Book Review: Lost and Found, by Sarah Jakes

Like every girl, Sarah Jakes dreamed of a life full of love, laughter, and happy endings. But her dreams changed dramatically when she became pregnant at age fourteen, a reality only compounded by the fact that her father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was one of the most influential megachurch pastors in the nation. As a teen mom and a high-profile preacher's kid, her road was lonely. She was shunned at school, gossiped about at church. And a few years later, when a fairy-tale marriage ended in a spiral of hurt and rejection, she could have let her pain dictate her future. 

Instead, she found herself surrounded by a God she'd given up on, crashing headlong with Him into a destiny she'd never dreamed of. For the first time, she shares her captivating journey. Unflinchingly honest and deeply vulnerable, Sarah's story is a vivid reminder that God can turn even the deepest pain into His perfection.

But more than a memoir, "Lost and Found" offers hope and encouragement to women of all ages who, like Sarah, find themselves wandering the detours of a life--and shows that no matter how lost they feel, they, too, can be found.

MY REVIEW:

To be honest, I picked this book up out of mere curiosity. I always ponder how people in situations different than mine handle what has been given them. I gather inspiration for my faith from the testimony of others, and I love the truth and grace and strength of God that can be found in these stories.

Before this book, I'd never heard of the Jakes family. I don't know if that's because I'm Canadian or simply because I don't have as wide a church base or knowledge, but whichever it is, I was able to come from a perspective that was fairly unaffected. 

But I didn't stay unaffected. This memoir is heart-wrenching, to say the least. Sarah is very open and honest about her sins, her need for forgiveness. She doesn't try to dismiss her behaviour, she simply tries to explain events leading up to certain situations. And in one part, she actually apologizes to a woman she hurt. While some might argue that she's merely trying to make herself look better, the point of the book is that she's not better than anyone else. As I said before, she doesn't try to hide the fact that she sinned. She doesn't glorify it, but she does make it clear that she is imperfect.

And I loved her for it. This is a great book; you truly get to see someone grow in their relationship with Christ. Even when you think things are going to be all right, she makes another mistake and you're left gritting your teeth. But also wanting to be there beside her, because you see how hurt she is and how much she desires pure love and affection.

When she finally is "found", it's refreshing: it's not because she's finally with a good Christian man who's saved her from herself. It's not because she's become perfect. It's because she's finally WITH GOD. It's the real thing, not the romantic ending of a story book--at least, not with a "Prince Charming", as Sarah says in the book.

Basically, if you enjoyed the movie Juno but did not agree with its morality, here is a Christian, TRUE LIFE version of that same tale. And my, what a tale it is!

Four stars for the book, but Five stars for this girl! Sarah Jakes, you have my deepest respect.

I received a copy of this book from the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity!

Book Review: Cruel Beauty, by Rosamund Hodge

Image and summary from Goodreads.com

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

MY REVIEW

Wow. This book...All right, ever since I heard about it before it came out, I wanted to read it. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy tales, in all its various incarnations, and Greek mythology? What's not to love!

It's difficult to discuss this book, because none of the characters are what they seem. So I'm going to warn you now, there may be SPOILERS in this review.

One thing I adored was Hodge's writing; it packed a lot of punches and really forced you to ponder "the nature of humanity", so to speak. I liked how she delved into something I've often thought about in relation to superhero myths. Heroes are always saving the "innocents", right? Well, Hodge points out that, in reality, there are no "innocents". The people who come to bargain with the Gentle Lord, such as Nyx's father, are just as much monsters as the Gentle Lord himself. Because it's all about motivation.

Though the book's setting is rather Greek and therefore outside the Christian sphere, I noted a lot of similarities to Christian beliefs. How we "cannot pay for our own sins" (a line almost straight from the book); loving others despite their flaws...it made the book spear my heart.

I have a thing against bad boys. I don't like it when heroines end up with them. However, Ignifex isn't just a bad boy. And the book had me falling for him alongside Nyx. That's all I can reveal--the book takes his character and completely sideswipes you by the end. And Nyx herself isn't some naive young woman being taken advantage of by a more experienced bad boy. No, she is the "cruel beauty" as much as Ignifex. Their relationship reminded me *SPOILERS FOR ANOTHER BOOK SERIES* much of Gen and Attolia's from Megan Whalen Turner's "The Queen's Thief" series--a HUGE compliment considering Eugenides is a major fictional crush and Attolia is such a sad, sweet, complicated mess of a woman that I just want to hug and heal.

Suffice to say, I adored this book, mainly for the twisted, complex relationship between Nyx and her husband. However, I also want to point out that this book was written in the darker, more mature vein of fairy tales. While there is nothing of an explicit nature, there is a husband/wife relationship going on, with all the bells and whistles. There is talk of murder, affairs, and demons are the antagonists of this book. So if any of that content would put you off, this may not be the book for you. I would say this book is best suited for older teens and up. 

