tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77173124184019806852024-03-05T23:13:01.639-05:00The Ramblings of Two ReadersB Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-82036654890371620882015-09-19T12:37:00.000-04:002015-09-19T12:37:12.256-04:00Book Review: "The Bronte Plot" by Katherine Reay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Rating: </b>3 Stars<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Katherine Reay explores personalities and emotions with characters whose lives are far from perfect. There is another common thread in Reay's novels: an abiding love for classic literature from the likes of Jane Austen and The Bronte Sisters. Those of us who adore such classics, and books in general, will find at least one connection to Reay's plots and characters.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"The Bronte Plot" centers on the Lucy Alling, a young woman trying to find her way in the world, but making poor decisions along the way. Her tendencies to embellish and fabricate the truth leads her on a journey of self-discovery and some new revelations about her family. The focus on Lucy's decisions and the consequences is dominant throughout the book. After a point, the discussions and analysis of Lucy's character becomes redundant and slows the plot. I have mixed feelings about Lucy. I felt that I should have connected more with her character given the close study of her personality, but I never fully understood or liked her. The emphasis on Lucy's habitual lying overshadows other aspects of her character and parts of the plot. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">After reading the entire story, I am left wondering why a love interest is introduced for Lucy. James enters the story early, sweeping Lucy off her feet. Their whirlwind romance is glossed over. On one page, Lucy is accepting an invitation to dinner; on the next,they </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">have been dating for a few weeks. Details about their relationship are left vague, while other details, like Lucy's low ponytail, are repeated several times in the novel's beginning. Interaction between James and Lucy is absent from much of the plot, with James becoming a physical presence again towards the end. The conclusion offers promise for their relationship without complete closure. Not every book needs a love story, and I think "The Bronte Plot" could stand without the more vague romance between James and Lucy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">"The Bronte Plot" excels in the depiction of England, from London to the countryside. Fans of classic British novels and literary greats will be swept away by Reay's descriptions. The plot definitely took me places where I dream of travelling. Although my connection with Lucy was limited at times, I found common ties with her tourist side. I fully enjoyed the inns, moors, and historic sites that Lucy explored. The relationships she develops along her journey are also significant, especially with James's grandmother, Helen. Helen is an example of strength and courage for both Lucy and readers, and her character makes a significant impact on the story.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Katherine Reay creates unique stories with characters who are reflective of real life with their scars and flaws. "The Bronte Plot" is a fairly quick read that journeys through England and also through the </span>consequences of one's decisions. I wasn't left completely satisfied; but with Reay's detailed writing, other readers may quickly form a connection to the novel's heroine. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 23.9556px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<b>Summary from Thomas Nelson:<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b><strong style="line-height: 18.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>When Lucy’s secret is unearthed, her world begins to crumble. But it may be the best thing that has ever happened to her.</i></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious liberties to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy’s secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend, James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt and trouble. Something has to change; <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">she </em>has to change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a sudden turn of events, James’s wealthy grandmother, Helen, hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy’s predicament better than anyone else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen’s wisdom as Helen confronts ghosts from her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters’ beloved heroines who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of impossible circumstances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now Lucy must face her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that’s been waiting for her all along.</span></div>
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B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-45645486681839820382015-09-12T11:44:00.002-04:002015-09-12T11:44:37.343-04:00Review: "The Mistress of Tall Acre" by Laura Frantz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<b>Rating:</b> 4 Stars<br />
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<b>Review: </b>Laura Frantz brings to life some of Virginia's most historical towns in her latest release, "The Mistress of Tall Acre." Post-Revolutionary War Williamsburg, Alexandria, and Richmond are mentioned frequently with the typical Frantz attention to detail. As a fan of historic homes, it was easy for me to envision the stately plantations of Three Chimneys and Tall Acres, two stalwart witnesses to their residents' lives. Frantz, as usual, does a masterful job of melding historical facts with a fictional plot. She teaches readers about various nuances of the political and social climate just after the Revolutionary War, but the lessons are cloaked in an intriguing and romantic plot. <br />
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The romantic premise of the plot, a marriage of convenience, is one that we have read many times in various forms. Although the details are always different, as readers, we know the basic path that such a plot will follow. Frantz throws in some surprises and suspense to sprout questions in readers' minds. Toward the end, I began wondering if there would be a resolution or if the story of Seamus and Sophie would continue in another novel. Both Seamus and Sophie are well thought-out characters who can easily capture readers, hearts. It is Seamus's daughter, Lily Cate, who can really melt hearts with her sweet disposition. She is the center of many heartwarming scenes and added another dimension of love to the story. <br />
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"The Mistress of Tall Acre" is a novel that I certainly recommend to readers. I don't consider this one of my favorite Laura Frantz novels because the plot didn't feel as unique and compelling as in some of her other novels. Books like "Love's Awakening" and "The Colonel's Lady" are ones that I could pick up again and read as if they are new novels, relishing the layers of dimension and detail. "The Mistress of Tall Acre" is one that most likely wouldn't hold many surprises for me as a re-read. Regardless, it is a well-written novel, definitely worthy of reading at least once. <br />
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 23.9556px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Revell:</b> <b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0001px;"><i>There can be only one mistress of Tall Acre . . .</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0001px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0001px;">The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0001px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0001px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0001px;">Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--you will find it all in the rich pages of this newest novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-79932507759385519772015-09-05T10:25:00.000-04:002015-09-05T10:25:11.701-04:00Review: "The Memory Weaver" by Jane Kirkpatrick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 3.5 Stars</b><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Review: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">"The Memory Weaver" is an emotional story of healing that takes readers on a journey through the western frontier. Jane Kirkpatrick introduces the real-life Saplding family, who served as missionaries to the Nez Perce and survived a deadly Cayuse Indian attack. Knowing that the plot is inspired by actual events makes the story more meaningful. Although this is a work of fiction, Kirkpatrick gives us a realistic vision of what life must have been like for Eliza as she grew into womanhood still haunted by visions of the Indian attacks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The Memory Weaver" spans a few decades from the beginning to the end, with a focus on family dynamics, memories, and healing. I was very drawn into the story initially, but, my engagement began to wane towards the end of the novel. The entire novel feels like a diary, letting us into the emotions of Eliza's daily life. </span>The first half of the novel is more focused on details of Eliza's seemingly ever-changing life and her struggles with her impulsive husband. The <span style="font-family: inherit;">pace started to feel slower as I went deeper into the second half as Eliza's memories and emotional healing took precedence. Eliza's healing is impactful and poses questions about how we perceive past events in our own lives. As Eliza discovers, her memories are not always accurate, and sometimes misconceptions create more pain than reality. Kirpatrick definitely provides readers with something to ponder and discuss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I appreciate "The Memory Keeper" for its realism and historical focus. Eliza's story brims with perspectives of the American West that aren't always seen in fictional novels. Kirkpatrick does not romanticize life on the frontier or even the specifics of Eliza's life, like her marriage to Andrew Warren. Eliza's tale is one of many peaks and valleys, which combine to create a portrait of a true pioneer woman. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Summary from Baker Publishing Group:</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now a mother of two, Eliza faces a new kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Haunted by memories and hounded by struggle, Eliza longs to know how her mother dealt with the trauma of their ordeal. As she searches the pages of her mother's diary, Eliza is stunned to find that her own recollections tell only part of the story.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Based on true events, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">The Memory Weaver </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">is </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">New York Times </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Get swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.</span><br />
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B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-12694247383370556682015-08-11T22:37:00.000-04:002015-08-11T22:37:07.773-04:00Review: "Not by Sight" by Kate Breslin<div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1em;">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Rating: 4 Stars</span></b></span></div>
