"let's all be brave" by annie f. downs

About the book (from Goodreads): Annie F. Downs admits she's not exactly the bravest girl in the world. She still cries sometimes when she leaves her parents' home in Georgia, she's never jumped out of a plane, and she only rides roller coasters to impress boys. But Annie knows that courage resides inside each and every one of us, and she's on a mission to triumph over her own fears while encouraging the reader to do the same. As a single young woman, writer, speaker, and blogger, Annie Downs shares her journey toward bravery with honesty and humor. Using wonderful stories from her own life, contemporary real-life examples, and fascinating historical and biblical references, Annie encourages readers to grab hold of the brave life that they desperately desire. How often does fear hold us back from the very things we most want to taste, touch, and experience? The call to be brave isn't just for one person—it's for everyone. Let's All Be Brave is more than a book, it's a battle cry. Annie challenges us to live boldly, she calls us to step into those places that require courage, and she gives us the help to take the next step forward—even when it's scary. This non-fiction, essay-driven book opens the door to many different views of courage—nudging, encouraging, and inspiring readers to be brave whenever given the chance.

My take: I don't know Annie Downs, but I'm convinced that if we ever met, we'd be friends. I've been following her blog for a few years, and I watched with interest as her first few books were published. When I heard about Let's All Be Brave, I knew I needed to stop watching and start reading—because one thing I need in my life is more bravery!

In Let's All Be Brave, Annie challenges the reader to be brave—whatever that may mean. Maybe it's saying "yes" to something. Maybe it's saying "no." Maybe it's going after that long-buried dream. Maybe it's trying something and failing. Annie's message is applicable to anyone, whether young or old, single or married, healthy or sick. We all need to be brave.

Annie's writing style is incredibly warm and conversational—you almost feel like she's pouring out her heart over a cup of coffee. She's not afraid to talk about the bad times along with the good, all while encouraging you to be brave in the large and the small things.

Read this book—slowly, taking time to digest it. It's one that will stick with you long after you've finished reading it, and it will hopefully spur you on to do at least one of those things you've been too afraid to do before.

My rating: 5 stars

Buy the book.
Download the first two chapters free.
Watch the book trailer.

About the author: 

Annie F. Downs is an author and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.

Annie is the author of Let’s All Be Brave, a book for men and women about the power we each have to make a difference on this planet. She also has two books for teens: Perfectly Unique, a spiritual growth book for high school and college girls, and Speak Love, a challenge to women on how to use their words to make a difference in the world.

By weaving together personal stories, humor, and Scripture, she invites those reading to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them deeply. You can learn more about her books here.

While she loves writing- books, blogs, articles, thank-you notes- Annie also enjoys traveling around the world speaking to young women, college students, and adults.You can learn more about her speaking events here.

Annie is a huge fan of bands with banjos, glitter, her community of friends, boiled peanuts, and football games.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free for review from Amazon.com through its Vine reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions 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."

top ten tuesday: authors i own the most books from

The blog has been silent lately, mainly because I just got back from a week in Indiana, where my sister married the love of her life. (Trust me, a post is forthcoming.) While on said "vacation," I read a total of 1-1/2 books. That's it! It was nice to have a break, and now I'm ready to jump back into my normal insane reading schedule :-) I'll have a slew of reviews in the next several weeks, but for now, I thought it would be fun to do something different.

I've never done one of these weekly memes before, but several bloggers I follow have started doing Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke & The Bookish, and I thought it looked like fun! I'm sure I won't be doing these all the time, but if a Top Ten Tuesday catches my eye, then I'll jump in.

This week's topic is Ten Authors I Own The Most Books From. Since I didn't really feel like going through my bookshelves and Kindle to count everything, this is just an estimate. I'm very confident in the top five, but the rest are guesses :-) I thought it might be fun to give you a glimpse at my bookshelves as we go along. (If the pictures are too small, click on them, and they'll get bigger.)

This is just the 1st shelf—the shelf below
is about half full of Kingsbury books!

1. Karen Kingsbury—There was a time when I bought each and every Kingsbury book as soon as it released. That all ended with Loving, the last book in the Bailey Flanigan series. I began reading, then I flipped to the end to find out who Bailey chose in the end: Cody or Brandon. The result was what I feared. I put the book down and haven't read another Kingsbury book since. I know it's ridiculous, but I spent so much time (and money) invested in Bailey's journey, and I just can't get over the way it ended. (Full disclosure: At one point in the series, I wanted Kingsbury to end it exactly as she did, but then things changed, and I felt betrayed as a reader.) I do have two Kingsbury books that I haven't read yet, including Coming Home, which wraps up the Baxter series. I should really read them ... someday.