Blog Tour: "Bleeding Heart" by Amber Stokes--Book Review

I am honoured to be part of the blog tour for Amber Stokes' debut novel, Bleeding Heart. Make sure to check out all the stops along the tour to learn more about this amazing young author and her wonderful novel! You can enter for chances to win her book as well. At any time, drop by the Blog Tour HQ to see the blog post schedule. Now, onward....

About the Book

Five bleeding hearts. One profound journey. 

  
Summer 1886

Sally Clay’s livelihood has been snatched away, but in its place arises an opportunity to escape from her sordid past and an unrelenting, unwanted suitor. Boarding a train with a heartsick rancher and an enigmatic miner, she leaves Virginia City behind and heads to Northern California, waiting for the chance to make right what went wrong three long years before.

But the road to revenge is far from smooth. Sally soon learns that the jagged pieces of a broken heart can far too easily wound the hearts of others – and hers isn’t the only heart that’s broken. Tragedy and fear dog her steps as she flees from the redwood forests to the high desert and back again. Will her bleeding heart ever find a way and a place to heal?

A desperate soiled dove. Three men who come to care for her. One man determined to claim her. 

All on a journey that will show them what true love really involves.

Inspirational Historical Romance

Amazon  *  Book Website

About the Author

Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word - from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion via freelance editing and self-publishing her debut novel, Bleeding Heart.

My Review

Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes is self-published. There is huge stereotype against self-published works, but I want to go out there and say that Bleeding Heart's writing outshines many traditionally-published books in the world. Amber is a master of her craft, and each beautifully-worded sentence shows how much time and effort she has put into her novel. I loved her careful, vivid descriptions of the wild natural beauty of the setting, and how her characters related to it.

One thing I particularly loved was how she sprinkled allusions to actual historical events and people throughout the book. She didn't explain them, but left it to the readers to research it and discover for themselves. This book was told through the eyes of people who lived in that time; and realistically, what's history to us was life to them. Would they, in their thoughts, replay certain events that they would already know by heart and which would be as day-to-day to them as taking a shower is to us? So I enjoyed Amber's challenge to her readers to go out and explore history for themselves through the dropping of interesting name and hints at certain events.

Another aspect that was well done was the curve away from the usual historical romance novel in the Christian market. Many of those are humorous and lack any thought-provoking events. There are sweet moments in this novel, but it is definitely darker and more for those who realize and understand that life isn't one big cupcake. Christians love and lose and doubt. I can't tell you how many times I've wondered in real life why God would 'allow' a good Christian man to be ripped away from his wife, or a little girl to be murdered. These characters struggle with real-life challenges; and, while not necessarily finding answers, they find some sort of peace. And it is this peace that is integral to a relationship with God--the knowledge that, no matter what insanity happens here on earth, no matter how much injustice is done, "it is well with my soul". Because, as Amber shows in this novel, the one thing evil cannot rip away from you without your letting it is the condition of your soul.

This book ripped my heart to shreds for its characters, and sewed it up again. Certain ones I loved more than others, such as the immigrant Myghal and the quiet cook, Zachary Taylor. (Amber, PLEASE let them have their own stories!!!) At times I felt I knew them, and at others, I realized how little I knew them at all. While in other books this might be a cause to accuse the author of character inconsistency, one of the themes in this story is how little the characters know about EACH OTHER. They make assumptions and turn out surprised when they turn out wrong. As we, the readers, get into the heads of almost all the characters, why wouldn't their assumptions become our own, and therefore, their surprise as well?

However, this novel is very short, clocking in at just over 50,000 words, according to Amber's website. While the story is self-containing, there were times when huge time-skips of several months would go by. This did not allow for a lot of relationship-building in regards to the romance; everything went fairly quickly, at least in terms of reading it. I would have enjoyed more tender moments for me to become accustomed to the relationship that happens by the end of the book. As well, I think adding another couple-thousand words would have given readers the chance to dig even deeper into the heads of the characters and connect with them. I would have liked more time with Myghal and Zachary Taylor and Sally and Seth and Joe and even Rufus, who turned out to be quite the conflicting villain himself. I wanted to know MORE about them, to know all their likes and dislikes, outside of how they felt about love and heartbreak.

As well, in the copy I read, there were a few typos, and a mention of an "Annabelle" that Sally supposedly met and who was important to her, but whom I don't remember. Perhaps someone from an earlier draft?

