January TBR

In the month of January, I will be starting off the year by hopefully reading my first Janette Oke novel, and I am debating between three of her books/series. The three books that I am jumping between reading are Where Courage Calls, Love Comes Softly, or When Calls the Heart.



Another few books that I will try to get to, but might not are Captain's Daughter, Refuge Assured, and No Other Will Do.

Fiction Review: Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

Delightfully Engaging Blend of Romance, Suspense, History, and Humor

When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is about to lose his business after the theft of several bullion shipments--until hope arrives in the unlikely form of Lavinia Stewart, who offers to invest in Steven's mine. In his wildest dreams, Steven never expected to be rescued by an inquisitive gray-haired widow . . . or to fall head over heels for Lavinia's captivating niece, Jessie. But then the thieves come after both Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Will she be forced to reveal her true identity before the criminals are caught? What will Steven do when he discovers the woman he loves doesn't exist?

Rating:
✮✮✮

Review:
Love in Disguise by Carol Cox promised romance, suspense, history, and humor; and sadly, left me a little disappointed. Yes, there was a little romance and some suspense, but both were very downplayed from what I was expecting. I had already figured out who was responsible really early in the story, which meant everything after that point wasn't as intriguing because I knew; and the romance was lacking. And I didn't really find any humor at all throughout the novel.

In Love in Disguise, a young woman finds herself taking a job with the Pinkerton Detective Agency - and I am a sucker for novels about the Pinkerton Detective Agency - and going out West to figure out who is robbing the mines in Arizona. In doing so, she has to play two separate characters, all while trying to be a detective. And I loved this concept, and I felt that it didn't hold up. I just felt that she didn't really do anything detective-wise that was worthwhile, and the whole story relied on a single clue she had figured out (with a few other minor details here and there).

The one good thing about this book was Ellie. I loved her personality and her driven desire to help and deliver what she had promised she would. She's spunky and lighthearted. But I was not sold on the romance between Steven and her, and I didn't feel the love. I, personally, felt there was a lot of infatuation from Steven concerning Jessie's (one of Ellie's alter-egos) appearance. And although I admire in the end how he was all about Ellie's personality rather than her looks, it didn't endear favorably toward him. Not to mention, I just didn't really click with Steven, and felt rather indifferent toward him throughout the novel.

While I didn't love this book by Carol Cox, I loved her writing style and have previously enjoyed a short story by her. Love in Disguise might not be the book for me, but I do look forward to reading some of Carol Cox's other books.

Fiction Review: Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart

Words Spoken True by Ann H Gabhart

Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father's newspaper offices. She can't imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855. Then Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over failing competitor the Herald, and the battle for readers gets fierce.

When Adriane and Blake meet at a benefit tea, their surprising mutual attraction is hard to ignore. Still, Blake is the enemy, and Adriane is engaged to the son of a powerful businessman who holds the keys to the Tribune's future. Blake will stop at almost nothing to get the story and the girl. Can he do both before it's too late?


Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold readers in its grip until the very last page. Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart once again delivers an enthralling and enduring tale for her loyal and ever-expanding fan base.

Rating:
✮✮✮✮

Review:
Ann H. Gabhart introduces Adriane Darcy and Blake Garrett in a beautifully written novel, Words Spoken True, about two rival newspaper companies competing to be the best newspaper in town, when things take a turn for the deadly. Words Spoken True is a riveting tale of murder, love, and discovering what really matters; and the first book by Ann H. Gabhart that I have had the pleasure of picking up.

I loved Adriane because she is a strong, unique heroine. She isn't necessarily reflective of women and their place in society in her time era, but I felt that it worked for this book, and allowed Adriane to stand out as a character. I also loved Blake (well it took some time getting to that point - at first I was somewhat annoyed with him), and how he wasn't afraid of what people deemed right or wrong, he did what he felt was right. Adriane's and Blake's personalities clicked very well together, and you could see the chemistry present between them. But I feel that you don't really see the love in the pages - they tell each other they love one another, but it didn't feel real.

There was also a lot going on in this novel, besides the political unrest mentioned in the synopsis; such as a murder mystery and a threat closer to Adriane then she could have ever imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed the murder mystery, although I was able to figure out who the murderer was much sooner than the character's in the story. Words Spoken True has a way of submerging you into the past with the historical accuracy and Ann H. Gabhart's descriptions of the events that took place in Louisville during the 1850s.

Words Spoken True was an amazing introduction to Ann H. Gabhart, and I look forward to reading more by this author as soon as possible. Although, I would definitely recommend this novel, I would like to say that there are some more intimate scenes in the book between a husband and wife that isn't necessarily inappropriate in my opinion because it fades out for the majority, but it's something to be aware of if you decide to pick this book up.

