Sunday, September 30, 2012

A Texan’s Choice by Shelley Gray


A Texan’s Choice by Shelley Gray. Abingdon Press, 2012. 320p. (9781426714658) Series: The Heart of a Hero, #3

Ever since I finished book two in the series I have been looking forward to reading Scout’s story. I loved reading his story and seeing how he changed his life after the events of ATexan’s Honor (book 2). But I’m sorry to say this is my least favorite book in the series.

Book cover:

Texas, 1874. Long ago, Scout Proffitt gave up on ever being a man of honor like his Civil War hero brother Clayton. But when Scout steps foot on the rundown remnants of the Circle C ranch, he wonders if maybe just maybe the Lord has something different intended for him.

Rosemarie has lived most of her life doubting her worth and shouldering the blame for her brother’s death. But when a stranger rides onto her ranch, claiming he owns it, she suddenly is given a choice: either keep looking at the dark side of life…or dare to dream.

My review:

While I loved getting to know Scout more I was also a bit disappointed in this third book (and I assumed, final) book in the series. In a way it seemed like the author was trying to wrap up other people’s stories but then left you wondering what happens to them next.

At the beginning I was not expecting to hear about Russel or Miles so I was confused when the story started following them. By the middle I understood how they were tied to Scout’s story but in a way it felt like they were main characters as well but without their stories being concluded.

A theme in all three books is grace and second chances. Christ’s saving grace is not really explained and man’s depravity is glossed over. Throughout the last book and this book we are constantly told that Scout is a cold, grim killer; a man with no qualms about killing someone for money; a lethal shot feared throughout west; a man whose exploits have been told and exaggerated in dime novels. Yet he suddenly turns from all of that and people accept him and respect him. It’s hard to grasp, even though we’re told that something about him inspires trust.

I enjoyed Rosemarie’s story and how she was able to help Scout and he was able to help her. Although again while reading her story there is a scene that shows how her life has changed but there is no follow up to it.

If I knew that this series will continue I think I would have written a more positive review. However, since I have been under the impression that this is the last and I haven’t seen anything contrary wise, I must say I expected a better ending to the story and not so many loose ends. I think what bothers me the most is that they are not loose ends to the series, but rather loose ends just from this book.

If you’ve read book one and two, A Texan’s Promise and A Texan’s Honor, then you should certainly read this book. But don’t read this without having read the first two (or even just book two).

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from ChristianBooks

Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.
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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia by Ginger Myrick


El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia by Ginger Myrick. (self published), 2011. 526p. (ASIN: B006C9ZW2E)

cover of El Rey by Ginger MyrickI really, really enjoyed this story. Loved the characters, loved the plot twists and turns, loved the formatting of the e-book, loved getting a glimpse of 16th century Spain. Several months ago I won a copy from the author and since it’s a long story I waited until I had an e-reader to read it on. I shouldn’t have waited, it’s a great book. (Though my eyes are probably grateful I didn’t read it on a computer screen…)

Goodreads summary (condensed):

Written in the tradition of classic period romance and set against the backdrop of 16th century Portugal and Spain at the dawn of the dynamic Age of Exploration. At its core is the turbulent love story between Inez GarcĂ­a and El Rey.

Inez is the outspoken, independent daughter of a wealthy merchant who fled the Spanish Inquisition and a domineering mother of English noble stock with secrets of her own. At a dinner party in his honor, she falls in love with El Rey, a dashing, charismatic sea captain with a golden voice who has spent his life expanding the Portuguese empire. Inez and El Rey strike up an immediate friendship, though misfortune, class prejudice and foolish pride conspire to keep them apart.

But it is much, much more than just a love story. EL REY is a sweeping family saga. Interwoven are four meticulously researched narratives representative of the time.* [And they’re so well woven in that I don’t remember them!]

Spanning three continents and two centuries in the history of the warring kingdoms of mediaeval Portugal and Castile, the vignettes chronicle the heroic struggles of three families to overcome racial discrimination, murder, plague, war and the Spanish Inquisition. Filled with food and travel, and tempered with humor, tenderness, and tragedy, this intriguing story tells the timeless tale of the triumph of true love and the resilience of the human spirit.

