Ramblings

"Grave Consequences" by Lisa T. Bergren

Oh, I don't even know where to begin in reviewing this book.  One thing for sure, if you have not read the prequel to this book, "Glamorous Illusions", then you must read it first.  This trilogy, the third book in which is entitled "Glittering Promises", is rather complex in its plot, characters, and ever-changing setting.  Please see my review on "Glamorous Illusions" to help: http://mybookthoughts.over-blog.com/article-glamorous-illusions-102790920.html

Now, I will continue as if you have already read and are familiar with the plot and characters of the first book, because going back over all of it is a review within itself (see link above).

Cora Diehl Kensington and her siblings decide to continue on their Grand Tour of Europe, even with known kidnappers trailing them.  They move on from Pierre's house and onto his sister's, which if I remember correctly was in Italy. (There are so many places to remember that they went to!)  In her time away from Pierre and threats in Italy, Cora's feelings for Will grow.

Will and his uncle continue leading the Grand Tour for the Kensingtons and Morgans.  With every twist and turn, Will finds himself growing closer to Cora, yet he knows that he must remain her guide and nothing more....because her father would ruin both of them.

When the kidnappers and a supposed friend turn on them, what will Cora do? Who will she lean on to stand, when Pierre comes back in the picture? What will her father think of her courters?

I believe I can truly say I've never read a more heart-and-gut-wrenching series.  When I was about 90 percent of the way through the book, I stopped reading it for about two weeks out of sheer terror of the ending! However, I can say the ending isn't nearly as, shall we say, cruel, as the first book. Whew.  Still, be prepared for a ride! You may want to clear your schedule because this will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and David C. Cook publishers for letting me read and review this book.  The setting, plot, and characters are so realistic they remain with me long after I finish reading! 

"Undeniably Yours" by Becky Wade

I had high expectations for this book because I had absolutely loved Becky Wade's first book, "My Stubborn Heart". This book met and exceeded my expectations, but in a different way than I was expecting.

This book is set in modern-day Texas, where Meg Cole has recently inherited her father's multi-million dollar oil business. She doesn't know how or look forward to running this, and in her first couple of weeks she fires several people. However, there is one man who refuses to be fired.

Bo Porter runs a Thoroughbred farm, and refuses to close it when his boss, Meg Cole, insists he shut it down. He is a cowboy through and through and decides to do whatever he can to change Meg's mind.

In addition to this crisis, a woman hurt by Meg's ex-husband comes into Meg's life, and Meg reconsiders everything she is using her father's money for, to find her true purpose in life.

Once Meg and Bo finally have some understanding between them, and even a little attraction, will an evil force from Meg's past tear them and their trust of each other apart?

Thank you so much to Bethany House and Net Galley for letting me read and review this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it because the plot was so intense and unpredictable!

***"Rush to the Altar" by Jamie Carie is, at the time of this post, only $4.99 at the Kindle Store. Clicking on the picture above will redirect you there.***

I have pretty much read all of Mrs. Carie's works, and they have been ok, but sometimes a bit 'intense' in some cases. This book was over-the-top in these areas. Let me explain the characters, and then I will get to the pros and cons.

Maddie Goode is a single-mom with a two-year-old son named Max. Her husband, Brandon, was killed in a car accident six months before. She is out of work. Maddie's friend Sasha wins a radio contest that gets them tickets to the next basketball game in town. Maddie isn't a huge basketball fan, but her friend convinces her to take the night out. (Maddie and her son are currently living with her parents.) Through a series of extremely unlikely events, Maddie lands a high-position job for the basketball team. The whole events leading up to her landing this job were so unrealistic it was comical. Suffice it to say, she gets the job and runs into the "hot" basketball players on the team.

Jake Hart is one of those players. He runs into Maddie holding his underwear for a job interview (don't ask). That is pretty much how they meet, and seeing how this is a romance novel, you can probably guess the rest of the story. However, there are several huge plots twists that come along, so don't just take my review for it.

Now, for the pros and cons:

Pros:

This was a cute story.

Cons:

Swear words were used twice throughout the book. And not just "So-and-so swore under his breath"; no, the actual word was printed in the book.

Drinking heavily to the point of insulting Maddie was in the book, but only once. However, characters are shown-er, written- as drinking several different alcoholic drinks for different reasons through the book. (I.e. in anger, at a party, in celebration, etc.)

Kissing was heavy in this book and made it appear less "sacred" than I believe it to be. Sometimes things got a bit too passionate for my taste.

Sex was shown as something done just, well, because so-and-so was a couple, even when they weren't married. Now, I realize that some people may not share my same opinions on this, and how far is "too far", but for this to have been written by a self-proclaimed Christian, this was too much, a stumbling block, if you will. (Note: the actual act is not written about, just referred to)

SPOILER: Maddie and Jake get married on a whim without consulting or even telling their parents (or Max).

SPOILER: Maddie's first husband had a mistress.........while he was married to Maddie.

In addition to those "personal" cons, there were also several noticeable grammatical errors, and more than just "a few" mistakes.

As for character development, I personally didn't think it was all that great. Only the two main characters were really focused on, leaving you to wonder what was happening with the others, including Maddie's son.

All in all, I realize this was Mrs. Carie's first try at something other than historical romance, but I really didn't like it. It's not one I would read again or recommend.   However, this book is marketed for general contemporary romance, not inspiration/Christian romance.  This apparently changes the standards of the content. 

Thank you so much to Mrs. Carie for providing me with a copy of "Rush to the Altar" to review.

"Forsaken Dreams" is the first book in a new series by Mary Lu Tyndall, "Escape to Paradise". What a true title; these books will sweep you off your feet into a world of romance, God, spiritual warfare, and the high seas!

This story is set post-Civil War, when a widowed wife of a Yankee soldier, Eliza Crawford, boards a ship to Brazil, looking to leave her past and scorn from her southern peers behind. Colonel Grant Wallace also wants to leave his past behind. He barely manages to escape his past long enough to board his own ship, before it attempts to catch up with him.

Several people aboard this boat are looking to start a new life in Brazil, and also are the main characters in later books in this series. For now, though, we just have to focus on Widow Eliza Crawford and the Colonel/Captain of the ship, Grant Wallace.

Eliza Crawford married a Yankee against her family’s wishes, and paid a price when he died in the war, leaving her nothing but scorn from the people surrounding her. She boards this boat in hopes of a new life.

But adventure abounds, a new kind than that of previous Mary Lu Tyndall novels, at least to some extent: spiritual warfare is present, and very real. Of course, there is still the trademark sea battles, romance, and adventure expected of a Tyndall novel.

Thank you to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for letting me read and review this novel. I really liked the excitement and suspense.

"Grace, Gold, and Glory" is an amazing autobiography by the gold medalist gymnast Gabby Douglas herself! If you watched the London 2012 Olympics, you saw Gabby leap, soar, and flip her way to helping the American team win the gold medal and our hearts as well. If you read the newspaper and magazine articles, you may have read some of Gabby's journey to the Olympics. However, if you read her autobiography, you have her amazing story of talent, determination, hardship, and faith right in your hands. This book, at least the copy I received, was hardback and included a beautiful poster of Gabby herself on the flipside of the cover. The book also includes pictures of her childhood and competitions. If you enjoyed Shawn Johnson's book, you will love this one as well; both gymnasts have stuck to their beliefs, and God has thoroughly blessed them and their hard work. This will make a wonderful and inspiring addition to any shelf! You will enjoy and be inspired, I hope, by this beautiful young women’s talent, and how through the hard times and highs in her life she brought glory to God.

Thank you so much to Zondervan for letting me read and review this book; what an incredible story!