Review: To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden

Amazon

To the Farthest Shores starts off in 1898 at Presidio Army Base, San Francisco California. Nurse Jenny and Naval Officer Ryan are in love. Life could not get better for Jenny. She was then devastated when Ryan leaves with no explanation. Six years later, he returns and Jenny wants answers. How can he explain without putting other lives in danger?

I thought To the Farthest Shores was a good read. The historical parts are rich and detailed. All of the characters had their own secrets and past they need to deal with. I really liked Ryan from the beginning, especially after I learn what kind of person he became. However, Jenny was not a character I liked much until the end. She came off as desperate with stalker qualities when Ryan returned. Her actions were quite irritating. I felt like slamming the door in her face for Ryan at times. Thank goodness, she finally grew on me when the past secrets started coming out and she began to forgive and heal. With the lessons learned at the end I do think the book is worth a read. 

3 1/2 stars. 

I received this book from a friend through Kindle loan. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.



Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano (Apart From the Crowd #1)

Amazon

Behind the Scenes is the beginning of Jen Turano's whole new series, Apart From the Crowd. As a gossip columnist for The Quill, Permillia Griswold, knows quite a bit about everyone in New York. She learns about Mr. Asher Rutherford's life being in danger and she must warn him. Only he doesn't believe her!

Jen Turano sure knows how to write witty and crazy characters with a touch of mystery and suspense. I found Behind the Scenes to be a fun, laugh out loud read. Permillia's antics sure did make me giggle throughout the book. Especially when she was in the scenes with Mr. Asher. I cannot wait to continue to Apart From the Crowd series and see what wild and crazy story the author comes up with next.

Highly recommended. 

5 plus stars.

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email

Review: Savages (Chronicles of Warshard #2) by Katherine Bogle

Amazon

Savages is book two from the Chronicles of Warshard series by Katherine Bogle. This installment is about Southern Delica Tribe warrior, Breen. Her village gets attacked. She is captured and sent to Siaburn Academy, a place where savages are beaten and tortured in a dungeon. She meets one of the soldiers of the Academy, Drakkone. He brings her what she needs - Hope. When she leaves the dungeon, she is sent to do training. Unexpectedly, Drakkone and Bree must do whatever it takes to escape.

This era is a hit or miss with me. Most of the time, I am not a fan, but I really liked Savages. I was captivated with Breen's story from the start and loved it when Drakkone was introduced later. There is some action and suspense that keeps a reader engaged in the plot. I highly recommend it.

Five stars.

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: Life After by Katie Ganshert

Amazon

Life After is a great read. Autumn finds herself the only sole survivor when a bomb explodes on a train she was riding on. A year later, she is still having the guilt of surviving, while the others can never be brought back. She does not want them to be forgotten. She, then, meets Paul, the husband of one of the victims who were killed. He, too, is having the guilt of the secrets he hopes will stay buried with his late wife. Can these two lost souls find hope, be able to let go, and put faith in God?

I found this book to be a heavy read. The emotions and struggles with Autumn and Paul are so well written and true to life. I felt like I knew these two and wanted to give them a hug and tell them it will be okay. This had to be a hard book to write for Katie Ganshert. So many heart wrenching scenes, but they were others that were oh so good for the soul. This is most definitely a must read!

100 stars

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is of my own opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill

Amazon

Chicago, Illinois on May 12, 1924, is where The Lost Girl of Astor Street begins. Two eighteen year old girls, Piper and Lydia have been best friends since childhood. Lydia has a secretive mysterious illness and suddenly disappears. Piper is determined to solve the mystery of where her best friend has gone. She finally convinces a detective, Mariano, to help her. This adventure takes her on a journey she never imagined.

I liked The Lost of Astor Street. The mystery and suspense was good at times and I did not feel the story was predictable. There were some parts of the book that I felt were rather slow but it picked back up to where I did not want to put it down. I was completely taken off guard of how it all ended. I felt like the ending had a cliffhanger and hope this is only the beginning of the series.

I would give this book for stars and recommend it.

 I received this book from the author and was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Amazon

An Uncommon Protector is the second installment from the Lone Star Hero series. The War Between the States was hard on Lauren Tracey. She loses her mother, father, and her brother. She has inherited a 200 acre ranch-a ranch that she is running alone. She decides to free Thomas Baker from jail and hires him for a year to help her on the ranch. The two have to solve a mystery of why her cattle are suddenly dying. Could they find that their own lives are in danger?

