Letters for Scarlet by Julie C. Gardner

Letters for Scarlet will stick with me for some time.  It is the story of three friends who met in grade school, bonded as a trio, and tells what can happen when two of the three become a couple.

Scarlet is the one who is left out when Corie and Tucker fall in love.  On the night they graduate from high school Tucker and Corie tell Scarlet that they have fallen in love and also that Corie has decided not to go on to college with Scarlet.  Scarlet is, of course, devastated and they go their separate ways.

Ten years later Corie, who is unable to get pregnant, receives a letter a teacher makes them write to their 28 year old selves and also gets a call from Scarlet's (who is unmarried and pregnant) estranged mother who tells Corie that she needs to get Scarlet's letter to her.  Instead of getting Scarlet her letter, Corie starts to write Scarlet and pour out Corie's pain and sorrow, knowing that Scarlet will never get the letters.

This book touched me.  The characters are damaged and raw, they are all basically getting through life by putting one foot in front of the other and trying not to trip. I found tears in my eyes on several occasions as I was reading and it also brought back all those pains that most of us suffered with in high school.

There are many funny moments in the book, but for me it told mostly about how damaged people can be on the inside, while carrying on as if nothing is wrong on the outside.

I know these are characters in a book, but I can't help but wish them well. 

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All I Want by Natalie Ann

Once again Natalie Ann has added to the All Series with a great romance, but this one has a twist that will tear at your heart.

Sean felt an immediate reaction to Carly the first time he saw her. Carly, on the other hand, seemed to avoid him like he had a communicable disease. When Carly's best friend marries Sean's business partner (read All the Way, you won't be disappointed), Carly and Sean are thrown together and romance ensues.

This is such a great series. It started with The Road to Recovery and All I Want is book four in the second series about the same group of friends and relatives. I have read each book and enjoyed each and every one. You don't need to start at the beginning of the series to figure out what is going on, but I am glad I did. It's enjoyable to read how each couple is progressing.

I would have purchased this book no matter what because I like the series, but I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are solely my own and I was not compensated in any way.

The Island Escape by Kerry Fisher

The Island Escape is the story of two women and how life can change with the blink of an eye.  It also has one of the best first lines ever written, "I was wearing the wrong bra to be sitting in a police cell".  I mean, is there really a right bra for jail?

Roberta comes from a rich, snooty family and Octavia was a free spirit scholarship student when they met in elementary school.  They became lifelong best friends, even though they are polar opposites.  When Roberta's husband has her arrested for (justifiably in my opinion) hitting him with a pan, the first person she calls is Octavia.

Octavia's husband is no prize either, but at least he's not an abusive bully.  As the book progresses we watch both women deal with their changing lives.

I really liked this book and found myself reading until very late, because I had to know what was going to happen nest.  It was interesting to read about people not so unlike every other middle-aged woman I know, who try to do the right thing, but aren't always successful.

The author billed this as a feel good romantic comedy, but I'm not sure that is how I would describe it.  There is a lot of hard time before either Roberta or Octavia get the happy ending they deserve.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Sunday morning talk shows

I love the Sunday morning talk shows and have been watching them forever.  I am one of those people who still misses Tim Russert, Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson, and Tony Snow.  Maybe I'm the only one, hmmmm.  

Anyway, last Sunday I decided to post my interpretations on Facebook.  I got lots of comments, but my main purpose is to be just a little snarky, not take sides.  Except for Donald Trump, if you like Donald Trump, you might just want to stop reading now.  Here's my take, copied from Sunday's post on Facebook:

Listening to Face the Nation and trump is on complaining about how the other candidates are being mean to him. His second complaint is the IRS picks on him and no one else. Third point is he couldn't possibly hire American workers in Mara Lago (I really don't know how to spell that and don't care enough to look it up). because it was the hot season and they were temporary jobs. You know because all of us soon to be great again Americans are too lazy to work in hot weather or take temporary jobs, not because he refuses to pay minimum wage. 

What a great way to start Sunday. I'll be coming back with more funnies for y'all later as my Sunday news programs progress. Whether you like it or not, it seems.

Marco Rubio believes that the only reason trump is beating him is that the media wants Hillary Clinton to be president and he (Rubio) will win the delegates when you (the ungreat Americans) wake up and realize that trump is a con man. 

 I think Senator Sanders has gotten the younger generation involved and aware of the process. As for the kids in school, I wonder how high school teachers are dealing with this. I remember Senior American Government and cannot even imagine the poor teacher dealing with this election cycle.

Peggy Noonan's voice drives me BSCrazy. Usually I stop watching a program when she is on, but the mix on the panel is pretty good today.

Time for This Week with George Stephanopolis (I don't know to spell that, but is wife is funnier than all get out).   Great panel, good variety. Something for everyone.

TrusTed says the reason trump has not released his tax returns is that a) he's giving to Planned Parenthood or b) he's in the mob. Other than that, he was boing.

And Chris Christie is next. Is it too early for a stiff drink (10:15 a.m. here on the west coast).

Per Chris Christie, the media is just picking on trump by asking him questions about Social Security. Shame on the media.

 

Time for Meet the Press. Although I may take a break soon.

 

Governor Kascish is sounding just a bit snarky on State of the Union, which one of you told him he has no chance?

 

 Jeff Sessions is endorsing trumpy. hahahahaha just one more weird tool in the toolbox. Trump says we are the boss in America, I say "you're fired".

 

Wooed by You by Sophia Knightly

Wooed by you is the story of Linc and Isabel.  Linc is a tough alpha narcotics detective and Isabel is the ex-wife of a now deceased drug dealer.  They met after Isabel's ex was killed in a motorcycle accident and he came to investigate if Isabel knew anything about the drug activity. 

Time has passed and Isabel finds a briefcase buried in her garden, she immediately calls Linc, who shows up to talk to her and take the drugs.  The attraction between the two of them is instantaneous, but Isabel is not going to get involved with anyone who puts his life in danger, because she has her daughter, Suzie, to protect.

The author has written a really good story about how a person can get past their preconceived impressions and let go of past pain.  She captures Suzie perfectly as a precocious child who is looking for a father figure.  

If you like a love story with a little bit of crime/drama, you will enjoy this book.  Linc is your macho hero, Isabel is your damsel in distress, and happily ever after is the goal.  But don't think Isabel needs or wants Linc to save her, she is completely able to save herself.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review .