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Monthly Archives: December 2014

Best Books of 2014

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Uncategorized

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A Heart's Rebellion, best books of 2014, Best of 2014, Bethany House, BookLookBloggers, Deeanne Gist, Fair Play, Favorite Reads of 2014, Full Steam Ahead, Julie Klassen, Karen Witemeyer, Kristy Cambron, Laura Frantz, Love Skip Jump, Love's Fortune, Mary Ellis, Miracle In a Dry Season, NetGalley, Revell Publishing, Ruth Axtell, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Shelene Bryan, Susan May Warren, The Butterfly and the Violin, The Lady and the Officer, The Secret of Pembrooke Park, Tyndale House, When I Fall in Love

In 2014 I found a way to fuel my reading habit by becoming a Book Blogger. I started with one publisher and slowly added a few more. It has been so much fun! I love to see the manila envelope in my mailbox with a crisp, hot off the press, new book. Thanks to Bethany House, Revell, BookLookBloggers, Tyndale House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review books! I have read so many fabulous books in 2014 but a few stand out above the rest. My list includes some of my favorite writers as well as new authors who absolutely blew me away.

Love's Fortune

 Love’s Fortune by Laura Frantz

I have said it before, and I will gladly say it again. This book is a fantastic work of historical fiction. Laura Frantz is a wordsmith. She has the gift of writing, the magic of words, the art of storytelling, and I cannot get enough!

In Love’s Fortune, Wren Ballantyne travels to Pennsylvania to meet her extended family, most for the first time. She is thrust into unfamiliar territory for a simple girl from Kentucky. A handsome steamboat pilot, James Sackett, is there to help her navigate all of the rules of society. It is the relationship between them that kept me turning pages through the night!

Read my review here.

THe butterfly and the violin

 The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

I will never forget this book. In the same breath I recommend Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers to a friend, I will add The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. It was my favorite surprise find of 2014.

I will not give anyway of the plot because that would be criminal. In short, The Butterfly and the Violin is the first book in Kristy Cambron’s debut series. Art dealer Sera James is searching for a portrait she saw years ago in a gallery. The painting is of a beautiful violinist with her hair shaved and a numbered tattoo on her arm. This book is about the story the painting tells, and the impact the story has on Sera James.

Read my review here.

Miracle in a dry season

Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sarah Loudin Thomas is another debut author in 2014 who made me fall in love with her characters and her unique style. Her writing is fresh and inviting.  If you missed this title in 2014, add it to your list of must reads!

In this book, a beautiful woman named Perla escapes to Wise, West Virginia to get away from all of the gossip and judgment she faced as an unwed mother. It is in Wise she meets Casewell and entrusts him with the truth about her situation. Casewell finds it difficult to see Perla as more than her sin, regardless of his feelings for her.

Read my review here.

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witmeyer

I have long been a fan of Karen Witmeyer. I never have to wonder if I will enjoy one of her titles, it is a sure thing. Full Steam Ahead was by far my favorite book of Witemeyer’s yet. I enjoyed it immensely and I know you will too!

In Full Steam Ahead, Nicole Renard is on a mission to save her family’s business and legacy. She sets out to find not only the love of her life, but also an heir to take over her father’s shipping company. When her plans are deterred by those that mean her and her family harm, she stumbles upon Darius Thornton who is on his own mission, but his is one of self-imposed penance. The unlikely pair rescue each other in this fun and thrilling story.

Read my review here.

Fair Play

 Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

Deeanne Gist is another author who writes a guaranteed good read. What makes this particular title so wonderful is the relationship and love story Gist creates on the pages of this sigh-worthy book. I loved it.

