Review of "Princess Ever After"

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: Rachel Hauck treats readers to modern fairy tales in her Royal Wedding Series. In "Princess Ever After," fantasy becomes real-life for Regina Beswick when she learns that she is a long-lost princess with the responsibility of a nation's independence on her shoulders. Life as a princess is not all fancy dresses and balls for Regina; she must cope with paparazzi and an influential political opponent.  Hauck sketches Regina as an everyday American girl with her own dreams.  It is easy to relate to her hesitancy in accepting a monumental change and the challenges it brings, both large and small.  Details like riding in the front seat with her chauffeur and asking household staff to address her by first name, reinforce Regina's image as an average person. 

"Princess Ever After" is a fairy tale, but with more believable elements.  Regina's transformation into a princess refreshingly veers from a mere physical change.  Her journey focuses more on emotion, faith, and family. Politics also plays an important role in Regina's path to the throne, and the political climate of Hauck's fictitious Hessenberg is a prominent part of the plot.  Although not complex, the details did not hold my interest, except for in a few tense moments.  

Tanner Burkhardt is a current version of a "Prince Charming."  He has led a far from perfect life, resulting in a failed marriage and broken family bonds.  The relationship between Tanner and Regina is easy and understated, but I would have enjoyed more complexity. Like other parts of the plot, their relationship tied up easily despite difficulties.  "Princess Ever After" is an overall light read with a happily ever after to satisfy readers.  

I received a complimentary e-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.

Summary from Zondervan: Regina Beswick was born to be a princess.

But she’s content to be a small-town girl, running a classic auto restoration shop, unaware a secret destiny awaits her. One that will leap from the pages of her grandmother’s hand-painted book of fairytales.
Tanner Burkhardt is the stoic Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. When he is tasked to retrieve the long-lost princess, he must overcome his fear of failure in order to secure his nation’s future---and his own.

Yet lurking in the political shadows is a fierce opponent with sinister plans to abolish the throne forever.
Overwhelmed with opposition, Regina must decide if she’s destined to restore old cars or an ancient nation. Together---with a little divine intervention---Regina and Tanner discover the truth of her heritage and the healing power of true love.

Review of "The Dancing Master"

Rating: 4.5 Stars

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Review:  Since the debut of her first novel, "Lady of Milkweed Manor," I eagerly await each new work by Julie Klassen.  Like the British settings and period dramas that she loves, each of her novels read like scenes from a Jane Austen movie or BBC film.  Her latest release, "The Dancing Master"  will not fail to disappoint readers.  Like the village of Candleford in the British drama "Lark Rise to Candleford," Beaworthy is a village filled with its own mixture of charms, beauty, sadness, and secrets.  Each member of the community has his or her own insecurities or prejudices that they must overcome. Lady Amelia Midwinter is the matriarch of Beaworthy and appears to be bitter and cold-hearted, while forbidding both dance lessons and public dances. The arrival of young and handsome Alec Valcourt, a dancing master from London, begins to unravel some of the fiercely held "laws" of the past twenty years.   Since dancing is not condoned within the village, Alec encounters his share of resistance and prejudice against his profession and his manhood.  The introduction of Alec Valcourt is a welcome distraction for Lady Amelia's flirtatious and reckless daughter, Julia, who feels dissatisfied and imprisoned by the limitations that her mother places upon her.  As each of their lives entwine,  it becomes evident that secrets and mysteries lurk just beneath the surface and each person cannot be defined by one's initial impressions. 

Julie Klassen has mastered the art of storytelling as she creates scenes that are rich in historical details and intriguing characters.  As a reader, I was captivated by the mysterious history of Beaworthy and the complexities of each of the main characters.  Lady Amelia, Alec, Julia, and other supporting characters each exhibit their own weaknesses and struggles.  Julia has a childlike innocence and vulnerability that mirrors her mother's, but only a buried past will allow each of them to flourish.  Alec is also haunted by his own recent past and a scandal that wishes to taint his potential happiness in Beaworthy.   The village is aptly named because worthiness, forgiveness, love, grace, and redemption are themes of the novel.   Just as one becomes frustrated and struggles to learn the steps of a minuet or English country dance,  the trials are worthwhile after each of the steps and dancers unite in perfect synchronization and harmony. Julie Klassen created a plot as graceful and as intricate as the dances she portrayed. The storyline played out with the nuances of a dance- the struggles, anticipation, mystery, climax, resolution and beauty.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse. 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.

