Review: Love Welcome Serve: Recipes that Gather and Give by Amy Nelson Hannon

Purchase at Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Love Welcome Serve dishes up a little bit of southern hospitality mixed with down-home recipes that will comfort you and your family. Amy Helson Hannon's heart definitely leaps out of those delicious pages filled with recipes that bring comfort and joy to the home cook. You can't help but feel as if you are right along side of her experiencing the joy she has for not only her own recipes but those she adores. There is definitely something for everyone in this book. Not only delicious recipes but tips that were extremely helpful. 

I've read many cookbooks and for this being her first cookbook, I really appreciate the attention to detail she gives us to hints about the ingredients and equipment that would be helpful in the kitchen. I haven't come across anything that was so accessible in terminology because other books can get a bit on the technical side but she really zones in on making things look so easy.

Overall, I thought the book had some great tips and some recipes that I can't wait to try. I'm not sure if this was intentional but the homely, beautiful simplicity of the photos and the colorful interior of the book felt like you were at her home being one of her guests. I will say that if you are a big dessert fan like me, she has some really great recipes that look really good. If you are looking for some comfort food to make for your family and friends, check this out to get some good ideas for your next meal.

Review: Storytelling For Pantsers: How to Write and Revise Your Novel Without A Outline by Annalisa C Parent

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

When I came across this book, the title piqued my curiosity. When I think of writers and authors that I've chatted over the years with, I never came across anyone who hadn't used some sort of an outline so I was open to a new possibility. I'm not going to lie, I had a little bit of resistance going into the book but objectively took in the information and saw some highlights in the author's perspective but my overall opinion is that I wished it offered more.

Despite my initial reservations, I thought the author had some good info but I sort of wish the book structure was different. It felt more conversational rather than instructive. I know I'm not the only one who will think this but when you see “how to” you are expecting to follow some sort of correlated subject structure chronologically. I get the author didn't want to come across rigid or presenting the book by any rules in supporting her concept of no outline but there were some parts of the book where I  wish she had explored them more rather than other parts that felt like floating thoughts. 

I will say that the best part of the book was the author. Regardless of your opinion on whether an author should or shouldn't, you can really feel the enthusiasm and devotion that she has to wanting to help authors succeed. 

Overall, I felt the book covered some helpful general information that for an author that has been writing a while could find useful. I'm uncertain for someone who is just beginning who might be all over the place if this is the right fit for them because I think they need an outline to get to that place where they can feel comfortable and confident with their writing. I think this would be more resourceful for those who are more experienced with their writing or someone who has a focused idea of where they want to go. There's no right or wrong to the process so for you writers out there, you should give her book a chance because like I said there is some good information in there and if you want the help, the author is willing to support you.

Review: Soar! Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T. D. Jakes

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

If you are an entrepreneur or have been inspired by Shark Tank to open your own business, Soar by TD Jakes will definitely motivate you to push yourself to reach that goal. I was pleasantly surprised by reading this book based on my limited knowledge of the author. From what I personally know, he is well-known for his ministry and has been involved in film and television. I'm really impressed because considering his pastoral background and his insightful business knowledge that you get from the book, it was really helpful and encouraging. 

I love the whole concept of “Soar.” I love that foundation that it's never too late to get your dreams off the ground. He is absolutely right. So many people give up or think they can't but if you work hard, acquire the knowledge and put in the work, you can reach unlimited heights. The book had personal encouragement and insightful resources that included an excellent appendix reference and really outlined for the reader how to “build your vision from the ground up.” His personal experiences along with others put a tangible grasp on the pros and cons of that path of vision to execution that really put a face on the reality of the ups and downs of wanting to be an entrepreneur. 

The book really helps you understand potential reasons why people succeed and fail but ultimately inspire those who have that initial drive to push forward to make it happen. It was an inspiring and informative read that will hopefully give you a push to finally making those dreams come true. If you are an entrepreneur or want to make a new transition in your career to build something for yourself, check this one out. 

Review: The Unexpected Way of Falling in Love by Jessica Sorensen

Buy on Amazon

The premise of The Unexpected Way of Falling in Love is that Ensley is talked in to a revenge plot by her best friend, Elodie. Elodie wants Ensley to get her twin brother, Cater, to fall in love with her and then break his heart. Elodie is well aware that Ensley has a crush on Carter. Obviously, things get complicated, and Ensley and Carter begin to actually enjoy each other. However, unbeknownst to Ensley, Carter is playing her too. Throw in some terrible rich parents, dark family secrets, kidnappings, mob themes, and hidden crushes, and you get an unsatisfying book.

This wasn’t just a love story. It was surprisingly dark and full of questionable character motives and secrets. It was a lot. And I definitely feel that it could have been executed better. Everything felt forced and as if the author was only writing to get to the cliffhanger.  This is the first book, so one can only hope that the second is more flushed out.

