A True Story Raven. Miracle Bittersweet Miracle Bittersweet Miracle A True Story Raven Copyright ©. Bittersweet Front Cover.
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I am very glad that I did, I can tell that as this series progresses I am going to fall more and more in love with it. I was very impressed with this author's writing. She is very descriptive, and is able to paint a very clear picture in my head of what the scene is supposed to look like, and what the characters are trying to portray. The funny thing about that is it is also why I only rated the book a 3. I found that the book had way too much description on the actual farming life, and the makings of cider Don't get me wrong, it is a subject that can be very interesting and informative; but not when I'm reading a romance!
LOL Other than that though, the other parts of the story held me captivated, and just really made me feel good emotions inside.
I will admit that sometimes I didn't fully care for Audrey. No particular reason, she just wasn't my favorite heroine; however I really liked Griffin! He has such a loyal side, and seeing him want to support his family the way he did, was so admirable.
Bittersweet (True North, #1) by Sarina Bowen
This series seems to be a lot about family,friendship and the ties that are built between them. I loved the secondary characters, and I can't wait to read Jude's book next!! I am very glad that I have decided to take this journey in Vermont; and I am very eager to get to know all of the characters more and more. The sex scenes that are in the story need to be mentioned as well! They are steamy, and hot, and a sizzling addition to an already intriguing book!! Sarina Bowen Release date: June 14, Cliffhanger: After hearing the praise for her books for so long, I knew I had to sign up for this first book in her brand new series.
I had to think long and hard about what I would rate this book, I had some conflicted feelings over it. I don't want anyone to be di Title: I don't want anyone to be dissuaded from checking this story out based on my final rating. Not that a 3. I can honestly say that everyone's enthusiasm for Sarina Bowen's writing is well-grounded. I loved certain aspects of this story and I was thoroughly entertained by the humor.
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When it comes down to it though, the romance felt like it was missing something for me. Audrey is a talented chef that is bound and determined to finally make a success of her life. After many failures and a lifetime of disappointing her mother, she wants to prove that she has what it takes to excel all on her own without her trust fund or her mother's influence. She dreams of one day owning her own restaurant and working for the unethical restaurant conglomerate is her first stepping stone toward that.
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- Dressed in Fine Linen;
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- Drew Barrymore saves the whales and melts cold war ice in Big Miracle.
- Groundwater Age;
- Tunnel King: The True Story of Wally Floody and The Great Escape.
Once again, she's on the verge of failure, and in order to save her job, she must go to Vermont and get several farmers' agreement to sell their produce for rock bottom prices. Griffin is one of those farmers. Former college hook-up, huge, bearded, and grumpy, he's not going to be an easy customer. Not only is he offended at the outrageous price her boss is offering for his products, he's holding some hurt feelings over how they left things in college.
Although he had a huge crush on her, he made a major botch of how he approached her back then, and their paths were headed in two separate directions anyway. It was never the right time or place for them. They had an immediate physical attraction once again and some inconvenient yearnings, but it seemed they were doomed to never have a chance to explore what could be. She lives in Boston, he's the head of the family now and has to keep their farm running successfully into the future.
I really loved Griffin. He was a really unique and endearing character. He was loyal and the most hard working hero I've seen. The sacrifices of his personal life and his dream of playing professional football were admirable. I loved his gruff exterior that didn't even remotely conceal his soft heart. He was like a big teddy bear that tried to growl ferociously and didn't quite pull it off. Audrey was a relatable type of heroine. I imagine there are many women that can identify with having failed at life and wanting to prove that they could move past their mistakes.
At least in one point in their lives. She had a difficult childhood with a cold parent whom she had nothing in common with. She never felt understood or supported and that only contributed to her determination to reach her dreams no matter what the cost. I loved her sassiness and her sense of humor, she really had me smiling on so many occasions.
There was a scene where Griffin had to butcher a pig and her response to the situation was totally unexpected. Not only did she not get disgusted, but she jumped right in and helped him. Marry me, my brain offered up as I gawked at her bloodied hands and bright smile. Note to self-don't cross Audrey again, at least not if there's a well-sharpened chef's knife in the vicinity.
The chemistry between Griffin and Audrey was extremely well done and executed. They're sure to get readers' temperatures rising and hearts racing. Looking back at it and trying to understand why, I think their relationship fell fast into the physical with not enough development into their deeper emotional connection. While they did have some internal dialogue wishing for more, I couldn't help but feel that their extremely hot hook-ups followed by falling back into antagonists and friends wasn't totally working for me.
