365 Pocket Morning Prayers
Strength and Joy to Begin Each Day
By Dave Veerman

365 Pocket Morning Prayers is a small 316 page book that is perfectly sized to take with you wherever you go. These are short half page to full page themed prayers with a corresponding Bible verse. These can be read through in order becoming a part of one's daily devotional. Or using the index in the back one can pick the prayer by the topic for specific needs.   

The cover is a soft cream and aqua speckle with a carved out light green palm tree, sea gulls and title. The cover has a peaceful appearance that suit the content - prayer. This would be a perfect gift to have on hand for a new believer, conformation, or baptism.  The compact size makes it ideal for a bed side table, purse, briefcase or backpack. The prayers are encouraging and comforting as one faces the day-to-day struggles and joys that are life.

I was provided a free copy of this book by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

Each morning when you arise, take a moment 

to talk with God about the day ahead. 

Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you can be ready to face any challenge that comes your way. 365 Pocket Morning Prayers can guide this time of life-changing conversation and help you express your needs and concerns to God. Don’t worry about what the day will bring. Instead, release your troubles and concerns into God’s care by reading and meditating on the prayers featured in 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. Begin your day in joyful anticipation, trusting that God is in control of your life and wants only the best for you.

Ella's Will ~ Review

Ella's Will
By Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

He'll get his true love to the ball...

Will Hawkins loved Henry Blakeley as the father he had wished he had had. Henry's death brought an end to his employment for the Blakeley family.

Years later Will is shocked to see the situation that Henry's daughter Ella is living in. Reduced to the role of servant in her father's home, Ella's life is one of hard work which Will is determined to ease. But if she receives help her stepmother punishes her, seemingly determined to break her spirit.

When Prince Kenton's betrothal ends he finds himself in need of a wife before his birthday.  To the dismay of the royalty the Prince plans a ball to find the most suitable common woman in the land, whom he will wed. Will both fears and hopes that this may be Ella's chance to rise about the life she is now living. But if Ella weds the Prince, Will will lose the woman he has come to love.

Determined to put aside his own desires and happiness, Will will find a way for Ells to win the Prince and escape the life she has. But can he survive the loss of his heart's desire?

This is the delightful companion to Ella a story in which Ella makes a choice that does not include a happily ever after with the Prince. This story is told entirely from Will's perspective and can be read before Ella if you have not yet had the privilege of reading it. Lovely twist on the story of Cinderella which you will enjoy reading again and again.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:

Will Hawkins is just a simple stable boy. How can he hope to woo Ella, his once-wealthy childhood friend who is stubbornly independent, especially when his competition is the prince? Without any magic or fairy godmothers, Will must show Ella that he is her true prince charming in this perspective twist of the Cinderella story.

About the author:

Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee graduated with a BA in English from Brigham Young University in 2004. She loved taking creative writing classes, and was particularly fond of the works of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and the Bronte sisters. She also studied French and the humanities. Jessilyn grew up in the beautiful deserts of Southern California and now resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in Saratoga Springs, Utah, with her husband and five boys.

The Second Season ~ Review

The Second Season
By Heather Chapman

Even the perfect match may not be enough to win her heart...

Caroline Hopkins is about to enter her second Season in London and she's not looking forward to it. Caroline prefers the freedom and open spaces of Whitefield Hall to the restrictions of London. The one relief will be leaving behind the Jaspers. Mr. Jasper's attentions to her sister Lucy are becoming unbearable and his mother insufferably arrogant.

Caroline's honest and unguarded comments bring her the attentions of the Duke of Rembridge. Pursuing the Duke is the furthest thing from Caroline's mind, but her mother is determined that this is the match that Caroline was born for.

Determined to protect her daughters from fortune hunters, can Eleanor allow them to follow their hearts? Or is title and wealth the only consideration she will allow?

Get ready to enter the latest season in London - a dangerous scene for the innocent and the unprotected. Broken hearts and ruin are waiting for one misstep or one ill spoken word. Be careful who you trust when your heart is the prize.

The Second Season is more than just Lucy and Caroline's season in London.  It is a look at the Hopkins family as a whole and even the changeable nature of their mother. We are given glimpses of the courtship of Eleanor Davenport and Phillip Hopkins which is an important current of influence throughout the story of their own daughters paths to marriage. This is a sweet story and one in which the hopes and dreams of a few are played out for all of society to see. This is also a second chance at discovering the heart's desire.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.