It was sort of hard to stay focus because it felt a little unbelievable and ridiculous at times. Again, there was a lot going on and nothing was done to make it feel natural or developed. There was a lot of moving from Point A to Point B without taking time to slow down and show the progression. For example, the romance was instalove and the chemistry was nonexistent because everything happened so quickly without any build up.  

I think I would have liked it more if it had only been about Ensley pretending to date Carter. That’s interesting, and there could have been a lot of depth. The author would have had a lot of material to work with. For example, Ensley’s loyalty to her best friend vs. finding love.  The expedition of Ensley’s character and deep inner thoughts as she struggled with this conflict could provide an emotional punch as well as great character development.

Granted, there would have had to have been more substances if it was only truly about the relationship between Ensley and Carter. Uneventful conversations and kisses don’t only make a relationship.

Character

The characters were very questionable. Why did Ensley agree to date Carter? Also, why did Elodie ask Ensley to pretend to date her brother when she knew that she had a crush on him? That seemed a little cruel and as if she was setting her friend up for heartbreak.

I felt disconnected with the characters; I was told how I should feel about them. I was never really shown. This was particularly true in regards to Carter.

The book tried to make Carter a misunderstood guy with a heart of gold, instead of the jerk that he was. There were a lot of excuses, and he never really owned up to anything.

Final Analysis

The Unexpected Way of Falling in Love is quite frankly doing too much. Everything felt rushed and undeveloped.

Review: This Time Around by Tawna Fenske

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I'm a sucker to when it comes to second chance romance novels. They just make the heart swoon. This Time Around, definitely lived up to every moment and just leaves you feeling good. Sweet, funny and filled with moments that pull at you showing how time heals and you have to go through some things to get to place where real happiness lives. 

Let's start with Allie. Her life didn't exactly turn out how she dreamed but she found life led her down a different road. Her parents are in jail for a ponzi scheme and she recently inherited a bed and breakfast that once belonged to her grandmother. Her love life is to be desired, always a bridesmaid never the bride. For whatever reason, luck was never on her side but then one day someone from her past reappears and everything is different. Is this fate? 

You know what they say, if two people are meant to be, then one day it will be. Or will it? Jack and Allie were young sweethearts. Like many young relationships, one person is in one place and the other elsewhere. When they were in college, Allie broke his heart leading him down a road that could've been worse. He found his way and his life changed. 

One day out of the blue, Allie got an email inviting to meet up. Jack has a reunion coming up and thought it would be nice to catch up. When he mentions that he wants her to meet Paige and to find out how her life is going, the past sort of came hitting her at once. She didn't want to look ridiculous to him and his wife. Not wanting him to see how much her life wasn'twhat she hoped, she asked her best friend to pretend he was her boyfriend. Little did she know Paige wasn't his wife but his daughter. As details unravel about their life now and their past and present collide into this new chapter, will this be their meant to be happily ever after? 

I really liked their story. This wasn't your predictable second chance where they went out before and now they are happily ever after. We are definitely thrown some curve balls along the way which made this a I have to find out what happens sort of book. All the supporting elements that surround the circumstances of their life make this a fulfilling read. You're not bogged down by fluff which I loved. Too many secrets coming out, peeling layer by layer, made me keep flipping forward. On a side note, the supporting characters brought some really nice moments to the book that make you laugh and their genuine friendships are just sweet that they make the book smile. Overall, this was a good one that will leave you feeling good. This is a definite recommendation to the tbr pile!

Review: 101 Secrets For Your Twenties by Paul Angone

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

“Life in our 20s can feel more time-bomb than tickle-fest. “

101 Secrets for Your Twenties was an emotional read for me. I fully enjoyed and was touched on a personal level. As an early twenty year-old, I really appreciated this book. It felt as if someone was telling me that what I was feeling was valid and everything was going to be okay.

It was relatable, well written, humorous, and reassuming. I lost count of how many times I nodded my head and said, “That’s me.” I don’t think I’ve ever related to a book as much as I did with 101 Secrets for Your Twenties.

It didn’t sugar coat things and say that like was going to be great all the time. It highlighted several serious topics such as: losing friends, feeling lost, and lonely. However, even as he discussed those topics there was hope; even if it was just a little. The author did mention that it’s okay to seek help if need be.

The author truly provides great advice and comfort in his writings by incorporating personal facts and stories in them. For example, there were several instances where he mentioned his marriage and career. He didn’t mention them to brag, but instead as examples and as a way to show that he’s been there and understands.

Paul Angone felt like a relatable narrator. I trusted him. And after reading this book, I felt understood and less alone. I could see myself revisiting this book as a reminder that everything will work out.

I strongly believe that every twenty-something-year-old should read this book. Life can be difficult, and sometimes we get some caught up and forget that we aren’t the only ones going through it.