At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot Book Review

 

Review Written by Madi

 

Book Title: At Bluebonnet Lake

Author: Amanda Cabot

Source/Sponsor: Revell Buzz

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number of Pages: 377

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3434-3

Publisher: Revell

Year of Publication: 2014

 

 

Book Description

Marketing maven Kate Sherwood’s world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is slow down to a crawl at Rainbow’s End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. But she cannot deny her ailing grandmother’s request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week (albeit fifty years ago). There Kate meets Greg Vange, the resort’s handyman. But there’s more to Greg than meets the eye–billions more, in fact, as he recently sold his successful software company and is at the resort in search of what’s next for his life.
Kate isn’t looking for romance, but she can’t deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. She even starts to see potential in the rundown resort. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate’s long-sought promotion take her back to the big city?

 

 

Book Review

 I have always had a weakness for sweet southern romances, so when I saw this book I just had to read it. I have read a few other books by this author and I remember really liking them, so I was pretty excited to get this novel in the mail. The first thing I noticed was the cover. The blurry version of the one I included above really doesn't do it justice. It's super cute. Anyway, when I started reading this book I was immediately interested in it and read it in just a  few short hours. My favorite character from At Bluebonnet Lake is most definitely Greg, by a long shot. He's a good looking guy that is most comfortable in jeans and boots, he is a nerd that earned a fortune by inventing a computer software that went viral, and he has a super cute personality. He reminds me of some of my own friends. This book has as sweet plot and is an intriguing, light, and funny read. It wasn't super intense, it wasn't very suspenseful, but I still really enjoyed it. This is what I call a "beach book". It's a book good for some good, old fashioned relaxation time. I loved how the story unfolded and I thought that the author has a really nice writing style. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a quick, lighthearted read.

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Revell Buzz. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman Book Review

 

Review Written By Madi

 

Book Title: Surprised by Love

Author: Julie Lessman

Source/Sponsor: Revell Buzz

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian Fiction

Number of Pages: 410

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2165-7

Publisher: Revell

Year of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five out of Five Stars

 

Book Description

Shy and unattractive as a child, Megan McClare has always been teased by her classmates. But when she returns home from her senior year in Paris, the wallflower has suddenly blossomed into a beauty. With ambitions to become a lawyer or doctor, Megan accepts an internship at the district attorney's office only to discover that she will be working with Devin Caldwell, a boy who mercilessly mocked her at school--and with whom she was hopelessly enamored. She turns to her dear friend Bram Hughes for support and advice. But Bram's vision is clouded by his sudden unwelcome attraction to a girl he had always thought of as a kid sister. He advises forgiveness, but can he forgive himself for pushing the woman he loves into the arms of another man?

 

 

Book Review

 Oh my goodness. Where do I start? I LOVED this book! I read the first two books in The Heart of San Francisco and read them both in one setting. This one was no different. Julie Lessman is such a refined writer. Every scene is aptly described and well written. I felt like I was walking right along beside Morgan McClare. The plot wasn't like your same old historical fiction books that you're always reading. I feel like the story was original and the characters seemed very authentic as well. Especially Bram. Oh my goodness I just wanted to leap through the pages and give him a big hug. The way he treated Morgan was just so sweet. And I loved his constant use of the nickname he gave her. One of the things that I was greatly anticipating about this book was the continued story of Morgan's mother and uncle. Logan and Cait's relationship has been slowly growing and changing throughout the other books and I couldn't wait to see how that turned out. There were definitely some rough spots and there were times if I started to wonder if the author was gonna leave me hanging through another book (which I would be totally fine with me because it means another book in this charming series). I HIGHLY recommend this book and this series.

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Revell Buzz. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz Book Review

Review Written by Madilyn

Book Title: Love's Fortune

Author: Laura Frantz

Source/Sponsor: Revell Buzz

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2043-8

Publisher: Revell

Year of Publication: 2014

 

Book Description

Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Rowena feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?

With her signature attention to historical detail, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty. Fans will cheer for this final installment of the Ballatyne saga.

