Crossing the Deep by Kelly Martin
Summary from Goodreads:
Sixteen year old Rachel Harker expects the church sponsored hiking trip in the Smoky Mountains to be short and painless. Four days later, injured and scared, Rachel prays to just make it home alive.
Asher Jenkins, fellow hiker and handsome skeptic who is only on the hike so he doesn’t have to go home and face his abusive ‘uncle’, finds Rachel in the woods and tries to get her back to Deep Creek Trail. A small hole hidden under the fall leaves causes her ankle to twist and forces Asher to leave her to get help. As night falls, he comes back, unable to find the right trail.
As hours stretch into days, an unexpected rainstorm bears down the mountain, flooding Deep Creek and cutting off their way home. Rachel puts all of her faith in God to save them. Asher thinks believing in God is a waste of time and does what he can to prove to Rachel that He doesn’t exist.
Read February 2013
Free ebook from Smashwords
4 Stars
My Review:
This is a Christian Fiction book. Although I don't agree with all of the religious principles expressed by the characters, I do believe in their conviction and their dedication to God. I am religious myself and sometimes find Christian Fiction books too pushy in their preaching. I felt like this had a lot of religion in it, but I didn't find it pushy. The story was strong enough and got the point across without forcing it on me.
I enjoyed the story and characters in this book. I liked the conflict in bringing these characters together and taking them through a growing journey. I liked the bit of romance.
Warnings: Survival trials, death (and for some, the religious aspect may be too much).
I would let my 15 year old daughter read this book.
I enjoy reading books, obviously. And, it is fun to read other blogs and get ideas for what book to read next from their reviews. Check out Bookshop Talk and my guest review and see what else they have that might interest you and your taste in books!
A Vintage Affair
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Falling for Mr. Darcy by KaraLynne Mackrory
Summary from Goodreads:
In this Regency adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice, the simple truth is proven that sometimes a gentleman never knows his heart until a lady comes along to introduce it to him. When Mr. Darcy encounters Elizabeth Bennet injured after a fall, his concern for her welfare cracks the shell of his carefully guarded heart and a charming man emerges. Elizabeth sees an appealing side of him she never believed possible from the stoic, proud master of Pemberley. They find the simple gentlemanly act of assisting her home will best both Mr. Darcy's resolve to keep his heart safe and Elizabeth's conviction that this is the last man on earth she might have ever been prevailed upon to marry. Soon, falling for Mr. Darcy becomes a real possibility.
Read February 2013
Library Book
3.5 Stars
My Review:
This is definitely a romance book. It is filled with frilly descriptions and sentimental thoughts from both Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet.
In this adaptation, the author takes these two characters on a tangent from the original Austen story line. A chance encounter and rescue bring these two together earlier in the story line. Thus the story takes a different path for them and the other characters. There are many similar situations and even some direct dialogue from the original, but this is definitely a different story. There are assumptions made that the reader has read or is at least familiar with the original story. There isn't a lot of background given on some situations or some characters. I would recommend reading the original before delving into this one.
I think those who enjoy the story of Pride and Prejudice, but would rather see a sweet, sentimental love story without as much impeding the romance, then this book is for you.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old daughter read this book.
After Hello by Lisa Mangum
Summary from Goodreads:
What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?
Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City.
Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find.
When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello.
Read February 2013
Library Book
5 Stars
My Review:
I loved this book. It was quirky, sweet, thought provoking. I loved the dynamic between the 2 main characters. I loved that Sara sees New York City in a way I've never looked at it (not that I've been there a lot). I loved the 2 different points of view, but one in first person, the other in third person. I loved the adventure, the quest these 2 characters went on. I loved the sweetness and kindness between these two. And I loved the message of holding on to memories that are important and letting go of ones that need to be set free so they don't hurt us anymore.
Truly great story in my opinion.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old read this book. However, the main character does behave in a way that I would, as a parent, freak out if my daughter ever did those things. So, there would be a discussion on how this is a great story, but don't ever do that.
Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden
Summary from Goodreads:
Layton Jonquil has spent the four years since his wife's death in the isolated sanctuary of his home, Farland Meadows, with only his daughter Caroline. Mary Wood, a flame-haired, out-spoken, overly-cheerful governess descends on the household changing both their lives and unearthing secrets Layton would rather remained buried and forgotten. Can one woman bring love back into a house too long without it and reclaim a heart too long broken to heal?
Read February 2013
On loan from a friend
5 Stars
My Review:
I love this book. I love all of Sarah M. Eden's books. They are right up my alley as far as pace, writing, story, characters, etc.
If you have read Sarah M. Eden's other books, then you will enjoy this one as well. Although you could read this book without having read the others, it is a continuation of characters that we have read about in other books. Specifically, I believe someone reading this book should read Friends and Foes first. But that is my opinion.
One of the things I liked about this particular story is that the main character has a secret that we don't know until much later in the book. Often, with main characters, we know their secret, but no one else in the story does. It was kind of nice to have that kept a secret that we all found out at the same time. I liked that the story had a lot of messages about forgiveness and healing hurt. And, I adored the relationships that the adults had with the main child in this story. It was refreshing to have a young child play such a large part in a regency romance story. Also, I am invested in many of the characters since they come from previous books. I love that we can continue to see them and what happens to them even though they aren't the main players in the story.
One complaint, I love the cover of this book, it is beautiful. However, it does not fit this story. A simple change is all that would be needed to make it more fitting.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old daughter read this book. (Can't believe she is 15 today!)
Divinely Designed by Rachael Renee Anderson
Summary from Goodreads:
It all begins with calamity, faith, and a flat tire. Seeking liberation from recent heartache, Kennedy Jackson leaves her hometown and moves to Arizona to work as an interior designer. She thinks she is ready for a new start, but her heart still needs some convincing. When she bumps into a handsome stranger on the highway, she starts the ride of her life on a road of divine design that will lead to her dreams if she only has the faith to follow it.
This delightful tale by Rachael Anderson combines wit and romance with the reality that change is difficult, but it can bring about some of life's greatest adventures. Divinely Designed is a sure antidote for gloom and a light-hearted reminder that even the darkest forks in the road can lead somewhere brilliant.
Read February 2013
Library Book
4 Stars
My Review:
This is an LDS fiction book. It has lots of reference to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and much of the context of the book deals with LDS culture and beliefs.
I really enjoyed this cute, clean romance. It was fairly predictable and sweet, but that is what I needed this last 24 hours. I was glad to escape to happy reading land.
Warnings: None
I would let my 14 year old daughter read this book.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Summary from Goodreads:
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
No Rating
Library Book
Tried to Read January/February 2013
My Thoughts:
This is not a full review. I am not able to give a full review. I couldn't finish this book, so I don't feel that I can give it a full review. I will however share my thoughts on what I did read of this book.
This story is fantastic. The characters have me so involved with them that I feel like they are real. This book shows me the life of teenagers facing terminal illness in a different way. I appreciate the candor.
Unfortunately, I got to a point in this book where I just couldn't keep reading. I kept taking day long breaks and reading fluff in an effort to be emotionally able to continue. Last night I was a mess. I started reading the next part of a chapter and had to put it down. I didn't want to read what I saw coming. I couldn't do it. I thought maybe I could face it this morning. But this morning I woke up and said to myself, "why am I putting myself through this?"
Some may not agree with my decision, but I decided to stop reading this book. I felt an instant relief. I know that this book is considered one of the best of 2012. I know that it is highly acclaimed. I can totally see why. It is, however, a book. One that I can choose to read or not read. I don't need to make myself any sadder. I don't need to feel any more pain.
I am going to spend some extra time today showing my children how much I love them and cherishing the time that I have on this earth. I am going to count my blessings and smile. And, I may pick up a fluffy, regency romance and lose myself in the fantasy of it.
Warnings: Lots of swearing and an instance of premarital sex that was tastefully done, not graphic. Millions of tears.
I would not let my 14 year old read this book. I do not want to put her through this kind of pain and it has pretty mature themes in it.
