A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade. Bethany House, 2015. 352p. (9780764211096) Series: The Porter Family, #3

We finally get to meet tall, dark and brooding Jake Porter! And he is that. Tall. Dark. And brooding. For two books now, Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine, we’ve gotten bits and pieces of his story. And this book doesn’t disappoint.

Goodreads Summary:

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

My Review:

Real life jockey Chantal
Sutherland, one of
the inspirations for Lyndie
(from Becky's Pinterest)

Even though this is Jake’s story in the Porter Family Novels series, Lyndie is who I remember best. She’s fun, determined, stubborn, creative, caring, strong. The list goes on. She's exactly who Jake needs. He just doesn't want to accept that fact. Her character traits shine through her actions as the author does a nice job of showing not telling us.

Lyndie’s neighbor Amber is another memorable character and I really enjoyed the side story of Amber’s foray back into the dating world. While dragging Lyndie along with her. :-)

Plus she’s the same Amber from book one, Undeniably Yours. Which is also a great book – I just now got sidetracked and read almost half of it because I’d forgotten the details of Amber’s past. And as soon as I’m done posting this I’ll finish the book.

Celia’s bakery from book two plays an important role in the beginning and the Porter family gets together for dinner a number of times, so for all you fans of the first two books, you can see how everyone is getting on. There is a fourth book coming in the series, so hold on to your hats because the lone Porter girl’s story is coming next.

But what I like best about this book is not the romance – though that is very well written and the tension of it drives the book, but the issues that the author brings to light and weaves into her tail. Life isn’t a walk in the park and this book reflects that. Jake struggles with PTSD. Lyndie’s sister has cerebral palsy.

If you enjoy contemporary Christian romance, with an honest take on life then get a hold of this book.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($11.17); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($11.25); Buy it from an Independent Bookstore near you 

(Prices good as of June 22, 2015 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received these book for free from the author and 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 or Independent Bookstores 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.

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck

How to Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck. Zondervan, 2015. 368p. (9780310315544) Series: Royal Wedding, #3

I quite enjoyed the first two books in this series, Once Upon a Prince and Princess Ever After and was excited to read Prince Stephen’s story. Especially given the summary!

Goodreads Summary:

Prince Stephen came to America to escape responsibility. But what he found complicates his life more than ever.

Corina Del Rey is happy with her life in Melbourne, Florida. She spends her days engrossed in her career as a journalist and has her sights set on climbing the corporate ladder if for no other reason, to distract herself from her dissolving family. But when she is confronted with the past she fought so hard to put behind her, she struggles to make sense of her future.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom has moved on since the tragic death of his buddies in Afghanistan. A star professional rugby player, he has no intention of looking over his shoulder at what could have been.

But when a notice arrives in the mail requiring his and his wife s appearance before the courts to dissolve their marriage, he must deal with the questions rumbling around in his heart. He thought his marriage had been annulled long ago, but his memories of Corina Del Rey remain close. Does he still love her? Can he even find her? Above all, can he tell her the truth about that fateful night in Afghanistan seven years ago? If he does, he might really lose her forever."

My Review:

This is a very fun story with an interesting twist. I’d recommend reading the first book in the series and possibly the novella A March Bride before reading this one. The second books deals with a neighboring kingdom and while King Nathaniel, Stephen’s brother, is in there I don’t think it’s necessary for enjoying book three.

This book, like the other two, is very sigh worthy. What girl at some point doesn’t daydream of marrying a prince or being an heiress, and being able to wear stunning gowns? But at the same time it deals with difficult and complicated issues: Forgiveness. Survivor’s guilt. And the author guides her characters through those emotions and processing them very well.

I didn’t remember Stephen being such an intense and downcast man from the previous stories but the rest of the royal family were as I remembered them. The family dinner that Corina was invited to was an excellent scene showing how Susanna is making her mark on the royal household!  

The supernatural elements were a bit far-fetched, but it isn’t logical really to want to call it far-fetched since I do believe angels are sent to look after us from time to time and we accept much more fantastical occurrences in fantasy tales.

All in all a fun read, especially if you like modern day fairy tales and royalty.

Releasing Feb 24^th, pre-order it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $11.95); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99/$11.99); Buy it from Barnes &Noble ($9.99/$11.95);

(Ebook/paperback prices good as of January 24, 2015 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received these 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 or Independent Bookstores 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.