 

 

Book Review

 Rowena "Wren" Ballantyne is just a little slip of a girl that was raised in the mountains of Kentucky with a big story to tell. She comes from a wealthy and prosperous family in Pennsylvania that she doesn't even remember. She hasn't seen them since she was just a baby, and in all honesty she doesn't really want to go visit them now, but she isn't given much of a choice. When she gets to her grandfather's plantation, she is immediately stricken with culture shock. There was nothing even close to her simple back wood life here. Why, she couldn't even wear simple dresses around the grounds! She was uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but feel out of place. I don't want to share any more for fear of ruining the story for those of you who plan on reading it and just haven't gotten the chance to yet, but I will tell you that this book was just downright fabulous. It was super entertainging, has a very original plot, is quite suspenseful and is extremely well written. I have only read a few other books by this author, but so far I haven't been disappointed with any of them. "Love's Fortune" was no exception. I highly recommend this book to any one interested in historical fiction. I really, really enjoyed it and I think that anyone with a taste for good, Christian fiction will as well.

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Revell Buzz in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 



Christmas at Rose HIll Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Review

Review Written by Madilyn

Book Title: Christmas at Rose Hill Farm

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Source/Sponsor: Litfuse Publicity Group

Genre: Christian Fiction/Christmas

Number of Pages: 229

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2193-0

Publisher: Revell

Year of Publication: 2014

 

Book Description

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy.

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy--and Amos, too--that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

Join bestselling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit.

 

 

Book Review

  I have a confession to make. I am OBSESSED with Christmas. I am the type of person who will watch a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon in the middle of July. It's just such a sweet and sentimental time of year. I mean, who DOESN'T love Christmas? Christmas books are a one of my more extreme weaknesses. I just can't turn them down! I have ZERO self control when I see a Christmas title written by a well known christian author. This book was no different. "Christmas at Rose Hill Farm" is just a precious little novel. I loved the storyline. It was so neat to see how something as small as a rose could affect the entire story. It's quite original. The characters were interesting, and the setting was very relaxing. This is a good book to read before heading to bed. It's not super intense. It's slow and steady, while still keeping the reader's attention. My only complaint would be the lack of depth. There weren't many sub stories to enhance the overall reading experience, and I think that if it had contained a few more sub plots it would have greatly bettered the story in general. Overall it was a cute little book that I look forward to rereading during future holiday seasons. 

Blessings,

Madilyn 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by the Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments above are completely my own and unbiased. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz Book Review

// Love's Fortune //

The Ballantyne Legacy // Book #3

By Laura Frantz

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Revell
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Publication Date: September 16th, 2014
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 0800720431
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from GoodReads

"Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Rowena feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?

With her signature attention to historical detail, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty. Fans will cheer for this final installment of the Ballantyne saga."




 // Bethany's Book Review //

This was my fourth book to read by Laura Frantz, and it probably won't be the last! I've been a fan of Laura Frantz's novels for a while now, and I was so excited to be able to complete the Ballantyne saga! 

 

Now that I've finished Love's Fortune, I've read all three books in the Ballantyne Legacy saga. While I think the second one titled Love's Awakening was my favorite (I didn't seem to enjoy the first as third ones quite as much as I did the second), I did enjoy the experience of reading this wonderful series, and learning about this wonderful family through this generational series.

 

The Ballantyne Legacy saga is a three book series about the Ballantyne family. Each book features another generation of Ballantyne women, with each one building upon the older woman who was featured in the previous book, creating a wonderful family bond throughout the series. I loved this aspect of the series since you really get to know the family, and I think it made for a strong, unique story line. The aspect of a generational trilogy has always made for a very interesting story, in my opinion, and this one was no exception!

 

Love's Fortune, the final book in the Ballantyne trilogy, was a book that I'd consider a nice read, but unfortunately I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I was hoping to. While the story was masterfully crafted and presented, I for some reason had a particularly difficult time getting "into" the story. I felt the same thing with the first book, but I'm not sure if this was due to the fact that I read it over a few weeks of time. I personally have a hard time getting "into" stories if I read them in large chunks which are spaced out (i.e. I read half the book in one day but don't get a chance to read again for a couple more days). While this was never my intention when I first started the book, I ended up being busy and didn't finish it as soon as I'd have liked. So whenever I did get a chance to read from it again I had a hard time connecting to the characters, and while the story was excellent I think this aspect on my part made the book less enjoyable for me. But I don't want you to think that the story was not interesting or constant, because it was, and whenever I did read it I never had a hard time turning pages. Personally I just think the time I read the book wasn't convenient for me, however this was not a fault in the book, but rather one on my part.

