Anomaly by Krista McGee {Litfuse Blog Tour!}

My Review:
Anomaly is captivating, intriguing, and absolutely awesome!

From the very first page I was entangled into Thalli's world. McGee writes in such a way that it's nearly impossible to set the book down. The State is an inventive creation and is distinct from the many dystopian novels out there. I can only imagine the amount of time McGee put into it but I can say that every moment spent shines through beautifully.

Thalli's voice is strong, unique, and her curiosity and her stubbornness endeared her to me. Thalli is simply fun to read about! Her budding confusion surrounding her encounters with Berk were amusing to read. I adored their friendship. In my opinion, friendship is a key element in a successful romance and McGee accomplishes just that.

To say the least, I'm just a tad excited for the next book, Luminary- which is too far off in the future! :-)  I don't read a lot of Young Adult (YA) fiction, primarily because I'm wary of the selection. I'm overjoyed to find authors like McGee and Williamson, who provide us with wholesome YA fiction. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Captives by Jill Williamson you will definitely enjoy this one.

I received this book from the publisher, via Litfuse, in return for an honest review of my opinions, thanks!

Back Cover:  
Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Thalli is different than others in The State. She feels things. She asks questions. And in the State, this is not tolerated. The Ten scientists who survived the nuclear war that destroyed the world above believe that emotion was at the core of what went wrong—and they have genetically removed it from the citizens they have since created. Thalli has kept her malformation secret from those who have monitored her for most of her life, but when she receives an ancient piece of music to record as her community’s assigned musician, she can no longer keep her emotions secreted away.

Seen as a threat to the harmony of her Pod, Thalli is taken to the Scientists for immediate annihilation. But before that can happen, Berk—her former Pod mate who is being groomed as a Scientist—steps in and persuades the Scientists to keep Thalli alive as a test subject.

The more time she spends in the Scientist’s Pod, the clearer it becomes that things are not as simple as she was programmed to believe. She hears stories of a Designer—stories that fill her mind with more questions: Who can she trust? What is this emotion called love? And what if she isn’t just an anomaly, but part of a greater design?

Krista McGee is celebrating the release of Anomaly, the first book in her new YA dystopian series, with an iPad Mini Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A $25 iTunes gift card (download Anomaly to the iPad!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 31st. Winner will be announced at Krista's website on August 2nd.

Spread the word about Krista and her giveaway HERE!

{Book Review} Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

My Review:
Compelling, heart wrenching, and absolutely amazing!

Several blogging friends of mine had given this book four to five stars- certainly a high enough rating to pique my interest.  So when I given an opportunity to review it, I took the chance. After all, I thought, Francine Rivers is supposed to be a really great author right? No kidding! She's amazing. Her style, her research, the heart of the story, it's all beautiful.

Redeeming Love is, in a way, an 1850s retelling of Hosea and Gomer's love story with Rivers' own spin to it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. My heart ached for Michael and at the same time I admired his strength and faith. One thing that began to get on my nerves after a while was all the names he called Angel: Amanda, Tirzah, Mara, Beloved, and when he was frustrated, Angel. Though it wasn't a big deal in the long run.

Rivers wrote Angel's character with perfection. Rivers presented her excellently, holding nothing back. There was never a moment that the word "unrealistic" came to mind. Angel's struggles were raw, real, and tangible. There's more I could say, but I do not want to spoil anything, so I'll close with this: Redeeming Love is a story of unconditional love, of heart break, and of redemption when it seems impossible. I highly recommend this book to mature readers.

I received this book from Waterbrook/Multomah through their review program, Blogging for Books, in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

Back Cover:
California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.

But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does ... the One who will never let her go.

Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar (CFBA)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Harvest of Gold River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2013) by Tessa Afshar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TESSA AFSHAR was voted "New Author of the Year" by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader's Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The scribe Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy, too. There is another point she did not count on in her marriage-Sarah has grown to love her husband. Sarah has wealth, property, honor, and power, but her husband's love still seems unattainable.

