The Painter's Daughter

The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen was a wonderful book that kept me entertained for its’ entirety. Even thought it was over 400 pages, I read this relatively quickly since I didn’t want to put it down once I started reading the story of Sophie DuPont. Sophie works at her father’s art studio, and she finds herself in a love triangle between two brothers, the artist Wesley Overtree and Captain Stephen Overtree. When Sophie finds herself left behind by Wesley, she marries his brother and returns to their family home at Overtree Hall. Before she can even become too comfortable with her new husband, he is forced to leave her for his military position. When Wesley again enters the picture she is put in an extremely difficult position, as she is married to the brother of the man she first fell in love with.

 

As I said, I really enjoyed reading this book, and I would be interested in reading more books by Julie Klassen in the future. I liked how there was a mix of romance, military, and family interactions.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Lightning

Although I’m not the biggest fan of Science Fiction books, I thought Lightning, in the Sone Braide Chronicles by Bonnie Calhoun, would be a good book to read after I enjoyed the first book in the series. Selah, who was reunited with her father, is now looking for her step-father, mother, and brother who must now be rescued from the Mountain. The fast pace book follows Selah on this mission while she faces many challenges along the way!!

 

I think this book is best read in order with the other books in this series. It would be confusing to understand if you did not read the other books. Although I read the first book in this series, there are still questions that I’m looking to see resolved. Maybe they will be revealed in the 3^rd book in this series!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Keeping Christmas

I always enjoy reading new Christmas books as soon as the holiday season starts, and Dan Walsh’s new book, Keeping Christmas, was the perfect short book to read over the Thanksgiving Holiday. The cover is what really made me want to first read the book, and the story within the pages definitely did not disappoint.  Stan and Judith are the focus of Keeping Christmas, and they are empty nesters with their three children unable to spend the holidays with their parents. As so often happens, spending the holiday season alone causes Judith to become depressed, which her husband tries desparately to remedy.

 

This was a great, short book that can be read if you are going through an experience similar to Judith’s, or if you are just looking to remember the joy behind the Christmas season.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Every Girl Gets Confused

Every Girl Gets Confused, by Janice Thompson, is the second book in the Brides with Style series, and it is just as good a book as the first book. Although you don’t have to read the first book in the series to follow the story of Katie Fisher and Brady James, it does help you to better understand what is going on in the first few chapters. Katie is working at a successful bridal shop, she has a great boyfriend, and her grandmother is getting married. While all of this is going on in Katie’s life, she is facing some major obstacles in her life, like the reappearance of her ex-boyfriend. She is also planning the best Black Friday sale for Cosmopolitan Bridal. As you could imagine, all of these things combined cause Katie’s life to become “Confused”, as the title suggests.

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I thought the characters were very relatable. Any time you face changes in your life, you think “what if”, and that’s exactly what happened with Katie has to learn to let God have control over her life.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

Called to Pray

Called to Pray, Astounding Stories of Answered Prayer by Linda Evans Shepherd is a great story for anyone who is looking to be uplifted or who feels like their prayers go unanswered. The book has different stories that are amazing!! They show how a person may feel the strong need to pray for someone at the exact time they are going through a crisis or difficult time in their life. One story that really stood out to me was how a pastor was flying his plane, just about to run out of gas and suffer a crash landing, when a member of his church felt the need to pray for him. Another story told about a woman who felt compelled to sit at a different place at church, and that led her to pray for a man she had never met before who had cancer. It’s worth reading to see stories like this, and what happened during and after the individuals prayed.

 

This is a very inspirational book, and it can be read in a few sittings, or one short story at a time. I will be recommending this book to some of my family members, as it’s a great testament to the power of prayer.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Christmas Joy Ride

If you’re looking for a cute, short book to put you in the Christmas mood, look no further than The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson. When 85 year-old Joy decides to travel her RV across Route 66 to her new home in a retirement community, her neighbor Miranda can’t help but be nervous so she agrees to tag along and help with the trip. Joy has plans to stop at different locations and spread some Christmas cheer to those who need it most. Throughout the trip Miranda and Joy meet many different characters, and it’s nice to read about how their little bit of Christmas spirit helps others.   

 

This was a really cute book, as are all of the stories I’ve read in the past by Melody Carlson!!

 

This book was provided by Revell in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Proverbs Prayers

Proverbs Prayers by John Mason covers a chapter of Proverbs for each chapter, and it can be read as a 31 day devotional. The first section of each day is the particular section of the Bible. The second component of each day is a prayer that relates to the Bible reading. This really helps you think about what your reading and better relate Proverbs to your daily lives. I really liked the format of this book, and the fact that Proverbs is a great book of the Bible to study.

This book was provided by Revell in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”