Review of The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:15+ Genre:Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

WOW! I really think this might be the best book of the year!  I don’t often find an author who incorporates quite so much of a Christian view as this one and I rather enjoyed that!  So many Christian romance novels don’t delve into the importance of Christ’s teachings on being unequally yoked. This one placed great emphasis on that matter.

Another thing, if you’re a fan of recent shows such as Call the Midwife, you may be interested in knowing that this story is set in the London East End in the early part of the 1900s. Since I’m a fan of that show, I enjoyed seeing a look into an earlier time in that area.  

I did not realize this was book two in a series when I requested it but I was able to follow along without any issue.  Since I finished, I’ve ordered book one in the series and I cannot wait until it arrives!  I think I’ve found a new favorite, for sure!

Note: I have deemed this book as appropriate for teens but in full disclosure, there is an instance of an unwed mother. While I feel that it is not inappropriate, I do know that some of my reader-friends would not want their teens to read about such a circumstance. I will leave that to reader discretion but I found it to be of a non-issue. The pregnancy was not praised in any way and it was written appropriately.

 

Quilts of Love | QUILTED BY CHRISTMAS – Kindle Giveaway & “Merry Quilted” Facebook Party!

Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey. October’s QOL release is a warm Christmas tale of God's steadfast love.



Enter to win a Kindle HDX, and RSVP for the “Merry Quilted” Quilts of Love Facebook party on December 9th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Two copies of Quilted by Christmas by Jodie Bailey (One for you and one to give away as a gift!)
• Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll
• Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven

Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 17th at the Quilts of Love blog.



Wait! There's more! RSVP for the "Merry Quilted" Quilts of Love Christmas Book Chat Party on December 9th and connect with some of the Quilts of Love authors. Jodie Bailey, Laura V. Hilton, Cindy Loven, Cathy Elliott, and Gina Welborn will be hosting a "merry" evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, prizes, and more!





{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on December 9th!

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E Ladd|Review&Giveaway

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:14+ Genre:Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Holy moly! This series just keeps getting better! I literally sat up until 4:30 a.m. just to see how this concluded and then I walked around like a zombie all day—it was well worth it! This author has a way with words that just pulls me into the story. I just can’t get enough of these characters!

There’s a bit of edge to these stories but of course, so tastefully done that no one could complain. In full disclosure, there’s mention of an affair that resulted in a child as well as a one of the ladies lamenting that she had given herself to someone before marriage. It is not explicit and thus, it is of my opinion that this is safe for teens. As a lot of parents follow my blogs to find appropriate literature for their teens—I felt the need to have a full disclosure there.

All in all, I love this book. I love this genre and I absolutely love this author’s writing. I really hope there is another installment in this series.

Review of Yuletide Ice Cube Fair by Zondervan Publishing

Yuletide Ice Cube Fair by Zondervan Publishing

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:all ages Genre:Christmas, Children's Fiction

This is a super cute children’s story with colorful illustrations that will spark the interest of children and press the true meaning of Christmas.

Mayor Bob is holding an ice carving contest and all the veggies are competing.  Each veggie is asked to carve what Christmas means to them.  Some of them choose to carve elaborate Christmas dinners, elves, trees or gifts but Junior carves the smallest but most meaningful ice sculpture of them all.

This book will remind children that Christ is the reason we celebrate and that He is the most important part of our Holiday season. 

 

View all my reviews|

Amazon|CBD|Barnes&Noble

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of Where Treetops Glisten a colletion of Christmas Novellas

Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II by Tricia Goyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:13+ Genre:Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, WWII Fiction

Oh goodness! This book was fantastic! It sure put me in the Christmas mood and it’s only October! Shhhh, don’t tell anyone but I found a Christmas station on Pandora that is getting a lot of use!

All three of these stories are fantastic and filled with a strong Christian message and I can’t really pick a favorite out of the three. There were so seamlessly written and enjoyable.

I was also able to share this book with my thirteen year old daughter and she enjoyed the story very much.

There were a lot of serious moments but there was also love and humor in this book. I suppose, being in the WWII genre, it would be nearly impossible for there to not be a more serious overtone but amidst the loss, the fear and even war—love still exists.

If you’re looking for an easy read that will put you into the upcoming holiday spirit—I strongly suggest this book!

Pumpkin Muffins by Megan

Ingredients:

1 (15oz) Pumpkin Puree
4 Eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Topping:

2 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP brown sugar

 

Review of "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand

Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:17+ Genre:Memoirs, Non-Fiction

 This story a heart wrenching look into the depravity of the hearts of men and the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.   'Neither prison nor torture can frighten the Christians of the Underground Church.'

Why I am not observing Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day|October 15

It happens every year since my first loss in 2009. October 15th rolls around and I post a graphic on facebook about the wave of light. Friends give me their condolences for Angel and Evenstar and the entire day is spent in utter misery.

