Book Review - "Year One: Chronicles of The One, Book 1" by Nora Roberts (#6 - 2019)

Year One: Chronicles of The One, Book 1 by Nora Roberts

It all starts on New Year's Eve.  A sickness spreads like wildfire and chaos ensues.  Within weeks over half the world's population is wiped out, governments collapse, infrastructure is gone.  Unimaginable evil has been unleashed.  This book follows several groups trying to make their way to a safe place.  They don't know who they can trust and some have sprouted new "abilities".  The typical dark vs. light/good vs. evil storyline.  It's interesting, not riveting, not fantastic, but a solid story that I read in 2 days.  I'm a little over the witches/elves/fairies stuff though, it's getting tired overall.  But I'm still going to finish this series, Book 2 is up next for me.

Book Review - "A Simplified Life" by Emily Ley (#5 - 2019)

A Simplified Life by Emily Ley 

First, this is a gorgeous book.  It's simple, very simple, which is not a bad thing at all.  In fact it's simplicity is the appeal for me.  This is not an "in depth" guide, it's a basic guide that is easy to understand and covers everything from decluttering to finances to taking care of yourself.  This is a great "starter" book if you are looking to begin simplifying your life.  Would make a wonderful gift, especially for a graduate (high school or college)!

Book Review - "Reshaping It All" by Candace Cameron Bure (#4 - 2019)

Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure

Part memoir, part motivational and spiritual guide.  She shares her struggles with her weight throughout the years and how she overcame them and now leads a very strong/healthy/faithful life now.  I found this book helpful and interesting.  I liked it and would recommend it.

Book Reveiw - "Fall from Grace" by Danielle Steel (#3 - 2019)

Fall from Grace - by Danielle Steel

Sydney Wells was a successful fashion designer, but she gave all that up when she married a successful, wealthy businessman.  They lived a happy, lavish life until he suddenly dies.  She’s now a widow at 49.  Unfortunately, he didn’t add Sydney to his will or make any financial arrangements for her.  His adult daughters hate her so they kick her out of the house they now own, leaving her with next to nothing.  By chance she meets someone that gives her a job back in the fashion industry.  However he’s shady and sets her up in a bad import deal and she now faces jail time.  How will she rebuild her life and reputation?  I liked this book a lot.  Easy, quick read!

Book Review - "Bauchamp Hall" by Danielle Steel (#2 - 2019)

Beauchamp Hall by Danielle Steel

Winnie Farmington lives in a small town north of Detroit.  When she was younger she had big dreams about moving to NYC and working in publishing.  Unfortunately her mother got sick and she had to put her college studies on hold and move home to care for her.  That was over 15 years ago.  She’s stuck in a dead-end job and in a dead-end relationship.  She is gifted a DVD copy of a popular British, period TV series set on a grand Norfolk estate.  Binge watching it during her vacation, she’s entranced by the time period, the acting, the costumes, everything.  Then she’s faced with a terrible betrayal and she makes an impulsive decision to go and visit the town/estate where the show is filmed.  This proves to be life changing in every way!  I loved this book so much and read it in a day!  Would totally recommend!

Book Review - "Always Pack a Party Dress" by Amanda Brooks (#1 - 2019)

Always Pack a Party Dress by Amanda Brooks

This is a beautiful book full of lovely pictures.  That being said, it was not my favorite fashion memoir out there.  Interesting, yes, but kind of underwhelming.  Just a collection of stories about how Amanda Brooks came into the fashion business (*spoiler alert* - coming from an incredibly privileged background helps a lot!).  Nothing I do, or have ever done/experienced, could relate to anything she talked about.  Being invited to the Met Ball and fretting over wardrobe is not something 99.999% of us can empathize with.  So I would just skip this one.  There are much better memoirs out there!

Book Review - "The Sins of the Mother" by Danielle Steel (#17 - 2018)

The Sins of the Mother - by Danielle Steel

Olivia Grayson runs a very successful worldwide home store chain.  She built the business with the help of her accountant husband for decades.  This meant that her mom and husband mostly raised their children while she spent hours in the office.  Her husband passed away over a decade ago and she’s looking to make up time with her grown children.  She has been doing this by scheduling a lavish holiday every year.    This year the vacation is on a luxury yacht in the Riviera.  All of her kids (but one) and their spouses and their children are together.  But family dynamics, old resentments and new bonds are formed.  It’s a summer of lessons learned, lives reassessed and breakthroughs.  It’s an interesting read.  I will say this book really illustrates Danielle Steel’s bad habit of rehashing phrases and repeating of descriptions.  It’s like they didn’t edit it and kept in some of the outline of the story.  If that makes sense.  But just so you know it’s really bad in the book.  

Book Review - "Staying Stylish" by Candace Cameron Bure (#16 - 2018)

Staying Stylish by Candace Cameron Bure

Nothing groundbreaking with this book, but it’s a great choice if you are looking for an overall basic clothing/style/beauty/fitness book.  It’s lovely to look at, good information and I always enjoy a ribbon bookmark.  Candace is likable and relatable and the tips she gives are solid.  Totally recommend.  Also, this would make a great gift!