Love Unexpected Review

1859

Presque Isle, Michigan

What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?

All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.

An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.

Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.

Love Unexpected By Jody Hedlund is the first book in her new series Beacons of Hope. Every book I have read by Jody has never failed to become a favorite of mine and I am happy to say that this one has done the same.  I enjoyed the characters and seeing their growth. While I loved the character of Emma I have to say that I enjoyed Patrick's character even more. I liked the story of his past and how his life changed. Love Unexpected is a great start to what I have a feeling will be an amazing series. I can't wait for the next book about Emma's brother Ryan!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was as good as I expected! 

I got a free review copy of Love Unexpected from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Hope Crossing Review

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Hope Crossing…where Ada’s House stands as a haven for weary souls looking for kindness, faith, and second chances.

The Hope of Refuge
Two very different women are pulled by their strongest desires. Deborah Mast joined the Amish church and longs to marry her fiancé, but he is changing. Cara Moore is forced to look into a life that was meant to be hers. Will Ada’s House help them realize their hearts’ desires or will it force them to accept what life has done to each of them? 

The Bridge of Peace
Living out her passion for teaching, Lena Kauffman’s work is suddenly interrupted by a series of pranks and accidents targeted toward her and her students. When tragedy strikes her dear friend Grey Graber’s family on school property, the school board begins to blame her for the trouble. As grief and confusion take their toll on Grey and Lena’s friendship, they are both forced to face a new reality that may offer the peace and love they each long for.

The Harvest of Grace
Fleeing a terrible mistake, Sylvia Fisher dedicates herself to saving the failing Blank farm. When prodigal son Aaron returns, he is surprised by this unusual farmhand who opposes all his plans. Will Aaron and Sylvia’s unflinching efforts toward opposite futures mask the bigger picture—a path to forgiveness, grace, and the promise of love?

I loved loved loved this series! Each book brought something special to the series and I fell in love with all these characters. Though, I think out of the wholes series Cara's story was my favorite. But like I said before all of these characters were great.  Once again Cindy didn't fail in writing a very compelling Amish series. Each book stood out as an amazing story that is sure to have you glad you picked up this book.  And it's so handy having all the books together! If I were you I'd grab this book and get started reading it as soon as possible! 

5 out of 5. An amazing Amish Afternoon Snack! 

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for an honest review.

The Christmas Cat and Trading Secrets Reviews

After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends--plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison's job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay. 

The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson is a purrfect way to start the Christmas season. (See what I did there?) :) But seriously, The Christmas Cat is a short read that is great for curling up with next to the fire. This is a heartwarming story that is not just for cat lovers, but for anyone who loves to get lost in a sweet Christmastime story. If you love Christmas (and of course you do if your looking to get this book!) then you are sure to like this book.

4 out of 5. A purrfect Afternoon Snack to go with a cup of hot chocolate. (I just had to do it one more time)

I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The truth may set you free--but it might also land you in some uncomfortably hot water.

Back in fifth grade, Micah Knight got an Amish pen pal, and over the years, they've exchanged many letters--and many secrets. At age seventeen, Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. The only problem is that because of confusion about her name when the pen pals were assigned, her pen pal was a boy, Zack Miller. And all this time, Micah's never told Zack that she's actually a girl! While she wants nothing more than to experience life on Zack's Amish farm, she's afraid he'll hate her for deceiving him all these years. But she makes up her mind to face the music--and that's where the fun really begins. 

Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson has made me fall love with teen Amish stories!  I've never really liked YA Amish novels because they kind of all seem the same to me but Trading Secrets was a nice little surprise. I really liked the main character Micah, she seemed very real and, while at first she had trouble handling the position she was in, in the end she made it work. I also really liked the ending, it was sweet and I feel like it was a perfect way to end the story. All in all I think that Trading Secrets is a perfect read for both teen and adult fans (and non-fans) of Amish fiction. 

5 out of 5. A delightfully Amish Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Playing Saint Review

Yesterday, Parker Saint's only concern was his swiftly rising star power. 

Today, he's just trying to stay alive.

Rising mega-pastor Parker Saint was wrapped up in his ratings and his book deal. But that was before the cops and the serial killer, the Vatican operatives, and the centuries-old plot to conceal an ancient relic. Now he's just trying to stay alive.

Parker Saint is an up-and-coming superstar pastor on the verge of achieving everything he's wanted--including a national TV program and major book deal. His success seems all but guaranteed until an angry incident with a flight attendant. To keep his growing empire from collapsing, Parker cuts a deal and agrees to serve as a police consultant on the trail of a twisted serial killer who marks his victims with religious symbols. The problem is, Parker's anything but an expert, faking his way through the investigation by slipping away to consult his smart phone.

