Month: August 2012

Posted in Young Adult

Young Adult Fiction

Posted on by remaininhislove

 Tomorrow starts the beginning of two weeks of Young Adult (YA) fiction! I’m really excited because YA fiction is one of my favorite areas to read (it surprised me too). The secular world has really rocked with their YA: Hunger Games, Twilight, Divergent, Harry Potter (I’ve actually only read the Hunger Games and Divergent, but I bet you’ve heard of the others). Well, the Christian world has some great novels out there as well. That said, some current trends in both areas are: two very good guys who both like the heroine, some kind of supernatural type of guy, and fiercely strong female leads. If the novel has a female protagonist, then there will be romance. If there is a male protagonist usually its about friendship. I’ll be presenting Christian YA that runs the gamut from realistic and/or historical to supernatural or futuristic.

Anyone else a fan of YA fiction? Got a favorite? Is there anything that gets on your nerves about YA fiction? I know I’m not a huge fan of the two good guys and one girl scenario unless it serves some kind of purpose (always makes me feel sad for one of them). Any other trends you notice? See you tomorrow, should be fun!

Posted in Contemporary

Michelle Stimpson’s Someone to Watch Over Me

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Tori Henderson is on the fast track in her marketing career in Houston, but her personal life is slow as molasses. So when her beloved Aunt Dottie falls ill, Tori travels back to tiny Bayford to care for her. But when she arrives, she’s faced with more than she bargained for, including Dottie’s struggling local store and a troubled little step-cousin, DeAndre. Worse, the nearest Starbucks is twenty miles away…

Just as Tori is feeling overwhelmed, she re-connects with her old crush, the pastor’s son, Jacob, who is as handsome as Tori remembers. As the church rallies for Aunt Dottie’s recovery, Aunt Dottie rallies to remind Tori of God’s love. And when Tori and DeAndre form an unexpected bond, and sparks fly between her and Jacob, small-town life starts looking promising. Tori came to Bayford to give, but she just might receive more than she dreamed was still possible for her…

Review

This book was sweet, funny, romantic, a bit unrealistic, and a good read. You have a hurt career woman who returns home to have to take care of a child. I’ll be honest kids and dogs don’t usually do it for me, but DeAndre was cuteness. I’m also not a fan of “career women” which I define as women who put their careers above everything else, however, you completely feel where Tori is coming from. The only thing that wasn’t realistic was to me was the romance. Now I don’t know if that’s my own personal projections, but Tori had one unsaved boyfriend and a saved guy who was crazy about her. It’s now often most women get two and then have a hard time choosing. That said, loved Jacob, such a sweet guy. Spiritually, Tori starts off the in the novel as a nonbeliever, but eventually she comes to know God and to realize that He’s always loved her. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Historical

Sarah Sundin’s With Every Letter

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Lt. Mellie Blake is a nurse serving in the 802nd Medical Squadron, Air
Evacuation, Transport. As part of a morale building program, she reluctantly
enters into an anonymous correspondence with Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer in
the 908th Engineer Aviation Battalion in North Africa. As their letters
crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not
knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two
are poised to meet face to face for the first time. Will they overcome their
fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage to their
past? And can they learn to trust God and embrace the gift of love he offers
them?

Review

I really enjoyed this book. It picks you up and takes you away to 1942. Mellie is a relatable character, especially for those who have ever come across as socially awkward. Tom is such a sweetheart. You can see his desire to have people like him, even to his detriment. This is Ms. Sundin’s fourth book and I really like how each of her characters are so unique. They each have a struggle that only God can help them with and I love that they turn to God when they see that something is going wrong. There are so many things that I like about this book, but I don’t want to mention them as it may spoil the novel for you. Just trust me that when you read this book, it’ll take you to World War II and introduce you to some people that you can’t help but fall in love with!. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Historical