 

Concerning to the actual story thought, it was a beautiful! Laura Frantz not only creates such magical stories, she also has such a gift for writing, and tells those magical stories in such elegant ways. Her writing style never ceased to amaze me while reading this book. I absolutely love her way with words, and it's one that I fully enjoyed experiencing while reading Love's Fortune. Whether it was the front cover, or the characters or the way the story was told, Frantz just has an element of elegance to her that I really enjoyed seeing throughout the novel!

 

Overall I did enjoy this book, and while not my favorite in the series, I still enjoyed it alongside this wonderful family trilogy. I'd highly recommend this series to fans of historical fiction, or for those who enjoy close family stories, as these are sure to not disappoint!

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of Love's Fortune from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

In Perfect Time By Sarah Sundin Book Review

In Perfect Time

Wings of the Nightingale, Book Three

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: In Perfect Time

Series: Wings of the Nightingale, #3

Author: Sarah Sundin

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 410

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2083-4

Publisher: Revell

Year of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

Book Description

Two hearts are about to learn the rhythm of love
Bold, sophisticated, and coy, Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, leaving men pining in airfields all across Europe. So how can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to her considerable charms? In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.

Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer. Can they overcome the fears and misunderstandings of the past in order to take hold of the future?

Sarah Sundin seamlessly weaves together emotion, action, and sweet romance into a tale that transcends time and calls us to believe in the power of love.

Favorite Quotes From This Book

"God makes sense, even when we don't see it." - Page 38

"Most danger was meant to be avoided, but some danger was meant to be embraced." - Page 398

 

Book Review

 This book is the third book in the Wings of the Nightingale series, but is a stand alone novel that can be read without reading the first two. I personally didn't get a chance to read the first one, but I read the second one and this one and I had no problem hopping into the story. Each book is about a completely different character, with only vague references and connections to the other novels. But, if you have the chance, I would recommend that you read the other ones (just because this author is phenomenal).

 

Kay Jobson is the type of girl to date every guy that she comes in contact with. Roger Cooper refuses to date period. But when Kay tries to free herself from the lies of her parson/father, Roger feels obligated to lead her to Christ and help her understand God's written word. For months he fights his feelings toward her, but they keep persisting. Between their biblical conversations and the time that they spend together in combat, they become very close and get to a point where no subject is too brutal for discussion. As I watched these two learn that God's grace is sufficient, I was encouraged to believe the same for myself. Possibly my favorite part of this novel is one reoccurring theme; God's grace. That Christ came to save the least of these. That no one can out run God. That the opinions of your family and friends are irrelevant compared to the opinion of God. That no one is too far gone. That's what I loved about it most. There were, of course, other things that it had going for it. It was very interesting to get a peek into history. Like the last novel in this series, it was full of military life and even a few combat scenes. There was never a dull moment and I enjoyed it from page one to page 410. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in military fiction and redemption stories.

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, and that is just what I have given. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 



In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin Book Review

// In Perfect Time // 

 

Wings of the Nightingale // Book #3

 

By Sarah Sundin

 

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: August 5th, 2014

Number of Pages: 416

ISBN: 0800720830

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

// Book Synopsis //

 

Taken from GoodReads

 

"Flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, but C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper is immune to her charms. Throughout Italy and southern France, as she evacuates the wounded and he delivers paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them where they don't want to go."

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

I had heard about Sarah Sundin's books, and always wanted to one day read them. So when I was able to review the third book in her current series Wings of the Nightingale, I was very excited!

I enjoyed reading In Perfect Time a lot, and loved the story! This book is definitely one of those that heavily focuses the plot around the two characters, so occasionally I felt it could have had more sub-plots and further developed other characters in the story; or perhaps expand on the historical details of the time period. I felt like even though the story is a historical fiction, I would have liked to have seen more historical bits, as it felt solely focused on the story versus the time period. However the plot was very exciting and steady, since both main characters are involved with doing their part for the war effort, whether it be shown through their jobs as pilot and nurse during the Second World War.

The romance between Kay and Roger was very unique and original. I really loved how the story started with Roger helping lead Kay into a true relationship with the Lord when he have her his Bible. I loved seeing both character's faith in the Lord strengthen and grow throughout the story. Their friendship was very unique and I loved how the author wrote their love story.

