Book Love

I am wavering between 3 and 4 stars on this one but ultimately have to go with 4 stars just because of the pictures the author painted of the characters and places. Mitzi was strong and tough, proud and successful, tender and loving.... Brooke's character was ultimately lovable, though her initial insecurities and cowering were frustrating. The past was woven into the story well and I enjoyed hearing of Mitzi's life and her rise to fame as part of the singing duo Mitzi and Gabe! The supporting characters; Hadley and Drew, Penney and the twins, Brooke's boss and co-workers, her mother and sister, Mitzi's father, Red....they were all believable and added to the story. Swan Lake came alive for me....Brooke finding her artist's hand once again....wonderful! The peak into the heart wrenching disease of Alzheimer's was portrayed in a sensitive way and gave much thought to this terrible disease that seems to be on the rise. Included were several references to God; "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me."Unlike some recent Christian Fiction that I've read, this book did not overstep and 'force down your throat' these beliefs. The opinions were introduced in such a way that they were believable and real as the true feelings and life of the characters. They seemed to add just the right depth.The only lingering question I have is What really happened to Brooke's mother? Did I miss something? I may have to go back and re-read and see if I can find a hidden answer! For other reader's of this book, message me with your opinion!! Yes I will read another book by this author! Would love to see a continuance of the story of Brooke and (hopefully) Drew!! Hint-Hint to the author!!!

LOVED this book! Such a 'real' story that made me stop and think a few times about how good life really is. Such struggles in this small town just to survive. I loved how the main character finally came to terms with her past and found happiness. This is not a read that will wrap you up till you find you're turning the pages faster and faster. This is a book that will quietly sneak up on you, wrap you up in its pages, and have you picturing the characters and the place in your mind. Yes, I recommend this one!!

With a name like "Beach Colors", you can just about bet you have found a perfect beach read! And this book delivered on that score!! A woman taken to the cleaners by her psychotic ex goes back 'home' to the beach house she grew up in, reconnects with her old friends and even an old (kinda) flame who just happens to be the chief of police with the responsibility of raising his orphaned nephew whose living with his mother. Connor has only spoken in whispers since his mother abandoned him and his father died in the war. Guess what? Miraculously he begins to speak aloud shortly after meeting Margaux and forming an instant bond with her. Of course, the psychotic ex has to show back up in one scene but is swiftly run off by the hunky chief. Margaux was a famous fashion designer in New York City but just as quickly is destitute after the ex wipes out all their assets. Her success as a fashion designer was always based on her 'black' designs, but after arriving in Crescent Cove, she begins to design and 'see' in color again. She begins work on a new design portfolio enlisting the help of her mother & friends, the chief's mother who just happens to be a great seamstress, and her beautician landlady who was one of my favorite characters in this book. Surprise, surprise....after a successful runway showing of her new designs and the opening of a boutique that is masterfully thrown together at the last minute, she receives a call from a famous New York City design executive who just happens to want her to work with him! So back to New York City she goes; she's just not sure that life in the small beach community is for her. It doesn't take very long for her to realize she is not the same person and cannot live without Nick or Connor in her life. She hightails it back to Crescent Cove with her family, friends, and new loves, where in the end....they live happily ever after!As I said, a perfect beach read. I never questioned the fact that this book would end on a happy note. Sometimes, your reading mood brings you to a book such as this one with no expectations of reading the next 'classic'..........just a great read for a sunny day!!

Overall I really enjoyed this book though I felt the ending was a little rushed. I wanted for there to be more written about the 'happily ever after' which to a certain extent was left to the reader's imagination. So, of course, the ...rest of the story.... for me was sunshine and roses!! The religious aspects were not at all overwhelming and contained the perfect balance. I enjoyed all the characters and will not hesitate in picking up another book by this author.

I am wavering between 'it was ok', 'liked it', and 'really liked it'. I enjoyed this book but....I felt there were too many characters with too many issues. Mara, Tess, Danae, Suki; Cashel, Rafe, Kevin, pregnant girlfriend, Rock Star, Kyle Sr, Kyle Jr, Antoinette, Alfonso, Jack, Father Liam, Silkie, CiCi, Belle, and.....spousal abuse, infidelity, heartache, loss, grieving, rape, rich vs poor, business and the economy, idolization, and....so much heartache, pain, tragedies, personalities, dramas, etc.I longed to see a resolution between Tess and Cashel, for Danae to find true happiness, Suki to resolve her issues, and Mara to find love again. In a way these things did happen but by that time it felt rushed like there were too many issues involving too many characters for me to feel invested in any of them. A concentration on just a couple would have made the book more enjoyable for me. I don't think I'm doing a very good job with my explanation! Would I recommend this book? Actually yes, but it's not one that I couldn't put down or wanted to get home and read.

Sandra Kring has taken a very tough subject and made it a little more approachable by using eccentric characters and touches of humor. I can't help but compare this author to Cathy Lamb.I really enjoyed the character of Lucy. She was a curious, inquisitive delight with her twin Milo being studious and genius enough to be believable. The grandmother Oma was also fun though the author never provided her point of view on things that happened in the past. The mother was an unapproachable character who I never really warmed up to. Peter, the boyfriend was written as a perfect guy that the mother kept pushing away which made her even more unlikeable.The lessons provided are many such as the truth about one person is varied depending on whose point of view you are given, and a terrible past must be dealt with and overcome in order to find happiness.