I just counted, and I have 44 Karen Kingsbury books. Goodness!

Lori Wick & Dee Henderson. For
a while, I kept all my Wick books.
Recently, though, I decided to just
keep my favorites and try to sell
the rest. So if you're in the market for
cheap Lori Wick books, check out
my half.com shop!

2. Lori Wick—From 7th grade until I discovered Karen Kingsbury in college, Lori Wick was my favorite author. I loaned out Sophie's Heart so many times that it's practically falling apart, and I've still read it more times than any other book. Fun fact: Wick is the only author on this list that I've seen in person. Her son attended the same college as I did, and one Sunday morning I turned around in church and saw her about six rows back!

3. Susan May Warren—I liked the first few Warren books I read, but I didn't love them. Then I read Sons of Thunder. I was hooked, and now I read everything she writes. I just finished When I Fall in Love, and I absolutely could not put it down. (Review coming next week.) I can't wait for the next in the series!

It doesn't look like many books, but
The Chronicles of Narnia and The
Essential C.S. Lewis both contain
several books.

4. C.S. Lewis—Lewis is the only author on the list whose fiction and non-fiction I own. Of course The Chronicles of Narnia is a favorite; I also love Mere Christianity and Till We Have Faces.

I've loaned out several Dekker books. They go
(of course) where the gaps are. If you're interested
in the book flowers, you can see how I
made them here.

5. Ted Dekker—My friend Jodi gave me Green, my first Ted Dekker novel, about 10 years ago. After devouring the Circle trilogy (now a quartet), I moved on to his other novels. Some I loved (Skin, Immanuel's Veins), some I loathed (Boneman's Daughters). I haven't read any of his newer novels ... or even all of the novels that are on this shelf!

The end of Susan May Warren &
most of my Robin Jones Gunn.

6. Robin Jones Gunn—What Christian teenage girl in the 90's didn't love the Christy Miller series? I got into the game a bit late—Book 8, Starry Night, is the first book I read in the series. Then in high school, I started reading the Glenbrooke series, and I own all eight books. Most recently, I read the Katie Weldon series and was surprised at how much I liked Katie, as I didn't really enjoy her in the Christy Miller series. I also have a couple Robin Jones Gunn books on my to be read shelf.

I have two types of bookshelves:
those that hold books I want to
display, and those that hold books
I keep for sentimental reasons. This
shelf holds the latter.

7. Lisa T. Bergren—I first came across Lisa T. Bergren in high school. My high school library had the Full Circle series, and reading Refuge made me really, really want to visit Montana! I didn't read any more of her books for a long time, but I recently reviewed the Grand Tour series and loved it. I also have a few books from her River of Time series on my Kindle ... must make time to read them! (Hello, it's YA and time travel. Of course I'm going to love it!)

The end of Karen Kingsbury, a few Denise Hunter,
and the beginning of Susan May Warren. I've
loaned out a ton of my Hunter and Warren books.

8. Denise Hunter—Hunter is, hands down, my favorite romance writer. I got started with her Nantucket series, and I've read practically everything she's written since. The Convenient Groom is one of my all-time favorite books, but I haven't reviewed it. I should probably read it again and remedy that!

The Austen shrine.

9. Jane Austen—Is it OK to admit that the only Jane Austen book I've ever read is Pride & Prejudice, and even then, I skipped some in the middle? But I display the books prominently, right beside the film adaptations of her novels. (My favorite? The BBC production of Emma.)

10. Dee Henderson—Henderson's O'Malley series remains is one of my all-time favorites. I also read some of her True Devotion series and enjoyed them. I haven't read any of her recent novels—I've read some negative reviews, and I don't want to spend money on books I may not like.

So there's my list. What about you? Leave your top ten in the comments, or leave a link to your own top ten post.

"a july bride" by beth wiseman

About the book (from the publisher): Can she forgive the man who left her at the altar?

Alyssa Pennington dated Brendan Myers for three years before she accepted his proposal. For almost a year, Alyssa's friends and family helped her plan a lovely wedding to take place in the church she'd grown up in. It was the happiest day of her life when she walked down the aisle to be united with the man of her dreams. But when Brendan left her at the altar, Alyssa was consumed by humiliation, embarrassment, and a broken heart that wouldn't allow her to trust anyone. Especially Brendan.

