I realize that today is Saturday and that I normally do a Saturday Scribbles post, but I forgot I had to get this review up by today. If I'd remembered, I'd have posted it yesterday. ~Dawn
Published - February 2015, Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Series - Virtues & Vices of the Old West Book 1
Author - Maggie Brendan
Title - The Trouble With Patience
Format - ebook, paper
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Summary (From Amazon) Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.
Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this "hanging lawman," Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye--and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever. My Thoughts: I've read several of Maggie Brendan's books in the past and have found them to be quick reads. This was no exception. It was a fast read. There were times when I thought that it lacked depth, but still it was good. I really enjoyed the interactions between Patience and her friend Emily. I thought those two were quite a pair. I also enjoyed Jedediah too. His attempts at romancing Patience were rather funny at times. But in the end, they worked out their differences. This is a book that those who enjoy fluffy, no-thought novels. I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I received this book for free from Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Recommended to fans of historical romance, Christian fiction, Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer Rating - 4 stars
Published - February 2015, Zondervan Books
Series - Royal Wedding Series Book 3
Author - Rachel Hauck
Title - How to Catch a Prince
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon
American heiress Corina Del Rey and Prince Stephen of Brighton secretly married over five years ago, right before Stephen went to war in Afghanistan. But when Stephen returns home, broken and wounded, he gives Corina her freedom. Corina lost her twin brother in the same battle that Stephen was wounded in. At a time when she needs her husband the most, he is pushing her away. Hurt and confused, Corina returns home to Georgia and attempts to put her life back together. Until Stephen shows up very unexpectedly one day. Prince Stephen thought that his marriage was over. He's a star rugby player and the days of war and romance are behind him. When his brother, King Nathaniel discovers a document that Stephen thought was buried, he has no choice but to contact Corina. Will this pair find their happily ever after or will they say good-bye to the love they once shared?
I have adored every single book in this series. This one was no exception. I literally dropped everything to read it. I think it may very be my favorite of the series.
I loved how both Corina and Stephen were bound by the same grief yet needed each other to move on. Their entire romance was so sweet. I loved how they kept being thrown together to make things right. I think what I loved the most was Stephen's breaking point.
I was so happy when Corina finally learned the truth of what happened to her brother and that she was willing to forgive those involved. Those answers brought healing to her family as well.
This is a series that I highly recommend for anyone who loves fairy tales and happy endings.
I received this book for free from the Booklook Bloggers program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of happy endings, romance, Becky Wade, Rachel Hauck, fairy tales
I really enjoy figuring out these posts. Some of the topics are simple. Others make me think. And then there are the ones that I struggle with. This one falls somewhere between all of those.
This week, the topic is the top ten favorite book heroines. It really is hard. Because most of the books have a hero more so than a heroine. But here is what I came up with (sorry, no pictures this time).
1. Katniss Everdeen - She's the lead in the Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. She's awesome. She volunteers for the games to save her sister. And then unintentionally becomes the figure head for a revolution.
2. Hermione Granger - She's one of the Golden Trio in the Harry Potter Books. She's probably the one member of the Trio that keeps the others grounded. Sure, she's a know-it-all, and bossy. But she is extremely loyal.
3. Lucy Pevensie - She's the youngest of the four siblings, the prophesied kings and queens of Narnia. She's the one that has the biggest heart. She is sensitive and is close to Aslan's heart.
4. Moraine - She's the Aes Sedai who locates the Dragon Reborn in the epic Wheel of Time Series. While it's true that we don't know whether to trust her or not, she ends up becoming a pretty awesome character and very strong woman.
5. Sorcha - The heroine of Daughter of the Forest, what fascinates me about her is that she is so strong. She is willing to live in silence to make the shirts out of nettles for her seven brothers and break the spell. I really do love this book.
6. Brooke Martin - The star of Terri Blackstock's stand alone Emerald Windows, Brooke finds the courage to return to the town she left after high school despite the opposition from her family and the community.
7. Lonnie Sawyer - The herorine in JoAnne Bischof's Cadence of Grace series, Lonnie is wounded. She's hurt by the man she loves. And her story told in these three books has really made me cry for her. Because she shows an inner strength that can't be explained without reading her story.
8. Susanna Truitt - She's the normal, ordinary girl who falls in love with a prince in Rachel Hauck's Once Upon A Prince. Yet what she has to sacrifice in order to follow her heart is pretty amazing.