Maybe it's my overly romantic heart working overtime, but I could have used more here. As well, I think Audrey's stubbornness in working for such a vile company not very respectable. It wasn't until they almost ruined Griffin's family farm that she woke up and kicked them to the curb. I understand that she wanted to prove herself, but even at the cost of these honest, hardworking people? Griffin's family was so lovable, and the future of the series was constructed so well with the groundwork of everyone's backstories.
I'm most definitely sold on continuing with the rest of the series and seeing what the future holds for all of them. The unique characters and the entertaining humor are sure to be a hit with everyone. May 16, maggieandteddy rated it it was amazing Shelves: Never wanted it to end!
The cover didn't really appeal to me at first. The setting is Vermont-mostly Griffin's family's farm. They grow apples for cider and other produce and also some dairy cows. Meanwhile Audrey is on her "last chance" job as a chef in a very stressful, trendy restaurant in Boston. Audrey has more bad luck than Ziggy or Charlie Brown.
Fortunately, Audrey's mom is a stock holder in the restaurant's parent corporation. Audrey doesn't get fired. She gets assigned to travel to organic farms in rural Vermont-to get produce for the restaurants. Ahh-- the meet cute. Make that the meet cute-again. Audrey wasn't a serious student, but Griff sure remembers her! She remembers him too. There's no over- done sniping or arguing. They actually become friends. Audrey comes to his family's farm to buy apples.
She really becomes part of their family. I loved their chemistry. Griff's family and employees love her. Audrey doesn't turn her nose up at Griff's earthy occupation. She gets right in there and helps out. I even liked the pig episode. The story had some slight slow downs in the middle. I didn't mind one bit! This is what I would describe as a character s driven story. I loved loved Griff. What to do, what to do? I loved the supporting characters. Griff's mom is very sweet. The villain, you guessed it: Not full on horns bitchy, but frigid, unemotional. I loved being in the middle of this book.
I took an extra long time to read it. I never wanted to leave Vermont. I never thought that I would ever say that. This was a really great love story with a realistic slice of rural farm life. No yuppies or hipsters like I feared. I'll be reading more books by this author. I borrowed this book-I want to OWN it now. I don't want to give it back: I'm ready for book 2 Jude- their summer farm hand's story. View all 38 comments. Oct 22, ambsreads rated it it was ok Shelves: There wasn't much to the book which helped me fly through it.
Which, I didn't hate. I enjoyed elements of the book - such as the farm, food and family - but it was filled with tropes. However, this tropes didn't necessarily leave a bad taste in my mouth like others. Because of that this book was a close three stars, only falling short due to the insta-love between the main characters, Griffin and Audrey. The highlight of this book was definitely t 2. The highlight of this book was definitely the comedy and humour that was present throughout.
I was going to be single for the rest of my fucking life. Provided an amusement factor that the book would have been lacking without. Overall , there isn't a lot to say about Bittersweet , it was simply a light and fluffy book that was amusing. I will probably continue the series because I'm more curious about both Jude and Zach than i was Griffin. Former rich-girl Audrey never really knew what to do with her life. She tried college, twice.
After that, her Boston-royalty mom cut her off from the family money. And Audrey found her passion on her own Only she's not really working as a chef yet. She's interning at this huge Restaurant-group, BPG, as the girl for everything. Everything she's not really talented for. They send her off to Vermont to talk farmers into selling their fine Former rich-girl Audrey never really knew what to do with her life.
They send her off to Vermont to talk farmers into selling their fine products to Boston restaurants. That's where she runs into Griffin. They had a little - and verrry hot - two-week-affair five years ago. And the attraction is still there. So between fighting about cider prices and Audrey cooking in Griff's mom's kitchen, there will be some very sexy moments.
But can a farmer from Vermont and an up-and-coming cooking legend from Boston ever get their Happy Ending with each other?? Will there be a Happily Ever After? Or will there be a huge Cliffy? I'm not spoiling anything!!! Such a hot cover-guy. I can't even find enough words to say how much I loved this book!!!! Griff and Audrey are sooo adorable! Griffin, the brooding, grouchy, quiet farmer. Who's had to worry about the family farm ever since his dad died and he had to give up his football future.
But who is now so very adorably proud of his cider and everything he achieved. And this cute former rich sorority girl, who finally knows what she wants to do with her life. It's just too cute to watch them argue and make up. And I loved how Audrey felt right at home with Griff's family. She only ever had her not very loving, single mom and cooks and maids growing up. She was never allowed in the kitchen. But Griff's mom lets her do whatever she wants in the kitchen.
You just want Griffin and Audrey to hurry the eff up and get married, so that she can move in there and cook for the farm. But of course it's not as simple as that. She's dreaming of owning her own restaurant This book had everything a great romance needs.
