Only You, Sierra

Only You, Sierra by Robin Jones Gunn

Pages: 115
Sierra was nervous about the future. She had always been the bold, free-spirited type. But then, her whole foundation of home and family had never before been rocked.
Sierra Jensen settled back into her seat and gazed through the train window at the English countryside. So much was on her mind, and her heart was flooded with emotions. She hoped the friendship she had made with Katie and Christy the past week during the Europe mission trip would last forever.
She dreaded the flight back to the States, knowing that everything would be completely different when she returned home. While in England, Sierra's family had moved to a different state. She hated the thought of going to a new high school in the middle of her junior year, where everybody already had their cliques and boyfriends. The prospect of another dateless year made her heart sink.
She wondered if she'd ever find love, and then in a London airport, she met Paul. Her heart, which had sunk so low, leapt! But of course, it was just a chance meeting...wasn't it? She would never see him again...would she?

The Sierra Jensen Series starts where the Christy Miller Series ends. As much as I love the Christy Miller series, I knew I had to start this one! I'm really glad I did too.

The characters from Christy Miller are in the very beginning of this book, and they didn't fail to put a smile on  my face and a giggle on my lips. They are only in the first few chapters though, so that was a good and a sad thing. Sierra seems like a great character I can't wait to get to know. She seems to be stuck up, but she isn't. She is a small girl who is not afraid to say what she feels. She is strong, but still a growing teenage girl. I just loved her personality and I was wrapped into it.

The other minor characters in the book where pretty cool too. She has four brothers and an older sister which would be tough, hectic, but fun! Her grandmother's mind is fading which makes for an interesting plot. Sometimes she confuses Sierra with her daughter Emma. Being in that situation would be tough, and I feel that Sierra handles it quite well.

Overall I really enjoyed the first book in this series. It is full of God-things and I love that in books. The plot in this book was very realistic and that was a plus. I'm at the same age Sierra is, so I can relate to a lot of her problems -- like boys, cars, and cell phones! I have high hopes for the rest of the series and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of them!

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells by Rose Pressey

E-book
Elly Blair welcomes the chance to escape her ex-fiance and job from hell when Grandma Imelda, ready to retire to sunny Florida, calls for her to take over her little southern cafe.
Elly has no idea her grandmother has baked up magic for the unsuspecting townsfolk for thirty years–and now Grandma Imelda insists that Elly use her own hitherto unsuspected magical powers to carry on the family tradition.
But Elly’s new at this stuff. Her dishes don’t turn out as full of smidgens of enchantment and dashes of wishes come true as she’d hoped. When handsome customer Rory Covington takes a bite of the wrong burger, he ends up capturing the attention of every woman in town. Elly doesn’t know if her feelings for Rory are true or based on her magic gone awry.
Tom Owenton is an investigator the National Organization for Magic sent to look into the magical mishap. Unless Elly can reverse the spell, the cafe will be closed permanently. Tom is more than willing to help Elly out of this magical pickle, but she’s not sure she should accept his offer.
Elly only has forty-eight hours to find a way to reverse the spell, or she’ll lose the cafe and never discover if her feelings for Rory are real.

Hmm, magic, a cafe, a quirky girl, and a handsome man? Who wouldn't be interested!

Elly is an amazing character. She is 28 years old and full of life. She is quirky, funny, clumsy, and full of spunk! I laughed out loud at times because of Elly. When she decided to take over the cafe, she was way in over her head! I knew that this was going to be a great book. I really connected with Elly; I could see her as a real person that I would love to meet.

As for the other characters in the book, I loved them all! Well, personally I didn't like Kim (She is a brat of an ex-girl friend who thinks only of herself!) But she really made the story interesting. Rory was such a gentleman! I loved his personality, but I felt bad that he got so wrapped up in a mess of magic. Of all the minor characters, Mary Jane was my favorite. She is Elly's best  friend and she is so funny! She is watchful of Elly and always has her best interest in mind. Sometimes she can be a little to talkative, but she brings a lot of life to the story and was every enjoyable to read about.

