November Bride - A Review

Published - October 28, 2014, Zondervan Books
Series - A Year of Weddings Novella #12
Author - Beth K. Vogt
Title - A November Bride
Format - ebook
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Sadie McAllister has her life all planned out. She's the personal chef for several different families, dating a great guy, and has a fabulous best friend. When her boyfriend breaks up with and one of her families offers her a job opportunity that could launch her career, she turns to her best friend, Erik Davis for advice. Erik is thrilled for Sadie, but he doesn't want to see her move away. He's come to realize that she is more important to him and he'd love to move their friendship beyond friends. But does Sadie feel the same way?

I was very happy to be offered the chance to review this book. I've enjoyed the majority of these novellas and this one was no exception.

I had to wonder how long it would take for Erik and Sadie to realize that they were in love. I thought that there were several opportunities for them to sit down and talk, but they didn't. They just assumed things about the other. Still, the way that they finally worked through their issues was sweet.

I loved how she knew everything about him and he her. I also loved how they interacted with each other.

I found the book to be very fast paced. It was a quick read. Only took me about an hour or so to read it. As it's a novella, I expected nothing else. The characters were pretty well developed for a novella and it moved along at a good pace.

I received the Kindle copy 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, Beth Vogt

Rating - 4 stars

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten New to Me Authors for 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish. Feel free to join in.

This week's topic is the top ten new to me authors I've read in 2014. When I first started blogging in 2011, there were A LOT of new to me authors. But as time passes and new favorites are discovered, it's harder to find authors I've not read before. So I turned to my wonderful Goodreads Shelf "New to Me Authors". And I was surprised that I'd read 29 (so far) new to me authors. So picking 10 was rather entertaining.

Here are my 10, in alphabetical order, Links are to my review on the blog.

1. Mesu Andrews - I have several of her books on my kindle, but hadn't gotten around to reading them until I reviewed In the Shadow of Jezebel. I'm not a huge fan of Biblical fiction, but I'll make an exception for Mesu's books in the future.

2. Kate Breslin - Her book, For Such a Time, hit my radar when I first heard about it. But I passed it over when it was offered to review. I did manage to rent a copy from the library, and really really loved it.

3. Bonnie Calhoun - I've had a few of her books on my Kindle. They were freebies and I can't resist free. But truthfully, the books never piqued my interest. Until Thunder. I enjoy young adult. And the dystopian genre is big right now. I wanted to see what she did with it. And I was impressed.

4. Melanie Dickerson - I adore fairy tales. I have to wonder what took me so long to read Melanie's fairy tale retellings. I've read them all. Healer's Apprentice, Merchant's Daughter, Fairest Beauty, Captive Maiden, and the Princess Spy. This series suits me. (Fairest Beauty is also posted on my blog, but Princess Spy was easier to locate.)

5. Pam Hillman - I always take part in the Tyndale Summer Reading Program. This summer, I got to read my first book by Pam Hillman, Claiming Mariah. I'd had it on my Kindle for just about forever and was glad to be able to to find the time to read it. It was delightful.

6. Laura Jackson - I may be biased as Laura and I have known each other for over ten years now, but I really enjoyed her book, Worth the Wait. While I was reading it, not only was I texting Laura to give her my opinion, but I had to tell myself to treat this book like any author's that I don't know personally. It made it hard at times, but in the end it was worth it. I'm probably one of Laura's biggest fans.

7. Debbie Macomber - I'd never read a Debbie Macomber book until this year. Why I don't know. I was very impressed with Blossom Street Brides. I know that I can find others by her at the library, and I may check them out. Debbie's books are secular and though Blossom Street Brides is clean, I'm not sure of her others. 

8. Marissa Meyer - This author of the Lunar Chronicles came recommended to me from several of my Harry Potter buddies. I've learned to trust their opinions as they've yet to steer me wrong (Hunger Games, Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Divergent). Anyway, Cinder is the first of this series and I wondered how a cyborg Cinderella would work. But the book does it beautifully.

9. Lisa Wingate - After hearing many people finding the Story Keeper to be slow moving, I wasn't sure what to expect. Yet this book gripped me and I now will be searching my kindle for others by Lisa.

10. Beth Wiseman - Before reading July Bride, I'd never read a Beth Wiseman book before. She is another author I will look for additional books from.


There you have it. My Top Ten. It was hard to pick, but I think I did a good job. What about you? Who are the new to you authors you discovered this year?

The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers - A Review

Published - December 9, 2014 Zondervan Books
Author - Diane Stortz
Title - The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers
Format - hardcover (board book)
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This collection of Bible stories includes Creation, Noah, Moses, Esther, Baby Jesus, The Shepherds, Letting the Children Come, Jesus's Death, and The Empty Tomb. Brightly illustrated, is sure to capture the attention of a toddler.