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<b>Review: </b>Set in England during World War I, "Not by Sight" gives readers a new perspective on the home front war effort. This is not a typical war story, and Kate Breslin never places readers in the midst of the battlefields. Instead she takes us to the English countryside where members of Women's Forage Corps venture out of traditional female roles to help with the war effort.<br />
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Grace Mabry is an unlikely WFC worker, stepping out of her privileged life into a life of manual labor. As expected, the scenario leads to several mishaps as Grace strives to serve her country. Her fortitude in the face of uncertainty and disapproval quickly establish Grace as a good-hearted character who is easily likeable. It is not as easy to judge the motives of some of the other workers at the farm, and therein lies some of the plot's suspense. The main source of suspense is the mystery of the espionage ring and the potential ties to Grace's family. Overall, the tension remains low until the final chapters when secrets are exposed. <br />
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Romantic tension, however, runs high as Jack Benningham and Grace spend time together. Breslin uses Jack's and Grace's outings to introduce readers to the beauty of the English countryside. Grace's descriptive narration is sometimes a little florid and the circumstances contrived, but they paint a complete and lovely landscape. The love story is an interesting one, partially reminiscent of "Beauty and the Beast." Jack reminded me of Mr. Rochester from "Jane Eyre" with his biting remarks and melancholy demeanor. He is a memorable hero in circumstance and appearance. With a face covered by a mask, his looks are initially more harsh than handsome. It is always refreshing to read a romance that develops based on factors other than outward appearances. The journey of Jack and Grace is one of healing and courage which is encouraging and heart-warming to follow.<br />
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Compared to Kate Breslin's novel "For Such a Time," "Not by Sight" is slower and less gripping novel. The summary suggests that the plot is full of danger and intrigue, but it is actually quite low-key. It is still a meaningful story that provides a look into a less covered niche of history.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Summary from Bethany House: </span></b>In the spring of 1917, all of Britain's attention is on the WWI war front and the thousands of young men serving their country on the front lines. Jack Benningham, dashing heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, is young and able-bodied but refuses to enlist despite the contempt of his peers.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A wealthy young suffragette, Grace Mabry will do anything to assist her country's cause. Men like Jack infuriate her when she thinks of her own brother fighting in the trenches of France, so she has no reservations about handing him a white feather of cowardice at a posh masquerade ball.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But Grace could not anticipate the danger and betrayal set into motion by her actions, and soon she and Jack are forced to learn the true meaning of courage when the war raging overseas suddenly strikes much closer to home and their fervent beliefs become a matter of life and death.</span></div>
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B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-62415722633479059052015-07-31T12:16:00.000-04:002015-07-31T12:16:30.035-04:00Review: "The Sea Keeper's Daughters" by Lisa Wingate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Rating: 4.5 Stars</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b></span>Ocean breezes, sand beneath your feet, the calls of seagulls...You'll experience them all in "The Sea Keeper's Daughter." It is also a story that will tug at your heart and keep you turning page after page. Lisa Wingate paints a picture of the quaint seaside community of Manteo, North Carolina with precision and incorporates small details and characters from her previous novels in the "Carolina Chronicles" series. The connection brings more of a real-life dimension to the plot, creating a community that past readers can relate to, but not hindering the experience for new readers. <br />
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I am a big fan of stories-within-stories when they are well-crafted. The combination of present day and historical settings gives us the best of both worlds. "The Sea Keepers's Daughters" tells the tale of modern day restaurant owner, Whitney Monroe, and Alice Lorring, a writer during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. Lisa Wingate executes both stories in pleasing harmony, each with its own distinct conflicts, but merging into a cohesive story. <br />
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Alice's tale is told through a series of torn letters that Whitney finds hidden among family collections. The mending of Alice's letters coincides with Whitney's emotional healing and the improving relationship with her stepfather. Like the letters, Whitney arrives to Roanoke Island damaged and torn, but finds healing through the island and its residents. Whitney and Alice have compelling stories, equally capable of holding readers' interest waiting to see how the conflicts resolve. I enjoyed seeing the mountains of North Carolina through the eyes of Alice, and I found myself especially moved by the trials that she faced on her journey. The first person perspective of her letters makes her experiences feel more personal, while also providing a touch of family mystery. <br />
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The conclusion to "The Sea Keeper's Daughters" wraps up quite quickly. I wasn't ready for the end, and wanted even more details about Alice. Despite this, the final pages are heart-warming and bring the entire story together into an ideal summer read.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Tyndale:</b> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at the Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a Depression-era love story change everyth</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">ing?</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-7161064018292276412015-07-07T21:26:00.001-04:002015-07-07T21:26:33.369-04:00Review: "A Worthy Pursuit" by Karen Witemeyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYko_7d-CRF_4xXpnHc3JEg12hTEpyOaT0EqEWQ4aAU3napHXLKqcHz6Is9v-ScAzjMPwREhc21on8oAO8H9C1JAXMqmgONGwi3_umJpByVcKGqM0SeVzR1r_g_fCb4fh2BIfWvwaY13V0/s1600/worthypursuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYko_7d-CRF_4xXpnHc3JEg12hTEpyOaT0EqEWQ4aAU3napHXLKqcHz6Is9v-ScAzjMPwREhc21on8oAO8H9C1JAXMqmgONGwi3_umJpByVcKGqM0SeVzR1r_g_fCb4fh2BIfWvwaY13V0/s320/worthypursuit.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;">Rating: 4.5 Stars</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;">Review: </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;">After reading a few of Karen Witemeyer's previous books<b>, </b>I have developed an expectation for a novel with likable characters and a steady plot that creates a light, satisfying read. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;">In her latest release, "A Worthy Pursuit," Karen Witemeyer delivers an emotional story that is both charming and action-packed. This novel not only met, but exceeded my expectations. I was charmed by the children and their interactions with Charlotte and Stone. The dynamic relationships that developed between the characters provided humorous and heart-warming moments. Since the story is told from both Charlotte's and Stone's perspectives, it captures the spectrum of emotions and the insecurities they face as they question each other's motives. I was drawn to both characters, and I enjoyed their tender moments with the children as much as the love story that developed between Charlotte and Stone. In true western and dime novel fashion, Charlotte and Stone encounter danger and deceit. Through these trials, Charlotte must learn to trust, and the tender relationship that they begin to build produces some swoon-worthy moments. Both the dangerous pursuit of Charlotte and Lily and the budding relationships kept me turning the pages. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;">"A Worthy Pursuit" lives up to its name because it is worthy of readers' time and attention. I am eagerly awaiting Karen Witemeyer's next release; but in the meantime, I know that her other novels will be worthy reads as well. </span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Summary from the Bethany House Publishers:</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan's Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily's mother she'd keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily's legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he's been led to believe. Is she villain or victim? </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he's ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte's heart.</span></span><div>
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B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-77956796678468340962015-06-07T18:44:00.000-04:002015-06-07T18:44:13.877-04:00Review: "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" by Melanie Dobson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiwgNVPO3auUcIQj5hhyphenhyphenOjPMDfkAcnNk1eUQyjZBUP67RSKaKk9HKj1uoATu63ronTJdMA35xARVWWS_D5iGVXBSJaF4b2te4hd4pV1g-03g04X8n-kWJMhOoXQpBBObHkAh2PmI4XaXw/s1600/Shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiwgNVPO3auUcIQj5hhyphenhyphenOjPMDfkAcnNk1eUQyjZBUP67RSKaKk9HKj1uoATu63ronTJdMA35xARVWWS_D5iGVXBSJaF4b2te4hd4pV1g-03g04X8n-kWJMhOoXQpBBObHkAh2PmI4XaXw/s320/Shadow.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<b>Rating: 3.5 Stars</b><br />
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<b>Review: </b>"Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" is filled with mysteries and tangles of deceit. Melanie Dobson creates a plot with three generations of layers to sort through. Dobson definitely thought outside-of-the box when writing "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor." There isn't much that is predictable or ordinary in the plot. Amid the quaint cottages and country lanes of England, Dobson weaves a story shadowed with darkness and pain. Stories of the past slowly unfold in the present for Heather Toulson, who uncovers shocking revelations about her family and shares some of her own. <br />
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The novel started a bit slow, especially in the present day scenes. There were some detailed passages about art restoration that I skimmed, but the pace picked up within several chapters. Secrets and lies are continuously present and create an engaging, yet heavy read. There is a pattern of deceit that emerges among all three generations, and the results are thought-provoking. They can also be disturbing. This is especially true of Libby's role in the novel. Through Libby, Dobson sheds light on the stigma attached to children who were deemed "abnormal" by society in the 1950's and 1960's. As a reader, I couldn't understand Libby's decisions, which made me feel like an outsider. I was left feeling sympathetic to her character and very perplexed by certain interactions between Libby and other characters. The history of the Doyle family is plagued by painful twists, which could have been avoided through truth. It seems a bit unrealistic that each woman would follow such similar life paths, and the plot almost sounds like a soap opera when you tell someone all of the details. Regardless, it is easy to keep turning the pages while seeking resolution.<br />
