May 31, 2014 | By: Cynthia Marcano

Review: Worth The Wait by Laura Jackson


Worth The Wait
Author - Laura Jackson
220 pages
Time It Took for to Read - 2 Days
Rating - 3 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend to My Students:Yes
Ellie Lansing has a picture-perfect life with a close-knit family and the perfect boyfriend. But her world is suddenly knocked off center when her drool-worthy boyfriend cheats, and her always-has-it-together mother is diagnosed with cancer. Ellie doesn’t get it. She always does the right thing—doesn’t God owe her a happy life? Through her heartache, Ellie learns that sometimes what seems like the end is really just the beginning and that what God has for us is always worth the wait.

What I Loved...

There was lots of Godly dialogue and relevant scripture throughout the book.

What I Liked...

Laura did a good job incorporating realistic teen issues...dating, parties, alcohol, raging hormones, gossip and emotional roller coasters. Teens are so overdramatic! 

Other...

This book, like no other, had me really thinking about my review. Usually when writing a review I already know what I am going to write about. The likes and dislikes just stick out in my head.

Worth The Wait is a bit of a paradox for me. I want to like it, I don't dislike it but I can't describe anything I liked or even disliked for that matter. So you can see why this review is a bit difficult.

Well actually, there was one dislike that I need to mention. The ending! It just didn't work for me. I felt like so many things were left unresolved without a clue as to if there would be another book to continue the story. I like closure or at least the hint of something more to come. I don't mind being teased for another book, as long as it is clear that there will be, in fact, another book.

One other thing that probably made me not love the book, was the absence of humor. Its a personal preference of mine. I expect it in a YA Romance. Teens are fun and humor should be incorporated even if just a little.

May 30, 2014 | By: Cynthia Marcano

Review: Meant To Be Mine by Becky Wade


Meant To Be Mine
Author - Becky Wade
Time It Took for Read - 1 Day
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars 
Would I Recommend: Yes
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty feels exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel. Then reality ensues!

What I Loved...

Ty Porter, Ty Porter and Ty Porter. Becky did an awesome job with his character. He turned out to be one of my fave heroes of any book.

I am swoon fan, as I am sure most of us are and this book doesn't disappoint. Get your awwws ready.

Bo (Undeniably Yours) makes an appearance...Yay!

This is my favorite book of the year so far.

What I Liked...

To be honest I can't think of anything I didn't like. I know that is a bold statement and even a broad one but I would end up telling the whole story if I had to tell you everything I did like.

I will say that the characters are well written and I felt like I knew them personally. I was still thinking about them a few days after I finished the book. I was really sad when I finished the book. I felt really invested in their stories. I am hoping that they make an appearance in book 3.

Other...

Bull riding is a major theme throughout this book and I don't know a lick about bull riding. BUT I was very pleased that my lack of bull riding knowledge didn't take away from the book. She wrote in such a way that even non bull riding fans can go along on the journey and still feel connected. I have read books with horse riding as a theme and throughout the books terms that were unknown to me clouded my imagination because I had no idea what the author was talking about. I could have looked it up, but I didn't. I want to read a book and get lost in the romance and story and not in the terminology. 

I am very happy to say that Becky didn't bogg down the story with bull riding terminology (not without explaining) and I followed along very easily with the bull riding scenes. It made me love Ty Porter even more!

And for all of the Undeniably Yours fans, I have a confession. I like Ty more than Bo. Yes its possible!

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.
May 28, 2014 | By: Cynthia Marcano

Back At It!

Hello out there! I am so happy to be back. After my laptop crashed and burned, I took it as a sign to take a vacation from...well everything!

Vacation did me good! God blessed me with a wonderful surprise pregnancy and I relished in it. Classified as a high risk pregnancy, I was grateful that the Lord has sent me on a path of relaxation before I knew I needed it. He is just so good and loving that way!

My miracle baby girl is now one month old and all settled into this crazy world. I am excited to get back rolling into the world of reading.  While I have gotten back into the thick of it, I am not just getting back into blogging.

I have done very short reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and will begin posting my review here again.

If you haven't already noticed or maybe you have just forgotten, my blog has changed. Growing invokes change and I am no different. While, I used to focus on Christian YA and General YA, I have decided to change that direction to Christian Romance.  I still read and review YA, but my reviews will now focus on where I am a more passionate and dedicated reader...Christian Romance/Historical Fiction (Romance). In honor of that change, I have updated the look of my blog and changed its title. I hope you all like and approve.

So here's to starting anew!

Stay tuned!

P.S. Meet Camryn Alivia