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.

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.

To Love a Stranger

Colleen Coble returns with one of her older works and again leaves me wanting more.

I have been looking forward to this new set of books for months, and “To Love a Stranger” was no disappointment! Though I am reading book 2 instead of book 1, but I don’t care, that’s how good this book is.

Bessie is a boston girl, and little too late she learns that her younger sister has not only been pretending to be her but she has also signed her name onto a proxy marriage. Bessie has no idea what this stranger is like, but to save her sister from prison and to salvage her integrity Bessie chooses to honor the vows.

Jasper is expecting a dark haired beauty who craves adventure, but what he meets at the stagecoach is nothing like what was in the letters he exchanged or the picture he received. Instead he is saddled with a plain and frail looking woman. After having the situation explained to him Jasper feels duped. Who can blame him? He doesn’t believe Bessie’s claims to having no idea about her sister’s deception. Making a very rocky start to the relationship.

Bessie is determined to prove herself to Jasper, that she can make a better wife then her sister Lenore. I really related to the character Bessie. When you have siblings there is always the shadow of doubt lingering over you “Do they like you better then me?” “Will I ever be loved for me, or will it always choose my sister?”

I have to say that this really is my favorite Colleen Coble book, and I don’t think any other will take it’s place. I relate to Bessie very well, and Jasper too honestly. And seeing old characters warmed my heart.

That’s all for now folks, I’m gonna go read this book again, so until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

A Treasure Concealed

Tracie Peterson has become one of the most popular Christian fiction authors out there, and for good reason.  Now we have another wonderful series to look forward to The Sapphire Brides.

I love Tracie Peterson books, and I have borrowed quite a few from the library, and while A Treasure Concealed has a great story plot and plenty of new elements in the story it felt like I had read it before.

Emily Carver longs to have a home of her own, but instead she endures a transient existence in the gold mining camps of Montana, where her father's hopes for riches lie endlessly buried. Promises of wealth from this wild land have brought only hardship and disappointment, causing Emily to wonder if her own modest dreams will ever see the light of day.

Caeden Thibault, a young geologist working for the government, is a man trying to escape the pain of his past, and the idyllic mountains of Montana serve his purposes well. In the course of his work, he has seen more than his share of starry-eyed gold seekers. So when Emily Carver catches his attention, he is intrigued by the fact that she isn't pinning her hopes on striking it rich.

One unexpected surprise was how fast the two actually took notice of each other. I am use to Tracie Peterson’s book taking a very long time or one of the main characters to notice the other’s feelings, or it becomes a friendship into something more. This one both easily struck up a friendship and connection, making romantic feelings not all that far fetched. Unlike most books where they just see how they look and “BOOM!” They’re in love. I enjoyed that Tracie did not take this route with her characters.

The book is filled with what we would expect from Tracie Peterson, mystery, romance, and a good storyline with lovable characters and devious villains. Though it is not my favorite book by her it is still a book worth investing your time in.

Well folks that’s all for today. 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.

Magnolia Duchess

I had been looking forward to reading The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White, the third book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series, as I had enjoyed reading the second book in the series, The Creole Princess. (My first book in the Revell review program). It didn’t take me long to find myself lost in the world Beth white created with war, love, and loyalty as it’s main theme.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects woven throughout the plot of the story. I don’t remember too much of the history of 1814, but reading the Creole Princess and The Magnolia Dutchess has gotten me interested!  There is such detail about the settling of the coastal areas around the Gulf of Mexico. This story provided me with a better understanding of some of the details that helped to make the Gulf Coast a part of the United States of America.

It’s always fun to reconnect of the characters from previous titles in this series came back into the story throughout this book. I enjoyed seeing how their lives were playing out since the previous books.

I really struggled with one of the main characters in this book – Charlie Kincaid. As I read, I found his character to be hard to get a feeling for.. As a main character, his reactions to situations are  highly unpredictable – often not in sync with who he’d been portrayed to be earlier in the book. His interactions with other characters were also  seemed forced.

Some relationships were also rushed, making the story a bit difficult to keep up with

I loved reading The Magnolia Duchess, but it wasn’t up to par with its predecessors in the series.

If you’re looking for an informative yet enjoyable read on this time period I’d definitely recommend picking up a copy of each of the books in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series by Beth White. It is a good mix of solid facts and good storytelling

Well that’s all 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.