The Silent Songbird

I had originally thought this book was based off Han's Christian Anderson's fairytale "the Nightengale", but to my delighted surprise it was based off another of Han's fairytales, "The little Mermaid"

Blessed with a voice that nearly enchants all who hear it Evangeline feels a prisoner within her own home. Never allowed out of the castle without a full armed escort for fear of kidnapping she has seen very little of the outside world. When rumor spreads that her cousin, King Richard II, is planning to marry her one of his advisor's Evangeline fears she will never be free. When she meets her betrothed Evangeline fears for her very life.

I have always been a huge fan of fairytales, especially from Han's Christian Anderson, so when I saw the similarities between not only the little mermaid, but to me also of The Nightengale, I was love with the book even more. This is part of a series, but you don't have to read the others to understand what is going on. Though if you want to read the stories of some of the characters in this book read A Merchant's Daughter, it is Melanie Dickerson's take on Beauty and the Beast, and the best way to start this series if you are interested!

I finished off this book within the same day of getting it in the mail. That's just how good it is. With clean content for young adult, yet still captivating while keeping it realistic. Any age group will enjoy this, and any, of Melanie's books. I am heart broken that her next one will not be coming out until May of 2017. I guess that just gives me time to read the previous books again!

That's all I have for now folks. Until next time, I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my Honest review, which I have given.

Jesus Always

I have been a fan of Sarah Young's inspiring devotional's since my best friend's mother gave me a copy of Jesus Today as a gift when she saw me going through a rough time. I have fallen for each book, but I thought none could surpass my all time favorite Jesus Today.

I just might have been wrong.

     

Finding joy in the midst of trouble has been a major problem for me this past year, and the day this book came to me in the mail I was nearly pulling my hair out over some minor problem.

So when the theme of joy, peace, and love came flowing out of this book just within the small page of the first day I was nearing tears and each day it has been close to the same reaction. I didn't know I could cry this much! Still, the book is a great encouragement and one I think Sarah Young has done some of her best work on.  

A 365 day devotional I am for sure going to be reading every day. If you are having a rough time finding joy in the every day struggles of life, or you know someone who is, then get them this book.

That's all I have for today folks, until next time. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Twilight at Blueberry barrens

Colleen Coble always has provided a good mystery and a good setting for romance to bloom even amidst strife. She takes it up a notch in the last book of this new trilogy.

I can rarely give enough praise to Colleen Coble’s work, but this has to be one of her best books and for sure the best one out of the Sunset Cove trilogy.

Kate Mason has heartache come from every direction in her life; an unloving family, failing health, and the inability to have children. Yet through it all God has pulled her through all the messes of life.

Now a new challenge awaits her. With her blueberry fields not producing this year Kate has to find another avenue of work, one that she just might enjoy. When Drake Newman and his two nieces land at her doorstep looking for a place to stay for the summer it seems like God has answered her prayers, but Drake is looking for more then just a place to rent out and that brings its own set of troubles.

So often I have seen books that sound good, like this one, turn into duds. I was a little afraid Twilight at Blueberry barrens would not hold up to predecessors, but I was mistaken. Twilight at Blueberry Barrens not only beat the other two out of the water, but gave readers a main character much more relatable then the last two.

I love the last two books, but with having to struggle with my own health failing in the past and living with the after effects of it, then Kate’s lake of confidence in her own abilities to do something new. I have felt that before, to see my own feelings reflected and then to have hope shone onto them was pretty amazing. Colleen Coble is adding a new sense of life to her books, if you liked her work before I am sure you will love in now.

I have been a fan of Colleen Coble’s work since I read my first book by her over four years ago, yet Twilight in Blueberry Barrens will now hold a special place in my heart thanks to the character Kate. I hope anyone else who reads this book can benefit from it as much as I have.

That is all I have for now folks. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Uninvited

Uninvited is my first book by Lysa TerKeurst, and without knowing the author's renown for penning some amazing books. I've looked forward to reading this one for a few months and I can very happily say I was not disappointed.