Last year was a low point for me. Maybe it’s because on October 15th of last year I had a four week old. I was hormonal for sure, and sad. I was sad because I live with the fact that I’ve had a miscarriage on a frequent basis. The pain becomes bearable but it feels like people forget that I’ve experienced loss unless I remind them. That is why it made me sad. For those that know my soul and heart, why are you scared to talk to me about my loss? You know me; I’ve told you time and time again that I’m open to talk about my babies. I need to. That's hard. It's hard for friends and family to even know when and what to do or if they should say anything at all. I can't speak for anyone else but I'm speaking for myself when I tell you that I'm not hurt to talk about my babies. I'm hurt when I feel like everyone else has forgotten them

New Regency from Sarah E. Ladd AND a Kindle HDX giveaway!

Award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd examines how to escape the clutches of a tainted past in the final installment of her Whispers on the Moor series. A Regency-era novel, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall cleverly shows that even though our pasts may be shameful or painful, God can take the darkest personal histories and turn them into the brightest futures.

Celebrate with Sarah by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway!



One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd here.

Review of "The River" by Beverly Lewis

The River by Beverly Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:13+ Genre:Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction
Note: There is one delicately written reference to rape.  However it is so tastefully written that I didn't feel that my daughter couldn't handle reading this book.

I really enjoyed aspects of this book however I did dislike one of the main characters—throughout the entire book.   I’ll get to that in just a bit but first, isn’t the cover amazingly gorgeous? Beverly Lewis consistently has the best book covers in her genre.   Overall, I gave this book a good solid four. I just didn’t connect with one of the characters, Tilly.

 

Apple Cake Recipe by Alecia

My sweet friend over at Cherished By Alecia submitted this fantastic recipe to be shared with all of my fans!  It looks great! 

Ingredients:

2 1/2 c flour

1 1/2 c sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp cinnamon

3/4 c butter (melted)

2 eggs

1/4 c oil

1/2 c water (Apple cider or apple juice is even better)

3 or 4 apples peeled, cored, and diced

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees F

Grease 9"  X 13" pan

Mix dry ingredients.

Add butter, eggs, oil, and water into dry mixture, stir until blended. (I mixed the oil and water into the butter to bring down the temperature before adding the eggs)

Add apples and mix.

Pour into greased pan, and bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

Alecia&Chris

About Alecia
www.cherishedbyalecia.wordpress.com

I'm a wife and sahm of 3 kiddos

I love to make all different kinds of crafts, bake and read

www.cherished.storenvy.com

www.youravon.com/awitbart

Feature Friday is a special blog series in which A Simply Enchanted Life shares recipes, inspirational thoughts, messages of faith and life lessons. They are posts submitted by friends and readers. If you are interested in being featured, please email me at kristin@asimplyenchantedlife.com

Review of Revolutionary by Krista Mcgee

Revolutionary by Krista McGee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:12+ Genre: Dystopian, Christian Fiction

This series is really good and I think this book is the best out of the series. I admit that I was a little disappointed in book two because of how similar it was to The Hunger Games but now that it’s all over with—I’m pleased with how things turned out.  If you’re a fan of dystopian but you’re looking for something that is a bit less—dark, then this would be a great series for you.   Christian themes are woven into this book seamlessly. It's a very good alternative for younger Folks who have been wanting to read The Hunger Games and the parents are worried about the content.
 

Review of The Magnificent Tales Bible Story Collection by Kelly Pulley

The Magnificent Tales Bible Story Collection by Kelly Pulley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:4+ Genre: Children's Bible Storybook

This book is really cute and I’m so glad that I’ve had the privilege of reviewing it for Litfuse.  I have six girls, ranging in age from thirteen, down to the baby at age one.

All of my girls have really enjoyed this book. My oldest daughter has been reading to her siblings and the littlest girls enjoy looking at the pictures as well as reading.  

When I first took this book, I was thinking it would be more appropriate for my four year old but in fact, it’s a thick book with beautiful artwork and fantastically written rhythmical stories. 

The thing I loved about this book is that each story was prefaced with where to find each story in the Bible and I think that is so important.  I can read them the story from the Bible and then back it up with the children’s story book to make it a little easier for them to understand.

I would definitely love to see more Bible story books from this publisher and author. 

  View all my reviews

Review of "Secrets of Erhynvale: Children of the Eclipse" by Amara Starling

Secrets of Erhynvale: Children of the Eclipse by Amara Starling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:17+ Genre:Fantasy, Sci-Fi

I really want to sound all professional and give this book an awesome review that it really deserves. However,the best books pull out the very unprofessional, raw and candid reviewer in me. It resonates with me as a person and not just as a reader. Thus, I apologize for any grammar mistakes, rambling, excited abuse of punctuation or of internet acronyms.

As a general rule of thumb, I will not review books that are self-published. In the day of e-publishing, everyone is an author and there’s a lot of content out there that just stinks. This book is not one of them. Amara is one of those people that have a way with words. Her imagery will seep into your soul and makes you want to be a part of her story. If you're like me and you fear the self-published, this author will change your mind. She is good at what she does and honestly, I've read best-sellers from well known and well liked authors that  didn't do as good of a job.

Amara is the real deal and as a debut author, I see this as a stepping stone to a long career with many stories to be told. I look forward to the rest of this series and any new stories that she may decide to tell!