Right from the moment that Roger gave Kay his Bible, I really admired his character, and found that my admiration for him only grew. He was such a neat character, and one that I really enjoyed getting to know in the story.

I also really enjoyed seeing Kay's development throughout the story. She became a new person after becoming a Christian, and I loved seeing that transformation take place on the page. I also enjoyed seeing her journey to redemption and how she dealt with things that were in her past that tainted her view of the Lord, and how she worked to overcome the lies she grew up hearing, believing the truth instead.

Even though I occasionally felt like the novel was a bit slow for me, I don't think it was due to the story not having interesting scenes, as the plot was very constant. A lot of different things happen that keep you reading, however I felt like sometimes I wasn't as eager to continue reading. Overall it wasn't a huge deal, but still something I noticed.

In all, I really enjoyed this endearing love story of two people, sharing about their relationship with each other and the Lord. While it felt a bit slow to me at times since I felt it lacked interesting historical detail and further plot and character development aside from the main characters, I loved the plot and especially the unique ending! I would recommend this book to fans of historical romance.

 

D I S CL A I M E R :: I received a free copy of In Perfect Time from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to do so, and all thoughts expressed are completely my own, honest and unbiased.

While Love Stirs By Lorna Seilstad Book Review

// While Love Stirs //

The Gregory Sisters // Book #2

By Lorna Seilstad

{Review Written By Bethany}

Source: Complementary review copy from the publisher
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0800721829

 Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
My Rating: Three out of five stars

// Book Synopsis //

{Taken from GoodReads} 

 "After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

Fan favorite Lorna Seilstad is back with a breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep readers guessing. Attention to historic detail adorns the timeless story of a young woman looking for true love and making her way in a rapidly changing world."

// Bethany's Book Review //

I had never had the opportunity to read this author prior to requesting While Love Stirs, so I really didn't know how I'd like this book. Really the only thing that made me want to read it was how the main character, Charlotte was a chef. Since I share that common interest, I thought it'd be a neat book to read, as I also love to craft things in the kitchen. That was the main attraction I had to the book, and what made me decide to read it. While I'm happy I was able to read this book, I probably won't be re-reading it; but consider it a nice, light one-time read.

Now don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this book; I just felt like it was more in the middle range for me, as far as how much I enjoyed it. When I requested to review this book I knew that it was the second in a series, and that I'd not read the first book. Normally I am very big on reading books in order, but these novels are stand-alone novels about sisters (each book is about a different sister, so it's not necessary to read them in order, though it certainly does enhance the reading experience). I didn't have a problem reading this book without reading the first book in the series, titled When Love Calls which is about the oldest Gregory sister. However if I had to do it over, I'd prefer to read the books in order as there are characters that I assumed were in the first book that I would have enjoyed already knowing coming into the second book.

I really enjoyed how this book was focused on a chef, and found that unique and a great opportunity for a truly enjoyable plot. I loved all the scenes where Charlotte baked, and being that her personality is so spunky and strong-willed I found it to be a humorous addition to her love for food. Her personality was very unique and rather bold, so that added a aspect of excitement to the novel. However I felt like at times the plot was rather simple and somewhat slow. I also wished there would have been more baking involved in the novel, as I was really hopping for a good thick thread of it in the novel since that is what made me want to read the book in the first place. I realized that the main plot was Charlotte and the love triangle she was in, and that the baking was a small bit that was only a minor portion of the novel. To some extend that is to be expected, I'd just have enjoyed seeing more baking scenes.

Another thing I will comment on is Charlotte's personality. I always enjoy a good spunky and opinionated character, but I felt like Charlotte was occasionally overly feminist in thought at times; by trying to be superior to men and not accept offers of a gentleman's help. I just didn't like the attitude that was behind the feminist actions and would have enjoyed seeing a more head-strong lady who though opinionated, was still feminine at the same time and had a good balance.

Overall, I enjoyed this book as a one-time read, and was glad to have read it; though there were a few disappointing aspects to me. While I was neither overly fond or overly displeased with this novel, I'd say it was a middle-range novel for me. However others with different reading styles might really enjoy this novel. So I recommend you give it a try if you have the chance!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary review copy of While Love Stirs from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All thoughts expressed in my review are my completely honest, my own and unbiased.