Anne Mateer’s At Every Turn

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Caught up in a whirlwind of religious fervor when two missionaries speak at her church, Alyce Benson impetuously pledges three thousand dollars to mission work in Africa. She’s certain her wealthy father will simply hand her the money. But when he refuses, she must either stand up in front of the congregation and admit failure, or raise the money herself.
Alyce harbors a secret passion for speed and automobiles. It’s 1916, and the latest advancements in car engines allow some to post speeds upwards of seventy miles per hour! When she discovers her father’s company has sponsored a racing car that will compete in several upcoming events–races in which the driver will be paid and could win as much as five thousand dollars in prize money–she conspires with her father’s mechanic, Webster, to secretly train and compete.
But as Alyce comes across needs in her own community, money slips through her fingers faster than she can earn it. And when her friends cast aspersions on Webster’s past, she believes she might have trusted the wrong man with her secret. Will Alyce come up with the money in time, or will she have to choose between her promise and the man who holds a piece of her heart?

 Review
  This book was fun and light-hearted. It takes you back to simpler times and sometimes that is just the kind of novel you need to read. Alyce is a girl to be admired. I loved how she gave of herself to be a blessing to others. I love that she wanted people to see Jesus in her time after time. Her heart to get people saved challenged me.  I was a little skeptical that deception was the way to get things done, but overall I enjoyed this novel. Webster was a sweetheart of a hero and you couldn’t help but like him too. I think the only real problem with this novel was that it was too short! I really wanted to find out more about Webster and Alyce. Recommended!
Posted in Historical

Tamara Leigh’s The Unveiling

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

12TH CENTURY ENGLAND: TWO MEN VIE FOR THE THRONE: KING STEPHEN THE USURPER AND YOUNG DUKE HENRY THE RIGHTFUL HEIR. AMID CIVIL AND PRIVATE WARS, ALLIANCES ARE FORGED, LOYALTIES ARE BETRAYED, FAMILIES ARE DIVIDED, AND MARRIAGES ARE MADE. For four years, Lady Annyn Bretanne has trained at arms with one end in mind—to avenge her brother’s murder as God has not deemed it worthy to do. Disguised as a squire, she sets off to exact revenge on a man known only by his surname, Wulfrith. But when she holds his fate in her hands, her will wavers and her heart whispers that her enemy may not be an enemy after all. Baron Wulfrith, renowned trainer of knights, allows no women within his walls for the distraction they breed. What he never expects is that the impetuous young man sent to train under him is a woman who seeks his death—nor that her unveiling will test his faith and distract the warrior from his purpose.
Review
When I saw what this book was about I inwardly groaned. It’s a little bizarre to me when women dress like men and somehow the hero falls in love with them. But still, since Ms. Leigh wrote it, I read it. And I liked it. A lot. It was better than the usual. I don’t want to give anything away, but the heroine had a good reason to dress like a man, and I never got that impression that the hero was falling for her while he thought she was a man. The book picked me up and swept me away to 12th century England and I didn’t want to leave. I’m excited that it’s a series.
Spiritually, Annyn feels that God does not answer prayers and rejects Him. But God slowly woos Annyn back and its well worth the wait. Wulfrith already has an established relationship with God that is so deep it affects everyone around him and usually has a way of making them better. Just how we should be. Highly Recommended!
Posted in Historical

