A Necessary Deception

Set in the Regency Era, A Necessary Deception takes you into the high society of England.  Where mystery and espionage is active.  We find widower Lydia Gale in a tight position after helping a French prisoner gain his freedom.  She has unwittingly put herself in the hands of spies.

With the reviews on the back of the book I thought this would be like it said a "page-turning story" but unfortunately I found it to be page-turning for the wrong reasons.  I just wanted to get done with the book so I didn't need to read it anymore.  I'm sure others found it interesting because the detail of Regency England is accurate and beautiful, but other then that I had a hard time with it.  Laurie Alice Eakes I'm sure is a great author and researcher, this however, was not one of her greatest books.

To re-read or not to re-read?

Hello World,  lately I've been re-reading books, because almost all good books need to be re-read.  I love that I already know the end so there isn't a question of who is going to win the girl, or what the mystery is all about.  It's like seeing a friend you haven't seen in ages, but you know there won't be any awkward moments from being gone so long.  That's what re-reading a book is for me (bliss).

Do you enjoy re-reading a book?  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear back from you :-)

My Foolish Heart

Hello avid readers I have another fun book for you to read by Susan May Warren. This is a deep haven novel, but have no fear because you'll still be able to read it without any knowledge of the series. In My Foolish Heart we find Isadora Presley a radio talk show host with a very severe case of panic attacks that literally has left her house bound for several years. Isadora is a woman who gives romance advice to her fellow listeners even though she's never dated anyone. I really enjoyed this book and how Susan May Warren approached issues of purity, fear, and beauty. She allowed the message of salvation and grace to be in the characters daily routine, and it flowed extremely well. So if you're wanting an easy read, with the fluidity of an experienced writer feel free to look up My Foolish Heart.

The Lady of Bolton Hill

Hello Readers I have a remarkable book to share with you this morning.  The Lady of Bolton Hill was surprising because the back of the book really didn't give much of it away.  There is of course romance, but entwined is mystery, suspense, witty dialog, and important issues.  What an amazing delight to read on Christmas day.

Clara Endicott was raised knowing that God had a great plan for her life and she was to use it accordingly.  While Daniel Tremain's life was more about finding the next meal.  These two unlikely people become friends over their passion of music, and thus begin an amazing journey together.  What I liked about this book was how easily the author (Elizabeth Camden) wrote.  I know that sounds kind of cliche but in all honesty she made all her characters with depth and humor.  There was also genuine love for God's children.  We are commanded to love our neighbor, but that issue is never truly touched on by an author, until now.  We are commanded to be examples of Christ and the Endicott's truly are a great example of that.  We'll see them make mistakes, but that is really the greatness of God, constantly forgiving and showing abundant grace when sin rises.  So please read this awesome book, you won't regret it.

The Bible i.e. the story of Christ

Hello Readers, I wanted to take the time to write about a really important story that can literally change your life.  It's from the book of Matthew, Christ's story of self sacrifice and love for everyone in the world. God sent Christ into this world as a newborn baby to grow up to be the ultimate sacrifice for a sinful people (us).  If Christ had not died in place for us we would be separated from God and heaven forever.  What other religion has a God who would die for us, so we may be forgiven for sins? It literally  is a truly amazing story.

If you're one of those readers who doubt that Christ is God, I ask you to find a Bible and start reading it.  Be thorough, study it, as if you are studying for a test.  Too many times people don't believe in something, but have never done the research.   And if you are someone who truly believes in the story of Christ do not let a day go by without letting the world know about Him.  That's one of our commissions from God "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  -Matthew 28:19-20.

If you have questions about Christ please feel free to write a question in the comment area of my blog and I will answer them to the best of my ability.

The Power of a Praying Wife

I wanted to take the time to talk to the wives or future wives in my reading group. I started reading The Power of a Praying Wife when Todd and I got married five years ago. I read it at least once a year to remind me how important it is to pray for our relationship, but also to protect my husband from satan's attack. The author Stormie Omartian covers the major areas of a man's life. His job, thought life, and actions; all of these will make his relationship with his wife a good one or a bad one. I am a firm believer of prayer and Stormie does a great job at helping me pray for Todd. If you've never prayed before, wanting the best for your husband, or you're struggling in your relationship with him this is the book for you. Please dear readers read The Power of a Praying Wife. I will leave you with one of Stormie's quotes "First of all, let me make it perfectly clear that the power of a praying wife is not a means of gaining control over your husband, so don't get your hopes up! In fact, it is quite the opposite. It's laying down all claim to power in and of yourself, and relying on God's power to transform you, your husband, your circumstances, and your marriage."

The Blacksmith's Bravery

I'm sorry that this took so long, but this book was really hard to finish.  The Blacksmith's Bravery by Susan Page Davis is set in Idaho just before the turn of the century (1887).  Vashti is a former saloon girl who just recently accepted Christ into her heart.  Wanting to make it on her own she applies for the job as a stagecoach driver.  Griffin Bane owner of the livery, stagecoach, and the blacksmith shop, has too many irons in the forge so to speak.  Short on workers he finally agrees to allow Vashti to drive.

What should have been a great adventure for me as a reader; with highway robbers, romance, and an interesting plot, fell flat.  The beginning was slow with characters I didn't recognize and the author didn't take into account that someone might not have read the first two books in the series.  That would have been fine, but there really wasn't much development and I just didn't care for the side stories.  Hopefully Susan Page Davis will get better at her writing skills or I'll be avoiding her books from now on.