"Love, Lies and Spies" Book Review

   I was at one of my local libraries one day when I stumbled across Love, Lies and Spies by Cindy Anstey sitting on the recently released shelf. I thought the cover was gorgeous, and the synopsis sounded interesting. So I picked it up, read it, and here we are!

Synopsis

Juliana Telford isn't your ordinary nineteenth-century lady. She's more interested in publishing her research on ladybugs than in marriage or fashionable dresses. Spencer Northam isn't your ordinary nineteenth-century gentleman. He's a spy for the War Office on his first mission. But when Spencer's assignment involves keeping an eye on the lovely Juliana and her friends, their plans for a season without romance are unapologetically foiled.  

My Review

   This book was amazing! I don't typically read historical romances, but this was so much like a Jane Austen novel that I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was never a dull moment in this story. In fact, the story started out with Juliana literally hanging off the edge of a cliff. Luckily, a kind gentleman near by is able to help her up. A kidnapping, espionage, and a romance soon happen in Juliana's suddenly action-packed life.

   I loved all of the characters, even the supporting cast. There was even a woman who highly resembled Mrs. Bennet! Juliana's character seemed a lot more independent than other ladies I've read about in this genre. She was also very good at keeping a cool head, even in dangerous situations. Spencer is definitely the epitome of a gentleman. He can save the damsel in distress, but he's also supportive of Juliana's pursuit of publishing her research. Mr. Peybald, on the other hand, is the perfect despicable cad. His ending is very deserved. All of the characters were real and well thought out.
   I think the best part of the book was quite possibly the writing itself. The characters were well described, the scenery and settings were masterfully depicted and the vocabulary itself could have come straight out of one of Austen's novels. There were even a few words I had to look up (I love when that happens)!
   This is Cindy Anstey's first novel, and I can't wait to read more from her!

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

   My discovery of this book was slightly unusual. As I've mentioned before, I clean at a local school. Part of my job is to clean a few of the classrooms. I found this book abandoned on one of the desks. I read the back of it, then read the first 20 some odd pages, the first half of which are just short messages back and forth between Graham and Ellie the two main characters. I went home and was on the verge of ordering it from my favorite bookstore, when I found that it was available at one of the libraries I frequent. I got it the next day, then read it within the next three days. Unfortunately, this book hasn't moved in the two weeks since I first picked it up.

   {I may or may not have written a note and left it in the book, because I saw it as a bucket list item on Pinterest.}

   The beginning of this book was a bit different than other books I've read. It started off as a set of emails between Graham and Ellie, and they were completely adorable! I loved how the emails sounded like an actual conversation between two teenagers (I've read some books where this was not the case, and I found it to be extremely annoying). 

   The writing was fantastic. The story was set in a small, seaside Maine town with quaint shops and dynamic characters. I could very easily "see" it all, and it was gorgeous. 

   The "break-up" in this was also very realistic. The girl had an issue with the guys life, and it was a mutual decision, which seemed very grown-up for characters this young. Luckily, the issue was resolved in the end. Ellie's secret also didn't scare Graham away, I am happy to say.
   There were only a few minor things that were "wrong" with this story. I didn't really like Ellie's best friend Quinn. She wasn't very supportive of Ellie, and I didn't really like her character overall. There were also a few grammatical errors, but they weren't big enough to distract from the story. Other than those two things, this story was very good.
   I can't wait to read this story again next year when it will count towards my Goodreads read count. I would highly recommend to anyone who like cute YA stories.

Darkness Reigns by Jill Williamson

   I follow many authors through Facebook, Twitter, and their own blogs. Through one of those, I found out that Jill Williamson was looking to put together a launch team for her upcoming series. I applied and found out a few weeks later that I was accepted! I read the book, Darkness Reigns, as soon as I could, and I couldn't wait to share my thoughts on it with you!

Synopsis

   The god of the soil is furious. Volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, earthquakes--everything points to his unhappiness. At least this is what the people of Armania in the Five Realms believe.
   Amidst the unsettling state of the world around them, the princes of Armania live their lives focused more on who will claim the throne after their sickly father, King Echad, dies. That is until Prince Wilek's concubine turns up dead--beside her, a bloodied message that seems to have come from the mother realms.