Summary from Bethany House Publishers: Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul--and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master--a man her mother would never approve of--but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village...and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/s7Yl1

About the author: Julie Klassen loves all things Jane---Jane Eyreand Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Learn more about Julie at: http://julieklassen.com

Blog Tour:  http://litfusegroup.com/author/jklassen

Review of "My Hope is Found"

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review:  I found it impossible not to be drawn into the lives of Lonnie Sawyer and Gideon O'Riley in "Be Still My Soul." Joanne Bischof continued to tug on my heart strings in "Though My Heart is Torn" and the conclusion, "My Hope Is Found."  The titles themselves are lyrical; and when combined, they capture the essence of this emotional series.  After reading the first two stories of love discovered and lost, hope and promise are definitely needed for a satisfying conclusion.  Fortunately, Bischof delivers satisfaction and more in an emotionally engaging novel.  "My Hope Is Found" avoids redundancy and presents new conflicts and character growth.

Lonnie and Gideon face challenging choices of the heart, and there are multiple potential paths the plot can take.  Their journey to a happy ending mirrors the path they travel between Fancy Gap and Rocky Knob: rocky with peaks, valleys, and moments of beauty. A four-sided love story is bound to be complicated for everyone involved, especially when broken hearts are unavoidable. Bischof creates four characters who are each deserving of happiness.  Lonnie and Toby develop a sweet relationship and Toby continuously proves that he is a man of faith, patience, and integrity.  Despite her debut as a petulant young woman, Cassie matures into a likable young woman. Although my ultimate hope was that Lonnie and Gideon would reunite, it was a bittersweet hope, knowing that Toby and Cassie were destined for heartache. There seems to be potential for their two stories to continue and intersect, which would be a fitting spin-off from the "Cadence of Grace."

Throughout the series Gideon undergoes a significant transformation, finally becoming a man of greater faith and character.  Lonnie and Gideon have the chance to fall in love a second time in "My Hope is Found." Because Gideon has changed a great deal from the impetuous young man he was when he and Lonnie first married, their second love story is new and fresh.  Even sweeter too, considering their history and the pain experienced along the way.

Joanne Bischof gives readers a compelling series told with realism and a melody of hope and strength that creates a harmony throughout each novel.  "Be Still My Soul" and "My Hope Is Found" were my favorites of the series, but I highly recommend each novel and the love story that unfolds.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah. 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.

Summary from WaterBrook Multnomah: Gideon O’Riley has been given another chance at a life with Lonnie. But will the fight for her heart risk it all over again?

After finally finding love with his sweet bride Lonnie, Gideon’s heart was torn when a woman from his past claimed to be his true and rightful wife, forcing him away from his family. God’s merciful hand saw Gideon through the heartache, and with Cassie’s blessing, he is able to return home. But his journey back through the Blue Ridge Mountains will hold a trial he never anticipated.

Meanwhile, Lonnie determines to seal off her heart from Gideon, convinced he is lost to her forever. Strengthening her resolve to move on is her growing fondness for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee—the young reverend she has come to care for deeply. His proposal of marriage offers a bright future for her and her young son.

Yearning to allow joy back into her life, Lonnie must put aside the broken pieces of her heart that still love Gideon. When he returns to find her betrothed to another, he has to place his hope in God, trusting that the One who redeemed their love once can do it again

Review of "Greetings from the Flipside"

Rating: 3 Stars

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Review: "Greetings from the Flipside" is definitely unlike any other novel that  I have read in the past few years.  Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay create two intertwined stories with the same characters but one big difference: one of the stories is a dream.  Hope is living her life in a coma, and embarking on new adventures in her mind, including a move to New York City and a new job. Meanwhile, in the real world, she is lying unconscious in a hospital bed, with Jake, a childhood acquaintance by her side. The dreams scenes are often quirky and humorous with enough substance to build characters and a love story.

Gutteridge and McKay flip around traditional romance in favor of the unconventional.  When I discovered that Hope was going to be in a coma for the majority of the novel, I was doubtful that a love story could find a foothold in the plot. Although Hope's dreams merge with reality at the end of the novel, I struggled with the concept that the relationship between Hope and Jake is built on two different planes. The strength of Jake's character and love for Hope is established early in the plot, when he drops everything to sit at the bedside of his childhood crush.  In Hope's temporary reality, Jake wins her heart by exhibiting the same character qualities. I was disappointed that Hope and Jake primarily experienced their love in two different realities, and I would have found more satisfaction from more time at the end dedicated to building their real-life relationship.

