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Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Regency Romance with Substance Makes for an Enjoyable Read (With a Giveaway!)
8:25 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the daughter of an illustrious duke, Lady Amanda Cumberland enjoys a life of wealth and privilege. In London for her first Season, the 16-year-old should have only one thing on her mind—fun. With two handsome, eligible lords courting her, her days have become infinitely more exciting, but still, something is missing. Lady Amanda longs to do something real. When she hears a stirring speech by Henry Hunt championing equal rights for all, his words sink deep into her soul. She vows to do all she can, even if it must be done secretly, to help common Englishmen—and women—achieve the dreams of freedom and equality.
Lord Nathaniel Halloway is known as the biggest rake in London. It's a facade he's carefully cultivated to hide his true passion—aiding the lower classes in their fight for freedom. His role in the campaign is bigger than anyone could guess; if the other members of the ton found out, the consequences would be unimaginable. Lord Nathaniel must play his part in their glittering world of excess and abandon in order to divert high society's fickle attention away from his true activities.
With her father pressuring her into choosing a husband, Lady Amanda must do some pretty play-acting of her own. Both play their roles to near perfection. Will their frivolous masks keep them from uniting—not just in a noble cause but in a love that could burn brighter than anything they've ever known?
I've been known to enjoy a fluffy Regency romance now and then, but I like them even better when they've got some substance behind them. The Nobleman's Daughter, a debut novel by Jen Geigle Johnson, offers up just that. Using England's turn-of-the-century fight for equal rights as a backdrop, the author creates a tension-filled romance that keeps the reader enthralled as it winds down to its inevitable Happily Ever After. The story's predictable; it's also exciting, fun, and engrossing. Nothing overly original, but it's enjoyable overall.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Regency romances by Jennifer Moore)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Nobleman's Daughter from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
--
Want more opinions on The Nobleman's Daughter? Follow along with the book's blog tour by clicking the links below:
*Nov. 7th: http://www.wishfulendings.com, http://www.blogginboutbooks.
*Nov. 8th: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.
*Nov. 9th: https://ldsandlovinit.
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Want to win a copy of The Nobleman's Daughter for your very own, plus a $25 Amazon gift card? Enter the giveaway below:
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Searching for Ways to Make Christmas More Christ-Centered? Look No Further. (With a Giveaway!)
1:00 AM
(Image from Covenant)
"Time, that precious commodity, is what all families want us to give them, and time is what our Savior wants us to give Him" (2).
With the above quote, author Christie Gardiner introduces, Our Family Christmas a low-stress guide that aims to help families make their holiday celebrations both more meaningful and more spiritual. With a section devoted to each day from December 1st to the 25th, it's an advent calendar in book form. Each day, Gardiner offers a scripture or quote plus a short story, thought, or anecdote that introduces a different Christmas-y topic. Then, she gives suggestions for implementing the principle being taught (giving to the poor, sharing the light of Christ, understanding the symbols of the season, etc.) by suggesting fun, easy family activities (crafts, baking, games, etc.). With busy families in mind, she divides the ideas into those that can be done in 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 5 minutes. Each day also gets its own recipe, journaling prompts, and a Christmas hymn/carol.
Gardiner acknowledges the reality of busy, stressed-out families by encouraging each to do what works for them, when it works for them. She emphasizes that Our Family Christmas is a collection of ideas, not a stringent program designed to make parents feel even more burdened during an already overwhelming season. She does testify, however, that focusing on simple, Christ-centered activities like those suggested in the book during the Christmas season will bring families closer together while blessing them with a peaceful, more satisfying holiday experience.
Beautifully illustrated with bright, whimsical Norman Rockwell (and Rockwell-ish) paintings, Our Family Christmas would make a lovely pre-holiday gift. If you're already frazzled with Christmas anxiety, do yourself a favor and read through this lovely book. The ideas within are reassuring in their simplicity. Nothing elaborate is required in order to center your holiday more firmly on the things that really matter—honoring the Savior, generous service, family closeness, and spreading joy. Our Family Christmas keeps it real with small, doable suggestions that can have a large, lasting impact on your family. If you're wondering how to make your holiday more meaningful this year, start with giving this book a look-see. At the very least, it will inspire you to remember the reason for the season.
Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Our Family Christmas from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
--
Interested in more opinions of Our Family Christmas? Follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking on the links below:
*Oct. 31st:
http://lisaisabookworm.
*Nov. 1st:
https://www.
*Nov. 2nd:
https://ldsandlovinit.
