book reviews: The Fairhope Series by Sarra Cannon

So, over the past 2 weeks, I've devoured 3 books in the Fairhope Series by Sarra Cannon.  And....I loved them!  They were fun, quick, easy reads with a great love story.  Predictable?  Maybe a little, but sometimes I like that.  They were just what I needed to take my mind off of the stress of the holiday season.  I loved all 3 equally, but I believe "The Trouble with Goodbye" was book 1 (Leigh Ann's story).  Penny's story (The Moment we Began) is book 2 and "A Season of Hope" which is Bailey's story is book 3.
In each book, you really get to know the characters.  They are not as shallow as they may seem in the first books.  In the 1st book, I did not like Bailey.  But...by the time I got to her book, I understood more about her and grew to really like her.

Family Pics

I was a little disappointed with our family pictures this year.  It was nothing our photographer did, but more us.  My bad hair day, Mia's refusal to wear what I picked out, their lack of looking at the camera and smiling, etc.  Oh well...at least we got this one.

School Pics

I am totally biased, but I am so happy with my kid's school pictures this year. 

Florida trip

Our trip to Florida this year was great.  The weather was perfect, the kids were good, and I feel like we made some lasting memories with my Dad. 

Bike riding in the neighbhorhood

Visiting my Dad at work. 

I so hope I'm wrong in saying this, but I feel like this may be our last visit with him when he feels (and looks) this good.  He is still feeling good depsite the 9 nodules in his lungs.  He has so far, refused treatment.  He will go back Jan 29th for another CT Scan to check the growth and we'll reevaluate at that time.  I'm praying he will fight this, praying that I will have the strength to respect his decision and praying that he will grow closer in his relationship with God.  If I can't have him with me in this life--I'd like to in the next.  His name is Bill.  If you will, please pray for my Dad.

Thank you

Veteran's Day

Every time I'm with my Dad, I learn something new about him.  We just got back from Florida and this trip happened to be over Veteran's Day.  My nephew's school had an assembly in which they invited family members who were Vets.  My Dad was in the Air Force and was in Vietnam.  This was the first time I have ever heard him talk about his experience there.  He didn't go into great detail, but I wanted to write down what I could remember.  My Dad was an Air Craft Mechanic.  He worked the Rebel Run, which was the "quick fix" shop for air crafts.  He enlisted at the age of 17 and was in Vietnam when he was 19 (so around 1966-67).  The base he was on was rumored to be bombed one particular night, but they kept my Dad there anyway.  Many of his coworkers were sent to Cam Rahn Bay (I believe this is where they were sent--I am not positive).  That night, Cam Rahn Bay was bombed instead.  My Dad was sent there the day after.  What I did not realize, was that even as an aircraft mechanic, he had people shooting at him.  He said, there were a number of times when bullets would go whizzing by his head.  I am overwhelmed at the thought of what those men and women went through over there.  I'm overwhelmed by what my Dad heard and saw and experienced.  Images he still won't talk about today.  I'm in my mid 30's and this is the most information I've ever heard about his experience.  It makes me appreciate the military that much more.  I'm so grateful for their service and sacrifice. 

Literary Junkies Link up

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!
I just finished "The Bet" and "The Wager".  I really liked both books.  They were quick, fun, easy reads with a cute love story.  Here's the amazon description for both....

The Bet

"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal ...

80,000 words

and
The Wager


What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.

If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .


2) How many books have you read this year? Do
you set reading goals for yourself?

I have no idea.  I do not set goals, but I'd say I probably average 1 book a week.

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?

I thought Silver Linings Playbook was a fairly good adaption, but I still liked the book more.  The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks was a great book to movie (most of his books are). 

Honestly, while I like the twilight movies--I thought the books were so much better.  They movies did not do them justice--in my opinion.
4) What is the first line of your favorite book?

I have 2:
1.  "All he could see, in every direction, was water."  Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

2.  "Until Miss Debbie, I'd never spoke to no white woman before."  Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Allegiant- Book Review

(synopsis)
 What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.


I am not even sure where to start....  First, I really liked the book.  I loved the characters and I am really looking forward to the movies.  While I thought the ending was appropriate, it was still so sad.  It isn't what I wanted, but I'm not upset that it ended that way.  Does that make sense?    I don't want to give too much away.  All in all, I was happy and I really enjoyed the series.  Yes, I wanted it to be a happy ending, but in some ways...it was.  What did you think?