What I am Reading ~ Weekend 8/23-25/12

I am on my way home with a bunch of books just waiting to be blogged about! I had a great time, riding horses and hanging out. Plus the other day my brother had fun killing a bothersome rattlesnake. Bue enough about that and more about the books!

I am so excited to be digging into Joanne Bischof's debut Be Still My Soul. It should be fantastic for a long car trip home.

Here's the blurb:

Pretty Lonnie Sawyer is shy and innocent, used to fading into the background within her family, and among the creeks and hollows of the Appalachian hills. Though her family is poor and her father abusive, she clings to a quiet faith. But when handsome ladies’ man and bluegrass musician Gideon O’Riley steals a kiss, that one action seals her fate.
Her father forces her into a hasty marriage with Gideon—a man she barely knows and does not love. Equally frustrated and confused by his new responsibilities, Gideon yearns for a fresh start, forcing Lonnie on an arduous journey away from her home in Rocky Knob.
Her distant groom can’t seem to surrender his rage at the injustice of the forced matrimony or give Lonnie any claim in his life. What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts?
Gideon only ever cared about himself. Now that Lonnie is his wife, will he ever be worthy of her heart?

I might be the only person on planet earth (OK I am being overdramatic) who has not read a book by Karen Kingsbury. A friend recommended that I started with Unlocked, so I am.

Here's the blurb:

Holden Harris is an autistic 18-year-old who is bullied at school. Laura Reynolds, the head cheerleader who befriends Holden, has problems of her own at home. In her trademark way, Kingsbury tackles real-life issues of high school bullying, autism, adultery, and ultimately acceptance.

So now I want to ask you, what are you reading this weekend?

I hope y'all have a blessed weekend.

 

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 8/10-12/12

Car rides provide a great environment for getting some great reading done! I will be headed out west to visit my relatives for a few weeks which I hope will be a great experience. Last time I went, my brother and my cousin built a sheepherder's monument, reminiscent of the ones made centuries ago, originating among sheepherders in Spain who were bored so they decided to build monuments much the one I made with my brother and cousin. They are not that common anymore due to weather, vandalism, and elk mistaking them for scratching posts! And yes, we made it because we were bored when babysitting a wildfire and putting out hotspots.

But enough about that and on to the books!

I am so excited to read The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I have been looking forward to hearing Sadie's story since reading The Keeper, which I loved!

Here's the blurb:
Spring brings new life, young love, and second chances to Stoney Ridge.

On a warm spring day, Sadie Lapp returns home to her quiet, unassertive life in Stoney Ridge after spending the winter in Ohio.

Gideon Smucker, an awkward schoolteacher, has been in love with Sadie since childhood and eagerly awaits her return. But does Sadie feel the same about him?

Will Stoltz, a charming and impetuous college student, has been banished for a semester and sent to babysit endangered peregrine falcons nesting at the Lapp farm. He'd rather be anywhere else . . . until he befriends Sadie.

As the hopes and ambitions of these three young people converge, life in Stoney Ridge may never be the same.

Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love in this captivating series.

I have been so excited to read Angle of the Cove because soomething about it just reminds me of my all time favorite book, Christy!

Here's the book:

In the first book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins weaves a tale of love, loss, and God's faithfulness in every circumstance.
Anna Prentiss has never wanted to be anything but a nurse. Before she can start school in New York, however, her brother sends her to Cades Cove, deep in the Smoky Mountains, to spend a summer apprenticing to the local midwife. Anna is determined to prove herself and then head to the big city.
But nothing could have prepared Anna for the beauty of the Cove, or the community and friendships she finds there. And she certainly wasn?t prepared for Simon Martin, the handsome young minister, or the feelings he arouses in her. Has God's plan for Anna changed? Or is she just starting to hear Him clearly?

So now it's your turn, what are YOU reading this weekend?

Blessings!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 7/13-15/12

Well, tomorrow I head home after a wonderful 2-week long adventure! I got to help drive cattle, put out hot spots at a wildfire burnsite (a.k.a. babysitting the fire to make sure it didn't blow up), and of course I read a ton, I even decided to join a Read the Bible in a Summer program, which as you can imagine with me starting late, will be quite...I will have to play catch up, but I am sure it will be beneficial non-the-less!

But onward!

Ok, so if you are like me you have probably heard buckets about Carol Cox's Love in Disguise, and since I didn't get it review I decided to check it out from my local library and read it anyway! And it started out running, and I just know that I am going to love it already!

Here's the blurb:
When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.
Mine owner Steven Pierce is about to lose his business after the theft of several bullion shipments--until hope arrives in the unlikely form of Lavinia Stewart, who offers to invest in Steven's mine. In his wildest dreams, Steven never expected to be rescued by an inquisitive gray-haired widow . . . or to fall head over heels for Lavinia's captivating niece, Jessie. But then the thieves come after both Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Will she be forced to reveal her true identity before the criminals are caught? What will Steven do when he discovers the woman he loves doesn't exist?

Well, that's what I'm reading :)
Now it's your turn, what are you reading this weekend?

