Review of Happily Ever Ashten

Title: Happily Ever Ashten

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Carrington Springs book 3

Chapters: 19 plus epilogue  

Pages: 325

Genre: Christian Chick lit new adult

Rating: 5 stars

     Happily Ever Ashten is the last book in the Carrington Springs series by Erynn Mangum. Ashten has lived in Carrington Springs her whole life and has pretty much worked at her grandparent's restaurant her entire life it seems. Now that she is a teacher she still works at the resultant in the summer, but at 31 she wants more. Her family her father especially wonder why she's not married yet. As a 30 year old who's father asks the same question on repeat I can relate. She's living in a room in Katie's house and she knows that's going to have to change because Katie's is getting married. 

     Eliza gets it in her mind to play matchmaker between Mike and Ashten about the time that Ashten's ex-boyfriend the one she thought she was going to marry comes back to town.  Ashten is torn she doesn't know what to do. But then her grandmother gives her some awesome advice that sounded just like something my own would say. 

     Happily Ever Ashten wraps up the series nicely Katie and Eliza get their happy endings and we see the direction that Ashten's future is taking. Though I wish we could have seen Ashten's happily Ever After too, since it is the title of her book, but we did sort of get a look at it with the comment the guy who won her heart said.  I am looking forward to her next book or series. I've already finished one novella she wrote this year, review to come, and as always I look forward to her Christmas one this year.

Review of Once Upon a Eliza

Title: Once Upon a Eliza

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Carrington Springs book 2

 

Chapters: 20

Pages: 322

Genre: Christian Chick lit new adult

Rating:  5 stars

     Once Upon an Eliza is the second book in the Carrington Springs series by Erynn Mangum. Even though it's not a true sequel you do need to read Katie in Waiting first. As most of the character's are introduced in the first book.  Eliza is a maternity nurse who moved to Carrington Springs to get away from her brother Mike and his friend Cooper.  Since losing both of their parents Mike has become overprotective of his little sister.  Eliza sees Cooper her brother's best friend as a slight pest. he's a firefighter when not working is always trying to find things to fix at Eliza's house. 

     I liked Eliza better than I did Katie. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I could relate to Eliza; and what she had gone through in life. I too lost two loved ones one suddenly the other slowly just like Eliza did.  Unlike Eliza though I don't know the loss of both parents, but do know the sting of the loss of a mom.  It's a sting that doesn't begin to ease quickly. 

     I've been a fan of Erynn's books since I accidentally discovered Miss Match in the Lauren Holbrook series in the teen selection of my library. Miss Match wasn't teen it was basically Christian Chick lit. A chick flick you can read. I had tried to read chick lit before but had always been disappointed by the content. But Erynn's books our different the chick lit is infused with Christian faith and message of and lesson of learning to trust God and his promises and to rely on him.  Each of Erynn's books are no different and Once upon an Eliza continued that trend. I discovered her books in my early twenties the same age as most of the characters in that first series, and now at 30 her three heroines in the Carrington Springs series are also in their 30s. Erynn's books always find a way to be relevant for whatever age or stage in life I am. 

     I enjoyed book two and I can't wait to see what book three holds. There's a seen towards the end between Eliza and the hero that starts her realizing that what she wanted was actually right in front of her all along. Which I thought   was cute. You never know where loves going to find you. 

Review of Katie in Waiting

Title: Katie in Waiting

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Carrington Springs book 1

 

Chapters: 20

Pages: 277

Genre: Christian Chick lit

Rating: 5 stars

     Katie in Waiting is the first book in the Carrington Springs series novels by Eyrnn Mangum. Its Christian chick lit as well as new adult. It's  a refreshing change from most of the new adult out there. I love all of Erynn's novels, and Katie in Waiting is now different.  I always find myself relating a little bit to each of her heroines. But with Katie I found myself relating to Katie a lot. Katie is Erynn's oldest heroine to date. (Now I believe that goes to Eliza in Once Upon and Eliza ).  I could relate to to Katie's comments about her hair not being blond, red, or brown but a crazy combo  of each. The way that it's not wavy or cruly or straight but a combo   of each.  I can also relate to how close she is to her grandmother. 

     It's nice to see Erynn's characters getting older as I myself get older. Katie moved back her mother's hometown of Carrington Springs to be close to her grandmother because her job allows her to work from home.

