2016 reading challenge: april update

My mom, sisters, and I have written up our thoughts on the books we read this month for Modern Mrs. Darcy's 2016 reading challenge. This month, our category was "a book we've been meaning to read." I read The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. Hop on over to my other blog to see what we thought of our picks!

"spark joy" by marie kondo

Last Christmas, my sister and I "Kondo'd" my books and movies, following Marie Kondo's method for decluttering. It was so freeing to get rid of things that when I heard Kondo had a second book in the works, I jumped at the opportunity to review it.

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Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an illustrated guide to her acclaimed KonMari Method, with step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets. She also provides advice on frequently asked questions, such as whether to keep “necessary” items that may not bring you joy. With guidance on specific categories including kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, hobby goods, and digital photos, this comprehensive companion is sure to spark joy in anyone who wants to simplify their life.

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Spark Joy expands on Marie Kondo's method of tidying—going through everything you own (in a prescribed order) and only keeping those things that "spark joy." While I was skeptical at first, this method worked wonderfully last Christmas. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but I got rid of several totes full of books and DVDs, and, because I need less shelf space, I rearranged my living room, and it now feels much homier to me.

My bookshelves before.

My bookshelves after.

Here's the thing: Spark Joy is full of good ideas, and if you take what applies to you and ignore the rest, you'll still get your money's worth ... provided you don't already own The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Spark Joy expands on some of the concepts from Life-Changing Magic, and there are some useful illustrations, though I wish they had been actual pictures instead of sketches. Still, I don't see the need to own both books (keep reading to see which one I'd recommend).

There is a high "kook" factor to Spark Joy—my sister blames it on the clash between East (Kondo is from Japan) and West. I don't know if that's the reason, but I did laugh out loud at some of the things Kondo said. Take, for example, this advice on going through your clothes: "...start with tops because things worn closer to your heart make it easier to judge whether or not you feel joy" (p. 82). Um, okay ...

I especially appreciated the section on tidying paper products and komono, or miscellaneous items. Komono includes things like beauty products, cleaning supplies, medicines, etc.—the things I tend to let build up, even when I'm very careful about keeping my clothes, books, and other items organized.

Overall, I would recommend buying one of Kondo's books—which one is up to you. For me, Spark Joy was more practical than Life-Changing Magic; I didn't care about the philosophy behind Kondo's method as much as I cared about how to do it. I think I'll be referencing Spark Joy many times in the future, as the method really does work; my house is the proof. 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.

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Marie Kondo is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (also a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK) and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2015. She is the founder of the KonMari Method.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. 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."

"the bluebonnet bride" by pamela tracy

Sometimes, you just want a quick, sweet, romantic read. The Bluebonnet Bride perfectly fits the bill—it's short enough to read in just a couple hours, and it's perfectly light and sweet.

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This is Daniel Starr's year. He's moving up the rankings on the bull-riding circuit and is determined to catch his twin brother. Nothing is going to stop him.

Well, almost nothing. When his beloved grandmother falls and needs a caretaker, Daniel finds himself on the road back to Pecan, Texas, rather than making the next rodeo. Why did this happen now? And why, when he's jeopardizing his career to come home, does Miss Bossypants Amy Benjamin think he's not doing enough?

Amy knows all about the swashbuckling Starr Brothers, but anyone who turns his back on her beloved Pecan--and on his own grandmother--doesn't deserve admiration. If Amy had been lucky enough to have family like Grandma Starr, her life would have been so different! Well, she's going to make sure Daniel does his duty. But the longer he stays in Pecan, the harder it'll be to see him go.

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I really enjoyed The Bluebonnet Bride. While at first I thought it would be incredibly predictable as Amy and Daniel progressed from meeting to falling in love, author Pamela Tracy did throw in some twists I didn't anticipate, which added interest. I wouldn't say that I was riveted to the story, but I did enjoy watching it unfold. Though the story is fairly short (basically novella length), I didn't feel the romance progressed at too rapid a rate, a problem that I often see in novellas.

