Surrender to Me by Kelly Elliott (Boggy Creek Valley #4)

 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57769034-surrender-to-me" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Surrender to Me (Boggy Creek Valley, #4)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639321937l/57769034._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57769034-surrender-to-me">Surrender to Me</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581091.Kelly_Elliott">Kelly Elliott</a><br/>

My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4492533783">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />

Kelly Elliott has written a book about a woman who was raped and how it effected her life. I was not sure how it would impact me, as I too have had a similar experience. While reading it, I realized that we all handle traumatic events in our lives so differently. I am sure this was hard for some people to read, but I did not feel that way. I wish I had pursued therapy, but I did not. The story does center around Bella's life, but it adds some wonderful characters along the way. All the characters are from the Boggy Creek series and they have such strong friendships. I wish everyone had friendships that are displayed in this series. I always feel like I am rooting for the characters.<br />

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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/111081580-elizabeth">View all my reviews</a>

Playing with Words by Kelly Elliott

 Playing with Words by Kelly Elliott

I am a huge fan of Kelly’s and I think I may say the same things about her books, but it should not diminish how I feel when reading them. I love, love, love, Greer and Hudson. I laughed so many times while reading it. I don’t think we read enough books that make us laugh or even smile while reading. This one will do that for you. Greer seems to accidentally say exactly what she is thinking and it made me laugh several times. Thanks Kelly! I so enjoyed this story.

Fool For You by Kelly Elliott

 Fool for You by Kelly Elliott is a romantic story of best friends who are afraid to be more than best friends. Landon and Emmerson have been best friends since they were little. Their parents are best friends and they grew up in basically the same house on the same land, just outside Waco, Texas. The story unfolds with a fake engagement and how they got into this situation. Kelly is a true romantic and you can fall in love with her characters in this story. Although it is part of the Souther Bride series, it is a stand alone book. 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

 Once again, I love reading historical fiction. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is about a group in Bletchley Park, Great Britain during WWII. They were assigned to help break military codes. Quinn's main characters are as different as could be, yet they become friends. The story of their friendship, as well as the jobs they had and the toll the job had on their lives is incredible. I love strong women characters and I love reading about WWII. I highly recommend this book. It will give you a unique perspective on how so many people came together to help fight in WWII.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

 

After just finishing Kristin Hannah's Four Winds, I decided to read another one of her books. Not realizing that Firefly Lane was also a Netflix release, I picked it. 

I was captivated from the very beginning. I could relate to being the new girl in school, but I was younger when we moved into our new house. So when I read about Kate Mularkey having no friends in 8th grade my heart ached. I also have seen kids like Kate who came to the library with no friends. Then when Tully, the coolest girl Kate had ever met moves across the street, becomes her friend, I was hooked.

I went through so many emotions reading this book. I lived through the 70's and could remember all the things they were doing. The friendship that was forged in this book is so real. Unlike, Hannah's historical fiction, this one was more contemporary. It tugs at your heart, but worth every minute of this read!

Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

 I have loved all  of Kristin Hannah's books. I learn something about the time period and am always deeply moved by the characters. This story is about the Dust Bowl and starts out in west Texas. I had not really studied or read much about this time period, so I learned a lot. I don't want to give away too much, but it was a difficult time to have lived through, in addition to the Great Depression. With that said, it is not a make you happy, smile on your face book, but has so much substance. Once again, I will keep reading Hannah's novels.

The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott

Once again Kelly Elliott had me mesmerized by The Butterfly Effect. What I love about her books is I get to escape into a sweet, but somehow damaged love. This time it's a story that takes place in New Hampshire and Willa's family owns an apple orchid. She is in love with her brother's best friend Aiden, who joins the Navy and becomes a SEAL. I learned some things about apples, but also the effects of war and PTSD. I love the strength she builds into her characters and I can already see there are a few stories that can come from this book. I cannot wait to read them too!