My Review: Love in the Details

Happy release day to Becky Wade!!  Pick the confetti out of your hair, because I'm super excited!  This is her first novella and I personally loved it!  And this is coming from someone who avoids novellas like the plague (okay, not quite that much, but you get the idea).  But, I am a huge of Becky's, so that might have had something to do with it. :)
Side note, does anyone not love this cover?!  Because, it's gorgeous, in my opinion!  I love the simplicity of it and the dress is lovely.

Description: 
Holly ended things to give him a better life, but she was the future he’d always dreamed of.

Eight years have passed since Holly last saw her high school sweetheart, Josh. Now the wedding of Josh’s best friend has brought him back to Martinsburg, Texas. His duties as best man and Holly's as the church's volunteer wedding coordinator link them together. As they work behind the scenes to plan a beautiful November wedding for their friends, they're forced to confront painful reminders of what might have been.

Holly broke up with Josh all those years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. However, she never told him the true reason behind her actions and now must decide whether to keep her secret hidden. She's terrified of letting herself fall for him because she barely managed to piece her life back together after losing him the last time.

Not a day's gone by since Josh parted from Holly that he hasn't thought about her. The pain of the past eight years has been too much to bear and he doesn't want to make himself vulnerable to her again. But the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to deny the love he still has for her.

Will Josh and Holly risk their hearts on the hope that God's timing really can be best?
(Description copied from Amazon.  Italics mine.  No infringement intended)





About the Author:
Becky Wade makes her home in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three children. She's the Carol Award and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award-winning author of contemporary Christian romances My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, and Meant to Be Mine. Visit Becky online at www.beckywade.com, Facebook authorbeckywade, and Twitter: @beckywadewriter.






My Review: 5 stars
I’m going to preface this review with the note that I generally don’t care for stand-alone novellas. I find them too short and they often feel either rushed, or as though they stop short. I always want them to be longer. While the last is true of Love in the Details, neither of the other two are. I actually loved this one! Becky is by far one of my favorite authors, so I’m very glad that I took the chance and read this novella.

I think one of things I love the most about all of Becky’s books, this one included, is how down to Earth they are. Though Josh Bowen is a millionaire, he comes across as a “normal” person. As does Holly Morgan, who I adored. She’s such a delightfully quirky character and is someone I’d love to be friends with. I also really enjoy the dialogue, both between the characters and the internal! It made me laugh more than once and I had to agree with Holly many times. I also confess to a slight case of jealousy, because I adored Josh and if he was real and wasn’t taken . . . .

Though the story is short, Becky packs in much more than a simple love story. She also includes topics about trust and not letting fear rule your decisions. And maybe it’s just me, but that’s something I always need to be reminded of. I appreciated the depth she was able to convey in such a short story and the care she took to ensure the message came through loud and clear while not overwhelming the romance.

This is going to be a short review, because there’s not really much else I can add, other than another “I loved it!” and more gushing. Which isn’t necessary. Hopefully that has been made very clear already. I can’t wait for Becky’s next story, and I highly recommend this one!

I received and advanced copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and read my review!  I hope you enjoyed it!
And, as it is release day for this novella, here are some links if you'd like to check into it!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book



 
 

My Review: Fire & Ice

 

Does the cover of this book make anyone else smile?  Because her expression is exactly what I would imagine from Bailey.  Also, I love the colors.  All of the covers in this series are gorgeous!

 



Description:
Bailey Wilde is one of the best new ranchers in the West. She's been living disguised as a man for a while, but when Gage Coulter comes to drive her off her homestead, he quickly realizes he's dealing with a woman--a very tough, very intriguing woman at that.

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of his best range land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the only suitable entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to his land--and he's got to go through Bailey to do it.

Spending a winter alone has a way of making a person crave some human contact. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan Gage concocts. Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders loosen up enough to earn each other's respect--and maybe find love in
the process?

About the Author:
Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has over half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild At Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.


My Review:  5 stars
I finished this book with a big smile on my face, sighing with happiness. That should tell you that this is going to be another gushing review, because . . . I loved it! I freely admit that I am a huge fan of Ms. Connealy’s, so this review may lean a bit toward bias, though I always try to give a thoroughly honest review. That being said, I did honestly love this book!