My Review

   This book is a must read for anyone who like clean, fantasy reads. It was extremely hard for me to put down. The plot was enchanting and easy to follow. It was fast-paced and interesting. There was action right from the beginning. The characters were very well-rounded and real, even though this story was on the short side. I often have trouble keeping track of multiple characters, but that was not an issue with this book. Jill Williamson did an amazing job of making the characters easy to follow. Plus, the character list in the beginning of the book was extremely helpful as well. One of the reasons I love this book is because it's hard (at least for me) to find clean fantasy novels. I love books that deal with various mythologies and different realms. There is even a bit of magic in this book as well. One of the best parts of the book was all of the detailed descriptions. "A face like a cabbage" (found on page 136 of Darkness Reigns) was just one of the more remarkable descriptions found in the book. There were only two things that confused me in this book. It often mentioned first sleep, but it was never explained what it is. I'm assuming it meant a nap time, but I wasn't entirely sure. The second thing it mentioned was morning bells. I didn't know if these rang at dawn or a specific time every morning. Other than that, this book was straightforward and a lot of fun to read!

   My favorite character is definitely Mielle. I love heroines who have a lot of spunk and think for themselves. She is not a damsel in distress. Plus, she easily sticks up for Lady Zeroah, even though they literally just met, which shows true loyalty. She is also not afraid to stick to her moral beliefs. I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead for her in this series.

   This book is set to release on December 1st of 2015. 

   I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review of "The Pastor's Daughter"

   I was contacted through Twitter by T. K. Ware asking if I would like to receive a free copy of his new book! I quickly accepted and was impressed enough by The Pastor's Daughter to share my thoughts here.

Synopsis

   An ill-advised relationship with a married man in the church sent Ebony down a path of regret, which led to an unplanned pregnancy. When the pressure of being the pastor's daughter and carrying a married man's child weighs upon her, emotions flare. Shortly afterwards, she threatens to publicize the entire affair, deciding to bear the consequences of the matter. Once her emotions settled, she saw from a different light.

   But the unexpected happens ...
   Because of shame and unprecedented conviction, Ebony is forced to confess as she battles with thoughts of betrayal to God, the church, and herself.

My Review

   I really liked how real this story felt. I truly did feel for Ebony and the mess that she was in. Although I liked seeing things from Ebony's point of view, I didn't care for the confessional chapters. I also found that there were a few grammar errors as well. I did like the way her parents and church handled the situation because it was very Christ-like. I'm afraid that that reaction doesn't happen too much in real life anymore. I also liked the sermon and Bible study parts of the story. I learned a thing or two from them and was curious enough to look up some of the verses myself. Overall, this was a nice, short read that was packed with a few life lessons.

My Opinion of Georgiana Darcy’s Diary

     There are a lot of spin offs, fanfictions, and rewrites of Jane Austen's works.  Some of them are terrible, others are alright, but, every once in awhile, you may find some that are magnificent.  Georgiana Darcy’s Diary by Anna Elliott is one of the magnificent ones.

Synopsis

   Mr. Darcy's younger sister searches for her own happily-ever-after.
   The year is 1814, and it's springtime at Pemberley. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have married. But now a new romance is in the air, along with high fashion, elegant manners, scandal, deception, and the wonderful hope of a true and lasting love.
   Shy Georgiana Darcy has been content to remain unmarried, living with her brother and his new bride. But Elizabeth and Darcy's fairy-tale love reminds Georgiana daily that she has found no true love of her own. And perhaps never will, for she is convinced the one man she secretly cares for will never love her in return. Georgiana's domineering aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has determined that Georgiana shall marry, and has a list of eligible bachelors in mind. But which of the suitors are sincere, and which are merely interested in Georgiana's fortune? Georgiana must learn to trust her heart and rely on her courage, for she also faces the return of the man who could ruin her reputation and spoil a happy ending, just when it finally lies within her grasp.

My Favorite Quote

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young lady of rank and property will have packs of money- or land-hungry suitors yapping around her heels like hounds after a fox."  ~Georgiana Darcy's Diary page 34 (in the Nook version)  I love this quote because it is reminiscent of the opening line of Pride and Prejudice.  I also like the fact that this quote shows a more sarcastic side of Georgiana.  Plus, the imagery is quite hilarious!
"It's just that it seems to me that what is a terrible hardship to one person may seem trivially small to another, but that does not necessarily make the hardship any the less hard to bear for the one who suffers it."  ~Georgiana Darcy's Diary page 287 (in the Nook version)  I think that this is so true and profound.  I have seen situations where someone is completely devastated by something that I wouldn't bat an eye at.  I guess it just comes down to what each person values in their life.