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It would be unrealistic to end "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" with complete and perfect closure. There are broken hearts that cannot be mended and relationships that cannot be fully repaired. Dobson gives readers a hopeful conclusion for Heather and her family, finally on the mend, thanks to lessons learned from long buried secrets.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
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<b>Summary from Howard Books: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-55213684852992878592015-06-07T18:41:00.000-04:002015-06-07T18:41:56.802-04:00Review: "Irish Meadows" by Susan Anne Mason<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIbz83CiUroaENSe23Ls8zKpKYEjMGoywlROmadxQTiK4B44-KNA9-a0G0fwLKZKwqorKrOYcw36Z7WRFcZXO2xxweSvAjRyaXnD8ghvz_yqZdfT3juh6RB10qqfsPFvztrwhGaLvLbqw/s1600/Irish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIbz83CiUroaENSe23Ls8zKpKYEjMGoywlROmadxQTiK4B44-KNA9-a0G0fwLKZKwqorKrOYcw36Z7WRFcZXO2xxweSvAjRyaXnD8ghvz_yqZdfT3juh6RB10qqfsPFvztrwhGaLvLbqw/s320/Irish.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<b>Rating: 3.5 Stars</b><br />
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<b>Review<span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Irish Meadows" is the first in the "Courage to Dream" series by Susan Anne Mason. The series title is definitely more compelling than the rather generic book title, and is reflective of the novels theme's of strength and following one's heart. Brianna and Colleen O'Leary certainly need fortitude to forge their own paths and overcome their father's overbearing nature. Mr. O'Leary is insensitive, demanding, and completely exasperating. As unlikable as his character can be, he is a symbol of anything that holds us backs from pursuing our dreams. I think that dreamers, like me, will take away </span>encouragement from the pages of "Irish Meadows," and that makes the read worthwhile. <br />
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"Irish Meadows" is an enjoyable and quick read. I like the overall message of the novel, but ultimately feel like I missed out on a true connection to the characters. Mason tells the stories of both Brianna and Colleen, switching perspectives between the two sisters and their suitors. The changes in scenes and perspectives keep the plot from dragging, but also makes the flow feel choppy. When I started reading, I expected Colleen to be a secondary character whose story would continue in the second novel. I soon learned that she would share the spotlight with Brianna. Colleen undergoes significant personality changes, but the transition is quite sudden. She and her suitor have backstories strong enough to fill the pages of their own book. Both Colleen's and Brianna's stories are significant and interesting, but perhaps would prove even stronger told separately.<br />
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Readers looking for just one love story will find two romances playing out with plenty of tension within the pages. Susan Ann Mason promises a revisit to the O'Leary clan in 2016, with the release of the second novel in the series.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i>
<b>Summary from Bethany House:<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">1911, Long Island, New York </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Faced With an Uncertain Future, Sometimes All You Have Left Is the Courage to Dream</b><br /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Brianna and Colleen O'Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he's put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Irish Meadows</i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry--as long as her father's choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone's plans. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O'Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father's machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-2893416082813182862015-05-17T16:55:00.001-04:002015-05-17T16:55:46.025-04:00Review: "Love's Rescue" by Christine Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2dLcw9KfYQSm1itRbezMXPSdnlY62u1_EFI7unsDhtZuJFdJdagmQuZpLd5zhG2h7cBRjz_BdT_y_2OKaaTcHf-nRDzhHnmaXl5o-VF80xKrg1F3BSPiSuKouEsP8pkThyny30NlKnST/s1600/Rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2dLcw9KfYQSm1itRbezMXPSdnlY62u1_EFI7unsDhtZuJFdJdagmQuZpLd5zhG2h7cBRjz_BdT_y_2OKaaTcHf-nRDzhHnmaXl5o-VF80xKrg1F3BSPiSuKouEsP8pkThyny30NlKnST/s320/Rescue.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 3 Stars</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>"Love's Rescue" is a seaside romance written to carry readers away to the sweltering Florida Keys on waves of intrigue and emotion. I enjoyed this book, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. The novel caught my attention at the beginning, both in the prologue and through the first few chapters when the perils of life at sea and in the historic Florida Keys are brought to life in vivid detail. From hurricanes to shipwrecks, Christine Johnson showcases Key West in a historic light. The snippets of Key West and seafaring history were highlights of the novel. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">There was potential for "Love's Rescue" to venture into deep emotional waters. The plot dips into topics like physical disability, slavery, and deceit just enough to add interest to the plot, but it never ventured as far below the surface as I hoped. Likewise, there were a few characters who I wanted to know better, especially Elizabeth's brother, Charlie. Elizabeth is a heroine that is both likeable and frustrating. There were many times that I wanted her to follow her heart rather than the guidance of others. Rourke is a stand-out character, and definitely a hero that readers will find dashing and romantic. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">"Love's Rescue" is a pleasurable read set beside the alluring and tempestuous ocean. Johnson promises more romance and adventure as the "Keys of Promise" series continues. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Summary from Revell:</b> Can a girl enamored with the adventurous seas ever be content with the tame life of a Southern belle? </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">When her mother dies, Elizabeth Benjamin heads home to Key West, determined to transform herself into the perfect Southern belle her parents always wished her to be. But nothing goes according to plan. Her brother resents her, the servants do not obey her, and Rourke O'Malley, the dashing man she vowed to forget, refuses to relinquish his hold on her heart. Worst of all, it becomes painfully obvious that her father is not the man he appears to be.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">As family secrets come to light, Elizabeth is faced with a difficult choice: to perform her duty and abandon her dreams, or to leave her life of privilege behind to chase the man her father sees as little better than a pirate.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">From the first emotional page, author Christine Johnson throws you into a world of impossible choices, hidden desires, and heart-melting romance in the steamy South.</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-30266087484352798832015-05-17T16:54:00.001-04:002015-05-17T16:54:29.689-04:00Review: "Hearts Made Whole" by Jody Hedlund<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ARbwBTkxkMFzh_DIqn-GHKtigNg8IeHYVIn71tYZJljSiD1EwzqxYQWVdEnFuljy9nsRKEZwsZpp987Y5wBzYKEdU2iHobwP0_HAzNPXhHSY8DPP3AnfqeF_XnzyK822Hng9jm8yMRe/s1600/Hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ARbwBTkxkMFzh_DIqn-GHKtigNg8IeHYVIn71tYZJljSiD1EwzqxYQWVdEnFuljy9nsRKEZwsZpp987Y5wBzYKEdU2iHobwP0_HAzNPXhHSY8DPP3AnfqeF_XnzyK822Hng9jm8yMRe/s320/Hearts.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<b>Rating: 5 Stars</b><br />
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<b>Review: </b>One of my favorite childhood books was about a lighthouse keeper's daughter tending the light for her father. Jody Hedlund's "Hearts Made Whole" reminded me of that book and quickly pulled me into its pages. I love that the Beacons of Hope series is comprised of unique stand-alone novels, with the common connection of a handmade cross that is passed from one character in need of hope to another. Another common thread is Hedlund's seamless incorporation of historically-inspired people and places into a work of fiction. <br />
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"Hearts Made Whole" offers an ideal balance of pain, romance, and suspense. The characters face daunting prejudices and challenges that create an interesting and engaging plot. Hedlund's character development is full of strength and depth. All of the characters, both main and secondary, good and bad, fill their roles to perfection. One of the most pivotal characters is Ryan Chambers, a Civil War veteran who suffers from physical and emotional ravages of battle. His story is one to break and warm hearts, and he is the perfect protagonist for a novel titled "Hearts Made Whole." Caroline is a strong, yet vulnerable, female lead. It is refreshing to read about a female taking on what was considered a man's job. So often we see the male lead rescuing the female, but in "Hearts Made Whole," Ryan often depends on Caroline's strength. Through both Caroline and Ryan, Hedlund shows the healing power of faith and love. <br />
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The "Beacons of Hope" series conveys messages of hope to readers. "Love Unexpected," and "Hearts Made Whole" are the first two full-length novels in the series, preceded by a novella, "Out of the Storm." Although they are all set in Michigan lighthouses, their plots are unique. "Hearts Made Whole" is my favorite in the series so far. My level of emotional connection with the characters and their stories was strong and my attention never waned as I read about Ryan and Caroline's defeats and triumphs. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><b>Summary from Bethany House:</b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">1865, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Windmill Point, Michigan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Can She Forgive the Hurting Man Who Costs Her the Role She Loves</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-17589195039158054192015-05-03T19:00:00.000-04:002015-05-03T19:00:11.992-04:00Review: "On Shifting Sand" by Allison Pittman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9qEiKy1ZN1a3r2FDqbVJBqo7HoHJgAh3A-iVG_jQwXOLbCorZ9P7c78fE0JukuwPa6ldCwZUnVzI091UJw4WCEGyhSxbIms49_jMxiArDuJ2is7dNrvqLT-1L49vXOqPuZzFO2-E1Rb-/s1600/Shifting+Sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9qEiKy1ZN1a3r2FDqbVJBqo7HoHJgAh3A-iVG_jQwXOLbCorZ9P7c78fE0JukuwPa6ldCwZUnVzI091UJw4WCEGyhSxbIms49_jMxiArDuJ2is7dNrvqLT-1L49vXOqPuZzFO2-E1Rb-/s1600/Shifting+Sand.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 5 Stars</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b> I could almost feel the sting of dust particles as I read Allison Pittman's newest release "On Shifting Sand." Novel after novel, Pittman proves herself more than adept at creating plots that will impact readers into the depths of their hearts. Every aspect, from the history to the setting to the characters, is created in fully-developed detail. I never know what path one of Pittman's novels will take, but I know that I will always find history, pain, depth, hope, and faith along the way. </span><br />
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Set during the Dust Bowl, "On Shifting Sand" brings the period of history to life. Although the Dust Bowl is a topic I remember learning about in history classes, I never realized how significantly the people who lived through it were affected. Pittman doesn't spare readers from the loss and suffering that defined the Dust Bowl. The dust is as much a part of the story as any character, always present with a sense of foreboding. <br />
