Pamela S. MeyersCritiques

I found this book in a Free Little Library and only picked it up because the setting of the story was close to home. Wow, I thought it might be a cheesy hallmark sort of story and the love story was like most, but the rest of the details and storyline was just so great! There were many surprises and I enjoyed reading it to see what would happen next. So glad I decided to give it a go!

Culinary Travels effectively combines travel narrative with cooking and recipes. There are a lot of things to like about this book. For me, the best part was reading the recipes with their lovely color photos. The recipes represent different countries and cultures. Each section of the book includes a short narrative section with author comments about the cultures visited and representative foods and recipes. Most impressive is the conciseness of the recipes, with clear instructions, making them doable for home chefs. You do not have to be a professional chef or own professional kitchen implements to duplicate the recipes included. They also present a wide variety of dishes, so there should be something to appeal to any readers interested in cooking and recipes from different countries and cultures. Even if you are not a cook, reading this book will transport you to different places that you might never get to visit. Conversely, reading this book might also encourage you to visit some of the places described in the narrative sections, just to try the foods!

I received this book from Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Surprised by Love in Lake Geneva is a love story and history story successfully wrapped into one good read. The two main characters are very well developed. The story flows nicely and is believable. The side characters are understandable but not as well developed though this in no way detracts from the book. The editing was good but not perfect. A few wrong words a few missed punctuation or just wrong punctuation marks but nothing so annoying as having to re-read to understand. Just there. I would recommend this book to any who want a nice love story/ history lesson. Though I say history lesson, it is in no way like a text book. Just a look at life in the early 1930s. I was given this book through Bookfun.org because I asked to be able to read and review it.

There are some books that stay with you long after you have read the last page. This book is one of them. The author has taken me back to the 1930s with words that capture the era with splendid details. I loved the description of the town . It was like a breath of fresh air with the authors vivid details of a small town where you feel instantly at home.

Meg is a wonderful character with grace and determination. Her desire to be a reporter is no secret to anyone. I loved how the author showed that it wasn't easy for a woman to get a job that was thought of as a man's job. What I really liked about Meg was her faith. She had times where she wondered if God was listening to her, but she never gave up. I loved how she struggled with trust and it made the story very compelling. I'm sure we have all struggled at times with trusting God.

Jack was a good character and I liked his honesty and his willingness to help out at the newspaper. Circumstances happen to allow Jack to run the local newspaper for awhile. Will he give Meg a chance to write a story to be printed? I loved how Meg shared God with Jack and got him to start going to church. Can Jack open his heart and let God in?

One of my favorite parts of the story was the disagreement Meg and her dad had over her future. I thought the author wrote a powerful storyline about how a father wants the best for his child . The pain and hurt that they both felt was an incredible journey of trusting and unconditional love. It was one of the most emotional times in the story where I cried, because I wanted father and daughter to mend their relationship.

I loved how the author included a bit of a mystery in the story that will affect several keys characters . What secret is revealed that will change the lives of several people? I loved everything about the book and always look forward to the authors next book . It was one the best books I've read about learning to trust God and restoring relationships.

I received a copy of this book from the author and The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.

This book was a very well written love story. It is your typical love story but the characters are well developed and the story flows well. The editing was well done. Not perfect but not distracting either. If you like love stories that are clean and well written, you will enjoy this book. All loose ends are tied up in the epilogue. I asked bookfun.org for a copy of this book to review of my own free will.

Sydney is such a wonderful character. I loved how the author showed her flaws and struggles. As I read the story I could see a bit of myself in Sydney. She had been carrying guilt for such a long time because of her brother's accident. When her father died she once again blamed herself. Those painful memories have kept her locked away in her own prison where she wouldn't allow herself to be happy. She stopped doing things she loved because the memories were to painful for her. I think in a way she was punishing herself. How many of us go through something traumatic and shut the world out? When we get hurt we seem to turn away from people and have a hard time trusting anyone.

When Sydney gets an assignment to try to help renegotiate a contract I was excited to see how she would handle the situation. She has been looking to prove herself as a lawyer and maybe this can help her chances of getting a promotion. I absolutely loved the setting in Texas that she traveled to. I could picture the ranch she went to where her client lived. The author does a great job of giving readers insight into rodeos and how to take care of horses.

Jace is a changed man from when Sydney knew him several years ago. His priorities have changed and I loved how his faith played into the decisions he made about his life. Sydney has a lot to overcome and forgive herself for. Will she be able to open her heart and let Jace in? Jace has his own worries dealing with trying to keep the ranch, helping his brothers while getting to know Sydney again. I loved how each character prayed and asked God for help when the hard decisions had to be made. It's a lovely story that reminds us that we may not deserve a second chance, but God is merciful and gives us grace.

I received a copy of this book from The Book Club Network. The review is my own opinion.

Second Chance Love By Pamela S. Meyers
Book starts out with Sydney and she's a lawyer now at her late father's firm. She's yet to handle a court case but she hopes soon.
Harry is the one in charge and he's sent her a few off the record things to do. One is dealing with his nephew who's in trouble again this year. She almost married him two years ago.
Now he says he's changed he is Christian and observes it. He runs his bull contracting business in TX but travels around a lot with the bulls for rodeos. She's the city girl and loves it and her friends.
She couldn't persuade him to negotiate the contract he has that he is walking away from but he says with God in his life he cant' continue the contract. There are other financial concerns at home also...
She's now on her way to go visit him while he's on the road at a rodeo to give him one more shot to talk to her about the contract...
Jace has secrets from his mother and everybod else. He's trying to make Syd fall in love with him again...
Twists and turns that mean she has to do something first then maybe he'll negotiate, family problems get in the way from all angles.
Enjoyed the locations mentioned as we've yet to travel to that area of the US. Enjoyed story and careers of lawyer and rodeo/bull riding/raising and how they use their expertise to help the younger crowd.
Love how religion is interjected into the story and all the obstacles that come up where they rely on God.
Can't wait to read more from this author.
I was given the book by the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and here is my honest review.