This book is the last in Mary Connealy’s Wild at Heart series and is Bailey’s book. I’ve been anticipating this one since reading the first, so I was super excited to receive it. It grabbed my attention from the very first page and I read quickly, finishing it within a day. I love that Mary’s books always make me laugh and this one is no exception. I found myself in stitches more than once and just randomly grinning, probably causing a few people to question my sanity. She’s doing something a bit different with this series, though. These books are a bit more serious and cut a little bit closer to the heart. I honestly adore this, because while I enjoy the fluff and laughter, if a book touches my heart, that’s one I’m going to remember. Now, before I make it sound like a drag, it definitely isn’t. I was kept on the edge of my seat for most of the story, wondering what might happen next and how everything would work out.

Mary’s writing is, per usual, excellent. I love the details and descriptions, but also simply her writing style. It’s unique in a way I can’t really define, but that I know I enjoy. The dialogue is also a blast, both the verbal and internal. I love knowing her characters’ thoughts, because they so crack me up with their bluntness and just the fact that they’re thinking what most people would never say but definitely never admit. She paints lovely (and hysterical) pictures with her words, to the point that I could almost imagine I was right there with Bailey and Gage. I love being so thoroughly swept into a story and Mary’s books do that.

I hate to play favorites, but I think Bailey Wilde has been my favorite sister from the start. She’s the mysterious one that plays at being a man and is willing to fight toe-to-toe with anyone who would dare threaten her sisters. Even if I didn’t love her before this book, I do now. I enjoyed getting to really know her and see another side of her character. She comes to life within pages of her story. She isn’t quite as tough as she’s led everyone to believe, but she is fierce and a force to be reckoned with. Beyond that though, is a hurting woman who has faced war and lived to tell about it. One of my favorite parts of her story is when we finally get to know what haunts her and understand who she truly is behind her mask.

Gage Coulter . . . I’m not sure what to say about him. Stubborn fills in a lot of gaps. Thickheaded. Tenacious. But on the flip side, once you get past his cranky exterior he is very caring toward Bailey and her family. Even when they’re driving him batty (though that was often mutual). Gage is one of those heroes that I loved, but also wanted to slap at the same time. So I sympathized with Bailey quite easily. Beyond his annoying qualities, he is actually quite likable and I had to laugh and agree with many of his observations. 

I also enjoyed the bit of mystery that’s woven throughout, keeping me guessing as to what might happen next. It’s actually downplayed a bit from the previous books, but with everything else going on, I understood that it didn’t exactly take precedence. The ending was well done, with all of the loose ends neatly tied up. I was disappointed to see it come to an end, simply because I didn’t want to say “goodbye.” There’s something bittersweet about reading the final book in a series and realizing that my time with these particular characters is coming to a close. That being said, I’m also very excited to find out what Mary has up her sleeve, next!
 I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in anyway. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my blog!  I hope you enjoyed my review!  As always, there are links for it below.  I hope you're having a fantastic day!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book

My Review: Valley of Decision, plus GIVEAWAY!

I'm not even sure what to say about this book, even a week after reading it.

Description:
Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.

All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.

With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator.

Will Lisbeth arrive in time to save her daughter from the clutches of Rome? How can God possibly redeem such a slew of unwise decisions and deep regrets? Filled with heart-wrenching twists and riveting action, Valley of Decision brings the romantic adventure epic, The Carthage Chronicles, to an electrifying conclusion.

 About the Author:
Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.


My Review: Am I allowed more than 5 stars?
I’m going to be honest. My brain is spinning while I’m trying to gather enough words to write a review for this book that has left me emotionally rocked and asking difficult questions. I don’t even know where to begin. How do I describe this story that has me reeling, trying to avoid crying for a fictional character, and replaying sections of it endeavoring to figure out where I became so attached? What can I say that will do it justice?

I should probably note that there are two other books in this series, The Healer of Carthage and Return to Exile  (click on the titles to read my review). All three books follow the adventures of Lisbeth Hastings and Cyprian Thascius in third century Carthage. Each of these stories have touched me in some manner, but this one pretty much knocked the wind out of me for a few moments. I found myself so engrossed in this book that I read it in little more than a day and had to struggle to pull myself away from it. Forget about focusing on anything else, I was so entrenched in my reading that I would look up and blink a few times, trying to make sense that I wasn’t in Carthage with them. Lisbeth may have time-traveled to the third century, but I think I took that trip with her.