The title The Bluebonnet Bride is a bit of a misnomer, though, as there's no wedding (or engagement) to be found. The series will continue with books about Daniel's brothers Dusty and Luke, and I assume that at some point Amy will become Daniel's bride—it just doesn't happen in this book.

The Bluebonnet Bride is the first book I've read from Serenade Books, but it won't be my last. It is a great introduction to the Lone Star Brides series, and I'm looking forward to continuing with the novels about the other Starr brothers. 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.

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Pamela Tracy is a USA Today award-winning author who lives with her husband (He claims to be the inspiration for most of her heroes) and son (He claims to be the interference for most of her writing time). While earning a BA in Journalism at Texas Tech University, she wrote a very bad science fiction novel and then decided to write what she read: romance. First published in 1999 , Pamela has since published twenty-six books. Her suspense novels have garnered her an American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol award and a RITA finalist.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Serenade Books. 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 Reluctant Duchess" by Roseanna M. White

Each month, Bethany House Publishers sends out a list of books to bloggers who participate in its review program, and each blogger can select one book to review. So here's a glimpse into my selection process: I immediately rule out any Amish fiction (if you love Amish fiction, that's great, but I am so over it...with the exception of Suzanne Woods Fisher's novels, but she's not a Bethany House author. Anyway.), as well as any books I'm receiving from another source. Then I look at the covers. Bethany House does such a fantastic job with covers, and, nine times out of ten, if I like a Bethany House cover, I'll like the book. Of the books on the April list, The Reluctant Duchess stood out, thanks to the cover. Isn't it gorgeous?

join becky wade for a facebook party may 5

I don't think there's a 2016 release I'm anticipating more than Becky Wade's Her One and Only. I've pretty much gushed about each of Becky's books so far (here's the proof), and this one is sure to be great, too.  Becky is celebrating the release of Her One and Only—which I will very soon have in my hands!—with a Facebook party, and you're invited to join in! Keep reading to learn more.

 

A female bodyguard plus her star NFL client plus danger equals a great recipe for romance! Her One and Only, book four in Becky Wade's Porter Family novels, releases May 3. To celebrate, Becky is hosting an author chat party on her Facebook page on May 5 at 5 PM PDT/8 PM EDT. Join Becky for an evening of book chat with other bookworms and prizes.

Plus a portion of all pre-sales and sales the release week of Her One and Only will be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. For more details on how to purchase a copy, click here.

About the Book

After ten years in the NFL, super star Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans. But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?

Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt–none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she’s determined to find Gray’s stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.

Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives — and their hearts — to one another.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

"the gifting" by k.e. ganshert

When I heard that Katie Ganshert, one of my favorite women's fiction authors, was releasing a YA series as K.E. Ganshert, I knew I wanted to read it. I even purchased the Kindle version of book one, The Gifting, but I never quite found the time to read it. Recently, when Katie asked her reader friends if anyone would be interested in listening to and reviewing the audiobook versions of the first two books, I knew this was my chance to get caught up on the series.

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If science is right, then I am crazy. And crazy is dangerous. 

In a world where nothing supernatural exists, Tess Eckhart is positive she's going crazy. After her complete freakout at a high school party, her family is too. So much that they pack their bags and move across the country, next to a nationally-renowned facility for the mentally ill.

Tess is determined to fit in at her new school, despite the whispers and stares. But when it comes to Luka Williams, a reluctantly popular boy in her class, she's unused to a stare that intense. Then the headaches start, and the seemingly prophetic dreams that haunt her at night. As Tess tries harder to hide them, she becomes increasingly convinced that Luka knows something--that he might somehow be responsible.

But what if she's wrong? What if Luka Williams is the only thing separating her from a madness too terrifying to fathom?

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Can I just state right now that I love Luka? I've seen enough readers gushing about him to know that I'd probably like him, but he really is so great. His relationship with Tess (which we only see from Tess' perspective) develops slowly and surely, and I love how much he cares for her. I also really like Tess; Ganshert did a great job of portraying the insecurity a teenage girl feels, especially when she's "different."

