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 ~ Lizzy and Jane

Book:  Lizzy and Jane
Author: Katherine Reay
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publishing Date: October 28, 2014

I received this book from Netgally.com for an honest review. 

My interest in this book: I love Jane Austen and a fellow avid reader (who has spectacular taste) suggested. Thanks, Rel! (You can find her here: http://relzreviewz.com/)

Ideas / message / plot: NY chef takes time to reunite with her family who lives in Seattle, where her sister is battling cancer. This is a book about love, grace, dreams and overcoming. 

Favorite characters, quotes / lines: "'Take an umbrella?' 'And let everyone know I'm a visitor? I don't think so.'" Haha! Every Seattleite knows this rule. ;-)

Seriously... the 1st kiss scene gave me butterflies! I wont quote it here, you'll have to read it yourself. 

"'What's wrong with sweat pants?' 'What's right with sweat pants?'"

Too many more quotes to list here. Let me know your fav.s!
When I finished this book I felt: Wow! Katherine, how did you do it?! What a read. Utterly moving. Truth. Solid. Pure. Real. Beautiful.  Really, how do you go there? As a writer, maybe just even as a person, I don't know how to go there. Perhaps I'm just afraid to go there. I loved every moment of it though. Every. Single. Moment.

Overall: If you want a real read that connects soul-deep with you, this is it. 
Bookshelf worthy and a 5-star Feast!

Book Review ~ Safe in His Arms

Book Title: Safe in His Arms (2nd in the Under the Texas Stars series)
Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Type of Book: Inspirational Romance Suspense

I received this book: for free from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review

My interest in this book: I enjoy this author

Ideas/message/plot: Main character, Margaret, deals with: not fitting in; rejection; understanding God's unconditional love; God uniquely creating us to His specific design for a purpose and in an all loving way. 

Margaret deals with understanding God's unconditional love and His perfect design. Man's rejection shouldn't stop us from pressing on and trusting God over all; remembering who He is over any lies. 

Favorite characters, quotes/lines: LOVED Daniel. Margaret's character was great. Golda was such a well-written bad-girl! The whole cast is very realistic.

When I finished this book I felt: it was good. Reminded me of Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer in setting and era.

(personal opinion) Some of the message felt slightly "preachy" as Margaret processes what she is going through. It was, however, realistic. I am such a processor myself  so I can totally understand Margaret's thinking through her circumstances and what God is doing. It is a good message, I just personally got more out the the 1st book in the series (Blue Moon Promise) due to the season in my life. 

Overall: Just shy of a 4 star read for me. Bookshelf worthy for most people, I think. Pretty good. 


For more information on this author & her books: http://colleencoble.com/

I have also read Blue Moon Promise (book 1 of the Under the Texas Stars series). As well as Secretly Smitten, a collaboration book by this author & three others, one of which is Denise Hunter whose Big Sky Romance series is definitely bookshelf worthy.  (http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/books.html)