Great new book by a new author!

I love regency romance, and I loved this regency romance.  A Noble Masquerade is the debut novel by Kristi Ann Hunter.  (There was a novella before this book that I completely missed – however I have downloaded the novella and it will be my next read.)  This delightful book tells the story of Miranda, who in lieu of a journal, has been writing her most secrets thoughts in letters to her brother’s longtime friend, the Duke of Marshington.  She keeps most of the letters locked away, but when her brother’s valet accidentally mails one to the duke.  To her chagrin, the duke writes her back and the adventure begins.     

What follows is a whirlwind of crazy and imaginative accidents and coincidences.  Miranda manages to get herself into some comical situations, but she also has some very sensitive moments.  She is about to enter her fourth Season, and feels like her younger sister will outshine her.  She feels held back by the strict “Lady” rules her mother has placed on her all her life, and does not know how to let her real self shine through, except through letters to the duke.  When Miranda and the duke finally meet, she still holds herself back.   

The Duke, (Marsh as he is called), is not what I expected at all.   Marsh has been hiding himself too, although not in the shadow of a sibling.  He has been out of the public eye in service to his country.  It was interesting to see how Ms. Hunter bent the societal rules of Regency England to bring Miranda and Marsh together.  Marsh has to work around his “career” and Miranda has to work around her character, so together they can both be the best they can be, together. 

This book is a good choice for anyone who enjoys regency romance.  There is a little intrigue included, towards the middle of the book.  This added extra to an already good storyline.  I look forward to what Ms. Hunter will bring us in the future. 

Not by Sight, a charming WWI read

Not by Sight, the latest novel by Kate Breslin, is the story of Grace and Jack.  Grace is an intelligent, independent woman who wants to do whatever she can to support the war effort.  Her efforts are what first brings her into contact with Jack. Grace doesn't think that Jack is doing his part to support the war effort, but eventually finds out differently. Their first meeting was on purpose, their second meeting by chance. What follows is an "intrigue"-ing story of mystery and romance in England during World War I. 

It took a little bit for the book to capture my interest, and when it did, I was not disappointed.  Once I got going in the storyline, I read until I had finished the book. The historical research completed by the author is a major ingredient of what kept the story moving along. There were also spiritual themes through out that also added much to the story. It's refreshing to read a book that not only adds to the reader's historical knowledge but also inspires their faith.  

I really identified with Grace's desire to help all she could even while in situations where she was unsure how to proceed.  Her faith in God and her support of those around her was a good theme throughout the book.  I could also identify with Jack's refusal to have anything to do with things related to the faith, especially with the situations through which he had gone.  It's not always easy to keep trust and faith in God when it's impossible to see where the road is going. Of course, even Grace goes through difficult times in the book. 

This was the first book I had read that was written by Kate Breslin, and it definitely will not be my last. The intrigue mixed in with the romance was just the right mix for a great story. If you like historical romance and intrigue, then this is a good choice for you. 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.*

Exploring Christian Theology, Vol 2: a review

This book is the 2nd volume in the series but was the last volume published.  Drs. Nathan Holsteen and Michael Svigel are both professors at Dallas Theological Seminary with extensive backgrounds in theology.  Please note: this was my first introduction to this series. 

It is broken down into several sections for easier reading. One section goes over passages of scripture relating to the subjects of the book and highlights how these scriptures were used as the basis for different theological beliefs over the span of history.  The next couple of sections highlight the important facts that are the foundation of our belief system and certain areas that that can be dangerous to us in our Christian walk.  The last section provides direct examples of leaders and confessions from the past that supplement the scriptures and time periods that were previously discussed. 

I really liked how the book was set up.  It makes it easier for those who are new to Christianity and/or theology to get their feet wet a little bit at a time without getting in over their heads.  The book discusses subjects that are beneficial to Christians in any level of their spiritual walk.  The subjects and examples use will allow the reader to reason through their beliefs and help them understand why they believe what they do. This is a great way to introduce people to theology. 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.*

A review of In Good Company by Jen Turano

In Good Company is the second book in the series A Class of Their Own by Jen Turano. Although this book works well as a standalone novel, we are re-introduced to the characters of Everett Mulberry and Millie Longfellow.  Everett is a desperate man looking for a good nanny and Millie is a desperate woman trying to be a good nanny.  When their situations bring them together, what follows is a hilarious tale of mayhem, mystery, and matchmaking.  