9. Lady Elisabeth Kerr - She's the heroine of Liz Curtis Higgs's Here Burns My Candle & Mine is the Night. What I love about her is her faith. The book of Ruth is my favorite in the Bible, and this character is based on Ruth.
10. Angel - The prostitute turned wife from Francine Rivers's Redeeming Love, Angel shows the reader exactly what it means to be on the receiving end of grace. My small group has just finished a study of grace, and Angel came to mind a couple of times as we went through the study. You see, she didn't deserve forgiveness let alone the love of someone like Michael Hosea. But her path to redemption is one filled with grace and mercy.
What about you? Who are some of your favorite book heroines?
Welcome friends to a very special post today. I've got a guest here. She's the author of the book Entertaining Angels & Before I Say I Do. Both of the books look really good. When I was contacted a while back about reviewing the books, I unfortunately wasn't able to agree to reviewing the books due to a packed schedule, but I did agree to host the author here with a guest post. So without further ado, here is Emerald Barnes and her guest post which is an interview with the author by one of the characters! ~Dawn
Chase: Let’s welcome Author Emerald Barnes to the stage.
I shake my head as I
walk to the empty chair sitting in front of Madison and Chase.
Emerald: Thanks, Chase.
Madison: She laughs.
In a strange turn of events, we get to interview our creator.
Emerald: I’m not sure this is a really good idea, guys. I
should be interviewing you.
Chase: You’ve already interviewed us. Can’t do it again.
Emerald: I roll my
eyes and laugh. Whatever you say, Chase.
Madison: Let’s get started, shall we? Emerald, you’re all
about promoting a healthy body image and building up women, so what would you
say is your best feature?
Emerald: Well, I guess I probably shouldn’t say my eyes. Madison shakes her head. I think I would
have to say my smile. It’s what most people notice first about me, so they’ve
said. One woman I met in an airport said that I had such a sweet and kind
smile, and most people didn’t look at a stranger and smile. I made a new friend
that day, so I would say that.
Chase: But do you like your body? You’ve said a hundred
times over that Madison’s story is so very much like your own.
Emerald: It is very much like my own. Except, I didn’t have
you in high school. Chase beams at me and
then at Madison, grabbing her hand. She smiles shyly. But, I can honestly say
on some days I’m okay with it, not really hating it, but others, I still
struggle with looking at myself in the mirror. It’s not easy loving a body that
the world tends to say is “ugly.” The world’s views seep into my mind, and I
can’t help but feel so ugly.
Madison: She nods,
complete understanding in her eyes. It’s not easy. I still struggle with it
from time to time, myself. Chase stares
at her in confusion.
Chase: You’re both beautiful. Remember what God said, you
two.
Madison and I exchange
a look and nod.
Emerald: You’re right. We have to remember that we’re
beautiful despite what the world says.
Madison: Exactly. Now, let’s move on to a safer topic. She laughs. Why did you create us?
Emerald: You were stuck in my head, and I had to write about
you. Your journey might have been very different if I hadn’t listened to the
small voice in my head telling me to go this route. I was originally going to
write just your love story, about you being the fat best friend and falling in
love, but you needed to hear that you are beautiful. It was then that God
interceded. He wanted us, and others, to know just how much we are loved, and
how beautiful we are.
Chase: Personally, I’m glad our story happened the way it
did. Did you ever once doubt what you were doing?
Emerald: I laugh. Just all the time. I wasn’t sure
how it would be received. I thought that it was so uncommon and strange, but
it’s been well–received thus far. Everyone seems to love you two, including me,
but it wasn’t easy. I kept thinking that people would discredit our book due to
me not really knowing how angels worked and the like, but I was wrong.
Thankfully.
Madison: Yes, thankfully. I can’t thank you enough for our
happy ending.
Chase: It hasn’t ended yet. Isn’t that right, Emerald?
Emerald: He’s right. You two just had your own short story
in which you were wed. Congratulations. They
both smile. But, I’ll be bringing you two into each book in the series, I
think. I know you’re in book two. I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be in the
others.
Madison: So you’re saying you’re turning this into a whole
series?
Emerald: Indeed I am. I can’t desert all of the people out
there who need help. Stories need to be told, and people need to know the love
of God, especially teens, in their lives.
Madison: I couldn’t agree more. I think I want to work with
teens somehow. I could always use my story to help them.
Chase: I think that’s a good idea. Don’t you, Emerald?
Emerald: I smile a
knowing smile. Of course I think that’s a great idea. Your story could reach
hundreds – or more. You can help them, Mads, and that’s what Entertaining
Angels is all about. It’s about reaching
people who needs to know that they are loved.
Chase: Well, I know that message came across to Mads. I sure
do hope it did others.
Emerald: So do I.
Madison: We’re getting off topic. We always seem to do that.
Emerald, tell us what you think about angels. How was it writing about them?
Emerald: I always
knew that angels existed, but I never really knew how they worked. Well, I knew
they protected us, but I never thought about them coming to earth in human
forms to help us. I love the idea of having a guardian who cares enough to save
us from the supernatural forces working against us, as well as basically being
the hands for God. They do what He wants them to, and I really feel like I’ve
gotten a deeper understanding of how much God loves us by writing about angels
and how He uses them to protect us from harm.
Madison: Well, I think you did a great job. There was
something so fun and interesting about Zach. Of course I would think so, right?
He’s my guardian, but I think you managed to capture his essence. I guess what
I’m saying is that people loved him, too.
Chase: Of course they did. He’s Zach.
Emerald: I laugh.
I hope you two are right. I know I love him. Maybe I accidentally wrote about
my own guardian.
Madison: Hey now. He’s mine.
Chase: He raises his
eyebrow. Ladies, he’s an angel. He can be in more than one place at a time.
Madison and I laugh.
Emerald: Of course. How about we end this interview now? I
have to go write more books.
Madison: Good idea. Make us a cool couple, okay? I don’t
want to get all weird when we get older.
Emerald: No worries about that.
Chase: Now, everyone, check out our book, Entertaining
Angels, and then read our short story. (It’s personally my favorite.) Chase gives everyone a cute little wink
before wrapping Madison into his arms.
About Emerald Barnes:
Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in
English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for
Women. She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove
it. She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the
YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all
ages! She’s constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows
what to do with. She blogs which takes up more of her time than she anticipates
but loves it so very much! She’s also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe
which is amazing, and she is a crazy grammar nazi who proofreads novels! She’s an auntie to three beautiful nieces and
two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn’t
imagine spending her time in any other way! She’s a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a
reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person. God is number One in her life,
and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.
Entertaining Angels:
Madison
Andrews can’t face her reflection in the mirror. All she sees is a big, fat
nobody. Yet, deep inside she longs for something more, something that’s not
skin deep.
Along comes Zach, the new guy in school. He’s smoking hot and totally out of
her league. She somehow catches his eye, and he makes her feel beautiful for
once. But just as she gets close to Zach, her nerdy best friend, Chase, won’t
let Madison doubt her true beauty, no matter how many meals she skips.
Even as Madison begins to realize that she is more than what she thinks, darker
forces are at work, darker than the lies and mocking from her peers, stopping
her from amounting to her full potential. Can Madison find true happiness in
her own skin?
Before We Say I Do:
Following
the best-selling first book of the series, Entertaining Angels, comes Before We
Say I Do, An Entertaining Angels Short Story.
Chase Sanders and Madison Andrews are about to declare their love for one
another in the most sacred of ways. Everything has been going perfectly,
especially when an old friend returns to town to stand by Chase’s side on their
big day. But is Zach there to see their union, or is he concealing the truth of
why he’s actually back in town?
Chase has lived perfectly fine without his father around, but now that his
father is divorcing again, he is seeking forgiveness. Chase can’t look at his
father, let alone forgive him.
Before Chase and Mads can say “I Do,” Chase must first learn to let go of the
past before the dark forces that haunt his nightmares come to life.
*This is a short story and isn't a prequel to Entertaining Angels. In order to
understand it, you'll need to read Entertaining Angels first.*
Published - February, 2015, Revell Books a Division of Baker Publishing Group
Series - Daughters of the Promised Land Book 1
Author - Jill Eileen Smith
Title - The Crimson Cord
Format - ebook, paper
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Rahab is the wife of a gambler who took one too many risks. Because of her husband's recklessness, she finds herself sold as a slave to pay her husband's debts. Slavery isn't all she is forced to become. Soon she finds herself forced into prostitution. With each passing day, Rahab yearns for her freedom and to regain her self-respect. When two Israelite spies enter Jericho, Rahab takes a leap of faith and offers them shelter if they will promise her safety. With the walls coming down around her, Rahab soon discovers the forgiveness of a God she doesn't know, but yearns to know. But will she ever know love?