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Nola Merrill's self-destruction is as constant as the dust storms that plaque her community. Her sins accumulate like the dust, and it is hard to witness her decisions. The burden of her choices weighs heavily on Nola, and heavy on readers as well. Pittman digs deep into the the topics of betrayal and adultery. As readers, we watch Nola choose to break her marriage vows. Through her, we witness the strong temptation to sin and the equally strong guilt that accompanies that sin. Anyone looking for an idealized, happy read won't find it in the pages of "On Shifting Sand." What Pittman delivers is heart-breaking, but so much more memorable and powerful for its directness. Nola's story is not sugar-coated, nor does it end with a tidy epilogue of perfect lives. When I finished reading the last page, I hoped to read more about Nola and her family. It seems like their story could continue for at least a few hundred more pages. Though readers may be left contemplating the future of Nola and her family, "On Shifting Sand" closes with a promise of hope and forgiveness of all who seek it, and those are promises that will endure longer than any story.<br />
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<i><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from
Tyndale House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required
to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part
255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 10pt;">.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Tyndale House Publishers:</b> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Long before anyone would christen it “The Dust Bowl,” Nola Merrill senses the destruction. She’s been drying up bit by bit since the day her mother died, leaving her to be raised by a father who withholds his affection the way God keeps a grip on the Oklahoma rain. A hasty marriage to Russ, a young preacher, didn’t bring the escape she desired. Now, twelve years later with two children to raise, new seeds of dissatisfaction take root.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">When Jim, a mysterious drifter and long-lost friend from her husband’s past, takes refuge in their home, Nola slowly springs to life under his attentions until a single, reckless encounter brings her to commit the ultimate betrayal of her marriage. For months Nola withers in the wake of the sin she so desperately tries to bury. Guilt and shame consume her physically and spiritually, until an opportunity arises that will bring the family far from the drought and dust of Oklahoma. Or so she thinks. As the storms follow, she is consumed with the burden of her sin and confesses all, hoping to find Russ’s love strong enough to stand the test.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><b>Tyndale's Author Q&A: </b></span></span><br />
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<b>1. What inspired you to write On Shifting Sand?</b><br />
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This is always the hardest question to answer. I loved writing about the dynamics of marriage with my Sister Wife series. But then, a story of a marriage needs conflict, and I’ve yet to see a CBA novel really tackle the idea of adultery in a way that showed it to be a conscientious, willful sin, disassociated from the circumstances of the marriage, or the relationship between the husband and wife. Too often, it was a backstory to justify a divorced character. Or it was a series of close calls, but never fully realized. I wanted to portray it as sin. Pure and simple, but unique in the fact that it reaches beyond the sinner, and carries with it a risk in confession. And then, I wanted to write a story that follows through a journey of restoration—not simply coming back to Christ, but coming back to life. It took a bit for all the pieces to come together, and so many of them weren’t discovered until I was buried in the story. More than any of my books, inspiration for this story came bit by bit.<br />
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<b>2. The story is written from the perspective of Nola Merrill, who finds herself in an adulterous relationship. Why did you decide to write the story from the perspective of an unreliable narrator?</b><br />
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I think we are all unreliable narrators in our own lives, especially when it comes to facing our sin. We justify our sin, proclaim ourselves victims, assign blame and downplay responsibility. We can bury ourselves so deeply in guilt, we’re blind to the idea of redemption, so we ignore what God tells us about confession and grace and mercy. We lie to ourselves the same way Nola lies to herself—and, thereby, to the readers. I have no doubt this character will make readers uncomfortable. She made me uncomfortable. They are going to be frustrated with her choices, disappointed by her actions, but I’m OK with that. I think Nola is the realest character I’ve ever created.<br />
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<b>3. Why did you decide to set the story during The Dust Bowl? </b><br />
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When I knew I was going to write a story about adultery, I was determined not to have the adultery resulting from any shortfalls in the characters’ marriage. No neglect, no alienated affection—none of the usual internal problems that might lead a wife to make the choices Nola makes. I needed an external enemy. The Dust Bowl gave me that. The circumstances made it impossible for a woman to fulfill her traditional role of keeping a clean home. The poverty of the Depression made it difficult for her to feed and care for her family. All of that chips away at Nola’s sense of self-worth, and makes her vulnerable to anything—or anyone—for validation. However, it wasn’t until I was in the middle of writing the story that I realized the real power of these storms. The dust and the wind becomes the voice of Nola’s unconfessed sin. It tortures her and follows her. The more photographs and film footage I saw, the more desolation and hopelessness I saw. It was a time and place in desperate need of rain, just as any sinner is in desperate need of Jesus Christ, the Living Water. The setting of the Dust Bowl took on a dimension greater than I imagined at the outset, and grows over the course of the story—just as the storms themselves did.B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-35172395690467983632015-04-12T18:18:00.001-04:002015-04-12T18:18:25.548-04:00Review: "Finding Me" by Kathryn Cushman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocHhv77ByM7RJS4EugnHpKH9EAjc4TL9l6k5UmoQlcXpekwkjT0wYLsGcad4L5G1i1Mb6pCOETwXNlgYM13eU1NZwjZ_yz2cHM8xfs3v_3WYL4pcdWKvzPmJLGt9xXA5Y85fPESR7fUPq/s1600/Finding+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocHhv77ByM7RJS4EugnHpKH9EAjc4TL9l6k5UmoQlcXpekwkjT0wYLsGcad4L5G1i1Mb6pCOETwXNlgYM13eU1NZwjZ_yz2cHM8xfs3v_3WYL4pcdWKvzPmJLGt9xXA5Y85fPESR7fUPq/s1600/Finding+Me.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rating: 3.5 Stars</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review:</b> "Finding Me" by Kathryn Cushman is a story of healing, love, and forgiveness. Kelli Huddleston embarks on a journey to discover her true heritage after she uncovers evidence that her father harbored deep family secrets. The plot transitions from California to Tennessee, bringing an abundance of small town southern charm. Everything falls into place perfectly for Kelli to settle into life in Shoal Creek - she finds a job, a place to live, and develops close friendships. The main conflict in the story is provided by Kelli's emotional struggles as she finds herself and the family that she has never known. Another source of tension for readers is wondering how Kelli's family will react when they learn her true identity. "Finding Me" is more of a drama than a romance. Although there is a potential relationship for Kelli, it doesn't emerge until the later in the novel and remains primarily in the background. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Finding Me" is a novel that I enjoyed for its unique plot. There are times that the flow feels interrupted by the changes in perspective from Kelli to a few of the other characters. Since the novel is entitled "Finding Me," I think Kelli's </span>perspective combined with her journal entries would be just as impactful. Each character plays an important role in Kelli's journey, so their perspectives aren't unwelcome, but the perspective changes are, at times, quick and frequent.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The depth that Cushman brings to Kelli's story is undeniable, and she builds a plot that makes the reader question how Kelli's tale will unfold. The conclusion is sweet and full of promise for the characters' futures, while leaving some details to the reader's imagination. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Bethany House: </b></span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.71429;"><i>What would you do if you learned your life was a lie? </i></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.71429;">All her life, Kelli Huddleston has been told the story of a fire--a fire that killed her mother and two siblings when she was an infant. After her father's death though, she uncovers evidence of a different story, including clippings about a boat accident that killed a young father and his infant daughter. And Kelli quietly realizes the story of her life has been a fiction.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.71429;"> </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.71429;"><i>How far would you go to discover the truth?</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Armed with only a few pictures of what she thinks might be her family, Kelli crosses the country to Tennessee, determined to uncover the truth about what happened over twenty years ago in a small southern town. When the trip threatens to open doors to the past better left shut, and her plans for the future are jeopardized, Kelli is faced with an agonizing choice that will change her life forever.</span></div>
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B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-56657305897875735872015-03-29T19:59:00.001-04:002015-03-29T19:59:17.154-04:00Review: "Justified" by Varina Denman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb1w4OITnhpAiHmI3feaRMglz49dOe2Yeb7bzJs8c116oxcw3S-bqGWUPK2tePzZOcqn1LbDT8VjOiwFu_Wgq-YK4M_-_45LdHCRtG7vQr1DngPjj91aLJglnovpk9Yz04Pf95Fin1MYl/s1600/Justified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb1w4OITnhpAiHmI3feaRMglz49dOe2Yeb7bzJs8c116oxcw3S-bqGWUPK2tePzZOcqn1LbDT8VjOiwFu_Wgq-YK4M_-_45LdHCRtG7vQr1DngPjj91aLJglnovpk9Yz04Pf95Fin1MYl/s1600/Justified.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 5 Stars</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>After reading "Jaded," the first novel in Varina Denman's "Mended Hearts" series, I immediately began "Justified." I was so invested in the characters, that I put other books aside in favor of jumping right into the second novel. Although "Justified" can stand on its own, readers will miss out on the strong character connection developed in "Jaded."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Denman proves to be a very gifted storyteller, creating plots that feel like real life. Trapp is like a snapshot of life in most towns, big or small. We can probably all relate to the judgmental and gossipy behavior of some of Trapp's townfolk. Like "Jaded," "Justified" is built on messages of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Though the themes and the setting are the same, the details of the stories are unique. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Denman's character development quickly draws readers into the lives of not only the main characters, but also the secondary characters. For me, the "Mended Hearts" series is the ideal style for a series: each novel has a new story at the center of the plot, but there are subplots and characters that form a common bond throughout each novel. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Taking center stage in this novel are Fawn Blaylock and JohnScott Pickett. JohnScott establishes himself as a loveable character with the thoughtful ways of a southern gentleman. Anyone who isn't won over by him in the first novel, will certainly become fans by the end of this novel. Fawn doesn't easily gain favor in "Jaded," but as Denman uncovers the vulnerable side of Fawn's personality, she quickly becomes more likeable. I enjoyed watching her grow into a strong and forgiving young woman. </span><br />
