In Good Company by Jen Turano

After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?


Author: Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House, 2015
Cover Design: Paul Higdon
Cover Photography: Brandon Hill Photos


My Review
Jen's characters are always a load of fun. Witty and heart-warming, In Good Company is a pure delight. 

Millie Longfellow needs a nanny job after getting fired yet again. Socialite Everett Mulberry needs a nanny to care for the three mischievous children he's unexpectedly become guardian over. Neither adult believes they'll make a good match, but desperate times call for desperate measures. When the children gang up on Millie in attempt to get rid of her, as well as Everett's fiance, Caroline, they discover they can't outwit this nanny. As Millie's relationship with the children warms, Everett comes to realize Millie quite good at her job after all and enlists Millie's help investigating the mysterious deaths of the children's parents, which angers Caroline. These changes have Everett questioning his place in society, and wondering if he's in good company after all. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romances and/or stories filled humor. I give this book 5 stars! 

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Jen Turano is the author of six books, including the Ladies of Distinction series. She makes her home in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and son. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.

The Southold Chronicles

It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is enjoying her wedding feast when her groom is killed and she is kidnapped by a rival tribe and held for ransom. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is nonetheless left to die in a Connecticut forest--until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her long friendship with family friend Benjamin Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice--stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

Publisher: Revell, 2015

Cover Design and Photography: John Hamilton Design

Author is represented by WordServe Literary Group

My Review

Full of rich history and emotion, this story will surely capture your heart. 

Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren rescues Montaukett princess Heather Flower after being stolen from her tribe. Her best friend Benjamin Horton wants nothing more than protect Heather from future attacks, as well as from Lieutenant Van Buren. As the two men attempt to capture her affections, the reader will be eager to capture the unexpected twists. 

I did find this book a little hard to follow at the beginning because of the large cast of characters, but this story is well written, and I love how the author uses her own ancestry as inspiration for her novels. 

I give this book 3.5 stars!

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When Rebecca DeMarino traveled to Horton Point, Long Island, with her mother, Helen Jean Horton

Worley, in 1999, passions collided: her love of faith, family, travel, history, and writing. Rebecca's debut novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, is a historical romance based on Mary and Barnabas Horton, Rebecca’s ninth great-grandparents. Set in 1600’s Southold, Long Island, book one of The Southold Chronicles will be released by Revell in June, 2014. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and when not writing, she enjoys family and genealogy, travel, reading, running, baking and gardening. Rebecca is represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary Agency.

Our Disney World Vacation 2015

We've had a VERY busy summer so far, which is why you haven't seen many posts from me other than book reviews. In between baseball games, VBS, and 4-H projects, we took a much needed vacation to Disney World. Here's a little scrapbook to show you what we've been up to.


EPCOT

Here we are in Canada, watching
the rain clouds approach. 

We visited Epcot the day of our 14th wedding anniversary. The weather was hot and muggy but most of our day was spent indoors enjoying the great attractions this place had to offer. After the rides, we toured the World Showcase.

In France, we devoured a Croque Glace` 
at L'Artisan des Glaces. This amazing dessert is 
a warm brioche filled with white chocolate coconut ice dream...I mean cream. 

And this is us, taking the world's worst selfie. Unfortunately, the rest of our evening got rained out and we weren't able to see the other countries, but we had a blast at Epcot all the same. 





DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Tow Mater

Here, we saw all the stars! The kids loved meeting their favorite characters and being part of the movies on The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and The Tower of Terror (though the little guy wasn't a fan of this last one). 

Phineas and Ferb

Me and the boys are Singing in the Rain. If only my voice and dance moves were as graceful as Debbie Reynolds's. But the "rain" sprinkling off the umbrella was a nice break from the hot sun. 

MAGIC KINGDOM

Cinderella's castle

We celebrated little guy's 5th birthday at the Magic Kingdom. It blessed my heart to see him enjoy his favorite characters' rides, like Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, and Aladdin's Flying Carpets. The older boys loved Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and exploring Tom Sawyer's Island. 

Happy Birthday!

Again, we enjoyed meeting our favorite characters!

Buzz Lightyear

Rapunzel's tower

And seeing where they live!

It was a fun-filled and long day with amazing fireworks to end the journey. Goodbye, Disney!

We ended our trip with a relaxing day on Siesta Key, Beach, Sarasota, before the long drive home. I can't wait to see where our next adventure awaits! 

Laugh Out Loud Pocket Doodles for Boys by Rob Elliott

Rob Elliott's Laugh-Out-Loud joke books have brought laughter to more than half a million households. His last book invited kids into the action as he teamed up with cartoonist Jonny Hawkins to create "Laugh-Out-Loud Doodles for Kids." Now the dynamic duo is back with two brand-new books for boys and girls who love to draw and love to laugh! Packed with jokes that will keep boys and girls giggling for hours, and unfinished doodles for them to complete any way they want, these books keep little hands and minds busy. Perfect for road trips, lazy summer days, or anytime the kids say, "I'm bored!"

Publisher: Revell, 2015
Author: Rob Elliott
Illustrator: Jonny Hawkins


This review was so much fun, as I was able to get the kids involved. Good, clean entertainment, perfect for a rainy day or long road trips. My boys did many of the pages in the car while traveling to Disney World. Others, they finished when we got back home. This book is perfect for ages 5-12. Have a sharpened pencil and crayons handy, and be prepared to laugh!

My boys give this book four thumbs up!

(Five stars in the book review world) 

"My favorite part of this book was the jokes. I can tell them to my friends." -- Silas, age 11

"I like to draw." -- Hudson, age 5


As a mother, my favorite sound in the world is my kids' laughter. If they're laughing that means they're happy, and happy kids make a happy mama. I highly recommend this book. 

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

A teacher on the run. 

A bounty hunter in pursuit. 

Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother’s death. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When the teacher he’s after produces documentation that shows she’s the little girl’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her. Should Stone break his perfect record?

Then a new danger threatens, and Charlotte is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone becomes determined to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2015
Cover Design: Dan Thornberg, Design Source Creative Services
Author is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency

My Review

A fun, high-stakes adventure in life and love. Karen Witemeyer never disappoints with her unique plots, spunky characters, and witty dialogue. 

Charlotte Atherton flees the Sullivan Academy in the middle of the night with the child Stone Hammond has been hired to retrieve. She outwits him, but not for long. He finds the schoolmarm, along with the child, on a secluded Texas farm. His presence is less than welcoming, especially when Charlotte proves she's the child's legal guardian. Will Stone finish the job he came to do? Will Charlotte trust his help when an even larger issue presents itself?

I recommend this book to those who love historical romance and fast-paced stories. I gave this book 5 stars!