VERRY funny and adorable and even some very moving scenes and of course I'm not really good with words and writing, so I can't really express how much I adored this book. You should go and read it asap. I'm planning of moving there asap, get rid of Audrey and move in with Griff to 'make cider' for the rest of our lives!!! Jan 08, Amy Foxy rated it really liked it Shelves: I finally joined and read my first Sarina Bowen book.
I have a lot of friends who are huge fans of Ms. Bowen and I can see why. The book was entertaining and well written. I love the setting, the Vermont countryside, and the premise of the book, a second chance romance between a farmer and a chef. The chemistry between Audrey and Griff was off the charts. I love how feisty Audrey is when it comes to trying to get the farmers to sell her their produce.
Audrey is a chef and the food she made sounded delish. If you could gain weight by reading about yummy food I might need to buy bigger pants. My aunt and uncle live in the heartland of America and are wheat farmers. View all 7 comments. Apr 23, NMmomof4 rated it really liked it Shelves: This was a sweet, sexy, and low-drama read. I loved the second chance romance aspect, and how the broody H turned into a big softie. I appreciated the ensemble of supporting characters, and the family oriented even, dare I say, Kristen Ashley feel. So even though I didn't love it, I liked 3.
So even though I didn't love it, I liked it more than "just ok" 3 stars Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Audrey and Griffin's story. Audrey is an intern for a large restaurant investment firm. She didn't expect one of this farmers to be an ex hook-up from college, Griffin. Griffin is shocked to find Audrey as well, because he never forgot her.
The connection and strong attraction that was there in college returns full force, and they cannot deny what they feel. Overall Pace of Story: I thought it flowed well, and I never skimmed. They took time to develop stronger feelings. I appreciated how he took care of his family and the h. I also liked that he was a little hurt that the h didn't call him back in college, because he was wanting to pursue an actual relationship with her. I liked her determination and outlook on life. I did get a little annoyed with her stories about her Mom and childhood Mild view spoiler [ They are mutually invested in the relationship.
The h does back off some towards the end because of their less than ideal situation, and the H pursues her to get her back. They have some hot chemistry and scenes. Condoms are used, and then after a birth control and std status talk they go without. The H mentions never being without before, but I don't recall the h saying the same. Mild view spoiler [ The H had a f-buddy that manages the local bar, so both the h and H see her. He broke it off before reuniting with the h, because the OW started to drop hints that she was wanting more than he wanted to give to the relationship.
The OW gets jealous of h, but once they talk and the OW realizes that the H really cares for the h she backs off -- so it's really mild. Yes view spoiler [ They had first met and casually hooked up in college. After being separated both of them had other partners. When they are reunited, they separate a few more times when the h goes back to Boston. No mention of other partners during these separations. This had ok closure, but I wanted more!
I felt like there were some unanswered questions and not enough concrete commitments made in their relationship but I'm really picky. I would call it a HFN ending. How I got it: It was part of my scribed subscription. Jul 15, Nicola rated it liked it. I had a what can be described as a love-hate relationship with Bittersweet.
Actually hate is the wrong word and a bit extreme, but you catch my drift. Farmers like to get dirty. She was a bit of a contradiction of herself at times. However the parts I enjoyed outweighed those I didn't and my first outing with Sarina Bowen was enjoyable enough, it just didn't blow me away and went a bit OTT in terms of the farming. But, she has done a good job in setting the wheels in motion for Jude and Zach's stories which I'm looking forward to reading. I'll leave you with Griff's biggest fear in life. Bittersweet is a cute, sexy, low on angst romance that takes place in rural Tuxbury, Vermont.
Where the farmers are strapping hunks of men but spend more time fondling their apples than have time fondling a woman. Griffin Shipley has been running his family farm ever since his father passed away at a fairly young age. Giving up the chance for higher-level football, he wakes at 5am to milk his dairy cows, manage his vast apple orchard, and brew hard cider. When a sizzling 3. When a sizzling hottie from his college years crashes her rental car wanders upon his property, he's quick to remember all the chores of farming that leave him little time for that.
Audrey Kidder, a recent graduate of culinary school, is doing an internship of sorts for a high level restaurant chain. Her job is to go to Vermont and get produce for cheap- something the organic hard-working farmers will surely turn their nose up at. This gig is a deal changer for her.
She seems to fail at everything and she has to succeed in this assignment or her chances of opening up,her own restaurant someday is zilch. A solid hunka man with a insane mutual chemistry she hasn't encountered since. And she's going to try to talk him into selling his stuff for half its value?
