All On Her Own |
 Four Books! |
| The Long and the Short of It |
| Review: If you are in the mood for a quick read during lunch break, you could do a lot worse than check out 'All on Her Own', the latest short story from Margo Hoornstra. Nancy Carter, facing her fortieth birthday, also has to face her sister, a happy newly-wed and her constant matchmaking. If you've ever been faced with blind dates from well-meaning friends and relatives, you will appreciate the dilemma Nancy finds herself in. And, if you've ever been embarrassed by someone really neat seeing you make a scene, you'll also be able to see yourself in Nancy's shoes as she sees her car being eaten by a car wash. Aside from a couple of editing problems, I can wholeheartedly recommend this story if you want a short story that will warm your heart and make you fall in love all over again. Nancy's character is one you would want to be friends with and Rob seems like the kind of man you wouldn't mind getting to know. My only regret is since it is so short you don't get Rob's point of view, but Ms. Hoornstra does an excellent job letting you see him through Nancy's eyes. I look forward to more of her stories. |
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http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/0908/AllOnHerOwn-MH.htm |
Forgotten Alliance |
 Three and three quarters Hearts! A great read! |
| Diana Coyle at Night Owl Romance |
| Review: Sarah and Greg Novak were married for twenty years. They have both become so preoccupied with things such as work and children, that they started drifting apart from each other. Greg decided that it was best if he took his needs to someone else, particularly Miranda Conklin. Once Sarah found out about his affair, directly from Miranda herself, she was devastated. Miranda, of course, figured that this was paving the way for Greg to finally leave his wife and family behind and start the life she wanted with him. All Sarah kept wondering was how she didnt see this coming. Then the time finally came to confront Greg and what he had done to her and the family. How did Sarah confront Greg when he got home that night? Did he open up to her about everything or did he try to squirm his way out of the situation? What was their next plan of action? This was an entertaining read for me. My heart went out to Sarah for being strong enough to talk directly to Miranda. I was hoping that she would stay strong not only for her children, but also for herself. Ms. Hoornstra displayed quite a bit of emotion throughout these pages of her story. I would recommend this story definitely for other readers to pick up. |
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http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=2064 |
Forgotten Alliance |
 Four and a half Clovers! |
| CK2S Kwips and Kritiques - Sandra |
| Review: After two decades of marriage you would imagine you are home free with your marriage, however sometimes life throws us curve ball... We meet Greg and Sarah at a point in their lives when they take each other and their relationship for granted. The issues that they never discuss, the jokes instead of plain speaking and the level of priority that they never give to each other and their marriage; all make up the backdrop for this short story. Something had to give and it did. Sarah not only learns of Greg's infidelity, but from a most unexpected source. The bottom line - Who can say how hard it is to stay strong to their conviction of what is acceptable in a marriage, when the reality is actually upon them. Can you be strong enough to realize what you have and be able to forgive? The characters are believable and the story line is an age old one. However, I was very impressed with the level of emotional investment into these characters by Ms Hoornstra. The story is short and at the end wished I could have stayed with Greg and Sarah a little longer. I defy even the hardest of heart to come away from this story with anything but respect for Ms. Hoornstras style of writing and praise for the strength of her characters. |
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http://ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/Sandra/forgottenalliance_sandra.html |
Forgotten Alliance |
| Good Read! |
| Between the Lines by Lynda Coker |
| Review: By the time I'd finished the first three pages of Forgotten Alliance, its author, Margo Hoornstra, had managed through her emotional narrative to tighten my chest with grief and hopeless despair. Sarah Novak's heart-rending devastation, and her husband's certainty that his unforgivable mistake was trulyunforgivable, would not loosen its grip on me. I had to read to the finishand so will you. This is a short read that will stick in your most secret thoughts for a very long time. |
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http://blog.lyndacoker.net/2008/07/29/wrdf-review-of-forgotten-alliance-by-margo-hoornstra.aspx |
Grandma's Friends |
 Three and a half Books! |
| The Long and Short Of It - Dandelion |
| Review: Anyone whos ever been set up on a blind date will take pity on poor Laura who, at thirty-five, has resorted to letting her grandmother do just that. But just when she agrees to another date, she meets Ted, who seems too good to be true. While I enjoyed this sweet story, I did feel that some of the details werent filled in, and some plot problems were conveniently skipped over, so that the end result is a somewhat uneven romantic tale. There is a bit of a secret/mistaken identity in the first half of the story, which is pretty predictable. Still, it doesnt really take away from the progression of Laura and Teds romance. But when Laura sees Ted kissing another woman in the restaurant after their first date, rather than just ask him What the heck was that? she mopes around and ignores his phone calls and his advances for another ten days. Both Ted and Laura are likable characters, though I wish the author had been a little more descriptive about what Laura does for a living. Ted installs computer systems, but all I know about Laura is that she works in an office that needs them. I liked her grandmother, though, a relative who meddles in affairs of the heart but in a good way. We can tell she wants the best for her granddaughter. Because of the obvious way in which Laura could have resolved her issue with Ted, the plot of this story lacks real tension, but in the end, these two find happiness together, which is all that really matters, right? Grandmas Friends is a nice reminder that love, for anyone at any age, can wait right around the cornerso dont give up on those blind dates just yet! |
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http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-grandmas-friends.html |
Honorable Intentions |
| 4.5 Books |
| The Long and the Short of It Reviews - Fennel |
