Horse in the Wilderness - A Review

Published - January 2013, Westbow Press
Author - Debbie Eckles
Title - Horse in the Wilderness
Format - paper, ebook, hardcover
Find on Amazon

Autumn Parker wants to move out of her parents' home into their rent house. But before she is able to mention it to them, they inform her that they just rented the house to the new elementary music teacher. Brent Travis is a man trying to start over. He has left behind the faith he once claimed as his own and is desperately trying to have nothing to do with God. When he takes on the elementary music teacher role, he doesn't know what to think of the people in this small town. Surely they can't be real? Because the so-called Christians in his experience didn't actually show Christ's love. But as he gets to know the people, his students, and his landlord's family, Brent can't help but see the walls he built around his heart begin to crumble. Especially in light of unexplained vandalism, a young boy who likes to wander off, a horse that went missing, and Autumn who appears too good to be true.

I'm pretty sure that this is the first book I've ever read by this author. The only reason I picked it up was because Booklook Bloggers was offering an additional title published by Westbow Press in addition to any Thomas Nelson/Zondervan titles already requested. I figured, it's free, might as well give it a chance.

Overall, the story moved really slowly. I frequently had no inclination of picking it up to read. There was a good plot to the story, it's just that the author took forever to tell it. There is an overall theme of forgiveness in the story.

As much as the story line itself was rather interesting I did have several issues with the book. First, there seemed to be big gaps in the story. Like the reader was already supposed to know what was going on. Second, the author had relationships develop pretty much out of nowhere. And Brent's past, she treated it like it was some big secret, when it did explain why he was so cynical and hurting. Third, I don't think the target audience of the book would be mature adults. I felt that the book read more along the lines of a reading level of 7th or 8th grade.

Without a doubt, the author's views on several subjects are made glaring obvious such as divorce and the "traditional" church (services twice on Sunday, once on Wednesday, and EVERYONE must participate in some form at church).

Overall, I'd have to say that this book probably wasn't for me. I did receive a copy of the Kindle version from Booklook Bloggers for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to like the book, only to give my honest opinion of it.

Recommended to fans of Love Inspired.

Rating - 3 stars

Picture Perfect Love - A Review

Published - May, 26, 2015, Zondervan Books
Series - A Year of Weddings Novellas Series 2, Book 7
Author - Melissa McClone
Title - Picture Perfect Love
Format - ebook
Find on Amazon

Jenna Harrison is a wedding photographer. She has the unique talent of making even the most un-photogenic people look stunning in their wedding photographs. While she goes out of her way to ensure that couples have a happily ever after, Jenna's own heart is still broken. There is an unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet. Yet Jenna trusts that someday God in His timing will bring a groom to her and she'll have her chance at true love. Ashton Vance is the man who broke Jenna's heart. He had political aspirations and when a photo-shopped picture of him found its way onto the Internet, he blamed Jenna and broke up with her the day before their wedding. Though it's been two years, his heart still hasn't recovered. When his younger sister admits the role she played in breaking up Jenna and Ashton, he is willing to make amends. But is it too little too late? Or can Jenna and Ashton find a way past hurt and betrayal into a possible future together?

Like all of these novellas, some are better than others. This is one I happened to enjoy quite a lot. This was the first thing I'd read by Melissa McClone, and I was impressed with her writing. Her characters have a depth to them that is often hard to see in a novella.

I really liked the way that Jenna worked her business. I liked how she would go out of her way to make her clients' feel special. I also liked the way that she was real with her emotions. I think my favorite part of the story was when she takes part in a Trust Fall on a ropes course with the teens in the youth group as well as Ashton, his sister, and her fiancee. I also liked how Ashton was willing (finally) to make amends for the part that he played in breaking Jenna's heart. His growth was a little slower because he kept making the same mistakes. But overall, I really came to like him.

I'll have to keep this author on my radar and look for more by her.

I received the Kindle version of this book for free from Booklook Bloggers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of weddings, novellas, Love Inspired, romance

Rating - 4 stars

This review will be posted on Amazon after the book is released, so the week of May 26, 2015.

Saturday Scribbles Vol 15

Happy Saturday my friends! Today, I get to enjoy the birthday party for a little girl who turned a year old on Tuesday. But that's not what I really want to talk about today.

It's Mother's Day weekend. Tomorrow, I plan on taking my mom to see the Avengers. My brother and I also sent her flowers and had them delivered to her school.

So today, it's a flood of pictures of my mom. At least whatever ones I've got on my computer/Facebook page.

This was taken about 8 years ago at my college roommate's wedding.

Christmas in Waco several years ago.

Another Christmas in Waco! My mom (on the right) and her sister. It was COLD that day!

Mom's School took Christmas pictures. Also several years ago.

Mom at a family reunion in 2011.



So Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Sword of Forgiveness - A Review

Published - February 2015, Wakefield Press
Series - Winds of Change Book 1
Author - Debbie Lynne Costello
Title - Sword of Forgiveness
Format - ebook, paper
Find on Amazon

Summary (from Amazon):

When her father died, she had promised herself no man would own her again, yet who could defy an edict of the king?