Ms. Gentry, as usual, has outdone herself with this book. Her writing is superb and she brings Carthage to life in such a way that I would almost swear I’d be there myself. There were several times when it was as though I could almost smell the eucalyptus used in the vaporizer pots and feel the discord running through the city. I’ve loved being pulled into the journey that flows through three books and finally climaxes in an ending that made me want to pitch it across the room. Before I deter anyone with that comment, I’m going to continue by saying that my remark is more of a testament to just how wonderful a job Lynne has done with this series. I have to be deeply attached to the characters to prompt that reaction from me, so well done Lynne!

Lisbeth and Cyprian have been favorites of mine from the start, but in this book we also get to know a grown-up Maggie and Barek, as well as knowing Lisbeth’s parents a bit better. I loved the new depth Lynne adds to each of her stories, expanding them and drawing more characters to the forefront until it’s not just Cyprian and Lisbeth’s story, but it’s about so many people that their lives have touched along the way. I’m honestly not sure there’s much more to say about these two people, because I’ve talked about them quite a bit in my reviews for the two previous books. They are constantly growing and changing throughout each book, but in small ways that you’d really have to read the books to know, as my explanations wouldn’t come even close to doing them justice. 

I think if I had to choose one reason that I love Lynne’s books so much it would have to be this: they challenge me. They force me to ask questions and reevaluate some aspects of my life. They are so real and sometimes raw that I believe it’s almost impossible to remain unaffected. After I had turned the final page of this one, I just sat there for a few moments, trying to wrap my brain around what had just happened. It seemed hard to believe it was over, but then I feel that way about any book I fall into. They never seem long enough and I feel a bit bereft for a while afterward. I’m sure this will be one that sticks with me for quite a while as I mull the words within, the ones that have caused me to stop and think, to look to God for answers, or to simply ponder the questions Lynne’s words inspire.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you took the time to read my review, I applaud you!  If you just skipped down to the giveaway details, then I suppose I can't really blame you. 
I enjoyed this book so much, that I'm giving away one copy of it, along with a surprise (which I'm really excited about!)!  To be entered, you simply have to leave a comment on this page that includes an answer to the question below and your email address.  You MUST leave your email address in order to be entered (otherwise, I won't be able to contact the winner).  A similar safe format is recommended: suchandsuch[at]something[dot]com.  This giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry!) and will close Friday, October 23 at Midnight EST. 

Entry Question:
If you could time-travel to any past era, where would you want to go? 

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by!  I hope you have a blessed week!

Oh, one last thing: if you'd like to learn more about the book, or maybe purchase a copy, links are included below!

Amazon

Christian Book

Barnes & Noble

 

My Review: The Mistress of Tall Acre, plus GIVEAWAY!

I have to confess - I really love this cover!  It's so lovely and gives a glimpse into the setting and story!  The designers at Revell definitely did an excellent job, in my opinion!

Description:
The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?



About the Author:
Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, and The Ballantyne Legacy series. She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.







My Review: 5 stars!
I confess, this is the first book I’ve read by Laura Frantz. Now, don’t start throwing rotten tomatoes yet, because I am now a huge fan of hers! I had no basis for expectations, aside from the gushing of her fans (who I now must concur with). I have to think that if I’d had any, they would’ve been far surpassed. I adored this book!

Ms. Frantz is definitely a gifted writer and it shows through in every line of this book. I was engrossed from the very first page and I couldn’t read fast enough! I loved the historical details she includes, the little things to bring the story to life and transported this reader back to the trying days after the War for Independence. Every scene is vivid and full of images and descriptions that took flight in my imagination. Even when I would put the book down, a part of it would stay with me through my day, in the back of my mind, waiting for when I would pick it up again. This is a book that kept me up late more than once, then stayed with me long after I finished it.