*Nov. 3rd:
http://sweetlymadejustforyou.Want to win a copy of Our Family Christmas for your very own? Enter to win the book, plus a $25 Amazon gift card by filling out this Rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
Regency Romance + Christmas Setting = Warm, Charming Combination
9:08 PM
(Image from Deseret Book)
Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Hot chocolate and marshmallows. Some things just go together, you know? I'm fairly new to Regency romance books, so I've never really considered what a sweet combination could result from pairing the genre with magical holiday settings. If Christmas Grace, a collection of Regency love stories by various authors, is any indication, I'd call the mixture a very pleasant one indeed.
Christmas Grace, a new collection of holiday tales by beloved LDS romance writers, includes four selections:
"Let Nothing You Dismay" by Jennifer Moore tells the story of Ben Talbot and Camilla "Millie" Prince, childhood sweethearts whose elopement ends with a tragic accident. Reunited after eight years with no contact, the former fiancés have a second chance at love. Are they brave enough to take it?
"Christmas at Canterwood" by Krista Lynne Jensen stars Julia Seaton, a governess who's taxed with keeping up the spirits of the children in her care while their parents are away from home at Christmastime. When the handsome but too-serious vicar gets roped into Julia's plan to distract the kids, unexpected sparks start to fly.
"Winter Angel" by Anita Stansfield concerns Mariah Pritchard, the 22-year-old daughter of a London baker. When she encounters a poor, beaten man during her rounds of distributing bread to the homeless, she's surprised to discover he's a gentleman in disguise. She's even more shocked by her heart's reaction to the down-on-his-luck stranger.
"Christmas Grace" by Chalon Linton begins with a carriage accident that brings a young widow into the care of a kind stranger. When a storm strands Grace Hershaw at the estate of handsome, cheerful Gordon Burgess, the two work together to plan a holiday fete. Will Gordon's charms manage to capture the widow's attention, let alone her heart?
While I enjoyed some of the stories more than others ("Christmas at Canterwood" is my favorite), all four are filled with enough charm, hope, and love to warm even the coldest heart. Short and sweet, they make for light but uplifting reading that is especially well suited for the busy holiday season. A satisfying collection, this book would make a fun gift for anyone who enjoys clean, happy endings-guaranteed Regency love stories. If you are looking for a quick, Christmas-y read to get you into the holiday spirit, look no further. You've found it.
Readalikes: Hm, this is the first Regency Christmas tale I've ever read, so I'm not sure what to compare it to ... Any ideas?
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for a small amount of violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Christmas Grace from the generous folks at Covenant. Thank you!
--
Interested in more opinions of Christmas Grace? Follow along on the book's blog tour by visiting the stops below:
*Oct. 23rd:
http://mybookaday.blogspot.
*Oct. 24th:
http://minreadsandreviews.
*Oct. 25th:
https://joyinthemoments.
*Oct. 26th:
https://ldsandlovinit.
*Oct. 27th:
http://literarytimeout.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Second Charlie Cates Novel An Engrossing, Eye-Opening Mystery
2:42 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The Shimmering Road, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, The Gates of Evangeline. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
Now that Charlotte "Charlie" Cates has found love again, she's eager to move on with her life. With a new baby growing inside her, the 39-year-old journalist is looking forward to a promising future with kind, hardworking Noah Palmer. Just when everything seems to be coming up roses, however, Charlie gets some shocking news. Her mother—a drug addict who abandoned her daughter when she was just a toddler—has been killed in a double murder. The other victim? Jasmine Cassell, a half sister Charlie never knew existed. As if that weren't enough, she's having visions again. This time the distressed child is Micky, Jasmine's daughter.
Although Charlie's energy should be focused on her own child, she can't ignore her niece's plaintive pleas. Something terrible happened to the child's mother and grandmother. Determined to find the truth, Charlie starts digging. Her search takes her into the chaos of northern Mexico, the desolate Arizona desert, and deep into the murky waters of her own troubled past. Ultimately, her investigation is leading her to the most dangerous destination of all—into the hands of a cold-blooded killer. Trouble is the last thing Charlie needs, especially in her delicate condition, but she's heading right for it ...
I picked up The Shimmering Road by Hester Young without realizing it's a sequel to The Gates of Evangeline, which I read last year. It seriously took me a few chapters to catch on! Maybe that's because Young's second endeavor is much, much better than her first. Where Evangeline felt flat and predictable, The Shimmering Road remains tense and compelling throughout. While it's a disturbing read, it's also engrossing, eye-opening. Overall, I enjoyed this one. I'll definitely be watching for the last book in the Charlie Cates trilogy which will hopefully come out in 2018.
(Readalikes: The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs plus milder expletives), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
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