I don't know how Mrs. Turano does it, but her characters get into some of the funniest and strangest scrapes that one could imagine.  This book follows a similar story line to some of her other books but yet is entirely different.  The characters' personalities really start to show as the story progresses. Both Millie and Everett were easy to identify with as they are trying to live up to expectations in society without realizing that what they needed was already available to them.  I very much enjoyed watching them grow and fall in love throughout the book.   

This is totally irrelevant to the review, but I enjoyed the fact that Ms. Turano mentioned both my favorite painter and one of my favorite authors in the book. This book is a great read for anyone who enjoys a historical romance with plenty of humor and romance.  I look forward to reading the next book in the series. 

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.*

           

Review of How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird

Sometimes as I sit thinking about people and life in general, the number of unsaved people in the world really overwhelms me. I attend church regularly and serve where I'm needed - at church. However besides praying, I have vague ideas of what I can do to reach people but no concrete ideas of where to start. Amy Lively's new book How to Love Your Neoghbor Without Being Weird is an excellent resource on where and how to start right in my and your own neighborhood. 

Ms. Lively starts out with her own testimony and then follows in each chapter with examples from her own life about how she got to know and reached out to her own neighbors. She discusses the generally narrow definition of neighbor and how the definition we cling to doesn't begin to encompass the broad scope of true neighborhood.  She provides passages from Scripture that reinforce the points that she is emphasizing. 

Ultimately, she states that a person has to get to know their neighbor. To know your neighbors means to know more than their names, you have to be willing learn about their own cultures and beliefs while showing them that you want to learn these things about them. It is in getting to know your neighbors that you will learn how to introduce them to Christ. 

Ms. Lively ends each chapter with practical and deep questions to help you apply what you've read to your life.  She talks about the hinderances and fears that keep us from using our spiritual gifts to serve our neighbors. I found this book to be very helpful in gaining insight into how to reach my neighbors.  The examples and scriptures given in the book where what I needed to help formulate a plan for reaching my own neighbors without being to weird. I'd recommend this book to any Christian who wants to learn the best ways to reach out and share the gospel in their own part of the world. 

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*

   

A Worthy Pursuit is worth your time!

Karen Witemeyer is an author who quickly became a favorite of mine with her multidimensional characters and charming storylines.  If I had to choose a favorite from her books, there would be several at the top of the list. Among those books would be A Worthy Pursuit. 

Charlotte is a former headmistress who is willing to do what she has to to protect the children in her care, especially Lily.  Lilly's grandfather will do anything to get her back, including hiring the best bounty hunter in the state of Texas: Stone Hammond.  Stone soon finds out that what he thinks he's looking for is not

what he discovers. 

Karen Witemeyer amazes me with her storylines each time.  She creates characters that are believable and relatable to the reader. Her characters are so deep and multidimensional, it's easy for the reader to get snagged by the story. I know this is the goal of every writer, however few manage to do it as well as Karen Witemeyer. 

A Worthy Pursuit kept me enthralled. After reading the prologue, I was hooked. I started reading in the early evening and did not finish until around 2 AM. It has the right mixture of romance, adventure, depth, and humor for a great read.  Woven throughout is the theme of trusting in God's faithfulness. It's refreshing to be reading a book for pleasure and also be reminds of spiritual truths I need to apply to my own life. 

If you've read books by Karen Witemeyer in the past and loved them, read this book. If you've read her books and didn't love them, read this book. If you've never read her books, read this book. I promise: you won't be disappointed. 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*

A Worthy Pursuit is worth your time!

Karen Witemeyer is an author who quickly became a favorite of mine with her multidimensional characters and charming storylines.  If I had to choose a favorite from her books, there would be several at the top of the list. Among those books would be A Worthy Pursuit. 

Charlotte is a former headmistress who is willing to do what she has to to protect the children in her care, especially Lily.  Lilly's grandfather will do anything to get her back, including hiring the best bounty hunter in the state of Texas: Stone Hammond.  Stone soon finds out that what he thinks he's looking for is not

what he discovers. 

Karen Witemeyer amazes me with her storylines each time.  She creates characters that are believable and relatable to the reader. Her characters are so deep and multidimensional, it's easy for the reader to get snagged by the story. I know this is the goal of every writer, however few manage to do it as well as Karen Witemeyer. 

A Worthy Pursuit kept me enthralled. After reading the prologue, I was hooked. I started reading in the early evening and did not finish until around 2 AM. It has the right mixture of romance, adventure, depth, and humor for a great read.  Woven throughout is the theme of trusting in God's faithfulness. It's refreshing to be reading a book for pleasure and also be reminds of spiritual truths I need to apply to my own life. 

