Draven’s Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Draven’s Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Rooglewood Press, 2015. 189p. (9781942379027) Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood, #7.5

One day the Tales of Goldstone Wood are going to be a classic in the fantasy genre. In the mean time you should start reading the books so that you can enjoy this fabulous world before everyone else! This novella is an easy place to start and is a great example of the author’s talent for storytelling. 

Goodreads Summary:
In the Darkness of the Pit
The Light Shines Brightest

Drums summon the chieftain’s powerful son to slay a man in cold blood and thereby earn his place among the warriors. But instead of glory, he earns the name Draven, “Coward.” When the men of his tribe march off to war, Draven remains behind with the women and his shame. Only fearless but crippled Ita values her brother’s honor.

The warriors return from battle victorious yet trailing a curse in their wake. One by one the strong and the weak of the tribe fall prey to an illness of supernatural power. The secret source of this evil can be found and destroyed by only the bravest heart.

But when the curse attacks the one Draven loves most, can this coward find the courage he needs to face the darkness?

My Review:
This is a story within a story and not until the very end are we told the connection – one that I didn’t see coming. It’s a smooth transition between the two stories and just like the little girl who carries the water gift up to the Brothers building the Great House and who is being told the story of Draven and the tribe across the river, so the reader will keep returning to hear the story being told by the Kind One.

Akilun as A.E. Stengl
imagines him

Fans of the series will recognize the Kind One as Akilun and the other brother as Etanun. This tale takes place before the events of Dragonwitch though it could be read at any point.

The story itself is a tale of despair, turmoil, pain yet hope and yearning for Something. Of cruel raids on neighboring tribes (not told about in detail), of stark courage to show compassion, of enduring despite pain and a fight for life against an unseen evil. It is an amazing story that never preaches about good vs evil and the courage to do what is right even though it goes against everything they’ve been taught.

Even though this is Draven’s story, his sister Ita is the real heroine of the story. But I can’t tell you more because that would spoil the story.

If you enjoy adventure and brave heroes and heroines than this is a novella worth reading.

 

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon ($2.99/$9.49) ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($8.90 pb); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($2.99/$9.49); Buy the ebook from iTunes ($2.99)

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


Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher. 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.

Unspoken by Dee Henderson

Unspoken by Dee Henderson. Bethany House, 2013. 441p. (9780764211713) Series: (Not officially but Full Disclosure and Undetected are related, this one falls in the middle)

Oh my. What a complex book of emotions, fear, sacrifice, hope and dreams. And I just love that the author mentioned her O’Malley series and credited them to a character in this book (I hadn’t read Full Disclosure yet and this fun tidbit plays an important part in that story). I think I’ve found a new favorite author.

Goodreads Summary (edited):

Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history.

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life. She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years.

A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago. Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes. But nothing else is working in his favor.

My Review:

Bryce Bishop is “bored out of his mind” with his life and his enjoyable job running a high-end coin shop. But both he and the reader don’t know how much that is going to change when Charlotte Graham shows up in his parking lot. And goodness what a ride it is.

I really don’t want to give away any surprises in this story! The intensity of this book is not in the drama or action, but it simply waiting alongside Charlotte and Bryce for things to progress, for trust to be built, for cold cases to be solved. In watching Charlotte struggle through continuing to figure out life 19 years after being held captive for four years.

Some reviewers have complained about the length – and it is a long book, but who hasn’t wished a story had been a bit longer just so you could spend more time with the characters. Some reviewers have complained about the details regarding the coins in the collection, but I found it interesting and it helps explain the grandfather’s estate, lets the reader get to know Bryce’s character and is an interesting glimpse into the world of coin collectors.

The romance was incredibly sweet and slow and subtle; a very clean romance too. They don’t make a big deal out of their faith either, the author is quite adept at creating characters who are Christians – she doesn’t include any sermons and isn’t pushy.

If you like suspense, mystery and romance, then this is a book for you.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you  ; Buy it from Amazon ($13.41/$8.63) ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.49/$8.67); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($13.67/$9.99); Buy it from anIndependent Bookstore near you

(Paperback/ebook prices good as of November 14, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Links include affiliate links. 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.

WoW #45: Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"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:

Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George
Series: Castle Glower, #3

Bloomsbury October 2014

About
Having been dropped by Castle Glower into the middle of a strange forest, Celie sets off to solve the mystery of the Castle's past and what's causing it behave so erratically now. Accompanied by her pet griffin Rufus, her brother Rolf, sister Lilah, and their friends Pogue and Lulath, Celie will have to face deceitful wizards, wild griffins, and the truth behind the Castle itself before she can find a way home.