My Thoughts:
This book was delightful. I've read a lot of different Bible story books, and this is probably one of my favorites. The stories are short (only a couple of pages), the pages are sturdy (it is a board book after all), and the pictures are vibrant. I took it over to my best friend's house and her seven month old was fascinated with the pictures. Of course the older two kids (ages almost 4 and 2) were interested in the stories. The oldest even sat down and "told" us one of the stories. I found that this book was perfect for the ages of my best friend's children. As I read it, prior to bringing to her, I discovered that there were eight or nine stories. Each one is only a few pages in length. It probably took me a maximum of 20 minutes to read the entire book.

This would make a delightful gift for any toddler girl. Because the book's binding is PINK! Still, I think that whether the child is a boy or a girl, the child would enjoy this collection.

I received this book for free from Zondervan's Booklook Blogger Program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to little girls, parents of toddlers, Sunday School teachers

Rating - 4 stars

This review will be posted on Amazon on Tuesday December 9, 2014. 

Through the Deep Waters - A Review

Published May 2014, Waterbrook Press
Author - Kim Vogel Sawyer
Title - Through the Deep Waters
Format - ebook, hardcover, paper, audio
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Born to a prostitute and raised in a popular Chicago brothel, seventeen year old Dinah Hubley longs to escape the life she's been exposed to her entire life. When she hears that Mr. Harvey is hiring waitresses for his chain of restaurants along the railroad in the West, she dreams of becoming one of the Harvey Girls. But then she learns she doesn't meet the age requirement. With no other option left to her, she accepts a position as a chamber maid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Surrounded by all of the beauty of the hotel, Dinah begins to feel more worthless due to one horrible decision she made to survive. As Dinah begins to become accustomed to her duties at the hotel, her outgoing roommate invites her to church. There Dinah meets Amos Ackerman, a local chicken farmer, and as he shows interest in her, she withdraws further. Will Amos be able to show Dinah Christ's love?

I've read several of Kim Vogel Sawyer's books and have enjoyed each one. This one caught my attention due to the fact it involved Harvey Girls, a topic I've long enjoyed ever since the Judy Garland musical The Harvey Girls.

This one isn't the light-hearted book I typically enjoy with historical fiction. It is very deep. Every one of the main characters struggle with sin. For Dinah, it's the sin of her past. For Amos, it's the sin of disobedience (he decides to do things on his own time table and his own way). For Ruthie, it's the sin of jealousy. But still, each of those characters come to realize what they are doing and find repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ. Dinah's transformation is probably the most gripping of the entire story. Because she didn't know her Savior prior to meeting Ruthie and Amos.

But I love the message of forgiveness woven through the pages of this book. I also love how the author doesn't sugar coat the sin. She deals with it bluntly and honestly. And for me, that is rather refreshing as I've read several authors who gloss over sin.

I look forward to what Kim Vogel Sawyer will bring us next, because her books are usually pretty good.

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

Recommended to fans of Francine Rivers, Jody Hedlund, Kim Vogel Sawyer, historical fiction

Rating - 4 stars

Love Unexpected - A Review

Published - December 2014, Bethany House Publishers
Series - Beacons of Hope Book 1
Author - Jody Hedlund
Title - Love Unexpected
Format - ebook, paper
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Emma Chambers longs for a home. But when her steamboat sinks off the coast of Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no where to go. Her brother takes a job working with the fishermen, but Emma can't stay with him. And the family who runs the general store won't let her remain with them. When widower Patrick Garrarty, the lighthouse keeper, arrives for his wife's funeral, an unlikely solution to both of their problems presents itself. He needs someone to care for his young son while he mans the light. Emma needs a home and a place to stay. A marriage of convenience is quickly proposed and executed by a traveling preacher, and Emma finds herself on her way to her new home with an energetic toddler and his handsome, though quiet father. Emma soon learns that Patrick is keeping something from her. Will Patrick's secret cost them both a chance at happiness?

I was asked the other day which Jody Hedlund book is the most appealing. My answer was cover-wise A Noble Groom, because after all the cover model is dreamy. But then I added that story-wise, it was a toss up between A Noble Groom and this one, Love Unexpected. Why do I find this book the most appealing of Jody's books? And why did I make a comment on Goodreads that this may be my favorite one of Jody's so far? That's what I'll try to answer in my review.

True to form, this novel is rich in historical detail and based on the life of a real Michigan lighthouse keeper. That is one element I've come to expect and look forward to in Jody's books. I know that I've enjoyed the novels she bases on the life of someone way more than the ones she doesn't. I've read, and own, all of Jody's books. I think that there were maybe two that I didn't care for as much as the others.

But why does this book stand out to me? I think it's because Patrick is not a perfect man. He's flawed. He's suffered. He has a past. He is real. And there is so much depth to him too. And Emma also shows that she's deep. She makes mistakes and regrets them. She's willing to forgive. But she is real as well. The author has written both Emma's and Patrick's struggles really well and made my heart ache for them.

I think another reason this one may be my favorite of Jody's is that it is the first in a series. I ADORE series because I don't necessarily have to say goodbye to characters I've grown to love. I know that the next book in the series will be about Ryan, Emma's brother.