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Set against the hot and dusty background of northwest Texas, "Justified" is a novel that I highly recommend. It deals with serious topics like abusive relationships and prejudice, but Denman never allows the plot to become too heavy. There is a sense of hope that spans the length of the book, and Denman shows that the presence of hope and faith can lead us to beauty and love. <br />
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<i style="line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from David C. Cook through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.9555549621582px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summary from David C. Cook: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the privileged daughter of a Texas rancher becomes pregnant by her abusive boyfriend, her small town casts judgment... except for one man who reaches out with tender strength as she learns to forgive herself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a forgotten town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes others are justified in condemning her sins. Yet a yearning in her soul instills hope for a second chance when the head football coach treats her with gentle respect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Varina Denman's novel <i>Justified</i> perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town. It is the story of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community struggling to understand them both</span></div>
B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-19913377346935425912015-03-29T19:54:00.000-04:002015-03-29T19:54:23.236-04:00Review of "Together With You"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xGS2St1_bCwkkJlUh43NpZgt_gax4wFY3VHT_WqWJ4EDfbaoH9zG_EiwYzWTFhejw_fNSXRBHrq5XSRxMW9JJneBEHhEcSxhE8VcC0T4DagU_00eLV2pqOS3trYZKAp_6WoIn8Gx_2Ma/s1600/TogetherwithYou.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xGS2St1_bCwkkJlUh43NpZgt_gax4wFY3VHT_WqWJ4EDfbaoH9zG_EiwYzWTFhejw_fNSXRBHrq5XSRxMW9JJneBEHhEcSxhE8VcC0T4DagU_00eLV2pqOS3trYZKAp_6WoIn8Gx_2Ma/s1600/TogetherwithYou.png" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<b>Rating: 4 Stars</b><br />
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<b>Review:</b> Although Victoria Bylin has written many novels, "Together With You" marks the second novel published by Bethany House and my first introduction to her writing. "Together With You" is a novel that is multi-layered and rich in self-discovery, forgiveness, redemption, and nurturing relationships. The title and cover might suggest a simple and light-hearted love story, but the first chapter reveals deeper issues. While Dr. Ryan Tremaine has a thriving medical business, his family is broken, and he is struggling from the guilt, pain, and consequences unleashed after having an affair that destroyed his marriage and his integrity. Carly Mason is a compassionate college student and former social worker living far from her Kentucky roots. After finding Dr. Tremaine's young daughter, Penny, Carly interacts with her in a warm manner that tugs at both the reader's and Ryan's hearts. Despite Carly's reluctance to become emotionally invested in Penny, the relationship that develops between them has lasting effects on Penny and each member of the family. <br />
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Victoria Bylin skillfully draws readers into the pain, joy, heartache, and struggles that can exist within a family and individual's hearts. From Ryan's pain to the hurt and anger boiling within his young teenage son and the jumbled thoughts of young Penny, "Together With You" is a serious and thought-provoking novel. Yet, these characters only represent a portion of the complete story. Carly is a young woman who enters their home and seems to have the conviction and ability to meld each of their lives together. Readers realize that she is also struggling with guilt from her past and a faith that has been tested. <br />
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The tender and tentative relationship that develops between Carly and Ryan is masterfully developed between them as they work to respect each other, their differences, and their past mistakes. The conclusion of "Together With You" offers readers a powerful message of forgiveness and of building faith and family. <br />
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Victoria Bylin delivers a serious and reflective novel that will likely stir each reader's heart. Although "Together With You" was the first novel that I have read by her, I anticipate reading more of Victoria Bylin's books in the future, beginning with "Until I Found You," which was released May 2014. <br />
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<i style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
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<b>Summary from Bethany House:</b> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.71429;">Sometimes the most unexpected love can be exactly what a heart needs...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.71429;">When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.</span></div>
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Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.</div>
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Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Sound of Music,</i> one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.</div>
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B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-41039604956394488932015-03-29T17:21:00.003-04:002015-03-29T19:03:23.315-04:00Book Review: "Jaded" by Varina Denman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuO-TdhuiSz0H-KiN_cqpKpARa3DPwjNsid4ooJWyYO7cFIpinC9GxHWq2fo76AK5OTLZsElgcwOZoQI9QYcUizdxz1vOtyeOdwHa8sO6qXGNXJ-Z2Xi-7Nr66G5BM7Lo8IZw78jFwhvH/s1600/jaded-cover-3d-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuO-TdhuiSz0H-KiN_cqpKpARa3DPwjNsid4ooJWyYO7cFIpinC9GxHWq2fo76AK5OTLZsElgcwOZoQI9QYcUizdxz1vOtyeOdwHa8sO6qXGNXJ-Z2Xi-7Nr66G5BM7Lo8IZw78jFwhvH/s1600/jaded-cover-3d-cropped.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
<b>Rating: 5 Stars</b><br />
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<b>Review: </b>Varina Denman delivers a promising debut with "Jaded," the first novel in the three book "Mended Hearts" series. "Jaded" is full of genuine emotion that pulls at heart strings and encourages introspection. The message of faith is stronger than what is found in many novels, but it is presented in a non-preachy manner. The town of Trapp pulled me into its community and captured my interest with its social dynamics and secrets. Denman creates a cast of characters that are reflective of real life. We've all probably met or behaved like some of the Trapp townsfolk. It is that level of personal relevancy that makes "Jaded" impactful. <br />
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Ruthie and Dodd's relationship is more than a simple love story. Their interactions bring layers of complexity and depth. I definitely found their relationship to be more realistic than many that are portrayed in novels. Ruthie and Dodd's love story goes far beyond physical attraction and delves into deeper issues and emotions. The journey is filled with ups and downs; and along the way. I became invested in not only Ruthie, Dodd, and their families, but in all of the Trapp citizens. When I read the final page of "Jaded," I immediately downloaded the next book in the series "Justified." There are plenty of other stories waiting to be told in more detail, and I am ready to read them.<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>I received a complimentary copy of this book from David C. Cook through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Summary from David C. Cook:</b> As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie's heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;" /><i style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;">Jaded</i> is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man ... and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who's experienced a loss of heart ... and a thirst for hope.</span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-8151861769727121152015-03-15T22:44:00.000-04:002015-03-15T22:44:15.919-04:00Review of "Married 'til Monday" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrCOLxeu4TpKQPiAhj39wWFnqxQ0P0YcJws7uMoL4-_r1o3SzdG69rLShWOCB-nCN3pEwzo7tnMvalhzKYfIS5XpPQYkyGe0TxCx4P2LgWCy-fKq1FrycH_1wImY2ec2reyZ4HGgE2SJE/s1600/Married.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrCOLxeu4TpKQPiAhj39wWFnqxQ0P0YcJws7uMoL4-_r1o3SzdG69rLShWOCB-nCN3pEwzo7tnMvalhzKYfIS5XpPQYkyGe0TxCx4P2LgWCy-fKq1FrycH_1wImY2ec2reyZ4HGgE2SJE/s1600/Married.png" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Rating: 4 Stars</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>If a book was judged by its title alone, I would guess that "Married 'til Monday" would be a light and fun romance. Denise Hunter gives readers much more in book 4 of "The Chapel Springs Romance" series. Readers of the previous novels in the series will be familiar with Ryan and his past</span> with his ex-wife, Abby. Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel, there is a sense of connection to the McKinley family that can only be developed after reading all of the preceding books. Reconnecting with past characters is almost like enjoying an extended epilogue, while hearing a new tale that has been waiting to be told.<br />
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Hunter combines humor, fun, and romance with emotional depth to capture readers. The scenario of "Married 'til Monday" is completely different than the other Chapel Springs Romances. Between a failed marriage, broken hearts, and a long distance road trip in a tiny car, there is a lot of opportunity for revealing emotional conversations alongside romantic attraction. There are some funny scenes to lighten the mood, but the emotional journey of Ryan and Abby is most memorable. They are both carrying heavy baggage from their marriage, and as more of Abby's childhood is revealed, the baggage gets heavier. I always appreciate the way that Denise Hunter develops her characters with dimension that makes them realistic and engaging. "Married 'til Monday" is no exception, and Ryan, Abby, and their struggles become very real throughout the novel.<br />
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"Married 'til Monday" is not a typical romance. It is a tale of a broken marriage and two ex-spouses in need of healing and forgiveness. After catching glimpses of Ryan in the other Chapel Springs Romance books, I was anticipating reading his story. Denise Hunter delivered another solid story that will capture hearts.<br />