Brendan Myers knows he will spend the rest of his life regretting what he did to Alyssa, the only woman he's ever loved. Without her, his life is empty. In one fateful moment, he'd panicked, destroyed their future, and ruined everything. Now he plans to win her back.

But winning back his bride might prove much more difficult than he can imagine. And even if he does get her to the altar again, will she think turnabout is fair play?

My take: "A July Bride" turned out to be nothing like I expected—in a good way! When I began reading, I thought Alyssa and Brendan's reunion would be a fairly simple one, and I was a little annoyed that I thought I had it figured out so soon. But then Wiseman introduced Dalton, who also began vying for Alyssa's heart, and I wasn't sure who she would end up with or who I even wanted her to. The point of view shifts throughout the story among Alyssa, Brendan, and Dalton, allowing the reader to understand each of the characters.

That said, by about a third of the way through the novella, I knew who Alyssa would end up with, as one of the suitors became decidedly unsuitable. But I didn't anticipate exactly how things would resolve themselves, and I did enjoy the journey. I also appreciated what I thought was a fairly realistic look at marriage presented by Alyssa's best friend Sherry and her husband Monroe.

Some stories are suited for novellas, and others would function better as full-length novels. This is one of those stories that felt rushed as a novella. It covers the span of a full year, so much is left out/sped through. For example, Alyssa and Dalton's relationship—it took place over the span of several months, and while it moved a little rapidly, the pace wasn't unreasonable. But on one page, they've been dating for a few weeks in the early fall, and on the next page, it's winter and they've taken a major step towards marriage ... but the reader isn't privy to any of that. I would have enjoyed seeing the relationship develop a bit more.

Overall, "A July Bride" is a quick, enjoyable read ... I just wish it had been longer and more developed. It's not my favorite of the Year of Weddings novellas, but it's still pretty good.

My rating: 3-1/2 stars

Buy the novella.
See my reviews of Wiseman's The Wonder of Your Love and the other Year of Weddings novellas: December, January, February, March, April, May, and June.

About the author: Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol-award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. She and her family live in Texas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookblogger 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 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."

"rope of sand" by c.f. dunn

About the book (from the publisher): The third installment of the acclaimed romantic thriller series

This third volume, set in rural Maine’s deep winter, follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D’Eresby, and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels Matthew’s alarming past and begins to comprehend how very diff erent her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed.

Emma nervously meets Matthew’s family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew’s great-granddaughter have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do?

Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait to be together until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen—an elderly woman with a core of steel—and learns how living with Matthew will mean concealment and lies. How can they have a life together?

My take: When I picked up Rope of Sand, my first thought was, "How on earth will I remember all that led up to this novel?" It's the third book in C. F. Dunn's The Secrets of the Journal series, and I read the first books two years ago and one year ago, respectively. So I was quite pleased to discover that before the book begins, there's a section called "The Story So Far," which clearly and concisely summarizes the events leading up to Rope of Sand. Hurray! (I wish more authors would do this ...)

Rope of Sand finds Emma in a difficult place—she's finally clear about where she stands with Matthew, but she struggles to fit in with his family, and then there's the matter of his wife. Honestly, I struggled with Matthew and Emma's relationship quite a bit—it never became sexual, but it was adulterous in every other way. The situation is certainly unique, with Matthew unable to age and his wife old and physically incapacitated. But a marriage vow is a marriage vow, and I couldn't help but feel a bit "icky" about the relationship.

Aside from that, though, I really enjoyed Rope of Sand. Emma's interactions with Matthew's family were fascinating, and the twists the plot took, especially with the reintroduction of Kort Staahl, were unexpected and gripping. I also enjoyed the gradual revealing of Emma's gifts, though they haven't been adequately explained by the end of the novel.

I thought that Rope of Sand might be the end of the series, but it most certainly isn't, and for that I'm glad. I'm eager to find out what will happen next with Matthew and Emma (especially since some of the obstacles to their being together have been removed), and I'm very curious about Emma's abilities.

Content note: In addition to the aforementioned relationship, the book also contains some mild expletives and sexual innuendo. Nothing is explicit.

My rating: 4 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of books one and two, Mortal Fire and Death Be Not Proud.