I am giving this book two stars--it was ok. I can't say that I liked it. The premise was a great one; wife returns from a mission trip to Africa to find that her preacher husband has ran off with his secretary draining their bank accounts and taking anything of value in the home. The story expands from there to how Jana deals with this abandonment and alternates between the present and the past with a look at the life of her mother Eleanor as she was raised in a 'Hippy' commune and also the life of Taffy her great aunt. I found Eleanor's story to be the most interesting, but the believability of the deception and actions were lacking for me. I also loved the portrait painted of Great Aunt Taffy. Her positivity brought a nice touch to the book especially given the sour attitude of Eleanor. However, Eleanor's sudden change of heart seemed unbelievable to me also. I felt the book could have been wrapped up much sooner. The author tried to give answers to everything by using the Lord and church teachings to explain them. In these parts it seemed to read more like a Sunday School lesson. As I said, the book gave so many answers to human actions and human evil but still left me wondering....where are the brothers, where is the father, did Jana and the new preacher get together, did Taffy and Stanley marry...etc. As I read through the other reviews given of this book, I feel like I am in the minority. I do have to add that normally I enjoy Christian fiction, but it seems like the spiritual lessons were overdone and I feel that the impact of these lessons could have been greater with more subtleness. I do applaud the author for tackling tough issues and using Christian teachings to give us hope.

My opinion of this book seems to differ from most of the reviews I've read. I thought I had read this book before but couldn't remember the ending. Now I know why. For me, the ending was just unbelievable. There were parts of this book that were endearing and very interesting and the storyline was genius, but the conclusion just didn't work for me.

I am going to start by saying I almost put this book aside after the first 2-3 chapters because the characters are portrayed in just over the top ways. I had forgotten this about Cathy Lamb's writing; the shock factor she uses to make the awful things that happen a little bit lighter. Just keep reading!This story is told by Isabelle, one of Henry's sisters, the one that somehow came to seem most real to me. She has serial one night stands because she can't handle getting close to anyone. Then there is Cecelia a kindergarten teacher who overeats, and Janie a best selling author who has to tap and count worse than 'Monk'! Each sister lived through their harrowing childhood by developing these idiosyncrasies, by always sticking together in their love for each other, their down syndrome brother Henry, their mother and grandmother who believes she is Amelia Earhart. This book took me on quite a journey and left me with tears streaming down my face. Tears mixed with chuckles at some of the antics....because this is how the author rolls! She can make you laugh and cry at the same time! In my opinion, this author is one you don't want to miss!

I just finished this book after a rainy Saturday...and I'm still trying to process how I feel about it. In other reviews I have read that some liked the first half of the book better; the second half fell flat for them. Well for me it was the other way around. When Molly found the 'camp' Up Island and set about making it her own space and becoming the caretaker of the two cantankerous and eclectic old women and the cancer stricken son, I felt the story truly began. The imagery of the swans, how they mate for life and the correlation between her own failing marriage and her father's recovery from loss I felt was just brilliant, poignant, and I have to admit to a teary reaction to the loss of one swan and the return of 'Charlie' with another mate. I would not classify this as a 'feel good' read by any means, but the lessons imparted through the different relationships and human failings and feelings led to deep thought and reflection. I'm torn by the ending of this book and would have liked an Epilogue, but then my personal interpretation of a happily ever after would be lost...

I'm trying to find the right word to describe this book and the only thing I can come up with is 'unique', almost like a fairy tale with a little real world thrown in. I enjoyed the story, but.... It was sad, heartbreaking in parts, and I think those parts are why I only gave it 4 stars. This is a very talented author who has crafted a story like none other I have read. It is certainly worth your time and is one I won't forget about soon!

I gave this book 4 stars because of the skill in presenting the new Holli, the childhood Hollianne, the son; all of the different perspectives at play within its pages. Usually when reading a book where chapters are written using different points of view, I come to care about one person's story more than others. With this book, I felt the chapters flowed in such a way that I was equally interested in all the characters. Other reviews have stated that the ending felt hurried, but I felt like it was a perfect ending and one that I didn't really see coming.

5 star book for me! I really enjoyed it. The descriptions of life in Wyoming as a rancher were so detailed, I could picture it clearly.....riding the horses, rounding up cattle, the weather, the red rocks, the drought, the geese and owls... Truly made me feel as if I was walking with these characters through out this story. Some parts are hard to take, and were enough to make me tear up, but these things do happen and need to be known in order for people to pull together and make them stop.The Native American lore was especially interesting and added a bit of mysticism to the book. A few twists at the end were surprising yet satisfying and made this story feel more real, like it could have happened exactly like the author wrote it. For me, that is the sign of a 5 star read. The author made me feel as if I was there, made me feel as if this could have been a true story, engaged me with tears and laughter, I felt sympathy for some characters, hatred for some, love for others.... Perhaps I was just in the mood for this type of read, but try it for yourself! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Really enjoyed this book and its mystical qualities. My favorite by this author!

Great book; great series!

Finished this book and loved it! I thought it was going to be a light chick lit/romance, but it was so much more than that. Really liked the main character Chloe and admired her courageous ability to deal with her past. She rose above all of the horrors that happened to her; her childhood, her family situation, and the evil that touched her when she was young and she was such an inspiration. The story of her and 'hot' mega-star Jason was heart warming and believable. This is a great book for teenagers that carries a very important message about love, romance and overcoming adversity. I enjoyed all the characters; each one added a depth to the story. I only wish I had the sequel....now!! I am giving this book 5 stars because the message it holds is such an important one.