Best Is Yet To Come by Debbie Macomber - Audio version

 Best Is Yet To Come

by Debbie Macomber

Audio Version

Best is Yet to Come is one of those stories that we all 

can connect to. They say that every person makes their

way into your life for one of two reasons. They either are

here to teach you something or to learn something 

from you. It seemed like this whole story was full of 

situations proving this. 

Hope and Cade each are trying to find a way through

their personal struggles. Then along comes Shadow.

A dog also living with struggles.

It's not just the three of them learning the hardest of

life lessons. But the other people in Oceanside, 

Washington. Everyone is connected. 

If you have ever read Debbie Macomber, you know how 

much heart and love and life you will find in her stories.

If you choose the audio version of Best is Yet to Come,

you will get to hear Therese Plummer. One of the best

narrators ever. So you really do not want to miss the

chance to get in on this story. 

I bought my copy from Audible.com.

Review by Lisa Hutson 

Home Front by Kristin Hannah - Audio Version

 Home Front 

by Kristin Hannah

Audio Version

I have seen the name Kristin Hannah around many times. 

Her covers are often interesting and well done. I have just 

never followed through with the reading. I don't know what

made me do it this time. But I so glad I did. 

What a story!!

I am no expert. I have not known many military people

in my life. I volunteered at my local USO for a couple 

years and loved it. The people! They are amazing! 

Every one with a different story. 

And different perspective. 

I found that same thing in this story. The people and

perspectives are real. You just feel it all. You cannot help it!

I don't know how we keep finding these brave, amazing,

brilliant, generous patriots. Willing to sign on that dotted

line. They have no way of knowing where it will lead. 

Yet, they line up, sign on the line, take the oath, 

swear to it. Leave their family. Leave their lives. 

They have no way of knowing where it will go, what 

will be asked of them. 

We all need to remember. As we get our kids off to school. 

Go to our jobs. Run into the grocery store. Call to make an

appointment at the doctors office. Open the fridge to get 

out what is needed to make dinner. Throw a load of clothes

in the washer. Lay down safe in our home for a nights sleep. 

We must remember how many are not doing any of these

things. Home Front reminded me to be so thankful every

day. When I say my prayers, to add them. All of them. 

The narration is spot on. Maggi-Meg Reed, also new for me.

I highly recommended Home Front whether you read a

book book or listen. 

I borrowed a copy from my library to listen to. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

How the Lady Was Won by Shana Galen

How the Lady Was Won

by Shana Galen

★★★★★

Another addition to the Survivors series from

Shana Galen! 

This one is Colins story. He has been known 

among the Survivors as the Pretender. 

He finds himself in a situation where these

skills work well! 

Lady Daphne has been Colins wife for 7 years. 

Though she almost didn't even know it. 

They had their very forgettable honeymoon night.

And then, Colin was gone. 

Now, Daphne knows he is back in town. Even 

though she has yet to see anything of him. 

They are both fabulous characters to read. 

The story is different. Neither Colin or Daphne

have been sleeping around in their separation.

That alone is unusual. 

They both have insecurities. Will either of them

admit their feelings? Will Colin be able to accept 

that he must let down his guard? Can Daphne

take her rightful place in society? What does 

37 bows have to do with anything?

I have found How the Lady Was Won to be

a wonderful story. Great, big feelings.

Very unique characters. I enjoyed it 

very much. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis - Audio version

Rainy Day Friends

by Jill Shalvis

☆☆☆☆☆

And now we have another Jill Shalvis story.

Because I have never had a moment in one

of her stories, that I even considered sitting it

aside. There are very few writers I can say that

about. There are always tears and laughs. Always

real life challenges. Along with real life feelings.

 Rainy Day Friends is filled with the Capriotti family.

If your life is lucky at all, you have surely come across

a family like this. People that are generous and nosy

and loving and hard working and dependable. They

will share anything with anybody. They hold no

judgment to anyone.

This is where Lanie and River find themselves landing

while in the middle of the worst moments of their lives.

Of course it couldn't be a better place to land. 

River is pregnant and so very alone. She is young and

used to living in a car. Lanie is a young widow and she

has been granted surprise after surprise since her

husbands passing. Strangely, the two of them find

themselves connected. In so many ways. 

Jill Shalvis can write a story, people and places that

burrow right into your heart. Into your real life. You

might find yourself looking out your front door to see

if the world outside has changed. Karen White is the

narrator for a lot of Jill Shalvis books. She does

a nice job. I hope you will enjoy Rainy Day Friends.

 

I borrowed this audio book from my library.

Review by Lisa Hutson

 



Beautiful Storm by Barbara Freethy

Beautiful Storm

by Barbara Freethy

Audio version

Beautiful Storm is book one of the

Lightning Strikes trilogy.
Alicia Monroe is a photographer. She takes pictures
for the news to make a living. But she is drawn to
photographing lightning. It has gotten her into
trouble more than once. But it calls to her and she goes.

 One night, she spots something in the split
second that the lighting flashes. That very
quick image sets off a chain of events for Alicia.
She meets the star suspect in a missing person case.
The story unwinds and presents one mystery after
another. How can Alicia know who to trust? How
deep does she delve into this case? It gets more
dangerous by the day. More and more people that
seem to have too many secrets.
I have not read a lot of Barbara Freethy.
I think only one other.
So I wasn't sure what to expect. But it kept me
interested and curious. I recommend the audio version
of this well done mystery romance.
Eva Kaminsky did a very good job on
the narration.
This review by Lisa Hutson





Home Sweet Home ~~ By Candis Terry

I love to read a well written novella with interesting characters and an engaging plot. Candis Terry's Home Sweet Home resonated with me and I read it in one afternoon.

"Aiden? I can see by the look in your eyes that you have a lot going on in your mind. I know you've been through more than than most people could ever imagine. I won't tell you I understand. I won't lie and say I know how you feel."

She reached across the table and covered his hand with her own. The contrast was startling. Hers was small and soft. His was large and callused. 

The compassion in the simple gesture stole his breath.

He'd forgotten the power of a tender touch.

A gentle moment.

A quiet calm that soothed a soul.

Author Candis Terry has created a fabulous community in her Sweet Texas novels.  Sweet is a small town filled with lots of real life drama, quirky and loveable characters, and sexy heros and their heroines. The hero of Home Sweet Home  is Army  Ranger Lieutenant Aiden Marshall who has returned home to Texas a changed man. He has experienced first hand the nightmare of war, watched his two childhood friends die in an explosion and left his beloved dog in Afganistan. Suffering from survivor's guilt, he is a man without hope.

Paige Walker has waited patiently for Aiden, her high school sweetheart, to return home. Ms Terry has created a strong, endearing heroine in this story. Paige knows what she wants. And that's Aiden. While Aiden has been serving in Afghanistan, Paige has started her own accounting business, bought a home and started an apple orchard. Paige steadfastly believes that she and Aiden can overcome anything. She believes in them. Paige understand that Aiden needs to come to terms with his many losses before he can move forward. 

I loved the chemistry between our hero and heroine and that they had been faithful to each other while Aiden served in the military. What they shared was special to both of them.  Home Sweet Home is a compassionate powerful story of a couple finding their way home. I loved that the towns people of Sweet were able to show their hometown hero  how much his service in the Army meant to them. It was very heartwarming. The resolution was beautifully written-- just perfect for this couple and quite emotional. 

I read Home Sweet Home  during Memorial Day weekend. It was the perfect time to reflect and read about the sacrifices that our servicemen endure to protect our freedom. 

All proceeds of the novella will go to animal rescue.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased via Amazon by Susan Gorman