About the author: C. F. Dunn runs a school in North Kent for children with developmental disabilities, dyslexia, autism, and other difficulties. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. 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.”

"a june bride" by marybeth whalen

About the novella (from the publisher): It takes a reality TV show for Wynne to realize love isn't just a game.

Wynne Hardy never thought she'd get engaged on a reality TV show, but when she met Andy on The Rejection Connection, the two of them hit it off. Now he's asked her to marry him, much to the public's delight and fascination. They're all set to wed on live TV in a seaside ceremony at the height of the wedding season.

But just as Wynne thinks all her dreams are coming true, her ex-boyfriend walks back into her life at the worst possible time. Callum broke her heart years ago, and she's still sorting through her feelings for him. Her heart isn't as clear as her head that it's past time to move on-even though she's engaged to Andy.

At a local TV talk show appearance, Wynne meets Meredith, who won another reality TV show-Marathon Mom-proving herself nothing short of a superhero. As Wynne's beach wedding plans spin out of control, Meredith offers to help, unknowingly stepping on Wynne's secret feelings . . . and exposing some secrets Meredith has been keeping to herself. Can these two reality stars get real about their feelings? Will Wynne go through with her televised wedding and be the perfect June bride the network is looking for?

My take: I've been loving this "A Year of Weddings" series (for the most part), and when I heard that June's installment would have to do with a Bachelor-type reality show, I couldn't wait to dive in! (The Bachelor/ette franchise is my TV guilty pleasure.)

"A June Bride" centers around Wynne's upcoming televised wedding to Andy, the man she chose at the end of The Rejection Connection. But she's haunted by memories of her ex Callum, who chooses to reenter her life mere weeks before the wedding. Should she honor her commitment to Andy or give Callum another chance?

I have mixed feelings about this novella. I absolutely love the concept, and I definitely enjoyed reading it. I especially liked the behind-the-scenes look at reality TV. But it also seemed less than realistic ... even for reality TV. Wynne didn't ask some very important questions about Andy until right before the wedding date, and she brushed over some rather unsatisfactory answers. I even wondered if she'd had a break with reality at one point, as she and Andy had a conversation that clearly went in one direction, and then she immediately told the press the opposite.

"A June Bride" isn't a bad novella, but it definitely isn't one of my favorites in the series. I've read another book by Whalen (The Guest Book), and I loved it, so perhaps the short length of the novella kept this story from being fully developed. I do think that reality TV fans will get a kick out of it if they can overlook some of Wynne's flaws.

My rating: 3 stars

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Whalen's The Guest Book and the other Year of Weddings novellas: December, January, February, March, April, and May.

About the author: Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. She is the director of She Reads, an online book club focused on spotlighting the best in women's fiction. Marybeth is the author of The Mailbox, She Makes It Look Easy and The Guest Book. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She's always at work on her next novel. Marybeth and her family live in North Carolina. You can find her online at www.marybethwhalen.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger 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 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."

July Life Update

I'm well overdue for another gluten free post, but there are so many other things to talk about, so I'm going to do a combo post—a life update, if you will. Hopefully the pictures will keep it interesting!

Cats

I celebrated two years with my cats at the beginning of July. When I got Isis, Hammond, and Skaara, I simply hoped they'd stay around for a few months—I didn't dare to hope I'd have them for years! Here are the before and after pictures I posted on Facebook.

Hammond & Skaara

"revolutionary" by krista mcgee

Revolutionary (Anomaly #3)

by Krista McGee

Release Date: 07/15/14

Thomas Nelson Publishers

About the book (from Goodreads): All her life Thalli thought she was an anomaly. Now she must use her gifts to fulfill the role she was called to play: Revolutionary.

Back in the underground State against her will, Thalli is no longer the anomaly she was before. She has proven herself to be a powerful leader aboveground and returns with information that Dr. Loudin needs to complete his plan of uniting the world under one leader: himself. But he, too, has information. A secret he has kept from Thalli her entire life. A secret that, once revealed, changes everything about the person Thalli thought she was.

Hoping to help Thalli rise up against the Scientists, both Berk and Alex join her underground, but their presence only brings more trouble for her. Now Dr. Loudin knows just the leverage to use on his captive, and she is forced to choose between the two of them. Is her first love her true love? Or does Alex ultimately claim her heart?

