It's really starting to be annoyed with how long it's taking me to get through this series! I love Barbour's different series but do they have to put It's really starting to be annoyed with how long it's taking me to get through this series! I love Barbour's different series but do they have to put 12 books in each one?!?! Well at least with finishing this one I only have 3 books left. The Black Midnight was a very unsatisfactory read, I was quite disappointed. It was one of those books where you start panicking because you're running out of pages and there's still so much unresolved. I didn't like or connect with main characters. And the storyline and dialogue was very unclear, confusing and lacked the realness that the other books in the series has. This is the first book by Kathleen Y'Barbo I've read, I hope her other books are better if I get a chance to read them....more
Within These Walls of Sorrow - Amanda Barratt - 5/5 Stars
"There is evil and there is good and there is the space between. We are given free will to chWithin These Walls of Sorrow - Amanda Barratt - 5/5 Stars
"There is evil and there is good and there is the space between. We are given free will to choose where we stand. Evil thrives when good men choose the space in between. "
That quote pretty much sums up this book. Evil thriving while many do nothing and too few doing what good they can. I can totally see why this book won the Christy Award for Historical Fiction and Book of the Year. Because this is not just a story, it's a remembrance. It brings to mind all the stories you've heard before of Corrie Ten Boom or Schindler's List. May we never forget the horrors that happened, may they never be repeated again. I don't really know what else to say other than this story is heavy and heart wrenching, you will cry. It's a story that can't really have a happy ending but rather it's has a hope filled ending instead....more
**spoiler alert** I hate it when books don't meet expectations. I was so excited by the premise of this book, Henry thinks he's renting to a widowed o**spoiler alert** I hate it when books don't meet expectations. I was so excited by the premise of this book, Henry thinks he's renting to a widowed old lady and Edith thinks she's living with an old grumpy bachelor as they haven't met each other, the perfect mistaken identity scenario!
And it started off so good but then went rapidly down hill. So one of the things I hate the most in romances is relationship crossovers, when they start falling for a person while still being in a relationship with another. That's cheating and I lost all respect for Henry's character when he's dreaming about Edith and kissing her while still in a relationship with another person. Especially as he didn't break up with her until 2/3 through the book after declaring he's fallen in love with Edith!
It's also one of those odd romances where the MCs fall in love based on very little substance, they didn't have a lot of in depth dialogue, they didn't spend much time together as a couple or anything. Just an insta romance based on looks and a few letters. The storyline was a bit all over the place with things changing so quickly you're not quite sure what just happened. So many things, decisions and scenarios just didn't make any logical sense.
The quirky town characters were amusing at first but somewhat less amusing after having the same miscommunication scenario play out for the 10th or 11th time, they don't listen to anyone and just became so very annoying. The book improves in the last third after the characters finally stop lying and have some real conversations and it has a lovely ending. Overall not for me....more
Rachel Scott McDaniel has earned a place on my favourites list, her books are so consistently good that whenever I pick up a new book by her, whateverRachel Scott McDaniel has earned a place on my favourites list, her books are so consistently good that whenever I pick up a new book by her, whatever the storyline is, I know it's going to be good and I'm going to enjoy it. She has a talent for creating the dreamiest men that are also very real. And don't get me started on her romance, swoony-worthy and you'd better bring a fan! Lastly she's able to mix is such good truths that flow so nicely into the story.
