"Shameless" by Cheryl Douglas Book Review

Read more information about the book (even though the giveaway and tour are officially over) here.


Shameless by Cheryl Douglas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Country music, romance, and even a little bit of mystery--this makes up this particular romance by Cheryl Douglas.  I have to say that I loved the country music aspect, and I loved the fact that Trey and Sierra loved each other enough to make some real sacrifices for each other.  It is a shame that they weren't open and honest with each other--they would have saved themselves a lot of heartache.  This book reminds you that second chance love may not be such a bad thing.

If you are looking for a very hot romance, then this book is for you.  Sierra and Trey cannot keep their hands off of each other!  And that is my issue with the book.  It's honestly not the sex because I don't really mark down books for that.  My issue was that it often seemed that was all these two had going for them.  I would have preferred seeing more of the relationship between the two of them develop in other ways.  Yes, there was profanity--so be warned if you don't like that.  But I could handle that, and the book is not marked down in any way for that.  I just wanted to see Sierra and Trey be romantic without being sexual.  While sex is extremely important in a relationship, I don't think it should be the central thing.  I also found that Trey's perception of casual sex grated against me.  I would struggle to be with a man who had no problem with "platonic sex" (if that is a word).  but those are just personal preferences of mine.

On the flip side, the book is well-written, cohesive, and a very easy ride.  And again--if a hot love story is what you want (without chapters of steamy bedroom scenes--thanks to Cheryl Douglas for not putting lots of detail in the intimate scenes), this is definitely the book for you.  And with a backdrop of country music, how could you go wrong?

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


View all my reviews

Pump Up Your Book Presents Twang Virtual Book Publicity Tour Review

Join Julie L. Cannon, author of the Christian fiction, Twang, as she tours the blogosphere September 4 – 28 2012 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

ABOUT JULIE L. CANNON

Julie L. Cannon is a bestselling author, speaker and teacher. She believes that using your memories to write autobiographical fiction is both cathartic and powerful, and when Julie isn’t busy writing, she can be found leading memoir workshops, encouraging others to encourage others on this journey called Life. Julie has captured many awards in the ABA as well as the CBA. She loves growing flowers and listening to country music at her home off Hog Mountain Road in Watkinsville, Georgia.

Her latest book is the Christian fiction novel, Twang.

You can learn more about Julie L. Cannon at www.julielcannon.com.

Friend Julie L. Cannon on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JulieLCannon.

Become a fan of Julie L. Cannon at Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JulieLCannon

Purchase your copy of Julie L. Cannon’s Twang at Abingdon Books:  http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=7213

Pick up your paperback copy of Julie L. Cannon’s Twang at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Twang-Julie-L-Cannon/dp/142671470X

Pick up your copy of Julie L. Cannon’s Twang at B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twang-julie-l-cannon/1108857096

ABOUT TWANG

The songs Jennifer Clodfelter writes and sings aren’t from her imagination. With innocence and passion, Jenny pours the pain from her childhood into the lyrics of one Billboard Country hit after another. Her manager assures her that confronting formative years wrapped in violence and poverty is a necessary evil, part of the unstoppable force of her destiny to become a Country Music Diva. And for a while, little Jenny Cloud is in heaven. She basks in the spotlight on stage and the wild applause of her fans. But as she pours herself into writing more and more autobiographical songs, Jenny begins to find the emotional fallout is staggering. When she revisits a dark memory she thought was long-buried, she begins to seriously wonder if the high price she’s paying to write her hits is worth it. Jenny’s hairdresser, Tonilynn, sees the wounded little girl beneath the star’s on-stage smiles and she attempts to fix her broken spirit along with her hair by counseling Jenny to pour yet another long-repressed story of her father into a song. Is singing for her sanity a possibility in this instance? Would another hit song be therapy enough to reconcile Jenny and her dark past? Jenny Cloud faces the music with music.

Twang by Julie L. Cannon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a pretty typical Christian book with some things that set it apart from other books in the genre.  Adding in the author's love of country music and following Jennifer as she rose from obscurity did make this somewhat intriguing at times.  I also love country music, and the insight into this amazing industry often captured my imagination and made me think about the stories of some of the current country stars.

The gospel was presented in its entirety in this book, but sometimes it seemed a little forced or even out of place.  I was glad to see the ending occurred as it did, but it was pretty predictable.  There was nothing that really took me by surprise, and everything happened like you thought it would.  That makes it a light-hearted, easy-to-read book.

It was good to have the inclusion of the Nashville floods from a couple years ago because that is something that time has forgotten.  I am also pleased to report that there was no profanity nor sex scenes included--a nice, clean read.  I did feel a couple loose ends were never tied up, but that happens in books now and then.

