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Kelly Cain

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Kelly Cain

Tag Archives: Review

Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Floating

10 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Review, Romance

Floating by Michelle Dare
Floating (Ray Point, #1)
by Michelle Dare (Goodreads Author)

3 of 5 stars
Read from December 04 to 06, 2015


Lucy lives on the beach with her realtor mom, but doesn’t go near it or the water because of anxiety stemming from an accident years before. She’s taking the summer off, having just finished college, before she begins looking for a teaching job.

Lucy’s ex-boyfriend is both her hero and her reminder of her traumatic past. She’s trying to keep him in the friend-zone where he has no intention of being. Enter Ellis, who has also taken the summer off to hang out with his best buds at his parents’ beach house, while waiting to take the bar exam and look for lawyer jobs.

Ellis is obsessed with Lucy from the first time he sees her and after some serious stalking with his friends, he finally has a chance to ask her out. The story is told from from both POVs through chapter exchanges, which is always an interesting way to find out how the characters each feel about unfolding events.

This was a quick, fun read other than the anxiety elements which is a pretty serious subject. It was part of the angst that a story like this has to have, but didn’t feel gratuitous. Lucy is a well thought-out character and the author does a great job conveying Lucy’s emotions.

Ellis was a good guy and he and Lucy had a sweet relationship. He was so different from her ex-boyfriend, Gabe, that it had me wondering a little how they both fit into her life. I suppose that happens though, although it wasn’t an entirely easy fit.

There were other surprises, like with her dad, and another issue with the ocean, that added positively to the overall story. This is a good read for those who like romance a little on the sweet side, but with a little steam as well.

I received an ecopy of this title through the New Adult Book Club in exchange for an honest review.

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Review – On the Rebound (Book 1 of the Irving University series) by Jim Cangany

14 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

≈ 3 Comments

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Review, Romance

On The Rebound by Jim Cangany
On The Rebound (Irving University, # 1)
by Jim Cangany (Goodreads Author)

4 of 5 stars
Read from November 10 to 14, 2015

I love sports (a lot) and romance. I don’t have an opportunity to read many books with sports in the forefront and especially not a romance novel, so I had been looking forward to reading this title for some time now. And even though I’m not a “sweet” romance type of girl, I really enjoyed it and didn’t feel that I was being ‘faded-to-black’ or missing out on a deeper romantic level. I was satisfied when I finished reading.

This is a sort-of-enemies to lovers romance between Greg and Ciara. I say ‘sort-of’ because Greg really holds no animosity towards Ciara, but her preconceived notions of him based on his reputation which was actually cleansed pits them as unnecessary adversaries. She finally spends enough actual time with him to discover what an incredible guy he really is only to throw it all away without even giving him a chance to explain.

This is the second novel I’ve read by this author and he creates such wonderful main characters that by the end, I’m rooting for them to find someone worthy of their love instead of the person they’re pursuing. It’s understandable that Ciara is cautious considering a past heartbreak, but good grief, the small mistake Greg makes solicits a completely unwarranted response. It doesn’t help that her best friend has never been able to see past Greg’s, well… past. The fact that Ciara chooses this woman as her best friend already makes me question her life choices.

In end… I’ll remember Greg Miller for years to come (as I do EJ from Jim Cangany’s first series). Their love interests? Not so much. And it’s not because their love interests are terrible people, they’re flawed just as we all are, but they’re just not good enough for our fellas.

The basketball game descriptions are compelling, especially in the game against “The Machine.” I felt as though I had been dropped into the field house on the tenth row, cheering for our team to pull out the win, experiencing the action as it unfolded. I even had a few pricks in the back of my eyes when Ciara gave her pre-game speech before the big one. But the sports action does not overwhelm what this book is – a romance. That’s always what’s in the forefront when reading this novel.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes sweet romances. Or even if that’s not your go-to, read anyway, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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Kelly Cain’s Reviews > The Edge of Nowhere

17 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Review

 The Edge of Nowhere by C.H. Armstrong
The Edge of Nowhere
by C.H. Armstrong (Goodreads Author)

4 of 5 stars
Read from October 14 to 16, 2015


A few weeks ago, it was National Uncles and Aunts Day. The author of this title tweeted out a link to her website article outlining which relatives the various characters in her book were based on. I quickly read through them with a small amount of interest. After finishing this novel last night, although it was extremely late, I immediately went back to that article (after quite a bit of searching) and read with a much greater amount of interest.

