What are you reading? Part 3

I wanted to share this, too, from my old blog. 
See What Are You Reading Part 1 & Part 2

1. Accidentally Yours 

by Susan Mallery 

I just started this book on Sunday & I love it.  It is about a mother with a child that has a disease that is terminal.  She will do anything to save her child.  I finished it last night.

2. Only His (Fool's Gold #6)

                                                                     by Susan Mallery 

I love love this series.  There are 8 books in this series, but more coming soon.  I love reading a book series. You get to know more about the characters in the books. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.  I am not sure if I said it before or not. I want to move to Fool's Gold.Where is there a town like this?  Anyone?  Not sure if they get earthquakes or not. That would be a big thing for me. I would love to have help from the town's people. Being disabled, having a disabled daughter, a son with asthma, I could use some help at times. Not sure if I like the idea of everyone knowing everything.  

Here they are:
Chasing Perfect (#1)
Almost Perfect (#2)
Sister of the Bride (#2.5)
Finding Perfect (#3)
Only Mine (#4)
Only Yours (#5)
Only His (#6)
Only Us: A Fool's Gold Holiday (#6.5)
Summer Days (#7)- Comes out  June 2012
Summer Nights (#8)- Comes out July 2012 
All Summer Long (#9)- Comes out August 2012
A Fool's Gold Christmas (#10)- Comes out October 2012

3. Delicious (Buchanans, #1) 

                                                                               by Susan Mallery

I love this book.  I felt like the characters would believable.  What they were going through could happen in real life.  Penny was divorced for 3 years from her husband, Cal, but when he walked back into her life with this great opportunity to be his chef in the restaurant owned by his family, she knew she had to take the job.  I could picture having to deal with Gloria, the grandmother of Cal.  She treats her family so mean.  I hope she realizes that she should be nicer.

I love series.  I love how you learn more about the characters.  Each book is about an character.  Delicious is book #1 in the Buchanan series with Irresistible (#2), Sizzling (#3), & Tempting (#4).  I can not wait to read the rest in this series!!

3. Fools Rush In

                                                                               by Kristan Higgins 

I have read 1 other book by Kristan Higgins & loved it.  The title was "All I Ever Wanted."  A very good book.  So anyway, Here is my review from Goodreads:

Love this book. I think that Millie should had started running for herself not to impress Joe. I can not believe that Millie's older sister thought she could get Sam to take her back after leaving him for another man, going to New Jersey with him, then divorcing him. I think Sam made the right choice

4. There's Always Plan B (Harlequin Next #1)

                                                                            by Susan Mallery

Here is my review from Goodreads:

I love this book.  Carly decided to go home after her divorce with her teenage daughter.  Her ex husband wanted to find himself.  Must be nice?  Carly's mom owes a Bed & Breakfast & Carly is helping to get more business with the help of the local gossip of the place is haunted by a ghost.  I feel we need a plan B at times.  I did not like how the book ended.  I wanted to know more. 

5. The Creed Legacy (The Creed Cowboys #3)

                                                                             by Linda Lael Miller

This is another series.  I love this series by Linda Lael Miller.  It is about a family, the Creeds. 

Book #1 is "Creed's Honor"

Book #2 is "A Creed in Stone Creek"

What are you reading? 
Melissa

What are you reading? Part 2

 This is from my old Blog, too, & I wanted to re-post here.
See What Are You Reading Part 1

I love to read.  It is the time I get to be by myself.  Well, sometimes that is not true.  Sometimes Noah & I read together.  We try to do that every Wednesday nights, we have reading nights instead of watching tv.  

Here is what I am reading:

                    1. Positive Discipline for Children with Special Needs: Raising and Teaching All    

            Children to Become Resilient, Responsible, and Respectful

by Jane Nelsen, Steven Foster, Arlene Raphael 

I was reading this book as an ebook through a local library.  I still need to buy it through Amazon. (I have brought it)  We want to use this every day once we are unpacked in our new home.

                                               2. Only His (Fool's Gold #6)

by Susan Mallery 

I have been reading the series of Fool's Gold.  I love this series!!!  It makes me what to live in a town like Fool's Gold.  Each book in the series draws you in more & more. (I am reading Three Little Words now, which just came out yesterday.  I am almost done.  I will explain why I have not finished this beginning of next week.)   

