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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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.

Through the Deep Waters Giveaway!

A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all
Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

A few months ago I reviewed Through the Deep Waters (read my review here). I absolutely loved it! Now the publisher is letting me have a giveaway for you! Fun, right!?!

The contest starts on July 31, 2014 at 6:00am EST and ends on August 20th, 2014 at 11:59pm. One winner will be chosen at random on August 21st, 2014 and will be alerted by email. Enter by clicking here. And, if you're inclined to do so, please follow my by blog for more reviews and hopefully more giveaways! Good Luck! 

A Match of Wits Review

After his departure from New York two years ago to meet up with his almost-fiance, Zayne Beckett is the last person Agatha Watson wanted to stumble upon in her travels as a reporter with the New York Tribune. Quite pathetically bedraggled, he clearly needs to be taken in hand and sent back East to his family. Although she no longer has feelings for him, Agatha realizes, by hook or by crook, she'll have to be the one to get the obstinate man home.

Zayne has no desire to be taken anywhere and is prepared to drag his heels all the way home. . . until he finds himself slipping back into the familiar banter of his former friendship with Agatha. Once they arrive in New York, Zayne realizes Agatha's determined nose for news has earned her a few enemies, and he hopes to repay her help with some help of his own. When she rebuffs all his attempts to prove himself a knight in shining armor, the lengths to which they'll go to win this battle of wills lead to some memorable antics. 

Everyone else may think them a match, but nothing could be further from the truth--until Agatha finds herself in real trouble. Have these two stubborn, too-smart-for-their-own-good people been meant for each other all along?

Okay first let me just say AHH! (that's a very excited scream, by the way) I could not wait until I got my hands on this book! From the first time I saw both Agatha and Zayne interact in A Change of Fortune I have been waiting and waiting for their story. AND I FINALLY GOT IT!!! AHHH!!! Okay sorry for that I'm back to (somewhat)normal.

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano is the fourth book in the Ladies of Distinction series. I love Jen's books so much and A Match of Wits is definitely not an exception. Agatha and Zayne are the kind of couple that have you just wanting to take them by the shoulders and shake them until they realize how silly they are and admit their love. The humor and good story telling throughout Jen's Ladies of Distinction series is sure to have you hooked from the first page until the very last word. If you have yet to pick up any of her book I suggest you do so as soon as possible, starting with A Change of Fortune. Do it and you won't ever regret it! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that is scrumptious!

I got a free review copy of A Match of Wits from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

When I Fall in Love Review

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

When I Fall in Love is the third book written about the Christiansen Family by Susan May Warren and it was really good. I loved digging even deeper into the Christiansen family and their friends. I especially loved that this book contained Hawaii and cooking, a place I'd love to go and an activity I love to do. 

But while overall I really like this book I also found myself struggling with it. I'm a happily ever after kinda girl, and I mean like FOREVER after, if you get my meaning. I like my boy meets girl, something bad happens, and then everything gets better and I can think that nothing bad ever happens to them again. And yes. I do know that's not true in real life :) And I have read many books where everything doesn't end up completely happy but it's usually something that I can easily fix in my mind. (Yes, I am also that girl who keep writing the story in her head until she is completely satisfied. Don't judge.) But for the life of me I can't think of a simple solution that would satisfy my happily ever after heart. If Susan can do this in the next book/books then she is amazing! 

4 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was a tasty treat. 

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

A Stillness of Chimes Review

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What if the pain of the past revealed an unknown sacrifice that changes everything?
 
When teacher Laura Gantt comes home to Prospect, Georgia to settle her recently-deceased mother’s household, the last thing she expects to encounter is a swirl of rumors about the father she lost to the lake twelve years ago—that he has reportedly been seen around town. Elliott Gantt’s body was never found and he was presumed dead. 
 
Reeling from the sharp loss of a parent, Laura must now grapple with painful memories surrounding her father’s disappearance and the sense of abandonment she experienced after his death. Life-long friend and former beau Sean Halloran wants nothing more than to protect Laura from the far-fetched stories of Elliott’s resurrection and to care for her, but he has his own reasons, troubling echoes from his childhood, to put Elliott’s disappearance to rest.
 
Working together, Laura and Sean begin to uncover the truth, one mired in the wooded peaks and deep waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Prospect. Can they fathom how many secrets the steep hills hold? With surprising facts revealed, will Laura be able to understand the sacrificial choices made that forever changed her life? And can love and a peace with God be rekindled in her heart after so much time has passed?

A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley is a sweetly written book that takes the reader on a amazing journey, full of mystery, sadness, romance, humor, and of course some wonderful southern charm. I found some parts to be a little slow but otherwise A Stillness of Chimes was so worth the time spent reading it. The characters were developed so subtly, each in their own deep way that I would have been hard pressed to not fall in love with them. If you're looking for a book that you don't have to invest any emotion in than this is not for you. But if you want a book that is hard to set down and is filled with amazing characters and a beautiful story I suggest you get this book. 

This is the first of Meg's books that I have read and I look forward to picking up one of her others soon. 

4 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack as sweet as the blackberries I pick from my backyard. 

 I received this book for free fromBlogging for Books for this review.

Stuck Together Review

When a lawman who values order gets stuck with a feisty crusader who likes to stir things up, there's going to be trouble in Texas!

Now that she's settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel's saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn't know he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them.

With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way: Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.

Stuck Together is the third and final installment of Mary Connealy's Trouble in Texas Series  and one of my favorites. I have read most of Mary's books  and they seem never disappoint me. I'll start one of her books with high expectations and I always finish with them my expectations far surpassed. 

I loved getting to know the new characters that were introduced and becoming even more familiar with the old.  I loved all of the heroes in this series but I must say that I think Vince is my favorite. Oh, and if you haven't yet I suggest you visit Mary Connealy's blog site  and read Closer Than Brothers the story of how the Regulators came to be and there is even a little bit about Callie and Seth (from Over the Edge) :)

5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack was nothing like Glynna cooking. (meaning it was amazing) ;)

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