The story is set in the near future, and it focuses on a topic we don't talk about often enough—mental illness. Because science has "proven" that God doesn't exist, anyone who experiences the supernatural is deemed mentally ill and can be relegated to a mental hospital. Tess is one of those people, and as she seeks to figure out what's "wrong" with her, she learns there are others like her. But the more she learns, the more danger she finds herself in.

I absolutely loved the way The Gifting unfolded, all from Tess' perspective. And I loved how quickly things moved for the majority of the story—it was fast enough to keep my attention but not so rapid that I became lost or felt like I was missing something.

The only thing I didn't like about The Gifting was the lack of Luka in the opening chapters (which felt like an eternity in audiobook time). It was understandable, though, as the events in Florida, before Tess' family moved and she met Luka, were necessary to the plot. Overall, I loved The Gifting, and I can't wait to begin The Awakening!

As for the audiobook, I really enjoyed it. I still would rather read a book than listen to it—because I can read it much faster than I can listen to it—but this production is very well done. Narrator Heather Masters did a great job, and listening to The Gifting was a very enjoyable experience. 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book. (The Kindle version is currently FREE!)
Buy the audiobook.
Read my reviews of Ganshert's adult titles Wildflowers from Winter (5 stars), A Broken Kind of Beautiful (5 stars & my favorite read of 2015), An October Bride (5 stars), and The Perfect Arrangement (5 stars).

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K.E. Ganshert was born and raised in the exciting state of Iowa, where she currently resides with her family. She likes to write things and consume large quantities of coffee and chocolate while she writes all the things. She's won some awards. For the writing, not the consuming. Although the latter would be fun. You can learn more about K.E. Ganshert and these things she writes at her website www.katieganshert.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free for review 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."

"the bachelor girl's guide to murder" by rachel mcmillan

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder (Harvest House, April 2016)
Add to Goodreads.

It's a rainy, dreary day today. The kind of day where you just want to curl up under a blanket with a good book and a cat. So that's what I did!

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In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

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I wasn't quite sure what to expect from The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder, but I thought it looked like fun ... and it certainly was! The novel feels old-timey—in a good way! Merinda and Jem do bear a resemblance to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and I loved seeing all the parallels. Also, the book just reads like an older mystery—like something Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers would have written.

While the mystery—surrounding two murdered girls and government corruption—was interesting, I didn't care as much about the "whodunit" as I did about getting to know Jem and Merinda. Much of the novel is told through Jem's eyes, and I appreciated that perspective. Jem is clearly Merinda's sidekick, and usually the sidekick is a supporting character, but not here. I loved Jem dearly, while I felt like Merinda was just "there." Hopefully Merinda will become equally fleshed out in future novels!

Throughout the novel, author Rachel McMillan includes two things that you may be tempted to skip over (these are things I generally skip): excerpt quotes at the beginning of each chapter and footnotes scattered throughout. The footnotes are fabulous! They are so funny and provide extra information that's helpful to know. And the excerpt quotes? They go with each chapter, but what you really want to pay attention to is the attribution. So great!

I thoroughly enjoyed this first encounter with Herringford and Watts, and I look forward to their future adventures! 4 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.

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Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

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Meet best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem, who launch their own Sherlock Holmes-esque consulting detective business in 1910 Toronto in Rachel McMillan’s The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Rachel is celebrating the release of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder with a Murder Mystery Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on April 28!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
• A magnifying glass necklace
• A bowler hat
• A pocket watch
• A $30 Amazon gift card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 4/28. The winner will be announced at The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Rachel and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

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."

"stars over sunset boulevard" by susan meissner

One seemingly small deception sets in motion events that will change lives forever in Stars over Sunset Boulevard.