A Heart's Rebellion By Ruth Axtell Book Review

/ / A Heart's Rebellion / /

/ / A Novel / /

 

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: A Heart's Rebellion

Author: Ruth Axtell

Source: Revell Buzz

Genre: Christian Fiction/Regency Romance

Number Of Pages: 347

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2090-2

Publisher: Revell

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Four Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

 

Dutiful Jessamine Barry is tired of waiting patiently for a man to decide her future. So even though Lancelot Marfleet, second son of an aristocrat, is taking an interest in her during the London season, she refuses to consider him as a suitor. Instead, she's ready to take fashionable society by storm--and finds a rakish young man all too willing to help her do it. When things go too far, Jessamine will learn that the man who is faithful through thick and thin is more worthy than the one who speaks pretty words. But will her disgrace keep Lance from reconsidering her as a wife? And when tragedy strikes and Lance becomes his father's heir and a titled gentleman, will he think she only wants him now because of his title?

 

/ / Book Review / /

 

When I requested this title, I didn't really know what to expect. I had never read anything by this author, nor had I ever heard of her. I had a friend that read this book before I did and said that she thought that it was a bit slow, so I was mildly concerned. When I started reading it, I noticed that the author had a writing style similar to another author that I had trouble with reading because she was pretty slow paced, but my fears were unmerited. This book was a pretty good read! Not a favorite, but I did enjoy it. It wasn't slow moving, as my friend had claimed, but instead it kept me interested until the very end. I'm not saying that it was a super fast paced story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat biting my fingernails, but I had no problem concentrating on it, and toward the end things really started to pick up. The ending was the best part. I definitely think it was worth the time that it took me to read it. And the cover is so pretty! This is one of those beautiful books that you will want to showcase on your favorite bookcase. I am really glad that I got this book, despite my earlier reservations. If you like Christian Fiction or Historical Fiction, I would greatly encourage you to try "A Heart's Rebellion". I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author.

 

 

 ~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Revell Buzz in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

In The Shadow Of Jezebel By Mesu Andrews Book Review

/ / In The Shadow Of Jezebel / /

 

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: In The Shadow Of Jezebel

Author: Mesu Andrews

Source: Revell Buzz

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number Of Pages: 412

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2170-1

Publisher: Revell

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Three Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

 

Princess Jehosheba wants nothing more than to please the harsh and demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious Queen Jezebel. Her work as a priestess in the temple of Baal seems to do the trick. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach beyond the realm of earthly governments. To further Athaliah and Jezebel’s strategies, she is forced to marry Yahweh’s high priest and enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh’s temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family–and the nation–she loves?

 

/ / Book Review / /

 

 If you have been following this blog for a while, you know that I have a soft spot for Biblical based fiction, and that even if it's not the best book I've read, I will still give it a decent rating if it is accurate. It's been a while since I read this portion of the Bible, so there were some parts of this novel that I'm kind of iffy about as far as how biblically accurate it is, but I do know that the main plot was true. I enjoyed this book for the most part, but there were a few things about it that I wasn't thrilled about. For one thing, the emphasis put on Baal. The author made sure to let the reader know that it was a bunch of phooey, but it's such a touchy subject, and a lot of research would have to go into writing a novel about the ancient pagan culture in order for things to be portrayed in the correct way. Just by reading the book, I'm not sure that the author did enough research to make the story authentic. I did, however, like how the author incorporated a great deal of the one true God. If I were to write a book based off of an Old Testament event, I probably wouldn't have chosen this one, but I think that Mesu did a pretty good job with the story that she chose. If you like most biblical fiction then you will more than likely enjoy this one as well. The characters were amazing. I LOVED Jehoiada. He was sweet and caring toward his emotionally abused wife. He was so patient with her and he took all of her little "moments" in stride. He had a little bit of a temper, but that just made me love him more. It made him seem human, considering the fact that he had few other flaws. I also enjoyed watching Sheba grow in her faith and as a person. Marrying the high priest did her a world of good. I would recommend this book to biblical fiction fans that are 15 and older.

