Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Year End Review!

Hello everyone! I can't believe we have come to the end of 2013. How crazy? This year has just flown by! I hope you all have enjoyed this year as much as I have. Reading wise, I've accomplished a lot! I didn't meet my Goodreads goal, but that's ok. I still managed to complete 65 books this year! That's a lot!

Here is a look back at my year
 
February: 4 books - A Texan's ChoicePaper RosesScattered PetalsSubmerged 
March: 2 Books - ShatteredJenna's Cowboy 
May: 1 Book - Tomorrow's Garden
August: 12 Books - August 9th - August 16th - August 23rd - August 30th
December: 3 Books - Last Light - A Kiss in Time - Daughter of Silk (reviews not posted on blog for these)

It's been a joy to me to see my blog grow and change! In August, I started a nifty blog post hosted by Christian Bookshelf Review called the Week End Wrap-Up. Looking back on my reviews from earlier in the year, I can see definite improvements and I can't wait to see what 2014 holds for me! 

How has your year been? I would love to hear from you! Feel free to comment!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Last Light by Terri Blackstock

Hello everyone! Is everyone prepared for Christmas? I still have a few things to pick up tonight, but then I am done. It's been a long few weeks with school and everything else going on, that I've been struggling to find time to read. Fear not! I finally have a book review for you :) (you all missed me, I know!).

OverviewNew York Times best-selling suspense author Terri Blackstock weaves a masterful what-if novel in which global catastrophe reveals the darkness in human hearts—and lights the way to restoration for a self-centered world.

The city of Birmingham, Alabama, is experiencing a massive blackout. Planes suddenly lose power and crash to the earth. Cars stall in the middle of the street and won't restart. Cell phones and the internet are dead. All communications are cut off. Is it a terrorist attack . . . or something far worse?

In the face of a crisis that sweeps an entire high-tech planet back to a time before electricity, the Branning family faces a choice. Hoard their possessions to survive—or trust God to provide as they share their resources and hearts with those around them? Yesterday's world is gone and now all they’ve got is family and community. Like never before, they must rely on each other.

Especially since someone close by is a killer.

My Review: I really struggled to get into this book. The first chapter was action packed and exciting! Then, I just kind of lost interest. Maybe it was the subject matter? Maybe I'm just not interested in reading about massive power outages and how we would survive in the face of a crisis like that, because the book was very well written. This is the second book I've read by Terri Blackstock and I feel like it was written better than the first one I read.

The characters, the Branning family, were shallow and whiny. I found I didn't have a lot of compassion for them, but maybe that's because I couldn't imagine relating to their situation. Deni especially annoyed me with her selfishness and arrogance. I hope if I ever find myself in that situation, I would react differently from her.

The message was the best part about this book. Learning to put your trust in the One who makes all things new is the only way to survive. If you ask Him, and listen for his response, He will direct your paths. Overall, I just didn't care for the subject of the book. I will probably not finish the series, but if you enjoy the "what-if" scenarios in a good Christian book, you will enjoy this story.

**Thank you, BookSneeze, for providing me a free copy of this book for my honest review.**

More fun! with links: 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Where have I been???

Hello faithful blog followers! I bet y'all have been wondering where I've been. It's been over two weeks since my last post, and I know you have missed me. I have missed reading and posting! Let me give you a little re-cap of my last two weeks....

After my last post, on December 3, I was wrapping up final projects for school and studying furiously for my final exams. They were my last two classes and I wanted to make sure I went out with a bang!
 

Last week, I took my final exams. It's official! I'm a COLLEGE GRADUATE (although I don't actually walk across the stage until next August)!!!! I feel like I've really accomplished something. It's been 8 years in the making, and I finally finished. I will receive my diploma for my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration some time in February. It's been a long journey, but I am so thankful I didn't quit.
 

Right now, I am trying to catch up on all the things I had to put on hold while I was finishing up my classes. I promise, I have not abandoned you and I will be posting more AWESOME (I hope) book reviews for you soon! 


I appreciate your patience as I've worked to get my life in order. I hope you haven't given up hope on me. Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

And the Winner is.....

gratitude 2013 

And the winner is......

Maria Elena*

 

*winner has been notified. If no response is received by 12/10, a new winner will be chosen. 

Friday, November 29, 2013

Week End Wrap Up (Nov 29)

 
Hello everyone! We have come to the end of another exciting week! This is the Weekend Wrap-Up, inspired by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Review. This is where I will tell you what I've read in the past week, what I'm currently reading, and what I plan to read in the week ahead. I might also share some interesting events from the past week!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a great day yesterday! Did anyone venture out to go shopping on Black Friday?? We stopped by Toys-R-Us (which opened at 5 pm on Thanksgiving Day). Let me just say that is probably the most organized Black Friday event I've ever been to. They did a great job with it! Anyways, here's my week in review!

Current Giveaway
I'm giving away a signed copy of Sushi for One? and Formula for Danger by Camy Tang! 
Be sure to check out the other 200+ blogs for other giveaways, as well!
ENDS: NOVEMBER 30


What I've Read
Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier 
Reviews Posted:

What I'm Currently reading:
 

What I plan on Reading:
A Kiss in TimeDaughter of Silk (The Silk House, #1) 

And that about wraps it up!

Burning Sky by Lori Benton

Hello, hello, hello! Happy (late) Thanksgiving everyone! I feel like such a slacker this week. I haven't gotten nearly as much reading done as I anticipated I would. That's ok though! I finally finished Burning Sky by Lori Benton! Here's my review! :)

Burning Sky: A Novel of the American FrontierOverview: New York frontier, 1784 ~ Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path and she feels obliged to nurse his injuries. The two quickly find much has changed during Willa’s twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.


Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman once called Burning Sky must find a new courage—the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?