God Bless!

What I'm Reading This Weekend Away ~ 7/6-8/12

Hello there! As you may already know I am away on a trip, but thankfully I am able to pop into a local library every once and a while and update my blog! We have already had quite a few advenutures! The sky is gray, and there is the smell of smoke everywhere, because where we are visiting wildfires rage, so a smoke veil hangs over us at all times though we are in no immediate danger. And on Tuesday, my brother got to use his shotgun to decapitate a rattlesnake who very rudely decided to camp in front of the outhouse! Yes, we actually have to use an outhouse where I am!

Well, enough said about that, and on to the books!

I am very excirted to start Vannetta Chapman's newest, A Promise for Miriam.

Here's the blurb:
A Promise for Miriam, the first book in a brand-new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, introduces the Amish community of Pebble Creek and some of the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.

Amish schoolteacher Miriam King loves her students. At 26, most women her age are married with children of their own, but she hasn?t yet met anyone who can convince her to give up the Plain school that sits along the banks of Pebble Creek. Then newcomer Gabriel Yoder steps into her life, bringing his daughter, an air of mystery, and challenges Miriam has never faced before.



Will Gabe be able to let go of the past that haunts him? He thinks he just wants to be left alone, but the loving and warm community he and his daughter have moved to has other plans for him. After a near tragedy is averted, he hesitantly returns offers of help and friendship, and he discovers he can make a difference to the people of Pebble Creek?and maybe find love again.

I am also reading a biography of a man named Zvi. It's an older classic!

Here's the blurb:

Zvi is the biography of a man who, like his nation Israel, defies explanation apart from God. His story in the early stages is reminiscent of the Book of Esther in the Bible--God is not consciously represented, yet He is obviously present and at work.

One will recognize, as the story unfolds, that people and events touched Zvi's life at strategic points in ways that cannot be coincidental. Over the tortuous course he followed in his flight for survival, the reader will discern a clear pattern of divine provision.

Unlike many of the stories that confront us today, this true-life epic has a satisfying climax. Zvi's life is far from over, of course, but the issue has been settled. He is alive today and living a joyfully triumphant life in the land of his fathers.
How he survived the Holocaust, found his way to the shores of Israel, and faced his life-transforming encounter with the Messiah is a story one can ill afford to miss. A careful study of his life is a revelation of the lengths to which a loving Lord will go to bring one soul safely home.




Well now you know what I'm reading :)

What are you reading this weekend?

Blessings!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 6/29-7/1/12

Well, I guess I'm off again! Two weeks with minimal internet, having a great time in the country :) I have a couple of reviews scheduled and I'll be sure to get some blogging done when I visit the local library that they have there, so it'll be just like I'm here!

Now onward to the books!

I've never read a book directly about the Shakers, so I'm excited to start this one. I read recently that there are only 3 Shakers living in America today, so I'm sure to learn some things from this book.

Here's the blurb:

By 1849, Jessamine Brady has been in the Shaker Village for half her life, but in spite of how she loves her sisters there, she struggles to conform to the strict rules. Instead she entertains dreams of the world outside. When Tristan Cooper seems to step out of those dreams to entice her into the forbidden realm beyond the Shaker Village, her life turns upside down. Will Jessamine be able to survive the storms of the world? Or will she retreat back to the peace of Harmony Hill?

The thousands of loyal fans of Gabhart's Shaker novels will love this entrancing story of learning to trust the gifts God gives us and let him guide us through life.

I'm also really happy to finally get to The Messenger by Siri Mitchell :)

Here's the blurb:

Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith
...until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers?
Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.
With skill and sensitivity, Mitchell tells a story of two unlikely heroes seeking God's voice, finding the courage to act, and discovering the powerful embrace of love.

Well that's what I'm reading this weekend?
Now, let me shoot that question back at you. What are YOU reading?

Blessings!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 6/22-24/12

Sorry, I didn't post one of these last week, but I have come to the conclusion that I will do these kind of posts in more moderation in the future. Mostly because I don't have the time, but I love to hear from you, so don't misunderstand me here :)

Let's get on to the books!

I have been dying to get to Short-Straw Bride forever! And I am happy to say that I am loving it! And might be done with it by the time the post goes up!
And if you don't know what it's about then here's the blurb:

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?


And I'm also in the midst of Swipe, a Christian teen dysotopian read by Evan Angler!

Here's the blurb:

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, "Swipe" follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn't even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It's almost Logan Langly's 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn't been able to shake the feeling he's being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is "Left Behind" meets "Matched" for middle-grade readers.

Well, that's what I am reading this weekend.

What are you reading?

You know I'd love to hear about it ;)

Have a great weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 6/8-10/12

Hey y'all! I can't believe how fast my vacation  has gone! I've been having a merry old time too, riding horses, and camping out. Today I will be waking up early and riding my horse down the mountain to help drive cattle up the mountain. So yes, I've been having a blast! And reading too, when I get home I'll be sure to post some pictures :) I just thought that I'd drop in and tell ya'll, "Hello."