Unsure of everything around her, including her own identity, Thalli doesn’t know where to turn. She knows she needs the Designer, but he seems further away than ever. What she does know, though, is that if she doesn’t do something to stop Loudin, the fragile world aboveground will be lost once and for all.

My take: Revolutionary is an incredibly satisfying conclusion to McGee's Anomaly series. It's hard to really talk about it without spoilers because So. Much. Happens. So let me just say that the way everything wraps up is brilliant. The truth about Thalli and why she is the way she is makes so much sense, though I didn't ever guess it (I'm thinking I should have, but I was convinced McGee was going in a different direction). The ending is fitting and bittersweet—as would be expected from a series in this genre, several characters give their lives in the pursuit of freedom.

Once again, one of my favorite aspects is how the Designer fits into the story. In previous books, Thalli was learning about Him and relying on Him, but in Revolutionary she really comes to a crisis of faith, as she feels the Designer isn't hearing her. What Christian hasn't gone through that? I felt like Thalli's journey of faith was very realistic and something teens could easily identify with.

In a world of dystopian teen novels like The Hunger Games, Matched, and Divergent (which I enjoy, don't get me wrong!), it's refreshing to read a series that is equally entertaining but comes from a Christian perspective. I highly recommend this series to teens and anyone else who enjoys YA fiction.

My rating: 5 stars (for both the book and the series)

See what others are saying.
Buy the book: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo Books * The Book Depository
Learn about Anomaly and Luminary.
Read my reviews of McGee's Anomaly, Luminary, and Starring Me.

About the author: Krista McGee writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. She currently lives in Florida.

Connect with Krista at her website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.

About the giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour Organized by YA Bound Book Tours.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free for review via YA Bound Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

"mindwar" by andrew klavan: guest post & giveaway

IS GOD ALLOWED IN STORIES?
by Andrew Klavan

Here’s something funny I’ve noticed. If you mention God in a story, or if you have a character who believes in God and prays to him, people notice it. Sometimes they accuse you of being “preachy,” or writing “propaganda.” There’s one reviewer (I won’t mention his name) who mentions my religion every time he reviews one of my books. It’s not that he’s unfair or unkind. Sometimes his reviews are good, sometimes they’re bad, but he always mentions that I’m a Christian. He never mentions that other writers aren’t Christians. Other writers are just writers. But my religion is always identified whenever he writes about me.

In England, a big bookstore chain said they would cut the orders of my Homelanders books if I wouldn’t edit mentions of God out of the story. When the lead character Charlie West talked about something he had read in the Bible, they wanted me to rewrite it to leave the Bible part out. When I refused, they actually did cut the orders of the books too!

So let’s think about that for just a minute. Most people here in America believe in God and, in fact, most Americans would identify themselves as Christian. Most people pray when they’re in trouble and a lot of us pray when we’re not in trouble too and a lot of us go to church and so on. So if I’m writing realistic American characters, the very high odds are that they’re going to believe in God and they’re probably going to be Christians. If they don’t pray, if they don’t believe, that would make them extraordinary. That would make them noticeable.

So shouldn’t reviewers point out when writers don’t include God in their stories? Shouldn’t the reviewers say, “In the latest book by this non-Christian writer, the hero never prays, even when he’s in trouble! That’s not very realistic, but still it was a good story...” They should, but weirdly, they never do.

Interestingly, MindWar is about a guy who’s so angry about the things that have happened in his life, he’s lost his faith in God and stopped praying.  But of course, that doesn’t take God out of the story, any more than it would in real life.

About the book (from Goodreads): Rick Dial has the potential to be a hero. He just doesn't know it yet.

Rick's high school football team couldn't be stopped when he was leading them as their quarterback. He was going to Syracuse on a scholarship. But then his dad abandoned them and a terrible accident left him crippled.

Certain his old life is completely lost, Rick spends months hiding away in his room playing video games. He achieves the highest scores on so many games that he's approached by a government agency who claims to be trying to thwart a cyber attack on America that would destroy the technological infrastructure of the entire country. The agents say that the quick-thinking of a quarterback coupled with Nick's gaming experience make him perfect for this assignment. The problem is that there are no extra lives and this isn't just a game . . . but Rick doesn't have many other options at the moment.

Entering "The Realm" gives Rick the one thing he thought he'd never have again: a body that's as fast and as strong as he ever was before the accident. But the more time he spends in The Realm, the more questions he has. What secrets are these agents keeping from him? What really happened to his father? How many others have gone into The Realm already . . . and failed? And perhaps most important, is he the hero they think he is?