"A bruised reed shall he  not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench."

My Review: The characters in this book are awesome! Willa Obenchain (aka Burning Sky) is a complex character because of the life she had to live. Taken at a young age by Mohawk Indians, she did what she had to in order to survive. She adapted to their way of life, never forgetting her heritage. So when all was lost to her, she decides to go back to the "white world" only to discover everyone she loved is gone. "I am the place where two rivers meet, sitled with upheaval and loss." - Willa Obenchain  Neil MacGregor, despite his past, does not treat Willa like she's less than human (as some folks do because of her time with the Indians). Instead, he shows her kindness, compassion, and love. Is she willing to open her heart to him?

The story was good. I think I would have enjoyed it so much better had I not just finished a very similar book. It was also a little long, but not enough to lose my interest completely.  At one point, I caught myself saying "how much more can this poor woman go through?!" I believe even the slow parts were necessary in order to understand each character and the situation at hand. The author did a great job in describing the time period, effects of the war, and the characters actions as related to their situations.

The message was one of trust. As Neil MacGregor, in his Scottish barogue states: "Dinna put your trust in men - not foremost. Men will come and go from your life, even those you love, some before you're ready to see them go. But I'll tell you this I've learnt: the Almighty loves you more than any man could, and He willna forsake ye. Not ever." 

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. I wish I would have read it at a later date, rather than right after another book with a similar plot. I would still recommend it to anyone!

**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.**

More fun! with links:

Friday, November 22, 2013

Week End Wrap Up (Nov 22)

Hello everyone! We have come to the end of another exciting week! This is the Weekend Wrap-Up, inspired by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Review. This is where I will tell you what I've read in the past week, what I'm currently reading, and what I plan to read in the week ahead. I might also share some interesting events from the past week!

Three weeks left. That's all I have until I graduate! I cannot wait! I would love to get my reading life back on track. Wedding planning is coming along! I got all of my flowers in. We opted to go with the fake flowers, so I've gotten them all ordered. It's going to be beautiful! 

Current Giveaway
I'm giving away a signed copy of Sushi for One? and Formula for Danger by Camy Tang! Be sure to check out the other 200+ blogs for other giveaways, as well!
ENDS: NOVEMBER 30




What I've Read:
Captive Trail (Texas Trails #2) 

Review Posted:

What I'm Currently Reading:
Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier

What I Plan on Reading Next:
 

That about wraps it up!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

It's Monday! What better way to get over the Monday doldrums than to read a book review by me! :p
I had a very busy weekend, so I didn't get to read like I wanted to. However, once I picked this book up, I had to finish it! I was up WAYYYY to late last night! Captive Trail is the second book in the Texas Trails: A Morgan Family Series and I just loved it! So, let me tell you about it:

Captive Trail (Texas Trails #2)Overview: Taabe Waipu has run away from her Comanche village and is fleeing south in Texas on a horse she stole from a dowry left outside her family's teepee. The horse has an accident and she is left on foot, injured and exhausted. She staggers onto a road near Fort Chadbourne and collapses.

On one of the first runs through Texas, Butterfield Overland Mail Company driver Ned Bright carries two Ursuline nuns returning to their mission station. They come across Taabe who is nearly dead from exposure and dehydration and take her to the mission.

With some detective work, Ned discovers Taabe Waipu's identity. He plans to unite her with her family, but the Comanche have other ideas. Through Taabe and Ned we learn the true meaning of healing and restoration amid seemingly powerless situations.

My Review: This book was captivating.  I've never read a book on this subject and I think the author did a wonderful job of capturing the emotions and depth of the issues the characters had to face! Taabe Waipu remembers the live she was taken from. She remembers that her place is not with the Comanche people with whom she resides, but she doesn't remember anything else.  I loved her character. I felt like I was watching her struggle to remember the old way of life. I felt her joy and frustration at learning "white man ways" again. Susan Page Davis did an excellent job on Taabe's character. Ned Bright was a simple man. I liked him because he wasn't trying to be tough or macho. He was just a normal guy who falls in love with a girl. He was certainly protective and "manly," but I think he more closely represents real life men.

The story was fantastic. Again, I've never read a story with this subject before and as also stated previously, Susan Page Davis did a fantastic job of capturing the depth of emotions and issues these characters had to face. While the story was predictable (in that I knew Taabe and Ned would be together), it was very enjoyable. There were facets of the story that I absolutely loved, like Ned's devotion and dedication to Taabe and her best interests. The interaction with the Comanche at the end kept me rooted to my seat with my eyes reading and furiously scanning the pages!

The message of the book was to trust in God to take care of you and all your needs. I wished this theme was communicated more clearly in the book, but that's what I got out of the story. Overall, I absolutely loved this book and would definitely read it again!

**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.**

More fun! with links:

Friday, November 15, 2013

Week End Wrap-Up (Nov 15)

Hello everyone! We have come to the end of another exciting week! This is the Weekend Wrap-Up, inspired by Melanie at Christian Bookshelf Review. This is where I will tell you what I've read in the past week, what I'm currently reading, and what I plan to read in the week ahead. I might also share some interesting events from the past week!

I've found a dress! It is absolutely perfect! Wedding planning is moving along quite smoothly.. at this rate, we'll be done planning by June! :) 

Current Giveaway:
I'm giving away a signed copy of Sushi for One? and Formula for Danger by Camy Tang! Be sure to check out the other 200+ blogs for other giveaways, as well!
ENDS: NOVEMBER 30




What I've Read:
Formula for Danger 

Reviews Posted:
See Gratitude Giveaway post for these reviews! 

What I'm Currently Reading
Captive Trail (Texas Trails #2) 

What I Plan on Reading Next:
Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier 

Don't forget to check out the Gratitude Giveaway! That about wraps it up!