So here's what I'll be reading on the car trip home!

The Anniversary Waltz as you might know my mom already read this one and said that it was super!

Here's the Blurb:

At their sixtieth anniversary party, Adam Carlson asks his wife, Elizabeth, for their customary waltz. After the dance they gather the family and share their story—a story of love and courage overcoming adversity and thriving in the face of overwhelming odds.
It’s the summer of 1946, and Adam has just returned from the war to his home in Reunion, Montana. At a town festival he meets Elizabeth Baxter, a young woman going steady with his former high school rival and now influential banker, Nathan Roberts.
When Adam and Elizabeth share a waltz in a deserted pavilion one evening, their feelings begin to grow and they embark on a journey, and a dance, that will last a lifetime.

 

And I'm really looking forward to Glamorous Illusions :)

 

Here's the blurb:

 

When Cora Kensington learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king, her life changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she discovers that the most valuable journey is within. The first book in the Grand Tour series takes you from the farms of Montana through England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery.

 

And last but certainly not least is How Evil Works by David Kupelian, which is a non-fiction book that I highly recommend. It talks about how so many things like over medicating our children, child predator teachers in schools, and Wiccan, and Wiccan-like religions are undermining America. I was shocked when I read about how schools are paying child predator teachers to resign, and giving them positive reviews to get them to leave their system and go on to another one! A hard to put down read! (It is a Christian book, in case you were wondering).

Here's the blurb:

 The great paradox of the human race—that we are intelligent enough to understand just about everything, except ourselves—has never been more striking, or more troubling, than right now. Specifically, we don’t understand evil—what it is, how it works, and why it so routinely and effortlessly ruins our lives.

In How Evil Works , veteran newsman and bestselling author David Kupelian takes a fresh and insightful look at this ancient subject. Diving into the most electrifying news stories of the day—from terrorism and school violence to high-profile sex scandals and dysfunctional Hollywood celebrities—Kupelian explores the secret world of seduction, corruption, and daily temptations in everyday life, demonstrating his uncanny knack for breaking down complex, elusive, and intimidating topics.


Kupelian shows that once we really understand “how evil works”—not just in the headline-making disasters and crimes that dominate the news, but also in our own lives—evil loses much of its power, and the way out becomes more clear. And that’s precisely why this book bears a powerful message of genuine hope.






So what are you reading? I'd love to hear about it, so don't be shy and share what you're reading :)

Blessings!

I Will Be Gone for Two Weeks, Plus My Weekend Reading Pile 5/25-27/12

Hello, today I am here to tell you that I am going to have very limited internet access these next two weeks, I will be grateful to have internet for one hour per week down at the library while I am gone visiting family. One thing that I can promise, though is pictures...when I get back that is! I do have some posts, tours, and reviews scheduled to post while I am gone, so it will almost be like I'm still here. ;) But anyhow, I just thought I'd give you all a heads up about that.

Now onwards to the books!

I just started Lady Anne's Quest last night, and have started to re-familiarize myself with all of the characters. I am very interested to see how this will turn out!

Here's the blurb:

Lady Anne Stone believes her prayers are answered and she’s at last found her long lost uncle. Unwilling to let her meet him on her own, Daniel Adams accompanies her to her uncle’s ranch. But instead of answers, Anne is left with more questions. Both Dan and Anne are convinced the man introduced as her uncle is an imposter and decide to continue the search for the new Earl of Stoneford.

But now the swindler is on their trail, hoping to steal Uncle David’s inheritance. Dan has his hands full trying to protect Anne, but he finds he must guard his heart just as carefully. Even though he’s good at keeping her safe, he knows he’ll never convince Anne to become a farmer’s wife in Oregon when she has her sights set on returning to her home in England. But as Anne’s quest becomes even more difficult — and dangerous — Anne begins to see Dan differently. Will she soon be envisioning a new life in America?

The other book I am starting up, is Lorna Seilstad's The Ride of Her Life. I am very excited to give this one a go :)

Here's the blurb:

The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six year old. Widowed two years ago, Lilly leaves the shelter of her intrusive in-laws' home to stand on her own and provide for her young son by working for the summer as a cook at Lake Manawa. However, her in-laws find that life utterly unsuitable for their grandson, and when a row ensues, a handsome stranger--who designs roller coasters, of all things--intercedes on her behalf. Still, Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky (though charismatic) gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.Filled with delightful characters and the romance of summer, The Ride of Her Life is another supremely entertaining story from the witty Lorna Seilstad. Readers will laugh out loud and sigh contentedly as they spend the summer of 1906 in Lake Manawa.


Well  that's a glimpse of what I'm reading. What are you reading this weekend?

Blessings!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 5/18-20/12

Hello all! Here we are again, and boy do I have some reading to do! Yesterday I received probably a record of seven books in the mail, so as you can imagine, and I'm sure relate to, I am scrambling for shelf space!

I am very happily busy helping to prepare for out church's Summer Reading Program! My brother and I are so excited!

So we'll see what I can finish up this weekend! So onward to the books!

