Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 Wrap up

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of 2015. It seems like the year just started and now it's over.  I started 2015 having been out of college for six months still in doubt about the future and without a full time job. My words for this were trusting and waiting.  This was because I was trusting and waiting on God's timing and trusting His plan for my life.  I was also standing on these Bible verses for the year as well.  
I Say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentation 3:24.

My other verse the same as last year is
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

These verses helped get though a year a waiting. Because this year was about waiting and trusting God. And He came through in a big way. Proving that His timing is always prefect.  That is because 2015 is ending with me having a full time job that allows me to use my degree, making a little bit more than I would in my degree field. I am not a officially  a Library Assistant I get to spend all day taking about books and I get paid for it. Not to mention that I now have peace about going to grad school. I'm going and my chosen Master's field is an MLS, a Master's in Library Science.  


2015 was a pretty great year and I can't wait to see what 2016 holds. 

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Favorite Books of 2015

If This is actually the cover I love it. can't wait (September 2015) The Mistress of Tall Acre: A Novel by Laura Frantz http://www.amazon.com/dp/080072044X/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_QOi9ub1G8AEN9:

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764213121/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8camp=1789creative=390957creativeASIN=0764213121linkCode=as2tag=chrisbooksrev-20linkId=FPLUS3W2ARWLC7FX:   
Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman



Dreaming Under the Same Moon : Cover Candy:   
The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson


More Cover Candy + Upcoming Book Teasers | Dreaming Under the Same Moon:    
Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden



A sneak peek at an excerpt from A Love Like Ours!  Plus, Tressa at Wishful Endings is offering a giveaway for signed copies of the first two books in the Porter Family series -- Undeniably Yours and Meant to Be Mine!:   A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade


Daughter of the Regiment by Stephanie Grace Whitson:
Daughter of the Regiment by Stephanie Grace Whitson


Bake Me A Match (Lauren Holbrook #5):

Match Made by Erynn Mangum


 December:
The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson


To Win Her Favor (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel) by Tamera Alexander http://www.amazon.com/dp/0310291070/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_lC8qvb0ESKT15:    
To Win her Favor by Tamera ALexander


When Morgan Shaw crept into the hold of a pirate ship replica at San Diego’s Tall Ship Festival, she only wanted to avoid the guy who had just dumped her, not wake up aboard a real pirate ship three-hundred years in the past. Nor cause Captain Rowan to lose the prize he is chasing. Yet when she accidentally divulges Rowan’s secret to a longtime nemesis, events are triggered that could cost them both their lives and change the course of history forever. Coming July 2015!:   
The Reckoning by Marylu Tyndall



The RANSOM 5stars:   
The Ransom by Mary Lu Tyndall


Cover of Brentwood's Ward 5 stars:    
Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep


 
.:     

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden


Sunday, December 27, 2015

Reading this week

Finished 
High-Caliber Holiday by Susan Sleeman
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Currently reading
Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton

Non-fiction reading
Never Broken: Songs are only half the story by Jewel

Getting ready to read
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer
The Rancher's Second Chance by Brenda Minton
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund
Chivalrous by Dina L Sleiman
A Doctor for the Nanny Leigh Bale
A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Reviewing




Devotional reading
Standing Strong: How to Resist the Enemy of your Soul by John F MacArthur JR
The Woman's study Bible, NKJV


Did not Finish




Reviews Posted this week 

Friday, December 18, 2015

Reading this Week

Finished 
Olaf's Night Before Christmas
Flipped for Murder by Maddie Day
Her Holiday Family by Ruth Logan Herne
Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

Currently reading
Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales
High-Caliber Holiday by Susan Sleeman
Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Non-fiction reading
Never Broken: Songs are only half the story by Jewel

Getting ready to read
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer
The Rancher's Second Chance by Brenda Minton
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund
Chivalrous by Dina L Sleiman
A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton
A Doctor for the Nanny Leigh Bale
A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Reviewing




Devotional reading
Standing Strong: How to Resist the Enemy of your Soul by John F MacArthur JR
The Woman's study Bible, NKJV


Did not Finish




Reviews Posted this week 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Review of Dauntless

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764213121/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8camp=1789creative=390957creativeASIN=0764213121linkCode=as2tag=chrisbooksrev-20linkId=FPLUS3W2ARWLC7FX: Title: Dauntless

Author: Dina L Sleiman

Series: Valiant Hearts book 1
 
Chapters: 36

Pages: 365

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction/retelling Christian Historical romance

Rating: 5 stars

     Dauntless is a bit of a Robin Hood retelling with a twist.  Lady Merry Ellison is an outlaw, because her father plotted against King John. Her and the other village children  are the only survivors of the king's revenge. Merry only goal is to protect the children in her care even though she is still a child herself.