If you are looking for a feel-good book that appeals to country music fans, this would be a book to read.  Nothing deep, but this is an unpretentious book that happens just as it should.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

To follow the entire tour, click here.

This Day in History June 3, 1989

How about some happy news today?  It was on this date in 1989 that Reba McEntire married her manager, Narvel Blackstock, and they are still married to this date!  Okay, I know that she was married once before, but she even recognizes that her first marriage was a mistake.  She was too young.  But, hey, she and her husband must be doing something right to be married as long as they have been.  And very happily married, from what I can tell.  They have one son--Shelby--born in 1990.

I have always known the name Reba McEntire long before I was a country music fan.  I can remember seeing her in TV specials as I was growing up.  She is one of those rare talents in country music.  She sings, acts, and remains current.  She has been on Broadway, on TV, in movies, and more.  Whenever I used to teach about her in music class, the kids knew her because of her show Reba.


In honor of their 23rd wedding anniversary, I will post this video of hers.



For more information, please check out:
http://www.thenew93q.com/lsp/a5766/
http://usspost.com/reba-mcentire-narvel-blackstock-married-for-22-years-65688/
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/mcentire_reba/bio.jhtml
http://celebritywonder.ugo.com/html/rebamcentire.html

Rascal Flatts Changed CD Review and Flyaway Contest

You may have noticed this widget in my sidebar, and I thought I would let you know a little bit more about why it is there.

I became a fan of Rascal Flatts when I first heard them sing in the First Cars movie:  "Life is a Highway."  I liked the song, and I enjoyed the video.  And, my daughter, became a big time fan of theirs.  So I thought I would check them out.  I bought a CD or two, and I really enjoyed their songs.


Some time after that, I noticed a change I did not like in the group.  Their music did not seem to be of the same caliber.  I noticed that the lead singer became rather heavy (I'm not complaining--I was actually concerned about his health), and his hair stuck up higher and higher each time I saw him.  I also found that every song they were singing featured their lead singer straining to sing notes that were too high for him.


About a year ago (give or take), I heard that they had switched recording companies, and they were now with Big Machine Records, the same company as Taylor Swift.  I began to notice a change.  It seemed that the lead singer had lost weight, and his hair was under control.  Their sound was better, and their song choice was pretty good.  I began to like the songs they were singing.


A couple weeks ago, they performed on Dancing With the Stars, and I was impressed with their song "Changed."  One thing I had initially appreciated about them was that they often sang songs that meant something.  And this was a definite return to that style.  I got on Amazon and instantly ordered their new CD which I have not stopped playing in my car's stereo since it arrived!


Their new CD Changed is a return to what Rascal Flatts does best.  No straining, songs that mean something, and country-infused rock/pop songs!  My favorite song is still "Changed," but I also love "Banjo" amongst others.  


There is also a contest, as I mentioned.  Here's the info about that.


About the Flyaway Contest
One lucky winner and their guest will be treated to two tickets and meet-and-greet passes to see Rascal Flatts on their summer American Band Tour kicking off in June with Eli Young Band, Little Big Town and Edens Edge. They'll even get the rock star treatment with round-trip airfare and a night’s stay in a hotel. Contest ends April 30th.


Either click on the widget above or here.


The information I have shared here is provided by http://www.one2onenetwork.com of which I am a member.

Music Monday--Some Random Music Videos

Well, I should be doing a CD review.  I do have a couple waiting in the wings, but I decided I didn't feel like it.  I happened to check out Taylor Swift's new music video featuring a song from the upcoming film The Hunger Games. Martin did not like it all that well, he told me. And I didn't when I first heard it.  But now that I have watched the video, I can appreciate the significance of it.  And she looks really good.  Her voice is different, and I am going to post it here.  Enjoy!

Safe & Sound - New Broadcast Version/Closed-Captioned/The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond

Taylor Swift | Myspace Music Videos

Moving on, there has been a country song that I heard a couple months ago, I think, that I loved the first time I heard it. I had been meaning to look up the video, but I just didn't think about it.  Dierks Bentley is not someone I really tend to like.  He has a big head, and most of his songs do not resonate with me.  But once in a while, he releases a song that just captures something within me.  And his current single Home does just that for me.  If you don't like country, still give this one a try.  I think that if you are an American, this will remind you of why you are proud to be one.



And finally, this weekend, I overheard that Lauren Alaina (whom I knew was touring with Jason Aldean) sings Don't You Wanna Stay with him in the concert.  This is in lieu of Kelly Clarkson.  Now, while I cannot say that she is the absolute best fit for this song, I think that she is in the process of making it her own.  I would like to see her even do more with it.  And the redneck girl they have to escort off the stage in this video is pretty interesting.  Enjoy!