Why I want to read it

I have read the first two books in this series, Tuesdays at the Castle and Wednesdays in the Tower, and really enjoyed them. The last one ended on a bit of a cliff hanger so I'd love to find out what happens.

Pre-order it:

Amazon ($12.16) and Barnes and Noble ($12.05)
Prices are good as of June 10, 2014 for pre-ordering the hardback edition. Please double check for yourself.

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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.

Five Glass Slippers

Five Glass Slippers by by Elisabeth Brown, Emma Clifton, Rachel Heffington, Stephanie Ricker, and Clara Diane Thompson. Rogglewood Press, 2014. 464p. (9780989447843)

I love fairy tale retellings and this was a delightful collection of five versions of Cinderella. Last year author Anne Elisabeth Stengl hosted a writing contest and the result was this book. Just this week the fairy tale for the next Rogglewood Press writing contest was announced. And if the quality of the Cinderella stories is anything to go by Five Enchanted Roses will be a fabulous collection as well.

I’ve interspersed my initial reaction to the story jotted down right after reading each story and a short review on each tale after the summaries of each one.

Goodreads Summary:

ONE BELOVED STORY, FIVE EXCITING WRITERS

A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

WHAT EYES CAN SEE: Elisabeth Brown

Painfully shy Arella begs her stepmother to let her stay home from the prince’s ball. But kindly Duchess Germaine is determined that her beautiful stepdaughter should be presented at court along with her own two daughters. So, dressed in a gorgeous gown and a pair of heirloom slippers, Arella catches the eye of the crown prince . . . and finds her life suddenly far more complicated than she ever desired.

My Reaction:

How fun! I do like the twist that the stepsisters and mother are nice. Though I wish we could have heard more of Arella’s thoughts.

My Review:

Elisabeth Brown does a great job giving us the classic story, but with a twist. Arella is painfully shy and does not want to marry the prince. I could almost imagine the story taking place in the settings of Disney’s movie but with a master editor rewinding and speculating ‘what if…’

BROKEN GLASS: Emma Clifton

The slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl! Rosalind never once danced with Prince Marius at the ball, for she is in love with his brother Henry. If only Rosalind and Marius would stop bickering long enough to invent a scheme, perhaps the three of them can find the real mystery lady. But they must work quickly, for dark deeds are afoot, and the kingdom is poised on the brink of disaster.

My Reaction:

Loved the ending! Especially the epilogue. This quote stuck out: “It does take more than one dance to find your soul-mate.” I really like that this story and the previous one both emphasize that fact.

My Review:

Emma Clifton mixed magic and steampunk together and came up with a story that has some of the harshness of the original Grimm fairy tales but also the characters to love and admire. I hope Emma continues writing stories set the land she created as I’m quite curious as to what happened to Ophelia and of course the epilogue is a perfect teaser for another fairy tale retelling.

The editors did a great job picking out stories that complimented each other because this one is a perfect bridge between a more traditional story to the political intrigue of the next tale and the outer space setting of the one after that.

THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE: Rachel Heffington

Alisandra is determined to have her rights. She knows that she is the king’s secretly dispossessed daughter, the true heir to the throne. Prince Auguste is an imposter, and if she plays her cards right, Alis will prove it to the world! That is, if charming Auguste doesn’t succeed in winning her heart before she gets her chance . . .

My Reaction:

What a light hearted piece of fun and political intrigue! And a great “fairy” godfather!

My Review:

Rachel Heffington did a great job completely reimagining Cinderella has a charming political schemer who is actually a disinherited princess. The dialogue was witty and very well written.

A CINDER’S TALE: Stephanie Ricker

It’s a dangerous life, yet Elsa wouldn’t trade this opportunity to work at Tremaine Station, mining cendrillon from the seething surface of planet Aschen. Nevertheless, when a famous deep space explorer and his handsome son dock their starcraft at the space station, Elsa finds herself dreaming of far galaxies beyond Aschen's blistering heat. There is no time for dreaming, however, when danger threatens the space station, and Elsa and her fellow miners are tested to the limits of their courage.

My Reaction:

Delightful. Nice to have a change from romance being the focus (though I’m sure a sequel would have plenty). Great riveting action and danger.

My Review:

Stephanie Ricker put Cinderella in a space suit in a far corner of the universe and crafted a very exciting tale. I especially liked that she used the names Jaq, Gus and Bruno for Elsa’s friends. Though I did keep picturing the dog when I read Bruno. His is a story I would love to read more of. The clones with their unique outfits were a great way to tie in the traditionally ill-dressed stepsisters.