About the Book:

Caroline is not looking forward to this year’s Season in London. Her mother already has schemes for her marriage prospects—and none of them include love, it seems. But when a dashing young duke begins to pursue her, Caroline has second thoughts. Caught between ambition and desire, Caroline may gamble her heart away without even realizing it.



About the Author:

Heather Chapman currently resides in Soda Springs, Idaho, with her husband and four children. She graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University. Heather has worked in various administrative assistant roles and as an event planner. Heather has also worked as a piano accompanist and piano teacher on the side. She currently spends her time writing and working as a stay-at-home mother.

When Love Arrives ~ Review

When Love Arrives
Misty Willow #2
By Johnnie Alexander

When Love Arrives follows Brett Somers and the transformation that his life was taking just starting to take in Where She Belongs.  AJ and Shelby are moving closer to their wedding date and Brett is enjoying the new bonds that he has formed with AJ. But his past still haunts him especially where Meghan and Jonah are concerned.

Dani Prescott is determined to make Brett Somers  hurt as much as he hurt her with his accusations against her mother. But when she actually meets him (unintentionally of course) she ends up spending a Friday night out with him.

The worst part about spending time with Brett is they seem to have a connection. But the last thing Dani wants is her heart broken by a charming rich playboy. But if his behavior is any indication he's not exactly the spoiled rich boy she thought he was.

Dani is an anomaly that Brett would never normally notice much less look at twice. She's not out to win him over with her dazzling appearance. But there is something about her that catches his eye. It could be her innocence and wholesome girl next-door personality. Whatever the something is it is playing havoc with him.

But Dani is keeping a secret that could destroy any chance they have of a tomorrow if it becomes known. Does she what to take a chance on a tomorrow that might never be or walk away before she loses her heart to a man who may never be able to forgive her for who she really is?

This is a book that looks at the ties of family - how they tie us together and how they can drive wedges between us. I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between AJ and Brett has continued to grow since the first book.  The strain on his relationship with Amy is sad in light of how much Brett obviously cares about her. And the plans that we make for our lives can take off in a completely different direction when God is involved.

Though you can read this book without reading the previous one in the series it will add to your understanding of the various characters and how they are all related to one another as well as the incidents that brought them to this point it time.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectations of a positive review, all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Dani had planned to spy on Brett--

so how did she end up on a date with him? 

Dani Prescott can't believe the lie Brett Somers is trying to sell to the media. During an interview about the plane crash that killed his parents, he blamed Dani's mother. But the crash killed her as well. Vowing to restore her mother's reputation, Dani has been following Brett and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use to discredit him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is?

Fifth Column ~ Review

Fifth Column
The Blitz Detective #2
By Mike Hollow

London is caught up in yet another war, a war which some are against.  Rumors of a Fifth Column within England are circulating. And London has become the nightly target of German bombers, so when a young woman is found amongst the rubble no one is surprised. But when evidence points to a personal attack as the case of death DI Jago is determined to find out who and why.

But delving into the past of Mary Watkins proves a daunting challenge. Few knew the young woman well and yet what little was known only raised more questions. Who killed her and why?

As Jago and his partner DC Cradock look more closely at the facts they uncover something they hadn't expected. Where this thread of deception leads them is uncertain but it could very well lead them to the England's Fifth Column.

The Fifth Column is a book of intrigue and suspense.  A murder, an act of betrayal, and the fate of a nation could be in the balance. Someone knows more than they are saying and Jago is determined to bring a murderer to justice, even if he has to untangle all the lies that have hidden the truth away.

Fans of Foyle's War will enjoy this literary series that follows a similar vein - World War II England with a police procedural. Fans of WW2 historical fiction will enjoy this series too. The characters are believable, one can empathize as the air raids take place. Some characters are likable, others are totally despicable. This is a story that one can get into as the case takes unexpected turns that lead to another yet another layer that further complicates the case.

I was provided a copy of this book by Kregel Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:

The neat row of small, late-Victorian terraced houses 

was punctuated by a gaping space: 

homes reduced to rubble in the night raid...

Detective Inspector Jago investigates, uncovering deception and betrayal 

At first glance, the young woman found in the early hours of the morning where bombs have landed is just another casualty of the previous night's air raid. But when the post-mortem shows signs of strangulation, Detective Inspector Jago is called on to investigate.

The dead woman is smartly dressed but carries no identification. However, a local engineering company reports a staff member has failed to appear at work that morning and the body is quickly identified as that of Miss Mary Watkins.

DI Jago's initial interviews yield little fruit; no one can think of a reason why Mary would be murdered. But as the investigation continues DI Jago begins to uncover a trail of deception and betrayal.