Fair Play takes place at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. Billy Jack Tate is a determined female doctor who is looking to make her way in the field of medicine. She is feisty, but still very much a lady. She has just hung her shingle, but hasn’t had much of a reception because medicine is a man’s world. Billy soon meets a handsome stranger who also happens to be a Texas Ranger. He is Hunter Scott and is the definition of a man’s man. They are an unlikely pair. Hunter discovers an abandoned baby at the fair and looks to Billy for help. His discovery takes the two of them down an unexpected path. Together, they work to bring life to one of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago. At the same time, feelings grow between them.

Read my review here.

The Lady and the Officer

 The Lady and the Officer by Mary Ellis

Author Mary Ellis wrote an amazing piece of Civil War Historical Fiction in The Lady and the Officer. This title was especially delightful for me because I happen to live in the middle of Civil War Battlefields. I adored every page and I am excited to read anything Mary Ellis writes!

The Lady and the Officer tells the story of war widow, Madeline Howard whose husband fought for the Union. As the war creeps into her backyard she is rescued by dashing General James Downing. They quickly form an attachment, but Madeline is forced to find shelter with her only family left in Richmond. It is there she finds herself constantly pulled between the love of her Confederate family and her loyalty not only her country, but her new-found love.

Read my review here.

When I Fall in Love

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

I am definitely a reader who has a preference for Romantic Historical Fiction. This book fell outside of those lines, but I found it to be a wonderful story full of endearing characters. I so wanted When I Fall in Love to be made into a movie! More than that, it left me wanting to read the entire series.

In this third book of the Christiansen Family Novels, Grace Christiansen is sent by her family on a culinary vacation to Hawaii. It is there she meets up with Maxwell Sharpe who has been asked to look after Grace while she is away. Max is a hockey player and culinary whiz desperate for a vacation and adventure. The unlikely pair hit it off in a story you will want to read over and over. I truly hope this one makes it to the big screen!

Read my review here.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Love, mystery, intrigue, and great storytelling make The Secret of Pembrooke Park an easy favorite! Julie Klassen not only wrote one of my favorite books this year, she is on my list every year.

In The Secret of Pembrooke Park, Abigail Foster’s family is facing financial ruin and has accepted an offer of housing from distant relatives at Pembrooke Park. Abigail and her father find the old home just as the last family left it….eighteen years ago. The house is draped in mystery and frankly, a little creepy. Abigail works to put the house in order and begins to unravel the secrets of Pembrooke Park. She also meets a very attractive local curate, William. He and his family have some part to play in the house and the secrets it holds. Abigail must decide who to trust and with whom to exercise caution.

Read my review here.

A heart's rebellion

A Heart’s Rebellion by Ruth Axtell

I am thrilled to have discovered another author who tells a captivating story. Ruth Axtell has definitely won me over with this book. I am so excited to go back and read her other titles. If you enjoy Regency Romances, this book is for you!

In A Heart’s Rebellion, Jessamine and her childhood best friend Megan have arrived in London for their first season. Jessamine’s heart has been broken by Megan’s brother, Rees Phillips. Jessamine and Megan are the wallflowers of the season until they meet Lancelot Marfleet who is the second son of an aristocrat. Lancelot is a vicar and not exactly the suitor Jessamine had hoped to win. Instead, she begins a flirtation with a gentleman with a less than stellar reputation. As Jessamine comes to terms with her lingering feelings for Rees, she opens herself up to possible ruination.

Read my review here.

Love Skip Jump

Love Skip Jump by Shelene Bryan

Clearly, I prefer fiction. However, out of all the books both fiction and nonfiction, this book was the most memorable and life changing. I have recommended this book to countless people. If you were to pick one book form this list to read, pick this one.

Shelene Bryan is the founder and executive director of Skip1.org. Love Skip Jump is the story of how Skip1.org was founded. More than that, it is the story of how one woman’s yes radically altered the lives of so many. Shelene’s actions changed her own life and caused an unknown amount of ripples throughout the world.

Read my review here.

I would love to know your favorite reads this year! Please leave your picks in the comments as well as link to your blog. Happy New Year! Here is to sleeping less and reading more in 2015!