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Thomas Nelson: </b><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21px; outline: none;">With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?</span></div>
B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-37616263973478399012015-03-05T14:37:00.001-05:002015-03-15T14:56:38.924-04:00Review of "An Uncertain Choice" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZAlRb8Yyi3brOfvWYcFVtmn7Enw8tVL4BDDLVCKKuVdktDo7McwSQYnF5bikTRNpmZaE5E6bx5XOmi6oaZ3DVPPexhYgWux8NDtlZPEH2YlzejLuZ_CaUpSqmB7rq0QPK6bjQxowi_iE/s1600/uncertain+choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZAlRb8Yyi3brOfvWYcFVtmn7Enw8tVL4BDDLVCKKuVdktDo7McwSQYnF5bikTRNpmZaE5E6bx5XOmi6oaZ3DVPPexhYgWux8NDtlZPEH2YlzejLuZ_CaUpSqmB7rq0QPK6bjQxowi_iE/s1600/uncertain+choice.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></span></a></div>
<b>Rating: 4 Stars</b><br />
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<b>Review: </b>"An Uncertain Choice" is Jody Hedlund's debut novel in the Young Adult market. The plot is a combination of traditional fairy tale meets "The Bachelor." Lady Rosemarie is a young ruler bound by an ancient vow to enter a convent on her eighteenth birthday. Her only escape from such a solitary fate is finding true love and marrying before she turns eighteen. Enter three knights tasked with winning Lady Rosemarie's heart. The story has enough clean romance and adventure to grab the attention of young readers. Hedlund introduces some of the depth and historical detail that defines her adult novels, but in a manner that is more suited to younger audiences.<br />
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The story begins with a scene of Medieval torture and a valiant rescue by a brave knight. That sets the scene for the ribbons of danger and excitement that weave throughout the novel. True to any fairy tale, there are sinister characters carrying out dark schemes. It is quite easy to figure out the person behind various deadly and dangerous situations. The mastermind behind certain events isn't actually revealed until the end of the novel, but most readers won't be surprised by the revelation. The tension created by the events is engaging, and Hedlund gives glimpses into the horrors of Medieval life. Hedlund reveals realities of life beyond castle walls as Lady Rosemarie ventures into poor sections of her kingdom, mingling among the poor. Lady Rosemarie displays a compassionate heart, making her an admirable heroine for teenage readers.<br />
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Descriptions of starving citizens, punishment, and dark dungeons are tempered by a more lighthearted quest for Lady Rosemarie to find true love. Rosemarie is presented with three knights to save her from a solitary life. The knights' attempts to woo Lady Rosemarie add some fun and humor to the plot. For me, this aspect of the plot most defines "An Uncertain Choice" as a young adult novel. The concept of the ancient vow is also too much of a fairy tale concept for me. Still, "An Uncertain Choice" is a quick, quality read. Readers who want to discover more about Lady Rosemarie's parents and the ancient vow can read more in the prequel, "The Vow."<br />
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zonderkidz-Books through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Zondervan: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6000003814697px;">Due to her parents’ promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, shortly before her birthday, a friend of her father’s enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents’ will left a second choice—if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.6000003814697px;">Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the knights’ arrival results in a series of attacks within her land, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights—the one who appears the most guilty—had not already captured her heart.</span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-37508460028532411482015-02-26T12:34:00.001-05:002015-03-15T14:58:54.612-04:00Review of "To Win Her Favor"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeZztQxsfB6_FGSV7_geTDVEGhEWvN_LeUli6ujOvckbVwOCFhBybysMpd0bfCaoOHdIw-DaJcQRKGwc64Gcij2MaRXzU9vUj_opD4pCaQbQgTQRwp48rZJeUCM245pUM58CnWlJqE3lo/s1600/Win+Her+Favor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeZztQxsfB6_FGSV7_geTDVEGhEWvN_LeUli6ujOvckbVwOCFhBybysMpd0bfCaoOHdIw-DaJcQRKGwc64Gcij2MaRXzU9vUj_opD4pCaQbQgTQRwp48rZJeUCM245pUM58CnWlJqE3lo/s1600/Win+Her+Favor.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rating: 5 Stars</span></b><br />
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<b>Review: </b>I love Tamera Alexander's novels for their historical detail and depth. Her Belle Meade Plantation and Belmont Mansion series have both captured my interest because they are set in one of my favorite places, Nashville, Tennessee. "To Win Her Favor" is Alexander's latest release in the Belle Meade Plantation series, and one of my favorite recent reads with its expertly layered plot. For romance fans, there is a heartwarming and sometimes sizzling love story between the two main characters, Maggie and Cullen. Below the surface of their attraction, is a powerful message of overcoming prejudice. Love, courage, and forgiveness are common themes which make this novel undeniably meaningful. </span><br />
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Alexander focuses on the less-than-idyllic side of the South's history, when prejudice ran rampant against not only African-Americans, but also those of different nationalities. I didn't realize the discrimination faced by the Irish until reading "To Win Her Favor." From more passive actions, like social snubs, to physical violence, like lynchings, Alexander captures the harsh social climate of the post-Civil War south. Her descriptions of physical violence are not graphic, but convey the cruelty and pain that hatred breeds. Maggie and Cullen's perspectives provide two social views. Maggie is a native Tennessean, from a once prominent Nashville family, and Cullen is an Irishman with a painful past. Maggie really grows from a sheltered young woman into a compassionate and courageous woman as the story progresses and Cullen opens her eyes to society's injustices.</span><br />
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The supporting characters play integral roles in completing the plot. Among the most memorable are the former slaves and their families who work at Linden Downs. The injustices and cruelties that they suffer represent only a minuscule fraction of what was experienced in real life, but are thought-provoking nonetheless. Alexander does a excellent job of portraying Maggie's growing love and respect for the Linden Down employees. Cullen helps her to grow into a stronger and more compassionate woman, while Cullen learns to find peace with his past through Maggie. Their business-relationship marriage shows the blossoming of true love and an ideal partnership when two truly are better than one. </span><br />
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Prejudice is a dark nemesis throughout the book, and the concluding chapters will leave readers tense, awaiting its defeat. There are moments that will break hearts and moments that will warm hearts. "To Win Her Favor" is the perfect combination of love, pain, and triumph to engage readers.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
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<b>Summary from Zondervan:</b> <span style="line-height: 18.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who can help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing for good.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.6000003814697px;">An Irish-born son far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and start a farm, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.6000003814697px;">Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the annual Drayton Stakes at Nashville’s racetrack––the richest race run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance, and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder, Maggie’s father––aging, yet wily as ever––makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny, troublesome detail––Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.6000003814697px;">Cullen and Maggie need each other in order to achieve their dreams. But their stubborn, wounded hearts––and the escalating violence from a "secret society" responsible for lynchings and midnight raids––may prove too much for even two determined souls.</span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-52752611604676003312015-02-16T16:17:00.000-05:002015-02-16T16:17:56.845-05:00Review of "Beyond All Dreams"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxuwqCATahcBWtT5R8CqUY2QTx_okGtNx7hXy9byAaLIOM-srRcvTmkXBbiTuB59spQLYUXLMyiI7RL6-oR4F5s42vyNP7ERMP-S5cE3M1u68QQCHkA5uLbjA9z2WB5HsEA2o3QeSXnwh/s1600/Beyond+All+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxuwqCATahcBWtT5R8CqUY2QTx_okGtNx7hXy9byAaLIOM-srRcvTmkXBbiTuB59spQLYUXLMyiI7RL6-oR4F5s42vyNP7ERMP-S5cE3M1u68QQCHkA5uLbjA9z2WB5HsEA2o3QeSXnwh/s1600/Beyond+All+Dreams.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><b><i>Rating: 4 Stars</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Review: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">I love visiting libraries, and the Library of Congress is one of my favorite. When I learned that "Beyond All Dreams" is set in the Library of Congress, I </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">immediately</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"> put it on my reading list. Elizabeth Camden's attention to historical detail brought the library to life at the pivotal point in its history when it </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">transitions</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"> from the Capitol into it's own opulent surroundings. I </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">definitely</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"> felt a deeper </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">connection</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"> to the setting of the novel since I have visited the Library of Congress a few times and was able to clearly envision its design. The building has always captured my </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">interest</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"> with its history and </span></span><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">beauty, but I have never considered the stories of its past librarians and patrons. "Beyond All Dreams" gave me a new perspective into the history of the Library of Congress and the men and women who have worked there. I definitely learned some information that I don't recall hearing on a tour; and the next time I enter the Library of Congress, my thoughts will go beyond an awe of the impressive design. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">While the setting of "Beyond All Dreams" is what I will likely remember most, the plot within is also interesting. Alice O'Brien and Luke Callahan are characters with unique back-stories that play important roles in adding some tension and depth to the plot. Alice's job as a librarian and Luke's position as a Congressman are ideal for capturing the political environment of Washington D.C. in the late 1890s. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Anna's search for the truth regarding the disappearance of her father's ship gives mystery to the plot, especially when we learn early-on that the government does not want the truth revealed. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Cameo appearances by such figures as William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, add authenticity to the plot, and a sense of "time travel" that I love. