Book Review: Chasing the Wild Sparks by Ren Alexander

Chasing the Wild Sparks

by Ren Alexander

Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 13, 2013)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 1299 KB
Print Length: 328 pages
Publisher: Ren Alexander (January 15, 2014)
Publication Date: January 15, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

Hmm. Rating this one is pretty hard and confusing for me. I liked the story but often, I was annoyed with the immaturity of all the characters here. They were all in their 30's and yet they're acting as if they were teenagers experiencing life problems for the first time. 

Hadley and I didn't get along during the first half of the story. I was just too displeased with how she handled things with Finn. Past the last quarter, I began to like her. I was often moved to tears just thinking about her dreams and future which she knew too well they were different with Fin's.  

I'm downloading the second book, I want to see which Hadley would choose: love (stay with Fin but be unhappy forever) or dreams (leave Fin and wait for the right man to fulfill her dreams).


About the book:

What would you do if the love of your life doesn’t want the same life you do?

Hadley Beckett has failed in not only her career, but as a daughter, friend, and girlfriend. 

Hadley’s longtime boyfriend, Finn Wilder, who is Richmond, Virginia’s local daredevil and favorite sportscaster, isn’t afraid of anything…except for LASIK surgery, dancing, marriage, and kids—the last two being what Hadley desperately wants with him. Finn leads a very public life; however, he leaves Hadley in the dark about most of it. Despite his public persona, Finn is viciously protective of his private life. Excluding their families, his best friend and Hadley’s friends, nobody knows he has been dating her for three years. Finn loves Hadley and he knows she wants to get married. Nevertheless, he has his own reasons for not wanting to marry her.

Fearing at 33 that she will soon be too old to have kids, Hadley wants Finn to change his mind and marry her, yet her insecurities about his seemingly charismatic personality and his constant rebuffs have her questioning her aspirations. With conflicting advice from her friends, Hadley concludes she should take things into her own hands.

Would he change his mind then?

Finn pressures Hadley into moving in with him, but being traditional, she wants to be married first and she wants to stick to her beliefs, just as he clings to his own. Finn has tolerated Hadley’s stubbornness long enough and he’s reaching his breaking point. 

Finn Wilder has his own story to tell.

Book Review: Summer's Dream by Mary E Hanks

Summer's Dream

Second Chance Series Book 3

by Mary E Hanks

Series: Second Chance Series
Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 20, 2015)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2114 KB
Print Length: 314 pages
Publication Date: October 19, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

I love second-chance romances, immediately purchased this without reading the whole synopsis. The story is sweet and heartwarming. I liked that the author wove a realistic relationship between husband and wife. The reconciliation with their newfound faith feels so right. Looking forward to reading Ms. Hanks other books in this series.

Purchase your copy

About the book:

Summer dreamed of becoming an artist and painting natural beauty on canvas. But all that changed when she married Joshua Hart, a man carrying a powerful dream of his own. With a temper to match his wild-boy good looks, he stormed out of their marriage to pursue a life as a musician, leaving her alone and, unbeknown to him, pregnant.

Five years later, Summer is busy raising her daughter and managing the family's camp and retreat center in the woods of Eastern Washington. With her artistic dreams all but forgotten, her world turns upside down the day Josh shows up with an offer to help her get the camp ready--and plans for divorce.

Only Josh didn't expect to find a blue-eyed darling who calls him "Daddy" living at Hart's Camp. Not to mention his surprise over the attraction he still feels for Summer Day. Can he make amends for the past? Or is it too late?

Ty and Winter Williams, marriage-retreat speakers, share their heartwarming story of second chances, and Summer and Josh must face the choices they've made. Is God's grace enough to carry them through the divorce? Or can He change their hearts and help them find their way back to love?

Book Review: The 5 Money Personalities by Scott and Bethany Palmer

The 5 Money Personalities 

Authors: Scott and Bethany Palmer
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 1, 2013)
Amazon Link

Kindle Edition
File Size: 185 KB
Print Length: 58 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1401678335
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 1, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Booksneeze. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★  

My thoughts: 

I understand from the book description that it is a self-help book for couples experiencing money troubles. I was just expecting something more, you know, like providing budget, saving and financial advices. Well, the authors only explained the money personalities which I didn't really get or I was just too bored reading through it to understand. I'm also not impressed with the author's relationship advices, they were just regular advices I'd get from friends. The book didn't work for me, found myself skimming through so I could be done reading this. 

If you are looking for a financial book, like how to budget, manage, save money, etc., do not pick up this book. Amazon 5 star reviews

About the book

Every couple argues about money. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been married for 40 years or dating for 4 months, money touches every decision you make as a couple—from the $5 cup of coffee to the $50,000 car. And when the two of you don’t see eye-to-eye on how much to spend or how much to save, that’s when arguments turn into ugly toxic fights that leave both persons feeling hurt and angry. It’s why money has become the #1 cause of divorce in the U.S. Obviously, something needs to change. The reason this crisis has not been addressed is because it has never been identified, defined, or given a name. Scott and Bethany Palmer, aka “The Money Couple,” have identified and defined this problem and offer concrete solutions to fix it.

Once you know your Money Personality, you can get to the root of money arguments and start really working together. You’ll discover what has an impact on your loved one’s money decisions, and you’ll learn how to talk about money in a way that’s actually fun! You’ll figure out how to put an end to money secrets and lies once and for all.

It’s not just about money management, and it’s definitely not just about overcoming debt. It is a whole new way of living that will change everything in your relationship. Tens of thousands have already been transformed. Are you ready?

About the author

Scott and Bethany Palmer “The Money Couple”, have dedicated their lives to helping others strengthen their relationships with the 5 Money Personalities. With 43 years of combined financial planning experience, they launched “The Money Couple” and are regulars on national TV and radio and speak internationally about love and money. Scott and Bethany enjoy an active lifestyle in Colorado with their two young sons, Cole and Cade.