Kristen: 6 of 15

Title: Happy Ever After

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 368

Rating: ****

I loved the final book in the Bride Quartet!  This was by far my favorite!  I find that funny considering how when I finished book one I had this moment of let down realizing that the next books wouldn't be centered around Mac, the photographer, whom I'd completely fallen for! (not in a gay way)  I even had a brief thought of, "I really don't want to read an entire book about boring, stuffy Parker..."  Boy was I wrong!  In this book we follow Parker, the definition of perfection & the head of Vows, as she finds herself falling for the bad boy Malcolm.  All the while coming full circle as the girls prep for Mac's BIG day.

Since so much of the books revolves around why/where the girls are in this business together, it's neat to see a little deeper into Parker.  Vows may be a part of them all but it was her idea.  After the death of her parents, she turned the tragedy and their home in to something beautiful.  Plus the chemistry between Parker and Malcolm is undeniably steamy!  Read this one cover to cover in no time.  And the last two chapters pretty much had me in tears all the way through.  (In a good way!)  I recommend these books if you are looking for something fun to read.  This definitely isn't your heavier material, but hey four more books down and I throughly enjoyed myself along the way!

Kristen: 5 of 15

Title: Savor the Moment

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 339

Rating: ***



The third book in the bride series is about Laurel, the cake decorator of the group.  She actually does more than decorate wedding cakes, she's solo pastry chef for Vows which made parts of this one pretty fun for me to read.  Other times, this one seemed to lag, just a bit.  Or perhaps seem a little repetitive or the previous book.  All and all however, I enjoyed it and it even made me cry (in a good way).  I am on to the fourth and final tonight.

Rachel: #1 The Alchemist

I finished this book almost 2 weeks ago, I am little late posting.

The story is about a shepardd boy, sounds lame I know but this book has magic. It makes you want to do things that you've always wanted to do but put off. Santiago (Shepard boy) starts of on a journey for treasure and finds something even better within himself. I don't want to give to much away. I think this is a book that should be read once a year to keep you in check. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

XOXO,
Rachel (the lollygagger of page turners)

Kristen: 3 & 4 of 15

Title: Vision in White

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 343

Rating: ***1/2





Title: Bed of Roses

Author: Nora Roberts

Pages: 358

Rating: *** 1/2

When I mentioned that I was doing the 15 book challenge, Chads mom gave me a few books to read by her favorite author, Nora Roberts.  I've never read any of her work, but figured I'd give it a try.  The reason I'm posting these two in the same post is twofold: 1) I read them in the same weekend and didn't have time to blog after completing the first one and 2) They are both part of the same four part series.

Having said that, "The Bride Quartet" as these books are referred follow a group of four lifelong besties who are also partners in "the" wedding company called Vows.  Each book is centered one of the girls.  Each of whom specializes in one of the aspects of the biz, i.e. the photographer, florist, pastry chef and the wedding planner.

The first in the series, Vision in White, follows Mackensie or "Mac" the professional photographer of the group.  She's always felt that for her love and romance should be on the other side of the camera lens or in a picture frame, certainly not something to let into her heart... until she comes smack head on with the cutie brother of a potential client. 

The second book, Bed of Roses, follows Emma the ridiculously beautiful and hopelessly romantic florist.  Never with out a date any night of the week because she's constantly searching for the one who will sweep her off her feet.

These books, while a little predictable, are light hearted, fun, quick & easy reads.  They focus on the bonds of friendship with touching moments and mixed in with plenty of romance.  Both books left me wanting to read the next.  I look forward to the next two, even if I pretty much have already predicted the outcomes of each of them.  I'm sure it will be enjoyable to see it played out.

Kristen: 2 of 15

Title: Water for Elephants

Author: Sara Gruen

Pages: 350

Rating: ****

So I set a mini goal (that I really didn't think I'd actually achieve) of completing two books before the end of January.  I  started book #2 on Thursday night, and even in the midst of a rather busy weekend, I got so wrapped up in the darn thing that i couldn't put it down.  When I reached the end I couldn't help but wish for more.

This was a great story and I'm looking forward movie that's coming soon.  The book follows the Depression-era circus life, from the perspective of it's main character.  The author did her homework, studying historic circus life and beautifully weaved truth into her work of fiction.

Thanks to my sis for recommending this one to me.  It was well worth the read.

Kristen: 1 of 15

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
Pages: 784
Rating: ****



I completed my first book of our 2011 book challenge!  I had actually already started reading it before we decided to do the challenge.  But it's a long one and I was only a couple hundred pages in, so I figured it would count.

This book was a "re-read" for me.  I read it for the first time when it first came out.  The problem... in my excitement (ok, so I'm a bit of a HP nerd, we stood in line to buy the book at midnight) I read the whole thing in a weekend.  It was great, but (fast forward to now, when the movies are coming out) I didn't feel like I had gotten a chance to really absorb all the little details.  So I felt a re-read was in order.

Even though the "Part One" move just came out, I'm still glad I choose to read this one now.  There is so much detail that the movie doesn't get a chance to cover.  It was a fun read.  It's a great finish to the series.  If you're into the movies, I'd definitely say reading the book is well worth it. 

I'll give it four stars, cause something with this many pages that can catch my attention twice has gotta be good.