My Review

   This was the second book that I read that was written in diary form, and I believe that it is really well done!  [Although, I find my own diary very dull next to this piece of art.]  There are vibrant descriptions of various characters and of the area around Pemberley.  I found it very easy to imagine the various gowns that were described throughout the book.  The author does an amazing job of sticking to how Austen originally portrayed her characters.  I think she got Aunt de Bourgh spot on!  I also liked that she made Caroline Bingley more relatable, and we got to Anne better too!  Sketches are also occasionally included in this book.  Besides a few grammar mistakes, this is an amazing read!  [Note: the mistakes I'm talking about could just be from the fact that the version I have is an e-book.]  I thought I could guess a few of the twists in the book, but it turned out that I was only partially right.  This book was peppered with the right amounts of drama, surprises, and romance.  The one thing that made me love this book is the fact that it was from Georgiana's point of view.  I loved getting to know her better, and I hope you give her a chance as well!

Note: The last time I checked, this book was free for Nook.  Here's the link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/georgiana-darcys-diary-anna-elliott/1111619145?ean=2940044982086

Made to Last

This is the third time I've read Made to Last, and I thought I would share my thoughts on this cute tale!

  

Synopsis

Miranda Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show "From the Ground Up," will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith she's mostly forgotten, she's let her entire identity become wrapped up in the Miranda everyone sees onscreen. So when she receives news that the network might cancel her program, she must do the very thing she fears most: let the spotlight shine on her closely guarded personal life. The only problem? She's been living a lie--letting viewers believe she's married--and now she's called upon to play wife to a sweet, if a bit goofy, pretend husband to boost ratings. 

Desperate to help his family and prove he's not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he's offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn't really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she's keeping secrets. 

When Miranda's former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it's time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda's built come crashing down just as she's finally found a love to last?

My Favorite quote
"Intoxicating, almost giddy energy took over as they slashed and spewed paint at each other.  The paint fumes and Miranda's  nearness conspired to bully his common sense into nothing.  Another river of red paint hit his chest, and he dropped his weapons, circling an arm around Miranda to pry the spray gun from her hands.  She twisted, bumping an elbow against his stomach, her hair sticking to the paint on his face.
'Brad is going to kill me!' Miranda said through a fit of hysterics.  But she'd stopped trying to get away from him, instead standing in place inside his hold, giving in to her laughter, her arms turning to noodles as she lowered the paint gun."  {pages 120-121}  This is one of my favorite funny scenes from the book.  I mean, what else are you supposed to do when someone starts throwing paint at you?! ;)

My Review
   I absolutely love Melissa Tagg's debut novel Made to  Last.  I am fond of the way that her characters express themselves.  While they have flaws, Miranda, Blaze, and Matthew are endearing.  Miranda's the spunky, independent tomboy who's heart was majorly damaged.  Blaze is a humorous, adventurous guy who doesn't let us in on much of his past.  Matthew is trying to decide between helping pay for a surgery that could help his niece hear again or keeping the secrets he's learned about Miranda.  Even the minor characters are interesting, especially Matthew's brother's family.  
   I really like the fact that we got an inside scoop on both Miranda's and Matthew's struggles.  This book was written through both of their points of views, and it was done flawlessly.  I also liked that we got to see the revival of both of their faiths.
   Overall, this book played out like a well-written romantic comedy with a Christian flair.  If you're a fan of contemporary stories with funny, independent handywomen who fall in love with nosy reporters, then this is a book for you!  

Just One Summer Book Review

I recently finished reading Just One Summer by Nicole Deese, Tammy L. Gray, Amy Matayo, and Jenny B. Jones.
Synopsis
Four Best Friends. Four Love Stories. Just One Summer.


Four college girls, best friends since childhood, have found one constant in their ever-changing lives--summer. Every June the girls choose a destination to reconnect, only this summer is different. This year, each one must face life's challenges on her own, overcome fear and failure, and learn the beauty of falling in love for the first time.

My Favorite Quote
I actually found two different parts in this book that stood out to me.

   "...how do you explain fear to a person who freely runs toward the future?  You can't." (A Summer Remade by Nicole Deese page 129)  I like this quote because I think a lot of college age people feel this way.  We fear what will happen in our futures and if we are currently making the right choice.  I really like reading stories were I can identify with characters on a more personal level.

   "People just like me, but with different shells.  But shells are just that -a personalized way of presenting ourselves to the world-a world that's spinning and moving and changing and filled with so much exterior color that often people forget to stop running and take a second to look around." (A Painted Summer by Amy Matayo page 246)  This quote I found interesting because I've met people who may look different or even scary on the outside, but they turned out to be some of the nicest, most kindhearted people I have ever met.  I also loved that the author used the word "shells" to describe one's outward appearance.