School Book Saturday: Early Islamic trade & Women's sufferage

Trade and commerce in the early Islamic world
by Allison Lassieur. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2012. 48 pg. ( 978-0778721796)
Series: Life in the Early Islamic World
Dewey: J381
Reading level: 6.7, Guided Reading: W
Interest level: 5-8th

Publisher Description:
This important book shows how trade and commerce spread with the conquests made by the early Islamic empires. Key topics explored include: transportation by caravans, ships, and boats; monetary systems; famous explorers and traders; interactions with the East and West; economical principles; and coinage.

My Review:
Lots of great maps, examples of Islamic artwork and photos. In addition to the topics mentioned in the publisher's description the book also covers various trade goods including a variety of luxury items and slaves. At the end are ten very short biographies of famous Muslim traders and explorers, there are also two timelines, glossary (no pronunciation guide), additional resources and index.

I think this would be a good resource for middle schoolers studying Middle Eastern history and learning about trade and commerce centuries ago. This is a series I will consider for my school's library.

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from Barnes & Noble; Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you

Image from Good-
reads, no cover
available online

Women's Right to Vote
edited by Paul A. Kobasa and others. World Book, 2011. 64 pg. (9780716615088)
Series:World Book's Documenting History
Dewey: 324.6
Interest level: 6th-12th

Publisher Description:
A history of the women's suffrage movement throughout the world, based on primary source documents and other historical artifacts. Features include period art works and photographs; excerpts from literary works, letters, speeches, broadcasts, and diaries; summary boxes; a timeline; maps; and a list of additional resources.

My Review:
A very information rich book about women's efforts to obtain the right to vote around the world. I really liked that the book wasn't only about the suffrage movement in America but included other countries around the world - mainly those in the former British Empire.

I fully expected to find this individual book for sale through Follet or a book retailer. Unfortunately that is not the case. It's a good resource for any middle school report on women's suffrage with lots of pictures, excerpts from letters and books, and at the end a timeline, sources, additional resources, and index.

Find it at a library near you; The only place online that I could find that sells it is World Book as part of a series.

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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.

School Book Saturday: Adams, Shackleton & Obama (Who was/is....? series)

 Who was Abigail Adams?
by True Kelley, illustrated by John O'Brien. Grosset & Dunlap (Imprint of Penguin Group), 2014. 112 pg. (9780448478906)
Series: Who was/is…?
Dewey: J973.4
Reading level: 4.6
Interest level: 3rd-6th

Publisher Description:
Abigail Adams was a strong woman far ahead of her time. She urged her husband, President John Adams, to "remember the ladies" and despite having no formal education herself, she later advocated for equal education in public schools for both boys and girls. She was also the first First Lady to live in the White House! This biography tells the story of Abigail Adams and her role in America's Revolutionary War period.

My Review:
I enjoyed this brief biography of this truly remarkable woman. It is an excellent introduction to her life and what she did while her husband was away serving the fledgling US government. At one time they didn't see each other for five years!

The sentences were short; easy for young readers. The pen and ink illustrations show the clothing, housing, tools and modes of transportation of the day. There are a few maps and several boxed inserts focusing on specific events or people in her lifetime. The careers of her husband, John Adams (2nd US president) and son, John Quincy Adams (6th US president) are also told about as they relate to her.

At the end is a timeline of her life and the world, a brief bibliography including books for young readers and a list of websites (only one didn't work) for further research.

Great for 3rd to 5th graders looking for a biography of an amazing woman from the American Revolution and the early years of American government.

4 stars

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($4.49); Buy it from Barnes &Noble ($4.49); Buy it from ChristianBook ($4.49); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you
(Paperback prices good as of July 12, 2014; double check for yourself before purchasing)


Who Was Ernest Shackleton? 
by James Buckley Jr., Illustrated by Max Hergenrother. Grosset & Dunlap (Imprint of Penguin Group), 2013. 112 pg. (9780778729563)
Series: Who was/is…?
Dewey: J919.89
Reading level: 4.6
Interest level: 3rd-6th

Publisher Description:
As a boy he preferred reading sea stories to doing homework and, at age 16, became an apprentice seaman. Subsequently, Ernest Shackleton’s incredible journeys to the South Pole in the early 1900s made him one of the most famous explorers of modern times. His courage in the face of dangerous conditions and unforeseeable tragedies reveal the great leader that he was. His historic 1914 journey aboard the Endurance has all the drama of an action movie.