     At one point she was a noblewoman with dreams for the future, now she is just trying to survive as an outlaw. Timothy Grey has orders from his overlord to find the ghosts and bring them to justice. He's in for the surprise of his life when he discovers who the leader of the ghost's is. He is the youngest son of a nobleman who's dreams of a future died when the woman he'd loved died. Or so he thought.


     Dauntless is book full of surprises twist and turns. But that what's makes it such a great read, and I for one cannot wait to read the next book in the series.  I love a book with strong warrior women who still know that they need help.  Young adult books as well as adult books need more of this type of heroines like Merry. So I am glad that Dina has at least two more books coming out in this series. 

Monday, December 14, 2015

Review of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest

Dreaming Under the Same Moon : Cover Candy: Title: The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: Medieval Fairy Tale Romance book 1

Chapters: 32

Pages: 306

Genre: Christian fairy tale Christian teen historical fiction Christian teen historical romance

Rating: 5 stars

     The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is another great fairy tale retelling by Melanie Dickerson. This one is a cross between Swan Lake(Swan Princess) and Robin Hood. And I loved it.   As a child The Swan Princess and Robin Hood were in my top ten movies.   So I love the fact that Melanie combined the two into one novel.  Also the heroine is not a damsel in distress she can hold her own.  Odette worries about the orphan children of her village.  She wants to do as much as she can to help them. She becomes the Robin Hood of her people.   Jorgen is the forester for the leader of their country. Who is charged with finding the person who his killing deer in the forest.  
     Melanie's books keep getting better.  While The Merchant's Daughter will always be my favorite of hers because it's a retelling of Beauty and Beast. The Huntress of Thornbeck  Forest is tied with The Princess Spy for second.   Odette is a strong heroine in her own right but not so strong that she doesn't need a hero.  I loved Melanie's  twist on the Robin Hood  story.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Reading this week

Finished 
Tricky Twenty Two by Janet Evanovich
Loving the country boy by Mia Ross
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury
The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs

Currently reading
Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales
High-Caliber Holiday by Susan Sleeman
Flipped for Murder by Maddie Day
Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Non-fiction reading
Never Broken: Songs are only half the story by Jewel

Getting ready to read
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer
The Rancher's Second Chance by Brenda Minton
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund
Chivalrous by Dina L Sleiman
A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton
A Doctor for the Nanny Leigh Bale
A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Reviewing




Devotional reading
Standing Strong: How to Resist the Enemy of your Soul by John F MacArthur JR
The Woman's study Bible, NKJV


Did not Finish




Reviews Posted this week 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Lena Goldfinch's New Book The Bartered Bride



THE BARTERED BRIDE

COLORADO 1880

Jem Wheeler has always been a survivor. He just wants to make a fresh start in Colorado Springs after the loss of his wife. But then he happens upon a young mute woman being sold off to the highest bidder. He wasn’t looking for a mail-order bride. He wasn’t looking to rescue anyone either. But desperate circumstances can drive a good man to do things he hadn’t planned on doing...

When Jem steps into Annie’s life, she’s not expecting anyone to save her. Mute from birth, she’s just using all her wits to survive. All she’s ever really wanted is a family of her own. For someone to see her. To look at her long enough to hear the things she can’t say.

Can a rescued bride who can’t speak communicate her love for a grieving widower and his little girl? Will her love ever be returned?

The Brides Series #3

Note: Each book in The Brides Series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but reading in order will provide a more complete reading experience.

EXCERPT

Jem took the apple core from his daughter and passed her one of the remaining crackers with a piece of cheese on it. Mae munched that down and looked to him immediately for another, the last one.

He gave it to her, then showed her his empty hands.

She frowned. “More?”

“No more,” Jem said, and showed her his empty hands again, making a bigger gesture out of it, as if the little girl was accusing him of hiding some.

If Annie weren’t so intent on eating her share of cheese and crackers she might have smiled at the sight of them, one of the most dangerous men she’d ever seen sitting side by side with that tiny little girl. They made quite a mismatched pair.

Mae looked over at Annie, at the last cracker in her hand and the last bit of cheese.

Annie gulped down the mouthful she was chewing. She looked down at the last of her meal and back at the little girl. To her shame, she didn’t want to give up her last cracker. She could barely remember the last meal she’d eaten.

“That’s Annie’s food,” Jem admonished the little girl. “You’ve had yours.”

Mae bit her lip. She glanced down at her lap, then back at Annie again.

I can share, Annie attempted to tell Mae with her eyes alone. She snapped her cracker in half—simply unable to bear parting with the whole thing—and passed it across to the little girl. Mae took it and popped the whole thing in her mouth, making Annie smile.

“Mae!” her father said.

She looked at him wide-eyed, her mouth full of cracker. “Whaf dafdda?” she said, muffled, spraying a few cracker crumbs onto his trousers.