First up is The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson, which I am really enjoying right now, and I was happy to see Ms. Whitson return to her Nebraska roots with this book after A Most Unsuitable Match. One thing that is really interesting is that it is set in a prison!

Here's the blurb:
Enter a historic Nebraskan prison where three women find betrayal, love, and ultimate truth. Jane Prescott is serving a ten-year sentence for murder. Can a broken spirit be healed behind bars? Matron Mamie Dawson feels called to help the wounded women in her charge. Will a guard's attentions keep her from her mission? Warden's wife Ellen Sullivan has changed her preconceptions about these female prisoners. Will it be enough to save her from a life-or-death situation? Will the cryptic quilt connecting their lives expose the truth of one woman's past and ensure a better future for them all?

I just started My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade, and I have heard alot of mixed reviews about this one so I am very interested to read it for myself and find out exactily what everyone is talking about. LOL!

Here's the blurb:
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother
asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance,
takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off.
Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment
she meets Matt, Kate can't help but be attracted to him--he's got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there's zero chance of a romance between them. Matt's in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren't, Kate realizes that she's way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife--an honest-to-goodness former Miss America--was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt's been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way.
No, Kate's not looking for love. She knows better than that by now. But when the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and
Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she
ever dreamed?

And for my third pick, Beckon by Tom Pawlik. I'm very excited to read this thriller, I have heard great things about this author, and am very much looking forward to reading it, though I have heard somethings are rather ... weird.

Here's the blurb:
Some things weren't meant to be discovered. Three people are each drawn to the small town of Beckon, Wyoming. A young anthropologist researches a Native American legend and makes a terrifying discovery. An ex-cop investigating her cousin's disappearance finds herself in grave peril. And an aging businessman is lured by the promise of a miracle. One by one they discover the town's ghastly secret. The only question is . . . will any of them make it out alive?

So what are you reading? You know I'd love to hear about it :)
Have an awesome weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 5/11-13/12

Hello there! I hope you all are well, and reading wonderful books this week :) You all might have noticed that I haven't posted too many reviews this week, and I have a very good reason behind that. A whole passle of reviews will be coming at you next week, post with their appropriate blog tours! So I am very excited to have so much going on next week.

And so without further to do, we will proceed onward to the books!

First up is Crazy Dangerous by Andrew Klavan. A very fast paced story about a teenage boy who finds himself in a crazy dangerous situation.

Here's the blurb: "You probably want to hear about Jennifer and the demons and how I played chicken with a freight train and—oh yeah—the weird murder and how I found out about it—you're definitely going to want to hear about that. But first, I have to tell you about the stupidest thing I ever did . . ."

Sam Hopkins is bored with his status as a preacher's kid. So when a group of guys notorious for being in trouble offers him friendship, he accepts. Before long, he has several new skills—including hot-wiring cars.

At school, there's an eccentric loner named Jennifer. When Sam defends her from being bullied, she begins to seek him out as her only friend. Her ramblings often seem illogical . . . but then start to contain grains of truth. One leads Sam to discover that one of his new friends has been killed. And then she tells him, "I'm looking for the devil." Sam doesn't know what that means, but he knows it's a matter of life and death that he figure it out.

Everyone else thinks Jennifer is suffering from schizophrenia. But Sam is starting to wonder if there could be something prophetic in her words. Discovering the truth is going to be both crazy and dangerous.

The other book I'm reading is much different, about a nice small town in North Dakota. About a new pastor and the adventures he has with his congregation.

Here's the blurb: The charming and often hilarious Forever Hilltop series follows the experiences of former city dweller Alex Armstrong as he settles into his new role as pastor of a Scandinavian community in rural North Dakota. Alex is sometimes baffled by his parishioners and their colorful ways, but he comes to appreciate their simple wisdom. One thing's for sure -- life in Hilltop Township is never dull! This new two-in-one format features An Unlikely Blessing along with its sequel, Surprising Grace.

In An Unlikely Blessing, Alex Armstrong is a former city dweller who has just accepted his first parish assignment to a small community in the wilds of North Dakota. In Hilltop Township, Pastor Alex becomes familiar with the residents and their odd traditions, from julebukking to King Oscar's fish balls. And then there's the excitement the single pastor creates among the unmarried women in the community! Alex soon discovers that his new church home has as much to teach him as he has to teach them.

In Surprising Grace, Alex Armstrong is settling into his new role as pastor of Hilltop Church, and he's even starting to understand the strange ways of the people who populate this barren stretch of North Dakota prairie. But he also finds that his flock needs help and counsel like he never imagined. In this cozy and entertaining read, Alex must choose between the woman he once loved -- and the home he's come to love.

Well that is what I am reading this weekend.
Now it's your turn, what are you reading this weekend?
Have a great weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 4/27-29/12

Hey there! All is jolly here, and my huge pile of books is growing higher by the day, I'm totally looking into new bookshelves!