The Edge of Nowhere is about a woman who felt her only option in life was to be strong. There’s a good reason for this after going through unimaginable situation after situation. She’s widowed during the Oklahoma Dust Bowl with many mouths to feed-not her first tragedy by far. Even with that, for the life of me, I could not muster sympathy for this woman. She was rigid and unmoving when she didn’t have to be. If she could have tempered some of her strength with common courtesy, she probably could have fared much better without having to make some of the sacrifices she made. I did cheer for her though and wanted her to come to better circumstances, especially for the sake of her children.

This isn’t a feel-good story, nor is it billed that way, but it’s a really good story-a story that I’m glad I had a chance to read. It’s set during a period in our history that was devastating yet the author didn’t steep us in absolute misery where we wouldn’t want to continue reading.

I would have liked to see more of her anger rather than being told she was very angry, but that’s extremely minor in the grand scheme of the story. I could use my imagination to understand how angry she must be.

Overall I would recommend this book, especially to those who like historical fiction, women’s fiction, or just a strong story.

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Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Never Too Late

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Review

 Never Too Late by Jo Barney
Never Too Late
by Jo Barney (Goodreads Author)

4 of 5 stars
Read from October 02 to 05, 2015


This was an easy, quick read, but that’s not to minimize the strong themes present throughout.

Edith wakes up on Christmas morning to a dead husband who she didn’t really like all that much. She goes on a journey to figure out some mysteries her husband left behind, but instead solves some mysteries about herself she didn’t realize needed solving.

I loved the way the author handles race in this novel. Edith’s (who is white) sleuthing takes her to a predominantly black establishment and her dialogue (both internal and external) is so honest. She doesn’t try to be politically correct and that was refreshing.

This book is marketed as HenLit, and it is, but please do not let that deter you from reading if you’re not of a certain age. I don’t fall into the target audience and probably wasn’t super excited about reading it initially, but I would have seriously missed out on a wonderful book if I hadn’t decided to jump in. I can’t wait to read the other two novels she has out.

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Kelly Cain’s Reviews > A Thing of Beauty

10 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Review

 A Thing of Beauty by Bianca M. Schwarz
A Thing of Beauty
by Bianca M. Schwarz (Goodreads Author)

Sep 10, 15 ·  edit
4 of 5 stars
Read from September 08 to 09, 2015


I love historical fiction set in the UK. Add in mystery and romance – even better. So I had high expectations when I began this novel.

It did not disappoint.

The heroine, Eliza, is beautiful, smart, strong, and by all accounts, should be damaged beyond belief. But it was the hero, Sir Henry, who stole the show for me. He is a proper hero: physically attractive, brave, insanely rich, but most of all, kind and good. He doesn’t give a second thought to do for others, especially Eliza in her broken state.

As the mystery unfolds, we are introduced to the author’s vivid descriptions. At the retelling of a particularly horrendous act, we are dumped into the scene – the last place we want to be. The graphic nature with how Daisie tells her story had me both angry and uncomfortable, however, it is not gratuitous. When we are finally confronted with the actual environment from Daisie’s story, even knowing the space was unoccupied, I stilled skimmed through.

I would have liked to have seen more of Sir Henry’s relationship with his daughter, Emily, earlier rather than only hearing about it. I believe the stakes would have felt higher for me. Maybe more actual involvement of Emily to the plot as well. But those are small complaints that are easily overlooked because of the overall enjoyment of reading this book.

I highly recommend to any reader.

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Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Mind of the Phoenix

27 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Mind of the Phoenix by Jamie McLachlan
Mind of the Phoenix
by Jamie McLachlan (Goodreads Author)

Aug 27, 15 ·  edit
4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: currently-reading

Read from August 21 to 27, 2015

This book epitomizes the phrase “leave them wanting more.” I knew I was getting to the end, but I wanted it to last so much longer. Thankfully, there will be a sequel. There are some questions answered, but the important ones still linger.

Moira has not had it easy as a slave and concubine. In the world she lives in, she hasn’t had many choices and this has severely affected her outlook. Every decision she makes is colored by her past until she begins to trust and love (completely unbeknownst to even her) the detective she’s paired with to solve the identity of the mysterious Phoenix.

Like her dream weavers, the author constructs a world that feels real and is somewhere I can easily visualize. I am reminded of The Infernal Devices, a series I dearly love.

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Kelly Cain’s Reviews > Ditch Flowers

23 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Review, Women's Fiction

Ditch Flowers by Amanda Linsmeier
Ditch Flowers
by Amanda Linsmeier (Goodreads Author)

5 of 5 stars
Read from August 21 to 23, 2015

 

The writing in Ditch Flowers is sybaritic and mesmerizing. It does not surprise me to learn the author also pens poetry. I was captivated from the first page.