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Alice and Luke are an unconventional couple. Anna's quiet ways were easy for me to relate to since I am also an introvert. Luke never completely won me over because he often came across to me as cocky and flashy. Some of his fashion choices raised my eyebrows too. Nevertheless, it was refreshing to read a love story in which opposites attract. Anna's friend, Neville, and Luke's nephew, Philip, each offered their own subplots that complimented the main story. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">"Beyond All Dreams" is a great read for historical fiction fans. Elizabeth Camden provides historical information in an entertaining plot. Anyone with a love of books and libraries will find treasures within the pages as they delve into the Library of Congress with Anna. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><b>Summary from Bethany House: </b>Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-4396215553360006662015-02-09T20:46:00.003-05:002015-02-09T21:04:26.937-05:00Review of "Mist of Midnight"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG9aZd6mL49ugELhZMJ-RomGeDS95gdCcWN48B5GV8_i_q1qoU_utDCMPesezk2WnAAlPxs3GCdQUmYPBBGZoS7WeGiBPZDjoHN0XWYvLoH1KlsLlwSPJA_Zofgd42sAmBLhp4dccoHMw/s1600/mist-of-midnight-9781476717869_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG9aZd6mL49ugELhZMJ-RomGeDS95gdCcWN48B5GV8_i_q1qoU_utDCMPesezk2WnAAlPxs3GCdQUmYPBBGZoS7WeGiBPZDjoHN0XWYvLoH1KlsLlwSPJA_Zofgd42sAmBLhp4dccoHMw/s1600/mist-of-midnight-9781476717869_hr.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Rating: 4 Stars</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Review<span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">If "Mist of Midnight" </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">is any indication, Sandra Byrd's new series "The Daughters of Hampshire" will be full of </span>Gothic<span style="font-family: inherit;"> style suspense. "Mist of Midnight"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> is as veiled in mystery as the title suggests with layers upon layers of intrigue. Rebecca Ravenshaw returns to England following a deadly uprising in India, only to discover that a now deceased </span>impostor<span style="font-family: inherit;"> has stolen her identity. In the first couple of chapters, the central questions are established: who was Rebecca's </span>impostor<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and how did she truly die? Those mysteries set the basis for the rest of the novel. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It seems that deadly danger lurks around every corner, waiting to pounce on Rebecca. Characters and their actions are constantly in question, until truth is revealed. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Byrd tells the story solely from Rebecca's perspective, which keeps the suspense high. As readers, we can only speculate about the motives of each character and form our own theories about some of the suspicious occurrences. While I appreciate the first person point-of-view for the added element of mystery, it let me down in the love story. The further I progressed in the novel, the more I realized that there was only one love interest for Rebecca; however, he was also a character whose intentions were in question. The interaction between him and Rebecca is limited, and hindered by Rebecca's uncertainty about trusting him. Ultimately, I felt no satisfaction when their love finally developed. In fact, I would have been less disappointed if Rebecca had chosen to remain single. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The mystery soared above the romance, and kept me interested in the book. Byrd threw in some unexpected twists when all of the simmering mysteries were answered. True to a Gothic-inspired novel, there are some eerie scenes, like strange lights in the mist and late night visits to graves. The fear factor is very light, but adds enough intrigue to keep readers coming back for more.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Howard Books:</b> In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her future in his hands.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her...and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca's name, but her home and incomes. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and her father's investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”? <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A captivating Gothic love story set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mist of Midnight</i> will leave you breathless. </span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-67978924786174921272015-01-18T19:57:00.002-05:002015-01-18T19:57:54.717-05:00Review of "The Song" Chris Fabry, Richard L. Ramsey <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftkCQGv071i-WOXUaHXr28krDFpUp-TuePJaIMqR7g4cbOZsh0Zrxpbcsc2aBg6gzNMOjx7aVUSEQkLkeIrdlz175w8yDBqQfrALwNmLMMNZLP9MpCbsSx6jT69WqfYf3Fko5L4P_fkL0/s1600/The+Song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftkCQGv071i-WOXUaHXr28krDFpUp-TuePJaIMqR7g4cbOZsh0Zrxpbcsc2aBg6gzNMOjx7aVUSEQkLkeIrdlz175w8yDBqQfrALwNmLMMNZLP9MpCbsSx6jT69WqfYf3Fko5L4P_fkL0/s1600/The+Song.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Rating: 4 Stars</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>I have seen the trailer for the movie version of "The Song", but I have not yet seen the movie. I was drawn to the book based on what I had seen in the movie trailer and because Chris Fabry lent his writing prowess to the novel. The foreword implies that "The Song" is a resource for readers in romantic relationships, so I wondered if connection would be lacking for a single reader. It is definitely easy to see why this story is so relevant to couples, but its message of love, temptation, and forgiveness is universal. </span><br />
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"The Song"takes readers on a journey through the life of a relationship. Rather than focusing on the idyllic "falling in love stage," it delves into real-life trials and tribulations that couples can face. The scope of "The Song" is broader than some of Fabry's other novels. "The Song" brings his story full circle, packing several years into its pages. I felt like an outside observer reading the course of events. Usually that leaves me feeling disconnected, but I found myself quickly connecting to the story and the characters. It definitely reads like a movie, making it a quick read. <br />
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Rose and Jed are likable characters from the beginning of the novel. With their likability and love quickly established, the subsequent events become tangibly painful. The rifts that develop in their marriage are difficult to witness, especially knowing that such events really happen to married couples. The plot takes us down the rocky road of bad decisions. While I don't agree with Jed's decisions, his character shows that anyone is susceptible to temptation. He is so confident in his morals and faith in the beginning of the novel, but just one ill-made decision starts him down a slippery-slope of deceit and betrayal. From the prologue we know that Jed's path leaves him lingering between life and death. We know the big picture of the plot - the love and the heartbreak. Anyone who has seen the movie will also know the ultimate outcome of Jed's life and his marriage. Like any good song, "The Song" is a novel that can be re-read even though its story is well-known.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Tyndale House Publishers: </b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">Jed King’s life has been shaped by the songs and mistakes of his famous father. He wants to sing his own song, but the words and melody are elusive. Haunted by the scars inflicted by his broken family, Jed’s dreams of a successful music career seem out of reach . . . until he meets Rose.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As romance quickly blooms, Jed pens a new song and suddenly finds himself catapulted into stardom. But with this life of fame comes temptation, the same temptation that lured his father so many years ago.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Set in the fertile mid-South, this quest for success leads Jed and Rose on a journey that will force them to deal with the pain of loss, failure, and the desire to be who God created them to be.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lyrical and deeply honest,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><i>The Song</i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">asks the hard questions of love and forgiveness. When even the wisest of men are fools in love, can true love persevere?</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-85466364440052920012015-01-18T19:54:00.000-05:002015-01-18T19:54:03.829-05:00Review of "Like a Flower in Bloom"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQ0I3U2z9qX_0NW81Kz3dzz2Pmb9nbUnUVM86cdzGyrkIu_B0rTJAmCU1a4WtPUsdLWXsScczsNGDZtgtgYlCsDPeT80KpNvUnXj62iruxKeipRqZXhuhebpGs2hcE0C3A6OmuVNq27k/s1600/Like+a+Flower+in+Bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSQ0I3U2z9qX_0NW81Kz3dzz2Pmb9nbUnUVM86cdzGyrkIu_B0rTJAmCU1a4WtPUsdLWXsScczsNGDZtgtgYlCsDPeT80KpNvUnXj62iruxKeipRqZXhuhebpGs2hcE0C3A6OmuVNq27k/s1600/Like+a+Flower+in+Bloom.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Rating: 4 Stars</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>Siri Mitchell has long been on my list of favorite authors, for both her historical and modern novels. Some of them are serious in tone, and some are more humorous. "Like a Flower in Bloom" combines Mitchell's rich historical depictions with a significant dose of humor. Charlotte Withersby and her father are endearingly oblivious to social norms, lost in their world of papers and botany. When Charlotte's world is flipped on its axis by her well-meaning uncle and the arrival of Edward, a handsome new assistant, she is pushed into society to hunt for a husband instead of flowers. Charlotte's forays into Overwich's polite society, field clubs, and ballrooms soon lead to comical situations. It's hard not to laugh aloud at some of her antics and mistakes. Her friendship with Miss Templeton is another source of humor, as their decisions are not always the wisest. Miss Templeton reminds me of Jane Austen's Emma, taking Charlotte under her wing as her pet-project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The description of the plot establishes Edward as Charlotte's love interest. To my disappointment, their relationship felt disconnected. Charlotte's plan to feign interest in two other potential suitors leads her to spend just as much time in their presence. Both characters are colorful and zany in their own ways. I enjoyed their presence in the novel, but felt that they overshadowed Edward at times. Reading the story from Charlotte's perspective limited the scope of the novel for me. After finishing the novel, I don't feel as though I know Edward nor the depth of Charlotte's feelings for him. My emotional connection to Charlotte is not as strong as it could be, but I do empathize with her desire to be recognized for being herself and doing the work she loves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mitchell always excels in her historical details. She brings unique aspects of the past to life, teaching readers, but most importantly entertaining us as well. "Like a Flower in Bloom" is a prime example. Charlotte's position as a botanist, shines the spotlight on the history of botany and the struggle of female scientists to be taken seriously. Mitchell </span>incorporates<span style="font-family: inherit;"> details with purpose to seamlessly blend historical realism into an engaging plot. Even specifics that seem like character quirks, like Miss Templeton's fear of dying during childbirth or Mr. Stansbury's practice of stumpery, have roots in historical fact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Like a Flower in Bloom" is a blossom as refreshing as it's cover art. I found reason to smile and laugh within its pages. It also prompts introspection for finding our own personal happiness and being satisfied with our own unique bloom. The world, like a garden would be a dull place indeed, if we all fit into predefined </span>standards<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of conformity. </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Summary from Bethany House: <i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">He Stole the Work She Loved. </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-10306652686485728792015-01-11T20:23:00.001-05:002015-01-11T20:26:41.644-05:00Review of Price of Privilege"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPyWCcinmhyphenhypheny6QxDDIsSX-qfGJ49LadTLiieJbWxDGbXbHIMaORcBCml58xi5_tRgj6i_XjKYvOtJ_dXanSIMnNrY0jJjSSeJWCEETX_8fUbZ1beSwomNrES6pG-DnSvU4k5ReNfp5Hge/s1600/Price+of+Privilege.