Review: The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans

The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2015, 300p, Hardcover, My Rating=4
Source: library
Content: clean romance

The second holiday love story in New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans' Mistletoe Collection.
At thirty-two Kimberly Rossetti, a finance officer at a Lexus car dealership, has had her heart broken more times than she wants to remember. With two failed engagements, a divorce and again alone with no prospects, she hardly seems the type to dream of being a published romance author. Dreading another holiday alone, she signs up for The Mistletoe Retreat, a nine-day writing retreat in Savannah, Georgia. Deep inside Kimberly knows she's at a junction in her life and it's time to either fulfill her dream or let it go. The other reason she decides to attend the conference is because famed romance writer, H.T. Cowell, once the best selling romance writer in America, and the author whose books instilled in her the desire to be a writer, will be speaking in public for the first time in more than a decade.
In one of her breakout sessions Kimberly meets another aspiring writer, and one of the few men at the conference, Zeke, an intelligent man with a wry wit who seems as interested in Kimberly as he is in the retreat. As Kimberly begins to open up to him about her stories and dreams, she inadvertently reveals her own troubled past. As Zeke helps her to discover why her books fail to live up to their potential she begins to wonder if he's really talking more about her life than her literature. But as she grows closer to him, she realizes that Zeke has his own darkness, a past he's unwilling to talk about.
The theme of The Mistletoe Inn is that like literature, relationships must be lived with passion and vulnerability to succeed.

RPE novels like this one, helps me to relax. My mind doesn't feel the pressure to be overly used ...just my heart. And since I'm a heart girl, this is my kind of read. I just want to enjoy a good love story and this delivered. I can nitpick here and there but overall, I'm content with the few hours of break it gave me from "real" life.

Oh, I almost forgot. I often find the sidekicks my favorite part in his books (actually, in any good book) because it's when I get those sweet-good laughs. Samantha was that girl for this book. Friends rock!

Review: The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans

The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2005, 334p, Hardcover, My Rating=4
Source: library
Content: clean romance

"Seek not your destiny, for it is seeking you."
In the wake of personal tragedy, two people meet on a humanitarian mission in Peru. Christine is a shy, unadventurous woman whose fiancee broke off the engagement only a week before the wedding, and Paul is a former emergency room doctor whose glamorous lifestyle, stellar reputation, and beautiful fiancee are cruelly snatched from him one fateful, snowy Christmas Eve. Deep in the Amazon jungle, against a backdrop of poverty and heartbreak, they must confront their deepest fears and, together, learn to trust and love again.

This was one of those subtle books that through a love story, one can be inspired to appreciate what you've got. And as a bonus, this tale can also stir one to find self confidence and use it to better the world and others. Mighty cool!

Review: The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2014, Hardcover, 251p, My Rating=5
Source: library

Elise Dutton dreads the arrival of another holiday season. Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken, and distrustful.
Then, one November day, a stranger approaches Elise in the mall food court. Though she recognizes the man from her building, Elise has never formally met him. Tired of spending the holidays alone, the man offers her a proposition. For the next eight weeks—until the evening of December 24—he suggests that they pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules:
1. No deep, probing personal questions
2. No drama
3. No telling anyone the truth about the relationship
4. The contract is void on Christmas Day
The lonely Elise surprises herself by agreeing to the idea. As the charade progresses, the safety of her fake relationship begins to mend her badly broken heart. But just as she begins to find joy again, her long-held secret threatens to unravel the emerging relationship. But she might not be the only one with secrets.

Tragedy, struggle, hope, forgiveness, and love ...ingredients that can be found in most of Mr. Evans's romance books. For me, it doesn't get old and works each time! This one was particularly heartrending and with an eye opening perspective that it invoked quite a bit of empathy from me. Truly, this author has a gift with words in relating tender messages of humanity's stretch in dealing with life's difficult circumstances.

I suspect that one reason many take to Mr. Evans's books is because the fictional characters can very well be me or you. Since his fictional characters always find light at the end of the tunnel, therefore, so shall we. It's an inspiring and comforting report.

An excellent sweep you off your feet romance even to the most seemingly unbefitting individuals.

Review: Walk On Water by Richard Paul Evans

Walk On Water (The Walk #5) by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2014, Hardcover, 320p, My Rating=3.5
Source: library

In this fifth New York Times bestseller in the Walk series, Richard Paul Evans’s hero Alan Christoffersen must say some painful goodbyes and learn some important lessons as he comes to the end of his cross-country walk to Key West.