My Review:
I quite enjoyed learning more about this explorer of the freezing cold. This book was more interesting to me than the Abigail Adams book since I knew (in the recesses of my mind) most of her story and Shackleton's story was for the most part a new bit of history to me.

The writing is simple and engaging. Kids will enjoy his adventures living in a boat and on ice for months on end. The illustrations are very well done and really enhance the text.

At the end of the book are two timelines, one of his life and one of world events. There is a bibliography that includes several websites. Nothing listed is specifically geared toward children but students 5th grade and up should find the websites interesting and informative.

4 stars

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($4.49); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($4.49); Buy it from ChristianBook ($4.49); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you
(Paperback prices good as of July 12, 2014; double check for yourself before purchasing)

Who Is Barack Obama? 
by Roberta Edwards, Illustrations by Nancy Harrison and John O'Brien. Grosset & Dunlap (Imprint of Penguin Group), 2009. 112 pg. (9780448453309)
Series: Who was/is…?
Dewey: J973.932
Reading level: 4.9
Interest level: 3rd-6th gr

Publisher Description:
As the world now knows, Barack Obama has made history as [the] first African-American president [of the United States of America]. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography is perfect for primary graders looking for a longer, fuller life story than is found in the author's bestselling beginning reader Barack Obama: United States President.

My Review:
All but the last three chapters are apolitical (for the most part). At that point the story reaches his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, his run for US Senate and then of course his US presidential campaign. Since the book was published in 2009 there is no mention of his presidency, but that is for the best since it takes a while before the big picture can be seen and he's currently the president.

I enjoyed learning more about Obama's childhood and college years. The book doesn't go into very much detail, but it highlights the main events and tells about the many places he grew up. Kids would find this a great source for a biography book report or for a project on the president.

The Civil Rights Movement is mentioned but simplified and misrepresented to the point that it strongly implies no African-Americans had the right to vote until the 1960s. Which of course is false and misleading since African-Americans had been voting for almost 100 years, though they had quite a bit of difficulty in some southern States. Hence the Civil Rights Movement.

As with all the books in this series there is a timeline of the person's life and a timeline of world/US events. There are five books listed in the bibliography - two are for young readers and two are Obama's own books. No websites were listed.

Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($4.49); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($4.49); Buy it from ChristianBook ($2.29); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you
(Paperback prices good as of July 12, 2014; double check for yourself before purchasing)

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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.

A Blossom Promise by Betsy Byars

A Blossom Promise by Betsy Byars. Holiday House, 2008. 176p. (978082341473) Series: Blossom Family, #4

I needed to read a book by an author whose name started with the letter B. And it had to be over 150 pages. And I had to be able to get and read it tonight. This book fit the bill. Unfortunately it was number four in a series so the jumping back and forth between characters was a bit confusing. Still engaging though.

Goodreads Summary:

The Blossom spirit endures as the family confronts the frailty of human life in Newbery Award-winning author Betsy Byars's fourth Blossom Family book. It's a time of ups and downs for the Blossoms. Maggie is thrilled to be the youngest member of the rodeo circuit...until she witnesses Mom kissing a handsome bull rider. Back at home, the family has weathered the worst flood in the state's history. Now Vern and his friend Michael can't wait to test their homemade raft down at Snake Creek, but they don't count on the creek's raging current. Hearing their screams, Pap lassos his old rodeo rope and runs to the rescue when suddenly a heart attack strikes. As Pap clings to life, the Blossoms must rely on the strength of their family and pull together as never before.

My Review:

Start with book one, things would make a lot more sense. The characters were all entertaining and seemed spot on for their ages. I could easily picture the kids doing and thinking exactly what the author had them doing and thinking.

The story did start a little slow and jumped from Junior to Vern to Maggie and then back again so it was a bit confusing. But I got used to it and the method works to tell what the three kids are up to on a fateful day in the Blossom family history.