    

     Katie in Waiting is the perfect blend of light hearted fun and chick litness as well as serious and Faith filled. I can't wait to next two books in the series. I love how even though it is a series each book is from a different point of view of each girl.

     Erynn is one of my favorite authors as well as an auto buy author. 

Review of Bake Me a Match

Title: Bake Me a Match

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Lauren Holbrook 5

 

Chapters: 21

Pages: 95

Genre: Christian chick lit

Rating: 4 stars

Bake Me a Match picks up where leaves off Annie has made a decision about her job. But other aspects of her future or still hazy. She still doesn't know where she stands with Zach. But Annie is learning to trust God with her future.

Bake Me a Match was a fairy quick read and for the most part a good wrap up to the Lauren Holbrook series. 

Review of Paige Turned

Title: Paige Turned

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Paige Alder series book 3

 

Chapters: 20

Pages: 336

Genre: Christian Chick lit

Rating: 5 stars

Paige Turned is the third book in the Paige Alder series.  A book that wraps up the series perfectly at least in my opinion.  Like all of Erynn’s other books and series I fell in love with the character’s especially Paige. I think that it was because I found myself relating to Paige the most. I could see myself in Paige. I felt like I learned right along with Paige.

I love how Erynn’s books have the right mixture of life, faith, and laughter.  Paige Turned was no different.  Erynn’s character’s seem real and the problems that they face are the same problems that we face in real life. However through it all God’s love and promises shine through in each novel. Out of all of Erynn’s novels Paige is the one at least in my opionon who grew or changed the most.

After reading Paige Turned I cannot decide which of Erynn’s heroes are my favorites. It’s a toss up between Jack from the Maya Davis series and Tyler from the Paige Alder series. They both or great.  

The Paige Alder series is the perfect series for those who like chick lit but also enjoy reading clean romances. 

Review of Paige Rewritten

Title: Paige Rewritten 

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Paige Alder book 2
 
Chapters: 22

Pages: 299

Genre: Christian Romance, Christian Chick lit

Rating: 5 stars

Paige Rewritten is the second book in the Paige Alder series by Erynn Magnum.  In Paige Rewritten Paige is given the choice of staying at her current job or taking a new job that would allow her to use her degree.  Paige is slowly starting to learn how to say no. Paige also has a choice between two guys. Tyler a sweet guy that she meets at Church he also helps with the youth group and teaches the freshman guys.  Then there’s Luke a guy from her past.  Paige slowly learns to forgive the people who hurt in the past.
Paige Rewritten is one of the more emotional books from Erynn.  With the second book in the Paige Adler series I laughed and cried with the characters.  Again I saw myself in Paige more than I have in any of Erynn’s other characters.  You could just read and see the romance in the book.  There was a scene where one character took another character to the botanical gardens to ask her to be his girlfriend and makes note of her favorite flower. But like Erynn’s other books it is still a Christian Chick lit. Paige Rewritten is the first full length novel of Erynn’s that has a bit of a love triangle. However unlike the other books I have read with love triangle I know who I want Paige to end up with in the end.
I enjoyed reading Paige Rewritten I think Paige is becoming my favorite heroine and the Paige Alder series my favorite series, with Paige Rewritten my favorite book.  I laughed I cried, I laughed some more and I cried some more. I also hurt when the characters hurt.  The only thing that I didn’t like was the cliff hanger.  However if I wasn’t already planning to read the third book Paige Turned  the cliff hanger would make want to buy and read the third book as soon as it came out.

Review of Sisterchicks in wooden shoes

Title: Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

Author: Robin Jones Gunn

Series: Sisterchicks #8

 

Chapters: 24 plus epigoule.

Pages: 288

Genre: Christian Chick Lit

Rating: 5 stars

            Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes is the eighth and final book in the Sisterchicks series. In this one Summer goes to Holland to visit her pen-pal Noelle.  She makes the trip spare of the moment after she has a health scare. However it may turn out that the trip is something both women need.

            I first discovered Robin Jones Gunn as a year teen when I started reading her Christy Miller series and I have been hooked on her books every sense.  The Sisterchicks series is what I was classify as Christian Chick lit. Even though these books deal with tough issues they are the books you want to read when you want to laugh but still get inspirational and Biblical message. These books are designed for woman. 