After the death of his beloved wife, after the loss of his advertising business to his once-trusted partner, after bankruptcy forced him from his home, Alan Christoffersen’s daring cross-country journey—a walk across America, from Seattle to Key West, with only the pack on his back—has taught him lessons about love, forgiveness and, most of all, hope.

Now Alan must again return west to face yet another crisis, one that threatens to upend his world just as he had begun to heal from so much loss, leaving him unsure of whether he can reach the end his journey. It will take the love of a new friend, and the wisdom of an old friend, to help him to finally leave the past behind and find the strength and hope to live again.

This has been an eventful series. Many sights, food, and people. This final installment concluded the 3,000+ mile walk (from Seattle, Washington to Key West, Florida) that Alan undertook. No incredibly memorable people stories along the walk in this book but I did appreciate the time spent with the key characters of the series. There was a sad and poignant moment here but finished with a satisfying ending.

Generally the entire series was entertaining and a breeze to read. One for the file for good comfort reads.

Review: A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans

A Step of Faith (#4 of The Walk series) by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2013, Hardcover, 279p, My Rating=2
Source: library
My review of: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3

After the death of his beloved wife, after the loss of his advertising business to his once-trusted partner, after bankruptcy forced him from his home, Alan Christoffersen is a broken man. Leaving everything he knows, he sets out on an extraordinary cross-country journey; with only the pack on his back, he is walking from Seattle to Key West—the end of the map.

Along the way, Alan begins to heal, meeting people who teach him lessons about love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. But in St. Louis, Alan faces another life-changing crisis, and now the journey is in jeopardy.

This was my least favorite of "The Walk" series thus far. This installment didn't offer me much cheerfulness. As if Mr. Evans took some dreary and crazy pills and they oozed out into this book.

I had forgotten the big cliffhanger from book #3 so when this book started to backtrack a bit, I was getting excited to see the outcome. Unfortunately the story dragged, the guest characters weren't that stirring (except Master El ..crazy cult leader I wanted to practice my judo moves to!), and generally there wasn't enough meat to the evolution. Perhaps Alan needed more time to recover from his surgery and resumed his walk at a different time and conceivably had a more inspiring trek. Nonetheless, I want to see Alan's journey through so, "On to book #5!"

Review: A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans

A Winter Dream by Richard Paule Evans, AF, 2012, hardcover, 266p, Rating=2.5

Source: library

Joseph Jacobson is the twelfth of thirteen siblings, all of whom are employed by their father’s successful Colorado advertising company. But underneath the success runs a poisonous undercurrent of jealousy; Joseph is his father’s favorite and the focus of his brothers’ envy and hatred. When the father seems ready to anoint Joseph as his heir, the brothers make their move, forcing Joseph from the company and his Denver home, severing his ties to his parents and ending his relationship with his soon-to-be fianceé. Alone and lonely, Joseph must start a new life.

Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors and I turn to his books for a good feel read.  This book had a lot of potential given it aligned with the biblical story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers.  But this Joseph, Joseph Jacobson, was disappointingly passive.  He was quick to accept the extortion from his brothers without a fight or question or depth of feeling.  Yes, he did it so that his younger brother, Ben, would not face potential jail time but going along with it actually was a selfish move.  How about his parents?  His girlfriend he was planning to propose to?  The condition was to drop everything and move to another state immediately without any notice.  So okay, that was unbelievable but I continue to read and see what happens.  Of course, all the ducks came in a row.  He meets another woman (who by the way had an outrageous background; my favorite character in this book), had the winning advertising pitch, and comes in full circle in a powerful position.  It all came too easy.  The conflicts were there but he really didn't do much to get there.  I felt that Mr. Evans might have thought that the analogy would speak for itself.  Yes, the reunion with his dad did make me cry but for the shear fact that generally a reunion between a parent and child would be moving. 

One might say, well Joseph did a good deed and so karma would have it that things work well for him.  Fantastic!  But that's not the problem in this book.  It was the lack of depth in Joseph's character.  For instance, what happened to the grieving process?  Holy smokes, all his brothers (I'm counting Ben since he let it happen) banished him, where was the passion for any feelings about that?

I still love Mr. Evans and will continue to read his books.  This one just didn't rank with the zeal in the story that I've come to expect from his books. 