As he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue involving an obsessive and demanding detective, a trio of relentless Vatican operatives, a string of botched exorcisms, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, Parker finds himself questioning everything he has been trying so hard to protect.

Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels was an intense read to say the least! I always love a good mystery/thriller/supernatural novel and this one didn't fail to hold up to my expectations. I mean, besides not liking the main character at first (I think everyone had that problem but not to worry, you'll love him by the end!) I can't think of one complaint. I loved the everything about Playing Saint, the characters, the page-turning aspect (I never wanted to put it down!), and most of all the end! Oh my it was SO good! I feel like I keep repeating myself by saying how I liked everything but people Playing Saint really is the best! Get it! You will not regret it at all! 

5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack was so delicious I can't wait for second helpings! (i.e. I want another book by this author!) 

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Review

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy. 

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind. 

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy--and Amos, too--that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a heartwarming Christmas read that definitely got me into the mood for Christmas. (Seriously, I had a hard time keeping myself from pulling out my Christmas records). But really Christmas at Rose Hill was a really sweet short read that certainly had its moments. The only thing I didn't really like was the whole love triangle thing, I've never been a fan of that. But other than that I loved the characters, they were all very likable and overall I enjoyed this read. 

4.5 out of 5. So grab you favorite hot beverage and settle in for a sweet Afternoon Snack. 

  I got a free review copy of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Surprised by Love Review

She can turn the head of the man who spurned her--but can she turn his heart?

When Megan McClare left San Francisco to study in Paris, no one would accuse her of being poised and pretty. But on the other side of the Atlantic, this wallflower blossomed into a beauty with big dreams. When she returns to California and accepts an internship at the district attorney's office, she's thrilled that her life is taking shape. But the exciting opportunity quickly loses its glow when she discovers she'll be working alongside Devin Caldwell, who mercilessly mocked her at school--and with whom she was hopelessly enamored. 

Bram Hughes is the best friend to whom Megan has always turned for support and advice. But when she seeks his counsel about working with Devin Caldwell, Bram's vision is clouded by his sudden unwelcome attraction to a girl he had always thought of as a little sister. He advises forgiveness, but can he forgive himself for pushing the woman he loves into the arms of another man? 

Surprised by Love is the third book in the Heart of San Francisco series by Julie Lessman. I always love how Julies characters love God and I love seeing them grow in their faith. I also love how Julie takes her characters and writes an amazing romance mixed with humor, sadness and real struggles. I love how inspiring Julies books always are. Pretty much I love everything about Julies writing! Surprised by Love is an amazing read and I think Meg and Bram are my favorite couple of Julies to date! Everyone needs to read this series! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that I loved so much! 

I got a free review copy of Surprised by Love  from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Buttermilk Sky Review

Weary of the expectations imposed on her by her strict upbringing, eighteen-year-old Mazy Pelfrey prepares to leave her home in the Kentucky mountains for the genteel city of Lexington, where she’ll attend secretarial school. She knows her life is about to change—and only for the better. Everything will be blue skies from now on.

But business school is harder than she thought it would be and the big city not as friendly, until she meets a charming young man from a wealthy family, Loyal Chambers. When Loyal sets his sights on her, Mazy begins to see that everything she’d ever wished to have is right before her eyes. The only hindrance to her budding romance is a former beau, Chanis Clay, the young sheriff she thought she’d left firmly behind.

Danger rumbles like thunder on a high mountain ridge when Mazy’s cosseted past collides with her clouded future and forces her to come to terms with what she really wants.

Okay first things first, I love the cover! Just one look at it was enough for me to want it! Look at it yourself, isn't it gorgeous!?! 

But, back to my review. 

Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson was a beautifully written book. This author just has a way with words, let me tell you!  But throughout the whole book I had trouble connecting with these main characters. I didn't mind them but there was nothing that really truly grabbed at me with them. I don't know why but I just didn't feel them. If this book were written by anyone else I would have set it down and quickly forgotten about it. But its not written by just anyone, its written by Jan and she is amazing! And that was why I couldn't put this book down. Which says a lot about her writing because usually with me if I don't like the main characters I don't like the book no matter how good the plot is. 

So that said while I would like to give this book 5 stars (for the amazing writing talent!) I can't because of my dislike for the main characters.

3.8 out of 5 . A wonderfully crafted Afternoon Snack.

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

At Bluebonnet Lake Review

Her life is set to warp speed. His is slowing to a crawl. But love has its own timing.

