Saturday, February 28, 2015

All of Me Wants All of You


All of Me Wants All of You
J.Z. Howard
Dean has reached his limit. His wife won't respond to him and he's actually thinking of sleeping with another woman. He's a Christian, so technically he knows better. But it's been years since his wife was intimate with him and he's not sure how much more of it he can take. Does God really expect him to continue like this? His wife, Kate, can't believe that her husband would even consider looking at someone else. She feels very close to Dean and cherishes the intimacy they share, even if it doesn't include sex.

The book really takes a hard look at how Christians view marriage and intimacy. It also showcases how men and woman view intimacy differently. The author over dramatized the characters and some situations to bring out some points that might have been lost had they seemed more typical. The dialogue between the characters was authentic and insightful. It might be a difficult read for those uncomfortable with talking about sex or those dealing with this situation. But these types of things really happen and the author did a great job of presenting everything in a tasteful and spiritual manner. I really think the book will be helpful to anyone who is facing the issues talked about in the story.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, February 27, 2015

A Love That Multiplies

A Love That Multiplies
An Up-Close View of How They Make it Work
Michelle & Jim Bob Dugg
Michelle and Jim Bob from the TLC show have given us another peak into their life and parenting style. The book begins right before the birth of their last and nineteenth child. About half of the book deals with the trails and blessings that accompanied her birth. The other half of the book talks about their marriage, parenting style, and how they deal with issues that come their way. The book includes recipes and black and white photographs to accompany each chapter.

I'm not a huge fan of the show. I've enjoyed the couple of times that I watched, but it really isn't my thing. I read the book only because it was picked for my book club.

That being said, I did enjoy reading it. I certainly don't agree with everything that was mentioned. But I also learned some new and interesting things. The authors often refer to the show or previous book so I'm not sure if it contributed to my confusion or not; but the book felt a bit choppy and disjointed at times. In summery, it was a neat book that was a nice break from what I normally read. I think fans of the show will really enjoy this extra glimpse into a unique family.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

The Juice Lady's Anti-Inflammation Diet

The Juice Lady's Anti-Inflammation Diet
28 Days to restore Your Body and Feel Great
Cherie Calbom
Our diet here in the US is full of sugar and preservatives. Our bodies are complaining. These toxic ingredients are causing inflammation. The ailments leave us tired and sick. The author has taken the healthy foods that nourish our bodies and help with inflammation and put them together into a diet to get us back on the track to health. The book begins by explaining about inflammation and its effects on the body. Then the importance of different components are explained and a pantry list is given. The last half of the book is the recipes and menus for the 28 days. Each day begins with the recipe for the morning smoothy. It also explains the benefits to each ingredient. There is a shopping list for the menu and then the recipes for lunch and supper.

The presentation was easy to understand and implement. The grocery lists were very helpful. The photographs are colorful and brighten up the page. The recipes were not overly complicated as far as instructions, but quite a few of the ingredients were not common and might be difficult for someone in a smaller town or without access to a large grocery store. The meals are going to take some prep work so this is a cleanse that will take some extra forethought. And anyone with only a blender might be intimidated with all of the heavy juicing required to make the smoothies. But overall it was a nice book that will appeal to anyone wanting to be more healthy or who are in need of a cleanse.

I received this book free of charge from News & Experts in exchange for my honest review.

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
Whispers On The Moors Book 3
Sarah E. Ladd
Cecily has a very shameful past. She's given the opportunity of a lifetime when she gets the chance to become an elderly woman's companion at Willowgrove Hall. This job could change her future as long as she doesn't run into anyone who knows her past. When she arrives abruptly and too early at her destination she encounters Nathaniel, the steward at Willowgrove. Nathaniel has his own dark secrets, but can't help being attracted to Cecily. They must both learn to shed their past before they can learn to love and move toward their future.

The author did a great job of creating drama, tension, and friendships within the story. The story and characters felt authentic to not only the time period, but also to the plot. The romance was more subtle, but still sweet. The secondary characters, especially Nathaniel's family were integral to the story. I loved the visuals that the author created as well. This is book three, but works well as a stand-alone since I didn't once feel like I was missing something from the story by not having read the first two books. But the story was good enough that I now want to go back and read them.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

How to Motivate Your Child

How to Motivate Your Child
A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do 
Without Being Told
Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller
 
Every parent out there has found themselves frustrated with their child because they've been told to do something and are now needing to be told again or disciplined for disobedience. There are a lot of books out there that deal with different aspects of discipline or tell parents how to talk to children when getting them to obey. But these authors have taken the problem to the root and have written a book that shows the parent how to get the child to obey because it's second nature to them.

