Author: remaininhislove

About

It’s all her uncle’s fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she’s reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte’s future–the only proper future for a woman–is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar.

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he’ll soon change his mind…and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society–a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion.

Things aren’t perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She’ll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she’s most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?

Review

I am a huge fan of Siri Mitchell’s contemporary novels, but I will admit to have just an okay relationship with her historical novels. Initially, I was going to wait to read this one, but I saw a good review of it and decided to try it. So glad I did. Here’s why:

What I liked:

The time period and location. I was so happy to learn that it this novel takes place in Victorian England. I just love regency novels, and though this one is not exactly what you think of when you think of regency, it has all the right elements of a regency: class issues, subtle-ness of words, the clothes, and the much desired marriage proposals.

The humor. It’s not often I laugh-out-loud with a book, but this one had me giggling.

Charlotte. I’ve thought and thought about Charlotte, but I cannot say that she was an annoying heroine. I really liked her. She’s smart and straightforward but also really cares about those around her. I could understand her frustration with her father and Mr. Trimble and I enjoyed watching her navigate the social world.

The romance. It was the best kind. It was slow and steady, built upon a foundation of friendship and respect. You know it’s going to happen and it is so fun seeing it come to light.

Spiritually, the message is very subtle, but it is that God is much bigger than we may think and that ties to who we are individually. You are not just one thing, but made up of many things.

What I didn’t like:

Charlotte’s world was kind of small, but that’s to be expected in this time.

Romantic Scale: 8

Overall a very entertaining novel. I sat down to start it and didn’t get up until I finished it. If you need to smile, read this book.

**I received this book from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Once Upon a time…

I was a novella reader. I mean I read them voraciously. But to be perfectly honest, with maybe the exception of one or two, I barely remember them. Why? Because usually the stories are not fully developed enough for me to connect with the characters. Novellas masquerade as novels without the depth and connection that novels have.

In my opinion, novellas only really work if:

1) They are continuing a much larger story; if it works as a kind of epilogue for a couple you’ve spent almost 300 pages with, than novellas will work

2) It is the other person’s pov. This is becoming quite popular, where if the novel is told from the female’s pov, that the male will get a novella regarding his feelings about what happened in the book. It’s usually repetitive, but works with a novella format.

3) It is a prequel. You know there is going to be an actual novel coming out soon that further emphasizes what happened in the novel.

And so I ask you…are there any other reasons why novellas should be read? Do you prefer novellas to novels? If so, why?

About

How far would you go to save the ones you love?

Six years ago, impossible circumstances forced Dr. Lisbeth Hastings to leave behind the love of her life, not just in another country, but in another time. Her work as a top-notch epidemiologist and parenting her little girl helps alleviate the pain, but at night when her exhausted head hits the pillow, images of her beloved Cyprian haunt her sleep.

Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He’s lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage, but when Cyprian’s true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept Lisbeth and Cyprian apart created too wide a chasm to bridge? In the midst of a new epidemic and rising oppression, will their love be the most costly fatality? Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this spellbinding adventure of star-crossed lovers captivates with every turn of the page in this electric continuation of The Carthage Chronicles.

Review

I was super excited about the first novel in this series, and it had one of those cliffhanger endings that made me want to read the second novel. Oh, this book. I found it in equal parts intriguing and frustrating. My thoughts:

What I liked:

Time-travel. It’s not often you get very many Christian fiction time travel novels, and so I always appreciate them. If you like time-travel, you will like this book, though, because it’s a second novel it doesn’t focus a lot on the differences between now and then.

Shock and awe. I’m not sure what I expected when I started this book, but I think I might have gasped a couple of times. I mean there was a wrench thrown in Lisbeth’s path every few chapters.

The time period. It’s Roman, but it’s not Rome. It’s this small city that explores the difficulties that that era faced in regards to religion, health care, finances, everything.

Barek. I could almost barely remember him in the first book. But he was hilarious in this book (and I’m not sure if he was meant to be, but he was). I think I know who is going to play a big role in book three and with whom….

Spiritually, this novel really shows what a life of faith looks when lived. You get with the example of Ruth, Magdalena, and even Lisbeth at times. It’s not always fun and roses, but God is still there.

What I didn’t like (or rather what frustrated me):

Cyprian. He’s not the same from the first book. Admittedly he has gone through some difficult times, but he felt a bit beaten down and worn, and not quite as dashing as I had pictured him.

