The Beautiful Pretender - Book Review

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson is a beautifully written christian fairy tale.

I absolutely adored this book.  It grabbed my attention from the first chapter and kept me turning the page with eagerness all the way to the end.  Avelina was such a fun character that was easy to connect to and I loved her courage and faith!  The Margrave of Thornbeck reminded me of the beast from Beauty and the Beast, he's a gruff and grouchy man that you can't help but like.

I have only read one other book by Melanie Dickerson besides this one.  This one has me so intrigued with her fairy tale series that I will be checking out the previous book in this series.

After inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king’s approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn’t select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences.

***Thank you to Booklookbloggers for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Anchor In The Storm by Sarah Sundin

Nothing slows Lillian Avery down-not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II.  She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The demands of her new job energize her.  but society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy even if he is her brother's best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast.  Still shaken by battles of sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves and with drowsiness.  Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling?

As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question.  But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?

Anchor in the Storm is the second book in the Waves of Freedom series and I think this one is even better than the first.  You don't need to read the books in order, but trust me you don't want to miss out on either book. The character's from the first book were brought into this book as well and I thought that was a nice touch and it was great to know a little more about a couple I fell in love with in the first novel.

I am a huge history buff and a christian novel based on real historic events is my favorite genre to read.  Especially if the author has done their research and Sarah Sundin obviously does!  Her knowledge of World War II shines through in her story telling.  At the end of the book she adds a short not on what things were based on true historic events and which things were purely fictional and that was great to know.

I would highly recommend this book and give it five stars!

***This book was provided to me by Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The Quieting - A Book Review

The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the second book in The Bishop's Family series, but many of Suzanne Woods Fisher books are set in Stoney Ridge.  This makes it very interesting and there are so many characters that you can catch up on with each book. It's kind of like going home to a family reunion.  You could read this as a stand alone book, but I think you will enjoy it much more if you read the first book in this series beforehand.

The Quieting focuses on Abigail Stoltzfus.  For the last few months she has helped her father with his genealogical research, hoping that breaking through a client's brick wall would also break his melancholy. But now her intrusive grandmother has set her sights on marrying off Abigail and insists she come to Stoney Ridge, where there is a plethora of eligible bachelors.

Except that Mammi is mistaken.  There are not eligible bachelors in Stoney Ridge, barring one, and he's all wrong.  Dane Glick has the wrong last name and the wrong relatives including the bishop who is at odds over a church matter with Abigail's uncle, minister David Stoltzfus.

As the conflict grows, setting family against family, it's becoming clear that the path to a solution may lead to a Quieting - a removal of a church leader.  But for which one? And when Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem-but will it create another?

If you enjoy Amish fiction this will be the perfect series for you!  The character's are great and it is just an easy read.

***Thanks to Revell for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Silence in the Dark - A Book Review

Two years ago, Bailey Adams broke off her engagement to Danny Maxwell and fled Logan Point for the mission field in Chihuahua, Mexico. Now she's about to return home to the States, but there's just one problem. After Bailey meets with the uncle of one of the mission children in the city, she barely escapes a sudden danger. Now she's on the run--she just doesn't know from whom. To make matters worse, people who help her along the way find themselves in danger too--including Danny. Who is after her? Will they ever let up? And in the midst of the chaos, can Bailey keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again?

With lean, fast-paced prose that keeps readers turning the pages, Patricia Bradley pens a superb story of suspense and second chances.

Silence In The dark is the fourth book in the Logan Point series.  I have read a couple of the other books in this series so I thought for sure I would like this one.  Unfortunately, this one did not cut it for me.  The prologue had me very interested and I thought I was in for a real treat, but then I started chapter 1.  It quickly lost its luster and I could hardly stay focused.  It was slow paced and l could not connect with the characters.

I love a good mystery/thriller but this one was a dud for me.  Considering I've read other books that I have really enjoyed by this author I definitely will not give up on her books.  This was one that I just did not connect with.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi is a former abstinence educator and co-author of RISE To Your Dreams, an abstinence curriculum. But her heart is tuned to suspense. Patricia's romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series set in Mississippi and two sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming, Matthew's Choice and The Christmas Campaign are available on Amazon. She is currently working on The Memphis Cold Case series.

***Thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim

I became an instant fan of Author Jolina Petersheim when I read her first two books The Outcast and The Midwife.  I was excited to read the Alliance and once again I was not disappointed.  The author has rich ties to the Amish and Mennonite communities and her knowledge of their lifestyle shines through in her writing.

The Alliance is not your average Amish fiction novel.  This book keeps the reader enthralled from the first to the last page and for me it is one of those books that keeps you wondering and thinking about it when you are not reading.  The ending was so good and so unexpected.  This is one book I will for sure read again!

The book starts when Leora Ebersole sees a small plane crashes in her Old Order Mennonite community.  Leora has no idea it's a foreshadowing of things to come.  Soon after the pilot, Moses Hughes, regains consciousness, they realize his instruments were destroyed by the same power outage that killed the electricity at the community store, where Englischers are stranded with dead cell phones and cars that won't start.

Moses offers a sobering theory, but no on can know how drastically life is about to change.  With the only self-sustaining food supply in the region, the Pacifist community is forced to forge an alliance with the handful of stranded Englischers in an effort to protect no only the food but their very lives.

In the weeks that follow, Leora, Moses and the community will be tested as never before, requiring them to make decisions they never thought possible.  Whom will they help and whom will they turn away?  When the community receives news of a new threat, everyone must decide how far they're willing to go to protect their beliefs and way of life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Midwife and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. Her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications such as Reader's Digest, Writer's Digest, and Today's Christian Woman. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live on a solar-powered farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin with their young daughters. Follow Jolina and her blog at jolinapetersheim.com.

You can get your copy of The Alliance on Amazon by clicking HERE.

***Thanks to Tyndale Publishing for providing me a copy of The Alliance in exchange for my honest review.

A Dream of Miracles - A Book Review

Mattie Diener can barely keep it together. A young Amish widow and mother of two young children, she faces the lingering heartbreak of lost love, her son’s mysterious illness, and a torrent of accusations that threaten to undo her.

 Bo Lambright is a fast-rising social services investigator whose high-society mother won’t rest until she finds his Mrs. Right. Despite Bo’s worldly success, the raw ache of a shadowy past and a series of unsettling dreams have left him reeling.

 When Mattie and Bo cross paths, all signs point to disaster. Yet as they face a crucible of trials and tragedies together, longings begin to stir that seem destined only to end in more heartbreak. Is a miracle possible—not only of healing but of forbidden love? What secrets lie in Bo’s dreams? And will Mattie find the courage to face her uncertain future . . . or will she simply run away?

A Dream of Miracles is book three in The Amish Wonders Series.  If you haven't read the first two books in this series, don't worry!  It is a great stand alone book as well.  

I really enjoyed this novel and connected well with the characters.  My heart broke for Mattie.  It seemed that no matter how hard she tried everything went wrong for her.  Heartache after heartache befalls her, but she never lets go of her faith.  Bo was just as likable and his willingness to help Mattie was admirable even when it brought opposition to his own life.  

This was unlike a lot of Amish fiction stories and the whole child abuse and the involvement of child protective services was very interesting to me.  It took me a little while to figure exactly what was going on with Mattie's son and I liked the bit of mystery surrounding it.  

If you enjoy Amish fiction this would be a great book for you!  Very enjoyable and written by a seasoned Amish storyteller - Ruth Reid.

***Thanks to booklookbloggers.com for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

Flight of Arrows

Twenty Years ago, during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry in 1757, a young Redcoat named Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy, the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins, and raised him as his own.

No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime.  Not his adopted daughter Anna.  Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back.  Not Two Hawks, Williams twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna.  Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God's forgiveness and her love.

Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army.  The Redcoats prepare to attach frontier New York, and the Continentals, aided by Two Hawks and the Oneida warriors, rally to defend it.  As the Revolutionary war penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture but united by love and faith must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

When I first received this book I was not quite sure how much I would like it, and it turns out I didn't like it...I loved it!  This is the second book in The Path Finder series.  I have not read the first book in the series, but after reading this one I definitely will go back and start from the beginning!

