My thoughts and Christian Fiction Book reviews + some songs I have paired with the books I read! Thank you for stopping by! "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Revelations 22:21
Evangeline is gifted with a heavenly voice, but she is trapped in a sinister betrothal until she embarks on a daring escape and meets brave Westley le Wyse. Can he help her discover the freedom to sing again?
Desperate to flee a political marriage to her cousin King Richard II’s closest advisor, Lord Shiveley—a man twice her age with shadowy motives—Evangeline runs away and joins a small band of servants journeying back to Glynval, their home village.
Pretending to be mute, she gets to know Westley le Wyse, their handsome young leader, who is intrigued by the beautiful servant girl. But when the truth comes out, it may shatter any hope that love could grow between them.
More than Evangeline’s future is at stake as she finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens England’s monarchy.Should she give herself up to protect the only person who cares about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne?
My Opinion: LOVE IT!!! Melanie is one of the BEST authors I've read! I LOVE this action packed retelling of The Little Mermaid! Eva is a fantastically strong, courageous, and spunky character. And Westley is a lovable and kind one! Bad guys pop up all around and it will take all of the good guys working together an relying on their Faith to defeat them! I enjoyed Melanie's addition of King Richard and fans of this series will be very happy to see where Lady and Lord le Wyse end up as they are brought back for this adventure! Yet this is a great stand alone also. I'm starting the Hagenheim series from here, and will be going back to read the rest! ;) I HIGHLY recommend this great read and wouldn't mind reading it again and again!!! Songs: "He Leadeth Me" performed by The Cluster Pluckers, "Kiss the Girl (from "The Little Mermaid") (From "The Little Mermaid"/ Soundtrack Version)" by Samuel E. Wright Songs or any part of this review May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC Jeremiah 29:11 ~ASC
As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming.
More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard.
Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear.
When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?
My Opinion: WOW! This series has always held LOTS of drama and turmoil for it's characters, but the first three books were NOTHING compared to this one!!! This is a book that I've read off and on for a while and part of the reason is because I would come across a chapter that was so emotional and tragic I had to take a break! This book and it's series is definitely NOT a stand alone and really needs to be read in order, in my opinion. But even though there were times when I had to take a break there were also such fabulous and amazing Faith scenes that touched my heart!!!! Overall even though this book was emotionally taxing at times the Faith messages, especially towards the end, are FANTASTIC and I, and I'm sure other followers of the series, will be very happy with the way Cindy wraps all of these characters up and draws them all together in this conclusion! :) I really enjoyed where this book ended!!!
Songs: "Bless The Broken Road" performed by Rascal Flatts and "Deeper" by Meredith Andrews Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC Jeremiah 29:11 ~ASC *I won a copy of this book through goodreads. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Season of Tomorrow. ~ASC
In 1915, it is believed that there isn't much hope for a woman beyond marriage. Yet Abi Leigh Hensley, lover of the written word, believes otherwise. Growing up as the daughter of a wealthy lawyer in the gold mining town of San Francisco, Abi never felt like she fit in with her mother and father's stilted lifestyle. And though she's been raised to believe that her lot in life is to marry, she's always loved to read and write, and has dreamt of being an author all her life. After her parents' failed attempt at an arranged marriage, Abi leaves the comfort of her wealthy upbringing in San Francisco to pursue her dreams of becoming an author in New York City, a place she has always loved. Excitement seems to loom around each corner, yet Abi may be in for than she bargained for. Full of hopes, dreams, and self-discovery, A Castle in the Sky is a novel fans of historical fiction are sure to love. My Opinion: Lovely story! :) I'm a HUGE fan of Christian Historical Fiction and so I was very excited when Miranda sent me a review copy!!! I love love love these characters!!!! I really felt for Abi through her journey. For me it held touches of Beatrix Potter's story, but with many unique circumstances and differences! The flow of the story is nice, leading you through sweet moments, trials, and pain right along with Abi! I also truly love how her Faith grows through all she must overcome and I LOVE the ending of this story, though it made me long for more and I definitely would enjoy returning to Abi's story and seeing where else she is led and what other Castles in the Sky she visits! ;) Overall I really enjoyed this entertaining read!!!! Songs: "He Leadeth Me (Album Version)" performed by Candi Pearson and "Deeper" by Meredith Andrews Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC Jeremiah 29:11 ~ASC *I received a copy from the author for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Castle in the Sky. ~ASC
Book Description: To purchase your copy, click here.
Avery Truitt aches for true love—the kind she once shared with Prince Colin. Can she dare to hope for happily ever after, or is a fairy-tale ending beyond reach?
College volleyball star Avery Truitt has not seen her former flame, Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom, since he suddenly pushed her away five years ago. But now, the sadness of losing her father and the joy of her sister Susanna’s pregnancy have brought Avery back to Brighton just in time for Cathedral City’s enchanting Christmas season.
Avery knows she can’t avoid seeing Colin—now the Kingdom’s most eligible bachelor—whether or not her heart is ready to relive the pain. But seeing him again might bring her the closure she needs after all this time.
When Colin finds himself at the center of a centuries-old Brighton tradition, he must decide whether to follow the path laid out before him or follow his heart to the only woman for whom he would ring the Pembroke Chapel Bell.
Can Colin convince Avery to meet him at the chapel on Christmas morning—as tradition dictates—or will Avery run back to her St. Simons home and pursue a coaching career as planned?
In the fourth installment of the Royal Wedding Series, New York Times bestselling novelist, Rachel Hauck, weaves a charming story of holiday romance as two broken hearts seek the love they once knew.