I thought An Uncommon Protector to be a pretty good read. I liked Lauren from the start and enjoyed the chemistry between her and Thomas. Even though Thomas was just released from jail, I still felt that he was a good man. He would do anything to protect Lauren, making me love him more and more throughout the book. The story is full of historical details that I felt like I was transported back in time. There are some mystery and suspense that kept me wondering what would happen next. I think this is the best book I have read by Shelley Shepard Gray yet.

A great, clean, historical romance.

Five stars

I received this book from the publisher. But was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: Back in the Saddle (Double S Ranch #1) by Ruth Logan Herne

Amazon

Back in the Saddle is book one from the Double S Ranch series by Ruth Logan Herne. Ex cowboy Colt Stafford returns home to his family’s ranch, Double S Ranch, in Gray’s Glen, Washington, after his career on Wall Street in Manhattan does not work out as he had hoped. He finds some new surprises at the ranch upon his return to the ranch – his father, Sam, is not doing well; he meets the new housekeeper, Angeline, who is a beautiful, gun toting and secretive woman; his brother, Nick, is not happy with older brother’s return. Will these surprises make him run far away from the ranch or will new promises on Wall Street make him run back to Manhattan.

Back in the Saddle is the first book I have read by Ruth Logan Herne. I kept thinking this book would be what a modern day story by Mary Connealy would be like. I found myself laughing out loud in several scenes, including within the first few pages, which caught my interest instantly. Angeline was probably my favorite character. I just loved her strength as a woman and loved her scenes with Colt. They both needed find themselves and figure out where they belong.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to more by this author and cannot wait to the next installment in the Double S Ranch series.

4 ½ stars

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction by Asheritah Ciuciu

Amazon

Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction is not your normal normal diet book. Instead of trying to figure out the reason of over eating and lack of self control, it is actually about having a more satisfying relationship with Christ. The author shares about her own experience with dieting and her discovery of freeing herself from being fixated with food and having more of a healthier relationship with Jesus.

The book is broken down into four parts with three chapters in each part. The part include:
Getting Real About Our Food Problem
Awakening Desire for God
Experiencing Everyday Fullness
Living the Full Life

Each chapter has a section called "Digest the Truth" which has thought-provoking questions a reader can respond to. There is, also, Bonus Online Content at the end of each chapter that directs a reader to various online content, such as: videos, a downloadable prayer journal, devotionals, printables, charts, plans, etc. Within several chapters, other readers share their story about their own struggles.

I did enjoy this book. It gave me a lot to think about with my own obsessions and addictions with food. I plan on reading it again and spending more time following along with the bonus online content.

Highly recommended for those who have obsessions with weight and dieting.

Five stars

I received this book as a gift from a friend and I chose to write my own honest review on my own.





Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: Just the Way Your Are by Pepper D Basham

Amazon

Just the Way You Are is the first installment from Pepper Basham's fabulous new series, Pleasant Gap Romance. Single mom, Eisley Barrett, has had her share of heartache in the past. She travels to England, where she meets Wes Harrison. Wes, too, struggles with his past that leaves him with trust issues and bitterness. After spending time with Eisley, he sees who she is and finds himself falling for her.

Wow! This book has a perfect mix I love in a story: Steamy, but clean romance; Laugh out loud humor; Adventure and fun; Suspense and mystery; A beautiful setting. What more could I ask for? Love, love, love this book!

5 plus stars.

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is of my own honest opinion

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email.

Review: Christmas with Kathleen's Fabric Locker Hooking by Kathleen Carpenter

A couple weeks ago, I posted about What IS Locker Hooking? Today, I want to post about one of my favorite books about locker hooking.

MCG Textiles

Christmas with Kathleen's Fabric Locker Hooking by Kathleen Carpenter is in my opinion a must to include to any locking hooker's collection. The author includes a section about what tools are needed to get started with easy-to-read explanations and helpful hints. There are three pages of easy to follow instructions on how to begin any project. The 14 locker hooking Christmas projects follow on the next 40 pages. The variety of projects include rugs, wall hangings, stockings, table runners, and candle/mug covers. Each project is accompanied by vibrant and colorful pictures, charts and instructions.

I have worked most of these projects on my own. I could not believe how quick and uncomplicated they were to make. I love that I was able to make some beautiful decorations to hang in my own home at Christmas time. 

Here are some of the examples that I had made from the projects featured in the book:

Nativity Scene (20x15)

Hope (19x8), Peace (23x8), and Joy (16x8)

Anyone who wants to give locker hooking a try, should pick this book up and start making their own beautiful Christmas decorations.

Who's ready to start locker hooking now?

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email