Flight of Arrows is a beautifully written story that is rich in faith and forgiveness.  Once you start you will not want to put it down.  I love historically based fiction that is rich in history.  Lori Benton did some amazing research for this book and it shines through in her story telling.  This is one of the best books I have read this year and it will definitely be going on my shelf of favorites!

***Thanks to bloggingforbooks.com for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Magnolia Duchess - A Book Review

I have to admit that the thing that first drew me to The Magnolia Duchess was the cover.  It is absolutely stunning!  The book itself is the third book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles, but it works great as a stand alone book.  I have not read the previous books and had no problem.  The story itself was a little slow paced and at times I struggled to stay focused, but overall it was a good read.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and I love when an author includes real historical events within a fictional story.  The author did a great job of helping me understand more on the War of 1812.  This is not a time period that I usually read about so it was a nice change and I felt more knowledgeable after reading about it.  Fiona and Charlie's love story was sweet and I enjoyed reading about their struggles of trust and acceptance.

From the back of the book:

As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed U.S., another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart - one that threatens to tear her family apart.

Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy.  It is almost as unbelievable as the half drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.

As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide.  but when political allegiances collide, they'll have to decide where their true loyalties lie.

***Thank you to Revell publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sister Dear

After spending 10 years in prison Allie Marshall is finally getting out of prison on parole.  Convicted for a crime she did not commit, she has lost a part of her life that she will never get back.  Before being convicted of murdering a local highschool football coach, Allie had a promising future.  Pursuing a medical career and a beautiful five year old Allie seemed to have it all.  Who set her up and why?

Now that Allie is back in her hometown things still aren't going well.  Nobody in town is accepting her, the sheriff doesn't trust her and her family doesn't know how to act around her, but the hardest part for Allie is that her daughter no longer knows her and wants nothing to do with her.  She wants to continue to live with her aunt Emma.  Allie is determined to prove her innocence in order to get her life back and prove to everyone that she is innocent.

This was a pretty good book.  It was fairly predictable on the "who done it", but the why and how was a mystery and learning that was quite interesting.  It was also very relatable.  You have two sisters that grew up in the same home, raised by the same parents, one struggles through life and the other seems to have the perfect life.  This seems very common in families.

The author jumps from character to character, but you know who's perspective you are reading from.  This was interesting because you could know exactly what was going on in the head of each character.

This was the first novel I have read by auther Laura McNeill and I would definitely be interested in reading more of her work!

***Thanks to booklookbloggers.com for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Miriam: A Treasures of the Nile Novel

Miriam: A Treasures of the Nile Novel is the first book I have read by Mesu Andrews and WOW!  What an amazing novel!

There are countless stories about Moses and the Exodus, but this is the first time I have read a fictional novel based on Miriam.  This gave me a different perspective of a well known story. For me, this was not a quick read.  I took my time and let it soak in enjoying every page.  It is very evident that the author knows the Bible well and although this is a fictional story, it is rich in biblical truths.  As I read I felt as if I was in a different time period, a time of long ago, experiencing the life of an Israelite for myself.

Sometimes I am leary of novels based on Bible characters.  I don't want to be misled or read a distorted story of a beloved character, but this book does quite the opposite. This book enriched my understanding of a story I thought I knew well.  It had me thinking about God's goodness well after I put the book down.  I encourage you to read this book if you enjoy novels based on biblical stories.  I do think you will be blessed!

From the Back of the Book:

At eighty-six, Miriam has devoted her entire life to loving El Shaddai and serving His people as both midwife and messenger.  Yet when her brother Moses returns to Egypt from exile, he brings a disruptive message.  God has a new name - Yaweh - and has declared a radical deliverance for the Israelites.

Miriam and her beloved family face an impossible choice: cling to familiar bondage or embrace uncharted freedom at an unimaginable cost.  even if the Hebrews survive the plagues set to turn the Nile to blood and unleash a maelstrom of frogs and locust, can they weather the resulting fury of Pharaoh?

Enter an exotic land where thousands of pagan deities are worshiped.  Pharaohs rule, and the Israelite's cry out to a God they only think they understand.

***Thank you to blogging for books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.