I loved the intricate storyline and the twists and turns that kept me turning the pages as quickly as I could. Though I wanted to savor the writing, the desire to find out what would happen next won out more often than not. I will confess that I found a couple of the “surprises” a little lackluster, but mostly because I had already guessed as much from reading the book description. Sometimes I think a little too far ahead and try to guess what might happen next, rather than just enjoying the ride and being surprised with everyone else. Despite this, I was never disappointed with where the story went. I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience stories and this one sets the bar quite high for the future ones I’ll read.

I loved all of the characters, but I confess Lily Cate stole my heart at once, much as she did Sophie’s. Sophie Menzies is a character I wasn’t expecting. She’s faced hard times, trials, and difficulties, but she still loves freely. She gives freely, though she has little. She knows the true worth of a person isn’t their wealth, or their home, but their heart. I loved seeing this play out through every page, as she cared for and loved the people in her life, even those who were unkind to her. Seamus Ogilvy (whose last name I never did figure out how to pronounce), is a unique hero. He’s a war veteran who has seen the darkest parts of life. He doesn’t know how to love his daughter, how to be the father he wants to be. I loved this broken leader of many. Because to lead, you have to be willing to do the work too, which Seamus does. He sets high expectations for himself, then does his best to meet or surpass them. He has his scars, but he tries so hard to be the best father, and then husband, that he can. Even when he falls short of the measure he built for himself, he gets back up and fights again.

This is one of those books that becomes so real that sometimes you have to step back and remember it is fiction. I had to do this a time or two, when I found myself forgetting completely where I was. I confess, it almost made me cry a time or two, and not many authors can manage that. The spiritual element was so realistically written that I could almost feel the characters’ pain, their questions to God of “why?” But in everything, I loved their faith. In the hard times, they believed God was still good. In the good times, they praised Him. And in the darkest moment where the only thing left was “why?” they still didn’t lose faith. I loved how Ms. Frantz handled the questions and how intricately she wove the faith aspect through out the book. I have to honestly believe she is a lady of deep faith, because it showed on every page.

I honestly don’t have a single complaint about any aspect of this book. I loved it and will be eagerly anticipating the next book by this new-found author! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling historical read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own. 

 
Now, I'm simply going to assume that most everyone reading this completely skipped my longwinded review in order to learn more about the giveaway.  And I honestly can't say that I blame anyone, because hey, free books are more exciting than my gushing, right?  That being said, I loved this book so much, that I want to share a copy of it with someone, hence the giveaway. :)
Every giveaway has to have rules, correct?  And mine are simple.  To be entered you have to do 2 things:
1) Leave a comment about almost anything (i.e why my reviews should be shorter, what books you like to read, the weather, something funny your dog just did . . . .).  I'd just like it to be something more than "I'm so excited!"  Okay?
2) Be sure to include your email address somewhere in your comment, so that I have a way to contact the winner.  A format similar to something[at]suchandsuch[dot]com is recommended to deter spammers.
And that's it!  The giveaway is open until midnight EST on Thursday, October 1st.  I'll notify the winner on Friday morning.  Okay!  I think that's everything . . . yep!  I hope you all have a fantastic day!


P.S. Oops!  I almost forgot!  If you'd like to read more about this book before entering, or maybe consider purchasing your own copy, you can find it on these sites (as well as others):

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book

My Review: Love's Every Whisper

Just so you're forewarned, I've been falling a bit behind on my reviews the past couple weeks, with work and such, so I'll be posting a bit more frequently until I'm caught up.  It also means that I'll be posting on seemingly random days, like today. :)


Description:
Victoria Donnelly is, as always, a failure. With five years of failed courtships behind her and the calendar inching closer to another birthday, Victoria's determined to redeem herself and snag a proposal from a wealthy childhood acquaintance, Gilbert Sinclair. But returning to Eagle Harbor stirs up long forgotten memories. And worse, old affection for her betrothed's enemy.

Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen's sons don't marry shipping barons' daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.

He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?

About the Author:
A mother of three, Naomi Rawlings spends her days picking up, cleaning, playing and, of course, writing. Her husband pastors a small church in Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula, where her family shares its ten wooded acres with black bears, wolves, coyotes, deer and bald eagles. Naomi and her family live only three miles from Lake Superior, where the scenery is beautiful and they average 200 inches of snow per winter. Naomi writes bold, dramatic stories and is currently enjoying writing the Eagle Harbor Series, which is set near where she lives.