Book Review: I Can Learn the Bible

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Reviewed Books

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Devotions for kids, Holly Hawkins Shivers, I can Learn the Bible, New Year, Scripture memorization for kids, The Joshua Code

I Can Learn the Bible

The Joshua Code for Kids

I Can Learn the Bible by Holly Hawkins Shivers

At the start of a new year, my husband and I commit to getting back into the good habit of daily devotions with our two boys. We usually do a good job of it until the holidays hit and then we just want to get the kids in bed at a decent hour. This year, I am happy to have found this lovely new book by Holly Hawkins Shivers to inspire me begin again.

I Can Learn the Bible is the ideal one year devotional for parents to share with their children. Included is 52 Scriptures taken from several versions of the Bible including the International Children’s Bible, The New King James Version, and the New International Version. Some of the verses are not given as I remember learning them, mostly because I would have learned them in the King James Version. For instances, Week 1 is Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the sky and the earth. If I were asked to recite this verse from memory I would say, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

I love that this book is made to last all year and that it could be used year after year. I also find how the verses are explained to be ideal. It is though Shivers knows the questions my children are going to ask before they ask them. In my opinion, this devotional is appropriate for ages 4-9. It is written with both boys and girls in mind. The simple, yet colorful illustrations add to each week and definitely captured the attention my two boys.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Booklookbloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

Sigh-Worthy Movie

24 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Favorites

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Movies, Netflix, Romance, The Well-Digger's Daughter

Well diggers daughter

Last night I flipped through the channels trying to find something to watch. I feel like I am always searching for a new favorite movie. Well, I found it. The Well-Digger’s Daughter is officially the best movie I have seen all year. It is French with subtitles. DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU. I laughed, I sighed, I hoped, I wished, and I gave it a standing ovation! If you stream Netflix, it is there for the taking. This is a memorable film, I know you will love it.

Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta

21 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Reviewed Books

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Jessica Dotta, Price of Privilege, Price of Privilege Trilogy, review

Price of Privilege

I often group books into three categories: shallow, still touching the bottom, and deep. A shallow book is enjoyable for its effortless readability. I can pick it up whenever and read it even in the most chaotic situations like a pediatricians office in flu season. If a book is “still touching the bottom” I am reading something that requires a little more investment and concentration. Lastly, a deep book requires more of me. I need to read it in a quiet room and focus on the unfolding plot. In Price of Privilege, I found myself in the deep end of the pool for all 446 pages.

First of all, this book does not stand alone. You do need to read the prior books before reading this title. Jessica Dotta has written an intriguing trilogy and each book is essential to the story. Picking up right at the end of the very dramatic and emotionally taxing drama might leave you confused. Having said that, it is absolutely worth it to read all three.

In this final installment of the Price of Privilege trilogy, Julia Elliston has managed to marry her true love, Edward. They spend only a few wonderful pages in martial bliss before they are on the run. Finding refuge only in the home of her father, Lord Pierson, Julia finds her self in a legal battle for her life. Short of a miracle, Edward will lose his life and she will be returned to Chance Macy.

Very few books bring me to tears, but I found myself with wet eyes in the final chapters of Price of Privilege. Honestly, I was unaware I had cared so much for the characters.  Many times, I found Julia exhausting and the ongoing crisis energy depleting. There are few joyous moments of relief. (Think Wuthering Heights sprinkled with a little Jane Austen.) In the end, Dotta brings everything to a close in a surprise ending I never saw coming. I would be delighted to see this book made into a movie, preferably by the BBC.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own

Book Review: The Bracelet by Dorothy Love

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Reviewed Books

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Dorothy Love, Savannah, The Bracelet

The Bracelet

 

The Bracelet is a well-written historical romance by author Dorothy Love. This particular title is more mystery than romance, but there is just enough of a love story to keep me interested. This particular story is special in that it is based on actual historical events. It left me wanting to brush up on my history of Savannah, Georgia and anxious to read more.

