Book Review ~ The Wishing Season

Book: The Wishing Season: A Chapel Springs Romance (book 3)

Author: Denise Hunter
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publishing Date: December 9th, 2014

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

My interest in this book is: I love Denise Hunter books and have really enjoyed this series. I wouldn't dare miss one!

Ideas / message / plot: Don't let your fears define you.

Favorite characters, quotes / lines: "If you don't set priorities, life has a way of setting them for you."

"Thorns don't keep a seed from sprouting, but they'll keep it from producing fruit."

"But when it all came bleeding back, when his thoughtless words replayed in his head..."

When I finished this book I felt: Sweet. Cute. I'm greatly looking forward to Ryan's story and have fully enjoyed getting to know everyone in Chapel Springs. :-) 

 I am so inspired by Cole's dream. I love why he wants the house! PJ is cute, fun. Great character arcs, Denise!

Overall: I highly recommend reading  Denise Hunter. She has a gift of story telling and has a way with creating characters and story lines that stick with you. 4.0 Stars. It didn't rock my world but it was a good story, as always. 

Get the 1st chapter free!

Other books to read by this Author or theme: Personally, I've read this entire series and her Big Sky Romance series. Also, DON'T miss her winter novella: A December Bride. I absolutely loved that one; buy it for yourself this coming season as an early Christmas present to take a break from the chaos of the Holiday Season. 

If you like books about chef's, check out Katherine Reay's Lizzy and Jane. It's a heart warming, moving story that will touch your heart. Contemporary Fiction, 5-stars

Book Review ~ Keepers of the Covenant

Book: Keepers of the Covenant (book #2 in the The Restoration Chronicles)
Author: Lynn Austin
Publisher: Bethany House
Publishing Date: October 7, 2014

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

My interest in this book is: I adore Ms. Austin's ability to bring the Old Testament to life.

Type of Book: Biblical Fiction; Ezra

Ideas / message / plot: I love this backdoor look at the story of Esther. This book takes place during the Queen's reign but her story isn't the one talked about; it is instead on the Jews that are affected by the rulings from the palace that our hearts and eyes are drawn to.

Favorite characters, quotes / lines: I love the journey Ruben & Amina each go on, discovering more about the awesome God of the Jews.

When I finished this book I felt: So satisfied. Lynn Austin has such a powerful, gifted way of making you feel the Bible; bringing a depth to the stories that make the history come alive. You'll now remember the story of Ezra and have new light shed on the book of Esther.

Other books to read by this Author or theme: Chronicles of the Kings

Overall: Lynn Austen does it again. I love all of the truths that she weaves into this story & the life she brings to a book in the Bible that ordinarily I would pass over or breeze through without much reflection.

Book review ~ The Covered Deep

Title: The Covered Deep

Author: Brandy Vallance

Publisher: Worthy Publishing

Publishing Date: October 14, 2014

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

My interest in this book is: Trying out a new author. Loved the idea of the book: An incurably romantic bookworm from Appalachia wins a contest and travels to England and the Holy Land in search of the perfect romantic hero. 

Type of Book: 1877, US, London, Holy Land

Ideas / message / plot: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and might things, which thou knowest not." ~ Jeremiah 33:3

Favorite characters, quotes / lines: Paul is in my top 5 favorite Male Leads. 

PLUS...Brandy has just the right lines! Here's an example: "The question in his eyes was primal, as fragile as a child. Bianca's heart caught at the sight of him--the boy within the man--that part that he so rarely showed."

When I finished this book I felt: *sigh*. This is why I love Christian Historical Romance.  

Overall:Brandy! Excellent debut. You have all the necessary tools to write captivating, realistic fiction that grabs the heart and the soul. By far one of the most romantic Lead characters I've read in a while. I minored in Linguistics in college so to have a Christian Lead who speaks all those languages, knows history and culture...swoon!!! I'm sure you can guess my favorite scene. (Here's a hint: Breakfast.)

5 Stars. Bookshelf worthy. 

Other books with similar theme: Did you ever watch the movie, "The Game" with Michael Douglas? Did you get caught up in the thrill of who was in charge and what was going on? Get ready and hold on as Ms. Vallance takes you on a ride that I had yet to experience in Christian Historical Fictions. 

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