                                  3. Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet #4)

by Nora Roberts

I have not started this book in this series yet, but when I want to read something happy, I will start to read this book.   Planning a wedding is all about happiness!  

                                  4. My House Is Killing Me!: The Home Guide for Families                        

with Allergies and Asthma

by Jeffrey C. May

I started this book, but I need to find the time to finish it.  

                                     6. Safe Haven

by Nicholas Sparks

I am reading this book since it has been awhile since I read a book by Nicholas Sparks.  

Noah is a reader, too. If Noah is bored, he picks up a book.  Once we are moved in, I want to keep track of his books on Goodreads & see how many he has read by the end of 2012.

Here is what Noah has read:

                                 1. Mr. Popper's Penguin

by Richard Atwater, Florence Atwater

Noah read this book before he saw the movie, which was awesome!!  Noah loves the dance in this trailer below at 1:09 where the penguin on the left falls over.  It was his favorite scene in the movie.  Well, it was one of several of his favorite.

2. The Maze of Bones (39 Clues #1)

by Rick Riordan

Noah & I are reading this together.  We will start after we are moved into the new house.  I can not wait.

Are you surprised on the last 2 books Noah has read?  What can I say?  He loves penguins!!!

3. Penguins! (National Geographic Readers Series)

by Anne Schreiber

4. If You Were a Penguin

by Florence Minor , Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

Happy Reading!!

Melissa

What are you reading? Part 1

This is from my old blog & I wanted to repost.

I have been reading several books, but the other day when I went into our library to return some books & renew some, my eyes caught a glare onto this particular book & I had to check it out.  It was "Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board." We have all seen the commercials for the movie about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer, who lost her one arm, but was determined to get back to surfing and not let anything stop her.  I love her determination.  She had this dream & wanted to be a pro surfer.  She worked hard to get there.  So far, in her book, it is wonderful.  For her age, she is such a positive young lady.  I think this book is a must read for anyone going through a rough time.  I am in Chapter 10 already.  There is only 15 chapters.  A favorite quote from the book is "It helps to know that even when you don't have a clue why something has happened in your life, someone up there has a master plan and is watching over you."    Bethany took the time to call a  child that lost his arm.  All because she received an email to help him.  She had to change that child's life.  I can not wait to read the book written by Bethany's mom, Cheri, but it does not come out until June or July.  It is called " Raising a Soul Surfer."  I can not imagine what it would be like to be the mother & watching your daughter go through this.  We know that kids can overcome all kinds of things.  

A must read for those with children with asthma is: "Asthma Allergies Children: A Parent's Guide" by Paul Ehrlich, Larry Chiaramonte, with Henry Ehrlich.  This book is very helpful. I learned not to use the vacuum with the boys in the room.  I love how this book is written.  The 2 authors are doctors that actually have a practice.  They use humor, actual cases they have in their practice.  The one example that was used in the book was one of the authors was being quoted in the New York Times Magazine by saying "I tell my pateients, if people point at you when you walk down the street and say "Look at that neurotic patent," then and only then are you being careful enough."  If I had a child with food allergies, damn right I would be neurotic.  I would do everything I could to help my child.  

Melissa  

The Help Discussion Questions

This is from my old blog, but I loved the book, The Help.   I wanted to repost this.  This was in my Drafts.

Before I go into the Discussion questions, I wanted to say what I thought of The Help.  I love this book.  It is so good.  It is more than just good. I love how this book is set up.  It is not told to you by 1 person, but 3 (Skeeter, Aibileen, & Minny).  I was not born during this time, but it is important to learn how it was during 1960s.  I love how Aibileen, Minny, & the follow maids loved the kids they took care of.  I love how Aibileen talked to Mae Mobley about how wonderful she is.  If you are looking for a book that you can not put down, then this is the book.  If you have or do read it, I want to read your answers to these Discussion Questions.  I want to find more Discussion Questions on other books I will or have read.  Stay tune to see if I can find out. 
Happy Reading!!
If you decide to answer them, put your link in the comments so I can read your answers.  Thanks.
Melissa

Read on to the rest:

I got this on Goodreads for the book, The Help, which I love. I hope you join me in answering these questions. These is within The Help Challenge.  This is step 3.  You also get some recipes.

