It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren. Tyndale, 2014. 480p. (9781414378428) Series: Christiansen Family, #2

I think Susan May Warren is one of my new favorite authors. This week It Had to Be You is on sale for $2.99 (or $2.39) and I bought it. (Sale runs through April 5th, 2014) And then read it that same day. And then went straight to the library catalogs to see if I could borrow the first book, sadly neither one has it. :( The next fiction series I’m buying for the school library is this one or Deep Haven.

Goodreads Summary:

Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen's cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits--and starting to fear she doesn't have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior--on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he's getting from Eden Christiansen isn't making things any easier. But when Owen's carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

My Review:

Image source

I am not a hockey fan, but reading the descriptions of the hockey games made me want to watch and learn the game! Even though the story is about two pro-hockey players there isn’t a whole lot of time spent at the rink. I think the author found an excellent balance of just right.

While most of the story revolves around the hospital – both Owen and Jace spend some time there as does a sweet little friend of Jace’s. It is during that time that Eden stumbles on a story she thinks could be a big break for her faltering journalism career.

Jace and Eden work together to pursuit the story and that plot line was excellently woven throughout the tale. Both of them are touched and affected more than they ever would have guessed. And like a pebble thrown into a pond their actions impact many, many more. It’s a neat story line and very touching.

What was even more enjoyable were Jace and Eden’s interactions. Very believable, heartwarming, tense, grin worthy and has just the right amount of detail kissing scenes. This is a Christian romance novel but the faith elements were slipped in naturally and their spiritual struggles added to the story.

I completely enjoyed my visit to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Deep Haven and can’t wait to spend more time with the Christiansen family. This is book two in the series but you don’t have to read the first one to know what’s going on.

If you like contemporary Christian romance, particularly ones with handsome athletes and down to earth families, then this is a great book for you. Oh, and there's a short story of how Eden's parents met and fell in love included at the end.

Go read it! Buy it from Amazon $2.99 ; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com $2.39 ; Buy it from Barnes & Noble $2.99

(Prices good as of March 31, 2014 always double check for yourself) [Quick note: The promo email I got from the author states the sale runs through April 5^th]

Disclosure: I bought this book. 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.

Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List

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

Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List 
(could be blogging related, book related etc. -- meeting authors, reading x many books per year, finishing a daunting book, etc.)

1. Beat my personal record for books and pages read in a year (it's stood for 12 years!)

2. Meet Anne Elisabeth Stengl in person. Her book signings have always been when I'm out of town or out of the country.

3. Be caught up on writing reviews for books I have to review

4. Own a bookshelf that requires a rolling ladder :-) It would of course have to be in a personal library.

5. Meet blogging friends in person.

6. Visit the famous and beautiful libraries of Europe.

Image source (click through to see more lovely libraries)

7. Read all the books I own.

8. In the past week two people asked if I had read all the books in the library (of course not!) and then asked how many I had read. No idea, but I'd kinda like to find out even if it's a lot of counting and a bit of a waste of time...

9. Read more non-fiction

Sorry, can't think of a tenth...

What are some of your bookish aspirations?

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.

Top Ten: Spring 2014 TBR List

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

Top Ten Spring 2014 TBR (to be read) List

1. Shadowhand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Hopefully it arrives in the mail this week!

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

3. Born of Persuassion by Jessica Dotta

4. Destination Unknown by Amy Clipston
I loved Roadside Assistance and was so excited to see a sequel I went and bought it! But my Kindle is giving me trouble with the book so I haven't been able to start it yet.

5. Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

6. Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

7. Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes

8. The Thief by Stephanie Landsem

9. Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade

10. What do you think I should read this spring?

And what's on your TBR list for the spring?

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.

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga (Book Cover Bingo - Quilt)

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga. Abingdon Press, April 2014. (9781426758850) Series: Quilts of Love #17

I found this book to read for the Book Cover Bingo game (needed a quilt) and if just for this book, I’m so glad I’m participating in the game. Probably wouldn’t have requested this book otherwise. It made me laugh and it made me cry.

Goodreads Summary:

A baby quilt touches many hearts as it travels from family-to-family and through generations.

After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women’s Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier’s last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.

Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.

Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.

My Review:

Clara’s story is told by Clara herself as she looks back to her experiences before, during and just after the war. The author gets the tone perfect because it really felt like a 70 something year old woman reminiscing and telling her grandson the story of the quilt.

The quilt doesn’t come into play until midway through her tale but it plays an important role after that in helping her heal and feel useful. It’s what ties the whole story together in a very touching way.

I loved this story because it reminded me that everyone has a story to tell and wisdom to share; especially those who have lived half a dozen decades or more. Which is exactly what Clara wanted her grandson to learn. Among other things.

But Clara isn’t perfect and above reproach either, she’s still learning, still experiencing. Life’s lessons don’t end until life ends. And I’m so glad the book ends on a happy note with something to look forward to.

The characters are interesting, life back in the 1940s and 50s is simply yet vividly described, and it’s a wonderful reminder of what our grandparents or even great-grand parents went through.

Read it if you enjoy simple but sweet lifelong romance, World War II fiction, tales about nurses, or present day stories mixed with the past.

I'd really give it 4.5 stars

Pre-order it now! 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.

Top Ten All Time Favorite Books in Fantasy/Fairy Tale

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

Top Ten All Time Favorite Books in Fantasy/Fairy Tale

1. Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Actually the whole series...

2. The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye

3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
And The Horse and His Boy
And The Last Battle
Actually the whole series...

4. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

5. Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

6. The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

7. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

8. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

9. Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm

10. The Complete Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson

What are some of your favorite books in a certain genre?

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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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.

Weird but true! 2 by National Geographic Kids

Weird but True! 2: 300 Outrageous Facts by National Geographic Kids. 208 pg. National Geographic Society, 2010. (9781426306884) Series: Weird but True!

The fifth graders at the school I work at absolutely love these books. We have number 2, 3, 4, 5 and brainless baddies and there's only been perhaps a week when one of them didn't have a kid waiting for it and it was on the shelf. Needless to say the books are wildly popular.

Each book has 208 pages of strange but true facts. Photos, colorful illustrations or unique fonts make each factoid quite eye catching. And there is an index to help you find that crazy fact that you remember reading but can't find again.

The drawback is that there's no citations and sometimes the facts are a bit hard to believe. For example, "The total earthworm population in the United States weighs ten times more than the total human population." (pg. 98) "Astronomers have discovered a star that is made of a 10-billion-trillion-trillion-carat diamond." (pg. 134)

Some facts make you really curious how they even know that: "Newborn babies are color-blind" (pg. 36) or "A snowflake can take up to two hours to fall from a cloud to the ground." (pg. 104)

National Geographic holds the belief that the earth is millions of years old and that comes through on some of their facts, "The oldest bat fossil ever found was 50 million years old." (pg. 153) or "Turtles lived on earth before dinosaurs did." (pg. 73)

If you're looking for a book or series that will keep elementary and even middle school kids entertained for quite a while, then get a hold of these books. I highly recommend this series for any school library and kids who love facts.

Go read it! Find it at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from Barnes & Noble; Buy it from ChristianBook.com (first book in series)

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.