Although his mother was an Israelite, Darius remains skeptical that his Jewish wife is the right choice for him, particularly when she conspires with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Ordered to assist in the effort, the couple begins a journey to the homeland of his mother's people. Will the road filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories, help Darius to see the hand of God at work in his life-and even in his marriage?

A hidden message, treachery, opposition, and a God-given success, will lead to an unlikely bounty.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Harvest of Gold, go HERE.

My Review:
This is the best Biblical fiction novel I have read in a while!

From the very beginning I knew I was going to enjoy this book. I don't know if it was Sarah or the story that won me over but nonetheless, this book is going on my keeper shelf. I confess, it wasn't until I was half-way through the story that I realized Harvest of Gold is technically a sequel to Harvest of Rubies; however, Harvest of Gold can be read as a stand alone. I only felt confused twice.

Oh, mercy. I loved Darius. I loved Sarah. They are an awesome couple. Both characters are beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed their story. I loved how she portrayed Nehemiah, I thought she did an excellent job bringing to life the man God called to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. He wasn't perfect. He was concerned. But though everything, he trusted in God.

All in all, this is a marvelous tale! Afshar represents the time period well. I hold such a deep admiration of her characters and I can't wait to see what she releases next! In the meantime, I'll be tracking down a copy of Harvest of Rubies to read. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy Biblical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through CFBA, in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

{Book Review} The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

My Review:
A charming read!

I started this one a while ago and I am glad I had the time to go back and finish it. I have heard many good things about Camden's novels and I'm happy to report that The Rose of Winslow Street met my expectations. I was so enthralled in the story that time literally flew past as I was reading. The beautiful little town of Colden is idyllic.

There were many times I questioned how Camden would tie up all the strings. I wondered how two people could fall for each other in the midst of such hate. I didn't know how the story could end happily, and then... You'll have to read the book to find out. I'm duly impressed. I will definitely be looking into Camden's other books!

If you enjoy delightful romances with a high amount of conflict and impossibility, then you'll enjoy this one. As for content, I recommend 15 and up.

I purchased this book, no review required. :-)

Back Cover:
The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.

When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past.

As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.

Vote for me, maybe?

Hey everyone!

I need a favor. I entered CollegePlus's Summer Scholarship Essay Contest and I would appreciate your vote and your help spreading the word about my essay. If you don't mind, please take a moment to read my essay and vote for it, but only if you like it. Here's the link to my essay, From Faith to Friendship

Thank you, thank you, thank you! :-)

-Rosie

Dolled Up to Die by Lorena McCourtney {Revell Blog Tour!}

My Review:
Another great mystery from McCourtney!

Cate Kincaid is back! She made a big impression in Dying to Read and I couldn't wait to see what adventures she'd tackle in Dolled Up to Die.  I love her spunk, her humor, and above all else her drive to find the answers. Also returning is Mitch, Cate's occasionally overprotective boyfriend, and Octavia, Cate's newly adopted deaf cat, who sometimes has better intuition than Cate.

I love it when I get the opportunity to review a mystery novel. In this whodunit, I was constantly guessing and never quite sure if I was right. The pacing was dead on, pun intended, and the stakes rose just when you thought they couldn't. Combine McCourtney's great sense of humor with her equally great mystery devices and you get a pleasure-filled afternoon with Cate.

If you enjoy whodunit mysteries, Dolled Up to Die is right up your alley. Aside from some minor, brief, adult humor the story is very clean and appropriate for 15+. I recommend this to anyone in need of a laugh while they try to solve the murder. :-)

Available July 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I received this book from Revell in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

Back Cover:
When Cate Kinkaid receives a frantic call about a triple homicide, she drives to the scene against her better judgement-aren’t triple homicides more up the police department’s alley?-only to find that the victims are not quite who she expects. Now she has a new rule to add to those she’s learned in her short stint as an assistant private investigator: always find out if the victims actually have human DNA. Because these three do not.
But who would shoot this nice lady’s dolls? What possible reason could the shooter have? And then there’s the startling discovery of another victim, who definitely does have human DNA . . .