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Los Angeles, Present Day. When an iconic hat worn by Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind  ends up in Christine McAllister’s vintage clothing boutique by mistake, her efforts to return it to its owner take her on a journey more enchanting than any classic movie… 

Los Angeles, 1938.  Violet Mayfield sets out to reinvent herself in Hollywood after her  dream of becoming a wife and mother falls apart, and lands a job on the film-set of Gone With the Wind. There, she meets enigmatic Audrey Duvall, a once-rising film star who is now a fellow secretary. Audrey’s zest for life and their adventures together among Hollywood’s glitterati enthrall Violet…until each woman’s deepest desires collide.  What Audrey and Violet are willing to risk, for themselves and for each other, to ensure their own happy endings will shape their friendship, and their lives, far into the future. 

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Stars Over Sunset Boulevard is a fascinating story about two women trying to make it in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Audrey once was on her way to stardom, but now she's relegated to the secretarial pool at a movie studio. Violet, on the run from her past, ends up at the same studio, and the two become roommates and best friends. Though their friendship lasts decades, it is fraught with deception, jealousy, and secrets that threaten to destroy their happiness.

From the opening pages, Susan Meissner sweeps readers into the glamour of the time. Most of the novel is set during the filming of Gone with the Wind, lending a real-world touchpoint to the action. I especially loved the first half of the novel, when Violet was establishing her life in Hollywood; however, as the story progressed, Violet's actions became more and more manipulative, and I had a hard time rooting for her. Not including the interspersed present-day scenes, the novel covers 25 years, and the later portions of the novel aren't nearly as engaging as the first half. (Also, I think it's worth noting that while this is a dual timeline story, less than ten percent of the story actually takes place in the present. So don't look for much insight into Christine's character.)

Actions have consequences; we all know that. But I felt like Violet's manipulations, nearly all of which came from a place of fear and self-preservation, did not have enough consequences. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, and it never did. Also, near the end of the book, Violet and Audrey finally confessed their secrets to one another, and Audrey took some of the blame for the problems in their relationship--but looking back on the story, there wasn't really anything she had done to harm Violet, so I just felt confused and dissatisfied with the scene, rather than being relieved that the two were able to repair their friendship.

The writing in Stars over Sunset Boulevard is beautiful, and I was very entertained by the novel; I just wish the second half had been as strong as the first. 4 stars.

Buy the book.

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Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include A Fall of Marigolds, named to Booklist’s Top Ten Women’s Fiction titles for 2014, and The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008. A California native, she attended Point Loma Nazarene University. Susan is a pastor’s wife and a mother of four young adults. When she’s not working on a novel, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at her website: http://susanlmeissner.com on Twitter at @SusanMeissner or at www.facebook.com/susan.meissner

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 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."

"dressed for death" by julianna deering

Before I discovered romance, I adored mysteries. The Mandie books. Encyclopedia Brown. Nancy Drew. The Hardy Boys. While I don't read many mysteries now, I've continually heard good things about Julianna Deering's Drew Farthering series, so I decided to break from the norm and give the latest installment, Dressed for Death, a look.

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A Regency-Era Costume Party Should Have Been an Amusing Diversion, but it Seems Wherever Drew Farthering Goes, Mystery—and Murder—Are on the Guest List

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she'd taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.

The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted and admired since his childhood—someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover—or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

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Dressed for Death is a very enjoyable mystery. Set in England in the 1930s, the book definitely brought to mind Downton Abbey, though the show was set in the 1910s and 20s. In fact, every time the cook in Dressed for Death spoke, I heard Mrs. Pattmore's voice! Much of the story takes place at Winteroak House, an estate that I imagine looked similar to Downton. Winteroak faced the fate that many houses on Downton did—the original owners could no longer afford to keep it, and the Cummins family purchased it after Mr. Cummins rose to prominence as a businessman.

While the book started out fairly slowly, the action picked up following Alice's death. At that point, I was quickly swept into the novel, trying, along with Drew, to pick up on the clues. There's a red herring, and I completely fell for it; the reveal of the true villain completely surprised me, though in looking back, I can see the signs of the villain's identity.

Dressed for Death does contain murder, violence, and drug use, but most of it takes place off the page, and nothing is graphic or offensive. As far as mysteries go, it's pretty mild.