To read about the author, Kathy Stockett, go here.  This author inspires me.  She had 60 rejections & the 61st one was the one!  She never gave up.

The first 2 questions are from Step 3 & the last page.  The questions 2, 3, & 4 are also in the other Discussion questions so I removed them.  The other Discussion questions are from here.

The Guide:

Here are a few examples:

1. What do you think is the main underlying theme of

The Help – friendship, courage, finding your voice,

something else altogether?  I think the main underlying theme of The Help is finding your voice.  Finding out who you are.  Learning what friend is truly a friend.  Going after your dreams.  These ladies who raised white babies gave them courage to fight for what you want.  Maybe their mothers did not do that, but at least they had someone fighting for them in their corner.

5. Which scene from the novel are you most excited

to see brought to life in the movie? Why is that

scene so important?  The scene from the novel I am most excited to see brought to life in the movie is the one that Skeeter visits Aibileen the night before she leaves for New York because I think this scene is important.  They both realize that they are good friends & it does not matter what color they are.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who was your favorite character? Why? Skeeter is my favorite character because she grew up so much during this book.  She took a huge risk writing the book.  Realized that Miss Hilly is not a friend to have.   That she is about about her & no one wants a friend like that.  You need a friend that does not talk all about HER all the time.  Skeeter also learned that Stuart was not the man for her if he could not stand by her for writing this book.  A man like that is not worth it.  I love what her mother says to her about Stuart. 


2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On one hand she's so unpleasant to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes she can't control her. But she's a wonderful mother. Do you think you can be a good mother but at the same time a deeply flawed person? I think Hilly's wanting to be the center of attention is her motivation.  She has to have everything her way.  I don't think you can be a good mother when she is making our people's lives hell.  She is not being a good role model for her kids.  Again everything has to be about her.  I like to know why Miss Hilly thinks she can boss everyone around.  What just because is she president of that ladies society?  Telling someone to fire their maid.  It is not up to her.  


3. Like Hilly, Skeeter's mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter — and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable. And most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter's mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why? I think Skeeter'a mother is nonsympathetic because she feels real to me.  I live in chronic pain.  She is not using her health problems as to get some attention.  I am sure Hilly would.  She does not let her daughter know when she got sick or how she is truly feeling.  I love when Skeeter's mother says "Don't you let him cheapen you."  I think this is one of the nicest thing she has said to her daughter.


4. How much of a person's character do you think is shaped by the times in which they live?    I think a person's character is greatly shaped by the times they live in.  During the 1960's, people was dealing with things like separation, racism, but today we don't deal with it (some people could deal with racism, but I really hope they don't.)


5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart's faults so that she can get married, and it's not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart? It did not bother be that Skeeter overlooked so many of Stuart's faults.  I don't think she wanted to get married just to be married, but she was truly in love with Stuart.  Stuart had his faults, too.


6. Do you think Minny was justified in her distrust of white people? I think Minny's distrust in white people is justified.  In her eyes, every white person let her down in some way.  For example, Miss Hilly due to her beliefs made it impossible for Minny to get another job due to Miss Hilly's lies.  I also think it has a lot to do with the time she grew up in, & what her mother and father told her.


7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught? No, I don't think Mae Mobley would grow up to be a racist like her mother.  Mae Mobley has Aibileen speaking kind words to her especially after her mother is mean to her.  Mae Mobley will remember how she felt when her mother was mean to her & now Aibileen treated her.  


8. From the perspective of a 21st century reader, the hair shellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of "beauty" changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what's the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent? Back before I had kids, my hair had to be perfect.  Maybe it was years before my oldest was born.  Now if it looks good, then I don't fuss over it.  I am not near high society woman.  I would not put up with Miss Hilly being so mean to me. 


9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this? I think the author did this by writing Aibileen after someone she knew who had grace & an aura of wisdom.  I know if I wrote this, this is what I would had done.