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

I want to thank all the wonderful people out there who have sacrificed for our freedom. Freedom isn't free, and you pay the price. Thank you.

You know, the best part of having studied U.S. history is this: you appreciate days like today because you understand the sacrifice made by our forefathers.

I'm off to celebrate with family. :-) 

What are you doing on this great day?

Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart {Revell Blog Tour!}

My Review:
What an adorable story!

If anything is true, it's this: you can't judge an author by one book. In my case, I did not like Gabhart's Words Spoken True but I loved Small Town Girl. The WW2 setting, the sweet characters, and endearing love story all come together for a fantastic read. I loved how some of the character's accents popped off the page; it rounds the characters in a great way for me.

Kate is a great heroine. I haven't read Angel Sister, but it is very apparent what a great big sister she is, not to mention the deep affection she has for her little sister, Lorena. I was really proud of how Kate handled herself in some of the awkward situations she found herself. That being said, she does have flaws, but she has her faith.

One thing is for sure, Gabhart keeps you hanging on until the literal last page. Her writing style is smooth and her characters are so lovable! I wonder if she'll be writing a book for Lorena? Either way, I am very pleased I opted to review Small Town Girl. It's a great historical read with which to spend the afternoon.

Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I received this book from Revell in return for an honest review of my opinions, thanks!

Back Cover:
In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates in anticipation, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can’t draw her interest.

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything. Kate’s friends are rushing to get married before the boys go off to war. The newspapers talk of women making airplanes and bombs. Everyone in town begins rolling bandages, planting victory gardens, collecting scrap metal. Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways, and when he enlists she can hardly breathe worrying about him getting killed. Could she truly be in love with him? And if she is, will she ever see him again?

Follow me with Bloglovin'!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

GFC (Google Friend Connect) and Google reader are going away tomorrow. If you want to continue following Writings of Rosie, I recommend using Bloglovin, NetworkedBlogs, or the Follow by Email feature. Thanks!

Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate by Diana Wallis Taylor {Revell Blog Tour!}

My Review: 
Several months ago, I reviewed Taylor's release Martha. I did not enjoy it as much as I expected to but I opted to give Taylor's latest, Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate, a fair shot.

I applaud Taylor for taking on such a difficult subject. As she mentions in her Author's Note, Claudia is only mentioned once possibly twice. Taylor's historical research shines through and she stayed close to the Gospel's account in most places. However, some of the creative licenses she took turned me off to the story. I won't go into it.

Judea, in the disciples' day, I think was represented well. It was neat to visualize what it was like and to form a mental image. I also thought it was neat to see what Jesus's ministry would have looked like to an outsider. That isn't a view I get to read often, and I an impressed at how real Taylor wrote it.

In truth, I felt like the book ran much longer than it should have. The last chapters were a drag with no clear direction as to where we were going. I really wanted to like this book, but it simply wasn't for me.

I received this book from Revell in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Back Cover:
Claudia's life did not start easily.

The illegitimate daughter of Julia, reviled and exiled daughter of Caesar Augustus, Claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. When Tiberius, who hates Julia, takes the throne, Claudia is wrenched away from her mother to be brought up in the palace in Rome. The young woman is adrift-until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When Pilate is appointed Prefect of the troublesome territory of Judea, Claudia does what she has always done: she makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find peace and rest in the teaching of the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?

Book Review: Trouble in Store by Carol Cox

My Review:
Another amazing story from Carol Cox!

Carol did a great job pulling me right into the story with the first chapter. Melanie is such an easy character to like despite her stubbornness and slight impulsive behavior. Even though I knew misfortune would befall her early on, I still hurt right alongside her. I loved her desire to improve the mercantile; however, I'm not sure her methods were the proper way to get what she wanted. Ha! Ha!