Ruth Axtell’s Her Good Name

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

In the 1890 thriving coastal town of Holliston, Maine, the leading lumber baron’s son, Warren Brentwood, III, returns from his years away at college and traveling to take up his position as heir apparent to his father’s business empire.
Esperanza Estrada, daughter of a Portuguese immigrant fisherman and a local woman, lives on the wrong side of town, surrounded by a brood of brothers and sisters and a careworn mother. She is unable to pretend she is anything but “one of those Estradas.” When she overhears of a position to clean house at a local high school teacher’s home on Elm Street, she jumps at the opportunity–to be able to run into Warren Brentwood now and again, but also to imbibe of the culture and intellectual atmosphere of the Stocktons.
When rumors about Espy and her respected employer begin to circulate, the entire church congregation and then the community pronounce judgment on her behavior. Warren believes the lie and his loss of faith in her causes Espy to give up without a fight. She leaves her family and hometown for the nearest city with little money and no acquaintances and is forced to spend the night on the street.  A man who heads a mission for the homeless finds Espy and offers her shelter. Espy finds the true love of God while working at the mission. Will she be able to forgive the townspeople and return home?
Review
For me, this book was a page-turner. It wasn’t as good as some of her other books, but it was still a good read. I enjoyed that the main character was Portuguese. Sometimes it’s nice to have a different kind of heroine. I really liked all of the interactions between Espy and Warren and how you could see the romance develop overtime. However, although realistic, Warren was a bit annoying in his pretentiousness. The whole book, I kept hoping Espy would have a little more backbone. That said, I loved that spiritually, Warren and Espy grow in God through their quiet time and by spending time in His Word. So realistic and so pratcical as anyone could do this to further their relationship with Christ. The novel was slightly predictable, but Ms. Axtell is such a good writer I was carrying the novel with me everywhere. Recommended.
Posted in Uncategorized

Punta Cana!

Posted on by remaininhislove

I’m headed on a much needed after-the-bar trip to Punta Cana! So, I will be taking a week break from the blog, but I promise I will be coming back bigger and better than before. I’ve got some fun reviews coming up and big plans so stay tuned!

Posted in Contemporary

Kristin Billerbeck’s Ashely Stockingdale Series

Posted on by remaininhislove

 Kristin Billerbeck has written many books since this series, but this is probably my favorite series by her. Ashley Stockingdale is completely relatable and I enjoy that each novel is unique and fun in it’s own way. Ashely Stockingdale is a 31 year old lawyer who is wondering why she is still single. This series takes you through Ashley’s dating life until she finally ends up with the right guy. This book is fun, silly, and romantic. This is also another novel of a Christian woman simply living, but then again, that’s what Christian Chick-Lit is. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Contemporary

Erynn Mangum’s Maya Davis Series

Posted on by remaininhislove

I really enjoy Erynn Mangum’s novels because the romance in her novels have a sense of reality. The guys are not exceptionally hot, saved, or mysterious. The women are not particularly brave, self-sacrificing, or stunning. I read her books and think I know this person. And yet, there’s something romantic about the normal relationship. The only drawback to her novels is the intense love of coffee and chocolate. I don’t understand it.  In the Maya Davis Series, you have Maya who works at a coffee shop with her best friend Jack. In the first book, she realizes that her roommate is dating her ex-boyfriend. And even though they meet on occasions, the ex-boyfriend doesn’t even remember her. It’s funny and lighthearted. Spiritually, Maya is very involved in her singles group and having devotion and Ms. Mangum is serious about getting others saved. I love how Maya just lives out her Christianity as though she is breathing. Great Series!

Posted in Uncategorized

Siri Mitchell’s The Cubicle Next Door

Posted on by remaininhislove

Before Siri Mitchell wrote historical romance novels, she wrote Chick-Lit. Being a francophile, I really enjoyed Kissing Adrian, but The Cubicle Next Door was so cute, I decided to feature that one. The Cubicle Next Door stars Jackie Harrison, a computer geek at the Air Force Academy and a blogger. Joe is a pilot who is having trouble flying planes, and so in the interim he becomes a teacher at the Air Force Academy. It just so happens his cubicle is next door to Jackie’s. I think, one of the reasons I so enjoyed this book is because I could relate to Jackie: we’re both pretty much stuck in our ways and not thrilled to try new things and I appreciated Joe’s pushing her. Spiritually, Jackie has to learn that God is greater than any past of our family. This book also addresses the issue of finding a church. I didn’t realize how difficult it could be depending on where you live. Joe and Jackie ending up having to compromise on some things (not important Biblical things), but, at least Joe and Jackie go and find a community. So important.It’s rare that you’ll find a church that makes you love every aspect of it anyway. Highly Recommended!