THE MOON MASTER’S BALL: Clara Diane Thompson

After her terrifying experience there several years ago, the one place young housemaid Tilly longs to avoid is Bromley’s Circus. But when kindly Lord Hollingberry begs her to deliver a message to the mysterious Moon Master hidden away among the circus dwellers, Tilly can’t refuse . . . and finds herself ensnared in a web of enchantment cast by the loathsome Mrs. Carlisle and her beautiful goddaughter.

My Reaction:

Thrilling. Spooky. I do wish the word limit had been a bit longer since while the story is excellently told, the climax felt very rushed.

My Review:

Clara Diane Thompson painted an eerie scene and kept the mystery front and center. The sudden appearance and disappearance of the Circus reminded me of the Twelve-Year Market from the Tales of Goldstone Wood. Much has been written about the impracticality of glass slippers – and whether they were mistranslated and should be fur slippers, but in this story they finally had a purpose and a point.

All in all, this is an excellent collection of Cinderella stories. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings or any of the genres included than I highly recommend reading this book. 

Go read it! Pre-orderit from Amazon ($10.93) It will be available June 14, 2014! Add it on Goodreads – plus there’s a giveaway on Goodreads through the 24^th!

(Prices good as of June 4, 2014 always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received this book from the editor for review purposes. 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 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.

Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Bethany House, 2014. 408p. (9780764210280) Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood, #6

Normally I don’t read time travel books because I find the idea too implausible and mind boggling. This story takes place in two (three?) time periods, but Anne Elisabeth makes it completely plausible and believable. It’s still a bit mind boggling but very well explained. I highly recommend this book and series! (But you already knew that. :-)

Goodreads Summary:

She will take your own two hands

to save your ancient, sorrowing lands.

By her father's wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the prince she loves, handsome and dispossessed Lionheart, but his cousin, the awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. Unable to bear the future she sees as her wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only desire to vanish from living memory.

But Foxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world of magic and peril, a world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway, a world invaded by a lethal fey parasite . . . .

A world that is hauntingly familiar.

My Review:

Lumé love us, is this a good book! It pulls you into the Wood and along with Lady Daylily and Foxbrush you lose all sense of time. Though, fortunately, unlike them you probably won’t encounter sylphs who push, poke, prod, tickle, pull and play with mortals to death (unless rescued of course).

More dangerous though than losing all sense of time is being pulled through time and finding yourself in a time that is not your own. Which is exactly what happens to the main characters of this epic adventure. How else do you describe a tale that takes place centuries ago and in the present? Where the outcomes of what happens in the past shapes the future beyond the present more than ordinary history shapes what comes after.

Confused? It does take a bit to get used to. Shadow Hand is a complicated story and to make sense of it and to grasp the import of Redbeard, the Haven, Imraldera and Eanrin, Sun Eagle and his beads, South Land itself and many other things you really ought to read all of the other books in the series.

And then after you read Shadow Hand for the first time you should reread it. As I’m writing this review I’ve been flipping back trying to find various bits and I keep coming across things at the beginning that tie in to the end. For example, the sylph tells Leo something on page 87 that we don’t completely learn about and don’t realize the full importance of until pages 382 and 402 (out of 408). Or, what would have happened in the present and the past and the future if Foxbrush hadn’t gone back and picked up that paper? The tiniest of actions can make a world of difference.

Fangirl moment: yes, I shouted aloud at that scene in chapter six of part two; and then sighed at the following scenes. Oh Eanrin.

Read this series if you enjoy fantasy and complicated other worlds and stories about love (and not just romantic love either!).

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon  ($11.54 / $3.99); Buy it from ChristianBooks.com ($9.99 / $3.95); Buy it from Barnes & Noble ($11.51 / $5.99)

(Paperback/ ebook prices good as of April 26, 2014; always double check for yourself)

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author and publisher (thank you Anne Elisabeth!). 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.

She Shall be Praised by Ginny Aiken

She Shall be Praised by Ginny Aiken. FaithWords, 2014. 400p. (9780892968466) Series: Women of Hope, #3

The summary and gorgeous cover drew me in but sadly I didn’t completely enjoy the story despite it’s interesting premise.

Goodreads Summary:

When socialite Emma Crowell stops the carriage on the way to Portland to 'exercise' her new puppy, the last thing she expects is to be left behind in decidedly unsuitable attire, let alone kidnapped. Fortunately, she is soon found by local rancher Peter Lowery. Unfortunately, he has no intention of abandoning his livelihood to take her back to civilization until the fall. He will, however, provide food, shelter and safety, and in return he expects Emma to earn her keep.