Review: The Road to Grace by Richard Paul Evans

The Road to Grace (The Walk #3) by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2012, Hardcover, 256p, Rating=4
Source: library

Join one of America’s beloved storytellers on a walk like no other: one man’s unrelenting search for hope. Reeling from the sudden loss of his wife, his home, and his business, Alan Christoffersen, a once-successful advertising executive, has left everything he knew behind and set off on an extraordinary cross-country journey. Carrying only a backpack, he is walking from Seattle to Key West, the farthest destination on his map.

Now almost halfway through his trek, Alan sets out to walk the nearly 1,000 miles between South Dakota and St. Louis, but it’s the people he meets along the way who give the journey its true meaning: a mysterious woman who follows Alan’s walk for close to a hundred miles, the ghost hunter searching graveyards for his wife, and the elderly Polish man who gives Alan a ride and shares a story that Alan will never forget.

Full of hard-won wisdom and truth, The Road to Grace is a compelling and inspiring novel about hope, healing, grace, and the meaning of life. (Goodreads)

I've come to run to RPE books for tug-at-the-heart reads.  Certainly this series has been delivering that.  This installment contained the classic Evans thought provoking phrases and stab-the-heart mini stories.  The story moved along the almost tail end of this Seattle to Florida cross country walk, Alan is in South Dakota now.  Stopping at places of interest and meeting interesting people along the way.  Meeting Leszek, the Polish man, did it in and made the book for me.  He could be a "poster man" for forgiveness.  I cried deeply. 

Whoa, what a twist in the end.  A definite cliffhanger.  Can't wait for book four coming this Spring!

FYI, a generalized review of the previous books in the series were mentioned in this book so this sequel can be read as a stand alone.

"The Gift"

by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2007, 332p, rating=4
source:  own

Nathan Hurst hated Christmas. For the rest of the world it was a day of joy and celebration; for Nathan it was simply a reminder of the event that destroyed his childhood until a snowstorm, a cancelled flight, and an unexpected meeting with a young mother and her very special son would show him that Christmas is indeed the season of miracles.
From the beloved author of the international bestseller The Christmas Box comes another timeless story of faith, hope, and healing.  (book cover)

Chances are that if I'm reading a Richard Paul Evans book, I'm trying to get out of a reading slump. His books are my comfort reads. This applies in this case. I had not picked up a book in a week!  Unfortunately when I finished this one, I was back on the slump again !  Oh well.

This book did not disappoint.  The characters were vivid.  I distinctly knew who I like and did not.  The storyline was tender.  Another classic Evans tale with purpose and message.  You'll need a box of Kleenex for this one.  Why?  Because Collin, a 9yo boy with leukemia, has a gift of healing by touch but each healing causes him to get sicker.  Collin also has the gift of characterizing people's aura.  Collin is quick to heal those that are good.  Collin then gets very very sick.  In the process, those around him learn about the strength of love and moving on amidst the sorrows and disappointments. 

Simply a feel good book.  


Rating:

Now You See Her; Lost December; Finding Noel

I'm getting ready for the end of the year wrap-up so here's a few brief reviews.  I guess it was hard to completely go on a month's hiatus (I finished another book last night so one more is coming).  The break was nice though.  I sometimes stress about putting out a review and honestly, it's time consuming.  I've got some thinking to do about where and how I want next year's book blogging to go ...better prioritizing kind of stuff.  Anyway, thank you for sticking by me.  :)
 

Now You See Her by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge, AF, 2011, Playaway digital audio, 7.5hrs, rating=2.5

An okay thriller ...woman fakes her death to hide from a lunatic cop husband then finds herself years later amidst his presence again (she put herself there, not very bright!). What to do, what to do because an innocent man was to be put to death and secrets to guard?

Violent with somewhat predictable twists. And of course the heroine had nine lives! --Not a big fan of nine lives ..great in real life but not in fictional stories .. go figure me!! ;)

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2011, 379p (large print), rating=4

Richard Paul Evans is one of my go to authors when I want to get out of a reading slump (which I am in at the moment). He has a way of telling stories that touch the heart (my kind of book), using melancholy to drive at a moral message. I often find myself emotionally involved with the characters. This book is no exception. A riches-to-rags story through a take on the well known Bible parable The Prodigal Son. Prodigal being the key word in defining the essence of the tale ..SPOILER STARTS (paraphrased from the book) misunderstanding the word thinking it means "lost" or "wayward" when it really means "wastefully extravagant", but it also means "to give abundantly". SPOILER ENDS You're likely to need a tissue. I did.

Emotionally charging and character building. A lesson in giving and being grateful. Appropriate feel good book during this Christmas season.

On a side note: I learned interesting things about being homeless.