I have never experienced miscarriage or the loss of a child, but somehow, I was able to identify with Julia. There have been times I haven’t received what I wanted desperately. Also, perhaps like most people, I have experienced betrayal of trust. She is a strong woman and while she makes choices that possibly I wouldn’t make, I could certainly feel why she makes them.

I certainly had leaky eyes several times during this read, but somehow I didn’t feel sad. Julia was loved and there was never an uncertainty of that, at least not to me. The question was would it be enough. I felt she would be okay either way she choice.

I highly recommend reading this book. There will be no regrets.

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Review: Natural Attraction

10 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by Kelly Cain in Goodreads Reviews

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Review

Natural Attraction by Catherine Haustein
Natural Attraction
by Catherine Haustein (Goodreads Author)

4 of 5 stars
Read from August 07 to 09, 2015


This book was a slow burn for sure. It steadily builds interest until it captures your attention completely and entirely. Somewhere around the half-way point, I could no longer put it down, even staying up past my bedtime to finish it.

Normally I wouldn’t think a scientific, historical western would be my thing, but this story has a wonderful romance at its heart. It also addresses some social issues such as women’s rights and religion without being too overt. Great read.

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Packed and ready to go. Too bad my flight was canceled. The bad news is that I lose a day visiting family however the good news is I have a whole free day to write. 😉 📚 Are you more a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full-type of person?
Sooooo last night instead of drafting the story I'm already more than half way through and have been making good progress on this week, I spent the evening creating character sketches for a new story @amandalinsmeier gave me the idea for. Darn you, Amanda.
Whole wheat croissants are rising in the oven, then I'm off to play a few holes of disc golf, and later... writing. I wrote a couple of chapters Friday and was surprised to slide back into my ms so easily after vacation. 📚 What are your Sunday plans?
I tried to capture Italia in my breakfast today. While there, I had lots of fruit and an omelet with salmon, artichokes, and brie each morning. Not quite the same, but when I closed my eyes, I could almost hear the Tyrrhenian Sea.
I'm in Amsterdam in case you haven't checked out my stories and check-ins. I'm staying very near to where my great-grandmother grew up and I think that's pretty neat. Also... I'm having a blasty blast.
I'm going to enjoy my seafood stuffed portabello then get back to work on querying. I only have a few more to send so hope to be done by Wednesday. Then back to drafting. Can't wait. 📚 Happy Monday! What are your plans for the week? 📚
I've had a couple of harsh over-the-top weeks on the day job but I'm officially free-ish. 📚 Tomorrow I go back to the dreaded synopsis and then some querying, but tonight I celebrate my reprieve. 📚 TGIF everyone!
It feels like forever since I've made green chili. So yummy and comforting. 📚 Lurking in the background is my faithful laptop. The good news is I finished my revisions last night. The bad news is I have to write a synopsis today. Nothing I loathe more I think. The thing is... I've already written one but now that I've learned more about them, I definitely need to start over. 📚 What's your comfort food?
I haven't had a lot of time to revise since Thursday, but last night I carved out some time before bed. I'm feeling much better about getting this done soon and out for query. I'm looking forward for Faith and Andrew's story to go out into the world. 📚 Have a loving week! 📚
I'm just sitting down for my first cup of coffee of the day and beginning the day's revision work. I've had a lot of errands and distractions this morning so tomorrow I'm going to wake up and head straight to the coffee shop to get some good quality writing time in. 📚 Do you read / write better at home or out somewhere? 📚
This is my RWA conference haul. Most are signed and if you saw my stories, that's where I got to meet Alyssa Cole who I admire so much. I was pretty much speechless and I'm sure she thought something was wrong with me, but she was gracious nonetheless. Another standout was Alisha Rai whose Forbidden Hearts series I really enjoyed. She was soooooo kind and engaging. An author who I'd heard good things about but haven't read yet is Mia Sosa. Again so nice (and she complimented my hair eep lol) so I can't wait to read her. 📚 Happy Friday! Are any of these on your #TBR or have you read any? 📚
I'll be posting more about my NYC trip to the RWA conference later this week, but am more focused on my revision today since I have today off from my day job AND I got this wonderful affirming email from someone I admire and trust. It's definitely given me energy to keep this manuscript alive and querying. 📚 Happy Monday. What are your plans this week? 📚

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