My Review: 4 stars
Love’s Every Whisper is the second story in Naomi Rawlings’, Eagle Harbor series. That being said, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I personally didn’t read the first book and though it may have filled in a couple small gaps, I didn’t feel lost or find it confusing. I discovered her books a couple years ago with the release of her first book with the Love Inspired Historical line and very much enjoyed it. I was really excited to read this book and can happily say that I enjoyed it immensely!

Ms. Rawlings does an excellent job with the details and descriptions. I enjoyed getting to visit the little town on the edge of Lake Superior and see it through her characters’ eyes. It’s obvious she did a great deal of research about the US Life Saving Service and sailing in general. I will admit that there were a couple times I struggled with the amount of detail that occasionally kind of clumped together on a page, but fortunately, it didn’t bog down the story or disrupt my reading very much.

Victoria Donnelly is the heroine of this story and I fell in love with her almost immediately. She is very realistic in her flaws, but also in her kind heart. There was a part of me that felt so sorry for her, because in the beginning, she doesn’t see her true worth. I loved the kindness and desire to help others that drives her throughout the story, even when she struggles to know what is right. There is definitely a bold message of worth, value, and strength shown through this character that I wish so many young women would know. Watching Victoria grow and discover how much she is loved was definitely a highlight of this book, for me.

Elijah Cummings is an interesting, if sometimes frustrating, hero. He tries so hard to save everyone who ventures into the nearby waters, when his life seems to be falling apart. He is definitely strong and very stubborn, to the point I kind of wanted someone to whack him upside the head. That being said, I did fall in love with him, too. And sometimes I think we need more characters that are flawed and maybe a little broken to remind us that we don’t always have to pretend perfection. Elijah is far from perfect, but he tries to be a better man, which is all anyone can really ask. While his actions aren’t always noble, his intentions and heart are - speaking of, I also loved his heart for Victoria. He’d loved her for years, but always saw the impossibilities in any future between them. Even when it seemed so out of reach, he was still there, guiding her and trying to show her the worth she so rarely saw in herself.

My only negative comment is that I really didn’t much care for Gilbert. Elijah’s rival in this book, who I believe is also the main character of the next story. He is something of the villain here and is not a very likeable character. I honestly can’t really see reading his story, though he does become a little more tolerable later in the book. I wish that Ms. Rawlings had softened his character a bit, so that I would have liked him at least a little better.

Finally, I would say that I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance!
 I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.


Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review!  I hope you enjoyed it! 
If you'd like to look into it further, it's available on Amazon in both paper and the Kindle version.  And the ebook is currently on sale for $3.99!  Which I'm a little excited about. :)

Also, please come back here Saturday, September 26, 2015 (4 days from now),  for a random giveaway (and no, I'm not telling what it is)!

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers

 

My incredibly sweet friend Carole at The Power of Words . . .   has nominated me for this award!!  Thank you SO much Carole!  I am truly honored!  And this is such a fun way for me to spend a dreary day!

 

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award Rules:

Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site.
Put the award logo on your blog.
Answer the ten questions sent to you.
Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer.
Nominate ten blogs.

 

First, to answer Carole's questions:



 
1) What do you enjoy most about fall?
I’m not much of a cooler weather person, but I love the fuzzy sweaters I get to wear when the temp goes down!


2) What book are you currently reading?
Deadlock by DiAnn Mills  (love the cover!)

3) Are you an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between?
I’m going to steal Melissa Tagg’s word and say that I am an ambivert.  Which is literally somewhere in between. 

(and I used this picture of Melissa's book instead a photo of her, because 1) it might be a smidge weird of me to use her photo and 2) this book is mentioned below)


4) What’s your favorite genre? Least Favorite genre?
I don’t know that I have a favorite genre, except for Christian fiction.  I tend to jump around within that section.   Historical, mystery, suspense, romance, fantasy (occasionally).  The only sub-genres I can’t claim are Sci-Fi and Dystopian, though I do have K. E. Ganshert’s first book on my Kindle, to be read. 


