Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Left to Love and My Forever by Jolene B. Perry


Left to Love

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher: Next Door Publishing

Published: June 8, 2012

ISBN13: 9781477548363

286 pages

FTY FYI: Review copy

Goodreads Summary: Leigh’s life is shaping up to be pretty perfect.
She married the father of a little boy she fell in love with. They live in a nice house, on a quiet street, and her hobby of a sewing business is keeping her busier than she ever imagined. She’s back in touch with her brother who she hasn’t seen since she was a child, and her new husband has an “in” for his dream job when he graduates in the spring.
But when her small symptoms begin to lead up to something big - she has to face the shattering realization that her cancer is back.
Leigh struggles with her new marriage, her faith, her desire to adopt the little boy who calls her mom, and the strength to keep fighting for her life.

My Review

I am a huge fan of Jolene's and her stories.  When I asked to read and review The Next Door Boys last year, I instantly fell in love with the characters.  I was so excited to know that Jolene had written more for Leigh and Brian.

Leigh's cancer is back, with a vengeance.  So much is different for Leigh this time around, especially her faith.  As Brian struggles to help her, and Leigh struggles with her own feelings of trying to adopt Brian's sweet son Nathan, while his mom is in jail.  Leigh lets the cancer get the best of her, and finds herself questioning her faith. While dealing with her long absent brother Joseph, and why he left the family so many years before.

There were so many things I loved about this book.  My heart broke for Leigh, but also Brian as he wanted to help her so much, but didn't know what to do for her.  Nathan was a ray of sunshine in the story, what a sweet kid he is.  I feel that Leigh learned a lot during her cancer treatment, most of it learned from a visit from an old friend.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  I cried a lot, but also smiled a lot.  Jolene is such a talented author, and I loved being a part of these amazing stories.

My Forever

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher: Next Door Publishing

Expected Publish Date: August 3, 2012

ISBN:

178 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Goodreads Summary: A novel about finding your place in the world when nothing goes as planned...

Told from the POV of Dani (Danielle), a high school senior.

A companion novel to The Next Door Boys and Left to Love.


My Review

Dani is the daughter of a pastor.  She has a big family, and feels a little lost in all the chaos sometimes.  Right when we meet Dani, she finds out she's pregnant.  She feels lost, but knows deep down that she shouldn't be the one to raise the baby.  Not being able to turn to her family, she turns to a boy Michael who shared with her a couple years back that he was adopted.  Dani tells him she is pregnant, and he tells her about LDS Family Services.  Right away she feels that is the path for her.

I loved this book.  I think that it is my favorite from Jolene.  A lot a tragedy happens to Dani, but also a lot of good.  I loved her experiences, and how she learns to have the Holy Ghost be her guide.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

I have an exciting giveaway for you!  Jolene is generously donating her series in paperback to one lucky winner. 
The Next Door BoysLeft to Love, and My Forever.


If you would like an eBook copy instead, I'm giving away the PDF's on LDSWBR. 
You can enter both places.

Fill out the form below, and you're entered.  US ONLY. Winner announced August 15th, 2012.

Read more about Jolene and her books on her blog.  Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

13 comments:

  1. There are so many books I'm looking forward to reading, but this week I'm excited about Endlessly, which will hopefully be waiting in my mailbox when I get home from vacation. :)

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  2. Out of these two? Left to Love probably, because the library doesn't have it yet. :)

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  3. Nice review looking forward to reading!

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  4. I just checked to see if they are in the Salt Lake County Library system and they aren't. I did read The Next Door Boys and loved it! I can't wait to read the other two books!

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  5. I haven't read them yet but I can't wait to! They have been on my TBR list forever!

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  6. I have read the first two, but am excited to read them againn

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  7. Ack! I had no idea there was another book about Leigh and Brian. Loved The Next Door Boys! I'm so in.

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  8. Thanks for the great giveaway! I want to read all of them but of the two you had listed I really want to read Left to Love!

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  9. I've been wanting to read all of these! I've been on a romance kick lately and I've been buying up all the books from these wonderful Indie authors.

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. I love all of Jo's books. She's amazing!

    And a book I want to read (besides these ones of course ;)) is Ali Cross's Desolate. Can't wait to get my hands on that one :)

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  12. I can't pick just one.......I'd LOVE to read all of them!!!!

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  13. I haven't had a chance to read any of these yet, but I've read several other by Jo. Love them all. One I hope to get to soon is Drowning Instinct by Isla Bick.

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