Rose Pressey's writing was light and fun. It flowed and I found myself flying through the book. I really took an interest in this book which surprised me. I found myself wishing I could go to the Mystic Cafe and meet all the characters. I guess I was really wrapped up in this book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. The plot was unique and fun. I would recommend it to most people, because although there is some paranormal twists to it, and I'm not too into paranormal, but it wasn't overwhelming. There was romance, a little mystery, and lots of magic.

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

In My Mailbox (12)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. This week I got two amazing books!

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Follow My Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View. This week's question is:

Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).

The book (book series) that has changed my life the most is The Christy Miller Collection. I just reviewed one of the books, and like I say in my reviews, these books are absolutely amazing. They have changed my life so much. I have realized how important it is to have God in my life, and what it means to be a true Christian. I love Christy, I really connect with her! She struggles with everyday teenage things: dating, friendships, high-school, overly strict parents, and God. I'm just drawn in by Robin Jones Gunn's writing. These books are so amazing! I love to sit and read them when I'm going through a tough time; they are just heart-warming.

What book has most changed or influenced your life? Follow, leave a comment and blog address and I'll follow you back!

A Heart Full of Hope

Christy Miller Collection Book Six: A Heart Full of Hope

Pages: 146
Christy Miller is sixteen and that means she can finally date! Rick has waited months for this, and he has a whole list of dates planned. He's not happy about her early curfews and weekend job, but Christy knows her parents aren't about to negotiate on those points. Really, she's dazzled to be pursued by such a thoughtfu guy. So why does she feel overwhelmed? Where does Todd fit into her life now? And can any guy really fulfill all her hopes?

First off, I have only read/heard about one guy who has ever filled anyone's hopes. Besides, he was made up. I doubt anyone, especially Rick, would be able to fulfill all of someone's hopes. Not that I don't want to meet someone who will fulfill all of my hopes, I'm just trying to stick to reality.

In all of my reviews of the Christy Miller books, I praise and praise! I mean, I love the Christy Miller Collection! And I doubt anyone who picked it up would be able to set it back down. This book however, was not one of my favorites. I was sad because of something with Todd, and I was angry at Rick.

Christy is a strong girl, very strong. She knows what is right and she wants to be a good daughter to her parents and God. And that is amazing! I was very angry with Rick for trying to take some of that away from her. Rick wasn't all bad, at times he was so sweet that I thought about dating him. But in seconds he could become furious. I felt that he was excessively bipolar. I didn't like reading about that side of him. So, I was very proud of Christy for finally sticking up for herself! I was mentally cheering her on.

I loved the situation Christy was put into in this book. Although I didn't like all of the characters' actions, they were very real events and I'm learning from Christy's mistakes on how to handle them. At the same time, I'm hoping that I can handle situations as well as Christy can. And I know it's because God is in her life that she can!

Overall, the Christy Miller books are a quick, but very eventful, emotional, and heart-warming read. Getting close to God can be tough in today's society and Christy understands! These books are just amazing. I can't even stress that enough. I love reading these, they just capture my heart, mind, and soul! "Christy is a forever friend."

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

Musing Monday (9)

Musing Monday is hosted by Should Be Reading. This week's musing asks...

As a book blogger, does reading others’ blogs spark ideas for what to write on your own?

My Answer: It most certainly does! I love reading other peoples' blogs and reviews. When I read a review that I don't like, I go back to a few reviews I've written recently and make sure that I haven't written any that way. On the other hand, when I see a review that I really loved and that I got caught up in, I look back and I try to make improvements on my writing technique. I'm trying not to write the same things every time on my reviews, but I know it happens. Other bloggers really help me!

Do you like to read other bloggers' blogs to help you? Comment and leave a web address and I'll be sure to follow you back! Have a great Monday (: