A Simply Enchanted Life

Sheerluck Holmes and the Case of the Missing Friend by Karen Poth

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

Suggested Age:4-8 Genre:Children's Fiction

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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

 

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Storm Siren by Mary Weber

My rating: 1 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:18+ Genre:Fantasy

I've sat on writing this review because of how I felt. I kept thinking that maybe I would change my mind but I haven't. If this book had been published by a secular publishing company and had it not been labeled as YA. I honestly wouldn't have rated as a one star. I'd probably have given it a three and that's largely because the author had this annoying issue with "counting." I counted, one, two, three, a gazillion times that she felt the need to count in the manner in which I just did. I felt like I'd fallen in the mad hatter's hat, transported myself into Wonderland and suddenly, I'm five years old and learning to count.

 I'm trying really hard to keep the snark and disdain for this book out of my review but given how far from "Christian" this book is...I'm having a hard time of it. If it looks like mud, it's mud. This looks nothing like Christianity. To be a Christian means to have a Christ like character. This book is a very poor example and has absolutely no business being classified as a Christian genre, nor in being published under a Christian banner. I'm not just a prude, I have read many books with content that is less than squeaky clean; Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series comes to mind. However, this book is not what it claims and that is what bothers me.

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

Suggested Age: 18+
Genre:Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

This is a new author to me—as you all know, that is something I always fear. However, my fears were unfounded. This story is so beautifully written and gripping. I brushed away tears at times because I know that the fears and the horrors of Auschwitz were real. Those horrors had to be worse than can be conveyed in a fictional account.

A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 12+
Genre: Christian, Amish Fiction

I'm going to be honest. I was not overly fond of the first book in this series. I was upset that Hannah left her child because I had became emotionally invested in the characters. I suppose this is both a good and bad thing.  It is good when an author can pull a reader in and play on their emotions.

Despite being upset with Hannah, I wanted to see how the rest of the characters were faring. That emotional tie to the family that was left behind left me wanting to make sure they were at least...okay.


Well, I’m really glad that I gave this second book a chance. I really enjoyed it!  I found the  characters to be pleasant and enjoyable to spend time with. I was eager to see how they would work through their differences and their circumstances.

As I mused on all of this, I will admit that I felt a little bit silly to have a grudge against Hannah but I suppose that just makes me a bit more of a booknerd than I thought I was.

If you were like me and thought the first book was upsetting, read this one. I am very pleasantly surprised and it does make me rethink my initial reaction to the first book!

This book follows along with some of the same characters as book one. Pretty much the only character I really liked from book one was Joshua. So, I was eager to get to know more about him.
When Joshua meets Carolyn Lapp, it seems like there’s an instant attraction but Carolyn has a secret and it could destroy their budding friendship and relationship. This isn’t a little secret, it’s a pretty big one, one that brings shame to not only Carolyn but also to her family and potentially to the man that chooses to marry her.

I thought this book had some great themes of forgiveness, both the forgiveness we find in Christ but also in forgiving ourselves. So many times we ask for Christ’s forgiveness and though he grants it…we beat ourselves up and live in constant misery because of one little mistake.

Overall, this book is great and I have a sneaky suspicion that Josh and Carolyn’s story may not yet be over and will continue in book three. The author pretty much dangled a bone, a juicy and potentially drama-filled bone right in front of my face. I went from disliking book one to being scared to read book two…all the way to being downright hopeful and eager for book three!!! Sometimes you just have to trust the author on these things because now I view the first book in a completely different lightView all my reviews|Excerpt

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Amy Clipston is the best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. She and her family live in North Carolina.

Find out more about Amy on her website at http://www.amyclipston.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One Realm Beyond by Donita K. Paul

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 11+
Genre: Christian, YA, Fantasy

Cantor D'Ahma waited his whole life for this day. Born with a gift to jump between worlds, the young realm walker is finally ready to leave his elderly mentor and accept his role as protector and defender of the realms.

But mere hours after he steps through his first portal, Cantor discovers that his job will be more dangerous and difficult than he ever imagined. The realms are plagued with crime and cruelty, and even members of the once-noble Realm Walkers Guild can no longer be trusted. To make matters worse, his first assignment—finding a dragon to assist him on his quest—has led him to Bridger, who is clearly inept and won't leave him alone.

With the help of his new friends Bixby and Dukmee, Cantor must uncover the secrets of the corrupt guild before they become too powerful to be stopped. But his skills aren't progressing as fast as he would like, and as he finds himself deeper and deeper in the guild s layers of deceit, Cantor struggles to determine where his true allegiance lies.

I really wanted to like this book but it starts out so slow that I just couldn’t ever get into it.

I never skim read but I found myself starting to skim after spending almost a week on the first 100 pages—also something that never happens.

Aside from the slow pace, I found that the main character acted more like a young child than a grown man; he was very rude to the dragon, Bridger. He was so negative that I really didn’t have the patience to read most of his dialogue.

I also thought a few of the descriptions were odd, like this one, “The farmers obeyed to the point that they scarcely moved to breath. For a moment, the healer noticed the acrid scent of anxiety surrounding the two men, underpinned by the earthy smell of determination.” I never ever realized that anxiety or determination had a scent? I don’t know, I just didn’t enjoy the book. It wasn’t poorly written but it didn’t appeal to me.
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Donita K. Paul retired from teaching and took up the mantle of grandma. She loves her new career as author of stories her grandchildren devour. Winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado, enjoying friends and family, Pets, and beautiful scenery. Her favorite part of writing is the readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Merlin's Shadow by Robert Treskillard

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 12+
Genre: Christian, YA, Fantasy

Wow! WOW! WOW! I’m not given to throwing fangirl reviews out there but this book deserves a few wows!

First off, the cover is absolutely stunning. This is definitely one of the nicest covers I’ve seen in a very long time! It perfectly captures the essence of the book.

Secondly, the story is action packed and intriguing from the start. I actually thought this book was better than the first! I’m very eager for the third installment, Merlin’s Nightmare.

Pursued by evil and captured as slaves—Merlin has lost his faith. Where there is no faith there is no hope and Merlin is approaching the point of utter desolation.

This book is fascinating. I literally sat on the edge of my seat as I read. Gana’s story was particularly fascinating, and heartbreaking. I kept hoping for her redemption and a part of me still holds out hope for her in book three.

With hope fast diminishing, Merlin sets out on a quest to free Arthur from an ancient ritual that would see his blood spilled. The plot is much darker than the first book—it becomes very evident of how evil can snare a person by promising them the desires of their heart.

Expected publication: May 13th

If you’re a fan of Arthurian lore then I would suggest this series. However, it is very much a Christian book and the teaching of Christ as being the way, the truth, and the life is very much evident. For this reason, this is a unique rendition of the ever popular lore and myth.

As Christians we have to be careful what we read and many times the fantasy genre or those that deal with lore can take us down a dark path that we would do better to avoid. This series definitely holds to the teachings of Christ and I’m very impressed with the author’s ability to weave it in seamlessly with popular Arthurian lore.

I would definitely suggest this book to fans of Christian fantasy!
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Robert Treskillard is a Celtic enthusiast who holds a B.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies from Bethel University, Minnesota. He has been crafting stories from his early youth, is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometime bladesmith. He and his wife have three children and are still homeschooling their youngest. They live in the country outside St. Louis, Missouri.

Learn more by visiting his website at http://www.KingArthur.org.uk

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Merlin's Blade by Robert Treskillard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 12+
Genre: Christian, YA, Fantasy

I have long been a fan of Arthurian legend and Christian novels are few and far between for this era.

I’ve read a few other books that claimed to be Christian but other than being clean stories there was no reason I could see for it to have been classified as Christian fiction. There was no mistake and this author did a great job of weaving Arthurian legend and Christianity into one tale.

Merlin is haunted by something—something evil. Once before it haunted his steps and it left him disfigured and mostly blind.

Merlin’s stepmother is the daughter of a druidow; the very man who leads a campaign to abolish Christianity and return Britain to the old ways and the old gods. In his possession is a stone which seems to hold a bewitching power over all who gaze upon it. Only Merlin seems immune to the power of the stone.

In this tale, Arthur is just a babe and already his life is in danger. Uther Pendragon is a follower of Christ and he opposes the return of the old ways and the sway that the druidow (and the stone) holds over the people. With his new sword which was forged by Merlin and his father, Uther wages war against the druidow.

With traitors in their midst it lays on Arthur’s shoulders to destroy the stone and protect the High King and his family. His father has newly returned to the faith of his youth and restored his relationship with Christ. He, along with a few other villagers who have not bowed their knee to the old religion stands with Merlin and together they devise a plan to free the captive priests and destroy the stone.

This book was so well researched and beautifully written. You can tell the author paid great attention to detail and also to lore. I look forward to book two, Merlin’s Shadow which I’m picking up just as soon as it arrives in the mail!
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Robert Treskillard is a Celtic enthusiast who holds a B.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies from Bethel University, Minnesota. He has been crafting stories from his early youth, is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometime bladesmith. He and his wife have three children and are still homeschooling their youngest. They live in the country outside St. Louis, Missouri.

Learn more by visiting his website at http://www.KingArthur.org.uk

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”