Review of Paige Torn

  Title: Paige Torn

Author: Erynn Mangum

Series: Paige Alder

 

Chapters: 19

Pages: 291

Genre: Christian Chick Lit

Rating: 5 stars

     Paige Torn is the newest by Erynn Mangum, and she does it again. Paige Torn is another great book by Erynn. However I may be slightly bias because I’ve loved all of her novels and novella’s. Erynn writes characters that one relates to. As well as the right balance of humor and Faith. Paige torn is no different. I like that fact that Erynn writes chick lit. I love that fact that she writes Christian chick lit. With her main characters being in their 20’s makes for great reading for this 20 something.

     Paige Torn is the first book in the Paige Alder series. Just happens to be my favorite novel and character. While I liked Lauren from the Lauren Holbrook series and could relate to parts of Maya’s life in the Maya Davis series. I find that I can relate to Paige because after reading Paige Torn I find that I am Paige and like Paige I do have a hard time saying no.

 

     In Paige Torn Paige Alder is a twenty two year old college graduate who works at an adaptation agency as a secretary. She feels that her singleness as time for service. Unfourntally Paige cannot say no to anyone, to point where she barely has time to read her Bible let alone eat dinner. At 22 she doesn’t want to get married let alone date. That’s when she meets Tyler a guy who helps with the youth at Church. Can God use Paige’s coworker, best friend and Tyler to show her how thin she is spreading herself?

 

     Another winner and I cannot wait until October for book two Paige Rewritten. At least I don’t have to wait a whole year.

 

I brought the book and the review is my own thoughts. 

Review of Sandwich with a side of Romance

Title: Sandwich with a Side of Romance

Author: Krista Phillips

 

Chapters: 40 Plus epilogue

Pages: 319

Genre: Christian Chick lit

Rating: 5 stars

     Maddie Buckner has a past one that she is not happy about but she is now a new person in Christ. The one thing that she wants most is to get custody of her little brother Kyle. To her Reuben Callahan is standing in the way. That is because he got her fired from her job. He tries to make up for it by offering her a job in his restaurant.

     Sandwich, with a side of Romance is a sweet romantic read. That was different than any other Christian romance I have read. Unlike most where the hero has a past, this one the heroine has a past, even though it was different it was a good different. It was nice to see that even though the heroine had a past she was forgiven in Christ and had a chance at a happy ending. 

Review of Identical Differences

Title: Identical Differences

Author: Erynn Mangum

Genre: Christian Romance, comedy

Rating: 5 stars

     Identical Differences is short novella by Erynn Mangum. Just like with other books and novella’s that she writes you are laughing from the very beginning of the book. I enjoy Erynn’s novels. They are what I pick up when I need a good laugh and pick me up. Identical Differences is no different. I can’t wait till May 2013 when Erynn’s new book comes out. It’s the first book in a new series. Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum 

Review of The Wedding Dress

Title: The Wedding Dress

Author: Rachel Hauck

Series:   no

Chapters: 27

Pages: 343

Genre: Christian fiction, Christian chick lit

Rating: 5 stars

     Charlotte owns a bridal boutique she loves helping brides but can’t bring herself to plan her own wedding. Charlotte and Tim had a whirl wind relationship that ended in an engagement after only a few months.  Charlotte ends up buying an old trunk at an estate sell that has a hundred year old wedding dress in that looks like it’s never been worn; but it’s been worn by three different brides.  Emily in 1912, Mary Grace in 1939, and Hillary in 1968, and the dress fit all of them without the dress ever being altered.

     Will learning each bride’s history help Charlotte face her future and let go of the past. The Wedding Dress is the first book by Rachel Hauck that I have read and I loved the book. I will be reading more of her books in the future. The thing that I loved most about the book was the dress fitting all of the brides without being changed reminds me of the love of Jesus it always fits and it is meant for everyone.

     I loved the wedding dress on the cover, this book is from my own collection of books and the review is my own thoughts. 

Review of Christmas Belles of Georgia

Title: Christmas Belles of Georgia

Authors: Jeanie Smith Cash, Rose Allen McCauley, Jeri Odell, Debra Ullrick

Series:   Romancing America

Pages: 350

Genre: Christmas, Christian romance

Rating:  5 stars

            There are four stories in one. Christmas Belles of Georgia is the story of four quadruplets who were born on Christmas and later adopted by four different families. While the overall story is how the girls cope with learning that they are adopted and have sisters; each sister gets her story and a chance to find love.

Title: Christmas in Dixie

Author: Jeannie Cash Smith

Chapters: 8

     Holly is living in Missouri about to start a career as an author when she learns that she is adopted. She goes to Georgia to meet the lawyer and ends up in the Hospital, where she meets Grayson, the doctor who treats her while she’s in the hospital. Will Holly come to terms with her adoption and find love?