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Revell Buzz. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

A Heart's Rebellion by Ruth Axtell Book Review

// A Heart's Rebellion //

 

A Regency Romance

 

By Ruth Axtell

 

{Review By Bethany}

Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0800720903

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 4th, 2014
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

Taken From Good Reads

 

"Dutiful Jessamine Barry is tired of waiting patiently for a man to decide her future. So even though Lancelot Marfleet, second son of an aristocrat, is taking an interest in her during the London season, she refuses to consider him as a suitor. Instead, she's ready to take fashionable society by storm--and finds a rakish young man all too willing to help her do it. When things go too far, Jessamine will learn that the man who is faithful through thick and thin is more worthy than the one who speaks pretty words. But will her disgrace keep Lance from reconsidering her as a wife? And when tragedy strikes and Lance becomes his father's heir and a titled gentleman, will he think she only wants him now because of his title?"

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

This was the first book I'd ever read by this author. To be honest, prior to read A Heart's Rebellion, I was a tiny bit hesitant due to some middle-range reviews from friends of Good Reads. However I decided to give it a go, since I've never actually read this author before. While this book wasn't a favorite of mine, I did enjoy it and especially liked the end portion of the book. I would definitely read more books by this author in the future. I am glad I decided to read it, and consider it a very nice one time read.

 

One of the biggest things that made me hesitant about this book, was how several people had commented in reviews, how they felt that this book (or the one before it Moonlight Masquerade) was really slow and felt like the story-line was really dragged out, and had significant dry spots that left little enthusiasm to turn pages. Personally, I didn't really see this when I read the book, and while at the beginning things were a bit slow, it was never what I'd call dragged out; and wasn't slow to the extent on not keeping me turning pages.

 

In fact, about three fourths of the way into the book until the end there was a bit of mystery, and that portion kept me up at night wondering if my assumptions about what was going to happen to the main character were actually going to happen (Which they did. I feel like that portion of the book was written in a way to where the reader is supposed to figure out what will happen before it actually did; but this was just one particular scene. The rest of the book did keep me in suspicion and ended up surprising me.)

 

The only thing that made this book a little less enjoyable for me was Jassamine, the main character. I just didn't feel like I "got" her, or connected with her personality, and I really didn't like her very much; especially at the beginning of the book. Just something about her personality turned me off, and I think it was how closed she was to the idea of ever finding "that special someone". This was mainly since she thought she'd already found that Mr. Right, only to see him break off with her and quickly marry another lady (who, uniquely is woven into this story, since her story was the main one in the book that is the first in this "series" Moonlight Masquerade). Since she had been rejected in such an emotionally damaging way, she sort of just shut out all thoughts of ever finding someone else as a way of pitying her unfortunate situation. This in itself isn't what turned me off; it was more how she handled it, and her overall unappealing personality; though I will say I think she grew out of it a tiny bit as the story progressed. She just seemed to be a very stubborn and difficult to be around type personality that I didn't really care for much.

 

On a positive note though, I loved Lancelot. He was such a gentleman and was very heroic, especially in one scene, which was for me the climactic point when my admiration for him really grew. I also enjoyed his Christian background of being a missionary to a foreign land, until a dangerous illness that he contracted almost killed him, bringing him home. I loved his passion for the Lord and how he ultimately influenced others around him by being a light for Christ.

 

Overall, I consider this a nice one time read. I didn't at all feel like it was terribly slow, and liked Lancelot, though Jassamine's personality did sort of dampen the story for me. However that's just my take on it and I'm sure there are others who would really enjoy getting to know her through this story. I loved the historical details and all the feminine ball scenes, and would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers. [SPOILER ALERT: NEXT SENTENCE CONTAINS A SLIGHT SPOILER] However due to one scene where a woman is almost forcefully taken advantage of by a man, I'd recommend this book for mature readers, around the ages of 15+.

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of A Heart's Rebellion through the publisher, for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Love's Sweet Beginning By Ann Shorey Book Review

/ / Love's Sweet Beginning / /

/ / Sisters At Heart / /

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: Love's Sweet Beginning

Author: Ann Shorey

Source: Revell

Number Of Pages: 342

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2072-8

Publisher: Revell

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Three Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

It wasn't Cassie Haddon's fault that she had managed to reach the age of twenty-five without possessing any useful skills. Until the war, she had always had servants to wait on her. Since then, she and her widowed mother had moved from place to place, relying on family to care for them. Now she's forced to find work to support them both. What isn't in her plans is falling for Jacob West, a local restaurateur and grocer. She needs a job and he needs help. But what they both need is love.