10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white? Have you heard stories of someone who put away their valuable jewelry before their nanny comes — so they trust this person to look after their child, but not their diamond rings?  I am not sure if there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white.  I have not seen or heard any stories.  I think there is situations like this if someone was born during this time.    I think you need to trust the person taking care of your child(ren).  If you can not trust them with your diamond rings, then how can you trust them with your child(ren).  Children to me are a lot more important then diamond rings. If you have insurance on the diamond rings, then can be replaced.  Children can not.


11. What did you think about Minny's pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge? I hate to say this, but I think Miss Hilly deserved what she got.  She spoke lies to everyone to get Minny not hired by anyone.  Miss Hilly was threatening the well fair of Minny's family.  I can not stand people like her.  I would not gone this far for revenge.  I think I would had took her off like Miss Celia did or tried to.

Reading Challenges-Irresistible

For this book review, I chose  Irresistible by Susan Mallery.

I love Susan Mallery's books.  I started with her Lone Star Series, Fool's Gold's Series, the Bakery Sisters, & now I am in her Buchanans' Series.  Another great series.  I love book series!! Irresistible was Book #2 out of 4.  It is about a family with the last name Buchanans.  

Each book is about a family member.  

Book #1 (Delicious) was about Cal Buchanan & his ex wife, Penny. 

 Book #2, Irresistible.  It is about Walker Buchanan, who we met in Book #1.

Book #3 (Sizzling) is about Reid Buchanan & the one nurse he hired for his grandmother, Gloria.  Book #4 (Tempting) is about Dani Buchanan & about her fresh start.

Back to Book #2, Irresistible.  We learn more about Walker Buchanan in this book. Walker got out of the marines & rents this apartment in this building until he knows what to do next with his life.  We wants to buy a house, but not sure where.  Walker finds his one neighbor, Elissa Towers, having problems with changing a tire.  He decided to help her.  Elissa is used to being on her own.  Walker takes her tire to get patched.  

Elissa is a single mother to a 5 year old little girl.  She swear off men until her daughter is old enough to leave her home.  Walker swear off women.  Elissa made a pie to say thank you to him for helping her.

A little background on Elissa is she run away from home when she was 17 with a boyfriend.  When Elissa got pregnant, she did call home, but I will let you read what happened there.  She named her daughter Zoe after her grandmother.  Elissa has struggled to take care of herself & her daughter, but she has been doing it, which puts a smile on my face.

I don't want to give away any of the book for those who have not read it, but I would say read it.  So far, it is my favorite of the 2 of the Buchanans' series.  Susan Mallery is a fabulous writer.  I am a big fan!!  Back to the book, If I was a single mom & needed help, I would want someone like Walker living above me.  He looked out for her & her daughter.  Her daughter called him a "prince" & I have to agree with her. 

Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?

My favorite character in this book was Elissa was because she is strong.  Elissa left home at a young age, got herself pregnant, & grew up along the way.  She finally had a home with a neighbor, Mrs Ford, who she considered family.  My least favorite character is Gloria Buchanan.  If you have read any of these books in this series, you knew I was going to say this.  She is definitely a villain.  I wonder why she is the way she is, but would I read a book about her?

 What scene was the most pivotal for the book? How do you think the story would have changed had that scene not taken place?

I love the ending of the book.  It had me in tears.  I am not going to say much more than that since I don't want to tell you what happens just in case you have not read it.  It is good.  I especially love the talk between Zoe & Walker.  It is precious.  Elissa did not believe her daughter.  Zoe knew this would happen & called Walker their "prince."  Zoe was right!

I hope you enjoyed my book review of Irresistible by Susan Mallery!  I highly recommend it.  Go out & get it now.  If you have a Nook or Kindle, go get it from your local library if they have e-books.  That is how I read this one!  I am reading book #3 Sizzling as an e-book, too!  I love the library!

Until the next time! Keep reading!

Melissa

Reading Challenges-Sizzling

For this book review, I chose Sizzling by Susan Mallery.  It is a 4 book series.  It is about a family called Buchanan.

Each book is about a family member.  

Book #1 (Delicious) was about Cal Buchanan & his ex wife, Penny. 