I don't typically read Biblical fiction. It isn't one of my favorite genres. But when I do pick up a book based on the Bible, I typically find myself captivated. This one was no exception. I know who Rahab is of course. Her story is a familiar one to me. But I always enjoy finding out the more to the story.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was that this author explained how Rahab came to be a prostitute. I felt sorry for her. She ended up being an outcast in her own family. I loved how she would search for answers and once the Israelites came to her rescue, she was able to find answers.
There were parts of the book I skimmed over. That's normal for me with Biblical fiction. And with most of what I read. But I still found the book to be a pleasant read. There was a lot of action. And just getting a chance to delve deeper into Rahab's story was good too.
I received this book for free from Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Mesu Andrews, Jill Eileen Smith
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme hosted by The Broke & the Bookish
I absolutely LOVE this week's top ten! Which means when that happens, I'll probably come up with more than ten things. And this will be a very picture laden post.
This week, we're talking about problems. No, not problem-problems. But book related problems. And for me, these are all so true.
1. My To-Be-Read List is huge. And it is steadily growing. I don't have a list. I have a pile, a mountain, and library, etc. There are probably more on there than I can actually read in my lifetime.
2. Fictional characters become like real people to me. I become so attached to fictional characters that I fully expect people to understand what I mean when I talk about "Todd and Christy" (for example) like I just saw them that day. Because I did see them that day.
3. I am typically reading multiple books at one time - AND I can keep them straight!
4. I have fallen asleep with the lights on, the book or Kindle lying either across my chest or on my face.
5. I plan vacations to fictional places. Like Glenbrooke, Oregon, Hogwarts, Middle Earth, Narnia, etc.
6. One more chapter means "leave me alone until I finish the book."
7. I could get lost for days in Barnes and Noble.
8. I complain I have nothing to read despite over-flowing bookshelves - both real and virtual.
9. I have at least one book with me at all times. Usually more than that. At the moment, I think there are 5 in my car.
10. When someone asks me my favorite book, I have a hard time choosing just one.
11. I've developed crushes on fictional characters.
12. I have laughed and cried in public due to the book I was reading.
It's time for another edition of Saturday Scribbles. The part of the week where I just talk about whatever.
I got a new gadget for Christmas. Well not a gadget like a new phone or tablet, but something just as fun, for me at least. I got this really fun cake pop maker. And it's blue!
I've been wanting a chance to try it. So I was over at my best friend's house this week. I asked her if she wanted to experiment with me and try one of the recipes included in the instruction manual. She said yes. So we tried the chocolate recipe.
First, let me just say that the batter is very yummy! It's thicker than cake batter, but not as thick as cookie dough. But the real fun came when we were putting the batter into the molds.
Talk about a lot of trial and error! We scooped about half of the spoon into the mold. Then we tried a little more on the next batch. Then a little less the next time. I think it'll still require more experimentation to get it to be just right.
So once all the batter is in the molds, you close the lid and it cooks for about 5 minutes. Very easy. It did get very hot though. And it's a bit messy. Especially if you're like me and wear more flour than you get in the cookies or whatever you're making.
Once they have baked for about 5 minutes, you open the lid and continue cooking. They sure smelled good and looked somewhat pretty.
You put them in the fridge to cool before icing. We discovered that the last batch needed more oil on the molds because they cracked and looked funny.
Dipping the balls in chocolate
I had chocolate wafers that we melted to use as icing. I guess that you could use regular icing. I don't know. But we discovered that wax paper, toothpicks, and spoons worked great in getting all of the cake ball covered in icing.
I think that for a first attempt, they turned pretty good. They certainly tasted good!
I'm looking forward to experimenting some more with this fun new toy. Maybe with the cooking temperatures, and variations on the types. I do wonder if I could make pancake balls one morning.
Published - February, 2015, Revell Books a division of Baker Publishing Group
Series - Texas Gold Collection Book 2
Author - Kellie Coates Gilbert
Title - Where Rivers Part
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon
Dr. Juliet Ryan has worked hard to get where she is at. She's a scientist who is committed to providing millions with safe drinking water, and she is the quality assurance director at a top firm in Corporate America where she enjoys much prestige in that role. Her father is another story. He and Juliet don't get along, despite them both being brilliant scientists. Juliet can't trust him. Or forgive him. A harmful viral outbreak becomes linked to contaminated drinking water, and Juliet soon finds herself in the midst of a huge corporate scandal. With lives at risk, Juliet frantically searches for answers and discovers that she must figure out a way to trust the one man who has hurt her more than any other in order to bring down the parties involved.