 

/ / Book Review / /

 This book was okay. I was kind of disappointed in it. I usually love just about every book published by Revell, but this book was boring and predictable. There was nothing really special about it. It didn't have any particularly bad parts, but I unfortunately can't think of a scene that really stood out in a good way either. I was really surprised at the lack of action and suspense. There just wasn't much going on. It didn't speed up at any time, and nothing really important happened. It was like following someone's everyday life. I mean, it wasn't horrible, just boring. It took me two weeks to finish it. I just couldn't seem to get interested in it! I usually finish a book this length in a couple of days or so, but this one took much longer than anticipated, and it put me behind schedule with my other review books. I probably won't be reading anything else by this author. The one good thing about this novel, though, was that it had a good message. It showed that even super privileged and spoiled girls can roll up her sleeves and show her grit when the need arises. I was impressed with the initiative the lead character, Cassie, took to care for her and her mother as best as she possibly could. It may not have been the life that they had become accustomed to before the war, but they were well fed and had a decent roof over their heads. I loved how Cassie always put her loved ones first. I loved her strength. I loved her grit. The lead character was fabulous, and that's the only reason that I gave this book such a high rating. If you read this book, I hope that you enjoy it. I mean, just because I didn't really enjoy it doesn't mean that you won't. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

 

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this novel by Revell Buzz in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



/ / Rachel By Jill Eileen Smith Book Review / /

/ / Rachel / /

/ / Wives of the Patriarchs / /

{Review Written By Madi}

Book Title: Rachel

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Source: Revell Buzz

Number Of Pages: 314

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3431-2

Publisher: Revell

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Four Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

Beautiful Rachel wants nothing more than for her older half sister Leah to wed and move out of their household. Maybe then she would not feel so scrutinized, so managed, so judged. Plain Leah wishes her father Laban would find a good man for her, someone who would love her alone and make her his only bride. Unbeknownst to either of them, Jacob is making his way to their home, trying to escape a past laced with deceit and find the future God has promised him.

But the past comes back to haunt Jacob when he finds himself on the receiving end of treachery and the victim of a cruel bait and switch. The man who wanted only one woman will end up with sisters who have never gotten along and now must spend the rest of their lives sharing a husband. In the power struggles that follow, only one woman will triumph . . . or will she?

Combining meticulous research with her own imaginings, Jill Eileen Smith not only tells one of the most famous love stories of all time but will manage to surprise even those who think they know the story inside and out.

 

/ / Book Review / /

The story of Rachel and Jacob has always been one of my all time favorite Bible stories. I remember reading it early last year and having one verse in particular really stick with me; "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her." (Genesis 29:20). How much love is expressed in that simple sentence! Most guys are afraid to even look my daddy in the eye and shake his hand, much less work seven years for him in order to gain a relationship with me. Of course, things were different back in Jacob and Rachel's day. A bride price was required if you wanted to get yourself a decent woman, and if you didn't have it, you would sometimes get the opportunity to work for her (such as Jacob did). I love the insight that the author brought to this story. I've often thought about what life would have been like for Jacob and Rachel, but I never really factored in Rachel's sister, Leah, and Jacob's two other wives. What must it have been like for Rachel and Leah to share a husband with each other and with two other women? The Bible clearly expresses that Rachel is Jacob's favored wife, even though Leah was his first. What must it have been like for Leah and the two other women to feel unloved and unwanted by their husband? This novel definitely got me to thinking about how I would have responded if I were put in this situation. Probably not with as much grace as Leah and Rachel did, that's for sure. Which brings something else to mind, in the beginning of the book, it clearly shows the tension between these two sisters, but toward the end the two came together as a family always should. This book starts when Jacob finds Rachel at the well, and ends at Rachel's death. A lot happened in that time if you think about it. I encourage you to go back a read Genesis if you haven't read it recently, it is a truly inspirational piece of history, and this author did a fair job with it. There were, however, a few things that I did not like about this book. For one, when it came to Rachel, Jacob was a total pushover. That's just not how things worked back then. The man of the family had the final (and ONLY) say-so. The other thing that I didn't particularly enjoy was the fact that it got a little . . . intense sometimes. I mean, I was expecting a romance, but maybe not one with such . . . insight into the workings of their marriage. Don't get me wrong, it never got THAT detailed, but it got too close to my liking. That being said, I know that those kind of things don't bother some people as much as it does others. Over all, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is 16+ years of age.