 Book #2, Irresistible.  It is about Walker Buchanan, who we met in Book #1.

Book #3 (Sizzling) is about Reid Buchanan & the one nurse he hired for his grandmother, Gloria.  

Book #4 (Tempting) is about Dani Buchanan & about her fresh start. (review will be coming soon once I read it)

Spoiler Warning: If you have not read this book, stop!  Read the book before reading the rest of my review!!

We first met Lori Johnston in Irresistible when Reid Buchanan hired her as his grandmother's day nurse.  Lori did not allow Reid to get away with anything.  I think this is the reason that he hired her for his grandmother's day nurse so his grandmother would not get away with anything.

In the first 10 pages, we found out 2 things.  

1. A reporter claimed that Reid was not good in bed, but also that he "regularly blew off charity events and kids in need" (pg 7 e-book). 

2. "Reid Buchanan was everything she disliked in a man." (pg 10 e-book).  I love this sentence.  Remember this sentence for later in the book!!

One of my favorite quotes from this book is when Reid says to Lori "Annoying you is an unexpected bonus, but not the reason I'm here here.  My grandmother's coming home today." (pg 10 e-book).  lol.  They both loved to annoy each other.   Another one of my favorite quotes is after Lori meets Gloria for the first time.  She leaves the room to go to the nurses station, Vicki asks her opinion on Gloria Lori replies "I like her." (pg 16 e-book)  Her reason is "She's alone and in pain and scared." (pg 16 e-book)  Another favorite quote that Reid says is "You're drugging my grandmother?" (pg 17 e-book)  to Lori right before she takes Gloria home from the nursing home.  It made me laugh. Go read the book for her reply!  I love how Lori told Reid to go get his grandmother a lot of flowers in regular intervals.  

I felt sorry for Reid about the whole reporter mess & all the reporters following him, but he did put himself in that situation.  He slept with any woman, who offered.  He did not care about anyone.  We do learned more about why.  Read more about this in the book!  We do see Reid growing up in the book.  He is not the only one doing some growing or changing.  Gloria & him do some changing together.  

We learned a few things about Lori.  She is the only one that knew how to push Gloria's buttons! Love it!! Lori's sister, Madeline, is sick with a Hepatitis C & needs a liver transplant or she will die.  I love how Madeline is pushing her sister to live her life finally after all this time.  My favorite Madeline quote is this one: "You meet this great guy you can't stop thinking about and for reasons that make absolutely no sense, you walk away without even trying.  Does it ever occur to you that the best things in life require a risk? They don't just show up and shower you with everything you want." (pg 129-130 e-book)

Love the idea of the foundation that Reid!  This is a great idea.  There is a lot of kids that can not play sports because their parents can not afford to pay for their to play.  I know the old soccer team Noah played for had kids played even if they could not afford it.  They also gave their old soccer balls to Noah's old school!  They cared about the kids learning & playing soccer.  I will miss that soccer association.  Tomorrow I will be signing Noah up for the new soccer association in our new town!  

I love how the Buchanan's siblings comes together in a crisis.  That is all I am saying.  

Questions for you:

1.  If you were Dani, What would do you if you found out about Gary?  (not going to tell you about Gary)

2. Would you forgive Lori's mom that is now sober mom for a messed up childhood?

3. If you were Dani, would you forgive Gloria for being mean to her all those years & have a real relationship with her?

4.  Where did Dani' dream job?

I am not sure what I am reading next.  I need another Romance Book.  I hope you liked my Review of Sizzling!  Keep on Reading!

Melissa

Reading Challenges- Falling for Gracie

For this review, I chose Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery.  Ok, on Goodreads, I am in a Challenge to see how many Susan Mallery books I can read for the year.  Read about it here.  pg 379 

Spoiler Warning: If you have not read this book, stop!  Read the book before reading the rest of my review!! 

This is my favorite Los Lobos book in the series.  Poor Gracie!   Not very good getting her way.  When Gracie was 14, she loved Riley so much.  She did things that now she may regret.  Everyone keeps reminding her of the past when she goes back to her hometown, Los Lobos, for her sister's wedding.