I've got alot of reviews coming your way this weekend, which hopefully I will get posted! Oh, and I just thought of this, you might not know this but whenever it says "Lucie's Review" that means that my mom read the book and reviewed it :)

Ok, now on to the books!

Two Crosses by Elizabeth Musser is shaping up to be a really good one, with really well developed characters, not quite a fast paced thriller or anything but really good.

Here's the blurb: The glimmering Huguenot cross she innocently wears leads her deep into the shadows. When Gabriella Madison arrives in France in 1961 to continue her university studies, she doesn’t anticipate being drawn into the secretive world behind the Algerian war for independence from France. The further she delves into the war efforts, the more her faith is challenged. The people who surround her bring a whirlwind of transforming forces—a wise nun involved in the smuggling, a little girl carrying secret information, and a man with unknown loyalties who captures her heart. When she discovers a long hidden secret from her past, it all leads to questions about trust, faith in action, and the power of forgiveness to move beyond the pain of the past.

And I'm just getting started on Jamie Carie's The Guardian Duke!

Here's the blurb: The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

Well that's what I've got in may hands this weekend. What about you, what are you reading? I'd  love to hear from you :)

Have a blessed weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 4/20-22/12

Howdy! I hope you are all having a wonderful week of creative constructiveness, and great reading!

I have no idea how much reading I will get done this weekend, but there are a few that I am hoping to finish :)

First up is Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach. So far I'm not really crazy about it, but it does have a steadiness to it that is to be admired, so I will persevere! It is quite good.

Here's the back blurb:
In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.
This is book 1 in the 'Daughters of the Potomac' series. The genre is historical drama, not sweet romance. The series deals with deep issues that many women faced in the late 18th century.

 Another book that I am hoping to finish is Beth Wiseman's Need You Now. Though considering how much of a Beth Wiseman fan I am it should be no problem!

Here's  what the back cover says:

When big-city life threatens the safety of one oftheir children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers fromHouston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.
Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for thekids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.
Married life hasn't always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried them throughthe difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the firsttime in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.
While working with special needs children at hernew job, the widowed father of one of Darlene's students starts paying moreattention to her than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone islistening to her for the first time in a long time. If Darlene ever needed God . . . it's now.
"Experience a family's triumphant defeat over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most. "

I'm also working on Northbound, for which I had a hard time getting a cover photo, and a bio, but be looking for my review sometime next week!

Well that's what I'm reading, so now the big question is, what are YOU reading? You know that I'd love to hear about it :)

Have a blessed weekend, ya'll!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 4/13-15/12

Hello there! I'm here again, and I'm reading as always :)

And of course I'm reading a large amount of books at once...yes, I do it often.

So here's a peek at my bookshelf for this weekend!

Leaving Lancaster by Kate Lloyd. So far it's a very interesting, well written book with part of the story written in first person, and the other part written in third person.

Here's the back cover excerpt:
Can a splintered Amish family reconcile?

More than anything else, thirty-something Holly Fisher longs for family. Growing up in Seattle without a dad or grandparents, she wonders what it would be like to have a heritage, a place of belonging. Holly is furious when her mother, Esther, reveals a long-kept secret: Holly’s grandmother and uncles are still alive and begging Esther to return. And Holly is shocked when she learns that the family she’s never known lives on a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, farm—as part of an Amish community her mother once abandoned.

Guilt-ridden Esther, terrified to see her mother and siblings, begs Holly to accompany her on a visit to Esther’s mother before she dies. But can their journey to a conflicting world heal their emotional wounds and finally bring them home?

Set in the heart of contemporary Lancaster County, Leaving Lancaster explores the power of forgiveness, family reconciliation, and love where least expected.

Also on my to-be-read-this-weekend list is Dublin Destiny by Jill Twigg. I love Ugly Duckling tales, and who can resist Ireland? I think I'm gonna like it :)

Here's the back blurb:

Can an introverted ugly duckling be God's perfect match for the most eligible bachelor in town?

Running from imminent danger back home, shy, awkward Irishwoman Rylee Shannon flees to small town, USA, forced to live under the protection of unfamiliar family friends.

Prompted to protect her, the McLellans arrange the marriage of Rylee and their son, Patrick, one of Georgia's most prominent and handsome doctors.

Willing yet hesitant, the two marry. But bound by her wallflower personality and unruly looks, she fails to make any connection with Patrick.

While Patrick is away on a long-term medical mission trip, crossing off days until the annulment, Rylee is determined to change—both inwardly and outwardly—to win the affections of her husband. Battling rumors and echoes of her past, she wins over Patrick's family and friends with her amiable personality and perpetual state of embarrassment.

Patrick returns home to find his wife transformed into a beautiful, confident woman. When he realizes that God's arrangement of the marriage was intentional and permanent, Patrick begins to see his wife in a different light.

But as their feelings develop, their relationship is continually derailed by Rylee's unusual habits and stubborn pride. As Rylee's good-natured presence begins to change the lives of the McLellans, they are also determined to conquer Rylee's inhibitions and alter her eternity.

