The Dream Dress

Since I really love watching shows about wedding dresses like “Say Yes to the Dress” I was really excited to read The Dream Dress which is one of the books in The Dream Dress series written by Janice Thompson. The book looks at Gabi Delgado who works in a very fancy bridal boutique for a demanding boss, but she wants to be known for her talent as a dress designer. Sonn Gabi finds herself falling for Jordan Singer, a local reporter who is writing a story about the bridal shop where she works.  

 

I really liked this book, which was a fast read. I liked that it was set in a Bridal Boutique because, like I mentioned, there are so many shows that currently revolve around this setting, so it’s nice to get to read a book about that environment as well. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone book, and it’s not necessary to read the other books in the Weddings by Design series.

 

“Available February 2014 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.” Available January 2014

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Revell as part of a blog tour. 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."

My Amish Boyfriend

My Amish Boyfriend by Melody Carlson is a cute read about16 year old Shannon McNamara. Shannon’s mother decides they are going to spend the summer with her Amish grandmother because of her mother’s illness. Shannon soon finds herself falling for Ezra, who lives next door to her grandmother.

 

Even though this book was for teenagers, I really liked it. I like to read Amish books, and this one was no different. The characters were very likable, and it was great to see a teenager that was so involved in helping take care of her mother. She is a great example for younger people to read about. I can’t wait to share this book with some of my younger cousins to read.

 

Available in February from Revell Books.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Revell as part of a blog tour. 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."

Love's Sweet Beginning

Love’s Sweet Beginning by Ann Shorey is the third book I read in the Sisters at Heart Series. I really liked the first two books, and was glad to look at the story of Cassie Haddon. Cassie had a very privilege upbringing, but she wasn’t above getting a job to take care of her mother after they lost their wealth. She begins working for Jacob West, but she constantly finds herself having to prove to him that she can do the job. Soon enough, a relationship begins to form between these two people.

 

I really liked the character of Cassie. She really worked her hardest and was willing to work tirelessly in order to provide for those who she loved, despite their shortcomings. The book really looked at the idea of people overcoming their past, which I always find to be an interesting story.

 

Although this book is the third in a series, it would be possible to read it as a stand-alone. If you haven’t read these books or others by Ann Shorey, I highly recommend her books.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. 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.”

Rachel

The most recent Wives of the Patriarchs book that I read by Jill Eileen Smith is Rachel. This book looks at the Biblical story of Rachel. Rachel is in love with Jacob, but he is required to work 7 years before they can marry. After working his amount of time, he is tricked and marries Rachel’s half-sister, Leah. He must work 7 more years in order to marry Rachel. The book looks at the relationship between Rachel and Leah as well as their entire family’s relationship until the death of Rachel.  

 

I really like the books in this series because they make Bible stories come to life. The characters are finally ones I can relate to because we get to hear what their thoughts and feelings might have been during that particular time in their life. I also like that the book allows us to see the perspective of Rachel, Leah, and Jacob. This might have been my favorite book in the Wives of the Patriarchs series because I was the most familiar with this story and was able to feel sympathy for the characters based on the individual hardships and trials they faced.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. 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.”

You're Going to Be Okay

Holley Gerth’s most recent book, You’re Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on Hard Days is an inspirational book that helps you focus on what is really important during stressful or overwhelming times in your life. This book uses Bible Verses to give women the encouragement they need to get through some of the difficult feelings most people face at some time in their life. This is the type of book that you can refer back to frequently, gaining some insight during times when you are feeling depressed or discouraged in your life.

 

I really liked this book because it was not written in a way that goes over the reader’s head. Rather it was easy to read thru and was really thought provoking. I like the going deeper guide at the end of each chapter as a way to reinforce what you just read. I also liked the focus on Bible Verses throughout the book so you can get a Biblical perspective on the issues you may be facing in your life.  

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. 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.”

Shadows Of the Past

Shadows Of the Past, by Patricia Bradley, follows Taylor Martin who is a Psychology Professor and Criminal Profiler. While she is working to solve the disappearance of her father 20 years ago, she is facing danger of her own. Someone is stalking her, and she thinks it is the brother of Nick Sinclair. Nick Sinclair is a writer who is also looking to find someone: his brother. He does not believe her brother could be stalking Taylor. While trying to convince her of this, they begin to have feelings for one another.

 

I don’t typically read this type of book, but I found the mystery and suspense really interesting. Although it wasn’t as fast-paced as I imagine suspense novels to be, it did keep me really interested throughout the entire book. I was especially interested in seeing the romance grow between Taylor and Nick. They were very likable characters, and I can’t wait to read more about them and their families in the next book!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Revell as part of a blog tour. 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."

With Autumn's Return

With Autumn’s Return is the newest book in the Westward Winds series by Amanda Cabot. The book follows Elizabeth Harding to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1887. She is a doctor during a time when many people don’t believe women should be in that practice. As she settles down in this new community, she has plans to focus her attention entirely on her practice. These plans don’t work out as her and Jason, an attorney with an office next to her, find themselves starting to have feelings for one another.

 

This book is one you can read as a stand-alone, but I really like that I was able to read all three stories in the series so I could follow each of the Harding sisters’ stories. It was really interesting for me to read about what women in the medical field had to go thru in the late 1800s. Although I’m sad to see this stories end, I’m really glad I was able to read all of the books in this series. I enjoyed them all and look forward to reading more books by Amanda Cabot in the future.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Revell as part of a blog tour. 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."