Just Destiny by Theresa Rizzo

Just Destiny by Theresa Rizzo
Published: March 2014

What would you do if your whole world fell apart?

Jenny Harrison made some poor choices in the past, but marrying Gabe was the best thing she’d ever done. They had the perfect marriage, until a tragic accident leaves Gabe brain dead and her world in ruins.

Devastated by grief, she decides to preserve the best of their love by conceiving his child, but Gabe’s family is adamantly opposed, even willing to chance exposing long-held family secrets to stop her. Caught in a web of twisted motives and contentious legal issues, Jenny turns to best friend and attorney, Steve Grant. Steve wants to help Jenny, but he has reservations and secrets of his own.

When something so private and simple turns public and complicated, will Jenny relent? What is Steve willing to sacrifice to help Jenny?

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My Review:

Just Destiny is emotional and heartbreaking. Whether you agree with Jenny's choices are not, this story forces you to think about what you would do if your world was suddenly turned upside down and you lost just about everything. Jenny chooses the path that she feels she needs to piece her life back together, and thankfully, she has some great friends and family to help her. Theresa Rizzo has managed to effectively portray a devastating tragedy and the emotional aftermath, and my heart went out to Jenny more than once during some particularly heart-tugging scenes. If you like contemporary women's fiction that makes you reach for the tissues, I would definitely recommend this one.

Copy was provided for a review.

About the author:

Theresa Rizzo is an award-winning author who writes emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials. Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she now lives outside of Boulder, Colorado with her husband of thirty years. 

Learn more at theresarizzo.com.    

Ava's Wishes by Karen Pokras

Ava's Wishes by Karen Pokras
Published May 26, 2014
by Grand Daisy Press

Ava Haines had big plans for her life. Her short-term goals included passing Statistics (on the third try), graduating college on time, and securing a job in the art gallery on Main Street. Her long-term goal was to one day own an art gallery of her very own. Oh sure, she would some day like to fall in love and get married, but all of that was secondary to making sure her other goals were in line. Fellow student Max Wallis and esteemed photographer Thomas Malloy were just minor distractions she was more than capable of handling. She was entitled to a little fun once in a while, right? However, as reality takes a tumble, Ava begins to wonder if she really can manage it all. Will all her wishes come true?

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My Review:

All Ava was worried about was passing her statistics class so that she could graduate and get a job. She wasn't looking for a relationship. But life had other plans for Ava because suddenly there are two men in her life. While I had a feeling early on that something was just not quite right with one of them, I was completely shocked at the plot twist. Sometimes things are not what they appear to be.   

Ava's Wishes is an excellent first book in a new series, Whispered Wishes. Karen Pokras, who has also published middle-grade books as Karen Pokras Toz, seems to be a natural at chick-lit. I was very impressed with how Ms. Pokras provided enough of a glimpse at Ava's two sisters to make readers already interested in reading their stories while still keeping the focus of this book on Ava. 

If you enjoy sweet chick-lit stories with clean romance then this book is a good choice, and I would definitely recommend it.

Copy was provided for review.

About the author:

Karen Pokras writes adult contemporary and middle grade fiction under the names Karen Pokras and Karen Pokras Toz. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, the Grand Prize in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For children, her books include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adult readers, Karen’s books include Chasing Invisible, and her soon to be released, Whispered Wishes series. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her family.  

Find out more at KarenPokras.com.