* EL REY also comes in an abridged version for those readers who prefer a more concise telling of the precipitating events culminating in the state of affairs of the era. [And according to the author's website, she has turned some of the other characters' stories into novellettes.]

My review:

This was definitely a book I could not read in one sitting, which was very enjoyable as I got to spend several days with Inez and rejoice with her and sink with her to the depths of despair (to borrow Anne Shirley’s phrase). Rarely does a book cover the entire life of a character, but this one does and it was wonderful.

Some might complain about the length of the story or get lost amongst the many characters, but I think Ginger did an excellent job relating Inez’s story and tying in the life lessons of the people around her. Most of the characters are well written and as I write this a month or two after finishing the book I’m finding myself replaying various scenes and seeing the characters that appear in them.

One lesson that the reader can come away with is to speak up, don’t let your stubborn, foolish pride stand in the way. You never know how irreversible and miserable a situation may become if you don’t. Especially when it’s about matters of the heart. Inez learned this the very hard way, but managed to overcome and carry on.

Regarding the e-book formatting, at the end of each chapter is a little image of a rabbit which was quite fun to see. There is an index as well.

Thank you so much Ginger for allowing me to read and review your book! I loved it!

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon

Disclosure: I received this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #9 - Josiah for President

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Josiah for President: A Novel by Martha Bolton
Zondervan - October 2012

About
When former Congressman Mark Stedman throws in the towel on his presidential campaign, his only choice is to return to his home state and decide how to spend the rest of his life … until he meets Josiah Stoltzfus, an Amish farmer from Pennsylvania.

Stedman learns more from Josiah in a few hours than in his many years in office. He comes to the conclusion that someone like Josiah should be running the country. Not a career politician, but someone with a little old-fashioned common sense, someone who’s not afraid of rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty. Someone like Josiah Stoltzfus.

Using his old campaign headquarters for a base, Mark Stedman determines to introduce a new candidate to America. He pledges to do everything in his power to make sure Josiah gets elected. But can a plain man of faith turn the tide of politics and become the leader of America, and what will he have to risk to do it?

Why I want to read it
Fortunately I'm in Africa and am not being overwhelmed by election news. But this looks like a fun break from politics as usual and a very interesting premise. I'm very curious how this novel story enfolds.

Top Ten Series I haven't finished


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is Top Ten Series I haven't Finished. Sometimes I didn't have the next book, or I got caught up in something else, or I just didn't care to finish the series. The internet went out last night, otherwise this would have been posted on Tuesday.

Top Ten Series I haven't finished

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I've read book one - here's my review, but haven't gotten around to the rest.

2. Redwall by Brian Jacques
I've read a lot of them, but not quite all. There are so many of them - over 20.

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
I read one book just because the kids at my school love the series so much.

4. Emily by L.M. Montgomery
I was reading these in German and just couldn't finish the series, one of these days though I'll read them in English.

5. Sister's of Bethlehem Springs series by Robin Hatcher Lee
Started the series at the beach this summer but ran out of time and interest to read the last book. I did enjoy the first and second book.

6. The Women of the West by Kathleen Y'Barbo
I read book three for review purposes not realizing it was the third in a series. Maybe someday I'll be able to read the first two...

7. Hanover Falls series by Deborah Raney
I read one of the books not knowing it was a series and enjoyed it, but never checked the rest out from the library...

8. Big Sky Romance by Denise Hunter
 I've read book two and it was a fun, "fluffy" read. Book three was only recently released.

9. Chronicles of the Kings series by Lynn Austin
I just couldn't get into this series when I started it. But it's a neat series.

10. Seven Wonders series by T.L. Higley
I started book one and sadly never finished it; it was good, but didn't hold my attention and then I got busy.

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Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: Something you don't know about me

For the week of September 21-27:

Blogging Question: What is one thing that your blog readers probably do not know about you?

My answer:
Now I'm confused. Wasn't this question already asked? No matter. One thing you may not have noticed is that I'm now working and living in Africa. Quite a change from the USA, but I'm enjoying it thus far.

Which country would you love to visit or work in?