In short, The Bracelet is about a lovely southern belle, Celia, who welcomes her intended home after he has been away for an extended amount of time. As excited as she is to see him, she is equally troubled by the appearance of a newspaper man who is after the real story of the tragedy that befell her family years ago. Celia is unsure of the truth herself and begins to investigate on her own.

I truly loved the history tied to this story. Author Dorothy Love has done a great job recreating an era long gone. I would consider her both historian and artist. I am anxious to visit Savannah again, to walk the lovely streets, and experience the history around every corner. Love hinted in her closing notes of meeting Celia again in an upcoming novel, and I am very pleased to hear it!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange by the publisher and BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated other than the joy of reading a good book.

Walmart! Who Knew?

08 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Family, Favorites, Saving Money

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Savings Catcher, Walmart, Walmart deals

Several years ago, after waiting in line long enough for my frozen items to thaw, I made a decision to pay a little more for groceries to upgrade my grocery experience. I honestly had had enough. My bad experiences out-weighed any savings. In fact, I began driving quite a bit further to a sparkly, gourmet grocery store.

Then one day a few months ago, I was out of time and had to grab a few grocery items. I ran into our Walmart only because I had to make school pick up on time. At check-out I was handed a little advertisement for Walmart’s new app, Savings Catcher. Basically, you scan the QR Code at the bottom of your receipt through the app. Walk-Mart then compares the items on your receipt with the advertised prices of their competitors. And then…if they find a better price for any item on your receipt…they give you the difference!

imageJust in 5 big shopping trips I have been given back $12!! I don’t ever use enough coupons to save $12!  I needed snow boots for my kids, so I had the app give me back my $12 in an E-Giftcard and I got one of the pairs nearly for free. What?? Amazing.

Even more amazing was my experience with Wal-Mart this week while Christmas shopping. I purchased a set of K’NEX (705 pieces building set) from Amazon for $38 plus free shipping with Amazon Prime. Shortly after, I found the same set at Walmart for $19.99.  WHAT???  I canceled the Amazon order and purchased through Walmart with free shipping via Site-to-Store.

AND THEN, last night I was excited to find the new Big Hero 6 Toy on sale at Toys R’ Us for $29.99 compared to $39.99 everywhere else.

Disney-Big-Hero-6-Deluxe--pTRU1-19357276dt

I put one in my online shopping cart on the Toys R’ Us website. Guess what? Not available at your store. Out of Stock. Sorry Charlie. There is one available if you want to drive an hour north and get it. No Way! I would spend the saved $10 in gas and time. Guess who price matched for me this morning? You guessed it. Walmart. Who Knew?

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

05 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Reviewed Books

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Great Reads 2014, Julie Klassen, The Secret of Pembrooke Park

The Secret of Pembrooke Park

I have read most of Julie Klassen’s books over the last few years, and I have to say that this might be my favorite one yet.  First, it’s a beautiful cover and begs to be read. Secondly, the book is nice and thick, 451 delightful pages! Most importantly, The Secret of Pembrooke Park is a great story you will not regret spending your time reading. I loved it!

In The Secret of Pembrooke Park, Abigail Foster’s family is facing financial ruin and has  accepted an offer of housing from distant relatives at Pembrooke Park. Abigail and her father find the old home just as the last family left it….eighteen years ago. The house is draped in mystery and frankly, a little creepy. Abigail works to put the house in order and begins to unravel the secrets of Pembrooke Park. She also meets a very attractive local curate, William. He and his family have some part to play in the house and the secrets it holds. Abigail must decide who to trust and with whom to exercise caution.

There are several things about this book that made me love it. I love all things Regency Era, and the fact that this title is a love story plus a mystery makes it all the more wonderful. I never found myself skimming pages, I enjoyed every word. Even in the middle. The Secret of Pembrooke Park isn’t long for the sake of being long. Thank you Julie Klassen for another terrific read!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

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