The Cursed Dagger ~ Review

The Cursed Dagger
Ian Quicksilver #2
By Alyson Peterson

Ian Quicksilver has made a mess of it.  Not intentionally mind you, but he's in a mess none the less. He's finally regained his memory of who he really is - the Prince of Bankhirian and heir to the throne and the Quicksilver bloodline. The problem is it took nearly 16 years to remember and he only has until his 16th birthday to win the heart of Arianna, the Princess of Garfel. And Arianna doesn't remember who she is yet.

The curse that Silivus has placed them and their two planets under is about to cost them everything. And Silivus is determined to thwart any and all of Ian's attempts at winning Ari's heart. Not that he needs much help in that department with Ian's lack of skills and Corbin hanging around to provide protection.

But when Ari contracts a strange illness and time down to days, Ian has no choice but to accept Silivus's challenge in order to save the girl, his family, their worlds and the galaxy. But how do you win a challenge without knowing the rules? Ian is about to find out.

Fast paced adventure that picks up where Ian Quicksilver:The Warrior's Return ended. This book has a lot to keep you turning the pages - a quest, a challenge, evil magician, wise protector, death, a cursed dagger, and a dragon. Yes, a dragon and it's caught up in that challenge that Ian agreed to before knowing the rules. And if Ian loses so do the rest of us - goodbye galaxy!

Fans of YA fantasy will inhale this second book on the Ian Quicksilver series and I'm personally hoping for a third book - it could happen with how the story ends. Hint evil has a way of coming back and Silivus certainly falls into the evil category bending the rules just enough to work them to his favor.

And always remember

Never accept a challenge without knowing the rules...

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:
In order to break an evil curse, Ian Quicksilver, heir to the Bankhirian throne, has two weeks to get Princess Arianna to fall for him. But first he must take care of a rampaging dragon and a maniacal magician before they destroy his home town, all while keeping his cover as a normal tenth grader at Puckerbush High! He'll have to find the courage to save two worlds-and pass his classes-in this witty sci-fi adventure.

About the Author:
Alyson Peterson lives in a mountainside gully—of all places—in northern Utah with her neurotic, shed-tastic dog, two ninja kids, and superhero husband. She spends her time painting, breaking bones at her Martial Arts class (mostly her own) and reading as many books as she can get her hands on. Alyson is the author of “Ian Quicksilver: The Warrior’s Return.”

An Elegant Facade ~ Review

An Elegant Facade
Hawthorne House #2
By Kristi Ann Hunter

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has to be perfect, it is the only way to secure a good marriage.  Only a titled marriage can protect her from the secret she has been hiding for years. This is her debut season and she is determined to be the most sought after lady of the season.

There's just one problem her older sister Miranda is about to embark on her fourth season, something that Georgina fears could reflect badly on her own person. A sister on the verge of eternal spinsterhood was a most unfortunate association, indeed.

But when Georgina finds herself continually coming into the company Colin McCrea, she quite put out fearing that an association with this untitled business man might lower her standing in society. And being around Lady Georgina while his friend Ryland, the Duke of Marshington, pursues Miranda is not something Colin delights in.  Though he does enjoy a lively exchange of words with her when they meet.

And to Georgina's horror Colin seems dangerously close to discovering her hidden shame. But when a crisis occurs Colin may be Georgina's only hope in keeping her secret hidden.

An Elegant Facade and A Nobel Masquerade tell much of the same story but from the viewpoint of different characters Masquerade told Miranda and Ryland's story and Facade tells Georgina and Colin's.  An lovely and moving story as Georgina struggles with creating a version of herself to show her family, friends, and society to who she truly is in her heart. The illusion, though beautiful and lovely, is shallow and cold.  The time has come to decide who she wants to be, but will she remove the mask or claim it for the rest of her life.

I was provided a copy of this book through the Bethany House blogger program in exchange for my honest review.


About the Book:
Lady Georgina Hawthorne has always known she must marry well. After years of tirelessly planning every detail of her debut season, she is poised to be a smashing success and have her choice of eligible gentlemen.

With money and powerful business connections but no title, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. He intends to marry someday, but when he does it will not be to a shallow woman like Lady Georgina, whose only concerns appear to be status and appearance.

But beneath her flawless exterior, Georgina's social aspirations stem from a shameful secret she is desperately trying to keep hidden--and that Colin is too close to discovering. Drawn to each other despite their mutual intent to avoid association, is the realization of their dreams worth the sacrifices they'll be forced to make?