Marketing maven Kate Sherwood's world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is slow down to a crawl at Rainbow's End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. But she cannot deny her ailing grandmother's request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week (albeit fifty years ago). There Kate meets Greg Vange, the resort's handyman. But there's more to Greg than meets the eye--billions more, in fact, as he recently sold his successful software company and is at the resort in search of what's next for his life.

Kate isn't looking for romance, but she can't deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. She even starts to see potential in the rundown resort. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate's long-sought promotion take her back to the big city?

Amanda Cabot invites readers to step away from the pressures of the daily grind. They might be surprised by what they find at Rainbow's End.

At Bluebonnet Lake is the first book in the new Texas Crossroads series by Amanda Cabot. While I enjoyed this story it is not my favorite of Amanda Cabot's. I found that this story is very slow going and it dragged a bit at parts but I loved each character and the story was really sweet. At Bluebonnet Lake really helped to remind me to slow down a little. But the thing that bothered me was that there was nothing huge that happened to make the story pick up the pace, and I think it needed a little of that excitement. 

3.5 out of 5. A snack for a nice lazy afternoon.

I got a free review copy of At Bluebonnet Lake from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Where Treetops Glisten Review

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The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime
 
Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, 
filled with the wonder of Christmas
 
Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana. 

In Cara Putman’s White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements—until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help. 

I think that out of the three stories White Christmas was my favorite! Not that I didn't like the other story's I just enjoyed this one a little bit more. I loved Abigail, the realness of her pain from past lost and her skittishness to become attached again made my heart go out to her. I also fell in love with Jackson and his need to care for his family. I enjoyed that the story was just simply sweet, there was no need to toss in an extra stumbling block for the characters to overcome like I see a lot of novella authors try to do. You only have a short time to tell a story and I think Cara used hers perfectly.

5 out of 5. 

Abigail’s brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete’s friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he’s no longer the bully she once knew?

I'll Be Home for Christmas was also really really good! I think everyone who has read this story will agree with me when I say that Linnie is the best! Now the adult characters weren't to bad themselves (I loved seeing Pete learn from Linnie and I enjoyed getting to know Grace) but Linnie totally stole the show in I'll Be Home for Christmas and I'm pretty sure she stole my heart too!

5 out of 5.

In Tricia Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, “Merry” to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that’s precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart. 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas tells Merry's story away from home in Lafayette, Indiana. Though she ended up growing on me Merry wasn't my favorite character at first. I think it had to do with her focus on how her heart was broken in the past but I don't know really there was just something. But by the end I came to enjoy her character. 

4 out of 5.

The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and His plan for a future?

A very Christmas worthy Afternoon Snack. 

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

A Promise to Protect Review

In a steamy small town riddled with broken promises, one woman's secret could change everything.
Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her--or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago--out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task--protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.

A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley is the second book in the Logan Point series and a very intense read! There are twists and turn everywhere and they make for one pretty suspenseful read. If you love Christian romantic suspense then Patricia Bradley is one name you should add to your 'To Read' pile and not the bottom put it right up there on the top! The characters are easy to love and the mystery is sure to keep you on the very edge of your seat. So make room on your shelf because you are sure to be adding A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley to it very soon! 

5 out of 5. An amazing Afternoon Snack! 

I got a free review copy of A Promise to Protect from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Becoming Bea Review

Can Bea and Ben Turn Rivalry Into Romance? 
Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows. 

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

Becoming Bea by Leslie Gould is a really great Amish romance, one of the best I have read in awhile. It's an Amish retelling of Shakespeare's  Much Ado About Nothing. I didn't know that until after I read the story and not because I didn't see any similarities but because I have never read Much Ado About Nothing. I've never read much Shakespeare to be honest I've never really got it (Sorry Shakespeare lovers). Anyway about the book itself, I really enjoyed the story. I found Ben and Bea's relationship interesting to say the least, it wasn't until towards the end when I really felt like they were ready to be in one.  All in all I really fell in love with this book.
This is one Amish book you won't want to miss!

5 out of 5. A delightful Afternoon Snack! 

I got a free review copy of Becoming Bea from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Magnolia Market Review

Fresh starts aren’t nearly as glamorous as they appear. And love isn’t any easier the second time around.

Avery Broussard was savoring her long-dormant optimism. It was the first anniversary of her husband’s death, and she was finally going to buy the dress boutique from her former mother-in-law. After a year of saving, the deal was nearly done. Avery was about to get her life back.

But every deal in Samford, Louisiana, can change at the whim of a Broussard. After being unceremoniously ejected from the very boutique she planned to buy—the boutique she herself had rescued from ruin—she becomes a woman without a future . . . suddenly at war with her late husband’s family.

