Mark Of Ditinction By Jessica Dotta Book Review

Mark Of Distinction

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: Mark Of Distinction

Series: Price Of Privilege Trilogy

Author: Jessica Dotta

Source/Sponsore: The author supplied a review copy.

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number Of Pages: 338

ISBN: 978-1-4143-7556-4

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Year Of Publication:  Five Out Of Five Stars

 

Book Description

 

London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.

When Julia discovers that Lord Roy Pierson, her guardian and one of most influential men in England, is the father she has never met, she begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well.

Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan.

 

 

 Book Review

 

About a year ago, I read Jessica Dotta's debut novel Born Of Persuasion, which is book one in the Price Of Privilege trilogy. That book was possibly one of the best books that I read last year. I was hooked. When I heard about the release of Mark Of Distinction (book two in the trilogy), I was ecstatic. I have been looking forward to reading this book for what seems like a century.  As soon as I started this novel, I could NOT put it down. It was just as good as Born Of Persuasion, if not better. Because it's been several months since I read the last book, I had a little bit of trouble remembering some of the characters at first, but once I got further into it everything started coming back. In this book, Julia has a whole new set of troubles. She is being stalked by her "husband", courted by a young man that found favor in her father's eyes years ago, being pushed into society as an "Emerald Heiress" even though at heart she is just a country girl that has no idea about how someone of her status should act, and to avoid conflict, she spends a substantial amount of time locked up in her father's mansion. Who wouldn't go at least a little crazy under circumstances like these? Julia's story continues to hold my attention, and I greatly look forward to reading the next (and final) book in this series. I can tell that the author spent a great deal of time planning out the character's development and scoping out the entire plot until it reached perfection. There isn't a single thing that I would change about it. This story pulls at my heart strings and makes me feel like I am walking through every trial and triumph alongside Julia and her family and friends. The author is so descriptive that the smallest actions and thoughts are completely understood. Every feeling that Julia felt, I felt. Jessica Dotta is one of my favorite author's, and I hope that you give her books a try. I promise, you won't regret it.

 

~Madi For The Literary Maidens

 

D I S C L A I M E R: Jessica Dotta provided me with a free copy of this book 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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.

Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson Book Review

// Chateau of Secrets //

By Melanie Dobson

{Review Written By Bethany}

 Source: Complementary review copy from the publisher

Genre: Christian Fiction

 Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 1476746117 

Publisher: Howard Publishers
Publication Date: May 14th, 2014
My Rating: Four out of five stars

// Book Synopsis //

{Taken from GoodReads}

"A courageous young noblewoman risks her life to hide French resistance fighters; seventy years later, her granddaughter visits the family’s abandoned chateau and uncovers shocking secrets from the past. Gisèle Duchant guards a secret that could cost her life. Tunnels snake through the hill under her family’s medieval chateau in Normandy. Now, with Hitler’s army bearing down, her brother and several friends are hiding in the tunnels, resisting the German occupation of France.

But when German soldiers take over the family’s château, Gisèle is forced to host them as well—while harboring the resistance fighters right below their feet. Taking in a Jewish friend’s baby, she convinces the Nazis that it is her child, ultimately risking everything for the future of the child. When the German officers begin to suspect her deception, an unlikely hero rescues both her and the child.

A present day story weaves through the past one as Chloe Salvare, Gisèle’s granddaughter, arrives in Normandy. After calling off her engagement with a political candidate, Chloe pays a visit to the chateau to escape publicity and work with a documentary filmmaker, Riley, who has uncovered a fascinating story about Jews serving in Hitler’s army. Riley wants to research Chloe’s family history and the lives that were saved in the tunnels under their house in Normandy. Chloe is floored—her family isn’t Jewish, for one thing, and she doesn’t know anything about tunnels or the history of the house. But as she begins to explore the dark and winding passageways beneath the chateau, nothing can prepare her for the shock of what she and Riley discover…

With emotion and intrigue, Melanie Dobson brings World War II France to life in this beautiful novel about war, family, sacrifice, and the secrets of the past."

// Bethany's Book Review //

This was the first book that I'd read by Melanie Dobson, but I'm sure it probably won't be the last as I really enjoyed this story! I'm a big fan of WWII historical fiction, so when I read the book description, I was very eager to read it. While I did realized this book was about WWII, what I didn't realize until I started reading it, is that it's actually a very unique novel in the fact that it's half historical fiction and half contemporary fiction.

The historical story in Chateau of Secrets is about Gisele Duchant, who was based on a real lady who lived in in France during the time of the second World War. I just loved how this character was based on a true story! The novel explores her experiences with the war, and how she dealt with challenges, such as hiding resistance workers in underground tunnels throughout the chateau, and how she dealt with the chateau be used for the German headquarters against her will.

The contemporary portion of this novel comes in every other chapter, when we meet Chloe Sauver, who is Gisele's granddaughter. She is living in the preset day, and is engaged to a young man who is running for a political position. But when she realizes that he has been cheating on her, she quickly breaks off the engagement and goes to Normandy to visit the chateau where her grandmother lived; as well as to uncover the secrets of her grandmother's life during the war. As she deals with the current situations in her life she learns about her grandmother's past, and starts to heal.

This was the first time I'd read a book that weaved both a historical story and a contemporary story into one. I liked all the mystery involved, and it had a good plot that included a lot of the chateau and the war, as well as Chloe's relationship difficulties. It was such an interesting read which I had no problem turning pages-in fact I stayed up rather late several nights reading and finishing this book. 

Another thing I liked was the characters, and how well they were portrayed despite the fact that there were two of them. I felt like I got to know each of the two main characters equally well, and felt connected to their story. Plus the way the story was written with going back and forth from the past and then the present day every other chapter, made for an interesting reading experience. It makes the reader able to learn things that happened in the past right before Chloe learns about them, making the reader feel like you have the upper hand throughout the whole mystery aspect of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It was an interestingly unique read for me, and one that I really enjoyed. I loved the moral of the story, and seeing two different women go through life which varied by woman due to the time period and surrounding circumstances. I highly recommend this book!

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