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #8 - A Texan's Choice

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Texan's Choice by Shelley Gray
Abingdon Press - October 2012
Series: The Heart of A Hero, Book 3

About
Texas, 1874. Long ago, Scout Proffitt gave up on ever being a man of honor like his Civil War hero brother Clayton. But when Scout steps foot on the rundown remnants of the Circle C ranch, he wonders if maybe—just maybe—the Lord has something different intended for him.

Rosemarie has lived most of her life doubting her worth and shouldering the blame for her brother’s death. But when a stranger rides onto her ranch, claiming he owns it, she suddenly is given a choice: either keep looking at the dark side of life . . . or dare to dream.

Why I want to read it
Earlier this year I read book two in the series (you can read my review here) and this book will be about a man we met in A Texan's Honor. And I'm certainly looking forward to hearing his story.

In my review of book two I did take issue with a few things but it was still enjoyable, clean, action pack read. Hopefully book three will be as well.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Top Ten Bookish People I Want to Meet


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is Top Ten Bookish People You Want To Meet (Authors, Bloggers, etc.).  These are not in any particular order! Book links either go to my review, Amazon or CBD; author links go to their Amazon page or CBD list so you can see everything they've written.

Top Ten Bookish People I Want to Meet

1. & 2. J.R.R. Tolkien & C.S. Lewis
Wouldn't it be amazing to have been able to listen in on an Inklings meeting!

3. Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Author of Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and Starflower
Maybe I'll be back in the States when book five comes out...here's to hoping a book signing will take place Summer of 2013
Visit Anne Elisabeth's blog

4. Kara from My Thoughts and Reviews
She has been so encouraging! And she puts lots of thought and prayer into her reviews.

5. G.A. Henty
Author of dozens of adventure stories for boys, he was very famous in his day
My favorites are Beric the Briton and The Dragon and the Raven
He told his stories and a secretary wrote it down. It would be a lot of fun to be in the room as he "wrote" his books.

6. Keli Gwyn
Author of A Bride Open Shop in El Dorado, California
Earlier this summer Keli contacted me about doing an interview as part of her series of book reviewer interviews, I was speechless at first and felt very honored. She seems like a fun person to have tea with.
Visit Keli's blog

7. Martha Finley
Author of the Elsie Dinsmore and Mildred Keith books
Her writing style is quite different than today's fare and many would dislike the overtly Christian content, but I've read almost all her books and she would be a wonderful person to have a conversation with and get to know.

8. Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Mr. Tumnus, Reepicheep, Aslan, etc.
Characters (the good ones) from The Chronicles of Narnia

9. & 10. Abbi from Christian Novels and Melanie from Christian Bookshelf Review
Two bloggers that were an inspiration and an encouragement when I was starting out


Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

The Wide-Awake Princess by E. D. Baker


The Wide-Awake Princess by E. D. Baker. Bloomsbury, 2010. 261p. (9781599904870)

I love retellings of fairy tales and this is a great example. Such a fun book! Not only is this a new twist on the story of Sleeping Beauty but we also meet characters from many other fairytales.

Book Flap Synopsis:
When Princess Gwen (otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty) pricks her finger and sends herself and the whole castle to sleep for one hundred years, only her younger sister, Annie, is left awake. And only Annie – blessed (and cursed) with being resistant to magic – can venture beyond the rose-covered hedge to get help. She must find Gwen’s true love to kiss her awake.

But what about the one hundred years? And who is Gwen’s true love? Her irritating suitor, Digby? The happy-go-lucky prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love?

Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

My Review:
Princess Annie is resistant to magic, which is a good thing when an entire castle falls into a magical sleep around you or when an evil witch tries to cast a spell on you. But it’s not a great thing if your family doesn’t like being near you because you negate the magic bestowed upon them. Nor is it good if you find yourself in the witch’s candy house and the gingerbread floor starts caving beneath you.

Gingerbread house - Hansel and Gretel
Gingerbread house by Julia M. 
Yes, Annie has a hand in rescuing Hansel and Gretel. She also meets the bear from Snow-White and Rose-Red, and discovers Rapunzel’s secret. And that’s just a few of the characters that E. D. Baker has woven into the story. But none of those characters’ stories are quite like the classic tales.

