The Resurrection of Gavin Stone - Movie Review

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

Movie Review

 

It's always wonderful to find a movie that is

for grown ups. But you can still go watch it in

a crowd with no awkward moments.
Still have some laughs. A tear or two.

And enjoy a terrific story.

 

 

Don't get me wrong. This can definitely be a

family movie. But the little ones will be bored.

The main character has gotten himself in some

trouble. Trouble with the law and addiction.

So it would be completely appropriate for

teenagers.

 

I went with a friend and we both enjoyed it

very much. We do not get the chance to

go see movies like this at the theater

very often. I hope you will enjoy this one.

 

Review by Lisa Hutson



Review and Giveaway of Somebody Like You by Donna Alward

A kiss to last a lifetime 

Aiden Gallagher was only five years old when he appeared in a photograph on the Kissing Bridge. The town of Darling, Vermont, has used Aiden’s image on the famed bridge—local legend has it that a kiss there results in everlasting love—as part of its tourism campaign. Now, twenty years later, Aiden is asked to recreate the moment with the woman he once kissed: Laurel Stone. 

Recently divorced, there’s nothing Laurel wants less than to pretend happily-ever-after with Aiden. As teenagers, their romance was no fairy tale—and Laurel has never quite forgiven Aiden for breaking her heart. But now that she is back in her hometown, and keeps bumping into police officer Aiden, Laurel can’t deny that there’s still a strong flicker between her and her old flame. Could it be that the Kissing Bridge is working its magic on Laurel and Aiden—and that all true love ever needed was a second chance? 

Donna Alward’s Somebody Like You is a fabulous second chance romance set in the small town of Darling, Vermont. After an emotionally draining, awkward divorce, Laurel Stone has returned home to Darling to heal. She has purchased a garden center, joined the Chamber of Commerce and has reconnected with several old friends. Although, Laurel has been avoiding one person in particular--Aiden Gallagher, the boy that broke her heart in high school. However, she meets Aiden, now a member of the Darling police force, when her business is vandalized. Aiden and Laurel slowly begin to bond after her business is vandalized a second time. He returns the garden center after work and he helps her paint over graffiti.

Donna Alward is a new-to-me author. I love her descriptive voice and how she carefully balanced Lauren’s fear of being hurt with Aiden’s need to be forgiven in the novel. The pacing of their story was perfect, the dialogue was both honest and witty and the author did a fabulous job weaving in the secondary character of George, a homeless veteran, into both Lauren and Aiden’s lives.

The secondary characters of George, Willow and Rory played important roles in the plot. Through George, the author provides an honest look at the emotional difficulties that veterans encounter when they return home. The friendship between Laurel and Willow and the back and forth banter between Aiden and his brother Rory added humor, balance and authenticity to the plot. I enjoyed the superbly written scenes when calm, serene Willow offers Laurel unconditional support and challenges Laurel to make peace with the past. The powerful connection between the main characters captivated me from the first chapter of the book and kept me reading past my bedtime!

If you enjoy contemporary novels written by Samantha Chase, Debbie Mason and Sherryl Woods, you will adore this appealing, poignant love story!

Review by Susan Gorman

ARC courtesy of St Martin's Press 

Edited by Brian McGee

Giveaway and Link to Chapter One:

St Martin's Press is offering a copy of Somebody Like You to one of our readers.

Leave a comment with your email address and you are entered! 

Click here to read chapter one of Somebody Like You.

Author Biography: While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers! Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. 

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I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - Audible version

I've Got Your Number

by Sophie Kinsella

Audible version

 

Sophie Kinsella was a new author for me. I have looked at her

books for years. My maiden name is Kinsella. But for one reason

or another, her books kept getting pushed back in the list.

 

She was recently suggested to me again by Lorelei's Lit Lair.

A book blog out in cyberspace. Now I must thank her.

This book was wonderful.

 

Poppy Wyatt has the craziest, most unpredictable life.

She has gotten engaged and is wearing a wonderful family

heirloom with an emerald on her finger.

Well, she was wearing earlier today. Now, she is just on

a mad chase, up, down and all around, looking for it.

 

 

Your life will never be the same once you find yourself

attached to Poppy Wyatt. I believe every person would

find this to be true. Now, Sam Roxton is learning it.

He is fighting it. But losing at every turn.
Doesn't he understand she cannot be without a phone??

 

The narrator is Jayne Entwistle. Jayne did a fabulous job.

I felt like I was right along on every crazy chase. Looking at

my phone occasionally to see if I had a text. Feeling like I am

part of the story.

 

I recommend I've Got Your Number for anyone that enjoys

audio books. It's long, 13 1/2 hours. So you certainly get

your moneys worth. You will not be bored for one second.

I found myself hiding to listen so I would not be interrupted.

I did not want to stop the crazy fun.

Everyone will enjoy Poppy and her adventure.
And I will be looking for another audio book from

Sophie Kinsella with Jayne Entwistle.

 

 

I bought my audio copy from Audible.com

Review by Lisa Hutson