Neill.

This review of Circumstantial Evidence by Lisa Clark O’Neill was originally published on August 12, 2018.

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#BookReview: Admit One by Lisa Clark O’Neill

Good Theatre. With this book, we pick up about a year after Mr. Write left off. Mason (Dixon) Armitage has come back to Sweetwater with a singular mission – to woo the woman he can’t stop thinking about. But the woman in question… well, she’s over him. Or so she thinks. Overall solid romance, if a tad slow, and with an intriguing mystery to boot. But there *were* a couple of slips of continuity where a character forgets things they knew just pages earlier. Still, very recommended read, and looking forward to seeing Will and Cam develop more in the next book.

This review of Admit One by Lisa Clark O’Neill was originally published on August 11, 2018.

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#BookReview: Mr. Write by Lisa Clark O’Neill

Mr. Right. This was my first book from O’Neill, it won’t be my last. This one isn’t your typical romance book in that there are enough things going on that for a while it is difficult to determine which couple this book is ultimately about. After a point (call it 25-33% or so in?) it becomes more clear, and the both the romance and the suspense begin heating up. Overall a great look at small town life with big personalities, and a great romance. One note: Goodreads says this book is 522 pages. It never feels anywhere near that long – it feels like the time flies by as fast as books with half that page count or less.

This review of Mr. Write by Lisa Clark O’Neill was originally published on August 8, 2018.

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#BookReview: The Plus One by Maggie Dallen

+1 or ++? Again, math geek/ former math teacher… and current programmer. In programming, a + 1 can be written as a++, and that is definitely the rating this book deserves. Fun, hot, funny, romantic… everything you want in a lighthearted romance book. Absolutely pick this one up, it really is an fun read. (And ignore Goodreads telling you it is just 83 pages. It is roughly similar in length to the other two books in this trilogy.)

This review of The Plus One by Maggie Dallen was originally published on August 7, 2018.