Changes are afoot!

While I have loved running this blog by myself, everything in life grows and changes. As it is with this blog. During the time I've had Jen's Corner, I have been given incredible opportunities. Several of those have been people using my blog to do their own reviews for books they have read. For the past several months I have thought long and hard about what the future of my blog will be. Should I shut It down and try to do reviews for other blogs? Should I take a break from reviewing all together? Should I see if anyone else would like to run this blog with me? I have weighed the pros and cons for each possibility and finally came up with my choice.

I have taken on another blogger who will become my partner in crime. Because of this, the blog will no longer be called Jen's Corner. Instead it will now be called Miss Book Lovers! In the coming months you will meet my new blog mate and get to know her. We have several fun ideas for what we want to do. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do!

The changes won't be severe, but slight and pleasant. I encourage you to check back often to see what's new. I will keep you posted!!

Born to Read!

The Inn At Rose Harbor

The Inn At Rose Harbor
By: Debbie Macomber
352 Pages
Reviewed By: Betsey Brooks

    I just finished reading "The Inn at Rose Harbor" by Debbie Macomber. It never fails to amaze me how Ms. Macomber intertwines characters from other Ceder Cove stories into the lives of new characters. It's like meeting old friends and making new ones.

    We meet Jo Marie, a young widow, as she sets out to make a new life for herself. She has come to Ceder Cove and purchased a bed and breakfast. Jo Marie has had no previous experience  running a bed and breakfast, but she knew this was where she was meant to be.  Her first visitor was Peggy Beldon. She and her husband own and operate a bed and breakfast further down the Cove. Peggy takes Jo Marie under her wing and gives her much needed advice in the day to day running of the Inn. This includes the name of a handyman that can build a sign featuring the new name of the Inn.  Mark Taylor turns out to be all, and more, than what Jo Marie expected.

     The first guest to arrive is Joshua Weaver. He has come back to the town he grew up in because his stepfather is dying.  Joshua and Richard never got along and the tension between them does not seem to have mellowed over the years. Michelle, a social worker and former childhood friend, has been helping to take care Richard. As Richard comes closer to the end of his life Michelle asks Joshua to come.  Joshua discovers he must face the past in order to find the future.

    Abby Kincaid is the second guest to arrive. She has come to celebrate her brother's wedding, but the excitement and joy of the occasion seems to be missing. Abby, like Joshua, grew up and left Ceder Cove after high school, not returning until now.  Memories of the fatal accident that took the life of her best friend, Angela, haunt Abby. Sure that everyone blames her for the tragedy, Abby fears meeting those friends she left behind ten years ago.  The unconditional love that Abby meets gives her the courage to face the demons that have haunted her all these years. Will she finally be able to move on?

    This story takes the reader into the lives of people carrying heavy burdens. Each one must find the courage to face truths about themselves as well as those they left behind. Debbie Macomber once again brings to life tragedy and shows the various ways her characters choose to handle it. You will walk along beside them as they go through this and into the future. So pull up a comfortable chair and put the world on hold. You will definitely want to visit Debbie Macomber's " The Inn at Rose Harbor" this summer.

Sharing Great Books

If I had a penny for every time I was called a bookworm, I would have enough to buy a lot of books. I remember being called that in junior high. When the "popular" kids were rushing to see the latest movie, I was engrossed in Anne of Green Gables. To me, there was nothing better than a good book.

As I have gotten older, and especially since starting a book blog, I've learned there is something just as good as finding a book that sucks you in: recommending it to someone and they love it every bit as much as you did.

This summer I had the chance to recommend several books I found to be absolutely wonderful to my cousin, Debbie. I told her about a few that I had me so engrossed they took my breath away. I was pretty sure she would enjoy them, but you never know. To my joy, she loved them all as much as I did!

She just finished reading a book I had the privilege to review, The Orchid House. This book is one that I couldn't put down. From beginning to end, I was so captivated. When Debbie bought it, I was a little nervous. What if she didn't like it? What if she regretted buying it? After all, there are so many genres of books because not everyone has the same taste. Knowing she had a set time to return it if she wanted to, I asked her to start the book right away. To my delight, she immediately had the same reaction I did. From page one, she was sucked in and immersed in the story. I was so relieved!

As she read the book, we were texting back and forth. It was amazing to read her reactions! It's like watching the world through a child's eyes. We had the same reactions at the same places! She was on the edge of her seat just like I was. She was blown away by the twists and turns in the plot, too! A book I adored had found another adoring fan!

Not only did she love The Orchid House, she's loved all the books I recommended to her! To me, that's a huge compliment. I'm still beaming from her saying I was her book guru. I love being able to review books and to share my thoughts with whomever wants to read my blog. I love, even more, when a book I've recommended is enjoyed. I don't think I'll be getting off of Book Cloud 9 any time soon. :) I wouldn't have it any other way.

Truth Be Told

Truth Be Told

By: Larry King

For 25 years, Larry King had an iconic show. He was given the opportunity to interview numerous people who have shaped our world. He was able to get to know these people in ways you and I will most likely never get to. Ever wonder what he thought of these people? Ever wonder what memories, guests, and moments stand out for him? Here's your chance to find out.