 "Greetings from the Flipside" pushes convention to sidelines from start to finish. Gutteridge and McKay give readers a chance to escape from reality and experience a light read with a large dose of wackiness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from B&H Publishing 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.

Summary from B&H Publishing Group: Hope Landon has been rewriting other people’s greeting cards since she was six years old. There’s always a funnier caption in there somewhere. She’s ready to chase her creative dreams in New York City with her fiancé—until he leaves Hope at the altar.That may give her something to write about . . .Hope disappears for the time that would have been the couple’s month-long honeymoon, and upon returning learns of her own funeral. Everyone concluded Hope must have killed herself after being jilted. Needing a fresh start more than ever, she heads for the Big Apple only to discover it isn’t easy to rent a place when you’ve been declared dead.

Taking shelter at the YMCA, Hope lands a job at an inspirational greeting card company assisting Jake, the guy who shut down his organization’s humor department. She has lost her faith in love; he needs to find something or someone that will make him laugh again.

Fun and faithful, Greetings from the Flipside will keep turning over in your mind.

Review of "Dark Halo"

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review:  The final installment of Shannon Dittemore's "Angel Eyes" trilogy is aptly titled "Dark Halo." It is the darkest of the three novels, with the Prince of Darkness himself making appearances with lies and bargains.  At times, the plot is as chilling as the icy blue eyes on the cover.  Dittmore packs spiritual lessons into her story, but her use of action and imagery keeps the book from ever feeling preachy.  Tension is at an all-time high in "Dark Halo" as the angelic army battles the demonic army above Stratus. There are some much needed lulls in the action as mysteries from the previous novels are solved, with some surprising realizations. 

"Dark Halo" chilled me more than "Angel Eyes" and "Broken Wings." It is a culmination of the forces of darkness and light, with fear and temptation showing even more strength.  While darkness is a strong opponent, light and love prove even stronger.  Brielle's struggle with her celestial vision reaches a pinnacle in the final novel. While it allows her to see the beauty of faith and worship, it also reveals to her the disturbing images of suffering.  As is often the case in real-life, the bad often overshadows the good - in our minds and in the media.  Dittemore directly connects the common emotions of fear and temptation to evil.  It is a theme that weaves throughout the trilogy, even more tangibly in "Dark Halo."  The demons that are present throughout the series are formidable and overtly evil.  But the Prince of Darkness hides his evil behind beauty.  Both he and his promises are alluring and disguised to trick the mind. Dittemore saves the earthly manifestation of the Prince of Darkness until the final novel, when Brielle's emotionally and spiritually exhausted.   Although Brielle has seen the beauty of angels and the strength of faith, she finds her defenses weakened to temptations that will destroy her life. The Dark Halo is a weighty reminder of Brielle's encounter with the devil and her struggle to resist his promises. 

Shannon Dittemore compels readers to take the seemingly supernatural events of her "Angel Eyes" novels and compare them to reality. "Dark Halo" concludes the series with a message of promise and the impetus to fight darkness and conquer the barriers that try to hide true beauty.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this novel from Thomas Nelson. 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.”

Summary from Thomas Nelson: One halo brought sight to Brielle. Another offers sweet relief from what she sees.

Brielle can’t help but see the Celestial. Even without the halo, the invisible realm is everywhere she looks. It’s impossibly beautiful—and terrifying, especially now. Because a battle rages above Stratus, Oregon.

The Terrestrial Veil is ripping, and demons walk the streets past unseeing mortals. Dark, sticky fear drips from every face, and nightmares haunt Brielle’s sleep.

Worst of all, Jake is gone. The only boy she’s ever loved has been taken by the demon, Damien. When she receives instructions from the Throne Room leading her to Jake, she unknowingly walks into a diabolical and heartbreaking trap.

Now she’s stranded in a sulfurous desert with the Prince of Darkness himself, and he’s offering her another halo—a mirrored ring that will destroy her Celestial vision. All she has to do is wear it and she’ll see no more of the invisible world. No more fear. No more nightmares. No more demons. It’s a gift. And best of all: it comes with the promise of a future with Jake, something the Throne Room seems to be taking from her.

Will Brielle trade the beauty of the Celestial and the truth of the world around her just to feel ordinary again?