Posted in Historical

Anne Mateer’s At Every Turn

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

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

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!

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

 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

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

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!

Posted in Uncategorized

Tamara Leigh’s Stealing Adda

 Sorry for the delay with this post. Our internet was out pretty much all day. Anywho, I love Tamara Leigh’s books. She no longer writes Chick Lit. She has switched to medieval romance. That said, I love every novel of hers that I’ve read. I decided to review Stealing Adda, because it’s the first one I read by her. Stealing Adda is about Adda, who is a romance novelist who comes to know the Lord. There is of course an attractive man in the picture, and a crazy arch enemy who is trying to steal everything that Adda has. There is lots of humor, and I learned a lot about the writing business. The one thing I enjoyed about this book and others that she has written, is that the ending is never what I expected and I so appreciate it. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Uncategorized

Camy Tang’s The Sushi Series

This week I decided to focus on some of my favorite chick lit books. Chick lit is a strange arena. I mostly don’t like it, but a good author can make any genre good. I stumbled upon Camy Tang on a blog and I was glad I did. The first book in the series is called Sushi for One. This book has all the elements of a chick lit: first person, point of view from woman, contemporary, romance, but this one adds in the additon of Asian culture. Lex Sakai is passionate about her job and her volleyball and finding a godly man. And then everything starts going downhill. Just when you think God has forgotten you, you begin to learn that he is right there in the midst of the storm…and possibly the reason for the changes in your life. I really enjoy Aiden’s character and I thought Ms. Tang did a lovely job of introducing Christianity to the character without sounding cheesy.

Posted in Uncategorized

Robert Whitlow’s The Choice

Robert Whitlow is a man who believes in the gift of prophecy. I’m pretty sure all of his books contain it. The Choice is no different. I was, at first, hesitant to pick up this book because I thought it might be sad since it deals with the issue of abortion. But, I should have known that this book was going to be good. This book is about a girl named Sandy who gets pregnant in high school in 1974. While she is at the store, and contemplating what to do about her pregnancy, an old woman walks up and tells her that she is pregnant with twins and should they ever meet, one is going to be the death of the other. Whoa. This book is not a romance, and not even really a legal thriller, but its a good book not to be missed. 

Spiritually, there’s a lot of prayer going on in this book and I think this novel reflects how God knows our end even at the beginning. I didn’t want to put it down.  Highly Recommended!