  5) What is one of your favorite reads so far this year?
I'm going to confess this right now: I despise picking favorites, solely because there are so many! Hmm . . . Let’s see.   I would have to say either Taken by Dee Henderson or From the Start by Melissa Tagg













6) Have you enjoyed a non-fiction book that you would recommend?
Yes!   I highly recommend Let Me Fall by Beth Pensinger!  I actually read it for the first time last year, after she so generously gave away a copy (of which I was the recipient), but I've been rereading it recently and enjoying it just as much!









 7) If you had a bucket list, name one thing that would be on it.
The serious one?  To write a letter to each of my family members, telling them all of the things I might have forgotten to.  The crazy/insane one? I really want to go sky-diving. 

  
8) Do you have a favorite hymn or Christian song?
Again with the favorites, Miss Carole?!   I adore music, so choosing just one song is pretty much impossible, especially since it changes week to week.   Though my current favorite is My Story by Big Daddy Weave, I think. (click the song title to listen to it on YouTube)


 
9) If you were given the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
This is a really hard one for me!  There are so many places I would love to go, things I’d love to see . . . . I think top of the list would be . . . . (30 minutes later) okay, I’m going to be generic and say a somewhat private beach.  Preferably one in a warm climate.  The why?  Because I love listening to the waves and watching them roll in, every one of them unique in how it approaches land.   I also love the sunrise and sunsets over the ocean.   If you haven’t seen either one, they are AMAZING! I also feel closer to God there.  Something about it strips away the mundane and the distractions until it’s just me and Him.

   (Somewhere like this maybe - I love the photo, though it isn't mine!)


10) What Bible verse has ministered to you recently?

 “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” - Psalm 90:2 NIV
 I love the wording here.  Think about that.  "From everlasting to everlasting . . . "  Another version says “. . . from beginning to end You are God.”  It doesn’t say “in the beginning and in the end” it says “to.”  Even when I’m going through a tough season, even when my world may seem to be falling apart, He is still God.  In the good times, in the bad, no matter what my emotions, or what the enemy may try to tell me, He is still God.  There is such comfort in that realization for me.  He is still God, regardless.  And He is still in control.
 
 
 There are so many excellent bloggers out there, I know, though confession time: I don't follow that many reviewer blogs.  (cue the stage *gasp*)  Carole's is one that I do and I'm nominating 3 others below that also I love.  I do follow several blogs, but most are favorite authors, or are about writing or building your faith.  So I'm not going to include all of those.  Maybe I'll do a post one day about my favorite bloggers.  We shall see.  Anywho, here are my nominees and links to their blogs.  I hope you'll check them out! :)

Savanna at The Engrafted Word
Katie at Beautifully Broken - Because Perfection is Overrated
Beckie at By The Book

Bloggers here are your questions!
1) How did you get started blogging?

2) Who is your favorite author? Why? What about their writing/books is different ? Is it something you can define?

3) Favorite pastime (other than reading)?

4) Current favorite song?

5) What book have you read recently that really pulled you into the story and lives of the characters? Where did it take you?

6) Favorite color?

7) A quirky or odd fact about you.

8) Describe yourself with 3 words.

9) If you could live anywhere in the world for 1 year, where would you most like to call home?

10) What is something God has been teaching you recently (it can be a single word with no details)?




  

 

My review: A Noble Masquerade

 

I just really love this cover!  May I gush for a moment?  Okay, so it's my blog and I'm going to anyway. ;)  I do so love it!  The colors are gorgeous and it's just so pretty!  Definitely eye-catching!  Though to be honest, I can't imagine having to wear that hat.  Anyway!  Feel free to comment your thoughts!

 

 

Description:

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, the Duke of Marshington. Since she's never actually met the man she has no intention of ever sending the letters and is mortified when her brother's mysterious new valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.

Shockingly, this breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend upon but whose behavior grows more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family's estate come to light, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.




About the Author:
Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is an RWA Golden Heart contest winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She is a founding member and the coordinator of the Regency Reflections blog and lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.


My Review: 5 stars

A Noble Masquerade is Kristi Ann Hunter’s debut novel and the first in her new series, Hawthorn House. I adored, Lady of Esteem, the prequel novella that release a couple months ago in anticipation of this book and was thrilled when I got this one! I enjoy most novels set in the Regency era, but I’ve come to expect certain things from them. This one quite broke away from the usual mold and I loved that! It was funny, quirky, and the characters seemed to jump right off the pages! I found myself laughing with them, and mourning the difficult times and seasons with them.