Lisbeth. She kept some information to herself that was VERY IMPORTANT for most of the book under the guise that she was so busy. Not that busy Lisbeth, not that busy.

Maggie. She was kind of cute, but she was kind of annoying. I couldn’t tell if this is just how children are in general or just Maggie.

I also had to suspend my disbelief a bit. I was not concerned about the time-travel aspect of the novel, but why aren’t the other people in the book not concerned? They had no problem with Lisbeth coming and going from the 21st century.

Romantic scale: 7

Overall, I found this book to be very entertaining. If you read the first book, read this one to. I know I found some things to pick at, but it’s still worth reading. I thought the ending was kind of sad…except there’s a book three which I’m looking forward to.

**I received a copy of this book from the author. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

(review coming soon)

And these are just the tip of the iceberg! What are you looking forward to this year?

I noticed that I got a little lax in 2014. This year, not only do I want to be on top of things, I want to do somethings differently. So here goes:

1. Read 10 authors I’ve never read before.

2. Be on Twitter more (sometimes I’m an old lady trapped in a young lady’s body…my goodness, all these newfangled inventions).

3. Read a book from an author I “gave up” on.

4. Do more author interviews!

5. Have more giveaways.

6. Release two novels this year: one around June/July and the other around November/December. We shall see…

7. Read 300 books this year (its actually a lot easier than it sounds…I think).

So that’s it for me! What are some goals you have related to books and/or blogging?

About

Finally Returned Home, Reef McKeena
Finds His Beloved Alaska Facing Its Greatest Threat

Growing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now, working together as search-and-rescue for Alaska’s arduous Iditarod race, a growing attraction seems to be forcing aside old arguments. Then Reef catches Kirra sneaking from camp in the middle of the night.

Kirra’s uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank’s daughter has been kidnapped. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl’s life–but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen.

Review

This is the last book in the Alaskan Courage series, and so I was kind of sad to start it because it means the end of the McKennas, My thoughts:

What I liked:

The Alaska backdrop. I’ve never been there and yet Ms. Pettrey manages to make it come alive. More than that though, somehow, throughout the series, she has managed to show me different aspects and things about Alaska, and I particularly liked learning a bit about the dog sled races.

The Mckennas. A part of me wanted everyone in the other books to be involved in this one. While everyone is at some point mentioned, they are not all in this book (and honestly the book would be too convoluted if they were). That said, I loved my glimpses of Jake, Kayden, Gage and Darcy (just not ready to let go).

The mystery. It’s suitably suspenseful and very engaging. As I’ve said before, Pettrey writes her mysteries heavy on the romance and light on the who-done-it, and that’s just perfect for me. I still wasn’t sure what was going on and all who were involved until the very end.

Reef. Reef has really grown throughout the series and come along way from the first time that we met him. I was just really proud of Reef and I loved the man that he had become. He challenged me in his faith and trust in God.

Spiritually, the theme of the novel is trusting God, even when bad things happen, that He’s going to work it all out. It was portrayed well throughout the entire novel.

What I didn’t like:

The romance was introduced in the previous novel, and you know that Reef and Kirra have a history, but still I felt like it happened a bit quickly. But it doesn’t detract from the story.

The series is over!

Romantic scale: 7.8

Overall, a wonderful conclusion to a fabulous series. I’m just not sure what I’m going to do without my McKennas!

**I received this copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Books I read and didn’t review:

This book takes you back in time and to Italy in the fifth book of The River of Time series. The first half was really good, but I felt like the second half was kind of a repeat of what happened in all the other books and while I had no problem with a main character dying, I was not fond of the way he died.

Beautiful prose, lovely story line, but the heroine didn’t know what she wanted…so maybe I wanted to shake her a few times!

I don’t really like novellas, but this one was so cute!

Books I’ve been meaning to read:

How have I not read this book?

I started it, and then I got distracted. But I WILL read it!

So this one has been on my Kindle for over a year…yeah…but look at the cover. I want to read you.

How about you? Are there any books you would have liked to read this year, but just didn’t?

I started my first part of the list here.

Here’s the rest of the list:

What are some books that made your list this year?

About

Hyam is a likeable lad who will make a fine farmer someday. But he carries a burden few can fathom. As his mother slips toward death, she implores him to return to Long Hall, where he spent five years as an apprentice. It was there that Hyam’s extraordinary capacity for mastering languages came to light–and soon cast him into the shadows of suspicion. How could any human learn the forbidden tongues with such ease? When Hyam dares to seek out the Mistress of the Sorceries, her revelation tears his world asunder.

