Book Review - "Past Perfect" by Danielle Steel (#8 - 2018)

Past Perfect by Danielle Steel

The story follows the Gregory family and their move from NYC to San Francisco for Blake Gregory’s new job with a social networking start up. Sybil his wife is a well known design expert and they have two teenagers as well as a 6 year old.  On a whim Blake buys the empty bank-owned Butterfield mansion in town for peanuts.  Sybil is shocked but instantly sees potential in the house and can’t wait to move in and make it theirs. But after their first night there and an earthquake they soon discover they might not be the only family living there.  This is a fun read and I really enjoyed it. I cruised through it in a day. Great beach read! 

Book Review - "The Heir" and "The Crown" by Kiera Cass (#5 and #6 - 2018)

The Heir by Kiera Cass (book 4)

The Crown by Kiera Cass (book 5)

These are follow up books to the original "The Selection" series (that I LOVED - see reviews here, here, here and here).  America and Maxon are King and Queen now and have children of their own and their first born daughter Eadlyn is now going to embark on a "Selection" process of her own.  The country is in a bit of turmoil and they think staging a selection will help things out.  Okay, I'm just going to say it Eadlyn is so freaking annoying.  Which makes the books somewhat annoying.  Nothing new or interesting here.  I love this series and Kiera Cass but, my advice?  Read the first three books and stop there.  

Book Review - "The Magnolia Story" by Chip and Joanna Gaines (#3 - 2018)

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Super quick and easy read, written mostly from Joanna’s perspective with Chip’s take scattered throughout, it’s the story of how they got where they are now. Their struggles and successes as well as lessons learned along the way. Sometimes it felt a little oversimplified but overall I would totally recommend it. In fact my almost 10 year old daughter is reading it right now! 

Book Review - "Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon" by Greg Laurie (#2 - 2018)

Steve McQueen:  The Salvation of an American Icon by Greg Laurie

My Mom sent this to me as a surprise present, I actually didn't know about this book or the accompanying documentary.  I was pleasantly surprised, I loved this book so much.  Greg is a huge McQueen fan and decided to take a cross country trip tracking down people who knew Steve growing up and throughout his life.  He found out their lives were very similar in many ways (tough upbringing with alcoholic mothers).  Following his rise to superstardom and his underlying search for something "more" and finally finding peace by finding Christ before he was diagnosed with cancer.  It's a great book and I highly recommend it.