I've never been more impressed with a parenting book. Examples are given of situations that each parent might face. They then not only describe how the parent handled it or how they recommend handling it, but they also give the reasons behind the instructions. The authors have used Biblical concepts to show how to get a child to listen to their conscience and then make wise life decisions. I liked the way the information was presented, each concept was backed by the Bible, and the instructions were presented in such a way that made them seem doable for me. I would definitely recommend this book to parents.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Wolf Creek Father


Wolf Creek Father
Penny Richards
Allison, a school teacher, is furious. Colt, the local sheriff, has two of the wildest children. Today they made her fall at the merchant's office. Her glasses are broken and she's humiliated. She marches into Colt's office to thrown down an ultimatum. He needs to get his children under control or she will not teach next year. Colt doesn't react well to his children being cast in a negative light. When their boss hears about their behavior he gives them a task. They must both work together to come up with a solution or they both lose their jobs.

The story was sweet and fun. Both characters were very endearing and captivating. While not super gripping, the story had all of the elements of a great romance - attraction, conflict, and resolution. I liked how the author wove different aspects into the story without making it seem heavy or too concentrated. Some of the things that she dealt with were dyslexia, body image, parenting, death, and faith. Each of these items were a part of the story without overpowering it. The children were sweet and definitely made the story fun. I would definitely read more by this author.

Thank you to Soul Inspiration for a complimentary copy of this book. The review is my honest opinion.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

If You Were Me

If You Were Me and Lived In Hungary
Carole P. Roman
Two Hungarian children take the young reader on a tour of their beautiful country. Children will learn about games, food, and family. Bright, colorful illustrations help tell the story and bring life to the page. Each book in the series follows the same pattern and helps children learn more about the country while enjoying the information in story form.

The author has done a great job of presenting the facts in a fun and enjoyable format. My children love these books and look forward to reading each one as they come out. The book would make the perfect edition to a school library or as an addition to a home school curriculum. I would definitely recommend this book or any other in the series.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Seaside Secrets

Seaside Secrets
Seaside Summers #4
Melissa Foster
Amy has been vacationing with her friends on Cape Code for years. And for years she's been in love with Tony, a pro surfer boarder. Something happened years ago that changed their relationship. But Tony sees her as just a friend. So Amy decides to make one last effort to win his heart. If she can't, she'll accept a job far enough away that hopefully she'll be able to forget him for ever.

The visuals for this story are wonderful. I felt like I was at the beach with the friends. The comradery between friends was authentic and heartwarming. The romance between the two characters was dramatic and passionate. While this book can definitely work as a stand-alone (I haven't read the previous ones), I would recommend reading the previous ones first. It's a sweet fun romance that was a great introduction to a great author.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Deadly Echoes



Deadly Echoes
Finding Sanctuary Book 2
Nancy Mehl
 Sarah's life seems to be almost perfect. She's finally been reunited with her sister that she lost soon after the murder of their parents. She has a great job teaching school in the small town of Sanctuary, and she has wonderful friends who love her. But then her sister is murdered in the same way her parents were murdered years ago and Sarah is thrown into raising her niece and trying to find the killer.

This book has some real pros and cons for me. So I thought it would be easier to list them.

Pros:
The story flowed very quickly. Janet, a secondary character, was a favorite of mine. The small town feel was portrayed nicely. The Amish element was a surprise that I didn't see coming since I hadn't read the first book in the series. The book would work as a stand-alone, although several references were made to the previous story. The faith references were handled nicely without coming across as preachy.

Cons:
I knew who the "bad guy" was as soon as he was introduced. There wasn't any suspense. Everything played out exactly as I expected. The main character was so naive that she was almost unbelievable. The romance between the couple was almost non-existent. While it was a fun read, it didn't have any weight to it.