Uninvited deals with the enemy's way of trying to make you feel like you're the only one who feels left out, how he tries to isolate you in your own head. In delves deeper into the roots of our self doubt, insecurities, and so much more. Giving scripture to show how to handle these feelings and to show that you're not alone in this. God is prepared for all of it.

We've all faced rejection sometime in our life, and it's not an easy thing to handle. I know I've had to face a lot of it. Reading this book helped me unearth a lot of past hurts, and to move on from them. Lysa mixes in a nice blend of humor and isn't afraid to share her own experiences with these feelings. Reading through this book will be like talking to a new friend, one who isn't afraid to share the pain of the past to help you. 

Rejection, loneliness, depression, all of these are hard for anyone, especially young women, to handle. If you are going through anything like this then please pick up this book. It's not easy to face these things alone, make the choice to not be alone anymore.

I would really suggest reading this with a friend or in a group. It will help all within the group unearth an honest and openness they may not have had before. Living loved when the world makes you feel lonely....that is the whole point of this book, and I have to say Lysa did a perfect job with it.

I can't give this book more praise, and if I could I would rate it 10 stars. 

Well folks that's all for now. I hope y'all have a great day.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

A Tapestry of Secrets

The next and maybe the final book in the Appalachian Blessings series is here. If you haven't been looking forward to this book as much as I have then you haven't read the last two books by this amazing author!

We return to the town of Wise to see Perla now in her eighties and surrounded by loving family. Only one dark cloud remains over her life; the secret of Sadie's biological father. But a stroke has left Perla silenced. Will she ever be able to tell her beloved family the truth about that night so long ago?

I have been looking forward to this book since I was told that it was coming out and the story would be more focused on Sadie, a character I felt was far too often was put to the sidelines. Sadie was seen more in this book, but I still feel like there needs to be a book focused on her. I thought to a degree that is what this would be, if you thought the same thing you will be disappointed. Perhaps there will be a book four that will be all about Sadie, as I hoped for this one.

The main characters of this story are Perla (As in the other two books) and her granddaughter Ella. Now Ella is an interesting character. I found her relatable, probably because she is close to my age, and the way she handles change is pretty close to how I use to handle it.

This book deals well with the uncertainty of the future, and I think many young adults would benefit from reading this book and hearing things from the mind of Ella. Also be prepared for tears, laughter, and mystery. Keep a tissue box near by at all times.

If this is the last book in the series it ended well. Though my hope for a return to Sadie still remains the ending to this book was able to satisfy my need to know what happened to all the other characters. It is a book you will enjoy for generations to come.

That's all I have for now folks. Until the next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

Honor Redeemed

Once something is done it cannot be undone. Once honor is lost can it ever be recovered? David is unsure, but he will do as honor demands. Even if it costs him the love of his life.

Book 2 in the key west series focuses on the story of Prosperity of Nantucket. After losing her mother, and with no relatives willing to take her in, she must make a hard decision. Rely on the charity of others or risk going across the sea to the little island of Key West to marry her fiance?

I came into this book series unsure. Book 1, Love's Rescue, was a good book, but not one of my favorites. If you have ever started on a book series and had this same experience I highly suggest holding on until you read book two to make your final judgement.

 Honor Redeemed fixed everything that the first book lacked.  The dialog and detail were even with each other, giving readers a picture of their surroundings without cutting out the much needed interaction between the characters that helps the story move along.

Another point I held in high regard when writing this review is the author, Christine Johnson, brought into life with the perfect words all throughout the book the struggle to forgive, the hurt a person feels when there is no answer to the pain inside their hearts. I felt a deep connection to Prosperity during these times in the book. 

For historical fiction you will find many relatable characters and scenes within the pages of Honor Redeemed. It would be a good selection for a group of friends to read together.

Well folks that's all for now. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

SeaRose Lane

SeaRose lane far surpasses it's predecessor, Hope Harbor. With a slightly lighter tone, but still full of the realistic hardship that caught my attention in the first book, SeaRose Lane gets deep into the lives of two of Hope Harbor's residences Eric and BJ.