Emma is surprised to find she enjoys the challenges of life at the cabin and feels drawn to Peter and his young son Robby. But though willing to learn, no matter how she tries, she never seems to live up to expectations. As Emma seeks God's guidance and aspires to the picture of womanhood shown in the 31st chapter of Proverbs, Peter comes to realize that he may be underestimating the strength and character behind this woman's beauty.

My Review:

I read this last fall and you can tell I didn’t love it since I’ve put off writing the review for so long. The story seemed to drag and wasn’t quite believable at times. For instance, when she gets left behind, why didn’t the couple tasked with being her chaperone and traveling escort come back to look for her?

Also, it made little sense that Peter wouldn’t take her to the nearest town after he rescued her from the kidnappers. Sure he was committed to his sheep and making sure he could provide for his son and his employee, but it seemed terribly selfish, uncaring and stubborn of him not to take two (three?) days off to take Emma into town. Especially considering that later in the book he goes to town twice – once due to an accident and once for personal reasons. Don’t want to say more and spoil parts of the story.

Sheering sheep
Image credit

The characters were interesting though and diverse. And I certainly never knew that there were sheep ranchers in the mountains of Oregon. On a more serious note the book also addressed how cases of rape were treated by law enforcement. (Note: there are no sex scenes)

I haven’t read the first two books in this series but I don’t think it matters and I’m not sure it would make this book more understandable/believable.

But that's just my opinion. You might like it if you enjoy historical fiction and stories where a spoiled rich girl learns that life isn't always tea parties and balls.

I dislike giving low ratings but this one is just 2 or 2.5 stars sadly

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 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.

Reclaiming the Crown (series) by Rachelle McCalla

Series: Reclaiming the Crown by Rachelle McCalla. Love Inspired Suspense, 2011-2012.

A while ago Kara, blogger and encourager extraordinaire over at A Booklover's Heart, reviewed this series and reminded me of its intriguing covers and descriptions. I took her suggestion and found a way to read them. So glad I did! I really enjoyed each book but especially the series as a whole. Each book is full of adventure, danger, learning to trust and forgive, and a sweet and clean romance. I think I even found myself wanting to pray for the characters at times - that's how real they felt.

The modern day series begins with Princess in Peril and follows Princess Isabelle as she flees the attack on the king’s motorcade. She has a very perilous escape route – both physically and mentally challenging.

Loved the adventure and the budding romantic tension and the international aspects. But as someone who has flown internationally many times, I can say with certainty that the airport scenes were not realistic. Especially post 9-11. I haven’t flown into JFK but have gone through Newark several times in recent years and there’s no way Isabelle and Levi could have gotten through security and customs so quickly and easily or dodged those following them so simply. Still a fun story though.

Book number 2, Protecting the Princess is Princess Anastasia’s tale. She missed the motorcade and is whisked to safety by a man she’s not sure she completely trusts. Kirk is a royal guard and the only one who knows what happened to her older brother who disappeared five or six years ago.

Theirs is an interesting escape route and during their flight and search for answers we learn a lot more about the magnitude of the attack on the royal family. I like how the mystery unfolds a bit more with each book and I felt with Anastasia how helpless and frustrating the situation seemed at times. Also, Kirk is awesome.

The 3^rd book, Prince Incognito is about Prince Alec. Problem is, he doesn’t remember who he is and the Lily the woman who rescued him doesn’t know it either until he’s in danger again. Then they are both in life threatening danger. Then they’re rescued, then they’re both in danger again. Then they flee into the desert and are still in danger. It’s quite an exciting tale.

In all of these I’ve really liked the characters and the struggles they each face. But especially so in this one. Lily is helping Alec but it’s her family that is threatening him. Trust and forgiveness play an important part of this story. Also the reader learns quite a bit more about the plot against the Lydian royal family.

The 4^th and final book, The Missing Monarch, tells the tale of the missing crown prince. His is an interesting story and we finally find out who is the mastermind behind the plot. I don’t want to say too much more since that spoils some surprises. Even knowing who this last book is about is a bit of a spoiler if you haven’t read book two yet.

I wish the ending could have been a bit longer as things seemed to wrap up a bit quickly and conveniently but then again most of the loose ends were not very exciting, political threads.

The author has written five more stories about the Lydian royal family, two of which are historical and I really enjoyed those. The other three come after this series and I hope the royal family and their guards will have learned some lessons about modern technological safety and its surveillance capabilities.

Five stars for this series as a whole

Go read them!

#1 Princess in Peril: Amazon ; Barnes & Noble

#2 Protecting the Princess: Amazon ;  Barnes & Noble

#3 Prince Incognito: Amazon ; ChristianBooks.com ; Barnes & Noble

#4 The Missing Monarch: Amazon ; ChristianBooks.com ; Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I borrowed these books from a library. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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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.