Introduction I like a good who-dun-it novel. The Duke's Dilemma is one of those. Aaaand it also contains one of my other favorite genres--history! The setting is London in the year 1815. I enjoy a good Regency novel, and this one was no disappointment. I'd never read one of Elaine Manders' books before, and I hope this is not my last! Lady Cassandra Wayte married into her title. Born a farm girl, Cassandra found herself in a horrible situation, and Lord Wayte took in her and her godmother. ...
A Love So True – a Bethany House Review
Introduction A Love So True by Melissa Jagears is a novel that took me down a road that I'm not used to traveling on in Christian fiction. This piece of historical fiction hit on the topic of prostitution. Evelyn Wisely, the main character, works at the local orphanage, and in her work she mingles with the children of such women. Aiding the women and providing a safe haven for them is Evelyn's dream. Opening a shelter to help the ladies leave their lives of prostitution is her desire. David ...
What Hope Remembers – a Revell Review
What Hope Remembers, the third novel in the Misty Willow series, was fantastic! I hadn't read the first two novels in the series, so the setting was new to me. It's a stand-alone book, so I didn't have anything to really get caught up on, thankfully. Amy is a former lobbyist who gets back to her roots in the country. Joining her brother and cousin, she has to find her way back to the simple life, a little begrudgingly. A recovering anorexic, Amy struggles with her past and struggles to move ...
Israel-God’s Heart: Landscapes and Legacy of Israel Review
Israel, God's Heart is a beautiful "coffee table" arrangement of aerial photographs that will take your breath away. I've never been to Israel, but I've always wanted to. Its rich history and beauty have always drawn and intrigued me. Ron Gafni, the photographer, has captured some beautiful scenes that are simply breathtaking. Israel, God's Heart has captured some of the landscapes that I've never seen before--areas I've heard described but never seen. Inside each of the five ...
Love’s Faithful Promise by Susan Mason – a review
Riveting! Love’s Faithful Promise is Book 3 in the Courage to Dream series by Susan Anne Mason. In this novel, there are two stories presented: that of Deirdre O'Leary and Matthew Clayborn, and Connor O'Leary and Josephine Miller. When Deirdre O'Leary's mother has a stroke, she is driven to find the best help for her mother. A nurse aspiring to become a doctor in the early 20th Century, Deirdre knows that her mother needs the best of help for her recovery. Deirdre takes on the task of ...
Zebra on the Go – a Kids’ Book Review
A thrill for 3-6-year-olds! Zebra on the Go is a fun kids' book by Jill Nogales that will entertain your preschool and early elementary children. Zebra on the Go is a story about a circus in town. To begin the story, Zebra accidentally steps on Lion's toe, and Lion becomes furious! As a result, a chase through the town ensues. Zebra desperately runs from Lion through the town, past townspeople, onto the dock and aboard a boat where the story comes to a climax. Illustrations by Lorraine Rochas ...
Alice’s Notions – a review
I enjoy a book that grips me from the beginning. Tamera Kraft's Alice's Notions does that. Alice's Notions is a Christian historical fiction novel that has a Post-World War II time-frame. Alice is a young lady who has recently become a widow after the death of her husband Joe in the Battle of the Bulge. Returning to her roots in West Virginia, Alice rents a shop and apartment and begins her own sewing shop. What she doesn't realize is that she's going to quickly have to let go of her fear and ...
Review of Brave is the New Beautiful
Brave is the New Beautiful: Finding the Courage to be the Real You is a book that, to me, gives a new look at what truly is beautiful. So many of us are focused on thinking that beauty is defined by expensive clothes, jewelry, trips to the nail and hair salons, staying thin and looking gorgeous on the outside. This book looks beyond the appearance into the beauty that is within everyone--waiting to be tapped and shared. Author Lee Wolfe Blum has beautifully chronicled stories in this book from ...
Review of Yours Sincerely Giraffe
I delight in fun books for my kids. Yours Sincerely, Giraffe, was one of those. Author Megumi Iwasa has done a wonderful job integrating words that are intelligent yet speak to a child's mind. Reading along to my three-year-old son was very engaging, and even at his age, he could understand what was going on in the story. My son was taken in by the storyline so much that he wanted to "read" it to me as well. He built on the giraffe's story, using the pictures to guide him. It was a very ...
For the Record by Regina Jennings Review
For the Record, Regina Jennings' newest historical Christian novel, is a book I've been waiting for. I've been a fan of Regina Jennings' novels since Book 1: Sixty Acres and a Bride (which I reviewed here). Suffice it to say, I do my best to keep up with her writing because her books are that good. Building Great Characters and Scenes Regina is remarkable at fleshing characters, and heroine Betsy Huckabee and hero Joel Puckett in For the Record are no exceptions. Betsy Huckabee is not a ...
Trust My Heart Review & Giveaway
Trust My Heart, written by Carol J. Post, was a really fun read! If you're looking for a contemporary Christian romance that is light-hearted and fun, definitely give this one your time! I was drawn in because of the heroine's name Jami. It is rare to see my own name in a book. After I decided that the book description sounded good, I wanted to read Trust My Heart! The two main characters, Grant and Jami, seemed like real people. Both had flaws (oh boy--don't get me started on Grant!) that ...
Night Night Farm – Children’s Book Review
Night Night Farm is a fun and colorful board book! Night Night Farm is perfect for those little ones who are fascinated with animals. I believe it would be appropriate for children up to Kindergarten or First Grade. My two year old son and I have read and read and read this book! He loves farm animals (and the sounds they make!), and this book really brings it all together for him in a compact, appropriate length board book that keeps his attention and has beautiful pictures and catchy, ...