If you've read books by Karen Witemeyer in the past and loved them, read this book. If you've read her books and didn't love them, read this book. If you've never read her books, read this book. I promise: you won't be disappointed. 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*

A Review of Dee Henderson's Taken

 Dee Henderson has been a favorite author of mine for a long time.  I thoroughly enjoy most of her books and this book was no exception.  

Taken is the story of Shannon Bliss, a young woman who had disappeared eleven years earlier. Shannon is trying to find her way back home, and she has tracked down Matthew Dane to help her. Matthew has the experience and resources needed to help Shannon get home.  Throughout the story, characters from previous novels aid Shannon along the way as well. 

This book was different from Ms. Henderson's recent books, and I liked that.  Some authors seem to get stuck in a rut and the reader can pretty much anticipate what will happen next.  Taken jumps right in and gradually builds on the suspense. There was not a lot of action, but it was not needed with all the information coming out about what had happened to Shannon. 

The storyline did not have as much romance as I usually like, but it did not matter with this novel. The storyline was fantastic without it, and too much would have ruined the story.  The book had just the right mixture of romance and suspense to make it a worthy read.  If you enjoy suspense and like anything Ms. Henderson has written in the past, then this book is a must read for you. 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.*

A Review of To Win Her Favor

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander is a story about overcoming and persevering against prejudice in a world where a person’s race, gender, or nationality kept them from their dreams.  Cullen McGrath wants to farm and Maggie Linden wants to race her horse to raise the money to keep her family farm.  They both see their dreams become reality, but in a way neither expects.  Yet with each step they take towards their dream, more challenges arise and threaten to ruin their dreams. 

 

This book had me hooked right from the start.  I found it very easy to identify with Cullen and Maggie as they look for ways to overcome their adversity.  Cullen faces antagonism from the first.  I’ll have to admit, I never really thought about the Irish and what they may have faced when trying to start new lives in America.  It’s common knowledge that although women and former slaves were free, in a sense they were still chained by societal prejudices.  Cullen, who was also free, found himself chained by the same societal prejudices.  Cullen and Maggie have to learn to work together to free themselves from these chains.

  

The struggles that these characters go through are very real, and I found it easy to identify with the characters.  Several parts of the story had me in tears, both happy tears and sad tears.  I also identified with Maggie’s stubborn streak, and her willingness to cross boundaries that before had been closed off to her, to forge friendships with people she would not have before considered as friends.  Cullen and Maggie find the strength to overcome these obstacles, and also find love.

The book did have some intimate scenes between Cullen and Maggie. These were after they were married, which is as God intended. These scenes were fairly crucial to the relationship between the main characters and really add to the storyline. I was not bothered by these scenes in the least. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!  

Victoria Bylin's newest book is MUST-READ!

I have read books by Victoria Bylin before, but always historical romance. Together With You is the first of her contemporary novels that I have read. I have to admit, I was a little hesitant at first. I usually prefer to read historical romance. However, this book was a very pleasant surprise. I picked it up, intending to read only a couple of chapters and save the rest for tomorrow.  A couple of hours later and more than halfway through the book, it was impossible to put down.  It was apparent that the storyline was close to Mrs. Bylin's heart and I could tell that she had done her research on the area where the story  takes place and the Fetal Alcohol Effects syndrome talked about in the book. 

The story is about a single father Ryan, who is trying his best to connect with his kids, especially his special needs daughter Penny. Along comes Carly, a woman with a special understanding of and connection to Penny. Carly plays a very big role towards Ryan's goal of connecting with his kids.  A special thing about the story that I loved was the sections that were from Penny's point of view. These sections added a lot to the story and had me in tears more than once.  The storyline stayed in motion, there were no lags in the story. Overall, this is a very well-written book. The spiritual themes running through it had me thinking about aspects of my own life that I need to allow God's grace to cover instead of carrying them on my own.  She also covers the topic of forgiveness, which I think probably everyone needs a reminder of every now and again. 

I will definitely be on the lookout for future books by Victoria Bylin.  This book will definitely become a fast favorite. If you enjoy romance, this is a must read. 

*I received a copy of this book from Bethaby House in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.*

After a Fashion was delightful!

I have enjoyed almost every book that Jen Turano has written, and After a Fashion was no exception!  Oliver Addleshaw, a wealthy businessman, and Harriet Peabody, a lower-class hat maker, meet by chance during an anything but normal encounter.  This encounter sets the pattern for their anything but normal future acquaintance.  Ms. Turano exhibits a talent for creating deep characters with a unique blend of humor and strength, with a dash of adventure thrown in.   Some of the situations the characters face will have the reader rolling on the floor in laughter.

