Wednesday, December 18, 2013

WoW #37: Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

"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:



Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck
Series: Royal Wedding, #2
Zondervan February 2014

cover of Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck
About
Regina Beswick never dreamed of faraway places. She’s happy with her life as a classic car mechanic and owner of a restoration shop.

But an unexpected visitor and the discovery of a fairytale, drawn by her great-grandma, causes Regina to wonder if she might be destined for something more.

Tanner Burkhardt, Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg, must convince the strong-willed Southerner, Miss Beswick, that she is his country’s long-lost princess. Failure could destroy his reputation and change his nation forever.

As Regina and Tanner face the challenges before them, neither are prepared for love to invade their hearts and change every thing they believe about themselves.

However, when a royal opponent nearly destroys Regina’s future, she must lean into God and trust He has sovereignly brought her to her true and final destiny.

Why I want to read it
I actually just got approval to read a review ebook copy! So excited but I'm saving it for the long airplane ride home. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Once Upon a Prince and I'm sure this one will be just as fun.

Pre-order it:

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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.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors in 2013


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

It's always good to look back and remember some of the books I read this year. There were a number of new-to-me authors amongst those which is what this week's TTT focuses on.

Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2013

1. John Flanagan - author of the Ranger's Apprentice series among others.
He write adventures stories that middle and high school boys especially enjoy.
You can learn more about the series at http://www.rangersapprentice.com/.

2. Sarah E. Ladd - author of The Heiress of Winterwood and The Headmistress of Rosemere
Her debut book (and series) is an inspirational romance novel set in Regency England. Looking forward to book two. You can learn more about Sarah on her Facebook page.

3. Rachel Hauck - author of Once Upon a Prince and Princess Ever After
Inspirational romance author. Looking forward to reading the second book on the airplane on Thursday/Friday! Learn more about the author on her website: http://www.rachelhauck.com

4. Jeff Wheeler - author of The Wretched of Muirwood, the rest of that series, and other books.
Science fiction and fantasy are his genres. His website is: http://www.jeff-wheeler.com

5. Beth Wiseman - author of The House that Love Built and lots of Amish Fiction
 Her genre of choice is inspirational romance and while most of her books are Amish fiction she is branching out into more contemporary settings. Learn more on her website: http://bethwiseman.com/

6. Melody Carlson - author of Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel and lots of other books and series
A prolific author, most of her books are written for teenage girls but she's written kid books, middle grade fiction and contemporary Christian romance. Her website is: http://www.melodycarlson.com

7. Ruth Trippy - author of The Soul of the Rose
I loved that book. You should read it. Learn more about the author on her website: http://www.ruthtrippy.com/

8. Kimberly Rae Jordan - author of The Waiting Heart, the rest of that series, Faith, Hope and Love and other books
A missionary kid who has grown up to write inspirational romance. You can learn more about her and her books on her Facebook page.

9. Heather Gray - author of Ten Million Reasons and five other books
I will get around to reviewing this book, it's such a cute story! I liked it so much I went and bought several of her other books and enjoyed those as well. Learn more about her on her Facebook page.

10. Brandon Sanderson - author of Elantris and other books
Mainly a science fiction and fantasy author for young adults, I just finally got around to reading a book of his and enjoyed it. his website is: http://brandonsanderson.com/

What new authors did you discover this year?

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, December 11, 2013

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (Book Cover Bingo - Crown/Tiara)

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. Tom Doherty Associates, 2005. 638p. (9780765359374)

I read this book for the book cover bingo game I'm participating in on Goodreads and I'm glad I could read this one for crown/tiara (she has a circlet! which counts). What an interesting story! Especially since it took me over 100 pages in to figure out who I should be rooting for. I only had a friend’s recommendation (from a year ago) and the back of the book to shape my expectations. It was interesting reading a book without having any idea of what it was going to be about.

Which is probably why it took me a while to figure out if I was supposed to cheer for the princess or the priest. The summary on Goodreads and probably elsewhere is very long gives a much better idea of all the characters and the story and plot details, but you’ll have to go look that up yourself. I’m only going to give you what the back of the book says. Makes for a more curious reading experience.

Part of Back of Book Summary:
Elantris was the city of the gods. What power could have cursed it?

Raoden, prince of Arelon, was loved by all, including the preincess he’d never met. Where has he gone?

