Review: Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby

Passing Through Perfect (Wyattsville #3)
by Bette Lee Crosby

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Womens Fiction
Publication: January 14th, 2015 by Bent Pine Publishing
Format: ebook, 256 pages
Source: Author
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook

It's 1946. The war is over. Millions of American soldiers are coming home and Benjamin Church is one of them. After four years of being away he thought things in Alabama would have changed, but they haven't. Grinder's Corner is as it's always been--a hardscrabble burp in the road. It's not much, but it's home.

When Benjamin attends a harvest festival in Twin Pines, he catches sight of Delia. Before their first dance ends, he knows for certain she's the one. They fall madly in love: happily, impatiently, imprudently, in love. It doesn't matter that her daddy is staunchly opposed to the thought of his daughter marrying a cotton farmer, never mind a poor one.

It's true Benjamin has little to offer; he's a sharecropper who will spend his whole life sweating and slaving to do little more than put food on the table. But that's how things are in Alabama. Benjamin is better off than most; he has a wife, a boy he adores, and a house that doesn't leak rain. Yes, Benjamin considers himself a lucky man until the fateful night that changes everything.

I'm not sure what to expect from this book when I start reading. This wasn't the kind of book I usually read. So, I am surprised that I really enjoy reading this story.

Passing Through Perfect tells a story of Benjamin Church after he returned home after the war. He fell in love with Delia, and married her even though Delia's father opposed the marriage. Benjamin faced a lot of hardship, but he was happy with his wife and his son until that one night that took his happiness away. 

The book can be read as a standalone even though this is the third book from the Wyattsville series. The story was a bit slow at the beginning, but the writing was smooth. It was easy to get into the story. I can't put the book down once I picked it up. I need to find out what will happen to Benjamin and his family. I wanted to cheer for him. I wanted him to find his happiness after everything he went through. 

Passing Through Perfect was a great book. The writing was flawless, the characters were great and the story was smooth. There are lots of things going on! I was on a rollercoaster of emotion throughout the book. I'm glad that I gave this book a chance. I really enjoyed this. I think this is the kind of book that everyone would enjoy, even though this isn't something that you'd like to read.

I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest review.

Review: Petite Confessions: A Humorous Memoirette by Vicki Lesage

Petite Confessions: A Humorous Memoirette
by Vicki Lesage

Genre: Memoir, Humor, Autobiography
Publication: Published March 7th, 2015 by Party Girl Press
Format: Kindle Edition, 58 pages
Source: Author
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From champagne bottles to baby bottles, this memoirette offers a humorous look at an American mom's decade in Paris. Party Girl Vicki moved to Paris hoping to drink her fill of wine and fall in love. She accomplished her goal, but encountered many bumps along the way: romantic encounters gone awry, absurd French bureaucracy threatening her sanity, and two adorable but impossibly energetic kids keeping her on her toes. This memoirette takes you on a journey of the ups and downs of Vicki's 10 years in the City of Light.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to open another bottle of wine.

Also: Read about Vicki's crazy Paris debut in Confessions of a Paris Party Girl and her bumpy journey into motherhood and French parenting in her #1 Amazon Best Seller, Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer.

The collection of humorous essays shows the funny side of life, love, and raising a family in Paris.

As usual, Vicki's books are fun to read. I adore Vicki's writing style and voice. Once I pick it up, I just can't put it down. It's a bit sad when I reached to the ending of the book. I want to read more! Vicki never fail to make me laugh. There are tons of laugh-out-loud moment. Most of them, are things that I didn't exactly expect/imagine of Paris, and the weird things that the French do.

Petite Confessions by Vicki Lesage is a collection of fun short stories. It's the perfect introduction if you haven't read any book by Vicki yet. I would totally recommend any books from Vicki, if you enjoy reading something humorous. The book is currently free via kindle. 

I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest review.

Review: Into the Void: Star Wars by Tim Lebbon

Into the Void: Star Wars (Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi #1)
by Tim Lebbon

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Publication: Published April 1st, 2014 by LucasBooks
Format: Paperback, 338 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter

On the planet Tython, the ancient Je’daii order was founded. And at the feet of its wise Masters, Lanoree Brock learned the mysteries and methods of the Force—and found her calling as one of its most powerful disciples. But as strongly as the Force flowed within Lanoree and her parents, it remained absent in her brother, who grew to despise and shun the Je’daii, and whose training in its ancient ways ended in tragedy.