Here is an example of Gracie being reminded of her past:
"You were a testament to true love," Eunice told her. "You should be proud.  You loved that boy with all your heart and you weren't afraid to show it. That takes a special kind of courage." (page 6) Eunice was right.  It does take courage to show that you have a crush on someone at a young age. Eunice went down memory lane a little more.  She told her that she was "famous." page 7)  "Wilma's favorite is the time you nailed his girlfriend's doors and windows shut so she couldn't get out for their date." Eunice's "favorite is the time you laid down right in front of his car right there." (page 7)  

I think if Susan Mallery did not have Alexis ask Gracie to spy on her husband, Zeke, then Gracie would never had been caught spying in Riley's yard.  I love this quote that Gracie says to Alexis "This is insane," Gracie whispered to her sister as they paused to crouch a few feet from a back window. "I stopped spying on Riley when I was fourteen. I can't believe I'm doing this again."  (page 15)  The things we do for our sisters.  ;)   I would do anything for my sister.  What have you done for your sister?

Of course, Riley caught her.  Riley says to her "And we all know what happens when you Landon women set your mind to something." (page 30) Alexis is so determined to find out what is going on with her husband, but do you blame her?  What would you do if you were in her shoes?  I would spy, too.  Shhh, don't tell my husband!  I have a better digital camera, too.  A new lens that gets further!  hehe.  I would not have the flash one.

"I hate that everyone remembers it and talks about it.  The last thing I'm willing to do is fuel the fire." (page 49) Gracie talking to Jill, who we meet in Book #1.  Another example of her past coming back to bite her in the butt!

Franklin Yardley, the Mayor of Los Lobos, married to Sandra for 28 years.  Remember this when you read the book.  I do not like this man!!  There is a good quote for him, but I am not going to put it here.  It is on page 138 paragraph 3.  I can see you all with your books in your hands looking this up.  That is all I am going to say.  

How strange that Riley never met his uncle, but they lived in the same town for "nearly five years" (page 59), "but their paths had never crossed." (page 59)  Odd that Los Lobos being a small town that they never ran into each other! Riley really hates his uncle.  We found out about the conditions of the will in book #2 of this series.  

Riley confronting Zeke about what he is up to.  What is he doing at those hours?  I love what Riley says to Zeke "Your secret life.  You're disappearing at all hours and not telling your wife where you are, which is your business, but she came looking at my place because that's where you told her you were going to be, which makes it my business." (page 63) Zeke- "I'm not cheating on Alexis.  I would never do that.  I love her. "  He turned away.  "It's not that.  It's not anything that matters to you or the campaign."  (page 64)  I was thinking it had to do with the Mayor, but that would be dealing with the campaign right?  Maybe they have money problems?  He took another job?  Damn I am curious!!  When I got to the part where this is revealed & Riley demands to know, not what I thought it would be.  Not going to tell you! ha! 

A great Riley quote is "Great.  This is the perfect opportunity to round out your stalker past." (page 67) to Gracie.  I love it! Riley is teasing Gracie. Another great Riley quote is "I'm the one dining with a legend.  The infamous Gracie Landon who knows how to love with her whole heart." (page 91)  I love this Riley quote.  "You're not pathetic," he said. "No one thinks you are. If your mom is telling you that, she's wrong.  I don't know what bug got up her ass, but it's not your problem.  Understand?" (page 168)  I love it so much.  Bug up her ass.  lol.  =)  Riley is right.  She is not pathetic.  She was young & in love.  

Gracie has 2 sisters.  Alexis is the older sister & Vivian is the younger sister.  The one thing I learned about Vivian is I do not like her at all.  She is a spoiled brat.  I take notes when I am reading so I don't forget things.  I think I wrote spoiled & brat with Vivian many times.  Vivian says this "Why should I? You and Zeke eloped. Oh, and Gracie's never getting married, so why shouldn't all the money be spent on me?" (page 108)  She is something.  Isn't she?  She only thinks of herself.  Damn What about the rest of the family?  Gracie has plenty of time to get married.  All the money should not be spent on the spoiled brat. What Vivian said to Gracie was mean & uncalled for.  My favorite Alexis quote is "Always the baby of the family.  You're spoiled."  (page 109)  Vivian is only using Gracie for the cake.  I bet she does not even want her there.  Brat!  This was one stab to Gracie, but the other one came when she found out that Alexis was the maid of honor.  Vivian only wanted Alexis in her wedding party not Gracie.  I think Gracie is lucky not to deal with all the wedding crap that Vivian will dish out.  I think she will be happy in the end about it.  Vivian wants a huge cake, but does not care it would take weeks for Gracie to plan.  I am not going to say it.  I promise.  Even though I want to.

