"anomaly" by krista mcgee

About the book (from Litfuse): Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli's birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won't threaten their lives again.

But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli's secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.

She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists' Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What's more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she's been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out . . .

My take: Anomaly combines three of my favorite things: YA fiction, sci-fi, and Christian fiction. As I read it, I could almost see it playing out on screen (which is fitting, as movies do play a small role in this story).

I loved virtually everything about Anomaly. I really felt like I was there with Thalli as she experienced life in Pod C and then as her life spiralled out of control. The first person point of view that McGee used certainly helped to draw me right into the story. And the characters—Thalli, her friends Berk and Rhen, and John, the old man who tells Thalli about the Designer—are all believable.

The end (which isn't really an end, as this is the first book of a trilogy) came with a delicious twist that made me wish I could pick up book two immediately!

Teen dystopian novels with female protagonists are all the rage today, and McGee's new series fits right in ... but the difference is that she pulls in the truth of the Gospel, which leaves the reader with a hope that isn't present in most of the novels in the genre.

My rating: 5 stars

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Read my review of McGee's Starring Me.

About the author:  When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of Anomaly, First Date, Starring Me, and Right Where I Belong. Connect with Krista at http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com.

About the giveaway: Krista McGee is celebrating the release of Anomaly, the first book in her new YA dystopian series, with an iPad Mini Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A $25 iTunes gift card (download Anomaly to the iPad!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 31st. Winner will be announced at Krista's website on August 2nd.

Spread the word about Krista and her giveaway HERE!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a bride for all seasons" by margaret brownley, debra clopton, mary connealy & robin lee hatcher

About the book (from Litfuse): It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue . . .

Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn't dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients' applications a bit, it's because he's looking out for their best interests.

This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they'll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley

Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she'd travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!

An Ever-After Summer by Debra Clopton

Ellie had no idea she's not what Matthew ordered. And what's wrong with being a "Bible thumper" anyway? She's determined to show him she's tougher than she looks---and just the girl he needs.

Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher

Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn't come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. The trouble is, there's no money to send them back. . .

Winter Wedding Bells by Mary Connealy

David's convinced he's not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he's gone---nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?

My take: It's been a long time since I've enjoyed an anthology as much as I enjoyed this one! First of all, the subject matter is right in my wheelhouse—marriage of convenience stories are my favorite, so a mail-order bride collection is perfect for me. Secondly, the stories are connected only because all of the characters used the same mail-order bride catalog, so different authors don't have to try to write the same characters.

As for the novellas themselves, I don't think I could even pick a favorite—I loved them all! I did find Mary-Jo's extremely superstitious nature in "And Then Came Spring" a bit off-putting, but I suspect I was supposed to feel that way. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this collection of novellas. Each one can be read in an hour or so, making them a nice way to wind down after a long day.

My rating: 4-1/2 stars.

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Read my reviews of Connealy's In Too Deep, Over the Edge, and Swept Away.

About the authors: Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. @margaretbrownley

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. Her books often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher

Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner, an a RITA, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. @MaryConnealy

Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

About the giveaway: Four novellas, four brides, and four stories to fall in love with. 

Enter the world of mail-order brides with four of your favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley. In A Bride for All Seasons (Thomas Nelson) each of the prospective brides is hopeful for a second chance at love—and that second chance always seems to come in an unexpected package.
 
The authors are celebrating with a fun 12 Days of Unexpected Packages Giveaway! Between July 12-23 visit the authors’ Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on July 23rd! Such fun!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

nothing to make much ado about

Last month, Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing finally reached theaters. Of course, it didn't reach any theaters near me ... indy movies never come to Central City, and rarely do they play in Grand Island. But my sisters were as excited about this movie as I was, so we decided to see it in Chicago while Blendy and I were visiting Val in Indiana.

I went into the movie fully expecting to love it and anticipating that I'd want to rush out and buy it the instant it hits DVD. Well, that's not exactly what happened ...

You'd think that, as both a Shakespeare fan and a Whedon fan, I'd love this film. But I ended up feeling rather ambivalent about it. It was fine, but it certainly wasn't anything special. In fact, I was so bored during a few segments that I nearly fell asleep.

I'm all about modern-day adaptations of classic tales, but in this case, I didn't think the update really worked. For one thing, while it was a bit humorous at first to hear Shakespeare's words come out of the mouth of someone who was talking on a cell phone, I soon just found it distracting and even absurd. I didn't really buy Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker in their roles as Benedick and Beatrice—I know they were a beloved pair on Angel (which I never watched), but I didn't really think they had much chemistry. And the film is fairly dark—it doesn't carry the light, happy tone I expected. (When I voiced that last objection to Blendy, she said, "Of course it's dark. It's Whedon!" Which is true ... but it's also a Shakespeare comedy!)