I have to be totally and completely honest and say that I enjoyed this book much more than the author's previous book. While I still didn't care for the main character, at least at first, I found the subject matter in this book to be much more interesting than that of the first book.
I actually kinda liked Juliet's father. Sure he'd made mistakes. But he also recognized that fact. I thought it showed how much he had changed with his efforts to reach out to Juliet.
What really caught my attention was seeing Juliet struggle with her role in the scandal. As she uncovered more and more, she was encouraged to be silent. I thought that she should have figured out what was right and stuck by it no matter what.
The action regarding the scandal was fast paced and rather fascinating. I kept turning pages to find out how much worse it was going to get.
While the book was good, it's not a favorite of mine. I'm glad I gave the author a second chance after not really caring for her previous book.
I received this book for free from the Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of women's fiction, legal thrillers
Welcome to this week's top ten. Yes I know I missed last week. I really didn't have time to figure out what I wanted to include in the topic for last week, so I skipped it.
This week, love is in the air. Valentine's Day is on Saturday and so this Top Ten is about romance. What I like or don't like or a combination of both.
So here is my list of the things I like in a romance novel. In no order whatsoever.
1. A Swoon-worthy Hero - You know, those heroes that just cause us girls to swoon.
2. A "fluffiness" factor. - That's something means it's typically not going to make me think while I read the book.
3. A plot - A lot of romances don't have a specific plot. But I like mine to have plots. I'm ok even with the plot taking over the story and the romance taking the backseat.
4. The hero to be a gentleman - I don't mean a gentleman like the actual English gentlemen, but rather I mean a hero who has manners (opens doors for a lady, etc).
5. A strong heroine. - I like the heroines to have strength. A strength of character. A showing that she has survived and can make it on her own if need be.
6. Time period - I'm not too picky on this one, though my personal preference is historical. But I've read some pretty good contemporaries.
7. The relationship being built over time. - I'm not a fan of the love-at-first sight romances, unless they are fairy tales. But I like to read the ones where the relationships take some time to develop.
8. Clean - Yes I do read some secular romances. There is a BIG difference though in the secular romances that are clean and those that aren't. I do try to avoid the ones that aren't.
9. A appealing cover - The cover of the book will capture my attention long before I pick it up to read the back cover copy.
10. The characters are flawed, but redeemable. - I don't like too perfect heroes/heroines. I want to get a sense that they are real people, with real struggles and flaws.
I'm sure if I thought of it more, I could actually come up with a few books that fit each category. But I'm not going to think that far today.
Published - February 2015, HopeSprings Books
Author - Various authors
Title - Out of the Storm
Format - ebook, paper
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Summary from Goodreads An anthology featuring the winners of the 2014 "Storming the Short Story" contest, sponsored by a chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
Contemporary category: 1st place: "Squall Line" by Jim Hamlett (Contemporary) 2nd place: "Dorothy's Carol" by Terrie Todd (Women's Fiction) 3rd place: "A Rumspringa Storm" by Steve Hooley (Amish) 4th place: "Tempest Tossed" by Annette O'Hare (Women's Fiction)
Speculative category (Fantasy / SciFi): 1st place: "The Grumpy Chronicles" by Susan Lyttek (Fantasy) 2nd place: "The Great Storm" by Karla Rose (SciFi) 3rd place: "Oddman" by Carla Hoch (SciFi) 4th place: "Aperture" by Linda Kozar (SciFi)
Others category: 1st place: "Just West of Clovis" by Ralph D. James (Western) 2nd place: "Husband Hunting" by Crystal L. Barnes (Western) 3rd place: "Detention" by Gretchen Engel (YA / Fantasy) 4th place: "Fire in a Storm" by Angela K. Couch (Historical)
Proceeds from the sale of the anthology will be donated to the Scholarship Fund of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). My Thoughts: I've never read an anthology quite like this before. There is a little bit of everything. There are some that were better than others. There were some stories I didn't care for at all. But still, I was able to find a couple of delightful gems to enjoy. My personal favorites were The Grumpy Chronicles, The Great Storm, Husband Hunting, Detention, and Squall Line. The stories were not at all what I expected when I agreed to review this book. One of the stories completely left me hanging wanting more when it ended. I received the Kindle copy of this book for free from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Recommended to fans of all genres, Christian fiction, short story fans Overall rating - 4 stars
Welcome my friends to my Saturday Scribbles. It's where I share my heart and talk about whatever I'm in the mood to talk about.