About the Author:
Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and award-winning author.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.
She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.
Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets, and writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.
My Opinion: Sweet Read! :) This was the first in The Royal Wedding Series for me and it is lovely! :) It made me want to go back and read the other's that came before it. And I actually recommend that this series be read in order, while A Royal CHRISTmas Wedding could be a stand alone there were some things mentioned that I found I knew nothing about. That said I still REALLY enjoyed this read!!! The characters are fantastic and I absolutely LOVE how Rachel wraps this book, and really the whole series, up! Followers of the series will be happy about the end also. Rachel wraps up and reveals what happens to each of these couples!!!! :) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Faith in this book and the two characters that are hosts of a talk show are fabulously entertaining! ;) A beautiful story and wrapped in a VERY beautiful cover I might add, and it's actually even more beautiful in person, the pictures does not do it justice! I highly recommend this book for this CHRISTmas season with it's sweet Faith filled and truly romantic tale and setting! Songs: "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" performed by the Londonderry Singers, "Silent Night" performed by Bing Crosby, "O Holy Night" performed by Andy Williams, "O Holy Night" performed by BluegrassChristmas Jamboree, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" performed by BarlowGirl, "Winter Wonderland" performed by Johnny Mathis, "White Christmas" performed by Bing Crosby, and "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC
Jeremiah 29:11 ~ASC
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card plus a copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding and a copy of The Wedding Shop. Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/aaeb
*I requested and received this book as a member of Celebrate Lit for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Royal CHRISTmas Wedding. ~ASC
It is my hypothesis that social conventions are created to test our fortitude.
Rockland circa 1900-
As the mayor’s daughter, Madeline Brown enjoys a rich social life that many might envy. But a sharp mind but a growing talent for observation leaves Madeline torn between avoiding social censure and exploring the world around her.
With an aunt who considers higher education and employment equally unsuitable for the mayor’s daughter, there is little to amuse her save endless committee meetings, evening socials, and her favorite pastime: curling up with an exciting detective novel. The temperance and suffrage movements hold little interest for a young woman who has just endured the rigors of her father’s mayoral campaign.
So when a young man shows interest in her friend, Madeline’s interest piques–until his actions hint that he might not be the upstanding gentleman everyone presumes him to be. Unable to ignore her concerns, Madeline finds herself in the middle of an investigation into his character and discovers a side of Rockland she’s never encountered.
Will her new hobby reduce the tedium of her life, or will her “meddling” create tension for herself and her father? Will she be forced to squelch this budding skill of hers or has Madeline finally found her calling in life?
Meddlin’ Madeline: Sweet on You.
Welcome to Rockland’s infancy.
Sweet on You is the first book in the Meddlin’ Madeline Mysteries. Watch for the second book in the series, Such a Tease, in winter, 2017
About the Author:
I am fortunate enough to live in the great state of California (in the Mojave Desert) with my husband Kevin and five of my nine children. My eldest is married with five children, so I have the fun of a son-in-law and grandbabies to enjoy. I’ve graduated six out of my nine children from our home school, and they’re all doing quite well in their lives. My younger children keep me from getting too selfish, and someday I’ll be fully retired as their teacher. I have to say, I’m lookin’ forward to it. Teaching about gerunds was fun the first time… not so much anymore. I salute all of those in the education field. You are my heroes.
When I’m not writing (which I admit isn’t often) I enjoy blogging (a totally different kind of writing, trust me), paper crafts, sewing, smocking, photo editing, and old music. No, really, I like OLD stuff… the Beatles are too newfangled for me. Yeah,I know they’re before my time… but I like stuff before my PARENTS time.
My Opinion: I'm torn. When I first started out. things were a little confusing, but I felt it held the style of the Miss Fisher's series. The wit of the characters, especially Madeline, are fantastic! Though more innocent than Miss Fisher and more restricted do to Madeline's obligations as the mayors daughter. There are times when I really wish the characters would talk to each other more and when they do, talk plainly. Though this has to do with the times the book is set in because the characters remark on the restrictions (and their frustration with them) themselves! LOL! I also felt, at times, like there was a story/book before Sweet On You and that I missed somethings and was a little confused. Overall the story is longer and more drawn out than I would have liked, but I really liked the back bone certain characters showed toward the end and the relationship between the characters! This book was Inspired by the song "Paddlin' Madeline Home". Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC
Jeremiah 29:11 ~ASC
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Chautona are giving away a $25 Amazon gift card! Click the link below to enter. Be sure to comment on this blog post to claim nine extra entries in the giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/aa59
*I requested and received this book as a member of Celebrate Lit for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Sweet on You. ~ASC
Book Description: Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business. Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again.
Witty dialogue and a simmering attraction will have readers flying through this tension-laced thriller. Eason exercises complete control of her readers' emotions as they race through the pages to discover the truth. My Opinion: As it winds down some things are surprising and a little interesting to say the least. It made me want to go back and re-read the scenes with the revealed final "bad guy"! Filled with suspense to the almost end, the final action scenes are some of the best in my opinion, and I absolutely LOVE the honest prayers woven into them!!! :D I also LOVE how Lynette wraps up each lead character's story, ending on Thanksgiving with a beautiful final scene! Overall this is a interesting series and I'm looking forward to the next character's stories to take the spotlight! For Part 1 click here...
Songs: "Drops In the Ocean" by Hawk Nelson and "He Knows" by Jeremy Camp Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC Psalm 94 ~ASC *I requested and received this book from Revell for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Without Warning. ~ASC
