That Just Happened!

I have been remiss about this review.  I had won this book in a giveaway hosted by Nely @ All About {n} and I never did post the review, although I had read it right after I got it.  I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not grateful and I apologize for the oversight.  That being said, here is my review.

Porter, Jane.  She’s Gone Country.   Hachette Book Group (2010).

Shey Darcy, a 39-year-old former top model for Vogue and Sports Illustrated led a charmed life in New York City with a handsome photographer husband until the day he announced he’d fallen in love with someone else. Left to pick up the pieces of her once happy world, Shey decides to move back home to Texas with her three teenage sons. Life on the family ranch, however, brings with it a whole new host of dramas starting with differences of opinion with her staunch Southern Baptist mother, her rugged but overprotective brothers, and daily battles with her three sons who are also struggling to find themselves.

Hachette Book Group

This was a pretty well written story.  Although it is not the typical book I would pick up I am glad I won this because I was pleasantly surprised.  The characters had more depth than I was expecting from what I consider a “romantic” novel.  They struggled through moving, divorce, reconnecting with old flames and typical family stuff and the ending wasn’t a given.  Of course, you hope that all will work out for the best, but I was really unsure through the book.  I liked that it wasn’t obvious and there was a little uncertainty. 

The main character Shey is the girl you want to hate, but can’t.  She’s beautiful and still has her model body after 2 kids and over 40 years, she’s nice and people like her, she has a great family, and she is humble as all get out.  Argh, I’d settle for having the model body just for now!  I liked reading about her modelling exploits as well her adventures in love and raising two boys on a ranch.  It always sounds so romantic with the horses, farm land, farm boys…but the reality is I am allergic to horses and I am not an outdoor girl.  I like being able to read about it inside and picture in my head that I’m outside and this book makes it easy to picture.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good read.  This is one to put on your TBR list.

Yeah, That Just Happened!

Usually at this time of year I am extolling the virtues of waiting until December to start the advertising campaigns, Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas cups at Starbucks, but this year I have been bitten by the Christmas bug.  I am actually really looking forward to the Christmas season and I have generally been in the Christmas mood lately.  Setting up your decorations on Halloween is still ridiculous,  but I think that between this week and the next I get it.

Perhaps it’s because the weather here has been so un-Christmas-like I am looking for something to remind me of the season.  Perhaps it’s easier to get excited when you think it is possible that you won’t be driving from city to city, house to house, in wretched weather.  I’ve also started in on the Christmas presents as I have decided I am going to make a lot of them this year.  Either way, to help me enjoy the season this year, I’m going to participate in the 2010 Holiday Reading Challenge  hosted by Nely @ All About {n}. 

This year Nely has decided to start a little earlier and I’m all for it.  Plus, I plan to read 5 books, but have been reading at a slower pace lately (I blame NaNoWriMo) so I appreciate the extra time.

I’ve already picked up some Christmas books and I look forward to starting soon.  This year I am planning to read:

1. The Memory Quilt by T.D. Jakes
2. The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman
3. The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark
4. Busy Body by M.C. Beaton
5. TBD.

Now I’m off to look up great gingerbread recipes.  After all, a girl needs sustenance when making her way through all these novels!

Yeah, That Just Happened!

Mary @ Sparkling Reviews is hosting an awesome  giveaway on her blog.  She is giving away a Kindle for reaching 500 followers and if she reaches 1000 followers she is going to throw in a gift card and a second prize!  I have been debating about getting a Kindle for a while and I decided to put it on my Christmas list, but if I won it that would be awesome!  The other cool thing about this giveaway is that you can earn extra entries for a lot of things, so your chances are better.  She even gives an extra entry for adding up all of your extra entries for her! 

Sparkling Reviews is such a cute site too.  Her blog is full of reviews and giveaways and she has a great format, so you won’t be disappointed to have it on your reader.  Go ahead and check it out because the contest closes November 18th!

Yeah, That Just Happened!