The Clutter Fix

 

Back Cover

Living in a disorganized, cluttered home can leave you feeling chaotic, anxious, and even depressed. You want a change, but you don't know where to begin.

Home coach Shannon Acheson is here to help. She has written the only book you'll ever need to get your entire home sorted and organized for good - in a way that makes sense for you and your family's unique, God-given personalities. 

In The Clutter Fix, Shannon helps you:

• win the battle with all of your stuff by following her step-by-step instructions and checklists
• discover your Clutter Personality and your Organizing Personality
• create rhythms and routines to keep your home decluttered

Clutter isn't just about the stuff. It's about how you feel in your home - and in your mind. This book will give you the peaceful dwelling you've always hoped for.

 

Review

Ah, how I needed this book. I LOVE to be organized. Visual clutter within my home is stressful to me, and makes it harder to relax in what should me an "oasis". Ever since I married and downsized from a house to an apartment nearly three years ago, I've struggled with being organized in a smaller space (not to mention, having to do it with the added stuff that my husband has!). Shannon's book provides some excellent tools and suggestions on how to organize room by room in a way that maximizes its intended use and purpose. I'm also one of those individuals who will hold on to items that I'm not using simply because they were gifts, so I found it helpful to read Shannon's advice regarding that. 

I believe I'll be referencing her book again and again throughout my organizing adventure as I make our cozy apartment a true home with a "place for everything and everything in its place".

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Targeted

Back Cover

Get ready for triple the thrills with three heart-stopping stories from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In On the Run, IT Specialist Daria Nevsky is a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead - and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone.

In Deadly Objective, physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper are committed to keeping their relationship professional. But when the vice president's son enters the crosshairs of a killer, some lines will have to be crossed in order to keep him safe.

In Caught in the Crosshairs, there is no love lost between former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman and CIA officer Claudia Gallegos after Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. But to prevent a coup that would put America at risk, they'll have to learn to trust each other - before it's too late.

 

Review

What a thrill ride this book was! What's better than a good suspense story? THREE stories all wrapped up in one book. It's like a BOGO deal at the bookstore, haha! 

Lynette Eason's novella, On the Run, the action is non-stop from the second page. As the pace kept me breathless, I just wish this was a full-length novel. The romance was rushed and Ryker's instant devotion to Daria felt unrealistic. There was quite a bit of assumed back story that had me stumbling a bit over the plot points so I couldn't easily settle into the flow of the story. I discovered that Daria's adoptive parents have their own story, Vow of Justice, so I plan to read that one which should help provide a richer context to this story. Otherwise, Daria is an impressively strong character and the resolution was very fitting.

If I had to choose, Deadly Objective was my favourite of the three. As there was already a somewhat established relationship between Emily and Liam, their budding romance was more realistic. I loved the comradery between the two and their joking interactions with Mason. It doesn't have the same level of suspense as the other two, so was actually a nice breather! While I did guess at the villain a bit early, it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. Loved it!

Caught in the Crosshairs was another fast-paced story. It was full of political intrigue and Ari and Claudia were quite the interesting characters. Claudia wasn't the easiest character to like as she fostered a strong dislike of Air even before she met him and treats him horribly in the beginning. I enjoyed the twists and turns to this story and the complexity of the plot. 

All in all, this was a solid suspense collection. Novellas are tricky in being able to build a realistic story with strong character growth and believable relationship development in such a short period of time. While readers would benefit from reading previous book series where the characters cross-over, Targeted can still be enjoyed by suspense fans everywhere. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

The Blackout Book Club

 Back Cover

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different - a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

Review

This novel is a true treasure. Sarah Sundin was correct in describing the book as "A salute to the power of books and of friendship!" It's a beautifully written story supported by such a wonderful cast of characters. Each lady's story - Avis, Louise, Ginny, and Martina - capture a different aspect of the effects of the war, most notably, in relationships. They all have secrets, and while that would make each lady keep others at arm's length, through their struggles, they learn friends are always willing and ready to help.  One of my favourite parts of the book were the notes taken from each Blackout Book Club meeting. The side comments from the secretary for the meeting were often hilarious and made me wish I could be physically present for the shenanigans. 

The Blackout Book Club is such a unique story concept, and I loved it from start to finish.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.