Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 324

Review: VALERIA'S PASSPORT by Jennifer Russon

In this coming of age love story, Valeria Ortiz has grown up without a father. She lives in a happy world all her own, cherishing old movies and reading too much. Her job as a maid, plus a little boozy help from her grandma, have gotten the Ortiz Family only so far. When her mom begins dating a college professor, Dr. Damon Mills, it’s a rude awakening when he falls for the wrong girl, and the wrong girl falls for a bullfighter. Wanderlust ensues!

It is 2002, and for Valeria, the perfect year to travel to the most beautiful and mysterious parts of Spain, tracing her father’s roots. Throughout her adventures that span both Europe and the U.S., Valeria lives in what is best described as a soap opera, punished by some of her decisions and gratified by others. When she gets her first taste of independence in a Victorian themed boarding house, it heaps a new layer of responsibility on the quirky teen than perhaps she is ready for. 

But her luck starts to change when her boss takes her to his Spanish estate. It is the journey Valeria must make to feel safe, understand her birthright, and find true love – not just for her, but for everyone she meets in this lighthearted and funny romance. If you like your chick lit with a little flamenco dancing, this book is for you. 



My thoughts: Valeria was a struggling high school student growing up with an absentee father, a promiscuous mother, and a boozy grandmother. She has a culinary gift and her work as a maid has contributed to the family. Soon envy and desire take place―she becomes envious of a friend's opportunity to study abroad and infatuated with one of her mom's gentleman callers. The theme behind Valeria's Passport is wanderlust, which I totally understand having been under the influence, prompting excursions to Italy and London.
Valeria is a sensitive character that feels lost most of the time. It is only when she journeys through Spain that she truly discovers what life has to offer. Her best line was: "I plan on finding myself." She has bold tenacity and a quiet strength that would endear readers. Her story was illustrated in soft and lyrical tones that felt almost poetic; however, certain narratives were lagging and seemed superfluous. Although commendable, this whole adventure felt scattered to me. I felt just as lost as the main character, which might be a good thing to feel just "lost" along with her in this little adventure, but it's not exactly conducive to a clean plot structure.
I think this was a good story to tell, but I just wished it would've been quicker and clearer.
My rating: 3 stars

Review: COLLECTING SECRETS by PE Kavanagh

A grieving heiress.
A celebrity psychologist.
A decade of friendship.
Undone by one bold move.

When Camille first met Jackson she was too young.
Too innocent.
Too traumatized.

Friendship was less than what she wanted, but all she could handle.

Ten years later and she’s a different woman. Strong, successful, brave.

At exactly the wrong moment, one bold move threatens everything.
The safe harbor of Jackson’s family.
The unconditional commitment of his friendship.
The collection of secrets she never knew existed,

Claims and confessions come hard and fast as Jackson and Camille navigate all that has never been said.

Each step they take, closer to the truth and each other, demands another layer of secrets must fall.  




My review: Camille has just suffered a humiliating break-up, and her best friend, Jackson, crosses the line with a searing kiss. Ever since the two met 10 years ago, Cami has wanted Jack, but he has always been untouchable, which was hard considering he had such a hot body.
 
After an awkward wedding rehearsal, Jackson confesses his feelings for Cami. The chemistry between them was sizzling. For years, they danced around their attraction and just when they come so close to giving in, something pulls them back, ruining the moment. I have to admit this was a little annoying. The characters had several “missed opportunities,” thrilling the reader with sensual scenes & dialogue, only to be left disappointed by not closing the deal. Talk about getting “blue-balled.”

 
I liked the characters, and Jackson was, of course, hot and lovable. Their story was well-written for the most part. It definitely had an engaging start, but sort’ve tapered off once they decided to start “dating.” I mean, does Jackson really start psychologizing the whole thing? Of course, it made since considering he was a psychologist, but was it really necessary while they were both naked? How annoying.

 
I think it would’ve been best had the story moved forward instead of going back a lot. There was too much back-and-forth, going to their first meeting, their first fight, etc. Was that also necessary? I get that this was a friends-to-lovers story, so some flashbacks would create the foundation, but too many made the whole thing lagging.

 
I think this was a fairly good romance. Friends definitely make the best relationships, but I just think I was left a little too “blue-balled.”

 
My rating: 3 stars

Review: GIRL IN TROUBLE by Stacy Claflin

It’s Halloween night, and Alex Mercer was running late for his 11-year old daughter’s party. Even though he never considered himself much of a father, he could at least make an appearance for one of the most important days of her life. But, let’s face it, all he does is drink and sleep nowadays.
 
The party seemed lengthy and uneventful. So we have a resentful “family” with biting remarks. Sounds like a party. But then things take a turn when Alex witnesses kidnappers take his daughter right in front of him.  Of course, things get a little more interesting when we find out that Alex’s sister was kidnapped 12 years ago. Two kidnappings within the same family?

