Review: Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2015

Willowdean Dickerson aka Dumplin' is a high school student who is trying to navigate her way through life after the death of her aunt, who was a big part of her life. She is also trying to find her way through a job with her crush, ups and downs with her best friend and pageant season. Will is fat, and she has not problem admitting that. But when one of the best looking guys in town is working with her and shows an interest, she's not sure how to take it. Why does he like her and how can they avoid everyone else thinking the same thing?

I could totally relate to Dumplin'. I remember high school fondly and crushes and everything. It's the worst and best time in a young girls life and its also the time that makes quite an impact on your life. Will loves the way that Bo uses her full first name. When he kisses her one night after work and continues to kiss her, she is confused about why he is showing an interest. He is well known in their small town and she's sure that if they are seen together, the whole town will be talking. But how can she avoid him?

To top it off, Dumplin's mom is in charge of the pageant and this is the last thing Dumplin' would ever do, but this year she decides to enter. Even though she thinks she has no chance of winning, why not? She inspires other unlikely contestants to join as well. This will definitely be the first for the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant. Will one of these unlikely girls be able to pull off the win?

This book is great for girls of all ages and sizes to read. It's an inspiration to go for what you believe in no matter what others think.

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Review--The One & Only by Emily Giffin

The One and Only by Emily Giffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Shea Rigsby is probably the world's best authority when it comes to Walker Football. Or really football in general. It has been her favorite sport for all of her life and she can tell you every Heisman Winner from the beginning of time. But upon the death of her best friend's mother, she is forced to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Is it best to follow your heart or follow your head.

This was another great story by Emily Giffin that had my emotions all over the place. The story begins during the funeral for Connie Carr, the beloved wife of Coach Car of the Walker Broncos. Everyone in the Walker community loved Connie and she is going to be greatly missed. Shea's mom was best friends with Connie, so it's not wonder that she and Lucy are also the best of friends. After the funeral and before the start of the new football season, Shea takes a look at her life and decides it's time for a change. She dumps her boyfriend and gets a new job, but there still seems to be something missing. When a new man doesn't feel that void, Shea has an epiphany that what she is missing has been in front of her the whole time, but getting what she wants this time, is going to hurt others in the process.

Early on in the book, I could see where the story was headed. There was a twist or two that made me steer from that conclusion, but eventually, it all came to fruition. It's always hard to know whether it is better to follow your head or your heart especially when it comes to love. Will you miss out on something great if you do what is "right" or will you end up getting hurt if you go with your heart. Be ready for an emotionally charged story with this book.



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Review--Evil Runs by Vince Milam

Evil Runs: A Supernatural Mystery Thriller by Vince Milam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A French priest, a Texas sheriff, and a female CIA agent walk into a bar looking for Evil.  Sounds like the start of a corny joke, but it's not.  Evil Runs by Vince Milam is a religious thriller that takes these three on a trip around the world to destroy the evil that has disrupted their lives.

Still grieving the loss of his wife, Sheriff Cole Garza is now dealing with multiple homicides at a nursing home in his small Texas town.  Leaving the scene, he sees a most peculiar man who appears to be running away from another man with a long gray ponytail who is just as peculiar.  Looking into the eyes of the murder suspect, Cole sees something familiar, something he saw in the eyes of his wife's murderer.  When Father Francois Domaine appears in Texas with orders from the Vatican, things begin to really get strange.  They have a suspect in custody and are currently looking for his accomplice, Adal Moloch.  He was the peculiar man seen leaving the crime scene, and the hunt is on.  With the help of Nadine May, a CIA operative with unbelievable tracking and computer skills, they are able to follow Moloch wherever he goes.  Will they find him and bring him to justice before more people are hurt?

This is a book for those who believe in a higher power, or for those that don't, you just might after reading this book.  Adal Moloch is not your typical suspect. He is a demon sent to have his evil bidding done by anyone who is willing to follow him.  Destroying him is going to take more than a bullet to the head, but also a faith that God is stronger than him with that faith you can destroy anything.  We always wonder if faith is enough.  Can our faith in God destroy the evil that is around us?  Can we rise above the evil and do what is right?  At first, I was a little skeptical about this book thinking it was going to get a bit paranormal, but it didn't which made me thoroughly enjoy it.  This is the first book i a series and I can't wait to read what is next.

**I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.**


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