Friday, January 30, 2015

Upcoming Reviews

Hey, everyone. Here are some upcoming reviews coming to Net's Book Notes in the next few weeks.

A couple of these haven't released yet and publishers like us to wait until they are released before posting reviews. Can't wait to share my thoughts with you!

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck from Harper Collins Publishing
Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep from Barbour











Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt from Howard Books

Read on!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Her Nerdy Cowboy by Annette M. Irby


Her Nerdy Cowboy

I'm having a little fun today. Normally, I put the title of the book I've reviewed as the post's title. Today, I'm making a request.

Do you review books? If so, I'd love to give you a complimentary copy of my latest release for review. If you enjoy it, I'm asking for you to post your review on Amazon. Sounds easy, right? 

I have a few copies to give away, just leave a comment here and I'll be in touch. Or you can e-mail me at annette at annetteirby dot com. 

Thanks, readers! Read on!

Her Nerdy Cowboy is a $0.99 short inspirational romance. Here's the summary:

Whoever heard of a bookish cowboy? When Logan McDaniel’s brother-in-law dies, he steps in to help his beloved sister run her ranch. But what does a city boy know of herding cattle?

Claire Langley loved her cousin. After he dies, she agrees to serve as a temporary nanny for two heartbroken children. Claire and Logan find they share a love of books, and Claire can’t resist the nerdy uncle who is great with children and who reads to her of pirate romance, but Claire’s ailing mother needs her in Seattle. Can she break away? And if she does, can there ever be a future for Logan and her?

Monday, January 5, 2015

Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay

Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay


This is no light read, though the cover seems a bit playful (or zany). Still, the author does mix in some humor. Again, as with her first book, you’ll find literary references that will delight Austen fans.

Let’s begin with the summary: 

Sometimes the courage to face your greatest fears comes only when you've run out of ways to escape.

At the end of a long night, Elizabeth leans against the industrial oven and takes in her kingdom. Once vibrant and flawless, evenings in the kitchen now feel chaotic and exhausting. She's lost her culinary magic, and business is slowing down.

When worried investors enlist the talents of a tech-savvy celebrity chef to salvage the restaurant, Elizabeth feels the ground shift beneath her feet. Not only has she lost her touch; she's losing her dream.

And her means of escape.

When her mother died, Elizabeth fled home and the overwhelming sense of pain and loss. But fifteen years later, with no other escapes available, she now returns. Brimming with desperation and dread, Elizabeth finds herself in the unlikeliest of places, by her sister’s side in Seattle as Jane undergoes chemotherapy.

As her new life takes the form of care, cookery, and classic literature, Elizabeth is forced to reimagine her future and reevaluate her past. But can a New York City chef with a painful history settle down with the family she once abandoned . . . and make peace with the sister who once abandoned her?

And now, my review:

This is a story of sisters and life-and-death struggles. A novel that will make readers think about their lives. For those who’ve undergone cancer treatment, perhaps they’ll relate with and see themselves in these characters.

I’m seeing a lot of foodie books lately, and this was one. You’ll get hungry while you read. And I love the premise that this expert may be able to use her gifts to help her sister. Still, there’s so much going on beneath the surface of this story.

The secondary characters stood out to me—especially the nurse. Well written. I liked that this story was written in first person, though I did feel a little bit blind to the other characters’ perspectives as I read.

Dear Mr. Knightley, this author’s first book, was one of my favorites.  Here again, Katherine uses great descriptions and writes strong characters. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this title and I prefer romance, but I did read to the end to see how things would turn out. I liked that our heroine needed to find her true calling, to find a fulfilling dream. And I enjoyed the banter between her and Nick (one of the secondary characters).

Abandonment is a theme, as is facing the past and reconciling with family. These are not light topics. I believe readers who are looking for a family story will find plenty to love about this novel.