The story is fun and engaging and the characters unique. I laughed and grinned several times. If you enjoy fairy tales you’ll probably enjoy reading the story of The Wide-Awake Princess.

Go read it! Wake County; Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Barnes & Noble 

I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or ChristianBooks.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site.

Book Blogger Hop: Favorite review from past month

For the week of September 14-20:

Highlight one of your favorite reviews from the past month!

My answer:
Now that's a hard question if you're scheduling this post almost a month in advance! [Puts it off until a few days prior] And it's even harder when you haven't reviewed a whole lot of books in the past month. ... browsing through past reviews ... still reading ... hmmmm, I don't have a favorite review. I've had some favorite books, and I've put a bit more thought and commentary or pictures into some reviews but...

Sorry, guess I can't really answer this one. So here's a series of questions for you:

Do you prefer a picture or two to go along with the review?
(Example: The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie)

Some sort of rating system? 5/5 stars, etc.
Or an "if you like X,Y and P then you'll like this"?

(Example: Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl)
(Both are buried in there at the end)

Or perhaps a book trailer?
(Example: Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston)

Or some other sort of video?
(Example: Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson)

Or some info about the author?
(Haven't done that yet)

Or something else I haven't thought of?

Thanks for helping me improve my reviews!!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #7 - All Things New

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

All Things New by Lynn Austin
Bethany House - October 2012

About
The war is over. The South has lost.

Josephine Weatherly struggles to pick up the pieces of her life when her family returns to their Virginia plantation. But the realities of life after the war cannot be denied: her home and land are but a shell of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken.

Her life of privilege, a long-ago dream.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak--but a bitter hatred fuels her.

Can hope--and a battered faith in God--survive amid the devastation?

Why I want to read it
Lynn Austin is an amazing and prolific writer. I know she'll write an excellent Christian novel. The description reminds me of Gone with the Wind and I suspect All Things New will be more hope filled and edifying.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: What series should never end?

Book Blogger Hop
For the week of September 7-13:

What book series do you never want to see end?

My answer:
That's a tough question...oh! Actually no it isn't. :-) I never want the Tales of Goldstone Wood to end. And there's plenty of stories that Anne Elisabeth Stengl can find to write about in the world she has created.

In case you're wondering, book 1 is Heartless, #2 is Veiled Rose, #3 is Moonblood, and #4 Starflower comes out in October.

Which book series do you never want to see end?

One big giveaway

If you have a Kindle and love Christian fiction you should follow Christian Fiction Book Reviews because they frequently (almost daily) post about free books on Amazon.

And this month they have a really big, fun giveaway:


All the best!



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #6 - The Trouble with Cowboys

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter
Thomas Nelson - October 2012
Series: Big Sky Romance

cover of The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter - a man and a woman leaning against a fence
About
Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.
Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Why I want to read it
Earlier this summer I read The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter and while it was rather predictable it was still fun. This is book three in the series and we get to hear Annie's story.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Great Giveaways

There are several great giveaways happening over the next few days/weeks that I want to share with you. Sorry about the confusion of the end dates. I'm in a very different time zone now and that makes the math difficult.

High Desert Haven by Lynnette Bonner
Ends Sept 6th or 7th 
Ebook - thus open internationally



Future Savior Book One: Conception by Jennifer Hartz
Ends Sept 11th or 12th
Two ebook copies - thus open internationally


Love's Reckoning: The Ballentyne Legacy by Laura Frantz
Ends Sept 17th or 18th 
Open Internationally

Letters from a Martyred Christian by H. L. Hussmann
(Fiction)
Ends Sept 27th
USA only


A Kingsbury Collection: Three Novels in One: 
Where Yesterday Lives, When Joy Came to Stay, On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury
Ends Oct 2nd
USA only


Monday, September 3, 2012

Book Blogger Hop: Which book or series should become a movie or tv series?

For the week of Aug 31 - Sept 6:

What is the one book or series you are dying to see turned into a movie or tv series?


My answer:
I really, really, really want to see Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis as a movie. Even though the latest movie adaptations of the first books aren't the greatest, I still want to see this book on the silver screen.


Which book or series do you really want to see as a movie or tv series?
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