I'm been wanting to read this book for ages so I'm glad I finally made time to do it. I intended to just read a chapter or two before bed this evening but I promptly lost track of time and two and a half hours later I'd finished the book! It was so great, I always love dual timelines as I get twice the story and romance! Normally I have a preference for one couple over the other but I really loved both couples! The mysteries were intriguing (shoulder pat to myself for figuring them out) and were paced nicely with all those torturously well placed cliff hanger chapters to keep you reading. If you like me ans like plenty of kisses and romance in your books, this one's for you! Lastly I loved the theme of 'Love is Bold', bold in actions and words. God's love was bold when He came down and died for sins and we likewise need to be bold in sharing our love with others and claiming God's love for us!....more
This book has been on my shelf for much too long so I'm glad to finally have it ticked off the list. I enjoyed this story a lot. It was a bit slow to This book has been on my shelf for much too long so I'm glad to finally have it ticked off the list. I enjoyed this story a lot. It was a bit slow to start but I really got into it and was fully invested by the end. It was one of those stories that while entertaining, does point out some of the harsher realities of life and that we live in a very fallen world. While I always want perfect justice and happily ever afters in stories, I like when a story shakes me up a bit. Don't panic, this story definitely has a HEA! And some lovely romance! I loved both Reid and Rosalind, the were nicely imperfect and I enjoyed their growth. I loved the theme of facades throughout the story, how it doesn't matter how much we dress up ourselves, in the end we all face God as our true selves. Overall a great story and I can't wait to read the sequel!...more
Evermore (The Princesses Book 1) - Jody Hedlund - 4.5/5 Stars
This story was exactly what I'd hoped it would be, an exciting adventure with romance, leEvermore (The Princesses Book 1) - Jody Hedlund - 4.5/5 Stars
This story was exactly what I'd hoped it would be, an exciting adventure with romance, legends and little bit of fantasy! I looove medieval fiction and Jody Hedlund writes such good stories. I read her previous series, The Fairest Maidens, and I really enjoyed reading the references to it, it made me want to go back and reread that series too. This is definitely a YA novel and so, like usual, I always struggle a bit with the age and youth of the characters as a bit unrealistic to my more mature self but then I just ignore it and pretend they're older lol. I really loved Christopher's character, his steadiness and unwavering honesty and integrity. I wasn't as smitten with Adelaide, female warrior-type characters are not my favourite but I did like the growth of her character. As with any Jody Hedlund story, the romance was sublime! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!...more
I've had this book on my shelf for a while and now I wish I'd read it earlier. And also I wish I'd known that the series was one continuous story so II've had this book on my shelf for a while and now I wish I'd read it earlier. And also I wish I'd known that the series was one continuous story so I could've sourced the other books in the series before starting because now I don't know how it ends! This story was arresting right from the start and I immediately became very invested in both lead characters. Secrets spy rings during the American Civil War made for a very interesting plot. Annabelle is a lovable character though a little clueless at the beginning. I really liked Matthew especially watching his character and convictions change and grow. The romance is a little lighter than other Stephenia H Mcgee books I've read and no romance should ever end without a kiss! But given the overall series storyline, I expect to be well compensated with many kisses in the next two books! Overall a great book and now I have to go find the other two books so that I can finish their story!...more
So I have this habit where once I've added a book to my TBR that I don't reread the description so that the story has more surprises. So the longer thSo I have this habit where once I've added a book to my TBR that I don't reread the description so that the story has more surprises. So the longer the book has been on my TBR, less I remember about it, the more surprised I am by the story. This story has been on my list quite a while so I was very surprised by the unexpected storyline. I have only read one other book by Julie Daines, which I loved, but this story wasnt nothing like it. I wanted to like this book but it's hard to get behind a FMC that is so incredibly naive, makes some very dumb decisions and believes that vampires are real. I did find her phobia very interesting as it's not something you see in fiction very often. I've never been a big fan of short term romances, anything less than a few months seems silly to me. So even though there were some very sweet romantic moments, I struggled to enjoy them. I do like the idea of a series centered around the Orient Express so I'm interested in reading the other books in the series....more
Wow what a conclusion to the series! This book was full-on! It had everything you want in a story, rich history, a captivating setting, loads of advenWow what a conclusion to the series! This book was full-on! It had everything you want in a story, rich history, a captivating setting, loads of adventure and intrigue, formidable villains, spiritual truths and of course an addictive romance! This was definitely the best book of the series but can't be read as a stand alone, you'll have to read the previous two books to enjoy this satisfying conclusion. Moral of the story, don't let the terribly out dated covers deceive you, beneath lies a story worth reading!...more
What an interesting series this has turned out to be. So many secrets and intrigue! I'll be honest and say I don't fully understand all the politics bWhat an interesting series this has turned out to be. So many secrets and intrigue! I'll be honest and say I don't fully understand all the politics but I do know that there are some very bad people working behind the scenes and I can't wait for them to be unmasked in the final book. How mean of the author to end the book on a cliffhanger!