While I did struggle to become engaged in Dressed for Death at first, I think largely because mystery didn't really begin until more than a quarter of the way in, I never struggled to keep up, something that can be an issue when jumping into the fourth book of a series. I would like to go back and learn the characters' backstories, but knowledge of the previous books is absolutely not necessary for understanding this novel.

I think fans of Agatha Christie will really enjoy the Drew Farthering Mysteries, and Downton Abbey fans will find in them something to fill the gap left by the end of the beloved show. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Read an excerpt.

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Julianna Deering has always loved British history and literature and is particularly a fan of the classic mysteries written by Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and now works for an attorney specializing in wills and estate planning. She lives outside Dallas, Texas, where she loves to quilt, cross-stitch, and watch hockey. Learn more at www.juliannadeering.com.

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

"looking for lovely" by annie f. downs

I have long been convinced that if Annie F. Downs and I met, we would be friends. After reading her new book, Looking for Lovely, I'm sure of it. If you read the book, you'll probably feel the same way. Annie has this way of writing that makes you feel like she's sharing her heart with you over a cup of coffee.

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"I want you to take every step of your life with excitement for where you are headed. And I want you to feel beautiful and confident as you do."

But how? When the enemy whispers lies that we are not smart enough, pretty enough, or rich enough? Or are you too dumb, too loud, too quiet, too thin, too fat, too much or not enough? What if you don't have what it takes to be who you really want to be?"

In Looking for Lovely, Annie F. Downs shares personal stories, biblical truth, and examples of how others have courageously walked the path God paved for their lives by remembering all God had done, loving what was right in front of them, and seeing God in the everyday—whether that be nature, friends, or the face they see in the mirror.

Intensely personal, yet incredibly powerful, Looking for Lovely will spark transformative conversations and life changing patterns. No matter who you are and what path God has you on, we all need to remember the lovely, fight to finish, and find beautiful in our every day!

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I absolutely love the message of Looking for Lovely, which is outlined in the subtitle: Collecting the Moments that Matter. Annie challenges readers to look for the beautiful, the moving, the spectacular in the simple, in the mundane, in the hard. To look for lovely when things are going great and when your world feels like it's falling apart. These lovelies can be anything—a beautiful sunrise, a song that moves you, a roll of sushi (though for me, I'd have a hard time calling sushi "lovely!"). These are signs of God's presence.

I've become hooked on looking for lovely! Though I admit some days are harder to find lovely in than others, I think it's in the hard times that it's so important to look for these glimpses of God. Won't you join me in looking for lovely? 5 stars.

Because I loved the book so much, I'm giving away a copy! Enter through the Rafflecopter below. (Rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Contest is open in the US only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Buy the book.
Read my review of Downs' Let's All Be Brave (5 stars).

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

Disclosure of Material Connection: As a member of Annie F. Downs' book launch team, I received a free copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and 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.”

"like never before" by melissa tagg

I love Maple Valley, Iowa. I wish it was a real town that I could visit! If you've read Three Little Words or From the Start or One Enchanted Christmas, then you already know how charming (and Stars Hollow-like) the town is. Author Melissa Tagg takes readers back to Maple Valley in Like Never Before, the second book in her Walker Family series.

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Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But when the newspaper she runs is in danger of closing, she pins all her hopes on a story that just might convince the new owner to keep the paper running.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker has the chance of a lifetime: a spot on a presidential campaign. But first he has to return to his hometown to sell the newspaper he's suddenly inherited.

But instead of a quick sale, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. And working together to break the story on Maple Valley's unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

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For months now, I've been reading about Melissa Tagg's love for Logan Walker, whose love story is featured in Like Never Before. And now ... now I finally understand why she loves him so much! Logan isn't your typical romance novel hero—he's softer, kinder, more life-like. More like the kind of guy I'd like to find. (That's not to say Logan is weak. He's a strong, manly hero—he just isn't a stridently strong alpha male.)