Finding Noel by Ricard Paul Evans, AF, 2006, 304p, rating=3

Fresh from finishing Mr. Evans' current book Lost December, I found that book to be better than this one. But unlike Lost December, the signature intro letter and dedication in Finding Noel left me shedding a tear before reaching chapter one! Mr. Evans dedicated this book to his late mother. Use mother in a sentiment and I'm bawling! As in turns out though, I found this read to be a bit disjointed. Still, a wonderful story of "how people come into our lives for a reason".

What I got out of this book was that we are angels to each other if we choose to be kind. My favorite character was Joette. I loved her!!

"Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25"

by Richard Paul Evans, book #1, YA, 2011, 326p, rating=4.5

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.
To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.
Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive. (Goodreads)

Wow, that was a pretty exciting read!  I was weary about Mr. Evans dabbling into the young adult genre but he pulled it off!  I had type casted him as the sappy adult fiction novelist ... which I loved about him.  His adult books always touched my heart.  Well, this book proved to me that he can be eclectic. 

The story did have the feel of a young adult read with the classic Evans dialogue prose.  He also managed to squeeze in a couple philosophical moral statements, another classic Evans.  The only major Evans thing missing was the sap, which wasn't needed in this story (at least toned down).  I tell you, if I wasn't familiar with Mr. Evans, I would not have guessed that this was written by a renowned heart wrenching adult novelist.  This book definitely screamed young adult written by a seasoned young adult author.  Well done Mr. Evans!

In the beginning I needed encouragement to continue reading.  But, I was determined to see it through and it wasn't long after that things did pick up.  By the last third of the book the excitement was in full bloom and I became invested in the characters.  There was a definite good vs evil going on.  Ostin being my favorite.  He was a true superhero ... a mini MacGyver, a human smartphone ... I loved him!

This book dealt with age appropriate issues such as bullying, vanity, brainwashing, and self-esteem.  The storyline was a refreshing way to develop the attribute of integrity in these young teenagers.  By giving them something to fight for, they unite and rise to the challenge.  Excellent confidence building promotion.

I liked the ending ... one big battle down and the war to be continued in the next installment.  I'm definitely going to read the sequel!

"The Walk"

by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2010, 289p, rating=4

Mr. Evans write stories that tug at the heartstrings so it's no surprise that I like his books. This one definitely has that Richard Paul Evans signature of really bad things happen but there's a light at the end of the tunnel so move on philosophy of life.  I suppose such stories amuse me because I need a reminder that life can suck at times but it's up to me to keep it that way or not ... or perhaps to bring to mind that my troubles are nothing compared to these possible miseries.

Oh boy, did it rain miseries for Alan Christoffersen!  It was looking great at first.  A lucrative business, a best-friend wife, and a luxurious lifestyle.  Of course, something really bad happens and things got ugly.  So he did a Forest Gump.  But instead of running, Alan decided to walk.  The set 3,000+ miles journey was from Seattle, Washington to Key West, Florida.  This book got him as far as about 300 miles.  This is because with any journey, there will be obstacles to overcome.  Plus, this is the first book of its series so it made sense to leave some miles for the other books. =)

I enjoyed the characters in this book.  I liked many of the relationships that were developed or developing.  I admired the love story between Alan and his wife, McKale.  I liked Falene's loyalty and tenderness.  I liked Good Samaritans that Alan crossed in his journey so far.  But there were also characters that I disliked but enriched the storyline.  In character building, Mr. Evans created believable people, however predictable.

This was a quick read, no-brainer book with a heart.  Just the kind I needed to read to try to get me out of this reading slump! 

I'm not waiting on pins and needles for the sequel to come in April of next year, but I will certainly read it.

My quote-ables:
"You can tell a lot about a man by watching how he treats those he doesn't have to be nice to." pg 125.
"For the record, I didn't fear dying.  I feared almost dying.  They're not the same thing." pg 168.
"The thing is, the only real sign of life is growth.  And growth requires pain.  So to choose life is to accept pain." pg 217.

Brief reviews

Another set of brief reviews.  It's too bad I can't seem to make time to make proper reviews.  I have so many thoughts I'd like to say about these books (and those previously reviewed briefly). 

Holes by Louis Sachar, YR, 1998, 233p, rating=4
read: 10/14/10

I'm going to cheat and provide you with a link to my friend's (Jzhun) review of this that I believe is incredibly well written as with all of his reviews... go HERE. ~Find his book blog website HERE and tell him I sent you. :)

How to Be an America Housewife by Margaret Dilloway, AF, 2010, 276p, rating=3.5

read: 10/15/10

A charming 4 generation mother-daughter story assimilating to culture shock and realizing the strength of roots. A nice cozy read.