This won't be good Bittersweet, though not especially rock-my-world exciting, was a cute contemporary romance. I think I've learned all there is to know about the daily chores of farming and the direct impact Mother Nature has between the fine line of success versus bankruptcy. Audrey and Griffin had a connection that all these years just couldn't break. But getting on the same page, whether this is a hookup or something more, was their biggest hurdle. Does Griffin have time in his day for a relationship? Especially with a woman residing in Boston? He's never been romantic grumpy is a better word to describe him and with love comes romance.
And Casanova he is not A bit of farmer-whispered sweet nothings Everyone had a job and all the Shipleys contributed in some pivotal way. They always took the time for an organized breakfast, lunch, and dinner around one dining room table. Food and family- living off their land and livestock. And a city girl like Audrey, who's never had that sort of kinship due to being an only child to a very controlling, never satisfied mother, made her long to be a part of their large family. Not for wealth or prestige but for love of family and their beloved farm.
Looking forward to the next book in the True North series, focusing on the ex-convict Jude. I'm feeling a more angsty read there! Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review. Who wants a big, burly organic farmer man? Oh yes and bring on the next one, please! Plan on reading more by the author: So, I hazard to say the answer to that is a hells yes! Synopsis Apparently, good old Griffin The Yummy was a rebound for our little Audry way back when in their college days. He's now farmer in the dell and she ends up with a flat on his farm whilst on a quest for farm to table goods for the evil corporate Who wants a big, burly organic farmer man?
He's now farmer in the dell and she ends up with a flat on his farm whilst on a quest for farm to table goods for the evil corporate restaurant chain she is interning for. Doesn't take long for the two of them to pick up sniping at each other and ending up in one hell of a hot, hot, hot outdoor shower scene What I imagine What I will probably get Anyhoo, she convinces him to let her company buy his hard cider and they make more mad whoopie while she runs around Vermont sourcing more organic and home grown goodness.
Things happen involving her mother, the company she works for and the big misunderstanding feels miserable.
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Mighty but tiny chef Audrey. Super beta out of the sack, but get him in it and he just lets Miss Audrey know what he wants and where he wants. Did I mention rawr? Why it did or didn't work for me: This book brought out my happy dance. This book had all the good feelings and low angst. It had every perfect ingredient to bake up the perfect peach pie. Or apple pie in this case. Can you tell I loved it? View all 16 comments. A match made in heaven, right? Audrey Kidder never made her mother proud. Lobstergirl rated it did not like it Apr 05, Mary Hanson rated it did not like it Mar 25, Vedrana Ivanda rated it it was amazing Sep 02, Scoutaccount rated it did not like it Jun 14, Thomas rated it liked it Mar 25, Sara Deek rated it liked it Aug 17, Faisal rated it liked it Aug 10, Anne Stebbins rated it it was amazing Jun 05, N rated it really liked it Apr 29, Patricia Dsouza rated it really liked it Jun 20, Linden Royce rated it it was amazing Mar 25, Melissa Cheresnick rated it it was amazing Jun 13, Susanna - Censored by GoodReads rated it did not like it Jul 13, I believe that You created me and all things.
I come to You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! I acknowledge that I have shunned Your love and lived in sin. I repent of each and every one of my sins. Please forgive me and come into my heart.
Shine Little Light: Kids Edition
I surrender to Him as Lord and Savior. By the end of week one, the ice was getting busy. The US air force diverted its largest cargo plane from Japan to bring in an tonne amphibious icebreaking tractor from Prudhoe Bay, then came not one, but two Soviet ships, the icebreaker Admiral Makarov and a cargo ship, the Arsenev. The best hope lay with the Soviets clearing a channel, but the danger was that the ship would kill the whales. We felt they were [getting] too close. The whales were getting frisky. I think they could start sensing open water, and they started swimming really fast from hole to hole," Lowry says.
The rescuers had set up a light for the Admiral Makarov to see the hole. I sat down by the hole on my own and one of the whales came up and spouted water. The freezing whale breath darkened my anorak. You're 12 miles out and a Soviet icebreaker is [heading towards you] like a skyscraper.
I kneeled down on the ice and the whale rested its head just inches away from me and we had this most amazing eye contact. It was pure Hollywood, but the film has developed the story. A small town news reporter and an animal-loving volunteer, Drew Barrymore , are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. In the movie Donny the doberman doesn't get a part, the whales are puppets and the love interest is strictly between humans.
It was a romance with me and the whale," says Lowry, morphed into Barrymore's "animal lover" Rachel Kramer. She is not over-worried about the fictionalising. It's pretty much the same. I just hope the movie will make people aware.