See what others are saying.
Buy the book: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo Books * The Book Depository

About the author: Andrew Klavan is a best-selling, award-winning thriller novelist whose books have been made into major motion pictures. He broke into the YA scene with the bestselling Homelanders series, starting with The Last Thing I Remember. He is also a screenwriter and scripted the innovative movie-in-an-app Haunting Melissa.

Connect with the author on his website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.

About the giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog tour organized by YA Bound Book Tours.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via YA Bound Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

"luminary" by krista mcgee

Note: If you haven't read book one in this trilogy, Anomaly, and you plan to, you should probably stop reading now. I don't know how I could possibly review this book without referencing some of the events in book one. I'm even ditching the "about the book" section so that you can avoid spoilers. Also, my review of the final book, Revolutionary, will go up tomorrow morning, and it will contain mentions of both Anomaly and Luminary.

My take: This is one of those books that it's difficult to write a review of. Not because I hated it and struggle with what to say without being too negative but because it's wonderful, and I just want to gush ... but then it would be full of spoilers. So prepare for a very vague yet glowing review!

Luminary picks up right where Anomaly left off, with Thalli, Berk, Rhen, and John embarking on their journey to find survivors. The survivors they find reside in two opposing communities—agrarian New Hope and technology-focused Athens. When Thalli tries to help broker peace between the communities, her knowledge of truth is tested, and she struggles to understand what is real and what is make believe. And then there's Alex, prince of Athens. Can she trust her feelings for him? And what about her feelings for Berk?

I loved virtually everything about Luminary—the plot, the characters, even the love triangle. Normally, love triangles drive me crazy because it seems so obvious to me who the heroine should pick, even if the author doesn't agree with me (Team Peeta, Team Cody, Team Jacob, Team Logan. Obviously.)* But Luminary is different—I really have no idea who Thalli should choose, and I can see the merits to each guy. I also definitely didn't see the twists coming in the relationships!

I also love, love, love the focus on the Designer. McGee weaves the truth of the Gospel into the story without coming across as preachy. As Thalli learns more about the Designer, her faith grows, and it's great to watch her reliance on Him through the difficult times—and there are certainly plenty of those in this book!

The story ends on a cliffhanger that I really can't explain at all—but let's just say that it's perfect, and I'm so glad I have the final book waiting on my Kindle so I can keep reading the story!

*The Hunger Games, The Bailey Flanigan series (don't even get me started!), Twilight (admittedly, I only read the first book and saw the first film), Veronica Mars.

My rating: 5 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of McGee's Anomaly and Starring Me.

About the author: Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. She currently lives in Florida.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I won this book in a giveaway and was not required to review it. 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."

"the revealing" by suzanne woods fisher

About the book (from Litfuse): Naomi King, soft spoken, loyal, and easily overlooked, has a gift. She sees what others can't see. Intuition, she calls it. Others in Stoney Ridge don't know what to make of it and dismiss her hunches and inklings altogether.

When a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with a shocking secret about Tobe Schrock, Naomi fears the worst. She can't ignore the feeling that something sinister is at work—something more than a threat to the tenuous love begun between her and Tobe.

As signs mount, they begin to point to Jake Hertzler, the elusive mastermind behind Schrock Investments' downfall. Soon, events spiral hopelessly out of control and Naomi must decide whether to listen to her head or her heart.

In this riveting conclusion to The Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

My take: The Revealing is a fitting conclusion to The Inn at Eagle Hill series. One thing I love about this series (and really all the books set in Stoney Ridge) is that beloved characters keep growing and evolving and, well, showing up on the pages of the novels! So while The Revealing is ostensibly Naomi and Tobe's story, we readers get to spend similar (if not equal) time with Rose (featured in The Letters), Bethany (featured in The Calling), and Rose's daughter Mim. Suzanne Woods Fisher really has created a world for her novels, and it's so fun to see which characters are going to pop back in!

The Revealing is the perfect title for this novel, as so many secrets are finally brought to light. And while several of the plot threads that have been woven throughout the series come to a fitting (and at times surprising) conclusion, not everything wraps up neatly. I'm hoping that in one of Fisher's future novels we'll finally see Jimmy Fisher—who has been a constant in the Stoney Ridge novels—become successful and get his own happily ever after. And I'm certainly curious about where Mim's story will go!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that Amish books tend to be hit or miss for me. (Honestly, it's more often "miss" than "hit"!) Fisher's books are always a hit—great characters, Biblical truth, surprising twists, and a few laugh out loud moments always make me anxious to read whatever she's releasing next!