Now, from her solitary life as a Ranger keeping order across the galaxy, Lanoree has been summoned by the Je’daii Council on a matter of utmost urgency. The leader of a fanatical cult, obsessed with traveling beyond the reaches of known space, is bent on opening a cosmic gateway using dreaded dark matter as the key—risking a cataclysmic reaction that will consume the entire star system. But more shocking to Lanoree than even the prospect of total galactic annihilation, is the decision of her Je’daii Masters to task her with the mission of preventing it. Until a staggering revelation makes clear why she was chosen: The brilliant, dangerous madman she must track down and stop at any cost is the brother whose death she has long grieved—and whose life she must now fear.

I decided to read a Star Wars novel after a long time, and was glad that it wasn't that bad. Lanoree was summoned by the Je'daii Council for an important mission - to investigate and prevent the Stargazer from leaving the Tythan system and travel out of the galaxy. To do that, Lanoree have to search for her brother, Dal who was believed to lead the cult.

I think it was interesting to see a female lead in the Star Wars novel. Lanoree was a great character and I enjoyed her adventure to search for her brother, Dal. The supporting characters were awesome.  Some of the characters are likeable and memorable. I especially love Tre Sana and hope to see more of him soon.

I found the story to be a bit confusing with constant flashbacks of Lanoree and Dal during their training with the force. And it took me a while to get used to the story era. The Je'daii are not the same from the Jedi from the movies. For instance, Lanoree used swords instead of lightsaber.

Sci-fi was not the usual kind of book I usually read, but, Into the Void was definitely an enjoyable read. It was packed with action and I do enjoy Lanoree as the main character.

Review: That's Paris: An Anthology of Life, Love and Sarcasm in the City of Light

That's Paris: An Anthology of Life, Love and Sarcasm in the City of Light
by Vicki Lesage, Adria J. Cimino, Jennie Goutet and more

Genre: Romance, Anthology, Humor
Publication: February 2nd, 2015 by Velvet Morning Press
Format: Kindle Edition, 218 pages
Source: ARC, Author
Connect: Website

Paris—the most romantic, beautiful and frustrating city in the world!

If you've ever traveled to Paris, lived in the City of Light or dreamed of setting foot on its cobblestoned streets, you'll enjoy escaping into this collection of short stories about France's famed capital.

From culinary treats (and catastrophes) to swoon-worthy romantic encounters (and heartbreaking mishaps), this anthology takes you on a journey through one of the most famous cities in the world.

View this cosmopolitan metropolis through the chic eyes of Parisians, francophiles and travelers who fell in love with the city and haven't quite gotten around to leaving yet... That's Paris: a glimpse into living, loving and surviving in the City of Light.

I have previously read and review to Vicki Lesage's books, Confessions of a Paris Party Girl and Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer. I am excited when she emailed me with an offer to read and review That's Paris.

That's Paris was a collection of stories, fictional and biographical, about life in Paris. I love reading books with Paris/French settings. I have taken a few French language courses a few years back and was smitten every time my teacher told her stories/experiences in Paris. For me, Paris sounds beautiful, romantic, cultured and full of delicious food and pastries. And That's Paris is definitely something that I want to read about Paris. It is magical, romantic and humorous. It's the kind of stories anyone would love to read about Paris.

There are a few stories that I really like, but every single one of them was well written and highly entertaining. I enjoy reading this book and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Paris and reading about it.

I received an ARC  from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Sea Glass (Glass #2)
by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: July 1st, 2010, by Harlequin Teen
Format: Paperback, 379 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Blog | Facebook

From one-trick wonder to wielder of terrifying powers.

Not bad for a student.

Glass magician Opal Cowan’s newfound ability to steal a magician’s powers has made her too powerful in the eyes of the council… Despite being under house arrest, Opal travels to the Moon Clan’s lands in search of Ulrick, the man she thinks she loves. Thinks because she is sure another man, now her prisoner, has switched souls with Ulrick.

In hostile territory, without proof or allies, Opal isn’t sure whom to trust. She can’t forget Kade, the handsome Stormdancer who doesn’t want to let her get close. And now everyone is after Opal’s special powers for their own deadly gain…

I was really excited to read this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Storm Glass. But I wanted to read the Study Series first before I continue with the Glass Series. I can't wait to see what was going to happen to Opal with her new magic power. 

Wow! Maria V. Snyder never failed to amaze me with her writing. I was fascinated with the magic within her books. It was hard to put down the book once I picked it up, even though the beginning was a bit slow. But the story was great. Although, I wish to see a little bit more about the sea glass.

Sea Glass was definitely a great read. There were lots of suspense, action and romance as compared to the first book. It was exciting to see some of the characters from the Study Series in the book. And the ending! It was a bit shocking to see how the book ended, but I liked it. I can't wait to see what's going to happen to Opal next.