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Friday, January 26, 2018

Their Daring Hearts Review!

Their Daring Hearts by Sharlene MacLaren

Book Description:
34746409
Levi Albright rebelled against his Quaker roots to fight for abolition in the Union army in the first year of the Civil War. Two years later, 19-year-old destitute orphan Josephine Winters, with chopped hair, boy’s clothes, and new name, “Snipp,” enlists in the Union army out of sheer desperation. 
Just ove
r five feet tall and barely weighing as much as a newborn calf, Snipp seems to Levi to be barely old enough to hold "his" gun. But despite being teased by the regiment, Snipp quickly earns admiration for skill with a musket and unequaled bravery. When Levi explains one night that he is a Quaker leading a regiment, it leads to a late-night discussion of faith and a developing friendship.
But Snipp’s secret can only be hidden for so long. After an injury forces Josie to reveal her real identity, Levi is angered by her deception. Worse, Josie is marched out of the company without a chance to explain—or even say goodbye. Will their friendship survive? Or will the hatred saturating the war-torn nation affect even the heart of a peace-loving Quaker?

My Opinion:
An interesting read!  Though not necessarily one I devoured.  This is my first read from Sharlene.  And I really enjoyed her style of writing.  One thing the book description doesn't say, and I personally think it should, is that there's a hidden traitor in this story.  And right when I started feeling like the pace of the story was starting to lull Sharlene would throw another crumb in about the mystery!  It was nice since my intrigue was once again spiked and I'd want to go on!  I also liked learning more about the Quakers!  There were some interesting things I hadn't known before!  I have known about and heard about women disguising themselves and joining the army in the civil war, but hadn't read a book with the main character doing just that.  It was really interesting with all the details included about what Josephine had to go through!  I really LOVED the Faith messages in this story!  Both main characters have VERY strong relationships with The Lord and I loved that!  Plus this story does have a little of everything in that, there's redemption stories, secrets revealed, mysteries solved, healing, romance, and more!  Overall this was a sweet read that I enjoyed!     

Songs: "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Deuteronomy 31:6. Philippians 4:6, Romans 3:23, Psalm 4:8, Luke 4:10, Psalm 91:11, Psalm 46

~ASC

*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 Their Daring Hearts. ~ASC

Giveaway

About the Author

SharHS552x784Born and raised in western Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren graduated from Spring Arbor University then traveled nationally with a contemporary Christian vocal ensemble. She married Cecil, with whom she’d grown up in Spring Arbor, and the couple had two daughters. Shar embarked on a teaching career that would span over 30 years. As she contemplated retirement, Shar sought God’s guidance, praying for a vocation that would provide the kind of fulfillment and joy she experienced as a teacher and mother. A lifelong gifted story teller, she began to write Christian romance novels. Her first book, Through Every Storm, published in 2007, was met with critical acclaim and brisk sales. The rest, as they say, is history. Whitaker House’s bestselling fiction author, she’s subsequently published 18 books, mostly historical romances. Shar enjoys reading, singing in her church choir and worship team, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She’s very interactive on Facebook and Twitter. For more: www.sharlenemaclaren.comwww.facebook.com/sharmaclaren, Twitter @ sharzy_lu.

Blog Stops

Genesis 5020, January 25
ASC Book Reviews, January 26
Multifarious, January 26
Remembrancy, January 27
Carpe Diem, January 28
Inklings and notionsJanuary 28
Mary Hake, January 31
Daysong ReflectionsFebruary 1
Pause for Tales, February 2
Cafinated Reads, February 3
Bibliophile Reviews, February 4
My Wrtier’s Life, February 5
Simple Harvest Reads, February 5 (Guest Post from Mindy Houg)
Pursuing StacieFebruary 6
A Greater YesFebruary 6
Texas Book-aholic, February 6
BigreadersiteFebruary 7

Janices book reviewsFebruary 7

Thursday, January 25, 2018

The House on Foster Hill Review!!!!!!!

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Book Description:
34020199Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide. 
A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives--
including her own--are lost?


My Opinion:
WOW!  Nice first book!  This is a great start to Jamie's writing.  She shows excellent skill and talent with the written word.  Though there are a couple of areas where she can and I fully expect her to improve!  For instance some of the scenes seemed to end abruptly and throw me into something completely new.  The story gets a little dark at times, and I found myself LOVING the past story just a touch more than the present, but you know what a fan I am of historical settings versus modern day. ;)  The Spiritual thread throughout is FANTASTICALLY woven in!  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Faith scenes in the story!!!!  Both the past and the present!  The suspense scenes are thrilling!  This was a book I DID NOT WANT TO PUT DOWN!!!  Just when I would tell myself I needed to quit and actually get some sleep something else exciting would happen!!!!  I also loved the format of the chapters.  When you switch time periods the chapter's heading is the name of the character's perspective you're reading from.  I really appreciated this because I new right where I was starting from and could jump right in!  This a heart pounding ride that has excellent endings.  Overall Jamie is one to watch and I can't wait to see what she crafts next!

Songs: "Rescuer" by Rend Collective, "Point To You" by We Are Messengers, "More Than Anything" by Natalie Grant, "Even If" by MercyMe
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Psalm 140:1, Psalm 71:4, Psalm 70:1, Psalm 121:1, Job 6:23, 
Psalm 143:9, Psalm 142:6, Psalm 69:18, Psalm 31:15, Psalm 31:2,
Psalm 18:17, Revelation 21:4

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The House on Foster Hill. ~ASC

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Death at Thorburn Hall Review!!!

Death at Thorburn Hall by Julianna Deering

Book Description:
34020179Drew Farthering finds a new mystery on his hands when he arrives at Thorburn Hall in Scotland for the 1935 British Open. His host, Lord Rainsby, asks Drew to investigate a suspected embezzler--then dies in a suspicious accident the next day. However, the house is full of guests with potential motives. Can Drew discover the killer among them?