Junior witnessed Pap’s heart attack and at first thinks Pap died before his very eyes. The author does a great job soothing Junior’s fears about the moment a person dies and at the same time teaches kids it isn’t terrible and also is a lesson to parents that they should talk to their kids about what happens and what is expected from the child when a grandparent is nearing death.

I’m going to look up book one, The Not-Just-Anybody Family, and if it’s anything like this one, I think it would make a good read aloud. The end of this edition has a reader’s guide, an interview with the author and several photos of her life.

4 stars as a children's book

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($5.38 / $6.26); Buy it from Barnes& Noble ($6.49 / $6.95); Buy it from an Indie Bookstore near you

(Ebook / paperback prices good as of July 7, 2014; always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I borrowed this as an ebook from the library. 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 or Independent Bookstores 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.

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer. Bethany House, 2014. 348p. (9780764209673)

I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while and finally was able to read it this week. When I first heard that Karen Witemeyer’s next book was not going to be about an Archer brother I was saddened, but I quite enjoyed this book.

Goodreads Summary:

When love simmers between a reclusive scientist and a wealthy debutante, will they abandon ship or is it full steam ahead?

Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it’s too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father’s rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole’s plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a few fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father’s rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family’s legacy?

My Review:

Photo credit

This book has a more historical fiction feel to it than the author’s previous books. While the characters are all completely made up the reader still gets a good picture of the dangers of steam engines before the Steamboat Act of 1852. Exploding boiler engines isn’t something I’ve ever thought of.

Perhaps I have Beauty and the Beast on my brain from the recent Rogglewood Press contest announcement, but Darius Thornton definitely had a bit of beastliness about him in his rough temperament, ill-kempt appearance, and haggard looks from lack of sleep. Nicole is quite the stubborn character and I love her penchant for math and science. Today the author posted about the woman who received the top score in the Cambridge University mathematics tripos exam - the most prestigious mathematics exam in the world.

The danger surrounding the Renard family and the dagger served to get Nichole out of town but I found that her interactions with Darius is what kept me turning the pages. Not any concern over the Jenkins brothers – well, except of course during the dangerous part. Darius is the perfect hero – flawed, passionate, sensible, strong, and has the right background.

My favorite characters though were the butler, Wellborn, and the housekeeper, Mrs. Wellborn. Both wise people who know exactly what is best to do and say in just about any situation.

If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female characters, analytical male characters, love at almost first sight (took barely a week or so) and danger, than this is a book for you.

Go read it! Find it at a librarynear you; Buy it from Amazon ($10.62 / $9.99); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99 / $9.69); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($10.62 / $9.99)

(Paperback / ebook prices good as of June 5, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. 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.

The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson

The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson. Tyndale, 2001. 330p. (9781414310589) Series: O’Malley, #3

A year ago I received this whole series as a gift, I’ve finally gotten around to reading them and in four days I’ve read four of the books (the prequel and 1 through 3). Tonight would have been number five but I had an event to go to, an email to compose and this review to write - tomorrow though!

Goodreads Summary/ Backcover:

Amy Ireland disappeared twenty years ago without a trace. For U.S. Marshall Quinn Diamond, it's a case that has never closed. He's still searching - determined to learn the truth.

Lisa O'Malley is a forensic pathologist: mysteries are her domain. She has worked crime scenes in Chicago for years. Examining a sea of evidence, the connections between victims are so faint that they fade into ill-defined wisps as she searches for a pattern.

The threads are pulling Lisa's and Quinn's cases together. And where they intersect there's a killer who will stop at nothing to see his secret remain buried.

Quinn wanted Lisa's help. He never planned to put her in danger. She didn't expect him to invade her heart...or his God to change her life. And while Lisa understands death and darkness all too well, she's about to discover love and the Resurrection.

My Review:

I have really enjoyed this series. Mysteries involving grim situations that require FBI agents, crisis negotiators, U.S. Marshalls, forensic pathologists and more (those are the professions of the lead characters in the first four books) aren’t usually the books I pick up for fun. But I’m so glad I finally got around to this series.

The books are page turners; I have a new respect for the long hours and stress endured by law enforcement and emergency personnel. Except for the prequel, each book is about a different member of the O’Malley family – a group of orphans that adopted each other and all legally changed their names. And each has a stressful job, in addition to the ones mentioned above there is a firefighter, trauma counselor, paramedic, and pediatrician.