Title: Nick’s Christmas Carol

Author: Rose Allen McCauley

Chapters: 15

            Carol is a history major at an Alanta college when she discovers that she has three sisters. She heads to the small town where she was born to find anwers. Instead she finds Nick a guy from her past. Who at the time she treated badly. Will she and Nick get a second chance for love?

Title: Starry Night

Author: Jeri O’Dell

Chapters: 8

            Starr is the hardest of the quad’s to get to come to Georgia she doesn’t respond to the letters that she is sent. So Camden agrees to fly to California to convince the free spirit to come to Georgia for her birthday and Christmas. Will Starr see that love is right in front of her. Will the free spirit choice the southern Gentleman.

Title: Loving Stetson

Author: Debra Ullrick

Chapters: 10

     Noelle is a cowgirl through and through and cannot image living any where other that her family’s ranch. Noelle has loved Stetson for as long as she can remember but he keeps pushing her away. When the letter comes that she is adopted she already knew that, but when she learns that she has siblings she begins to wonder why anyone would put their children up for adoption. Stetson admits his feelings for her, but when she learns about a secret from his past she pushes him away because she doesn’t know how to handle it. Will Noelle sort out her feelings? Do her and Stetson have a chance?

     I enjoy all four short stories but my favorite was Loving Stetson because I have a thing for cowboys. Growing up I always wanted to be a cowgirl. So cowboy and cowgirl stories have a special place in my heart.

Maya Davis Series a review

Make sure you read the books in order

Cool Beans

Erynn Mangum

Maya Davis series

Book 1

Maya is a 24 year old Barista in Hudson California. She lives with her roommate and best friend Jen, and adorable if slightly neurotic dog Calvin. Calvin the dog likes chick flicks and Pilates. She works at a coffee shop called Cool bean; along with her other best friend Jack.

Maya has a lot to deal with; her brother moves back to town. Jen is dating her ex-boyfriend. Instead of turning her problems over to God she holds them in. This causes her to distant herself from doing her devotions. This causes even more problems for Maya in her relationships with her friends. She finally learns to let go and let God.  When Jack drops a bomb shell of his own; will everything work out for Maya or will everything explode in her face.

Spoiler alert if you haven't read book one don't read on

Latte Daze

Erynn Mangum

Maya Davis series

Book 2

Latte Daze is book 2 in the Maya Davis Series. You have to read the books in order; in order for the books to make sense. Travis and Jen get engaged. Jen asked Maya to be her maid of honor; they are enjoying planning the wedding until Jen’s mother shows up. Maya and Jack are now dating, and Maya is still getting use to calling Jack her boyfriend. Jack has his first dinner with Maya’s parents as her boyfriend.

Before the book ends more changes are coming Maya’s way. Then Jack drops a bomb shell of his own. What’s Maya to do with all these changes simple trust God, even when it’s hard; it’s best to trust God.

Will Jen’s and Travis wedding go off without trouble? What will happen to Maya and Jack? Stay tuned for the next book.

Spolier alert don't read on unless you have read the first tow books

Double Shot

Erynn Mangum

Maya Davis series

Book 3

Maya Dreams seem to be coming true. She’s finally engaged to her best friend and the love of her life Jack. Who would have thought that it would have taken six years for them to realize that they belonged together; all in God’s timing. Maya is busy trying to plan a wedding in under three months can it be done.

Maya also has more challenges and changes to face. Her brother’s and sister-in-laws baby is born early. Will the baby survive? Jack’s offered his dream job will he take it? Will Maya’s and Jack’s wedding come together? All these questions and more will be answered in the final book in the Maya Davis series Double Shot.



Two Book reviews

Title:Swing on a Star
Author:Jancie Thompson
Series: Book two in the Weddings by Bella

 Bella has to plan her most instersing wedding to date a Renesnice themed wedding, in which the best man is a Hollywood star. Who has to hide out with her family. Bella has her work cut out for her, can she pull it off. If that's not enough of a twist there are two suprise propoals.

Title: It Had to be You
Author: Jancie Thompson
Series: Book three in the Weddings by Bella
in this book Bella plans a wedding that no one ever though would happen. there are turns and twists along the way that leave you guessing. With more engaements and an elopement, that leaves Bella wondering if she will ever have happliy ever after.