Ms. Hunter does an excellent job of bringing to life Regency England, with all its gorgeous trappings and quirky characters. I loved this fresh outlook on what is a pretty popular time in history. Her descriptions gave it depth, like an artist adding detail to a painting. I could easily picture each scene in my mind and I enjoyed the imagery she often uses in her writing. I also loved the dry sense of humor and irony that had me laughing out loud or smirking along with the characters. I was drawn into the story from the first and didn’t want to put it down! I found myself often losing track of time and sometimes even place while reading, occasionally having to remind myself that I wasn’t in England with them. I love a story that can so thoroughly transport me to another time and place.

For the sake of complete honesty, I will admit to being vaguely disappointed that the letters between Miranda and the Duke didn’t play a larger role. Based on the description, I expected the story to contain more of their correspondence. But, I can also understand that had Ms. Hunter done that it probably would’ve slowed down the story significantly and may have possibly seemed to be filler. So, I appreciate her wisdom in continuing the story as she did. And the effect was so slight that I’m not including it in my rating, because I quickly moved on and immensely enjoyed the rest of the story.

Lady Miranda Hawthorne is such a fun character and I loved her right away! She tries so hard to meet her mother’s standards for being a lady, but under that calm façade is a vibrant, mischievous, emotional, and sometimes awkward, lady trying to break through. All Miranda really wants is to be loved for who she is and the ability to be herself. She finds society and all of its rules stifling and often bucks convention, despite her mother’s best efforts to the contrary. I have to admit that I rather enjoyed her “lady lessons.” Who knew there were so many rules for polite society! Miranda can’t seem to contain herself no matter what is considered proper.

Honestly, this is when I usually talk about the hero, but after reading the book description again, I don’t want to say much. So I’ll just tell you that he is so swoony! I confess to a distinct case of jealousy toward Miranda. He is kind, caring, strong, but also a little arrogant (which oddly enough made him more human). He brought out the best in Miranda and I loved how he encouraged her to be herself. He loved the vibrant person she hid and often riled her so that he could get beyond her façade to the real person waiting to break free.

There are scores of other characters populating this story and rounding it out. Such as the other Hawthorne siblings, Colin McCrae (who I hope eventually gets a story), Lady Raebourne from the novella, and all of the quirky staff members. I adored all of them as well, even Georgina, who I sometimes wanted to shake. She is young and self absorbed, but we do see a softer side towards the end. I’m looking forward to seeing her continue to grow throughout the future novels and hopefully become a lady of strength and character. I don’t know when the next book comes out, but I can already tell you that I am waiting with anticipation to find out which Hawthorne “meets their match” in the coming story!

The spiritual side of the story is also extremely well done. To me, this is what makes or breaks a Christian novel. Some come across as too preachy, while others barely meet the minimum to be considered Christian or religious. Ms. Hunter finds a happy medium with this book. Faith is an integral part of the story, but I never felt it overwhelmed anything else. Rather is flows smoothly throughout, guiding the characters and the reader. I loved Miranda’s faith and watching it grow and change as she struggled with finding her place and learning to be herself. While the hero’s faith was less obvious, he does have a strong sense of right and wrong, truth and lie. I appreciated his morality, even in the face of so much falsehood. Where he could have found lying the easier way out, he always took the high road. Much of the story also focuses on family and I enjoyed the notion so clearly displayed that family is more than just blood relations, but friends and loved ones from every part of life.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story full of humor, fun characters, and love!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

 Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review!  I hope you enjoyed it!  Feel free to leave comments below (I love them!), if you so desire.
Also, I mentioned a novella Lady of Esteem, which is actually a free ebook right now on Amazon's Kindle (it may be available in other formats as well, though I'm not positive and I don't have links for them).  So links for that are below, along with the ones for the novel.  Just thought I'd share that, in case anyone is interested in a quick (and free) introduction to this author.  Be forewarned though, you might become addicted!  :)

Link for Lady of Esteem:
Amazon

A Noble Masquerade:
Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book