Our story returns to the peaceful town of Hope Harbor. A young man, Eric Nash, returns home after he is laid off his job as an attorney. Having been so close to the position of Partner Eric is feeling down and thrown into the waves of uncertainty. Somewhere he did not want to be. Then she runs into BJ Stevens, quite literally, creating feelings he's never had before.

BJ came to Hope Harbor trying to find peace, and she did until handsome young man ran into the back of her truck, who happens to also be her client's son. Romance is the last thing BJ is looking for, but she can't ignore the feelings that are growing inside her.

Both are looking for new beginnings, but on the shores of Hope Harbor they might just find more.

I wasn't sure if this book was going to be good, or if it would have the same issues of plot progression and too much detail, like the first book. I was happy to find myself wrong! 

The author had fixed whatever kinks I had with the first book when she wrote this one. 

The point of views switched around often enough that you didn't get bored with one of the characters, but not so often that you'd get annoyed and speed read just to get to the character you wanted. Many real life issues were addressed in here with raw emotion and accuracy. I couldn't stop myself from crying during some points. And the topic of putting God first in your life was a more dominate factor in this book, which helped me to enjoy and relate to it more.

If you're looking for a realistic contemporary romance I highly suggest picking up SeaRose Lane, you won't be disappointed.  And the next book is coming out in early 2017, so you'll have more to look forward to like I do!

That's all for today folks. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Every Bride has her Day....But will She?

Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. She's confident she'll make it down the aisle this time--but a high-society Houston bride has Katie and the Cosmopolitan Bridal team scrambling to get the perfect dress done in time for her spectacular wedding. Meanwhile, Katie finds herself bombarded with everyone's competing visions regarding her own special day--and she's beginning to worry that her own ideas will get lost in the crossfire. 

Wit and humor collide at their best when chaos comes into the life of Katie as she tries to finish her own wedding while dealing with the hustle and bustle of business life. Sounds like a normal day for everyone else, doesn't it? trying to balance the wishes of family, the happiness of your significant other, while trying to find your own way and listen to what God wants you to do.

The wonderful end to this new series. I still love the first book best, but the end was satisfying and for a new fan of Janice Tompson's books I am very happy with this ending. I'm sad to hear that Revell won't be publishing her books, but I am sure someone will pick up on the talent of this wonderful author!

I would put more into this review, but it would surely spoil the book, and this series is too good. 

So while I look into more Jenice Tompson books I hope y'all have a fun book filled day that's full of blessing!

Until next time!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Land of silence

This fictionalized book is the biblical account of "the woman with the issue of blood" found in the gospels.In the usual Tessa Afshar fashion.

This is the story of Elianna, who is better known as the woman who simply touched Jesus garment and was healed of a 12 year issue of blood. I am never really sure what to make of Biblical fiction that tries to tell the story of people who were actually mentioned in the bible, like with Karen Kingsbury's book Family of Jesus.

The writing in this book is superb. Just within the first chapter I was enthralled by the detail shown, without the book suffering from a lag in moving the plot forward.

The story goes along the lines of this

"Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt.

After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left."

You will be in tears reading the sorrow and guilt in Elianna's life, I know I was. Still we are left with the hope Christ gave us in this story. It's a good story and very well written.

If you are interested in Biblical fiction you would surely enjoy this book.

I will probably now search the library or bookstore for more of this author's work. If you chose to read this one I think you'll do the same.

That's all for today folks. Until next time, hope you have a blessed day!

Precious Moments: a Happy Harvest

Precious moments has been a part of my childhood, and my love for the sweet little characters and stories they share still lives. So when I saw this book I could not resist getting it!

Precious moments today is still a classic and should be in any home. The theme for this sweet little book is Thankfulness and the wonderful work of God’s creation. As thanksgiving and autumn come around this would be a perfect story book for parents or grandparents to read to their children or grandchildren.

The artwork is amazing! the bible verses and sweet little rhymes will help your children remember the lesson of being thankful for what you have been blessed with. The sturdy board-book will ensure years of good use. I can’t wait to share this with my future children!

That’s all for now folks. I hope y’all have an amazing autumn season!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.