That said, the film did do some things right. The scenes where Beatrice and Benedick hear about the other's supposed love for them were hilarious, full of great physical comedy. I enjoyed Fran Kranz as Claudio (Topher!), Reed Diamond as Don Pedro, and Clark Gregg as Leonato. But the best part, hands down, was Nathan Fillion as Dogberry. He completely knocked it out of the park! When I first heard that was his role, I was disappointed—in the Kenneth Branagh version, I always found Dogberry's scenes downright painful. Michael Keaton's Dogberry was gross, unkempt, and probably insane. Fillion's Dogberry was an idiot, but a hilarious one. (Go here to watch a clip.)

As we watched the film, I couldn't help but compare it to Kenneth Branagh's version, and I ended up concluding that the Branagh version is superior in every way except for the portrayal of Dogberry. I even preferred Keanu Reeves's sneering Don John!

All in all, I'm glad we were able to see the movie, but I don't think it's one I'll be adding to my collection.

Have you ever been disappointed by a movie you'd greatly anticipated?

"a bride for all seasons" giveaway information

I usually wait until I post my review to post any giveaway information, but I'm at the end of this tour, and there are things to win each day. I already entered today's giveaway, and you should do the same! Check facebook each day to see what you could win ... and be sure to come back here for my review of this book on the 23rd!

Four novellas, four brides, and four stories to fall in love with. 

Enter the world of mail-order brides with four of your favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley. In A Bride for All Seasons (Thomas Nelson) each of the prospective brides is hopeful for a second chance at love—and that second chance always seems to come in an unexpected package.
 
The authors are celebrating with a fun 12 Days of Unexpected Packages Giveaway! Between July 12-23 visit the authors’ Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on July 23rd! Such fun!

"austenland" by shannon hale

About the book (from Amazon): Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man—perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

My take: I bought Austenland well before I knew there was going to be a movie adaptation. One of the bloggers I follow mentioned she was reading it, and, as I'm a sucker for all things Austen, I thought it sounded good. After about 30 pages, I put it down, as I just wasn't too engaged in the story. Sure, it was fine, but it wasn't particularly compelling.

Flash forward several months, when the trailer for the movie was released. I watched it and thought, "That's not what happened in the book!" So then I pulled the book up on my Kindle and read the entire thing in one night.

In the book (in a plot point that seems to be changed for the movie), Jane receives a trip to Austenland as an inheritance from her great aunt. She's a bit reluctant to dive into the whole Austen experience, but she finally comes to embrace it. However, she finds it difficult to determine what is real and what is fiction—after all, everyone at Austenland is either paying or being paid to be there. Jane finds herself torn between fulfilling the purpose of Austenland—becoming "engaged" to one of the gentlemen—and taking a chance at true love. Could one of the actors actually be her Darcy?

Austenland is really loads of fun to read (once you get past the slower opening chapters), it's full of allusions to Austen's novels, and some parts are laugh out loud funny. I'd definitely recommend you read it before seeing the movie!

My rating: 4 stars.

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About the author: New York Times bestselling author Shannon Hale started writing books at age ten and never stopped, eventually earning an MFA in Creative Writing. After nineteen years of writing and dozens of rejections, she published THE GOOSE GIRL, the first in her award-winning BOOKS OF BAYERN series. Her standalone book for young readers, BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS, won a Cybils award. The Newbery Honor winner PRINCESS ACADEMY was followed in 2012 by bestseller PRINCESS ACADEMY: PALACE OF STONE.

Her books for the adult crowd are AUSTENLAND (soon to be a major motion picture starring Keri Russell), MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND, and THE ACTOR AND THE HOUSEWIFE. With her husband Dean, Shannon wrote two graphic novels for young readers: RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE, an Eisner nominee, and its acclaimed sequel, CALAMITY JACK. Shannon spends her days corralling four young children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and have no connection to the author or publisher. Some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"wildflowers from winter" by katie ganshert

About the book (from the publisher): A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park. An unexpected interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa.

Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn't seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace that she’s not even sure exists?

My take: Wildflowers from Winter grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn't let go until I'd finished the last page. When circumstances bring Bethany back to her hometown kicking and screaming, she finds herself on a journey to find her purpose and her place to belong ... and eventually this journey leads her to God. It also leads her to Evan, who is one of the most fantastic romance novel heroes I've read about in a while. Kind, confident, and a fierce defender of those he loves, he's the "perfect" literary man.

