This Is Not The Jess Show by Anna Carey

When a device falls out of one of her best friends backpack Jess has no idea what it is. What she does know is that her friends are keeping a secret from her. Jess has no clue what impact that secret will have on her life.

THIS IS NOT THE JESS SHOW was an interesting read for me. I liked the characters. I didn't find Jess overly whiny as so many teens tend to be in books. Also once Jess found out the big secret she didn't stick around and play the victim or allow people to manipulate her. She took charge of her life and did something to change it. I liked that about her character.

I haven't read a young adult book in awhile so I was a bit put out with the foul language in the book. At the risk of becoming too preachy I'll just say this, I don't think that it was necessary to the story line.

An entertaining story line, with likable characters.

The Kissing Tree

 

Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts by Regina Jennings:

The Kissing Tree is a huge oak tree that many loves have carved their names into over the years. Bella is hoping to have her name carved into the tree along with getting her first kiss. Unfortunately Adam is witness to the most embarrassing moment of Bella's life. So starts the legacy of The Kissing Tree. The first story was sweet and I really enjoyed it. I totally could picture this huge old oak since when I was a child I used to play under such oaks! They are gorgeous and fun to climb and hide out under. Loved Adam and Bella's story!

Inn For A Surprise by Karen Witemeyer:

When Barnabas comes to help the boss' daughter get her Inn ready for customers he is surprised by Phoebe's flamboyant tastes in colors and backgrounds. The Inn is near The Kissing Tree so of course it is called Kissing Tree Inn. Barnabas is there to help temper some of Phoebe's tastes and to help make the Inn the best success. 

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes:

Having lost his best friend in WWII and been wounded in that same war, Luke has come to visit his best friends sister Hannah. Luke and Hannah had corresponded after her brother, Luke's best friend, died. Now Luke has come home to meet the woman who's letters helped him get through when he thought he was going to die. Luke helps Hannah build a groundskeepers cottage for The Kissing Tree Inn. 

Heartwood by Nicole Deese:

Abby is the groundskeeper for The Kissing Tree Inn. Griffin is an arborist that the Inn has hired to determine if the Kissing Tree is in need of being cut down. Abby refuses to believe that the old oak is dying and Griffin is there to do what he can to save the tree. 

Such sweet love stories each one. I loved how each one connected somehow with the tree and were set in different times of history. A sweet compilation of short stories!

Night Fall(Nighthawk Security book 1) by Susan Sleeman

Aiden Byrd and his brothers are getting their business, Nighthawk Security, up and running. Olympic skiier Harper Young will be their first client. Harper has attracted a stalker that seems to be escalating so she needs around the clock protection. Neither Aiden or Harper have time for a relationship outside of their professions. Harper is determined to win her next medal and Aiden is determined to get their business off the ground. But and instant attraction to each other could be the downfall of both of their plans.

Ok, totally a fan of the Byrd brothers! I'm so excited for this new series! This first one was exciting and totally left me wanting more! I love the brothers loyalty to each other, their humor, their care for their client and of course they are all pretty easy on the eyes apparently. There are several twists and turns in the story that leave the reader surprised with heart racing and the anxiety level high. One thing I always appreciate in this author's writing are the spiritual elements of the story. NIGHT FALL did not disappoint in that area, both characters had hard spiritual lessons to learn throughout the story. A fantastic beginning to a new series and highly recommended!