In Truth Be Told, Larry takes you for a walk down memory lane. You'll learn that every time Jerry Seinfeld was a guest on Larry King Live, he would steal Larry's clock and never give it back. You'll learn that one of his favorite songs is Janet Jackson's "Escapade" and that she gave him suspenders with the nipples cut out. You'll learn that Barbara Streisand was a diva who was always late for taped interviews, but was worth that wait.

You'll also take a trip down more serious side streets of Larry's life. He tells you how his Dad's unexpected death of a heart attack shaped his life. Larry tells you the decision for his departure was over the tabloid content his show had. He broaches his marital trouble with his current wife. He also informs you about his health. While he's more informative on some subjects and less on others, it's still a glance into a life I had only barely known of.

He shares amazing stories about Sidney Poitier's birth, meeting the richest man in the world and how down to earth the man was. Overall, the book gives you a little insight into people you don't really know. You'll get to learn of the human side to famous personas.

It was a fun, breezy read. I enjoyed getting the inside scoop on his show. I've always been fascinated with people and it was fun to look behind what the world sees. Some things I glanced over if they weren't of any interest to me. Other subjects I was engrossed in. I loved how Larry was more interested in the person, not the persona.

Rating: Borrow From The Library

When Creativity Returns...

I have missed my writing days. I've missed researching for the story, missed forming the plot, the characters, and the setting. I've missed the creativity of it all. However, being a Mommy to 2 young children, I didn't think I'd return to those days any time soon. Guess I was wrong. And it all started with a dream...

A couple of weeks ago I woke up from a dream. Usually, I wouldn't think twice about a dream and just go on with my life. But this dream was different. It wouldn't let go. Before long, where the dream left off, my creative side picked up. That's how I knew there was something to this dream. Maybe I was supposed to turn it into something. So now I am.

Knowing that my time isn't completely free to pursue this project whenever I want, I have no clue what will become of this story. I have written down thorough notes and am keeping everything that has to do with this project. I'm hoping I'll be able to see this project through from start to finish.

While I don't have the whole story mapped out, I do have the important parts. I'll say this is: it's another historical fiction piece and this house plays a big role.

If you couldn't tell by the style of the house, my time period is early 1900s. The above house is the model for the house in my story, but it isn't the actual house. The house in the above picture is the Long-Waterman House located in San Diego, California. Isn't it gorgeous?! Here's a picture of it from my time period.

Right now I'm in heavy research mode. I'm gathering all the facts and historical dates I need. Forming the storyline, characters, and setting as I go. I'm loving every minute of it. I feel my creative self coming out the further I go. I'm so excited!





Jen Recommends: Series

A good series is a treasure meant to be shared. So, here I have made a list of some of my favorite series. There's pretty much a little bit of everything in these selections. I hope you find something you like and want to try.

Wine Lover's Mystery Series- Michele Scott

Murder Uncorked is the first book in a series that is set on a winery in Napa. Without meaning to, Derek Malveaux gets Nikki Sands fired from her restaurant job. However, after being impressed with her wine knowledge, he offers her the position of manager of his family's winery. Before she even decides whether she wants the job or not, a dead body is found on the grounds. Nikki becomes the amateur detective, in real life, that she once played on a short lived TV show.
#2-Murder By The Glass
#3- Silenced By Syrah
#4- A Vintage Murder
#5- Corked By Cabernet
#6- A Toast To Murder

Spoils of Time Trilogy- Peny Vincenzi

No Angel kicks of the best Family Saga I've ever read. Over the course of 3 books, you follow the Lytton Family from the ground up. You see how Cecilia met Oliver, their marriage, and their children. You also get a front row seat to all the highs and lows the family endures as they build a hugely successful publishing house. From war to affairs, to betrayal, to success. This series has everything. I should warn you that each book is long. However, there was never a wasted page and the story is constantly moving.
#2- Something Dangerous
#3- Into Temptation



The Luxe Series- Anna Godbersen

Luxe takes you to the early 1900s. Here you meet a group of young adults navigating their way through life. Some have a very clear idea of how they want their life to turn out, while others think they do. One of the characters makes a decision that rocks everything she knows to the core. Over the four books, you see them all deal with the twists and turns life takes them in. Anna does an amazing job of taking you out of present day life, and transporting you to time that seems long ago in many ways.
#2- Rumors
#3- Envy
#4- Splendor

Flapper series- Jillian Larkin

Vixen welcomes you to the Roaring 20s. Prohibition is in full swing, as are all the Speakeasies. Gloria Carmody wants to be a Flapper. However, her lifestyle requires a different approach. But, Gloria and her best friend, Lorraine, get into a Speakeasy and nothing stays the same after that. Gloria falls for the "wrong" guy and must choose him or her "perfect" life that's waiting for her. Singing, jazz music, gin, and gangsters take you on a journey you won't want to see end in this series.
#2- Ingenue
#3- Diva


There are numerous other series I could list here, and I'm sure they will appear on my blog in the near future. However, these 3 sounded perfect for now. I hope you give them a try and find all the magic in them that I did.