I enjoy how this story combines romance and adventure, with a bit of mystery to make the reader want to keep turning the page.  I was not able to put the book down.  The characters have characteristics that make it easy to identify with them: Oliver is ambitious and a little naïve about some of what is going on in his business, and Harriett is strong because of her upbringing but also forthright or soft when she needs to be.  The storyline was easy to follow and I was not able to guess what was going to happen at the end, which made the book better in my opinion. 

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a funny romance with a lot adventure and some mystery thrown in.  I did not check, but I’m guessing that After a Fashion is the beginning of another series and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Turano has planned for the other storylines.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  My opinions are my own.*

Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey

Sabotaged is the fifth book of the Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey, and the first book that I've read in the series. This is the story of Kirra and Reef. Kiera's cousin has been kidnapped during the running of the Iditarod, and Kirra and Reef are trying to locate her. 

The action and adventure starts from page one, literally, and hardly lets up throughout the entire novel.  I stayed fully absorbed with the characters and was excited to see what was next.  There was enough background information given on the characters in this book that I think does fine as a stand alone book. I'm sure I may have understood more if I had read the first books in series, but this book was a good book to acquaint myself with the author. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy suspense and intrigue with a romantic twist. I look forward to reading what Mrs. Pettrey writes in the future, and will probably go back to read the first book on this series. 

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*

The Boy Who Burst My Bubble

My foray into the world of relationships all began with a younger man.  He was 5.  I was 5 1/2.  Yes, I know.  There's a word for that.  Don't judge me.  This all happened in the spring of 1983, if I calculated correctly.  I don't remember his name, but I guess that's not important now.  I'll call him Bob the Bubble Buster (Bob for short). 

Bob and I were in the same kindergarten class.  He came up to me one day and said, "You're my girlfriend."  That's it.  Point-blank.  No discussion or options on my part.  He gave me absolutely no choice in the matter.  I don't remember well, but I think he liked to share his gum with me.  ABC (already been chewed) gum.  I don't know if you've ever had it.  I don't care for it now.  I prefer NBC gum.  One day, after my "boyfriend" had not been kind enough to share with me, I had to find my own piece.  Luckily, someone happened to have a piece of NBC gum that they let me have.  I popped the gum in my mouth, and chewed and chewed and chewed and chewed.  

Then, one of the most magical moments in my short life occurred.  I opened my mouth, and out came a gum bubble.  I was amazed.  What had seemed impossible before had finally occurred.  I had finally joined the ranks of all the amazing gum bubble blowers that had come before, and would certainly come after, me.  After lunch, as I was reveling in my new found talent and enjoying the sight of that magical pink bubble coming out of my mouth, Bob came up to me and did the unthinkable.  He stuck his nasty finger in my pretty pink magical bubble and made it burst. 

The devastation.  The loss.  The magical moment was over, as if it had been masticated in the mouth of a heartless monster.  If Bob could be so unfeeling towards bubble gum, how would he treat our future children (as plastic as they were - from the play area in our classroom)?  I could see no way for our relationship to continue.  Bob's failure to recognize the sanctity of a bubble left me no choice.  I could no longer be his imaginary girlfriend.  I hope that Bob realized the error of his ways as he got older, or found a girl who did not care if he burst her bubbles.  Either way, I have moved on.

A talk with friends

I was visiting with a couple of good friends a few weeks ago and our discussion turned to the topic of story writing.  I told them that I would love to right an anti-romance (the girl doesn't get the guy) type story.  I get SSSOOOO tired of all the lovey-dovey/look-what-my-bf-bought-me stuff around Valentine's day.  This does not include all the happily-ever-after stories.  Happily-never-after would be a more fitting description for most people's stories, I believe.  My good friends encouraged me, telling me that I should write this book.  Well, I do not believe that I am committed enough to write a book, but I think I can write several blog posts along this line.  The first one will follow.  Many will be real life stories, but some will be made up.  I'll leave it up to you to figure out which is which.  Happy reading!  And if you have found your happily, I pray that it will be forever instead of never.

This book was "Beyond All Dreams!"

Elizabeth Camden has quickly become one of my favorite authors!  I do not know if there is a word to describe the elation I felt when I finally had the chance to read this book!  Beyond All Dreams brings us the story of Anna, a research librarian working in the Library of Congress, and Luke, a congressman from Maine. Their histories share a lot of the same sorrows that build an almost impenetrable wall between them that their mutual attraction does its best to tear down. 