I liked reading the story, but if you enjoy romantic suspense there are quite a few other stories that are more romantic and suspenseful.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Monday, February 23, 2015

How to Catch a Prince



How to Catch a Prince
Royal Wedding Series Book 3
Rachel Hauck
Corina fell madly in love. And then her world fell apart. Five years later she's come out of the fog surrounding the deaths of her twin brother and her marriage. But when her ex-husband shows up with news that changes everything she must learn to love well.

If you've read my reviews you know that I'm a sucker for a good romance. And this definitely fits the bill. But the author was able to pull so much more into this sweet and heartbreaking romance that I can't just call it a romantic story. She added the trauma of war and touched a bit on what the soldiers face when returning from the battle field. There is a touching conversion scene that is raw and emotional in all of the right ways. She also adds a touch of the supernatural that gives the story just the right touch of whimsy. It's a story about a prince and a princess, but it's also a story about some of the more difficult aspects of love. In true princess form, the author ended the book with a fairytale ending that spoke to the romantic in me. I would definitely recommend not only this book, but the first two as well, if you enjoy romance, faith, true love, and a touch of whimsy.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Meet Me in Scotland

Meet Me in Scotland
A Kilts and Quilts Novel Book 2
Patience Griffin
Emma has made an absolute disaster of her career in the US. She heads to Scotland with her tail between her legs to visit her friend Claire in Scotland. Unfortunately Claire didn't tell her that Gabriel has moved to town to be the local doctor. Emma and Gabriel get along like oil and water. But they decide to join forces to work together when they realize Claire and her husband Dominic have a marriage and business headed for the rocks.

I enjoyed the story, but I didn't love it. Since this is the first book I've read in the series, this might have clouded my perception. The secondary characters are crazy and fun and add a lot of dimension to the story. I loved Claire and Dominic. But the main characters seemed to lack depth and the romance was mostly physical and very little emotional. The author did a great job of creating tension between both couples, but the ending was predictable and not as polished as I would have liked. All in all, it was a cute story, but not gripping enough to make me want more.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Trouble With Patience



The Trouble With Patience
Virtues and Vices of the Old West Book 1
Maggie Brendan
 Patience lost the man she thought she was going to marry. So when she inherits her grandmother's boarding house she leaves home with the determination to make a new home for herself. Almost immediately she gets on the wrong side of Jedediah, the local marshall. She bakes him breakfast to ask his forgiveness and a tenuous arrangement is made. Patience will make breakfast for his men and Jedediah will help fix up her boarding house.

The story was sweet. It had a small bit of drama, but mostly it was romantic and fun. The author did a great job of making the two main characters engaging and entertaining. They both had flaws and issues they needed to work out, but this added instead of detracted from the story. It also made them more relatable. The secondary characters really help set the mood for the story and I look forward to reading more about them in the next few books. I liked how messages of forgiveness and faith were subtly woven into the story. If you are looking for a sweet, christian romance with a little bit of mystery than I would definitely recommend this book.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

If You Were Me


If You Were Me and Lived In Scotland
Carole P. Roman
If You Were Me and Lived in...Scotland: A Child's Introduction to Culures Around the World
Scotland is full of interesting facts and really cool history. Written in a fun, yet informative style that children will love learning. Each page is filled with colorful illustrations, facts about Scotland, and pronunciation guides as needed.

My children enjoyed reading the book. It was definitely their favorite since we are from Scotland and we've talked about it so much. But they also enjoy the pictures and style of presentation. I liked how much information was packed into the book without coming across as heavy or boring.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Colliding wtih Destiny

Colliding with Destiny
Finding Hope in the Legacy of Ruth
Sarah Jakes
Ruth is an awe inspiring story of a flawed, but courageous and loyal woman. Ruth was faithful and was rewarded in several ways for her faithfulness and courage. The author has taken apart the story of Ruth and written a book on how we can emulate the faith of Ruth.

Each chapter begins with a thought and Bible verse that sets the tone for the chapter. Drawing from her personal experiences and the stories of others, the author shows how Ruth can be relevant to women today. The thought in each chapter ends with a section called Journal. This has a small thought to end the chapter and then some questions for further pondering. Each chapter ends with a small prayer. This book could be used for personal study or would work well in a study group. Each chapter draws something from the story of Ruth that the reader can apply to their lives. My only complaint would be that I felt the book leaned more towards the issues the author was dealing with and less of the actual story of Ruth. But I enjoyed writing style and took away quite a few thoughts for spiritual growth.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Before I Go

Before I Go
Colleen Oakley
Daisy has been given months to live. But at twenty-seven she still has so much left to do. One of those things is to make sure that her husband, an absent minded professor, will be taken care of after she dies. So with the help of her best friend, Daisy sets out to find him the perfect 2nd wife. But as time goes by, she realizes that this might not be what she ultimately wants. Can she halt the process her actions have set in motion?

