Welcome to Handcrafted by MEG MUNSON
  • Home
  • Munson Book Blog
  • Handcrafted Signs
    • Sign Options
    • Sign Pricing
    • Sign Order Form
  • Mia Bella Gourmet Products
  • Recipes
  • Lab Rescue
  • Links
  • Contact Me

My Review of Serenade by Emily Kiebel

7/28/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
About the Book:
Suddenly the voice she prized is now dangerously seductive.

Lorelei Clark’s only concern was her future as a classically trained soprano, that is, until the day her father was tragically killed. Shattered by his death, she hesitantly accepts an invitation from a mysterious aunt to visit her lavish oceanside home in Cape Cod. She quickly discovers that her aunt and the two women who live with her are harboring a frightening secret – they are sirens, terrifying mythical creatures responsible for singing doomed sailors to their deaths. Even more astounding, Lorelei is one of them.

In this new world where water comes alive at her touch and an ancient power pulses beneath the tide, the most important rule Lorelei must learn is that a siren never interferes with fate. When she breaks this rule by rescuing a handsome sailor who should have died at sea, the sirens vow she must finish the job or face grave consequences. Finding herself inexplicably attracted to him, she must fight to keep him safe from the others, even if it means risking her own life – and her heart – in the process.


My Review:
This isn't the normal type of book I would read.  I'd never heard about Sirens and I wasn't sure how this would work it's way into the story. Once I got past the slow start, I did really enjoy all the elements of this book.  There was a lot of suspense and a few on the edge of your seat moments.   Her characters were very well written and she always left me wanting more.  This is an interesting read!

Picture
About the Author:
Emily Kiebel was raised in Colorado and went on to study classical music and English at Concordia University. She found a love for singing early in life and now sings professionally and directs a local church choir. In her spare time, she can be found exploring the natural beauty of the great outdoors with her beloved dogs, Ginny and Diggory, cooking for friends and family, traveling or dragging her friends along to obscure historical sites. Serenade is her debut novel.
Connect with the author:
·      Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1plaRTH
·      Website: http://emilykiebel.com/
·      Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1n6yXwD


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

0 Comments

After I Do by  Taylor Jenkins Reid

7/25/2014

0 Comments

 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Picture
About the Book:
When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game—and searching for a new road to happily ever after.

My Review:
I wasn't sure this book was one I was going to enjoy.  The idea of taken a year off of marriage didn't seem like a great story to me.  I have to say though, this has been by far one of the best books I have read this summer!  I can see why it is making it's way onto many summer reading lists.  I really fell in love with the characters, even the ones who weren't so lovable.  Lauren's family grew on me and they made me both laugh and cry.  There were many feeling between Lauren and Ryan that I could relate to and I didn't expect to feel that way.  This book really did surprise me in many ways (I don't want to give the story away) and you will love it!  I will definitely be recommending this one!

Picture
About the Author:
Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author and essayist from Acton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Media Studies. Her first novel, Forever, Interrupted, was named one of the “11 Debuts We Love” by Kirkus Reviews. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Alex, and her dog, Rabbit. Her forthcoming novel, After I Do, will be published July 1, 2014.   
Connect with the author:  
·      Facebook: http://on.fb.me/QCF5T8
·      Twitter: https://twitter.com/tjenkinsreid
·      Website: http://www.taylorjenkinsreid.com/
·      Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1uZBWfi


0 Comments

Elly in Love by Colleen Oakes

7/11/2014

0 Comments

 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Picture
About the book:
Curvy wedding florist Elly Jordan has had quite a year. First, she had to design her ex-husband’s wedding to the mistress who split them up, and then she broke up with the hottest musician this side of St. Louis. Three months have passed since then, and now Elly is primed for what promises to be the best wedding season of her life.  Helped by her loyal friends, Elly is on the verge of opening a  chic flower boutique uptown when BlissBride, a popular wedding reality show, asks her to design the wedding of a famous—make that infamous  celebrity.  Elly is about to get everything she’s ever wanted, when a stranger shows up at her store with a request that changes every aspect of her life–including her budding relationship with deli owner Keith. As she struggles to stay calm in the midst of growing chaos, Elly will learn the true meaning of love and sacrifices.


My Review:
This was my first time reading this series even though this is the second book (I had no problem following along and jumping right into the story).  This was a quick fun read and I just love Elly!!!   She is so much fun and I often found myself laughing out loud.  She has just the right amount of sarcasm and humor. I love her character and feel like she is someone I have known for years.  I would love to just grab a cup of coffee and sit with her while she works her magic on her flowers.  I can't wait for the next book in this series and I'll have to go back and read the first one!

Picture
About the Author:
Colleen Oakes is the author of the Elly in Bloom series and the YA fantasy Queen of Hearts Saga, both published via SparkPress, a BookSparks imprint. She lives in North Denver with her husband and son. When not writing, Colleen enjoys swimming, traveling, and immersing herself in nerdy pop culture. She is currently at work on the last Elly novel and her second YA fantasy series, Wendy Darling.

0 Comments

The Walk-In Closet by Abdi Nazemian

7/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Picture
About the book:
Kara Walker has never found much glamour in her own life, especially not when compared to the life of her best friend Bobby Ebadi. Bobby, along with his sophisticated parents Leila and Hossein, is everything Kara always wanted to be. The trio provides the perfect antidote to what Kara views as the more mundane problems of her girlfriends and her divorced parents.

And so when the Ebadis assume that Kara is Bobby’s girlfriend, she willingly steps into the role. She enjoys the perks of life in this closet, not only Leila’s designer hand-me-downs and free rent, but also the excitement of living life as an Ebadi.

As Kara’s 30th birthday approaches, Leila and Hossein up the pressure. They are ready for Kara to assume the mantle of the next Mrs. Ebadi, and Bobby seems prepared to give them what they want: the illusion of a traditional home and grandchildren. How far will Kara be willing to go? And will she be willing to pull the Persian rug out from under them when she discovers that her own secret is just one of many lurking inside the Ebadi closet?


My Review:
I found this book to be quite interesting and far from what I expected.  This author did an amazing job developing these characters and describing a different culture.  There was more mystery and plots twists than I could have imagined while being fun at the same time. I could not put this book down or wait to find out what would happen in the end!  This was a great summer read filled with friends, family, drama and fun!


Picture
About the Author:
Abdi Nazemian is the screenwriter of The Quiet, Celeste in the City, Beautiful Girl, and the short film Revolution, which he also directed.  He is an alumnus of the Sundance Writer’s Lab, a mentor at the Outfest Screenwriter’s Lab, and has taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension.  He lives in Los Angeles with his two children, and his dog Hedy Lamarr. The Walk-In Closet is his first novel. 


0 Comments
    Picture

    About the Author

    Meg Munson is a work at home mom and specializes in made to order hand painted signs from reclaimed wood.

    Archives

    May 2017
    April 2017
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    August 2012
    July 2012
    March 2011
    October 2010
    June 2010
    April 2010
    September 2009
    January 2009
    September 2008
    February 2008
    August 2007

    Categories

    All
    Books
    DIY
    Emily Giffin
    #FRC2014
    Giveaways
    Jane Green
    Jane Porter
    Megan Crane
    Mia Bella
    #SRC2014
    Wordless Wednesday

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from david.dames