When carpenter T. J. Aillet begins working for the Broussards doing manual labor, he overhears enough to know that Avery is being victimized. Soon enough, T. J. is lassoed into the squabble by his family connections, his good heart . . . and the undeniable attraction he feels toward Avery.

But the Aillets are no strangers to Samford society—and T. J. knows what happens when you cross the Broussards. Could these two misfits ever make a start together? Or will the pressures of Samford society pull them apart before they even get a chance to try?

Magnolia Market is the second book in the Trumpet & Vine series by Judy Christie. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet novel. It was a easy read for me and almost all the characters in Magnolia Market were likable (you know besides the in-laws). While I felt like there were some over the top situations at times (with the in-laws) I found the whole book very real to life. All I can really say now is that I really enjoyed Magnolia Market and that I can't wait to read the next book in the Trumpet & Vine series.

4 out of 5. A sweet, light Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

Thunder Review

The Time of Sorrows is long past.
The future of Selah and her people is shrouded in mystery.
And the clock is ticking.

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of scientific advances, political intrigue, and wilderness survival, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a world more like our own than we may want to admit.

Thunder by Bonnie Calhoun was a very captivating story. Thunder is the first book in the authors new dystopian series the Stone Braide Chronicles. While I really enjoyed the book (I read it in one day) I was very confused through most of it. Everything seemed to happen so fast and all at the same time. I knew when I started that I'd be confused for a bit because that's what always happens when you read a dystopian/fantasy book. Everything is new and confusing until you get a grasp on the new world the author has created. And while I did start to understand a lot by the middle of the book I felt like I was still missing a lot by the end. I know this is a series and that most likely more will be explained in the second book, but I just felt like I needed more information to understand the events that were going on. But other than being confused I really like all the characters and the writing is terrific! So I think if you a fan of dystopian novels then you should definitely pick up Thunder.

3.5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that took my to a different world.

I got a free review copy of Thunder from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

Deceived Review

A grieving mother. 

A mysterious child. 

And a dedicated PI who's determined to solve the puzzle.

For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she's convinced it's her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating "accident" begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon's many fans have come to expect, Deceived is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plotline that accelerates to an explosive finish.

Deceived by Irene Hannon is the third book in her Private Justice series. This book is written by one of the best suspense writers I have ever read! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time trying to figure out the mystery and the motive right along with the characters. Speaking of characters I absolutely loved the characters in Deceived! They were very true to life and it was very easy for me as the reader to connect with them. I like how you get to know who the 'bad guy' is from pretty much the start. That way you have to figure out the why instead of the who. There is no need to scrutinize ever character you meet along the way in case they are 'it', if you get what I mean. 
All in all I really really loved this book and can't wait to read Irene's next book, Buried Secrets! 

5 out of 5. A suspenseful Afternoon Snack! 

I got a free review copy of Deceived from Revell Publishers in return for my honest review.

A Love Undone Review

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A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone.
A young woman who sacrificed her dreams.
How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way? 
At nineteen years old, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene throws herself into family life—and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year-old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.
 
Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him – that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife has abandoned him six years past, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy has wrestled with God concerning his reality, and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him…until he met Jolene.
 
As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God's guidance—or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?

A Love Undone is the newest release by Cindy Woodsmall. While its not my favorite of hers I still enjoyed it. The characters stand out and are easy to become attached to. The plot to A Love Undone was unlike any I have read. I used to feel like if you have read one or two Amish fiction books then you had read them all (every Amish book I picked up seemed to have the same plot). But now as I start to find new Amish authors (or new-to-me ones) I have fallen in love with this genre. Cindy is one of the authors that made that happen. I feel like when I pick up one of her book I will always get something new. That being said I really did enjoy A Love Undone. The only thing I wish was that she had spent a little more time on the end, it seemed to me that it ended a little... um quickly? I don't think that's the right word. I don't know but, I just felt like I wanted it to end in a different way or something. But all in all A Love Undone is definitely worth your time.

4 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that you will be sure to enjoy. 

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Tried & True Review

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!
Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister--and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk--they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"--but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future? 

Tried & True by Mary Connealy is yet another amazing comical historical romance. Like with all of the other books I have read by Mary Connealy, the moment I picked up this book I was caught. I didn't put Tried & True down until I had finished the whole thing. I don't know if Kylie Wilde and Aaron Masterson are my favorite characters of Mary's but the come real close. :) I loved everything about the Wilde sisters and I can't wait to read Shannon's story! If you have ever read a Mary Connealy book and loved it then this one will not disappoint. And if you haven't read one of her books before then 

what are you waiting for?!?!? 

5 out of 5. One really amazing Afternoon Snack!! 

