The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz

Title: The Inheritance of Beauty
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub Date: 02/08/2011
ISBN:  9781595545046
Author:  Nicole Seitz

At the age of 92 and 90, George and Maggie Jacobs are spending the rest of their days at Harmony House nursing home in South Caroline. Since the last time Maggie attacked by the stroke, she hardly talk to anyone. George and Maggie have known each other from birth and have been growing up together, with Maggie's brother, Ash, in Levy. George has been fall in love with Maggie since he was very young and at the age of 92, he still loves his wife very much.

One day, a mysterious package arrives, followed by a new resident at the nursing home forcing George to remember a past that he does not want to remember - 80 years ago, something had happen and it has changed all their life.

The story of The Inheritance of Beauty is not straightforward. It is narrated mostly by George and Maggie, jumping between present and flash back of their memory. And later part through the letters written by Ash. Despite this is not the first time I'm reading story written in this style, but at the beginning I have some difficulty following the storyline. Until reaching about half of the book, I begin able to grab the essence and started to enjoy reading the story.  

The Inheritance of Beauty is full of mystery and suspense, enough to hold my interest until the end where the truth is revealed. It is also a story about love, friendship and truth. The power of love, the power of the friendship, made George able to face the past and speak the truth. It is a beautiful story.


Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson via Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My 2011 CNY

Time flies. CNY for year 2011 finally is over. Ever since I get married, I stop enjoying CNY for many reasons. Not because of the extra expenses although it double my monthly expenses. But more on me don't enjoy it as much as I used to.

When I was young, during CNY everyone sure goes back to visit my paternal grandparents, who were residing with my youngest uncle during that time. I get to meet up with all my cousins. Despite we all have met up in the youngest uncle house, later my parents would still take us to go visit each uncle family one by one. And also it was only during CNY I get to eat those cookies, prawn crackers and not to forget soft drinks like coke. Other time, we don't get to eat and drink this kind of food. I miss those house to house visiting actually, miss meeting up with family members that we don't get to see very often.

However not everyone like to do visiting. There are some people, during CNY is staying at home waiting for people to come visit only. But then how many people will come visit you on first 2 days of CNY, except relatives? And how about if most of your relatives are at different town?

The only thing I'm glad is, both me and hubby are local and we don't have to travel far during CNY. No need to worry about stuck at the traffic jam in the highway, planning what time should leave, packing and unpacking, and not to forget lots of laundry after coming home.

This year CNY I'm determine to make myself enjoy the celebration. Every year CNY Day 1, after having lunch with the MIL and BIL family, I and hb will take the kids to my relatives' house. Ever since my paternal grandparents passed away few years back, all my uncles will gather at my aunt's house after lunch. And then, they will proceed to visit my grand uncle and lastly stop at my elder uncle's house. For the past 3 years, we were running late and we missed the stop at my aunt's house. This year we manage to get there before everyone leave to visit my grand uncle. I only get to meet all my uncles and aunty once a year during CNY. I really don't want to miss the opportunity to meet up with them. Some of my uncles leave quite far away so it always the best I get to meet all of them in one place. And what more, the kids get to meet up with their grand uncles and grand aunty. It is also a chance for me to meet up with my cousins and catch up with them.

This year, surprisingly MIL did not do any cooking at all. For the 3 days (CNY Eve Reunion dinner, CNY Day 1 lunch and dinner and CNY Day 2 lunch) we either dined out or packed from outside.

This year, I have many new records as compared to previous years CNY. I have done most visiting this year. 9 out of the 15days were spent visiting. Until the kids asks us almost everyday "mommy, today got kai kai?" We went to places that we have never been and solely rely on the Google maps since we don't have GPS. We get to meet up with most friends, even some that I don't get to meet for few years back. We even travel 1 hour just to go meet up and lou sang with some friends. Until the kids keep on asking us "mommy are we there yet? Why so long one?" LOL! I also gave most angpow away this year, until I don't have enough small notes and have to change with my mom. While in the past, I always have half the small notes left.

Lou sang is a MUST for me for CNY. I love yee sang and it is only available during CNY.

Overall, despite some "rushing hours" as we went to do the visiting after dinner during working days, it was quite a relaxing CNY to me.

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

Title: These Things Hidden
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: MIRA
Pub Date: 03/01/2011
ISBN:  9780778328797


Synopsis:

When teenager Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls' golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It's Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.

But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her estranged sister.

Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.


The Things Hidden is a story about family love, siblings love. It started with Allison being released from the jail. Despite it happened 5 years ago but the town of Linden Falls never forget the heinous crime Allison committed in the darkness of that one night. The story covers many thoughts and emotion from Allison, Brynn and other characters that add to the mystery. The narration jumps between characters and intertwines their lives. Despite there are many sub-plots and twists that made the whole thing looks complicated, it is not difficult to understand. The author did a good job keeping the suspense at a high level throughout and it wasn't until the very last chapter the entire mystery is laid out for you. I enjoy reading it very much.

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.


Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Galley.

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

Title: My One and Only

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint:         HQN Books

Pub Date: 03/29/2011

ISBN: 9780373775576     

Harper James is a divorce attorney back in her hometown. She has a fire-fighter boy friend Dennis. She is going to be 34 years old and she wants to settle down. Thus she has proposed to Dennis. At the same time, Harper received a call from her stepsister Willa, that she's getting married to Christopher, who is Harper's ex-husband, Nick's half brother. 

Harper has not been staying in touch with Nick for the past 12 years after they have divorced. Harper always thought they were too young during that time. Dennis is the man that she is considering settle down with after Nick. However Dennis is not ready to settle down yet. As they could not get the same flight, Dennis took the earlier flight back to home after attending Willa's wedding. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Harper is stuck and in order to go to the nearest airport to fly back home, she is forced to make a cross-country road trip with Nick. 

During the trip, Harper can't help thinking back all the memories with Nick. Despite they have been separated for 12 years, Nick still loves Harper. In Nick's eyes, Harper is always been the one. Another person that Harper can't let go, is her mother who left her when she was 13 years old. They were very close, like sisters. Harper can't understand why her mom suddenly left the home, and throughout all the years she has just sent 4 postcards. And no news from her ever since. 

Things happen during the road trip. Harper finally realizes she still loves Nick. But she can't just leave her life back in Massachussetts and stay with Nick who is based in New York. Again, she has to leave Nick. Just when she is trying to step back, figuring the next step, something unexpected happen when she reaches home and thing become messy. 

It is a touching love story. It reveals many thoughts and emotions of Harper, on Nick, and on her mother. She misses her mother very much. The relationship between Willa and Christopher, her father and her stepmother, and also relationship of Nick with his family members made her think a lot. The storyline of Harper at presents, her thoughts and frequent flash back of her memory with Nick and her mother, is seamless and well written. The pace is good and enough suspense to make me keep reading, to wonder what actually has happened between Nick and Harper, and if they will eventually get together again. It is a good read. I enjoy reading it very much.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Note: I receive the ARC of this book from Harlequin via Net Gallery.