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPyWCcinmhyphenhypheny6QxDDIsSX-qfGJ49LadTLiieJbWxDGbXbHIMaORcBCml58xi5_tRgj6i_XjKYvOtJ_dXanSIMnNrY0jJjSSeJWCEETX_8fUbZ1beSwomNrES6pG-DnSvU4k5ReNfp5Hge/s1600/Price+of+Privilege.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: 4 Stars</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>Jessica Dotta's "Price of Privilege Trilogy" arrested my attention like few others. It's deep, dark, with intrigue powered by mystery and lead characters straight out of a Bronte or Dickens novel. Dotta created an amazingly developed series with so many layers and details, that each novel is completely dependent upon its predecessor. In fact, I re-read "Born of Persuasion" before reading "Mark of Distinction" and "Price of Privilege" back-to-back. </span><br />
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Julia's story is definitely full of twists, turns, and nail-biting tension. Her first person perspective lends more mystery to the plot, because like Julia, we can only speculate about the true motives of other characters. Although she doesn't make the best decisions, it is easy to understand her confusion, fear, and desperation. By the end of the first novel, I was invested in Julia's life and anxiously awaiting the continuation of her story. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I absolutely loved the pace of events in the first two novels. They offered the perfect balance of emotion and action. In all three, Dotta employs foreshadowing, which builds suspense and reader engagement. "Price of Privilege" leaned more heavily on Julia's emotions and introspection, particularly in the first half of the novel. There are eventful scenes in the first 200 or so pages, and plenty of cryptic comments from Julia, hinting at pain to come. Most of what is foreshadowed comes in the novel's final half, making it hard to put down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I questioned how the tale could end happily, and as t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">he culmination of Julia's past decisions occurs</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> there is unavoidable pain and heartbreak. A tidy happy-ever-after ending would have been a complete disappointment, but Dotta delivers some of the most powerful scenes of the entire trilogy in the concluding chapters. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Readers, prepare yourselves for a tear-jerking conclusion. It is an achingly bittersweet example of love and sacrifice. The loss of a beloved character will leave your heart breaking alongside Julia's. I closed the book wishing that I had privy to the inner emotions of that particular character. But, knowing only Julia's perspective made me feel the loss more poignantly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jessica Dotta's richly written "Price of Privilege Trilogy" is one that is not to be missed. Each novel definitely ranks high among the books that I have read in the past year. These books are not in danger of being labelled as "forgettable," with a series that is so sweeping and encompassing. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summary from Tyndale House Publishers: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Having finally discovered the truth of her birthright, Julia Elliston is determined to outwit Chance Macy at his own game. Holding a secret he’d kill to keep, however, is proving more difficult than she imagined.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Just when Julia thinks she’s managed to untangle herself from Macy’s clutches, he changes tactics with a risky ploy. As the scandal of the century breaks loose, drawing rooms all over London whisper what so far newspapers have not dared to print: Macy’s lost bride is none other than Lord Pierson’s daughter—and one of the most controversial cases of marital law ever seen comes before Victorian courts.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Though Julia knows Macy’s version of events is another masterful manipulation, public opinion is swaying in his favor. Caught in a web of deceit and lies, armed only with a fledgling faith, Julia must face her fiercest trial yet.</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-35252529376336346402014-12-08T21:31:00.000-05:002014-12-08T21:31:16.480-05:00Review of "Love Unexpected" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya8Wyu9BxH0M5qaWWcR_vlKNxBYqqFebFX2QR4qNN-TFCaLfLcrSFPXjN2bjzgTlPrQ8AQ3ur9vVBFQfRESY21AALcDUIPpTF9IACsYY_kfekh6ZWcazS5VT93Dz1VApUwRFOalx_k7_j/s1600/LoveUnexpected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya8Wyu9BxH0M5qaWWcR_vlKNxBYqqFebFX2QR4qNN-TFCaLfLcrSFPXjN2bjzgTlPrQ8AQ3ur9vVBFQfRESY21AALcDUIPpTF9IACsYY_kfekh6ZWcazS5VT93Dz1VApUwRFOalx_k7_j/s1600/LoveUnexpected.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Rating: 4 Stars</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Review: </b>"Love Unexpected" is a gentle romance with endearing characters and a beautiful setting. Jody Hedlund makes a mark on readers' hearts with her tale of faith, forgiveness, and love. I became easily ensconced in the lives of Emma, Patrick, and Josiah. The unexpected is present from the tense opening scene when Emma finds herself coming close to death at sea. In a short span of time, her life completely changes and she becomes a wife and mother. I was surprised at how suddenly Emma and Patrick enter into their marriage of convenience. In many ways, their situation is similar to "Love Comes Softly," and the marriage is just the beginning of the story. Emma's struggles and doubts as a new wife and mother make her a realistic character who is easily lovable. Her compassion and humility definitely stand out, and her interactions with little Josiah are absolutely heart-melting. The cover art captures their bond to perfection, and matches the essence of the novel in its entirety. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Patrick is the epitome of a gentleman, behaving with honor and restraint. Emma quickly loses her heart to him and readers will too. His character is one with multiple layers that add texture to the entire plot. His dark history is a stark contrast to the redeemed Patrick, which adds significant depth to the messages of hope and forgiveness. Patrick's job as the keeper of the Presque Isle light seamlessly incorporates Michigan's nautical history. The small village and its lighthouse are described with picturesque charm, while still acknowledging the hardships faced by those who settled in remote areas. Jody Hedlund has an undeniable ability to bring to characters to life and place them in historical settings, and that talent is </span>prevalent<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in "Love Unexpected." The gentle love and the purity of emotion make this a memorable novel, whose light shines brightly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"> </span></span><br />
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<b>Summary from Bethany House: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">1859, </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Presque Isle, Michigan </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.0000610351563px;">Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.</span></span></div>
B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717312418401980685.post-11234862758506128242014-12-08T21:22:00.001-05:002014-12-08T21:22:38.834-05:00Review of "Brentwood's Ward"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KB-r5rcbcRj-4-tLGZOzJGkFFzGY3kOCSQnbJUxerWepYCsnKp7yWN9GbR_t2UxpbsBirJt_w1HcUwYq24R0yZ-rdzY5OECPusus0j-acxQMLzP4VoXgKel8fha2ok5wjZo67aNpDP8v/s1600/Brentwood.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KB-r5rcbcRj-4-tLGZOzJGkFFzGY3kOCSQnbJUxerWepYCsnKp7yWN9GbR_t2UxpbsBirJt_w1HcUwYq24R0yZ-rdzY5OECPusus0j-acxQMLzP4VoXgKel8fha2ok5wjZo67aNpDP8v/s1600/Brentwood.png" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: 4 Stars</span></i></b><br />
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<b>Review: </b>"Brentwood's Ward" isn't a typical Regency romance; it has murder, mystery, and deception alongside the expected spencer jackets and social gatherings. Michelle Griep creates a plot with numerous twists and surprises that keep the pace moving steadily. Emily Payne is a headstrong young woman determined to do things her own way, even when danger lurks nearby. She comes across as spoiled and makes some aggravating decisions; but like any good character, the circumstances she faces lead to growth and maturity. Sparks fly when the handsome Nicholas Brentwood is assigned as guardian to Emily. The two are social opposites, and Emily is steadfastly determined to marry within her own class. The result is an undercurrent of romance, leaving us in anticipation for the moment they openly acknowledge their mutual love. <br />
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Brentwood brings a lot of interest to the story. He plays a variety of roles - guardian, lawman, and caretaker. Griep ties in a few subplots through Brentwood. His job as a Bow Street Runner provides a new perspective into London's history, while bringing action and suspense as well. Brentwood takes us on a detective's journey to uncover the deadly danger that surrounds Emily and her family. The most heartwarming role that Brentwood portrays is that of a loving brother. His sick sister is a sweet addition to the cast, who reminds me of Betsy in Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South." Brentwood's interactions with his sister establish his character, making him a stark contrast to some of the society "gentleman" who Emily holds in high regard.<br />
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"Brentwood's Ward" is a novel that kept my interest completely. The specifics of the central mystery and Emily's family felt somewhat contrived, but I enjoyed the story. I read Michelle Griep's "A Heart Deceived" last year, and found it completely gripping. "Brentwood's Ward" is less memorable for me, but a novel that I fully recommend. Griep's ability to create a dimensional historical story with themes of faith will keep me picking up her books. <br />
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<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19.4039993286133px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.</span></i><br />
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<b>Summary from Barbour Publishing:<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.</span></span>B Squaredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09973315139467109674noreply@blogger.com0