Note: The Inn at Eagle Hill is a series that you really do need to read in order. So many plot lines are carried over from the first two books that readers who jump in with The Revealing will probably be very confused. You don't need to have read the Stoney Ridge Seasons or Lancaster County series previously.

My rating: 5 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the Inn at Eagle Hill books: The Letters, The Calling, and "The Rescue" (novella); The Stoney Ridge Seasons books: The Haven, The Lesson; and A Lancaster County Christmas.

About the author: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

Download Suzanne's free app! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Find Suzanne online: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

About the giveaway: In The Revealing, the riveting conclusion to the Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

Suzanne is celebrating by giving away THREE iPads!

  THREE grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• PickPocket Tablet Accessory Pouch (A stylish storage pouch designed to hold all your tablet accessories. Info.)
• The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing)

Five second place winners will receive:

• The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 20th. All winners will be announced July 21st at Suzanne's blog. AND ... if you're looking for more in the Inn at Eagle Hill series, be sure to pick up the ebook novella, The Rescue, for just $1.99!

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
Suzanne is also giving away two 10-book mystery prize packs! 
One of the major themes of The Revealing is learning to trust your intuition and instincts. These are God-given qualities that we sometimes are too timid or unsure of to act on. For a chance to win one of the 10-book prize packs, leave a comment on this blog and share about a time when your intuition or instinct saved the day—or a time you ignored it and missed an opportunity. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

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 moment in time" by tracie peterson

About the book (from Amazon): Alice Chesterfield is a woman pursued. Having survived an attack that left her scarred and her father dead, she is never free from the fear and memories of the man who is responsible.

Texas seems to be an answer to Alice's prayers, and when she has the opportunity to relocate to a ranch near Dallas, Robert Barnett captures her attention. Unlike any man Alice has ever known, Robert doesn't worry about the obstacles that stand in their way—and he hardly seems to notice the scar she bears.

But there are storm clouds gathering; devastating information about her family comes to light, threatening Alice's peaceful sanctuary. Disillusioned, Alice must learn to place her trust in God as she seeks a measure of peace for her future...and for her heart.

My take: I must admit, I have mixed feelings about A Moment in Time. It's the second book in Peterson's Texas Brides series, and I really enjoyed the book one, A Sensible Arrangement, so I highly anticipated continuing Jake, Marty, and Alice's story. At first, I was incredibly frustrated as I read—Marty made so much progress in the first book, and when this one started, it was like she had completely regressed. I understand that she didn't want to go back to Texas, but the Marty at the end of A Sensible Arrangement would not have had the spoiled brat/childish reaction to Jake's announcement that he was going to look for work in Texas that this Marty had.

Once the characters actually got to Texas (more than one third of the way through the book), I started enjoying it more. Marty's character became more like the Marty at the end of A Sensible Arrangement (finally!), and Alice and Robert met, which introduced the novel's love story. They had a sweet romance, and of course I was pulling for her to get her happily ever after. Some of the conflict in their relationship, though, could have been solved by simply talking to one another—that's my least favorite type of conflict in romance, as I just want to shake the couple and yell, "Just talk about it!"

Everything wraps up in a satisfying manner, though a couple threads are left open for future novels. I think the reason I struggled so much with this book is that I was anticipating it greatly, as I'd really enjoyed book one in the series, so perhaps my expectations were too high. This is a good book, and, despite my criticisms, I enjoyed it—just not as much as I'd hoped to. I will still come back for the next in the series, as I do like the characters, and I still want to know how those unresolved threads will turn out!

My rating: 3-1/2 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Peterson's A Sensible Arrangement and House of Secrets.

About the author: Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
Learn more about Tracie at www.traciepeterson.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through its book reviewer 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."

"four weddings and a kiss" by brownley, hatcher, connealy & clopton

About the book: Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He's resolved to change Molly's mind about him—as an editor and as a man.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie's mind?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive—or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case—until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

My take: Four Weddings and a Kiss is a delightful novella collection. Following in the steps of the authors' previous collaboration, A Bride for All Seasons, this collection is full of stories that are connected only through the prologue and epilogue, so the authors didn't need to write about the same characters, which can be a problem in novella collections.