Mrs. Camden possesses a vast knowledge of medical conditions and I enjoy how she uses her knowledge of these conditions to enhance the storylines of her books. These conditions, while minor, give the main characters (secondary characters more in this book) a lot of depth and draws the reader into the story.  

Another thing I enjoy about her stories is the way she weaves her stories around historical events.  Beyond All Dreams occurs prior to the Spanish-American war.  Although her story is fiction, it gives the reader an understanding of events from a different point of view.  The historical events also give the reader an understanding of what drives the characters in the story.  This book gives insight into the historical events that history books do not. 

This story is a perfect choice for anyone who likes historical romance.  Miss Camden's characters are real and believable, with faults and characteristics that make them relatable to the reader.  I give this book 5 stars and look forward to Mrs. Camden's next release. 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*

                                                       

Top 14 from 2014

2014 was a great year and I thought I'd share a few of the highlights.

1.

Anytime I have all my kids together is a great time. 

My nephew came from across the pond to spend the summer. 

This aunt had a blessed heart this summer.

2.

Raeli and I enjoyed an OBU football game in October. 

We were joined by a couple of friends. 

The Bison lost but we don't care.  Woohoo! Go BISON!

3.

I spent a few days in LA where I got to spend time with my good friend Jami and see some art.

Van Gogh anyone? A major accomplishment was making it through LA traffic.  Yes, I drove. 

4.

Oklahoma sunrises and sunsets are the best!

 

5.

Ryan joined me in LA.  I think the beach was his favorite part (besides his new friends that is).

 

6. 

Picking this little man up from the airport!  I was excited to see him after almost 3 years.

 

7.

On our way to LA, we stopped off to see my Uncle Bob and his family. 

He took us to see the Grand Canyon.  There are no words to describe the experience.

 

8.  I spent a week of my vacation with Raeli and other kids at KBA. 

We had a couple of kids get saved.  It was a great week. 

I'm blessed to have a job with a lot of vacation time that I can use for the Lord. 

 

9.  Crochet - what Grandma tried to teach me finally took off.  It has turned into a hobby that has made me some extra money.

 

10. Pets - we have a couple of extra cats now.  Nick "found" one when he was visiting. 

Qia and Coco are as ornery as ever.

 

11.  On the way to LA, Ryan and I also stopped to see my Aunt Tammie and her family. 

It was good to see them as we had not seen them in a while.

 

12. Family reunion - we saw almost the rest of the family at the annual Short Family reunion. 

We changed things up a little this year.  I think this was my favorite year so far.  I know Nick had a blast.  He really enjoyed the hot tub. 

 

13.  Babies - there are babies all around.  Many are not born yet, but hearing the news of all the pending arrivals brought many a smile to my face in 2014. 

 

14. My walk with the Lord - I grew a lot in 2014. I still have a lot of growing to do.  God answered a lot of prayers, and has remained silent on a few.  It's a day by day process.  Every journey is just a little bit at a time, rushing will make you miss all the scenery.  Church is great.  I'm blessed to be part of a great church family.

 

 

Jennings does it again with "A Most Inconvenient Marriage"

I just (I mean JUST) finished A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings. I don't know how she does it, but Mrs. Jennings manages to incorporate just the right mixture of humor, romance, and seriousness in this book to make it a really great read. I found it hard to put down.  Certain sections had me in stitches, while other sections had me near to tears. This was an excellent book and I look forward to reading the books she puts out in the future. 

Abigail thinks she is (was) married to Jeremiah Calhoun, a man she believes died as a result of injuries sustained in the Civil War. When she discovers that he is in fact alive, she doesn't rightly know what to do with herself.  And he doesn't rightly know what to do with her.  What seems inconvenient at the moment is in fact most convenient for all parties involved. What follows is a tale with as many ups and downs as the mountains of Missouri where the story is set.  Mrs. Jennings creates believable characters who go through joyous and sad occasions just as any real person would. They are not "perfect" characters, they have faults just like the rest of us, which makes them "real" characters. 

I really enjoyed reading about the lives of Abigail and Jeremiah and learning about their personalities.  "Watching" as they makes decisions about their lives, and the paths they should take makes me think about my own life.  The mixture of humor, romance, and drama creates the perfect panamora for a great book. When I say humor, I mean the rolling around with tears running down your face humor. This is a good book for anyone who enjoys romance with some adventure and a lot of humor thrown in. 

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.*