This is one of those magical stories that stays with the reader long after the last chapter has been read. I'm not normally the type to read a story that will make me cry. But this was definitely worth the tears. The author has the gift of drawing emotions out of the reader they didn't expect. The story touched my heart and my mind. While it definitely has comedic moments, it also leads the reader on an introspective journey into what life means and how to grasp each moment as if it might be your last. The author paints a realistic picture of a flawed, but beautiful marriage. It was refreshing to see this type of marriage portrayed in a book. This is the type of book that will grab your heart if you allow it to. I was so swept up into the story that I might have missed some writing mistakes. But to me, this is the sign of a good writer. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and will be adding this copy to my library.

I received this book free of charge from Gallery Book in exchange for my honest review.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

10 Steps to Your F.I.T.

10 Steps to Your F.I.T.
Faith Inspired Transformation
Healthy, Happy, & Fit God's Way
Kim Dolan Leto
There are tons of diet books out there, but this one is different. The author takes a multifaceted approach to fitness and health that includes every aspect of life. To truly lose weight and stay healthy a person needs to make sure they are following a Christ centered lifestyle that will help them not only make the changes necessary, but turn them into healthy habits. Each chapter contains a lot of scripture, encouraging stories and thoughts, and positive bulletin points. The chapters end with a discussion guide of sorts that has reflection questions and strategy tips to incorporate the information learned in the chapter. Bright colors and glossy pages help enhance the visual aspect of the book.

I've read a ton of diet books and reviewed several as well. But this one is by far the best. It's laid out well, inspiring and encouraging, and actually feels like something I want to do. It's not a huge book, but each chapter is in-depth and well thought out. The author clearly knows her information and believes in it enough to share. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to lose weight, create good fitness habits, and become a healthier person.

I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.

Love Without Limits



Love Without Limits
A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All
Nick Vujicic with Kanae Vujicic
 Nick was born without arms and legs. He hoped he would find the woman of his dreams. But he never dreamed that she would be so amazing. Nick and Kanae come together in this sweet book to tell the story of their courtship and marriage. The book is part story, part advice. Each of them tell the story from their point of view. The book includes color photographs of the couple and their young son.

This was a sweet book. Their two voices give the story dimension and different perspectives. I enjoyed hearing about how they met and their thoughts on marriage. The authors were able to weave faith and God into the story in a non-preaching way that was inspiring and beautiful. A lot of the advice didn't apply to me since I've been married for quite some time and am no longer a new mom. But I think the advice would be great for someone dating or getting ready to have a baby.

I received this book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Like No Other

Like No Other: The Life of Christ
Bible Studies for Life Series
Tony Evans
Christ lived a life like no other person has ever done. The author takes eight lessons to pull out different aspects on the life of Christ and gives the reader or study group an in-depth study for each chapter. The accompanying dvd ties into the lesson and helps the reader have a greater feel for the concepts the author is trying to convey. Each chapter begins with a small story or thought that ties into the chapter. Next are the scripture that the chapter is based on. Sprinkled throughout the lesson study are questions the group leader or reader can use to help make the lesson relevant. The lesson ends with a section on how to make the concepts applicable and a section for group prayer requests. There is also a link for further study online if more is desired.

I used this study for my small group at church. Each segment on the dvd is short and the speaker/author is clear and concise. He brings up concepts from a different angle than I might have looked at, so this has led to some good discussions. The lessons are okay. I've found more than half of them to be shallow and lacking depth for the idea being presented. The questions are also leaning towards the superficial side so do not work well for good discussions. I do like the extra material provided in the back, but it's not enough to make up for the lack of depth in the study. But I added my own thoughts and questions and used this more as a base for building more. The class enjoyed the study, but probably won't pick anything from this series again.