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Revell Buzz in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further reimbursed to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my  own and unbiased. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Dare To Love Again By Julie Lessman Book Review

/ / Dare To Love Again / /

/ / A Novel / /

{Review Written By Madi}

 

Book Title: Dare To Love Again

Author: Julie Lessman

Source: Revell

Number Of Pages: 410

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2166-4

Publisher: Revell

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman, resorting to a mammoth hat pin for protection on her way to and from the school where she teaches. But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast she quickly discovers she is no match for rum-soaked brute strength.

Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite jiu-jitsu, but it seems he has little choice in the matter. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But when Nick suddenly leaves town, Allison realizes he’s a fraud just like all the rest of the men she’s cared for. Does she dare love again?

 

/ / Book Review / /

 BEST. BOOK. EVER. Like, this is seriously the best book that I have read this year. Julie Lessman, to me, seems like a mixture between Mary Connealy and Julie Klassen (two of my favorite authors). Her story contained the humor that I usually associate with Mary Connealy's writing, and the historical setting and writing style reminded me of Julie Klassen. A wonderful mixture, I assure you! I was reading late one night (I just couldn't put it down! Sleep wasn't a priority at this point), and my little brother stuck his head in my room and said, "What's so flippin' funny?! I'm trying to sleep!". Who said that reading was a quiet hobby? ;) Allison was such a crack up. I love it when the lead character is a spitfire, it makes them easy for me to relate to. All of these "perfect" girls in novels nowadays make me sick. Allison McClare is an independent woman that knows what she wants, and no one (not even a hunky pain-in-the-butt police officer) can change her mind. I love Allison's relationship with Detective Nick Barone (long e). All of the best book couples start off hating each other. For example: Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe (a personal favorite), Ms. Bennet and Mr. Darcy,  Jo March and Theodore Laurence - AKA "Laurie"- (I still think that they should have ended up together. Louisa May Alcott is a dream crusher, but a wonderful author all the same), just to name a few! I like how Allison has this huge dude trained quicker than he can get through their jiu-jitsu lessons. That boy practically worshiped the ground that she walked on by the time she was finished with him. I also loved the sub-story. The long ago romance of Caitlin McClare and Logan McClare was a great way to tie things together. I just loved EVERYTHING about this book. I wouldn't change a thing. I can't recommend this book enough. I should have known it was gonna be good when Tamera Alexander's praise was on the back cover. I can't wait to read more by Julie Lessman!

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Revell Buzz in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further reimbursed to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Calling By Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Review

// The Calling//

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 336

ISBN: 0800720946

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: January 21st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.
When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the deceptively quiet community of Stoney Ridge."

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

Prior to reading The Calling I'd read the first book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series, The Letters, and didn't really like it as I felt like I couldn't connect with the characters, and felt an overall dragging out of the story-line. When the opportunity to review the second book in the series, The Calling came up, I decided to give this series another go and try out the second book, even though I didn't really feel like the first one was for me; and hoped I would like the second book better. However unfortunately, I found the second book to be a lot like the first book in the case of the storyline feeling slow and dragged out as well as the inability to connect with the characters.

 

I will say that in overview, I do think I enjoyed The Calling better than the first book in the series, mainly because the first book was about an older woman and this one was about a girl more my age. Plus we share the name Bethany, which I liked. :) While there was improvement with the story-line and characters, I just didn't ever feel I "clicked" with this novel.

 

I really did want to enjoy this story, and while I thought it a nice one time read, at times it was a bit slow, I sadly don't think I'll end up keeping this book on my favorites shelf and most likely wouldn't re-read it. While I didn't really feel a connection with this book, I have seen friends who did enjoy this series. So I by no means want to give it a bad review, as I know several people really like this series; it just wasn't for me.

 

However on the positive side, this novel was very low-romance and was a slower read, which can be a con for someone who likes a more relaxed, easy going read. I found myself liking the "Sisters" and loved the ending of this story when things really got going.

 

Disclaimer :: I received a free copy of The Calling from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group, for the sole purpose of reading and review it. I was not paid in any way to review this book, and was not required to give a good review, if in fact I didn't like the book. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own and completely unbiased.