One Step Over the Border: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)If you don't pay close attention, you might just slide over some of the subtle witticisms that make this book stand out. The banter between two good friends is worthy of old western movies when the language and plots were still clean. Stephen Bly doesn't hit you over the head with theology either, but if you miss God in this book, you must have your eyes closed. I finished this book ten minutes ago, and wish I had another three or four chapters to go, because I just wasn't ready to leave these wonderful characters.

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Award-winning author Stephen Bly weaves the tale of a pair of contemporary cowboys on a quest across the West. As a boy in Wyoming, Hap Bowmanfell in love with a girl namedJuanita. Ever since, he's experiencednothing but failure and misfortune.Laramie Majors--quiet,reserved, and patient to a fault--hasn't left Hap's side since theybecame rodeo partners right out ofcollege. Now, after spending mostof his adult life looking for Juanita,Hap wants to do one last bigsearch that will take them all overthe Southwest before he admits defeat.Together these two cowpokesfind themselves reluctant heroes ina series of misadventures as theytravel the West, all the while thinkingthat Hap's--or Laramie's--true love may be in thenext town.

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The Straits Review

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(More customer reviews)After a hurricane took the life of both his sister and his mother, Jim Beauregard now resides in a FEMA trailer with his aunt Mel. When Jim is fired after his arch-enemy sets him up and with FEMA placing The Straits under eviction, Jim's only hope is cards. Though participating in an illegal underground poker ring may be risky, Jim has no choice. Can one simple hand of Hold 'Em Texas get Jim enough money to survive eviction and even get Hollis Mulwray off his back for good? Or is there something more important at risk here?
.........
The Straits was an Ace read, not to mention there was a Full House of spectacular characters. Not only was it an edgy story of a guy living in a hurricane-depressed neighborhood who also constantly gets a bad reputation; but the story of letting go of self-blame. (Oh, yeah and I always wondered what really happened to all those people who lost their homes and were supposedly helped by FEMA.)
The book's settings leaped right out of the pages and into your mind. Jim and other important character's backgrounds were easily told in just a few short chapters leaving plenty of room for the emotional side of the story. Even though Jim's situations were not always pleasant, the storyline was absorbing: the characters, the poker games, the local teen hangout, the mysterious trailer, and the best ending you could ever hope for. I knew Hollis would get what was coming to him sooner or later, but what did happen was the best play yet.
You know what I truly liked about this book? The Straits was written so smoothly, it was like watching an actual movie in your head-even down to the last little camera shot detail. Since the author is a graduate student in a film program at Colombia University, welp, maybe someday The Straits will really come to life.... on the big screen.
Overall The Straits was a brilliant emotional journey of letting go, and one heck of a poker game.Genre: Realistic/Contemporary, Tragedy, Drama
Age Group: YA, ages 14+ Content: Some language, drinking
Personally Enjoyed It: 4/5 Rating (based on content): 3/5

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He could have saved them.

When a hurricane ripped through Florida last year, it leveled high school student Jim Beauregard's house—while his mom and sister were trapped inside.

Now "home" is a FEMA trailer, shared with his overweight and disabled aunt. Facing eviction, Jim's got to earn enough money for a new place, fast. But when he loses his construction job after being duped by his nemesis, Hollis Mulwray, Jim's got nothing left. Only by joining an underground poker gambling ring does he see a glimmer of hope—in a roomful of dangerous (and possibly crazy) older men.

But more could be at stake than he realizes.

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Undercover in High Heels Review

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(More customer reviews)Undercover in High Heels is a very fun and humorous mystery. The plot is simple enough and the mystery was very obvious, but what really makes this book is the great characters.
Maddie is spunky, tenacious, and great fun. She certainly isn't qualified for the roll she assumes, which causes her to stumble through the mysteries and mostly solves them by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, this adds to the overall humor of the book. All the secondary characters are also great. Jack Ramirez is a sexy and realistic character who cares about Maddie, even if he isn't sure how to deal with her antics. Dana, Maddie's best friend, is a sex addict trying to get help for her addiction which adds for some funny situations and moments. We also get to see more into the Tabloid reporter, Felix. He is the mysterious character who Maddie isn't quite sure how to react to. Maddie thinks she dislikes Felix, but it seems more like she doesn't wish to accept that she does actually like him. I am waiting to see what happens between Felix and Maddie, as there is some tension between the two that hopefully will be explored in later novels.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I am really liking this series. Granted, there are some incidents within this book that seems too convenient and sometimes not realistic, but the lightheartedness this book is going for seems to make it work. So if you are looking for a simple romantic-mystery with a delicious guy, then I highly recommend Undercover in High Heels for a nice lazy weekend.

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Secret affairs, hunky gardeners, and housewives desperate enough to bare it all... welcome to Magnolia Lane, TV's newest hit show.As the new wardrobe assistant, shoe designer Maddie Springer is in fashion heaven. But then a young starlet is found dead.Now it's up to Maddie to sift through a secretive leading lady, an actor on the verge of a nervous breakdown, a sexy cyber scandal, and one tabloid reporter who'll stop at nothing to get the story of the century.Not to mention her tangles with the infuriatingly sexy lead detective, Jack Ramirez. In a biz where lies and deception earn Emmys, Maddie will have to play the role of a lifetime to catch Hollywood's hottest killer.But if she doesn't watch her step, Maddie's fifteen minutes of fame just may be her last.

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Kiss an Angel Review

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(More customer reviews)I admit when I first read the plot of this book I was skeptical. Arranged marriage in this day & age? Socialite ends up in a circus with her groom? Sounded pretty hokey to me. Wow, was I wrong. Daisy's character was endearing, warts and all. She truly had a heart of gold. But it took a long time for anyone to realize that. At first you wanted to smack Alex on the side of the head, but he did end up redeeming himself beautifully.
Another reviewer commented on the implausibility of the Romanov connection. That aspect of the book fascinated me so much that I started researching Alexei Romanov. I've read several books on him, found extensive info on the Internet and found out the connection isn't so implausible after all. Let's just say, it's true, fact is stranger than fiction!
This book is definitely worth the read. You'll laugh & cry & cheer!

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