Nonfiction Mini Review: Naked Prayers: Honest Confessions to a Loving Creator by Mara Measor

Naked Prayers: Honest Confessions to a Loving Creator by Mara Measor

In Naked Prayers, singer-songwriter Mara Measor shares a series of authentic prayers through words, doodles and songs. Imagine the book of Psalms penned in New York City, that the writers liked to doodle, and that they had access to a professional Manhattan recording studio to lay down these songs of intimate meditation.

When starting a prayer room on her college campus, Measor encountered many students who would confess with dismay, “I’m not good at praying.” In this book Measor fights the notion of “bad prayers” by suggesting that prayer is simply about getting naked before God: no frills, no pretend, just honest confessions to a loving creator. Her doodles tell the story of an earnest sojourner following God through a big city, and her evocative songs take you along the ride. 

There are a million and one books on prayer floating around Christian circles, but according to Measor, “This is not a how-to-pray book, this is a how-I-have-really-prayed book.”

Naked Prayers contains 86 prayers taken from 13 months of Measor’s life, and is framed by four stages:

Following God through making a home in NYC
Fretting about the purpose and direction of her life
Falling into a period of depression
Finding her way back to freedom

Rating:

✮✮✮✮✮

Review:

Naked Prayers: Honest Confessions to a Loving Creator was very inspiring. I feel like it takes a lot to sometimes be that honest with God. We have a tendency to not want to admit when we do wrong or when there are barriers that are between us and God. I think it also takes a lot to share these struggles with others. The book is exactly what it says it is... you can see the honesty in Mara's prayers to God. I also found some of the prayers relatable, and once I started reading I definitely couldn't put it down because it was so relatable.

I also very much enjoyed all of the cute little doodles as you read through the prayers.

*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Fiction Review: Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

In light of her father's death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father's farm, the only home she's ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father's rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.With the ranch now under Slade's careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

 

Rating:
✮✮✮✮✮

Review:
Claiming Mariah is one of those stories that stays with you long after you have put it down. The plot is exciting and unique, and the story is beautifully written. There are many characters that you connect with as you read through the story, like Mariah and Slade. The story follows Mariah and the Donovan families as their lives and that of the ranch, Lazy M ranch, get mixed up together in a way neither expected.

Mariah is such a strong person with an amazing personality, who loves God, with a burning passion. Slade was another strong character who was set in his ways, and it's amazing as you see him grow throughout the story. I also couldn't help but love Buck, who I wish had a stronger role in the story because his character was really interesting, and even though you don't get his perspective, he is definitely my favorite character. And this story wouldn't be complete without Mrs. Malone - she's the kind of lady I want to be when I get older.

I was satisfied with how the book came to conclusion, although saddened that the story was over and there was nothing else for me to continue reading. I, personally, cannot wait to read more by Pam Hillman, and I definitely recommend checking this book out because it was that amazing.

Back?

So I posted back in January that I was finally back - well as it turns out, I wasn't back. I still had a lot going on that prohibited me from posting anything throughout the year. So instead of aiming to meet some of the goals that I had set, I'm just going to post when I get the chance.

So the next review that will be posted will be about a book that I just got done rereading - I didn't write a review the first time, but this time, I decided I would.

Hope to post more soon!

I'm Back!!!! :)

I've been gone for quite awhile. Trust me, I know! And I've been dying to get the chance to get back on and get to writing more reviews. In the next few possible days, you might see a lot going on. I'm not deleting anything, but I am pulling a ton of my reviews off of the pages and making some changes and edits.

So since I'm back, and it's literally January. I've decided I will share with you all some goals I have this year for my site, and hopefully I will be able to keep those goals.

MY GOALS:

1. finish making all edits to the site by the time summer rolls around (I was going to say by the end of January... but I have barely any free time as is, so that's not possible)

2. read and review at least twice a month... I know that's really not a lot, but I'm a college student... I just don't have much free time (hopefully that review amounts will increase over the summer... by July at the latest... I am taking one summer class)

3. post more fun and creative things that don't require me having to read... like maybe some spotlights (of my own... not tour affiliated... are there any tour groups that do Christian fiction or nonfiction)

4.write longer reviews... I mean look at my reviews from... 2015 and 2014 (I can't believe I've been absent from this blog that long)

 Okay so not many goals, what would you all like to see on my blog... leave a comment below

Now back to more important things. To start off with, expect a review of Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges... in the near future... ten weeks away. Okay not that near, but I can't really read ahead, it's what my church is studying right now on Wednesday so I have to wait.

I was super pumped when I got my copy of the book though. The first week, not this past Wednesday, but the Wednesday before, they ran out of books, and I wasn't able to get one. This was the cover.

 

It's not bad, don't get me wrong. I think it's quite pretty in fact, but... and I don't know why, it could just be that it's really pleasing to the eye, or just the texture of the cover and all... or maybe I'm a freak. But this is the copy of the book I got.

 

It's just so PRETTY!!!! Ok, I'm somewhat of a freak. Which cover do you think is more appealing? Share your thoughts below. 2 Chapters in, and I already highly recommend.