Caleb is a fabulous hero! He's such a great father to his son, Levi, and does the best he can to also run a store single-handedly. I thought the transition from disliking Melanie to falling in love with her was well paced and realistic. I loved how protective he is. He and Melanie make a great couple.

I just studied this time period for my studies and I'm pleased to find little details in the story that I know I would have missed had I not studied this era. I also must admit I'm very impressed with how vivid the Arizona territory appeared in my mind's eye. Very beautiful, very rustic, very western. I truly enjoyed the mystery Carol implemented and I wish the book could have spanned longer. I hated seeing it come to an end!

I received this book from Bethany House in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

Back Cover:
Fired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort: the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he's not about to let some obstinate woman with newfangled ideas mess up all he's worked for. He's determined to get Melanie married off as soon as possible, and luckily there are plenty of single men in town quite interested in taking her off his hands.
The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn't want her to marry up with any of them. He's drawn to Melanie more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store unexpectedly offer positive results.

But someone doesn't want the store to succeed, and what used to be just threatening words has escalated into deliberate destruction and lurkers in the night. When a body shows up on the mercantile steps--and the man obviously didn't die from natural causes--things really get dangerous. Can Melanie and Caleb's business--and romance--survive the trouble that's about to come their way?

Slow Moon Rising by Eva Marie Everson {Revell Blog Tour!}

Back Cover:

Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release in the Claybourne family. 

But it might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within. Join the strong Claybourne women-Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami-as they each confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and renewed love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is-family.

My Review:
Not a favorite, but a sweet story nonetheless!

I wasn't sure what I expected to find in Slow Moon Rising but what I found certainly wasn't the picture in my head. I had to force myself through the first few chapters and I struggled getting into the story, particularly when we kept changing point of view every few chapters. While I'm glad to say it got easier to read as I went, I never fully connected with any of the women aside from Ami. She's my not-so-secret favorite.

I loved Eva's vivid descriptions and attention to detail in the setting. Anise's little hometown in Maine, Ami's world in Atlanta, and my favorite, Cedar Key, Florida came to life in my imagination. Eva also did a superb job making her characters as real as they come. Their struggles, their problems, and their lives are under no circumstances perfect.

Slow Moon Rising is the third and final in the Cedar Key series. I haven't read the earlier books yet, but it didn't seem to take away from the story.  If I had read the previous books, some things in the story might have made more sense.  I don't recommend this book to younger teens. This novel is definitely more on the adult woman's side of the spectrum--something I didn't know when I requested the book.

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I received this book from Revell in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

I'm Sorry // Mercantile Mystery Sweepstakes!

I'm sorry, guys. I have been battling sickness off and on the past two weeks and, when you throw in my college studies, it didn't leave me much time to stay on top of the ball. Good news is that I am completely healthy again and I'll be trying to catch up when my studies allow. Thanks for sticking with me!

Last summer/fall I reviewed Love in Disguise by Carol Cox- I loved it! I have eagerly been waiting to see what Carol would release next and it is finally here! It's titled Trouble in Store here's the back cover copy and the cover- isn't it cute??

Back Cover:

Fired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort: the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he’s not about to let some obstinate woman with newfangled ideas mess up all he’s worked for. He’s determined to get Melanie married off as soon as possible, and luckily there are plenty of single men in town quite interested in taking her off his hands.

The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn’t want her to marry up with any of them. He’s drawn to Melanie more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store unexpectedly offer positive results.

But someone doesn’t want the store to succeed, and what used to be just threatening words has escalated into deliberate destruction and lurkers in the night. When a body shows up on the mercantile steps–and the man obviously didn’t die from natural causes–things really get dangerous. Can Melanie and Caleb’s business–and romance–survive the trouble that’s about to come their way?