In at least two of the books so far I’ve noticed an editorial mistake. In this one the months got mixed up – something happened on the “last Monday of October” when the reader has already been told an important wedding will be on October 22^nd of this year. And the wedding does take place later in the book.

The author does a great job addressing different aspects of Christianity that people have a hard time accepting, but the resolution and the ‘I believe’ moment happens very quickly and almost too conveniently.

Photo source

Since I’m reviewing this book to count for a book scattegories game on Goodreads, I had better mention that there’s a horse named Annie that Lisa rides and is comforted by. (Needed an animal’s name to start with an A!)

Oh, and the stories definitely take place in the late 1990s or turn of the century because house phones still had cords and watching a movie at home involved rewinding the tape. :-)

If it weren’t so late and I wasn’t tired and Saturday wasn’t packed full, I would start the next book and stay up until probably 3 am reading. But I’ll be a good girl and get much needed sleep. :P

If you like mystery, crime stories, smart and witty characters, and law enforcement with some romance and Christianity then this is a series for you.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $13.17); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.69 / $11.99 or $8.99); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($10.49 / $13.41)

(E-book / paperback prices good as of May 22, 2014; always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received this book as a gift from a friend. 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.

Cameron Townsend: Good News in Every Language by Janet & Geoff Benge

Cameron Townsend: Good News in Every Language by Janet & Geoff Benge. YWAM Publishing, 2000. 222p. (9781576581643) Series: Christian Heroes: Then & Now

This has been sitting on my nightstand for a while and this morning I picked it up and read it over breakfast. Then I read it during lunch and kept reading until I finished it. What an interesting story! I know it only scratched the surface of Cameron Townsend’s life.

Written for youth this book chronicles the life of Cameron Townsend as he struggles to figure out what to do with his life as a teenager, to becoming a missionary in Guatemala, to translating the New Testament into Cakchiquel, to founding Camp Wycliffe that later became the Summer Institute for Linguistics and Wycliffe Bible Translators, to founding JAARS and all the work that went into establishing those organizations.

His was a very full, very busy life with sorrow and tragedy but also triumph and success. I never knew how Wycliffe Bible Translators got founded and now I want to learn more about Uncle Cam as he became known, his family, and the many amazing stories translators have to tell.

If you are interested in the history of missions, Wycliffe Bible Translators, or Mexico and Guatemala then this is a book worth reading.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($6.99 ebook); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($6.69 pb); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($8.09 pb) 

(Prices good as of May 18, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. 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.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. ThomasNelson, 2013. 328p. (9781401689681)

I’m writing this a few months after reading the book. (It’s been a busy semester and other reviews got pushed ahead of this one…) But this is the third book I read on my 24 hour trip home for Christmas and while I did have to close my eyes a few times on the third and last flight I did finish this delightful book before touching down at home.

Goodreads Summary:

Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen.

Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.

My Review:

I certainly enjoyed this book while reading it but the characters didn’t stick with me. Though that might be because I had hardly slept in 24 hours when I read it. Flipping back through it now makes me want to reread it and savor all the references to Austen and Bronte classics.

Samantha Moore, Sam, is an interesting character to get to know. Life hasn’t been easy and I think the author did a good job portraying Sam’s fears and the rational for her actions. Her story sucks you in and makes you hope she figures out what she’s looking for and can find it.

If you enjoy epistolary novels, characters that overcome difficult childhoods, and lots of quotes and references to classic books than you should give this book a try.

Go read it! Findit at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon ($9.99 / $14.39); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99 / $11.99); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($9.99 / $14.69)

Prices are good as of May 18, 2014 for the ebook/ paperback edition. Please double check for yourself.

Disclosure: I received these 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.

A January Bride by Deborah Raney

A January Bride by Deborah Raney. Zondervan, 2013. 120p. ebook (9780310337706) Series: A Year of Weddings, #2

The second book in this fun series has quite a unique twist.

Goodreads Summary:

Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie’s never met the innkeeper––but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie’s alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn’s owner––a man who's likely many years her senior––and who she’s never even met.

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading a story about a historical fiction writer trying to write a book. The setting was cozy. The misunderstandings are funny and natural, quite the comedy of errors. Alex the cat is cool. The matchmaking neighbor a lot of fun. And the way the romance develops is different and interesting. It’s a squeaky clean romance with two or three kisses.