Annexed by Sharon Dogar, YA, 2010, 337p, rating=3.5
read: 10/16/10

Bold undertaking for a YA book and for that I'd rate it 4-5 stars. But I'm not sure it really added more depth to Anne Frank's testimony ...that the book indirectly points out to do, so it gets a 3.5 rating from me.
Kaleidoscope by Sweta Srivastava Vikram, 2011, 19p, rating=2
read: 10/3/10

Kaleidoscope: An Asian Journey of Colors by Sweta Srivastasva Vikram, Poetry, 2010, 20p, rating=2

I won this book and I missed the part that said that it was a book of poems.  As you may know, poems and I don't get along.  It's mostly like reading Chinese characters to me.  What a terrible handicap!  ..When I tried really hard to understand, I saw something funny here and overall got an okay feeling.  I'm sure those of you into poems will find some depth in this. ~I still appreciate the win Suko and from time to time I will dissect a poem one at a time and see what I can find ...so as to train my brain into poetry.  Wish me luck!

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans, AF, 2010, 334p, rating=2

read: 10/19/10

I've come to like this author's style of writing stories that tug at the heart strings. This one though didn't do that for me. The Back to the Future, borderline incest aspect of the book was eeww-creepy ...just not my kind of romance! ~On a side note, Mr. Evans sure can write 'femininely'. He must be surrounded by lots of women or somehow knows how to channel womanly views because the character developments of the women in this book were for the most part, right on!

"The Christmas List"

by Richard Paul Evans, 2009, 349p, rating=5

Mr. Evans did it again!  He made me cry!!  I'm such a sucker for stories about people changing for the better.  He did this along the like of A Christmas Carol and launched it by the main character discovering his obituary in his local paper while still alive!  James Kier wasn't sure whether to laugh or sue.  Well, he discovers more in the paper's website ... comments about what they really felt about him.  No shocker, it was mainly unkind.  I certainly didn't like the man as first described.  So what does James do now?  He sees what they see in him and agrees.  That's not the legacy he wanted so he seeks out for redemption.

The characters are amazingly you and me.  Every character had a purpose to put depth into the story.  This truly is incredibly heart warming and a treasure find!

***My quoteables:
"We all get lost sometimes.  The trick is to believe that we're worth finding." pg 20
"We've both left a trail of suffering in our wake, and we both got a glimpse of our legacy before we died." pg 123
"We humans--at least some of us, are seriously flawed.  The things that are the most necessary, the most critical to us, are the things we take most for granted.  Air. Water. Love.  If you have someone to love, you are lucky.  If they love you back, you're blessed.  And if you waste the time you have to love them, you're a fool." pg 29

"The Locket"

by Richard Paul Evans, 1998, 361p, rating=5

Finally, a tug the heart book. I enjoyed reading this. I needed the cry. I like stories that talk about decency, passion, and integrity. This book grabbed my heart and squeezed it! I'm speechless.

An excerpt from the front/back flap: "The Locket, like all of my novels, is a love story. A story about the young love of Michael and Faye and the challenges they face. It is a story of old love, between Esther and the man she lost so many years before. But, ultimately, it is a story of the love between generations, and the nurturing and forgiveness those relationships always require. My hope is for you to come to understand the many gifts the elderly can bring to our lives. And, most of all, that in reading The Locket, you, and those with whom you share my story, will be brought closer to those you love and those whom you should." Sincerely, (author's signature)

**My quotables:

"We are chained to that which we do not forgive." pg 186

"...without passion we are doomed to mediocrity." pg 277

"The Christmas Box"

by Richard Paul Evans, 1993, 87p, rating=4

A tiny book with a huge message! I don't think I can review this without spoiling it for you so if you plan on reading this book, STOP and move on to your next blog friend.

But it's okay if you take a peek too because the message is important and should be shared anyways.

Just had a thought! I'm not going to tell you the story but I'll impart an excerpt from the book instead and then you can read how the character got to that point: "Somewhere between the angel and Mary's house I had figured it out. The gift of Christmas. It just came to my heart. The first gift of Christmas was love. A parent's love. Pure as the first snows of Christmas. For God so loved this children that he sent his son, that we might someday return to him." (pg 82).

A loving parent reading this book will come to identify the priorities of parenthood. Hence, this book would be an appropriate Mother's Day or Father's Day gift. Of course, also appropriate as a Christmas gift.