To celebrate the story, author Carol Cox and Bethany House Publishers are pleased to announce the MERCANTILE MYSTERY SWEEPSTAKES, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes! Go here for more information on how to enter- but HURRY the sweepstakes are over tonight!!

I had wanted to include my review along with this post, but I'm not finished reading it. Look for it sometime this weekend! ;-)

Deadly Devotion by Sandra Orchard {Revell Blog Tour!}

My Review:
A legitimate mystery that kept me guessing!

I always sing the praises of the books who surprise me. This is one of them! Sandra literally kept me on my toes until the last few chapters and for that, she has officially earned her place on my favorites list. Deadly Devotion opens up with a bang as Sandra introduces us to the fiery red-head Kate Adams. I love Sandra's writing style. It's easy to follow and keeps your eyes on the page.

Sandra did such a great job pointing the finger at many plausible characters. There were several times I thought I had figured it out, only to be proven wrong. It has been a long time since I've had the chance to review a mystery novel and I savored every page of this one, including the peek into Book 2!

All the characters are realistic, Port Aster easily formed in my imagination, and the whodunit mystery joined to make a wonderful read! I could tell Sandra did her research on medicinal and poisonous herbs. If you like mysteries, then this is one you'll love. I highly recommend to teens 15+.

I received this book from Revell in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Back Cover:
Research scientist Kate Adams and her colleague Daisy are on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy suddenly dies. Kate knows that if it hadn’t been for Daisy’s mentorship, she wouldn’t have the job she loves or the faith she clings to. So when police rule Daisy’s death a suicide, Kate is determined to unearth the truth.

Former FBI agent Tom Parker finds it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gives him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom’s just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation of her friend’s death, he knows his job is at stake. In fact, despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate looks a bit suspicious herself.

As evidence mounts, a web of intrigue is woven around the sleepy town of Port Aster. Can Kate uncover the truth? Or will Tom stand in her way?

Check out some cool bonus features on Sandra's website here!

Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker

My Review:
An exciting sequel to Code of Silence!

Once again we return to northern Illinois to the adventurous world of Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro. I hadn't really taken a look at the back cover in a few weeks, so I dove straight into the book unaware of what was going to happen. Within pages, the new mystery and thrill had begun.

In this installment, Lunk has officially been added to Coop's circle of friends. He is a great addition to the group in Back Before Dark primarily because in the long absence of Gordy, Coop needed someone. Lunk really made an effort to change and I adored his loyalty to Coop. While he still has some personal flaws, he is a very interesting character to read about.

Hiro was and is my favorite character so far in the series. She reminds me a lot of myself in many ways. I like how Shoemaker has made Hiro the "Jiminy Cricket" of the group. She's very by the book and probably the most responsible. I constantly wanted to high-five Hiro's efforts to keep Coop in line.

I would hate to say too much and spoil such a great mystery book, so I'll keep this brief. Shoemaker does an excellent job with the pacing of events, character development, and plot depth. I recommend this book to boys, although girls will enjoy it too, anywhere from 12+. There is a dark undertone mentioned concerning Gordy's abduction, so parents might want to take a look at this first. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received this book from DJC Communications in return for an honest review of my opinions, thanks!

Back Cover:
Taken! A detour through the park leads Cooper, Gordy, Hiro, and Lunk straight into a trap, and Gordy is abducted! For the kidnapper, it's all a game, a way to settle an old score, with no one getting hurt. But evil has a way of escalating, and once his identity is discovered, the rules change. Despite the best of police efforts, the hours tick by without a clue or a ransom call, leaving everyone to their own fears. Gordy is gone. Cooper descends deeper into a living nightmare, imagining the worst for his best friend and cousin. Hours stretch into days, and talks of a memorial service begin to surface. But Cooper still feels his cousin is alive and develops a reckless plan, changing all the rules. Now the one who set out to rescue his friend needs to be rescued himself. Sometimes rescuing a friend from darkness means going in after them.

Some Important News to Note... {And a winner!}

Hey everyone!