   Note: I'm not pretending to know what the authors meant by these bits that I extracted.  I'm just sharing how each quote made me think about my life and the world around me.

My Review
   I picked up this book because one of my favorite authors wrote one of the short stories in it.  I had previously never heard of any of the other authors, but I thoroughly enjoyed each novella.  Since each story had a different author, all of the girls had a distinct voice and personality.  Joss' passion is interior design, but she's afraid to follow her dreams.  Sydney's trying to escape controlling parents and an ex-boyfriend who won't take no for an answer.  Darby's living on her own and working at a job that she doesn't quite know if she approves of morally.  Avery is unwillingly reconnecting with a grandfather she's never met.  Each girl sorts through her own life's drama while trying to balance her love life and keeping in touch with her other best friends.  I enjoyed Avery's story the most, because stories of families working through their problems and finding redemption always make me tear up, but in a good way.  My favorite male lead was Lennon, Darby's love interest.  I like guys who may look like the bad boy on the outside, but actually is super sweet.
   I also really enjoyed this story because it was about people my own age.  Clean New Adult books are hard to find, but this one is definitely what I've been looking for!

Links
   http://www.amazon.com
   http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Book Review of In Between

     This past week I read an amazing book by Jenny B. Jones entitled In Between.

     Synopsis
     Katie Parker knows life isn't fair.  After all, when your mom's in jail and your dad's a no-show, you figure things just aren't going your way.  But hey, she can deal.  Then she finds out she's being sent to live with a foster family--in In Between, Texas.
     What kind of town has a name like In Between?  And what kind of family wants a kid like her?  One thing's for certain: None of this will be good.  Sure enough--thanks to some new "friends" and her nonMom's crazed mother, Mad Maxine--life sails right past bad to stinking.
    Then again, she's just a temporary kid, they're just temporary parents, and she definitely doesn't have any ideas about making any of this permanent.  God, on the other hand, may have other plans altogether.

     My Favorite Quote
     "Lord, if you are real . . . or if you even answer prayer from a girl dumb enough to get on a bicycle built for two with a deranged senior citizen bent on stalking her geriatric, cheating nonbyfriend, I just want to say I can't really afford to get in any more trouble right now.  So just remember this was not my idea.  I can't say no to Maxine.  I'm sure you know what I mean."  (page 285)

     My Review
     I love the sarcasm that peppers Katie's thoughts and conversations.  Reading the first few chapters, it's impossible not to laugh continuously.  It's just that hilarious.  I like all of the details used to describe the people and places that the reader encounters in the story.  It really makes you feel like you're there.
     My favorite character is definitely Mad Maxine.  She's not your typical foster granny.  She rarely (if ever) acts her age.  At one point, her neighbors started a campaign to get her car taken away!  She may seem tough (and crazy) on the outside, but she has a heart the size of Texas.
     Overall, this was a great read.  Even though it's geared towards young adults, I think this book could be enjoyed by readers of all ages.  Jenny B. Jones accurately captures small town life and how crazy life can be for a teenage girl.  This book was very engaging, and I highly recommend it.

     Links to Purchase
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
http://www.jennybjones.com/books/
http://www.navpress.com

Book Review of Look Me in the Eye

     Today I'm going to tell you about a book I've recently read, Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison.

     Synopsis
    Ever since he was young, John Robison longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habits—an inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holes (and stick his younger brother, Augusten Burroughs, in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” It was not until he was forty that he was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. That understanding transformed the way he saw himself—and the world. A born storyteller, Robison has written a moving, darkly funny memoir about a life that has taken him from developing exploding guitars for KISS to building a family of his own. It’s a strange, sly, indelible account—sometimes alien yet always deeply human.
   
     My Favorite Quote
     "It is these memories--a last gift from my father--that have made this book possible."  (page 280)
   
     My Review
     I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was funny in some parts and sad in others.  One of the reasons I enjoyed the book was it gave me an insight into how a person with Asperger's thinks.  I have a brother with Asperger's and this book helped me understand why he says the strange things he does.  This book gives amazing insight into the life of an Aspergerian.  I also liked how he included the part where he eventually forgave his father.  It was really moving.
   
     Links to purchase
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
http://www.johnrobison.com/purchase-books.php
http://www.randomhouse.com