| Review: Instant attraction, denials, and misunderstanding laced with a liberal helping of a bitchy ex wife and her scheming husband ensure theres plenty of emotion on every page of this story. Add to the mix a beguiling daughter whose growth throughout the story endears her to Ms Hoornstras readers and characters alike. Samantha Wells lends new meaning to stubborn. Her return to work starts with an obnoxious phone call from the work-colleague from hell, gloating over her new assignment -- information he shouldnt be privy to. His challenge to her to get a life hit a raw note, and lit a fuse to an emotional rocket that threatened to go berserk, so when she ran into Chase Canfield in her favourite coffee shop and sparks flew, she decided to go for it. When Chase Canfield discovers his daughters new bodyguard is the same woman whod come on to him earlier disillusionment and anger set in. How can he trust the woman, with morals that equal an alley-cat's, to look after his most precious treasure, his daughter? The list of characters are mixed and varied and each propels their scene forward lending pace and energy to her main characters. With two such strong main characters, you may be forgiven for thinking their immediate supporting cast could not do them justice. Chases daughter Lisa blossoms beneath the new environment that Samantha brings to their lives, and just when you think everything is working out splendidly up pops the bitchy ex again with one more challenge. Every page is packed with emotion and action, and this is a story you will find hard to put down, once youve read the first page. |
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http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/honorable-intentions-by-margo-hoornstra.html |
More Than a Memory |
 Five Angels! |
| Fallen Angel Reviews - Teresa |
| Review: Ms. Hoornstra has written an interesting short story that has the beginning of an interesting plotline. The idea of loosing everything and starting over again is scary to most people, but if you look at it as an adventure than anything is possible. Leah is one such woman who has gone through a rough patch, but with a little help from a surprising direction she might just find what she was always looking for. Get this book to see what happens and how Leah picks up the pieces of her life to go on living. Thanks go to Ms. Hoornstra for an interesting read. |
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http://fallenangelreviews.com/2008/March/Teresa-MoreThanAMemory.htm |
More Than a Memory |
Four Books! |
| Long And Short Of It |
| Review: Hoonstra's 'More than a Memory,' leaps so realistically from the pages, the story might be part of your own past. Main character Leah Collins not altogether willingly finds herself in a place she'd left long ago... among people she'd not given second thought to in a decade. Sydney, Minnesota is a long way from Miami, in a whole lot of difference ways. Leah can't help comparing the who she is, to the might-have-beens. And, when one of those might-have-beens offers dinner: well, perhaps home will be more welcoming than ever before. Hoonstra pulls off this gentle, slightly introspective story beautifully. The short story medium was never so poignant. |
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http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-more-than-memory.html |
Oh So Right |
| WRDF Review - Reviewed by Andrea |
| Review: Love is not only for the young; it can happen to anyone. Megan and Randy have known each other all their lives and are good friends. They are also still single. Oh, So Right is a really good, entertaining, heart-warming story with a good storyline. Well worth reading. |
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http://blog.lyndacoker.net/2008/11/08/wrdf-review-of-oh-so-right-by-margo-hoornstra.aspx |
Oh So Right |
 Five books |
| The Long and Short of It Reviews |
| Review: This is just a wonderful short story! Ms. Hoornstra has done a lovely job painting a verbal portrait of two people who belong together and the circumstance that helps them realize it. There is enough conflict to keep it interesting; the action, pacing, and dialogue are realistic and move the story toward a sweet climax. This would be a wonderful read in conjunction with a relaxing cup of tea. I highly recommend it! |
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http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/1008/OhSoRight-MH.htm |
When the World is Right |
 Four Hearts! |
| Reviewed by Diana Coyle at Night Owl Romance |
| Review: I really enjoyed this short read by Ms. Hoornstra. The characters were both very real and extremely believable. I felt equally bad for both Brian and Casey . . .I would definitely look into reading more work from this author. |
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http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=1430 |
When the World is Right |
4 Books! |
| Reviewed by Snapdragon at The Long And Short Of It |
| Review: "When the World is Right,' gets contemporary romance just so cuddly-right! The cover image says it all, from contemplative man to round-eyed kitten. Brian is admirably (although apparently slowly) sensitive, and Casey, the upset wife might give you a little glint of self-recognition. The overall warmth of this story is carefully supported by the physical descriptions within. The snowy day, the warmth of the Dutch colonial architecture, and even the little calico kitten contribute to the heartwarming aura. The writing is vibrant and descriptive and places the reader right into each scene. This is the ultimate feel-good romance; I'll be looking for Hoornstra's next. |
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http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-when-world-is-right.html |
When the World is Right |
| Reviewed by Katherine at Joyfully Reviewed.com |
| Review: When the World is Right is a reflective story of a man very much in love with his wife, and hoping they can work through their problems. There is more introspection and flashbacks than interaction between Brian and Casey, but given the length of the story, it worked perfectly. |
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http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/May08/whentheworldisright.MH.html |
When the World is Right |
 5 Hearts! |
| Dee Dailey |
| Review: A romantic day window shopping and dreaming of the future turns into a huge argument for Brian and Casey Hawthorn. She asks him to buy a kitten. Without thought his fears kick in and come out his mouth. Her reaction follows and he ends up walking out. After a night in a motel he's at the door with a gift, hoping she'll be able to forgive him and take him back. Margo Hoornstra seems to be reminding us how easily simple things can turn into major battles between people. Most couples can probably relate to the situation of the characters. Dreaming of the future seems to be easy until that next step of actual commitment faces Brian. The kitten was a simple thing but Brian had to confront his fears and insecurities about much more than just a little four legged fur ball. A night of separation seems to be just the thing for him. This is a well told tale of a man facing his fears in a good way. |
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http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/worldrighthoornstra.htm |