The Domino Effect by Davis Bunn

Esther Larsen, a leading risk analyst at one of the country's largest banking institutions, is becoming more and more convinced that she has uncovered a ticking bomb with the potential to overshadow 2008's market crash. And as her own employer pursues "investment" strategies with ever-increasing levels of risk, she becomes convinced she must do something. Yet what can one person really do?

The markets are edging closer to a tipping point--like the teetering first domino in a standing row that circles the globe. And when Esther does sound the alarm, she wonders if anyone will take her seriously. But as public support grows for her ideas, so does the desperation of those whose conspiracy of greed she seeks to expose. With global markets on the brink, and her own life in danger, Esther is locked in a race with the clock to avert a worldwide financial meltdown.

Unfortunately I didn't care for this book.  The premise of the book was good.  It got really bogged down with all the very detailed technical aspects of the stock market.  Even after reading some of the technical stuff I didn't understand.  I admit to skimming a lot of the technical stuff after awhile.  I did enjoy the characters of the book.  Esther was a very likable character.  Actually I liked all the characters.  The book could have been half the size without all the detailed market information.

I can't say I would recommend this book unless you want a lesson on the stock market and how it works.  I don't like giving bad reviews.  But I just couldn't get into this book.  I have never read a book by this author before and probably won't ever again.

I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way. 

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

It's the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman, after having inherited her great aunt's wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

More than eighty years later, former, Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart's Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.
As Cora’s and Haley's stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.

I enjoyed reading this book.  I thought it started out a little slow.  But as it progressed it got better.  There were four main characters that we read about.  Cora and Birch.  Their story took place in the early 1900's.  Haley and Cole's story takes place present day.  I couldn't decide if Cora was truly blinded by love or just plain naive.

Haley was not only wanting to reopen the Wedding Shop.  She was trying to discover her faith again. 
Cole had been engaged to Haley's best friend Tammy.  She feels it would be disloyal to Tammy to have feelings for Cole.  Even though Tammy has died.

There is one very big surprise in the book I didn't see coming at all.  It really tied the story together though. 

I would recommend this book to everyone.  The next book in the series is The Wedding Dress.  The dress was introduced in this book.  I am anxious to see where the dress has been and is going.

I was given this book for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.