The Farmer's Daughter


The Farmer's Daughter Romance Collection
Five Historical Romances Homegrown in the American Heartland
Tracie Peterson, Mary Davis, Kelly Eileen Hake, Jill Stengl, Susan May Warren
Marty's Ride
Marty is in for the ride and experience of her life when she rushes to save her two nieces that were kidnapped from their home. She expects hardships and difficulties. What she doesn't expect to find is God, love, and friendships.

A Time to Keep
Rosalind doesn't want to marry the man her mother is pushing her towards. So when the railroad men come into town she comes up with a plan to open a diner in an attempt to spend time with a man who interests her.

Beyond Today
Amy has always lived in the shadow of her vivacious twin sister. But when a man comes to town that peaks her interest she learns to plan ahead for her future.

Myles from Anywhere
Myles left home when he was a teenage, running from a stifling home situation. But now he's a grown man and has made the mistake of falling in love with his boss's girlfriend. Myles must learn to forgive and heal before he can have the girl of his dreams.

Letters from the Enemy
Lilly has promised to marry Reggie. But he's overseas fighting the Germans. So she writes him letters while waiting at home for his return. But when she runs into a man that is clearly German her heart beats like it never has with Reggie. Lilly is torn between a promise and her heart's desire.

Each of these stories are sweet and romantic. I enjoyed each one of them, but Beyond Today and Letters from the Enemy were my favorites. Each story is a stand alone and is tied together by the theme. Each story brings out an element of faith that makes the story clean, refreshing, uplifting, and romantic.

I received this book free of charge from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Monday, February 16, 2015

The Beauty of Grace



The Beauty of Grace
Stories of God's Love from Today's Most Popular Writers
Dawn Camp ~ Editor & Photographer
Our lives are so busy and hectic. We often get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to make God a part of that life. We forget that He's there patiently waiting for us. Each story is written by a popular writer. Each writer offers a glimpse into the beauty of grace that our Savior desires for us to experience.

Each story brings out a different thought, but all of them will touch your heart. I loved the variety and different "voices" that each chapter brought. Each story touched my heart in some way or another. The cover is beautiful and gives off the feeling of comfort and peace even before the book is opened. I'll be keeping this book to re-read and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a calm during the midst of their storm. It would also make a wonderful gift.

I received this book free of charge Revel Reads from in exchange for my honest review.

The Plan Cookbook



The Plan Cookbook
More Than 150 Recipes for Vibrant Health and Weight Loss
Lyn-Genet Recitas
Everyone's bodies are different. Yet we each hear the same thing - eat oatmeal, eat breakfast, drink 8 glasses of water. Yet some of these things could be the problem that is causing us to feel tired and bloated. Based on the concept that our bodies need to eat a variety of things and each body is different, the author has written a cookbook with a plan. The book begins by outlining why our bodies reject certain foods and how to go about detoxing the body to get rid of the toxins that have built up. The next section is detailed instructions and menus for the 3-day food detox. The rest of the book has all of the recipes that are to be used after the detox. Included are quite a few beautiful photographs of some of the recipes in the book.

I've read quite a few weight loss and cookbooks. This one was impressive. Not only did his explanations of how "the plan" works make sense, but his instructions are clear and concise. The recipes are simple and easy to implement. Some of the ingredients are going to be a bit more difficult to get in my small town, but hopefully that won't be a problem for most people. My only complaint would be the type of materiel used for the pages makes it difficult to actually use the book while cooking. I had to make copies of the pages since the ones in the book are thin and more like newspaper.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Waiting for Your Prince

Waiting for Your Prince
A Message for the Young Lady in Waiting
Jackie Kendall
Young girls are being bombarded on all sides with messages about their outward beauty, self-worth, and about marriage and love. The author has taken Biblical stories and turned them into messages for the heart for young girls on the cusp of being a teenager. Each chapter focuses on different aspects that girls can take to heart that will help them while they are waiting on their prince to arrive. These lessons are intended to get them ready for their heavenly Prince as well.  The author uses scripture liberally and ends each chapter with questions for further reflection and study. The book would work well for an individual or small group of girls studying together.