My Opinion:
A good read!  I really enjoyed this Drew Farthering mystery, it being the second I've read in the series.  Though I did find it's pace a little slower in the beginning, and I was a little sad at who ends up being the baddie.  I really liked the person and didn't want them to be the baddie!  There was also a touch of confusion as I was reading along.  I thought at first I had missed something when a clue was brought up, but as I went back and searched through what I had read before I couldn't find any pre-mention of the clue. :/  I did enjoy all of the characters though and I LOVE that Nick and Carrie are included in the cast!  Plus I absolutely love Drew and Madeline!  We also learn even more about Drew's past!  And top all of that with a Scottish setting! <3  Reading these later books leaves me chomping at the bit to read the ones before it, and also leaves me longing for more!  I hope to see Drew, Madeline, and their friends and relatives again in more books soon! ;)
 
Songs: "Whom Shall I Fear" by Chris Tomlin, "Amazing Grace" 
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Proverbs 13:24

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Death at Thorburn Hall. ~ASC

Monday, January 1, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND Looking Ahead! :)

Happy NEW Year EVERYONE!!!! :)

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

2 Corinthians 5:17

I'm not a resolution maker.  I never have been.  But I read one of the author's I follow, who doesn't do resolutions either, newsletters.  And she said that she likes to choose a word to focus on throughout the year.  That sounded really interesting to me and I thought I'd give it a try! :)

So I've chosen "Trust" as my word this year.
Trust: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

It's no secret, although you may not know this about me, but I've got some serious trust issues.  Due to things in my past I just don't trust easily.
But as a CHRISTian I'm growing, and so to grow in my faith this year I'm going to focus on Trusting The One that is the most Trustworthy and will NEVER let me down.  2017 was a particularly hard year and I was struggling pretty hard here at the end.  But Faith and Trust in God go hand in hand.
So if, like me, you are not big on resolution making, but you want to try something new, maybe picking a word is the right fit for you to :)

Anyhow I thought I'd share the books I'm looking forward to in 2018
WARNING though it's a pretty LOOOOOOONG list! ;)

In no particular order:
A Tale of Two Hearts (Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #2) by Michelle Griep
The cover's not out yet but I CAN NOT WAIT for this book! :D  I LOVED the first in this series and it made my Top of 2017 List!

The Lost Castle by +Kristy Cambron 
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK!
Kristy is such a story weaver!  I truly enjoyed her Ringmaster's Wife and this book description and book cover just spark my heart and imagination!
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A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green
My family and I REALLY love The Musketeers series from BBC and so after understanding more about French terms and hierarchy I can't WAIT to read this most intriguing read!
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The Lacemaker by +Laura Frantz
Isn't it kinda stunning how close the cover above matches this gorgeous cover?
I've enjoyed Laura's works in the past and found this book description and cover to be captivation.
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Treacherous Trails (Gold Country Cowboys #2) by Dana Mentink
I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK!  I'm SO excited after reading and loving the first in the series!  Dana had me hooked with her humorous romances, but not she got me hooked with her Suspense as well!  She just plain ol' got me HOOKED! :D
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Until We Find Home by Cathy Gohlke
I haven't read any of Cathy's books yet and this book description sound so unique and intriguing I'm anxious to make this one my first!
Hopefully Christianbook will be shipping it to me SOON! :D
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In Places Hidden (Golden Gate Secrets #1) by Tracie Peterson
This one has made this list for a few reasons:
1 I know anything from Tracie is going to be an entertaining read
2 I absolutely adore that cover!
and 3 it mentions CHOCOLATE! :D
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All My Tomorrows: Three Historical Romance Novellas of Everlasting Love  by Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Elizabeth Camden
Me and ebooks DO NOT get along and so I was SO excited to find Karen's novella in this collection
35034359

Winning Miss Winthrop by +Carolyn Miller
I LOVED Carolyn's last series and an SO excited for her next one!  I'm also hoping to read more about my past favorites! ;)
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The Pirate Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #2) by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Why do I want to read this one?  Come on it's got Pirates!35658894

The Accidental Guardian (High Sierra Sweethearts #1) by Mary Connealy
What an intriguing book description and Mary is another one of the authors on my "No matter what it will be an entertaining read" list! ;)
P.S. WHAT AN ADORABLE COVER
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The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3) by Michelle Griep
Michelle Griep.......Need I say more? ;)
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All for Love: Three Historical Romance Novellas of Love and Laughter by Mary Connealy, +Kristi Ann Hunter, Jen Turano
I LOVE ALL OF THESE AUTHORS and as I stated before ebook and I don't mix so I'm excited to get the chance to read these novellas! :)
THANK YOU BETHANY HOUSE
36536758

The Orphan's Wish (Hagenheim #8) by +Melanie Dickerson
I thought that the Hangengeim series was finished (major biblio-bummed), so imagine my excitement when I found out Melanie's got not just one but at least TWO MORE COMING! :D  WOO HOO! 
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Sons of Blackbird Mountain (Blackbird Mountain #1) by Joanne Bischof
This sounds SO GOOD TO ME! :D  I've enjoyed Appalachia reads before so I can't wait for this one!  Gotta say I LOVE that cover to! 
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Caught by Surprise (Apart from the Crowd #3) by Jen Turano
Any of my readers would know that Jen HAD to be on this list [and are not surprised it's multiple times ;) ]!
She is ALWAYS on my MUST READ list and I am absolutely in love with this series!  So my list would be totally incomplete with out this one!
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And finally.......
A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano
THIS SOUNDS FANTASTIC!  What a plot!
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Happy READING! :)