After the death of her cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage her father's estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome marriage isn't enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing possible execution.

Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin's wise and kind nature begin to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.

My Thoughts:
This book intrigued me more than I expected. I typically enjoy things set in a medieval time period and this one was one I didn't really know much about.

But when I (finally) started it, I was surprised at how quickly the story moved. Both Royce and Brithwin had a communication problem. But the way that they worked through their issues, I did find rather amusing. But I also found Royce to be a gentleman. And I liked him.

Overall, I think this was a good book. The cover is gorgeous and the story captured my attention.

I received the Kindle version of this book for free from the author to review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of medieval fiction, knights, Tamara Leigh

Rating - 4 stars

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I will Probably NEVER Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke & The Bookish.

Welcome back to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday. Today's topic is the top ten books I will probably NEVER read. For those of you who know me, I don't read non fiction all that often. So I could easily have made this list all non-fiction. But I didn't.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James - I enjoy secular romance. But there is a HUGE difference between a romance and whatever you feel like calling this book. I have absolutely no intention of EVER reading this book, its sequels, or seeing the movie. I can spend my time doing other things.

2. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen - I'm sure that there are some of my readers who are seeing this title and going "What?!" I've seen the movies. I've read some of Austen's books, but this one just never really captured my attention. I like Emma better. 

3. Heartless (and the rest of the series) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl - You'd think that with the way that I love fantasy books, I'd enjoy this series. Well I tried the second one, and it kept putting me to sleep. So this is a no go for me.

4. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - I read the first one and I liked it. But I already know how this one ends. I'm not sure if I'm ready for all of those feelings.

5. Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta - I didn't care for the first book, so I have no interest in reading this one. 

6. The Left Behind Prequels of the Rising, The Regime, and the Rapture by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins - Yeah, I won't be reading these. I had no interest when they came out, and still don't care to. Especially after my rant on Kingdom Come last summer. 

7. The Host by Stephenie Meyer - Yes I've read Twilight. No I didn't love it. The result is that I have no interest in reading this book. 

8. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - I keep having this one recommended to me. It's not something I'm interested in at this time. Maybe someday, but I doubt it.

9. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel - I might see the movie, but I doubt that too. 

10. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - I saw the movie. It was beautifully done. But I have no inclination to read the book.

Pharaoh's Daughter - A Review

Published - March 2015, Waterbrook/Multnomah Books
Author - Mesu Andrews
Title - The Pharaoh's Daughter
Format - ebook, paper, audio
Find on Amazon

Summary from Amazon
Anippe has grown up in the shadows of Egypt’s good god Pharaoh, aware that Anubis, god of the afterlife, may take her or her siblings at any moment. She watched him snatch her mother and infant brother during childbirth, a moment which awakens in her a terrible dread of ever bearing a child. Now she is to be become the bride of Sebak, a kind but quick-tempered Captain of Pharaoh Tut’s army. In order to provide Sebak the heir he deserves and yet protect herself from the underworld gods, Anippe must launch a series of deceptions, even involving the Hebrew midwives—women ordered by Tut to drown the sons of their own people in the Nile. 
     When she finds a baby floating in a basket on the great river, Anippe believes Egypt’s gods have answered her pleas, entrenching her more deeply in deception and placing her and her son Mehy, whom handmaiden Miriam calls Moses, in mortal danger.
  As bloodshed and savage politics shift the balance of power in Egypt, the gods reveal their fickle natures and Anippe wonders if her son, a boy of Hebrew blood, could one day become king. Or does the god of her Hebrew servants, the one they call El Shaddai, have a different plan—for them all?

My Thoughts:
I've read some of Mesu Andrews books before, and I've enjoyed them. This one was no different. I loved how much research the author put into the book. I've not read a lot about the Egyptian Princess who raised Moses, so it was fun to read one. 

I'll admit that I got a bit confused as to who was who in the story. I also did find it to be a little slow moving at times. Still, I enjoyed it. Especially since Biblical fiction isn't one of my favorite genres. 

I really liked Anippe. I liked how she changed and grew during the course of the book. And the Hebrew midwives. They were pretty awesome.

Recommended to fans of Biblical Fiction, historical fiction, Jill Eileen Smith

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Rating - 4 stars

Saturday Scribbles Vol 14

Happy Saturday my friends. I'm going to go total fangirl today. And I do mean total fangirl.

You see, one of the movies I have been eagerly anticipating released yesterday. What is it you may ask? The Avengers the Age of Ultron. So that means more of the Captain, Thor (sighs happily), Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. Plus other new characters. I think that the world Marvel has created in these films has become one of my favorite film franchises. I'm really not sure why that is either. But in addition to the new movie, I've rented season one of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from the library and have been enjoying watching them. I personally think that agent Ward is very similar to Captain America AKA Steve Rogers. There's something about his demeanor that reminds me of the Captain. And the other characters, I want to know more about them. I have to wonder why it has taken me so long to watch it. Oh. That's right. It comes on opposite of NCIS. 

But still. I'm looking forward to the new movie. It's going to be fun to let a stellar cast save the world again.

What is your favorite superhero movie?