So far, everything I've said makes this book sound like a typical love story, but it's not. While the chemistry between Bethany and Evan does practically leap off the page and you know from the beginning that they'll end up together, this book is so much deeper than your run-of-the-mill romance. Bethany certainly isn't your typical inspirational romance heroine in that she wants absolutely nothing to do with God, and in fact, her mother's and best friend's relationships with Him are part of the reason why she fled her hometown and never looked back. The book also looks at serious issues—suicide, spiritual abuse, sexual relationships, end of life issues, and family relationships are all explored in a compelling and sensitive manner. And some of those issues—especially the spiritual abuse and family issues—are so compelling that I wanted to keep reading long into the night.

Wildflowers from Winter is a fantastic debut novel, and I can't wait to get my hands on its sequel, Wishing on Willows.

My rating: 5 stars.

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About the author: Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband and their young son.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"undeniably yours" by becky wade

About the book (from the publisher): When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who's determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their relationship—and their belief that God can work through every circumstance—survive?

My take: Undeniably Yours is perhaps the book I have most anticipated reading this year. In 2012, I read Becky Wade's debut for the inspirational market, My Stubborn Heart, and I fell in love. I recommended the book to everyone who would listen, lent out my copy multiple times, and even named My Stubborn Heart my favorite book of 2012. So I had high hopes for Wade's next book, Undeniably Yours.

I'm pleased to say that Undeniably Yours lived up to my extremely high expectations! Bo Porter is the hero every girl dreams about—kind, protective, handsome, and thoughtful, but not too perfect. And Meg is a very realistic heroine who could be any one of us single girls—aside from the fact that she's a multi-million dollar heiress.

I expected the plot to be a simple boy-meets-girl, boy-and-girl-overcome-seemingly-insurmountable-odds, boy-and-girl-ride-off-into-the-sunset type of plot, but it is actually so much more. Meg has to deal with severe anxiety issues, Bo has to deal with feelings of inadequacy, and together they must confront issues from Meg's past. It's a deep story wrapped up in an extremely romantic shell. And it's so much fun to read!

Undeniably Yours is book one in Wade's Porter Family series, and I can't wait to check in with Meg and Bo again ... and read about the rest of the Porters! This is a book that will stay on my shelf ... except when I'm lending it out to anyone who will read it!

My rating: 5 stars

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Buy a copy of My Stubborn Heart, my favorite book of 2012!

About the author: Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her website at www.beckywade.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an influencer copy of this book free from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"mistaken" by karen barnett

About the book (from the publisher): In the prohibition era rum running business, first impressions aren't always to be trusted...

Since booze and prohibition have made criminals out of every man in her world, Laurie Burke resolves to find at least one honorable man to fill her life. Convinced that handsome newcomer Daniel Shepherd is connected with her brother’s rum-running gang, Laurie quickly scratches his name off her list.

Daniel has mixed feelings about returning to the dirty mill town of his youth, but grudgingly agrees to manage his grandfather’s drug store until a replacement can be found. The moment he meets Laurie on the windswept bluff overlooking the beach, he knows that if he can earn her love, he might have a reason to stay. But when Laurie pushes him away—for none other than Federal Agent Samuel Brown—Daniel wonders if Laurie really is the upstanding woman he thought her to be.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca, just off the beaches of Port Angeles, Washington, was treacherous water for reckless rum-runners—and the agents who tried to catch them. So when she realizes her brother is in danger, romance is the last thing on Laurie's mind. Yet the people she believes she can trust may not be so honorable after all.

My take: You know how sometimes a book cover is so good that you just have to read the book? That's how I felt about Mistaken—the instant I saw the cover, I knew I wanted to read it. Happily, the book lives up to the cover.

Mistaken is the story of Laurie, a young woman who loves her family to the point of doing stupid things to protect them—things like eavesdropping on private phone conversations, getting mixed up with rum-runners, and creeping around late at night looking for evidence. Laurie also has a propensity for dating the wrong type of man, so when she meets Daniel and realizes he is a rum runner, she knows she should stay away, but she can't deny the attraction she feels.

I greatly enjoyed watching Laurie and Daniel's story unfold, and I appreciated how Laurie grew throughout the novel—from a girl who would do anything (even illegal things) to keep her brother out of jail and protect her father's reputation to a woman who learned that she could only be responsible for her own actions, and she needed to leave everything else in God's hands.

I did find myself wanting to shake both Laurie and Daniel a few times, as a simple conversation could have cleared up the misunderstanding about who was really rum running. (Those "just talk about it already!" misunderstandings drive me crazy.) But aside from that, I really enjoyed this novel. It dealt with some weighty topics, including alcoholism, domestic violence, and corruption, yet it never failed to entertain.

My rating: 4 stars

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About the author: Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats. For more information, visit her website KarenBarnettBooks.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Abingdon Press through its early reader program.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”