Today, I'm attending a conference that teaches ways to retrain your brain. Sure it's a Mary Kay specific training. And my sales director has shared some of her knowledge from this training with us over the years. But I get to go to it and learn. I'm excited about that. Because I know that once I put into practice what I learn, my business will soar to new heights. But I can apply the principles to my personal life as well.
Basically this training is boiled down to stepping out on faith and taking a chance. I'll admit that that idea scares me to death. My comfort zone is just that - comfortable. I'm resistant to change, especially when I know that risks are involved. So there is fear of the unknown.
When I was writing this post, this first thing that popped into my mind for this topic was the Indiana Jones Movie: The Last Crusade. It is my favorite of the Indy movies. But the scene I thought of is near the ending where Indy is going through the trials at the end. Because he has to step out on faith to get to his goal. Here's a clip from YouTube showing only the scene from the tests/trials.
Taking a chance on yourself always requires a bit of faith. Because until you actually step off the cliff, you're stuck. I remember a time when my high school youth group went to Colorado for camp. One of the activities we did was rappelling down the side of a mountain. If you know me, I'm not athletically inclined. Yet this entire trip was about stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone. And so I did. I was with my group and we were at the top of the mountain with no way down but over the side. Yes we had harnesses on. Yes it was safe. But when it was my turn, I stepped to the edge and literally froze. Why? Because I looked down. The instructor literally had to give me a gentle nudge to get me onto the cliff's side. Once I was on the wall of the cliff I was fine. But I was afraid to take that step off the top and into the air beyond. I had to take a step of faith to do it. And looking back now, I'm so glad that I did. Because, you see, I learned a lot about myself in that moment. I learned that I could do something I wasn't comfortable with. I learned too, that my Christian walk is like that single step off the cliff. I have to have faith.
I'll admit, that the faith part still comes hard at times. But I'm a work in progress. And I'm learning more each day. As well as finding out just how secure God's arms are as I go about life's journey. And it truly is a Great Adventure. Enjoy the Steven Curtis Chapman old video of his song Great Adventure.
When have you had to step out on faith to do something?
Published - February 2015, Bethany House Publishers
Series - Alaskan Courage Book 5
Author - Dani Pettrey
Title - Sabotaged
Format - ebook, paper
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Reef McKeena has finally returned home. Accepting his family's love and forgiveness hasn't always been easy for him, but he's working hard to make them proud of him. When he volunteers to do Search and Rescue for the Iditarod race, he finds himself paired with local vet Kirra Jacobs. Kirra was a goody-goody growing up. And she and Reef were always at odds for some reason or another. He's the last person she wants to be partnered with, but he claims to have changed. When Reef catches her sneaking out of camp one night in search of her uncle, who has gone missing, Reef knows he has to join her. Soon the pair find themselves racing against time, and the race itself, to get answers and locate Kirra's kidnapped cousin before disaster strikes. But as Reef and Kirra are pulled into more and more danger, neither can deny their growing feelings. Reef wants to show Kirra that he would never hurt her, but Kirra's been hurt bad in the past and is afraid to trust this former bad-boy.
I think that this conclusion to the McKenna family saga is my favorite. I have loved each book in this series, but for some reason, Reef just climbed further into my heart than the other siblings.
True to Pettrey's style, this book is an adventure ride to the finish. I actually found myself having to put the book down because I needed sleep. I love the family dynamics in the McKenna family. I love how they are willing to help each other out, no questions asked.
I also loved how Reef didn't pressure Kirra to share her past. Yes he finds out. But he was willing to give her space. I also loved how Kirra had no other option but to trust Reef.
While I'm sad to say goodbye to this family, I'm excited to see what Dani has in store for her readers next.
I received this book for free from the author for the purpose of promoting. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey, romantic suspense, Terri Blackstock.