As for the stories themselves, of course I have my favorites! I really loved Hatcher's "Love Letter to the Editor"—as I get older, I definitely appreciate reading about older characters, and I enjoyed Molly and Jack's courtship. I also really liked Connealy's "Spitfire Sweetheart." Like Maizy, I wanted to dropkick Rylan when he suggested she wasn't good enough for him just as she was, but of course he changed and things worked out :-) Clopton's "A Cowboy for Katie" was fine, but it wasn't my favorite. I did appreciate how Treb helped Katie work through her issues. My least favorite was Brownley's "Courting Trouble"—there was nothing wrong with it, but I just couldn't make myself care about the outcome. I ended up skimming through it.

Even though I didn't love all of the novellas, this is still a great collection! And I suspect that other readers will really love the stories that didn't interest me as much. That's what's great about novella collections—there's usually something for everyone!

My rating: 4 stars (5 for "Love Letter to the Editor," 4.5 for "Spitfire Sweetheart," 3.5 for "A Cowboy for Katie," and 3 for "Courting Trouble.")

See what others are saying.
Buy the book. (You can also buy each novella individually.)
Read my reviews of A Bride for all Seasons; Connealy's In Too Deep, Over the Edge, Swept Away, and Fired Up; and Hatcher's Beloved, A Promise Kept, and The Heart's Pursuit.

About the authors: Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than thirty novels. Her books have won numerous awards and has written for a TV soap opera. @margaretbrownley

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. She is the author of over seventy novels and her work often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher

Mary Connealy is an award-winning author of romantic comedy with cowboys. Mary and her Nebraska rancher husband have four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren. @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's first book-to-movie aired on ABC Family and starred LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

About the giveaway:  Four best-­selling romance novelists bring tales of feisty heroines, stubborn heroes, and unlikely love in the Wild West in Four Weddings and a Kiss. Don't miss the latest from the Western Brides Collection from Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.

The authors are celebrating with a "Sweet on Love" iPad Mini Giveaway and rip-roarin' Facebook party.

 
  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Bride for All Seasons and Four Weddings and a Kiss 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 8th. Winner will be announced at the Four Weddings and a Kiss Facebook Author Chat Party. Connect with Western Brides Collection authors Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton for an evening of fun book chat, western-themed trivia, and prizes. The authors will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in the collection!

So grab your copy of Four Weddings and a Kiss and join the authors on the evening of July 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

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."

"the rescue" by suzanne woods fisher

About the novella (from the publisher): He's taking a chance on love . . . and there's no plan B.

Will Stoltz has returned to Stoney Ridge with a clear plan. He's opening a wild bird rescue center and is determined to rekindle his fizzled romance with Jackie Colombo, the veterinarian who stole his heart. But nothing is working out as Will planned. The leased building for the rescue center is a disaster, his funding is rapidly dwindling, and Jackie Colombo has disappeared without a trace.

When an injured eagle is found in a pasture near the Inn at Eagle Hill, Will is desperate to prove—to himself, to his skeptical father, and to everyone else—that his mission has not been in vain. But as his best-laid plans begin to fail, Will discovers something more valuable.

Travel back to the Inn at Eagle Hill for the untold story of one of your favorite characters and experience the miracle of love.

My take: "The Rescue" is a novella that resumes the story of Will Stoltz, who longtime Suzanne Woods Fisher readers will remember from The Haven (Sadie Lapp's story). Will stays at Rose Schrock's Inn at Eagle Hill and develops a bond with her son Luke while he opens up a wildlife rescue shelter and searches for local vet Jackie. The story is short and sweet, if a bit convenient (practically the second Will turns his problems over to God, they all are resolved.) It also features some of Fisher's trademark humor, which I always enjoy. But what struck me the most was something Rose said to Will regarding Rachel and Leah from the Bible: "Whenever something or someone is in the place that only God was meant for, our heart's desire might be for Rachel, but in the morning, we will always find ourselves with Leah." What a great reminder!

Just in case you're wondering, this isn't really an Amish novella. I mean, there are Amish characters, but it's all about Will, who isn't Amish, and his love interest Jackie isn't Amish either—so I don't know why there's an Amish woman on the cover!

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of The Haven, The Lesson, The Letters, The Calling, and A Lancaster County Christmas.

About the author: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

Download Suzanne's free app! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Find Suzanne online: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this novella 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."