I feel sorry for Gracie about she "might technically be a member of this family, she wasn't in any other way." (page 110)  Gracie was talking to Riley.  "I'm telling myself I'll be fine, but so far I know i'm lying.  I'm not even a part of this family anymore.  She (Vivian) and Alexis are close." (page 115)  "None of this is my fault.  If I'm not a part of things, it's because my mother sent me away.  I never wanted to go." (page 115)  Why would a mother send her daughter away?  It was because she was crazy in love with Riley & would not leave him alone.  But, was there more to this?  I know this answer, but I am not going to tell you.  Read the book.  

I love how Gracie used  Good News, Better News, & Bad news to describe things in her life.  (page 132)

Good News- She completed all the dots & roses. 
Better News- The kiss was FABULOUS.
Bad news-She was tired.

I have not talked about Gracie's mother.  All she cares about is what other people think of her & her family.  I say who cares?  They don't matter.  Your family is what matters.  They are not in your house.  Your family is.  Please someone tell this mom this: Family first.  Her mother said this to her "It's been fourteen year.  I had with all the time away and some therapy that you'd get over him.  Obviously that hasn't happened." (page 140)  Her mother never once listened to what Gracie felt, thought, or believed her.  Gracie said "I've changed," she said quietly.  "If you'd spent any time with me in the past fourteen years, you would have known that.  Of course if I'd grown up here, I would have known that Alexis is a drama queen and not fallen in with her plans." (page 141)  Gracie has changed.  Alexis pulled her into her plan.  She did not want to do that, but she did it for her sister.  A sister does anything thing for her sister.  I love when the mother says "Now it's my fault.  That's so typical.  When in doubt, blame the mother." (page 141)  In this case, it is her mother's fault.  She sent Gracie away.  Gracie does not feel apart of the family.  She does not know her sisters.  No one know her.  Where was her mother when her Aunt & Uncle died?  Who took no time to get to know her?  This mother only wants what makes her look good in front of the town.  Her mother never had her come home for the holidays.  They never went to see Gracie on the holidays.  How mean!  I love how Gracie finally told her mother off.  It had to feel AWESOME.  It is a favorite quote of my, but it is long. (Go to page 205 last paragraph.  It goes into page 206)

I think when Mrs Baxter said "She (Vivian) and her boyfriend go at it like cats and dogs.  I don't give them a year.  Alexis is't much better.  Mark my words, Gracie, you're the best of the lot." (page 201) Gracie needed to hear some encouraging words from someone other than Riley.

I left out many things in my review on purpose.  It is good parts.  Very good parts.  Not going to tell you!  ha!  I love how this book ends & everything in the middle of it.  Gracie did changed.  I changed my opinion on her mother, too, from when I first read about her to the end of the book.  Her mother is making amends & that is great in my book! 

This book gets 5 stars!  I loved it.  It is my favorite of the Los Lobos series!  If you have not read this book or this series, I highly recommend it.
Keep Reading!
Melissa

P.S. Questions for you:

1. First time Riley was checking out Gracie? 
2. At what age did Gracie go live with her aunt & uncle?

3. Why did her mother send her to live with her aunt & uncle? 

4. Why is Riley running for Mayor?
5. Second thought about Gracie for Riley?

6.Who did Alexis think her husband was having an affair with?   

7.  Name the thing that thing that Riley & Gracie had in common. 
8. Name Riley's one rule.  
9.  How many tickets did Riley buy for the Historical Society Committee?
10.  Tell me who was the one who followed Gracie & Riley around, who did everything to Gracie & Riley.  Why?
11. What happened at the end of the book?