The sequel is a much slower pace than the previous book yet I could not put it down, the anticipation of possible romance kept me on edge and reading (hence why I'm awake at 2am!). There wasn't much romance in the previous book so I knew to expect some in this one but boy does this book put a new definition on slow burn! At first I was worried this book would be a love triangle, which I hate, but it was more two rivals for Coral. And sweet Coral is so oblivious to both of them lol.
I have a feeling the final book is going to be so full on, so much to resolve and so much more romance needing to be had!...more
I will freely admit I'm one of those terrible people that judge books by their covers hence why this book has been on my shelf for so many years, I reI will freely admit I'm one of those terrible people that judge books by their covers hence why this book has been on my shelf for so many years, I really don't like the cover which reflects it's age of 30 years.
But there's a reason they say don't judge a book by its cover because this turned out to be a great read. A great read that's part of a continuing story that ends on a cliff hanger and now I just have to read the rest of the series to find out what happens!
This book is 110% Christian fiction, so much gospel and scripture throughout the story, like so much! And it's rich in history and detail with many familiar historical figures making appearances or mentions. It definitely has that older style of writing and does show its age at times but overall I'd say it's aged fairly well. This first book in the series was very much setting the foundation of the story and spanned quite a few years to get everything in place for the coming drama and boy what drama is coming! The only thing missing was some romance but as it's a continuing story, I have high hopes of getting that in the next book! Can't wait!...more
I was looking forward to this story the most out of the series and it didn't disappoint. This story was so gentle and sweet, just like Grace and JonatI was looking forward to this story the most out of the series and it didn't disappoint. This story was so gentle and sweet, just like Grace and Jonathan. Because Grace is deaf, it was so interesting to see the world through her eyes and the challenges she faces. I enjoyed continuing the stories of the other characters and I'm so sad I only have one book left to go. Jonathan is a real sweetie, so patient and kind just like his love for Grace while he waited for her heart to become his. My only complaint is that a romance is not a proper romance without a kiss (sorry for the spoiler). The immense amount of work farmers did back then is mind boggling and made me feel quite lazy as I laid on the couch reading. Overall this story had such a softness to it that made it comforting to read....more
Sometimes forget how much I enjoy reading interconnected series, rather than series that can be read as stand alones. It's nice to see the continuing Sometimes forget how much I enjoy reading interconnected series, rather than series that can be read as stand alones. It's nice to see the continuing story of familiar characters while getting to know new ones. Though this is one of four interconnected series and the last one at that so it can be a little confusing at times, especially with older characters remarrying and new babies being named after relatives. I have so many books I now need to read! I liked the prodigal theme to this story, Sophie is very young and makes silly decisions with long reaching consequences but she is forced to learn and grow from them. I always struggle with reading such young characters as I have difficulty relating to them or believing in such maturity and circumstances at that age. I feel like I did get to know Sophie well by the end of the book but Garth still felt like a bit of a mystery as was their romance which wasn't much of one until it all of a sudden was. Overall it was a pleasant read and Grace's story is next and I've been looking forward to her story the most!...more
Well it's already International Womens Day here in NZ so what better book to share than a story about focusing on women. Old, young, mothers and careeWell it's already International Womens Day here in NZ so what better book to share than a story about focusing on women. Old, young, mothers and career women. While it's set in 1900, the story just goes to show that while times change, human nature doesn't and women today are still facing the same internal battles of women then. Love, marriage, belonging, identity and so on. This book was so comforting, just a story of people doing life, facing it and all its challenges. Andrew and Ellie are sweet and young, and have to do a lot of maturing and growing through the story. I loved the emphasis on prayer throughout, reminding us that God always answers, just not always in the we we envisioned....more
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