How do you like the new look? It's great isn't it? That lovely header was made by Leah, a friend of mine who blogs over here.

I also wanted to forewarn you (if you haven't heard already) that Google Friend Connect is supposedly going to be taken away by Google soon. In the event that it does go, I have set up two alternatives to keep all of you in the loop, if you so choose. First option is, you can sign up to follow by email. The second option is to join Networked blogs and you can follow me there.

All right! That has been your little newsflash from me. Now onto the real reason you're reading this post.

The winner of the Captives giveaway is... Beth C.!

I have sent you an email, Beth. I need to hear back from you by the end of next week! ;-)

BIG thank you to all who entered and helped promote the giveaway! I appreciate you all! ;-D

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer {Litfuse Blog Tour!}

My Review:
An entertaining, sweet, read!

I eagerly looked forward to Stealing the Preacher and it lived up to my expectations! Miss Witemeyer once again does a great job penning a believable historical setting fashioned with characters we can love and relate to. I am duly impressed with the strong faith of all her main characters. I think its safe to say Stealing the Preacher is my new favorite.

For those who have read Short Straw Bride, you'll be familiar with Crockett. He is my favorite of the Archer brothers, second only to Travis. His patience and compassion makes him well suited to his calling. I loved his knowledge of scripture! Not to mention his passion for his ministry.

Also weaseling her way to be my favorite is Joanna. My, she's a sweet thing. I adored her loyalty and love for her father. I identified with her too, and that made me like her all the more.

To sum up, if you liked any of Miss Witemeyer's previous books, especially Short Straw Bride, you are sure to like this one. I highly recommend it. :-)

I received this book from the publisher, through Litfuse, in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

Back Cover: 
On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the person is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

Karen Witemeyer is "kindling" the excitement for Stealing the Preacher (Bethany House) with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at her June 18th Facebook Author Chat Party!

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at 4pm on June 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Stealing the Preacher" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 18th. Connect with Karen for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Karen will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Stealing the Preacher and join Karen on the evening of June 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck {Litfuse Blog Tour!}

My Review:
A refreshing, delightful, read from Miss Hauck!

Ever since my lovely blogging friends began posting their reviews, I grew more and more eager to dive into the pages of Once Upon a Prince. Let me tell you, when I finally did I couldn't put it down. This novel went beyond all my expectations. She even surprised me at the end! Anyone who can accomplish that needs to pat themselves on the back.

Susanna is a planner. She feels safe knowing how her life is going to turn out. Until her world flips upside down. Miss Hauck accomplished this change in Susanna very well, in my opinion. It didn't come too fast or too slow but instead it was portrayed very realistically. Susanna felt so real just in general with her quirks. That's something I really liked.

As for the prince... well, he is something special. :-) I was pleasantly surprised by his strong faith. I also liked how willing he was to sacrifice his happiness if it came to that. And, oh my goodness, his accent! It literally pops off the page!

In sum, Miss Hauck has penned an amazing story. Her writing flows right off the page and into my imagination. Her characters appear lifelike and are relatable, something very important to me. This will be one I will reread in the future, just for the fun of it. Plus, she kept all the romance very clean, which impressed me beyond belief. I can't wait until Book Two!

I received this book from the publisher through Litfuse in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thank you!

Back Cover:
Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.

Their lives are worlds apart. He’s a royal prince. She’s a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel’s coronation.

Captives by Jill Williamson {TNT Blog Tour + Giveaway!}

My Review:
This Christian Dystopian novel is one you won't want to miss!

Captives introduces us to a whole new world in 2088. The Safe Lands practically pop out of the page and take you in. Jill did such a wonderful job making it believable and realistic with amazing detail. Speaking of The Safe Lands, as "safe" as it sounds, it really isn't. The place is actually rather quite terrifying the more you learn about it. I don't blame the Elders who said no to The Safe Lands.