Patrick's protection turns to affection, but Rylee's past threatens to collide with her future. You won't want to miss Patrick and Rylee McLellan fight to discover The Dublin Destiny in this captivating tale of secrets, romance, forgiveness, and divine love.

And as you might know, I didn't quite get Echoes of Titanic done by the time I had planned, so I fully intend to read it and post my review when I can :)

Here's the back blurb:

Kelsey Tate comes from sturdy stock. Her great-grandmother Adele endured the sinking of Titanic and made it safely to America, where she not only survived but thrived. Generations later, Kelsey works for the firm Adele founded nearly 100 years ago.
Now facing a hostile takeover, the firm’s origins are challenged when new facts emerge about Adele’s actions on the night Titanic sank. Kelsey tries to defend the company and the great-grandmother she has long admired, but the stakes are raised when Kelsey’s boss is murdered and her own life threatened. Forced to seek help from Cole Thornton, a man Kelsey once loved—and lost, thanks to her success-at-all-costs mentality—she pursues mysteries both past and present. Aided by Cole and strengthened by the faith she’d all but forgotten in her climb up the corporate ladder, Kelsey races the clock to defend her family legacy, her livelihood, and ultimately her life.

So there you have it, that's my TBR for this week. What about you, what are you reading? You know that I would love to hear about it :)

Have an amazing weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 4/6-8/12

Hello there! Another week has come, and is almost gone, while yet another is on it's way! And a great way to wind down on a weekend is to read!

I'm not really sure how many books I'll be starting this weekend, it'll probably end being a mater how many I finish! You see, I have this awful habit of reading like, 6 books at once, so hopefully I'll be able to finish a few up :) But here are a few that I am in the middle of right now.

Sanctuary for a Lady by Naomi Rawlings. Oh, this one is fantastic! I highly recommend that you pick it up. As soon as I am done with this post, I'm going to go back to reading it!

Here's the back blurb:
 The injured young woman Michel Belanger finds in the woods is certainly an aristocrat. And in the midst of France's bloody revolution, sheltering nobility merits a trip to the guillotine. Yet despite the risk, Michel knows he must bring the wounded girl to his cottage to heal.

Attacked by soldiers and left for dead, Isabelle de La Rouchecauld has lost everything. A duke's daughter cannot hope for mercy in France, so escaping to England is her best chance of survival. The only thing more dangerous than staying would be falling in love with this gruff yet tender man of the land. Even if she sees, for the first time, how truly noble a heart can be….

I am also in the thick of The Quakers of New Garden :) Great book, that so far is pretty awesome.

Here's the blurb:
Join four Quaker women on a journey through the trials of faith and love.

Ruth Payne's bridegroom has cold feet. . .for the second time. Will their third try be the charm?
Things get complicated for Underground Railroad worker Deborah Wall when she meets a bounty hunter head-on. Will love have them seeing eye-to-eye?
Leah hopes to turn a marriage of convenience into a marriage of love. But will letters be a firm enough foundation?
Christian Jaidon Taylor wants to win the heart of Quaker Catherine Wall. But will religion make them as incompatible as night and day?

On top of that I'm hoping to finish It Could Happen Tomorrow by Gary Frazier, as well as Prism by Rachel Moschell. :)

Well there you have it, my weekend to-read list. What about you, what are you reading this weekend? You know that I'd love to hear about it :D

Have a fantastic Easter weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 3/30-4/1/12

Hello again! I've had quite a busy week, so might be using the weekend to catch up on my review posts, but we'll see.

I've been doing great, and around where I live the weather has never been better! We're talking an average of 68 degrees, which is like, perfect :D

What am I reading this weekend? That is an excellent question! I don't have much time this weekend, mostly I'm finishing some stuff up. But I hope to start at least one book :)

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall.

Here's the back blurb:
Despite being raised in a traditional Old Order Amish family, seventeen-year-old Hannah Lapp desires to break with custom, forgo baptism into the faith, and marry outside the cloistered community. She’s been in love with Mennonite Paul Waddell for three years, and before returning to college for his senior year, Paul asks Hannah to be his wife. Hannah accepts, aware that her marriage will change her relationship with her family forever.

On the evening of their engagement, tragedy strikes and in one unwelcome encounter, all that Hannah has known and believed is destroyed. As she finds herself entangled in questions that the Old Ways of her people cannot answer, Hannah faces the possibility of losing her place in her family, in her community– and in the heart of the man she loves.

When the Heart Cries is book one in the Sisters of the Quilt series.

Well, there you have it folks, my one selection. What are you reading this weekend? I'd LOVE to hear about it! So don't be shy, and tell me whats in your hands this week :)

Have a wonderful and productive weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 3/23-25/12

Hello there! Goodness I can't believe another week has gone by, it seems like just the other day when I was publishing last month's post!

What am I reading? Well I guess you could say that I am in the middle of alot of things right now!

One them being Desired by Ginger Garrett. I'm not completely sure what I think of this one right now, but I guess I'll be finding out soon!

Here's the back blurb:

Meet the legendary Samson as you've never known him before … through the eyes of the three women who loved him.