I was very surprised by how quickly I was engrossed in the book. I got it in one day, started reading it, and soon was halfway finished with the book. Of course I had to put it down to finish up a couple of other books I was reviewing, but when I picked it up again a few days later, I was lost. Not lost in the sense that I didn't know where I'd left off, but lost in the sense that I was pulled into Emma's world. Time would fly by and before I knew it, it would be very late. At that point, I knew I couldn't bring the book to work to read on lunch breaks as I was so engrossed that I'd probably forget to end my lunch break. This is definitely one I'd savor.

I received this book for free from the author to help with the promotion of the book. It actually released yesterday, December 2, 2014. My thoughts and opinions are my own. In fact as part of my agreement to help promote the book, I will be purchasing a copy to give as a Christmas present to one of my family members. One that I know has never read one of Jody's books (Sorry Mom. You can borrow my copy!).

Recommended to fans of Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Laura Frantz, Julie Lessman, historical fiction, historical romance.

Rating - 5 stars

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly theme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish. Feel free to join in.

Today's Top Ten is the top ten books I'm looking forward to in 2015. Back when Harry Potter Books were releasing, that made things easy, but this week's topic is actually hard to narrow down. I mean, there are so many books I'm looking forward to in 2015! But here is what I managed to narrow my long list down to.

1. Fairest & Winter by Marissa Meyer - I'd like to know what caused Levanna to be the way she is. And I can't wait for the conclusion to the Lunar Chronicles!

2. A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer - I always enjoy Karen's books. Hers always hit my TO BUY List.

3. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin - Another WWII book by Sarah. I've loved her Wings of the Nightingale series and am looking forward to the new series. By the way, this is my favorite cover of the ones I've posted.

4. Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund - I really loved Love Unexpected. This is book 2 and I'm anxious to read it.

5. Now & Forever by Mary Connealy - This will be another fun romantic comedy. I can't wait!

6. Book 1 in the Magnus Chase & the Gods of Asgard Series by Rick Riordan - I don't have my copy of Blood of Olympus handy to come up with the title for this new series, but I'm looking forward to it.

7. The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren - Book 5 in the Christiansen Family. I ADORE this family.

9. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade - I cannot wait to read Jake's story!

10. The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert - I've loved Katie's books from the first one I read. I have high hopes for this one. I hope I won't be disappointed.

My Mary Kay Weekend Specials

I hope that each of you, my readers, has had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I spent the day with my cat at my Mom's. Mom has the Hallmark channel, so I enjoyed several Christmas movies plus a couple of DVDs. It was a pretty quiet day. Just me and Mom. But it was still nice. I actually finished a ruby red scarf and got over halfway finished with a midnight blue scarf. I hope to finish the blue one today.

Anyway, since this is the biggest shopping weekend of the year, I am running all sorts of specials for my business this weekend. 

My first is the PINK FRIDAY Sale!

Here's the breakdown of it: 

• From 6am - 9 am - take 25% off your entire order
• From 9 am - 12 pm - take 20% off your entire order
• From 12 pm - 3 pm - take 15% off your entire order
• After 3 pm - take 10% off your entire order

You don't even have to live in the Houston area to shop with me. You can shop directly on my website! I offer free shipping on all orders over $75. 

Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Did you know that by supporting a small business, that 100% of the profits go back to support the local (in my case Houston) economy? I'm so serious. So my special for Saturday is simple:

• Every $25 spent will gain one entry into a pampering basket. Meaning if you spend $100, then you get 4 entries!
• Tax free all day long
• I'd love for you to be my guest at out Studio Bee from 8:45 am - 10:30 am, breakfast included, for Holiday Dash Out the Door Glamour and Mary Kay Jeopardy! Reservations are required by Friday at noon.

Sunday we celebrate my birthday. So in honor of my birthday, I am offering 37% off any ONE item as my Happy Birthday gift to you, my customer. 

Then Monday is Cyber Monday. How many of you will be sitting at work on Monday, shopping online? It's the biggest ONLINE shopping day of the year. All day long on Monday, I am offering FREE Shipping and 20% off all online orders only. These orders must be received via my website, Facebook (either my personal page or my business page), Twitter, or Email. I just need it to come some sort of way online.

And that's it really. In the past, my Thanksgiving weekend's sales average around $600 once all is said and done. I'd LOVE to be able to have a really strong sales weekend that will set the stage for a strong Holiday Season of sales. 

So whether you need a teacher gift (satin hands or a coffee & cream), a gift to say I Love You (NEW Thinking of Love eau de parfume), for the teen ( Mary Kay @play line or the Clear Proof Skin Care line), or you want stocking stuffers (lip glosses or lip sticks), I do have the perfect gift for you. And if you're local (within a couple of hours drive), I'll even gift wrap it for you!

You can find me here:

Website

My Mary Kay Facebook Page

Twitter

Email: d janis (at) mary kay (dot) com (I added spaces and spelled out the at/dot to prevent spammers)

My Phone number is listed on my website.