The primary characters we focus on in the novel are Mason, Omar, Levi, and Shaylinn. Truthfully, I hadn't anticipated the many points of view, but it worked really well! It opened the door for me to look at what was going on through different pairs of eyes, who all had unique ways of looking at their circumstances.

Confession time. I am very partial to Levi's and Shaylinn's points of view. I found Levi likable primarily for his loyalty to his family and friends. His determination to put his own life on the line to get them back. His quoting Westley from The Princess Bride... *cough* Anyway, overall he earned his spot as one of my favorite characters. ;-)

As a result of The Safe Lands ungodly lifestyle there is many instances revolving around a character, whose name I shall not disclose. No instances are explicit, in fact, Jill handles all of it really well in a way with few details. Nonetheless, be advised.

My personal conclusion? This book is fantastic! And the ending has left me eager for the sequel!

I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thank you!

Back Cover:
One choice could destroy them all.

When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.

Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.

Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only his people, but also find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone inside the Safe Lands.

Can Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land’s façade before it’s too late?

You can purchase your copy here!

You can connect with Jill Williamson at any of the following sites:
Her personal website (also linked above): http://www.jillwilliamson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsonwrites?fref=ts
Also- the Safe Lands has their own Website! Check it out: http://thesafelands.com/

Jill and Zondervan are graciously giving away a paperback copy of Captives! US entries only, sorry! Please use the Rafflecopter below. ;-)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other stops on the tour:
ADD Librarian • Blooming with Books • Bookworm Reading • Chris Kolmorgen • Christian Book Review Blog • Christian Bookshelf Reviews • CTF Devourer • Emily Rachelle Writes • Heavenward Reviews • Jessica Laurie • Labor Not in Vain • The Life of a Teenage Writer • The Maniacal Bookworm • Mrs. Southern Bride • Oh, Restless Bird • Pages from My Journal • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • Realm of Hearts • Shadow Writer World • A Simple Life, Really?! • Surrendering All of Me • Terri Harr • Verbosity Book Reviews • Who YA Reading? • Worthy2Read • The Writings of Rosie

 

Book Review: The Bare Naked Truth by Bekah Hamrick Martin

I'll be frank, this book covers some uncomfortable topics. However, I found it well worth the read. 

Back Cover:
The Truth About Sex and Waiting ... Uncovered Purity. Sex. Boys. Waiting. 

There's something about those words that makes everything complex in a heartbeat, and raises more questions than answers. Is there something wrong with me if I don't kiss a boy after a date? Or am I doomed if I DID? What if waiting is just a one-way trip to life as a crazy cat woman? And what if I tend to, um, think about a certain boy in a certain way? It seems that the lady at church and your friends have two very different opinions on the subject. And 'Your Budding Womanhood: Staying a Beautiful Flower for Jesus' just isn't cutting it. 

Bekah Hamrick Martin knows the waiting game isn't easy or straight-forward. In The Bare Naked Truth, she lays everything on the table---including some embarrassing moments---as she explores the honest, naked truth behind what God means by purity. With additional entries from popular authors, you'll see the bare naked approach to waiting isn't always easy, but it's worth the risk.

My Review:
Debut author Bekah Martin brings to us a very serious yet pleasant read. She covers topics that many might classify as taboo. Nonetheless, if you are a Christian teenage girl (or even if you aren't) I think you could gain a lot by reading The Bare Naked Truth.

Throughout the book, Bekah shares appropriate scripture and has several of her friends share their personal stories/experiences/testimonies in the hope that we, as the reader, can learn from other people's mistakes and make our own educated decisions. I never once felt being preached at or talked down to. Bekah writes very openly and from the heart. She also makes some excellent points while making me laugh at the same time.

I read The Bare Naked Truth in about four to five hours, just because I couldn't put it down. Bekah really makes you step back and reexamine your plans in a positive way. I'm really glad that I had the chance to review this. Personally, reading the book made me rethink my decisions and plans. I highly recommend it!

I received this book from DJC Communications in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!