Before Samson was an Old Testament legend, he was a prodigal son, an inexperienced suitor, a vengeful husband, and a lost soul driven by his own weakness. This is his story as told by three strong women who loved him—the nagging, manipulative mother who pushed him toward greatness, the hapless Philistine bride whose betrayal propelled him into notoriety, and the emotionally damaged seductress—the famous Delilah—who engineered his downfall and propelled him to his destiny. Desired celebrates the God of Israel's to work powerfully in the midst of hopes, fears, desires, and sorrows.

I'm also hoping to dig into Rachel Moschell's Prism: Story of Ci.

Here's the back blurb: He wanted to bring light to the world, but knew that along with it would come darkness…

Alejo is a leader in the Prism, a Muslim organization bent on fighting social injustice in his native Bolivia. His passion for God’s justice has always led him far away from the church and its dark secrets he has seen with his own eyes.
Until now.
The granddaughter of a Quechua villager and an Irish missionary, Wara Cadogan has South America in her blood. Her friends think she’s the ideal missionary in Bolivia, but they don’t know the truth: she betrayed her values, and it’s tearing her apart. When Wara and her best friend Noah collide with the Prism, she believes Noah is dead and Alejo is to blame. What can she say to the man who tried to kill her, then gives up everything to save her?

And I'm very excited to be starting Michael Holladay's The Dark Legion. I recently interviewed Mr. Holladay on my blog and you can read the interview by clicking HERE.

Here's the back blurb:

All his life Thareous was fascinated by the encaged dragon in Galgon's palace courtyard. But what was his past, and why was it caged? He remembered tales of a beast that had harassed the kingdom a generation past. He often visited with Nalla, a princess, hoping to find an indication of this, for he knows there to be more to the dragon...Then, during one visit, the dragon speaks to Thareous and Nalla, warning them of an evil horde marching for Galgon. Soon events turn against them, and the dragon, known as Ianvorr, is forced to take them into the forgotten realms of the kingdom, Keiratha. There the exiled order known as the Omnipotent Ones has hidden, but now stir in this time of need. Upon meeting them, Thareous discovers he is the target of a millennia-old prophecy: that he must defeat the gravest threat known to all.

The Dark Legion, is the first in Michael Holladay's medieval Christian fantasy creation entitled The Keiratha Trilogy. About the author: Growing up the fourth of six sons in the tiny community of Ben Franklin, Texas, Michael's home education afforded the opportunity for individualized studies more suited to his personal interests. He discovered his love for words at a young age while completing a wordsmith program and began writing The Dark Legion at age fourteen. Michael continues his research and work to complete the trilogy.

And last of all, and I guess you could say that this book just fascinated me, is Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls, and the Consequences of a World Full of Men by Mara Hvistendahl. It's not a Christian book, but it is thought provoking. It talks about the problems with sex selection, and how many girls all over the world are being aborted, killed, etc. for a variety of reasons, and it talks about the consequences. I don't agree with everything she says, but it is a fascinating well researched book. I would note that Ms. Hvistendahl is pro-choice, and this book is not about abortion and that debate.

Here's what the back cover says: A Slate Best Book of 2011A Discover Magazine Best Book of 2011Lianyungang, a booming port city, has China's most extreme gender ratio for children under four: 163 boys for every 100 girls. These numbers don't seem terribly grim, but in ten years, the skewed sex ratio will pose a colossal challenge. By the time those children reach adulthood, their generation will have twenty-four million more men than women.The prognosis for China's neighbors is no less bleak: Asia now has 163 million females "missing" from its population. Gender imbalance reaches far beyond Asia, affecting Georgia, Eastern Europe, and cities in the U.S. where there are significant immigrant populations. The world, therefore, is becoming increasingly male, and this mismatch is likely to create profound social upheaval.Historically, eras in which there have been an excess of men have produced periods of violent conflict and instability. Mara Hvistendahl has written a stunning, impeccably-researched book that does not flinch from examining not only the consequences of the misbegotten policies of sex selection but Western complicity with them.

Well that's what I'm reading, and boy, is it a pile! 
What are you reading this week? I'd love to hear about it :)
And don't forget to have a wonderful weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 3/16-18/12

What am I reading this weekend? That's a pretty good question! And the list might just be longer than my weekend! I'm finishing some stuff up and just starting on some others, so we'll see what I actually get around to reading.

I recently started A Texan's Honor, which opens up in the middle of a train robbery! Yeah, talk about getting drawn in from page one!

Here's the blurb: Texas, 1874. Years ago, Will McMillan had fought in the open, next to his Captain, Clayton Proffitt. Now he’s waging another war undercover, pretending to be a member of the notorious Walton Gang. But when a hostage situation goes awry and an innocent woman is in the middle of the fray, Will knows he must protect her no matter what happens. Even if his cover is blown. Even if they risk being killed by his gang or by the lawmen on their trail. Even if the woman he’s risking everything for will never love him back.

And I'm hoping to get going on Regina Jennings' Sixty Acres and a Bride!