He closed his eyes briefly and brushed them off. “You didn’t have to give her any,” he said to Annie, “but thanks.”

Annie grunted, her way of saying she didn’t mind that much. She looked down quickly and finished her last bit of food. The crackers had been crispy and the cheese silky and smooth. They’d tasted like heaven.

“You must be thirsty,” he said. “Do you mind sharing?”

She shook her head and automatically lifted two fingers.

“Two’s no?” he asked.

She nodded, pleased, and lifted one finger. She’d grown up sending signals through the floor of the Ruskins’ house, one stomp for yes, two for no. It came natural as rain now.

“And one’s yes,” he said, catching on quick.

Annie drank deep when he passed her the flask of water, amazed he’d let her drink from it. She tried her best to pour it down her throat without touching her lips to the flask, so he wouldn’t regret giving it to someone so dirty. She wished she could tell him thanks, but after Mae had her fill and he took his own swallow, he was back under his hat, likely going over the events of the day.

How he’d stuck himself with her.

How he probably regretted even stepping off the train at the last stop.

She couldn’t say she blamed him.

She hadn’t much wanted to marry a stranger herself.

BOOK LINKS

THE BARTERED BRIDE
http://apple.co/1O06PtN (iTunes/iBooks)

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE
http://apple.co/1kp0zCf (iTunes/iBooks)

SLEIGH BELLS & MISTLETOE
http://apple.co/1klJLfo (iTunes/iBooks)

AUTHOR BIO  


LENA GOLDFINCH writes sweet Historical Western Romance / Inspirational Romance and books for teens. She’s always been a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She enjoys life in a quiet, small town with her husband, two kids, and two very spoiled Black Labs.

SOCIAL LINKS


RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
   


In celebration of the release of The Bartered Bride, Lena is giving away some awesome prizes!
·        Grand Prize: $25 gift card (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Google Play—winner’s choice) + all three ebooks in The Brides series (Open internationally)
·        Second Prize: Paperback copy of The Bartered Bride (Open to US residents only)
·        Third Prize: All three ebooks in The Brides series (Open internationally)
To enter these drawings, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Winners will be chosen after the end of the blog tour (December 19, 2015).
[Bloggers, you can embed the Rafflecopter form using the HTML code below. You can also find the code at this link:http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MTVjZWUzOTdmNzNhZTBkM2QzNmI4OTkwN2ZjZDVhOjQ4/If the code doesn’t work, you can direct them to the introduction post on my blog,Seasons of Humility, which will be posted on December 8th.]
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/15cee39748/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="15cee39748" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_ofn12a0n">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

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Monday, December 7, 2015

Cozy mystery mash up

Sept 1. Booked for Trouble: A Lighthouse Library Mystery by Eva Gates http://www.amazon.com/dp/045147094X/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_0gL.ub1Z9TFJZ: Title: Booked for Trouble

Author: Eva Gates

Series: Lighthouse library Mystery book 2
 
Chapters:

Pages: 304

Genre: Cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars


     A Cozy mystery complete with a library in a lighthouse a library cat. As well as a librarian by day and a mystery solver by night. 





An Early Wake (County Cork, #3):
Title: An Early Wake

Author:  Sheila Connolly

Series: County Cork book 3

Pages: 304

Genre: cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Cozy Irish Mystery 










Peaches and Scream: Title: Peaches and Scream

Author: Susan Furlong

Series: Georgia Peach Mystery
 
Chapters: 20

Pages: 289

Genre: cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

A cute cozy southern mystery. 










Murder in the Paperback Parlor (A Book Retreat Mystery) by Ellery Adams http://www.amazon.com/dp/0425265609/ref=cm_sw_r_pi_dp_zOwivb08YGCDC:
Title: Murder in the paperback parlor

Author: Ellery Adams

Series:  Book Retreat Mysteries
 
Chapters: 18 plus epilogue

Pages: 287

Genre: Cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

     A sweet little cozy mystery. With books. 











Pane and Suffering:
Title: Pane and Suffering

Author: Cheryl Hollon

Series: A Webb's Glass Shop
 
Chapters: 32

Pages: 339

Genre: cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

A Cozy crafty mystery. 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Reading this week

Finished 
Didn't finish any books this week.  Working full time now doesn't leave much time for reading.

Currently reading
Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales
Loving the country boy by Mia Ross
Tricky Twenty Two by Janet Evanovich
Dashing through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

Non-fiction reading
Never Broken: Songs are only half the story by Jewel

Getting ready to read
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer
The Rancher's Second Chance by Brenda Minton
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund
Chivalrous by Dina L Sleiman

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Reviewing




Devotional reading
Standing Strong: How to Resist the Enemy of your Soul by John F MacArthur JR
The Woman's study Bible, NKJV


Did not Finish



Reviews Posted this week