Born of Persuasion Review

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta was an intriguing read to say the least. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan which is one of the reasons I wanted to read this book. Well, that and the gorgeous cover! Look at it. You can feel the mystery and suspense of the story just by looking at it. 
Anyway back to the book. It definitely was a book worth reading. You just have to stick with it past all the background information. But once in its impossible to get out. I will definitely be waiting for the next books in the series.

4.5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that tickles you taste buds. 

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review.

My Hope is Found Review

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 Gideon O’Riley has been given another chance at a life with Lonnie. But will the fight for her heart risk it all over again?

After finally finding love with his sweet bride Lonnie, Gideon’s heart was torn when a woman from his past claimed to be his true and rightful wife, forcing him away from his family. God’s merciful hand saw Gideon through the heartache, and with Cassie’s blessing, he is able to return home. Though his journey back through the Blue Ridge Mountains will hold a trial he never anticipated.

Meanwhile, Lonnie determines to seal off her heart from Gideon, convinced he is lost to her forever. Strengthening her resolve to move on is the fondness she has for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee—the young reverend she has come to care deeply for. His proposal of marriage offers a bright future for her and her young son. 

Yearning to allow joy back into her life, Lonnie must put aside the broken pieces of her heart that still love Gideon. When he returns to find her betrothed to another, he has to place his hope in God, trusting that the One who redeemed their love once can do it again.

My Hope is Found is the third and final book in the Cadence of Grace Series by Joanne Bischof. Joanne ended Lonnie and Gideon's journey so wonderfully that, even though it ended perfectly, I wished it kept going and going. My Hope is Found was so engaging to read, each characters struggles pulled me in and refused to let go. And even though the first two books in the series were so wonderful I have to say this one was my overall favorite. From the moment I saw the first cover in the series I knew I would love it. Each book tugged at my heart and will forever be a series on my favorites book self.

5 out of 5. And Afternoon Snack that you'll never forget. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Fired Up Review

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?


Fired Up by Mary Connealy kept me up well into the night. I just couldn't seem to ever find a spot to convince myself to put it down so I could go to bed. There was never a pause in the action/romance/humor. Yes, it was a little predictable... But I still absolutely loved it! Connealy's hero as always was a perfect mix of handsome and gallant. *swoon* ;) And the introduction of a new character has me wishing for book number three in the Trouble in Texas series.

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack sure to fire up you taste buds. 

I got a free review copy of Fired Up from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review

Chasing Hope Review

A Touching Story of Two Unlikely Friends. 
The Power of Trust. 
The Struggle of Pain. 
And How, Sometimes, Following God Can Lead You to the Most Unexpected Places.
A talented runner determined to make the Olympics, Sabrina Rice had her dreams shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she's forged a new vision for her future that has nothing to do with running, which she's buried deep, intent on forgetting...

Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world class potential, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a troublemaking teen. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina realizes she's Brandy's best hope to salvage a life about to spiral out of control forever. 

Chasing Hope was an inspiring story by Kathryn Cushman. I had never read a book by this author before so I came in to it not know what exactly to expect. Maybe satisfaction or maybe disappointment. I got neither, definitely not disappointment and so much more then satisfaction, I was amazed by how much I connected with her writing.The characters and their struggles felt so real it was almost as if they were my own. Now I can't wait to read more by Kathryn Cushman! :)
5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that fulfills so much more then just your hunger for a good book.