Renee Lockhart has her eye on a lofty goal…to fill the open position of morning radio show host at the radio station where she works. When her co-workers sign her up for a local TV version of “the Bachelor,” Renee goes along with it in order to raise her public profile. Ben McConnell, the most eligible bachelor in town, insists that Renee be placed on the show, despite her bumbling audition. Ben gets much more than he expected in Renee. He gets a girl who doesn’t bow to his every whim…and a girl who opens his eyes to true, unexpected love. When nothing goes right on the local program called "Accept this Dandelion"...hilarity ensues. Imagine your worst possible dates happening...on TV!
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About the Author
Brooke Williams writes in a sleep-deprived state while her daughters nap. Her romantic comedy is best read in the same state. Brooke has twelve years of radio in her background, both behind the scenes and on the air. She was also a television traffic reporter for a short time despite the fact that she could care less about hair and make-up. Today, Brooke stays at home with her daughters and works as a freelance writer for a variety of companies. When she isn’t working for paying clients, she makes things up, which results in books like “Accept this Dandelion.” Brooke is also the author of “Wrong Place, Right Time,” “Someone Always Loved You,” and “Beyond the Bars.” And she looks forward to the upcoming released of “Mamarazzi” and “Baby Sheep Gets a Haircut.” Brooke and her husband Sean have been married since 2002 and have two beautiful daughters, Kaelyn (5) and Sadie (nearly 2).
"This book is adorable. I had to sneak away from my desk to read the rest of it once I started. It had my smiling and laughing the whole way through." -Sarah, Advanced Reader Copy Review
What could possibly evolve from such a strange attraction? That's the meat of Accept this Dandelion, purportedly a romance, but in essence so much more. Acceptance is, indeed, at the heart of Accept this Dandelion: acceptance of self, others, and the paths life offers up, whether for good or bad. -D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, MBR
EXCERPT:
Renee leaned way over in her chair, throwing her arm up beside her for dramatic effect. She had the perfect line to close her short ad, but instead of delivering it, she flung one of the flickering candles to the floor with a loud crash.
“Fire!” she screamed as she realized the flame had not extinguished, but rather had transferred itself to the hem of her dress.
Before Renee could stop drop and roll, Ben leapt from his chair and threw himself across the small space separating them. The pressure of his body against her leg put out the fire instantly, but it also toppled her chair over, leaving them in a heap on the concrete.
Renee found herself on her side with Ben’s breath on her cheek. She slowly turned her head, though what she really wanted to do was push him away and run out of the studio as fast as possible.
“That was quite a commercial.” Ben didn’t make a move to rise. “Are you okay?”
Renee wasn’t sure how the dress looked, but there were no burning sensations on her leg. There was a twinge in the pit of her stomach. She nodded. “I’m okay.” She met his eyes and allowed herself a few beats to study him closely. He was handsome. And now, he was even a hero. Though he wouldn’t have had to save her from burning flames had she not set herself on fire.
Ben deftly got to his feet and pulled Renee from her chair as the producer rushed over and the camera operators stood by, panning down to capture Renee’s smoldering dress.
“Hey, Renee,” Ben whispered into her ear, “next time there’s fire between us, I’m not going to put it out.”
Published - February 2015, Prism Book Group
Author - Brooke Williams
Title - Accept This Dandelion
Format - ebook
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Renee Lockhart didn't ask to audition for a contestant on a local version of the Bachelor. Her well-meaning co-workers submitted her for the audition. Renee doesn't expect to be chosen to be on the show anyway. So when she is chosen to be on the show, she figures she can make the best of it and hopefully snag the vacant morning show host spot at her radio station. When she discovers that Ben McConnell is the bachelor on the show, Renee knows she doesn't stand a chance. She's determined to have fun. But as the show progresses and she gets to know Ben, she realizes that first impressions are often wrong.
This book was positively delightful. Really delightful. I laughed at some of Renee's antics and I really enjoyed the chemistry between her and Ben. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book. I don't watch the bachelor-type shows on television, so I was kind of leery going into the story.
I loved some of the dates that Ben took the contestants on. I was looking forward to seeing what Renee would do on the date. Because she never failed to surprise me.
While this book isn't classified as Christian fiction to the extent of most of what I read, it is a clean book.
I received the Kindle version of this book for free from the author for the purpose of reviewing/promoting. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of romantic comedy, Janice Thompson, chick flicks.
Rating - 4.5 stars, rounding to 4 on Amazon & Goodreads.