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon ($3.79); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($3.53); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($3.99)

(Prices good as of March 23, 2014; always double check for yourself)

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.

The Clue of the Broken Locket (Book Cover Bingo - Locket)

The Clue of the Broken Locket by Carolyn Keene. Grosset & Dunlap, 1965 (first published 1934). 178p. (9780448095110) Series: Nancy Drew, #11

I read this as part of the Book Cover Bingo game and it was a trip down memory lane. Nancy Drew is such a great heroine. Plus it was really interesting to realize that music pirating has been around a long time. 

Goodreads Summary:

Nancy Drew and her friends are plunged into a network of strange events when they visit Misty Lake. The very night they arrive, they meet pretty, red-haired Cecily Curtis, who seeks Nancy's help in solving two mysteries: one concerning Cecily's fiancé, Niko Van Dyke, a popular singer who believes that his record company is cheating him of royalty payments; the other, involving a family treasure hidden before the start of the Civil War--Cecily's only clue being half of a gold locket.

Nancy's investigations lead her to Pudding Stone Lodge, where the sinister Driscoll family lives. Elusive humming noises, a flashing light in the attic of the lodge, the periodic apparition of an excursion launch which had sunk in Misty Lake years ago, and the fleeting appearances of a frightened girl who strongly resembles Cecily give Nancy plenty of opportunity to test her sleuthing skills.

Braving a series of dangerous situations and discouraging developments, the alert young detective perseveres in her attempts to solve both mysteries and reveal the astounding secrets of Pudding Stone Lodge.

My Review:

It’s been years since I read Nancy Drew and she’s still as delightful as ever. She’s smart, she’s resourceful, she’s brave, she knows when to call for backup, she’s kind, she’s trustworthy.

There were two things in the story that probably wouldn’t make their way into a modern children’s book but that I really appreciated. Nancy and the gang were headed back to Misty Lake from Baltimore on a Sunday and stopped somewhere along the way to go to church. That’s all the story says, but it’s still telling that it was included.

Ned, Dave and Burt are complete gentlemen and even stay in a separate house than the girls even though it can be assumed the girls’ accommodations had plenty of rooms. How different from today’s college students!

Growing up I didn’t know that these books were written before World War II. Though of course it’s easy to tell that they were written before cell phones and computers were around. The original books (#1-#34) were revised in the 1960s and 70s to remove stereotypes and prejudices as well as to shorten the stories and make them faster paced. The new books have 20 instead of 25 chapters. (Wikipedia has more information)

Interesting fact: it’s a mystery who the illustrator was for the original cover of this book. Russell H. Tandy illustrated and did the covers for books 1-10 and 12-26, but didn’t do the cover of #11 even though he did the internal illustrations. (Source: http://www.nancydrewsleuth.com/history.html)

A great series for girls and a great trip down memory lane.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com; Buy it from Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I borrowed the book from the library. 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.

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

Here’s the second of three books I read on my flight home for Christmas:

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck. Zondervan, 2014. 368p. (9780310315506) Series: Royal Wedding Series, #2

It certainly was easy staying awake to read this one while over the Atlantic! Plus it just released yesterday so you can enjoy it now too!

Goodreads Summary:

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 everything 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.

My Review:

I don’t think it’s necessary to read the first book, Once Upon a Prince, to enjoy this book. Sure there are spoilers in this book, but the story takes place in a different places and involves a different nation. Since I read the first book about a year ago it took me a while to figure out how the two books were connected which distracted me from enjoying the story for a while.

1933 Duesenberg

The story goes back and forth for a while between Alice’s first person account of Meadowbluff Palace in 1914 and Reggie’s life (told in third person) in the present day. It takes a while to get used to and we’re not told what the connection is for several chapters. But it’s quite an interesting connection so bear with it!

I loved Reggie, she is very down to earth - loves restoring old cars, and the author does a great job showing us how Reggie deals with the life changing news that Tanner brings. Tanner’s storyline was also quite interesting, he isn’t quite what you expect a Minister of Culture to be but he’s very easy to cheer for.

If you like the Princess Diaries movies (I haven’t read the books), commoner turned royalty stories with hint of mystery and a dash of romance then this is a book to check out!

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com; Buy it from Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I received these 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.