 
Like I said, I wasn’t too keen on the family drama. Who cares, right? Everyone is basically wracked with worry over Ariana’s disappearance, but, of course, no one is more worried or guilt-ridden than Alex, who goes out of his way to find her.
 
Really this should’ve been more compelling than it was. Story had some good writing, but it just had too many lagging areas.

 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: CALL IT CHEMISTRY by D.J. Van Oss

Working in the marketing department with her Graphic Design degree has given Kate such fierce ambition to move up the corporate ladder. She was a true artist and was hoping to land an account that would allow her to utilize her skills. It would just figure that her first account would end up steering her away from the big city to her small town of Iowa. Thing was she didn’t have a clue about marketing chemicals that cleaned up cow poop, not to mention she had no intention of ever seeing her hometown again.
 
So she moves back into her old house, where an old school crush apparently still lives next door to.

 
Story takes the reader through the lackadaisical small-town life, which was somewhat lagging at times, especially when Kate reminisces about her Hart Dixie past. In fact, the whole thing kept going at a drawling pace.  Additionally, story constantly shifted between past and present, which was particularly annoying for me. Not to mention that there were a bunch of names thrown in there, making it sound like we should remember these characters. Who? What?
 
I thought the title was a little clever and the plot sounded interesting at first. But, although the story was written pretty well, I just couldn’t fall into the story.

 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: COLD SHADOWS by J.L. Bryan (Book 2)

Ellie Jordan, ghost trapper, is back!

 
Determined to protect the living from the dead, ever since her parents were killed by a pyromaniac spirit, she continues her work as a ghost investigator. In this adventure, a house is being plagued by paranormal activity. Could we be dealing with a poltergeist? A spiritual parasite?
 
Ellie certainly does some smart investigating. She’s so professional, wry, and witty. And she will need all her wits, since we’re dealing with a spiritually gifted child that can see the ghosts of the two dead children that just want to play. Ellie and Stacie must look into the home’s history to put the malevolent spirits to rest once and for all.
 
Well-written and full of mystery!

 
My rating: 4 stars

Review: THE CRAWLING DARKNESS by J.L. Bryan (Book 3)

Another haunting tale that could have something to do with one of Ellie Jordan’s unfinished cases. In fact, the house is right next door to it! Ellie fears that monster that she was looking for back then has returned.
 
What’s scarier than monsters in the closet? A shadowy entity that takes the shape of your worst fears. It’s almost a spidery figure—the Crawling Darkness. Ewe! Yuck! And freaky!

 
It’s a search for the Boogeyman in this chilling tale. It’s a spirit that feeds on your fears, especially the children’s.
 
Ellie and the gang must face their fears in this ghostly mystery, which actually has a spiritual protector. This is your nightmares come true.

 
This is another great ghost trapper story. A worthy read!

 
My rating: 4 stars

Review: A NEW BEGINNING by Brenda Kennedy

This book sounded interesting at first.
Mason is still getting over his bad break-up and doesn't want to get set up with another girl; Angel finally left her abusive relationship and is looking forward to a new start. Pushed together by annoying friends, Mason and Angel are instantly attracted to each other even though neither is seeking a serious relationship.
Story is written in 1st person present tense and alternates between Mason and Angel--a typical love story in he said/she said perspective. It actually read more like a summary, one filled with superfluous details, mild redundancies, and life stories of the couple's circle of friends. It was mediocre, but still compelling in that simple, straightforward fashion.
Overall, this was not overly impressive and could've been better. 
My rating: 2.5 stars

Review: P.I. PENGUIN AND THE CASE OF THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS by Bec J. Smith

It’s Christmas time, and P.I. Penguin is having a quandary with his light display: it just doesn’t look right. So he sets off, seeking advice from his animal friends on how to make his Christmas lights special.

 There wasn’t really any mystery. It’s just one of those “Finding the Spirit of Christmas Tales” that’s supposed to warm your heart.

As always, the story rhymes and the illustrations are cute. A decent children’s tale for the holidays.

 
My rating: 3 stars

Review: THE CHRISTMAS HIMS by Heather Henle

Rachel was the “nice” girl, the girl next door, the introvert who enjoyed a good romance novel. Never the hot girl, she didn’t have to wonder why her own love life was in the dumps, especially after her most recent divorce. Determined to find someone to spend Christmas with, she ventures into the world of online dating. Man, the woman tends to babble on and on.

 
While she’s going on these dates, she’s also commiserating on her failed marriage.

  This was much too slow for my taste. Expected to be livelier.

My rating: 2 stars

Review: HER CHRISTMAS BONUS by Rain Danvers (short story)

Sage is a professional that is attracted to her boss, which is why she is quitting at the end of the year. This is your typical Xmas lover story.
 I liked that they both couldn’t stand Christmas, but end up enjoying it together.
Predictable and unimpressive. Not that bad, but not that great either.
 My rating: 3 stars