He has no choice but to set out on the foreboding path–which beckons him to either his destiny or his doom. An encounter with an enchanting stranger reminds him that he is part hero and part captive. As Hyam struggles to interpret the omens and symbols, he is swept up by a great current of possibilities–and dangers.

With lyrical prose that unveils a richly imaginative world, Thomas Locke takes readers on a journey into the Realm. There he invites them to awaken their sense of wonder. This cracking adventure moves like a contemporary thriller but harkens back to the enduring genre of classic fantasy.

Review

As you all know, I very much enjoy fantasy novels. But that doesn’t mean I’m not hesitant when trying a new author. My thoughts:

What I liked:

The World. Locke creates an entirely new world that has substance, history, language, and customs. And yet, I didn’t feel like the world was so complicated that I got lost.

The writing. It was very engaging and I was highly entertained. The novel has that sweeping feel that only fantasy novels can accomplish where you know the past matters and lines up with the future.

The characters. I’m so glad that the novel is only told from two people’s point of view, and when those people meet up, it merges into one person’s point of view. This way, as Hyam learned things about his world, we could learn things without juggling a lot of different story lines.

Hyam. He’s a great narrator. He’s a little bit older than most heroes who go on a journey like his, but it only serves him to make wiser decisions than a younger character. He’s very easily likeable and trustworthy.

Secondary characters. The novel has quite of few of these, but they all serve a purpose and not once did I feel like they were blending together. There is a romance, but it’s incredibly light. Like, I was super surprised by the characters’ feelings for each other even though I saw it coming. That said, this is one of those few books, where it was good without a romance. Had the romance been more prevalent, it would have only taken the novel higher.

Spiritually, I’ll be honest, I didn’t see any particular “christian” thing about this novel. In fact it has wizards, mages, and spells, which may or may not bother people (didn’t bother me).

What I didn’t like:

I think some people might find it slow in the beginning, but I thought it was fine.

Also, it did feel like a few things happened off screen that I wished I could have been a part of.

Romantic Scale: 5

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump and highly unmotivated to read lately, and this book was a nice read that had me excited and turning the pages quickly.

**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

This past weekend, I did something I’ve been wanting to do for years. I released a book! It’s been my dream really, to be picked up a by a publisher, and in spite of the fact that this book won second place in the Women of Faith Writing Contest in 2012, no agent or publisher seemed interested in it. And honestly, I just felt like it was time. I’ve been sitting on this manuscript and I have three others waiting, but I wait no longer. And without further ado (cover designed by Roseanna M White!):

Set in a small Mississippi town during the heart of the Civil Rights era, The Eyes of the Heart is a story about forgiveness, love, fear and hate. It is also a story about Edith Holden, a young woman living in the deep south who finds herself unwillingly confronted with racism, social injustice and her love for a man she is unsure she will ever have.

Reviews

“Wonderful historical fiction!  It is very well written and the story flowed from page to page. It grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. The story was so real that I felt like I was there in the midst of it.  It would make for a great Hallmark movie. Enjoyed reading this book more than anything I’ve read in quite a while.”

— Pat Adkins, Field Support Specialist, Women of Faith

 

“Susberry’s compelling plot, engaging characters, and ear for dialogue combine to make this book a page-turner.”

— Meaghan Porter, Associate Editor for the Baugher Group

 

“Wonderful story of how love is truly colorblind. Enjoyed the well-researched, historical setting of the south during the civil rights era.”

— Mandy Mullinix, Marketing Specialist for Gift Books, Thomas Nelson

(from the Women of Faith contest)

So why this book? Why this story? Two things:

1) As a kid (and an adult), I loved American historical fiction. My parents are vets, my sister is in the Navy. I bleed red, white and blue. I read the Dear America series, American Girl series, and anything by Ann Rinaldi, but the first book that changed my thinking was Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. It was the first book I read about black Americans where we weren’t slaves. As a black girl, it really changed my thinking and I learned how empowering it is to see yourself on the written page where for once your whole life is not about taking care of someone else. And so I had this book in the back of my head when I sat down and wrote this book.

2) And, I had just taken a Civil Rights class in college and was inspired by the sacrifices that those people made. Could I have done it, had I lived then? I don’t know. I like to think I would, but I know my personality…and that is how Edith Holden was born.

And so, if you have time, I ask that you read the book and share your thoughts on Amazon. I didn’t write this book to get rich, I wrote it to entertain and to be a blessing and it is my hope that it does so.