A Look into the Past: A Bookworm's Journey

By Kelly Bridgewater

I saw Melissa Tagg do this type of blog post during the November Scavenger Hunt, and I really wanted to do the same thing. So I hope I did Melissa justice in copying her post. Here goes:

Age 5:

From Amazon

I started reading at a young age. I really enjoyed getting lost in a good book from the beginning. I loved looking at the pictures and seeing how the words were illustrated by the artist.

My first love were The Bernstein Bears. I loved a story of Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister Bear who were always getting into trouble. I especially loved the Christmas and Halloween versions. Made me smile.

Age 10:

From Amazon

I went to the library every week and checked out tons of books. I looked forward to the reading program every summer where I earned points and prizes for the number of books I read from my local library.

At his age, I looked forward to Nancy Drew, The Baby-sitters Club, and Encyclopedia Brown. I really enjoyed helping Nancy and Encyclopedia hunt for the clues and try to solve the mystery. Must be where my love of mysteries and thrillers come from. Even today, I lean toward books that have a mystery in them. On the other hand, I enjoyed watching The Baby-sitters Club members, all seven of them, struggle with growing up while baby-sitting to earn money. I enjoyed their journeys.

Age 15:

From Amazon

I still went to the local library and depended on my school library to feed my reading addiction.

I really enjoyed reading Fear Street by R. L. Stine, Christopher Pike, and anything Sweet Valley. I continued my love of mysteries but by this age, the stories have matured a lot and had more blood and scary aspects to them. While I enjoyed mysteries, I really enjoyed following Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield through their struggles as juniors at Sweet Valley High and freshman at Sweet Valley University. It is a gripping continuing saga involving twin sisters. Love. Hate. Boys. School. It was great for a young teenager to read.

From Amazon

Age 20:

I was a young married woman who had a job at the local Christian bookstore, so my books changed perspective.

 I had read Robin Jones Gunn Christy Miller's series and felt like a normal person because of the troubles that affected the young, inexperienced Christian teenager. I became fascinated with Revelation by reading the New York Bestselling Left Behind series, which opened a whole new genre for me. I found Karen Kingsbury around this time and devoured every novel she wrote.

Age 25:

From Amazon

I went back to college to better myself as a writer and earn my degrees. I had to read a lot of BAD literature but found some treasures in my study of the past writers.

I still read Karen Kingsbury. I discovered Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, and Susan May Warren. I couldn't get enough of reading these books. I had a library card from the local library and that is where I went to find all my books. Luckily, our local library is pretty on top of having the latest books as soon as they are published. I would check out anywhere from ten to fifteen books every other week and read them in between my essays writings.

From Amazon

Age 30+:

Today, I still read like crazy. Usually, about 200 books a year. I still love losing myself in a good book, but now I have more time on my hand to read. With the introduction of the Kindle, it is easier to carry TONS of books around at all times. I have about 1000 plus books on my Kindle, and I love knowing if a certain book doesn't capture my attention, I can always switch to another without all the weight.

From Amazon

Right now, I'm obsessed with Sarah Sundin and anything World War II related. World War II and Mysteries are some of my favorite genres, so I look forward to a new book. I have become a fan of historical fiction. Jen Turano, Lorna Seilstad, Julie Lessman, Kristy Cambron, and Cara Putnam are some of my favorite historical writers to date. I can't get into westerns though. Trust me, I have tried a number of times and can't do it. As for mysteries, I LOVE Steven James' Patrick Bower's series.

So what about you, what books have you been reading at pivotal moments in your life. I would love to have a continuing conversation with you about some of your favorite books.

Melissa Tagg: Like Never Before

By Kelly Bridgewater

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

I actually really enjoy Melissa Tagg’s writing. She writes with such clarity that I feel like I’m right there with her characters as they are interacting with one another. As for her newest book Like Never Before, I enjoyed seeing Amelia in her own story with Logan, the heartthrob that Tagg has been gushing about on Facebook for a while now. I really couldn't wait to read their love story.

Like I mentioned, I enjoyed seeing Amelia tell her own story. She has appeared in two novellas and another book by Tagg, so it was nice to see Tagg finally give Amelia her own story. Like Tagg, Amelia is a journalist who wants to find a place to belong and call home. Journalist writing is her passion, and when she finds out the paper is going to be sold, she believes she can save this small town paper. Enter Logan. The man who can write and steals Amelia’s heart with every word he crafts. He is a single dad, raising his three-year-old daughter, Caroline while trying to make a difference on the political trail.

Tagg is a great writer at descriptions. I really feel like I’m standing in this small town in Iowa and watching the Walkers and the city interact with one another. I really enjoy how Tagg makes her setting comes to life for me. Likewise, her dialogue keeps up a lightly banter between her characters. I enjoy watching them converse and move the story forward.

The story starts out with a hint of Amelia wanting to save the newspaper, but about forty-five percent in, I got bored. It appeared to be the same scenario over and over again. To spice up the story, Tagg includes a mystery of an older gentleman in the novel who funded Amelia’s college education, if she would have finished. I kept flipping through the story because I couldn't wait to see what would happen with Amelia and Logan's research. Would it bring them closer together? Would they actually solve the mystery?

Melissa Tagg’s Like Never Before creates characters and settings that jump off the page with her traditional role of romantic comedy. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what story Tagg comes up with next. 

I received a complimentary copy of Like Never Before from Bethany House and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Like Never Before

Melissa Tagg: From the Start

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

My Review:

I have read Melissa Tagg’s entire collection of contemporary romance books. I met her for the first time at the 2013 ACFW conference when her first book, Made to Last, came out. Many writers walked around, wearing buttons promoting her debut book, so I was intrigued. When I went home, I downloaded the book to my Kindle and read it. It was well-written.

But her newest release, From the Start, is a story that takes place in fictional town, Maple Valley. Tagg does a great job at describing the small town, from the descriptions of the downtown businesses to the bridges surrounding the community. I really felt like I was roaming through Maple Valley, drinking coffee at the Megan’s coffee shop and eating lunch at Seth’s The Red Door restaurant.

The characters of Kate Walker and Colton Greene shined in their personal love story. Being a writer myself, Kate’s personal struggle with trying to write something from the heart struck a chord with me. I empathized with Kate and really prayed she would finally find something that would help her return to her love of writing. As for the hero, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene, I really liked him. He is the type of hero every girl dreams of coming to share their lives with. Colton went out of his way to help anyone in Maple Valley, even though he didn’t have to. Colton tried to figure the way into Kate’s heart, including her love of romance movies and writing. He made me sigh a number of times with his ability to show his love for Kate.

As for the romantic tension, Tagg does a good job at allowing Kate and Colton to show their playful side and serious side with one another. I enjoy how their relationship didn’t jump right into the romance side on the first encounter. It took a while to develop, dragging me along for the joy ride.

Overall, Melissa Tagg’s From the Start reminded me a lot of an episode of Gilmore Girls with its comedic moments and gentle romance. The hero, Colton Greene, is swoon-worthy and made me wish he was a real guy. (Doesn’t help that the model for the cover is gorgeous.) Anyone who is fan of Becky Wade, Beth K. Vogt, or Susan May Warren's contemporary romance will love this enduring love story.

I received a complimentary copy from Melissa Tagg and the opinions stated are all my own.

Melissa Tagg’s Bio:

Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.

From Melissa Tagg

Where to connect with Melissa:

Melissa’s Personal website

Facebook

Goodreads

Where to purchase From the Start:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Christianbook

Your favorite local bookstore

What is your favorite aspect about contemporary romance books?