Hrathen, high priest of Fjordell, will convert the people of Arelon or kill them. How will he decide?

Sarene, princess of Teod, was a widow before she was ever married. Who can stand against her?

Elantris delightfully proves that a great complete fantasy story can still be told in a single volume of action, intrigue, wonder and countless surprises.

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book and didn’t even realize until writing the above that it was over 600 pages. The story started a tad slow, but only because I wasn’t sure if the author was being tricky or if I really could root for the person I wanted to root for. Well and also since there were a lot of people, cultures, relationships and history to introduce.

All of which means that it’s a rich tale and you know that the author put a lot of thought into not just the story we read but the history of the places and characters. I especially liked how it’s more than just a fantasy story with magic, and good and evil battling it out. Those things are in there but the author also looks at human emotion and motivation, politics, and religion. The religious aspect is especially interesting.

The story is told from three perspectives: Raoden, Hrathen and Sarene’s. Which can be frustrating at times, but I liked having a bigger picture and getting to know those three. There were plenty of other characters too and several were quite entertaining and added a lot to the story.  

A number of reviewers on Goodreads gave this book low ratings and a few lowered theirs after rereading the book. Which makes sense since one of the strong points of this book is the mystery of how it will all turn out and the question of what will happen next.

If you enjoy fantasy, opinionated female characters, magical forces, and political/religious drama than you should pick this book up.
four stars means worth the read and the re-read



Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Waiting Heart by Kimberly Rae Jordan

The Waiting Heart by Kimberly Rae Jordan - a four star contemporary, Christian romanceThe Waiting Heart by Kimberly Rae Jordan. Kindle Edition. 2013. 264p. (AISN: B00H2NIMB2) Series: Those Karlsson Boys, #3

A few months ago I came across this author, discovered she grew up as a MK (missionary kid) and within a few days had read just about everything she’s written that was available on Amazon. Last week book three in the series Those Karlsson Boys became available. It was a good conclusion to an enjoyable series.

Goodreads Summary:
A family crisis brings Jace Karlsson back to Minnesota and face to face with the girl he loved and abandoned eight years earlier. When the opportunity arises to help her, he hopes that it will make amends for his actions of the past. But old feelings die hard, and Jace soon realizes he feels more than guilt and remorse.

While the tragic accident left Mari with a broken and scarred body, it was Jace Karlsson's abrupt departure from her life that left her heart shattered. When he offers to help her realize a dream, Mari accepts but as she deals with the emotions of the past and the present, she wonders if the price is too high.

My Review:
Each book in this series focuses on a different man in the Karlsson family. The first two take place relatively close together in time but this one is eight years down the road so it’s neat to see how the others are doing and how their lives have progressed. Though I think this could be read as a standalone since the author does a good job in bringing in the back story.

Book one could be read after book three without any major spoilers, but you’d already know the main parts of book two if you read book three first. But at 99 cents apiece (as of 12/8/13) there isn’t much excuse not to read this enjoyable series in order.

There are several aspects that make these books so enjoyable. First off, they’re clean and sweet, yet they also deal with real problems in today’s world. Teenage pregnancy, car accidents, hackers, cancer, adoption, and the inability to have children are all issues that the characters in this series have to deal with and work through in the series.
The romance isn’t rushed and has a very real life feel. Lessons of trust, love, commitment, and laying aside personal dreams and ideas must be processed and learned.

The third thing I really like about this series is the way the author ties in prayer and the Bible. It’s not every preachy, there aren’t long sermons; it’s just naturally a part of the character’s lives.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian romance then this is a series for you.
4 stars means worth the read and the re-read


Go read it! Buy the series from Amazon – each book is currently (12/8/13) on sale for $0.99: Book 1: Worth the Wait; Book 2: Waiting for Rachel; Book 3: The Waiting Heart

Disclosure: I bought this book and the others in the series. 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, December 4, 2013

WoW #36 : The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

"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 Dancing Master by Julie Klassen
Bethany House January 2014

cover of The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen shows a couple dancing
About
Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire--but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village--and heal long-kept-secret scars?

Why I want to read it
Julie Klassen writes great historical fiction inspired by Austen and the Bronte sisters. I can't wait to find out which story snippets she wove into this tale!

Pre-order it:


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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.

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