I got a free review copy of Tried & True from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

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Hit Review

After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her … that is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings. Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket—one that will declare her feelings once and for all.

Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.

But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road, and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her.

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover is a fast intense read. The story is made more real by the fact that its based off of something that happen to the authors daughters best friend. I really enjoyed the story but I just wish that it was a bit longer. More fleshed out I guess. I felt like I needed more. More of a back story and more of an ending. But then without those things it makes you focus more on the accident itself and thats what this whole book is about. 

4 out of 5. An enjoyable Afternoon Snack.

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

Destined for Doon Review

 

In this sequel to Doon, Mackenna Reid realizes she made a horrible mistake in choosing to follow her dreams of Broadway instead of staying in the enchanted land of Doon. To make everything worse, she's received her Calling—proof she and Duncan are each other's one true love—and it's pure torment, especially when visions of the very alluring Scottish prince appear right before she goes on stage. So when Duncan tells her an ancient curse threatens to overtake Doon and the new queen and Kenna’s best friend, Veronica, needs her to return, Kenna doesn't have to think twice. With darkness closing in on all sides, Kenna and Vee must battle a world of nightmares in order to protect the kingdom. But it will take the ultimate test of courage for Kenna to salvage her happily ever after.

Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Landgon was a really fun adventure. The kingdom of Doon is simply enchanting, just as it was in the first book. I enjoyed  being able to dive back into the world of Doon once again. I find it so great that Carey and Lorie are able to stuff one book so full of creativity and fun. The characters are pretty enjoyable to spend time with and I can't wait to read the third book in this series.... really I can't wait! The way this book ended frustrates me so much because I need to know what happens! But alas waiting is what I must do so I shall... but I won't be very good at it. 

4 out of 5. an Afternoon Snack that was pretty fantastical. 

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

Honor Review

“Who will you be, if not the lady of High Oaks?”

When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute, she is forced from her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since losing his hearing as a child.

A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she secretly becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together?

Strong women. Brave stories.

Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of brave heroines fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart.

Honor by Lyn Cote was really good. I finished the book the same day I got it (yes that means I had a late night. I lost sleep for this book!).  I really enjoyed the story line as a whole but I had trouble with both the beginning and the end. They both seemed to move a little too quickly for me. Honor seemed to be able to communicate pretty well with Samuel very quickly. The ending might have just seemed like it ended to quickly because I was enjoying Honor's story so much. But despite the slightly rushed feeling I got I really liked the book and I can't wait to read the second in this series. 

4 out of 5. A delightful Afternoon Snack.

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

Thief of Glory Review

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Author Bio

A boy coming of age in a time of war…
the love that inspires him to survive.
 
For ten year-old Jeremiah Prins, the life of privilege as the son of a school headmaster in the Dutch East Indies comes crashing to a halt in 1942 after the Japanese Imperialist invasion of the Southeast Pacific. Jeremiah takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings when his father and older stepbrothers are separated from the rest of the family, and he is surprised by what life in the camp reveals about a woman he barely knows—his frail, troubled mother. 

Amidst starvation, brutality, sacrifice and generosity, Jeremiah draws on all of his courage and cunning to fill in the gap for his mother. Life in the camps is made more tolerable as Jeremiah’s boyhood infatuation with his close friend Laura deepens into a friendship from which they both draw strength. 

When the darkest sides of humanity threaten to overwhelm Jeremiah and Laura, they reach for God’s light and grace, shining through his people. Time and war will test their fortitude and the only thing that will bring them safely to the other side is the most enduring bond of all.

Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer is one of the most haunting story's I have read in a long long time.The characters, Jeremiah, Rachel, Pietje, Elsbeth, Laura, and everyone else throughout the book all took a piece of my heart, each in a different way. 

I finished this book almost a week ago and even now I'm not sure about how to write this review.

 Did I like it? Yes and no. Yes, because its so real and beautifully written. No, because it was its so... real. So really the only reason I could give for not liking this book is because of the realness of this book. Which is what most people like about books. Who wants to read a book that's fake, right? That's why my no is also in my yes column. 

But this book broke my heart! And then it kinda mended it by sticking it back together with gum, which we all know doesn't last very long which is why I'm having a hard time getting over this book. And why this review sounds really confusing...  Sorry. Maybe I should just end by saying I'm still deciding if I love it or not but I do know that I like it. A lot. So read Thief of Glory and if you can sum up your feelings better I can (which right now is probably everyone in the world) come write a better review than me. So to sum it up. 

• Haunting
• Real
• Heartbreaking
• Beautifully written
• Like it a lot
• 3.5... 4... I don't know.... out of 5.

An Afternoon Snack that I am still thinking about.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.