Like Never Before is the story of speechwriter Logan and newspaper editor Amelia Bentley. The novel begins with an oh-so-cute email exchange, where Amelia is trying to get former reporter Logan to return to Maple Valley and write for "her" newspaper. Turns out, Logan actually owns the newspaper—the former publisher left it to Logan in his will. So Logan has to return to Maple Valley to figure out what to do with the paper ... and sparks fly. (Especially in what has to be one of my all-time favorite kissing scenes. I may never look at a janitor's closet the same way!)

Like Never Before isn't just all cute boy-meets-girl, though. Both Logan and Amelia are dealing with past hurts—his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their daughter alone while his career is taking off; she's recovering from a divorce she never wanted and the disappointment of a failed adoption—and are struggling to reclaim their faith. As they become closer, they push each other toward healing.

One thing I loved about the book is that it didn't end up like I thought it would. I mean, yes, Logan and Amelia get together. (I don't think I need to say spoiler alert because—hello!—this is a romance novel.) But where they end up in their lives is so different from what I imagined, and I have to say that I like Tagg's version better than my own!

I highly recommend Like Never Before to anyone who enjoys romance. Also, though this is book two (sort of three—there's also a prequel novella) in Tagg's Walker Family series, you can read this without having first read book one. And if you're a fan of old movies, you'll really enjoy the references in this book! 5 stars.

Portions of this review originally appeared on Coffee & Conversation.

Buy the book.
Visit fellow launch team member Michaela's blog for a chance to win a copy of the book!
Read my reviews of Tagg's Walker Family books Three Little Words (5 stars) and From the Start (5 stars), and the "Walker-adjacent" novella One Enchanted Christmas (5 stars).

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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last, Here to Stay, and the Walker Family series, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this novel free from Bethany House Publishers as a member of Melissa Tagg's book launch team. I was not required to write a positive review, and 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.”

"wildflower" dvd review + giveaway

I used to regularly watch suspense films, but it seems that anymore Hollywood's version of suspense is always coupled with excess violence, gore, and/or sexual situations. "Christian" suspense isn't much better—it's certainly cleaner, but it isn't very suspenseful, and it's usually predictable.

Fortunately, Wildflower doesn't suffer from either of those problems.

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Creatively gifted, college student Chloe Moray (portrayed by Nathalia Ramos, known for BRATZ, Arrested Development, House of Anubis) finds solace from a difficult childhood in her extraordinary art. But when an alarming dream begins to recur nightly, Chloe starts to believe that it might be a suppressed memory and that she may have witnessed a terrible crime as a little girl. Her search for peace takes her on a journey that forces Chloe to confront her past traumas and leads her to cross paths with Josh (Cody Longo, known for NOT TODAY, Hollywood Heights, Nashville), a young man dealing with his own painful loss. Together they find in each other someone they can trust as they seek to unlock a cold-case mystery from years before. But with the authorities blocking the way, Chloe's new-found hope is challenged in this powerful story of faith, triumph and healing.

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Wildflower is a fast-paced film that centers around Chloe and the terrifying nightmares/visions she begins having, which she believes may be linked to an old missing persons case. While many people—including the authorities—write her off as being delusional, her new friend Josh decides to help her uncover the truth. As the two get closer to discovering the trigger of Chloe's visions, they also get closer and closer to danger.

As far as suspense films go, Wildflower is very good. The suspense builds throughout the movie, and Nathalia Ramos and Cody Longo are very believable in their roles as Chloe and Josh. Overall, the acting is good (though there are a few supporting actors who don't quite seem comfortable). The film is quite enjoyable to watch, and the ending isn't apparent from the beginning.

Without at all seeming preachy or didactic, Wildflower addresses the importance of finding Christian community, providing help for those who have gone through physical and/or mental trauma, and staying connected to your children. This is a film that is suitable for teens and older, and it would be perfect for a family or small group movie night. 4 stars.

Watch the trailer.

Visit the film's website.

Buy the film.

Icon Media Group was kind enough to give me a copy of Wildflower to give away to one of my readers! Enter below!

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Contest is open in the US only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Icon Media Group. 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."