Back Blurb: With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay. Though facing eviction, Rosa can't keep herself from falling in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. Learning the American customs is not easy, however, and this beautiful young widow can't help but catch wandering eyes. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, to what lengths will Rosa go to save her future?

And hopefully I'll get a start on Song of My Heart !

Here's the back blurb:
Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent—though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.
Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.
Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

Well, folks that's what I *hope* to be reading this weekend ;)

What are you reading?
I'd love to hear about it!

And be sure to have a wonderful weekend :D

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 3/9/12

Hello again! I've had a wonderful week of rollercoaster weather, and tons of reading. I'm not sure how much time I'm gonna spend reading this weekend, with the 4-H fruit fundraiser pick-up and delivery, but we'll see...

I'm hoping to finsh up Addison Blakely : Confessions of a PK. I haven't decided if I like this book or not yet, so I guess I'll be finding that out over the weekend :)

Here's the blurb: Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tireless played the role of PK—preacher’s kid—her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. She isn’t so sure she wants to be the good girl anymore. Join Addison Blakely as she attempts to separate love from lust, facts from faith, and keep her head above water in her murky, fishbowl existence.

And if all goes well I should be able to finally start Protection for Hire!

Here's the blurb: Tessa Lancaster's skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo's Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa's abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son.But there's a problem or two ... or three .... There's Elizabeth's abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There's Uncle Teruo, who doesn't understand why Tessa's new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there's Elizabeth's lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn't know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars. Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch.Factor in both Tessa's and Charles's families and you've got some wild dynamics---and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

So that's what I'm (hoping) to be reading this weekend.
What about you? I'd love to hear about it :)
And don't forget to have a wonderful weekend!

What I'm Reading~ Weeknd 3/2-4/12

Hey there! It's been very icy here where I live, we can't really go outside without slipping on something and almost dying. lol. So it's a great time to stay indoors and read a good book :) Here's what I've got going for me this week.

Sarai sounds so good! After reading all the reviews for The Wives of David Series I knew that I had to give this one a shot.

Back Blurb: Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai's hand, she asks one thing--that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain--lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram's patience last?

Jill Eileen Smith thrilled readers with The Wives of King David series. Now she brings to life the strong and celebrated wives of the patriarchs, beginning with the beautiful and inscrutable Sarai.

Let me tell you, Twilight's Last Gleaming is really turning out to be an incredibly thought provoking book, especially in light of the 2012 elections. This book has a much different take than you might think!

Book Jacket Blurb: Never in recent history have Christians been more discouraged and fearful about our country’s future. Economic chaos, immorality, terrorism and global turmoil have convinced many that we are living in the twilight days of America. Dr. Robert Jeffress agrees. But this is not the end of the story, he writes in Twilight’s Last Gleaming. Although we cannot prevent America’s eventual demise, we can delay it . . . and make a difference for eternity at the same time.For everyone who wonders what can be done right now—within our culture, our churches, in the voting booth and our neighborhoods—Jeffress answers with biblical insight and real-world clarity, showing Christians how to seize this unprecedented opportunity and point people to our only Hope.

Well that's what I'm reading this week. What about you, what are you reading? I'd love to hear about it :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

What I'm Reading ~ Weekend 2/24-26/12

 

Another week has come and gone, and my TBR pile has gotten higher! We got something of a blizzard yesterday, which was a surprise considering we have had an almost snowless winter until now. lol.

So onward to my cozy winter reads :)

First up is the soon to be made into a movie, Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge & John Ward.

Here's the blurb:
Faith and Luke Carraway have it all. Faith is a beautiful singer turned socialite while Luke is an up-and-coming successful businessman. After taking his inheritance from his father’s stable, lucrative business to invest in a successful hedge fund with the Michov Brothers, he’s on the fast track as a rising young executive, and Faith is settling comfortably into her role as his wife.

When rumors of the Michovs’ involvement in a Ponzi scheme reach Faith, she turns to Luke for confirmation, and he assures her that all is well. But when Luke is arrested, Faith can’t understand why he would lie to her, and she runs home to the farm and the family she turned her back on years ago. Meanwhile, Luke is forced to turn to his own family for help as he desperately tries to untangle himself from his mistakes. Can two prodigals return to families they abandoned, and will those families find the grace to forgive and forget? Will a marriage survive betrayal when there is nowhere else to run but home?

Another book that I hopw to dig into is Laurie Alice Eakes' Heart's Safe Passage. I just noticed that I have a "Heart" theme this weekend ;)

Here's the blurb: It's 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped.

Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda's whining and Phoebe's hostility, Rafe can't help but wonder if he made the right choice.
When it becomes apparent there is an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the English shore in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?

Book 2 in The Midwives series, Heart's Safe Passage is a stirring tale of love, intrigue, and adventure on the high seas. Readers will feel the salt spray and the rolling waves as they journey with Laurie Alice Eakes's vivid characters on the treacherous path toward redemption.

Well, that's what I've got in store for this weekend. What are you reading? I'd love to hear from you :)

Have a wonderful weekend!