I was very impressed with the large amount of scripture and thought that the author put into the book. The stories and thoughts were interesting and on level with a pre-teen girl. The concepts were not difficult to understand, but provided some food for thought or for further reflection. I also liked the questions at the end of each chapter. I will definitely be keeping this book for my daughter to read and would recommend it to anyone with a young daughter getting ready to hit her pre-teen years.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Heartfelt


Heartfelt
A Woman's Guide to Creating Meaningful Friendships
Joneal Kirby
Women crave personal and deep relationships. But in today's world of social media it is getting harder and harder to find those deep connections that we crave so much. The young women of today are often living far from their families, the very ones who should be teaching them about marriage, mothering, dinner parties, and relationships. Titus 2 instructs the older women to take the younger women and mentor them. The author has taken this much needed concept and created a ministry structured around the Titus verse. Readers will learn the benefits of mentors and mentoring and will learn how to create this group.

The stories were taken from women who experienced this group and have been blessed in multiple ways. I enjoyed each of the stories and could definitely see why the author saw the need for this type of ministry. The instructions in the last few chapters were insightful and would be very helpful to anyone wanting to set up this type of ministry in their own home. I would recommend this to anyone who feels the need for deeper connections with other women or who feels the need for a mentor.

I received this book free of charge from First Look in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

The Dandelion Field


The Dandelion Field
Kathryn Springer
 Gin has always run from problems. But she promised her daughter that she'd stay in small town Wisconsin until Raine can graduate high school. But when Raine and her boyfriend Cody find out they are pregnant Gin wants to run. Dan, a family friend and mentor to Cody, steps in to help Gin as they guide the young couple toward the right decision for them and the baby.

Small town stories almost always have elements of gossipy problems, local diners, the ones from out of town who want to be accepted, and the locals who add color and vitality to the story. This book was no exception. The author did a great job of telling two romantic stories in one setting. The local town and family members add grit and spice to a sweet romance. The authenticity and faith elements that the author added bring the right touch to the story. I appreciated how the author didn't sugar coat some of the problems the couples were dealing with, but provided a faith filled solution. There were a couple of times that I felt I might be missing an detail from another book. But overall it was a great story that had me wanting more from this author.

I received this book free of charge from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Summit of Desire



Summit of Desire
The Springs Book 5
Elena Aitken
Kylie is trying hard to be understanding of her boyfriend's crazy schedule. But when everything blows up at the party for his lodge she decides they need to take a break. It's not a break-up, only a time out so they can figure out what needs to change. But throw in a career change, twin brother (who is also an ex-boyfriend), and small town gossip, and these two will be lucky to make it back into each others arms.

The tension and drama were high in this romantic story about love at all costs. The visuals painted a beautiful picture in a small skiing town. The characters, while flawed, are likable and make the reader want to read more. The story is a continuation of a previous story, that I haven't read yet. While the book would work as a stand-alone, I wished I'd read the previous book since there were references to past situations in this story. The author did a great job of creating curiosity for not only the main character's story, but also for stories on the secondary characters. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Where Rivers Part


Where Rivers Part
A Texas Gold Novel
Kellie Coates Gilbert
Dr. Juliet is quickly making a name for herself in the corporate world. She's in charge of quality control at a plant that provides water to millions of people. But when e coli is traced back to her plant she realizes she's in over her head. She's not exactly getting along with her father and her boyfriend isn't who she thought he was. She needs to quickly figure out who she can trust before she and an entire company are brought to their knees.

I read the first book by this author and liked it. So I thought I'd try this one. It's not your typical Christian fiction. So anyone looking for a slightly different feel will really enjoy the plot. It was a little dry for me, though. I just couldn't get interested in the characters. The author did a great job of portraying the drama and tension that goes with this type of plot. I think some of that tension is what made the book less enjoyable for me. The entire book felt stressful. But the visuals were great and the ending was nice and realistic. 

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Unexpected Endings



Unexpected Endings
Castle Mountain Lodge Book 2.5
Elena Aitken
Andi has booked a romantic weekend for her and Colin, at the Lodge where everything began. But now he's late and he's said the dreaded words "We need to talk.". A girls night out with a negative woman has Andi feeling like her relationship is on the way down. Can she give Colin a chance to explain or will she run.

This is a novella (short story) that the author has written to give us a little update on the couple from book one. While short, the author has packed in a story full of emotions and sweet romance. It was nice to have a conclusion to the first story and I enjoyed it. It also showcased how easy it is to let our emotions get the best of us and the importance of trust.