All that being said, if you're looking for a fresh, original historical novel to sink your mind into, go for Bleeding Heart. If you're looking for a book that will make you think and ponder and cry and stare at your ceiling and think some more, get your hands on Bleeding Heart. And then promptly join me in a rally to get Amber to write more about Myghal and Zachary!

I received a free review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity, Amber, and best wishes on many successful novels to come!

Giveaway!!!

“Journey to the West” Giveaway! One U.S. resident (randomly drawn) will receive a signed copy of Bleeding Heart and a collection of items from the story’s settings, handpicked by the author.

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Book Review: "The Perilous Gard"

In 1558, while exiled by Queen Mary Tudor to a remote castle known as Perilous Gard, young Kate Sutton becomes involved in a series of mysterious events that lead her to an underground world peopled by Fairy Folk—whose customs are even older than the Druids’ and include human sacrifice.
-image and summary from Goodreads.com

NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS NOT SPOILER-FREE

I've heard rave reviews from many friends and authors about The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope, and it's been on my to-read list for a while. Finally, this summer, I got my greedy, grubby reader hands on it.

And what can I say? I understand the raves (and I might join them sometime).

The Perilous Gard captures the atmosphere of England's forests and countryside in an eerie, rain-soaked setting full of lush green whispering trees and servants at a mysterious castle who know more than they let on. I was drawn in by the circumstances revolving around a child's disappearance and Kate's determination to bring justice.

What I particularly enjoyed was that Kate's journey was far from easy. She doesn't get answers by drawing them out of people who, true to their characters, stubbornly remain silent, but by making connections between events. She uses her smarts to find a way out of dangerous situations. There needs to be more heroines like Kate nowadays.

Another aspect I loved was that while Pope deals with subject matter that could get weird and occult, she keeps the story grounded in reality. The "Fairy Folk" are actually people whose customs have merely been around for many years, whose abilities seem to be more magical than those of mere mortals but who are actually just as human as Kate. While not all about them is explained and certain threads are left to the eerie conclusions of our imaginations, I was really happy that Pope went in this direction. Pope makes a point that much of what we deem to be 'magic' is actually easily explained--or simply the product of we as humans giving a certain object more power than it has. A lot of it is in the mind.

One thing about this story is that it's very short. Other than Kate, readers really only get to know Christopher, the brother of the lord of the castle Perilous Gard and the main suspect in the disappearance of Cecily, his niece. But, surprisingly, this works for the story. After finishing it, I was satisfied with its length. This is not a fast-paced novel by any means, and ends with a complete story, having made its point. I think its length suits its purpose.

I loved the writing--lush, lyrical, like poetry. I loved the characters and the feeling that this story might be a legend you hear of if you visit England.

However, the one drawback that kept this from a five-star rating was Christopher's continuous use of the Lord's name in vain. While I understand that many of that time period used God's name in a way that they did not see to be in vain, my 'modern sensibilities' couldn't help but shudder. It was used quite a bit, which disappointed me because it was so avoidable.

On the other hand, this book portrays Kate's strong faith and sense, which she uses to block the tempting words of the main villain. I wanted to cheer when I read that scene, and I finished it with a huge smile on my face and the strong urge to pump a fist into the air.

As well, this book boasts one of the most romantic speeches ever:

“I've never thought of you like that [....] How could I? If you were any other woman, I could tell you I loved you, easily enough, but not you--because you've always seemed to me like a part of myself, and it would be like saying I loved my own eyes or my own mind. But have you ever thought of what it would be to have to live without your mind or your eyes, Kate? To be mad? Or blind?” 

Excuse me while I faint.

Okay, I'm revived. 

Four stars!

Mini Reviews: "Raising a Lady in Waiting Who Understands the Real Deal on Love and Men"

Raising a Lady in Waiting

Raising Daughters Who Refuse to Settle

In a culture that emphasizes finding the right pair of jeans over waiting for the right man, there is no time to sit back and hope everything just pans out. Mom, you are your daughter’s greatest influence, mentor, and relationship coach. It is time to take action!

The most important decision of your daughter’s life is who will be her Master; the second is who will be her "mister." You play a vital role in preparing her to make this choice. Bestselling author, Jackie Kendall, opens her heart and candidly shares four decades’ worth of experience with mothers who are raising daughters to navigate the challenges of relationships.

These principles help you effectively guide your daughter to: Maintain high relationship standards, guard her mind from false relationship images, and teach her the value of waiting for God’s best. 

Kids are passing school while flunking in relationships. Raising a Lady in Waiting  provides you with the keys necessary to safeguard your daughter from pursuing "Bozos" and prepares her for the "Boaz" God has waiting.
-summary and image from Goodreads.com

So I requested this book from Netgalley out of curiosity more than anything else. Whenever I see books like this out there, I'm always wondering what sort of advice is being offered. While I am happily single and not looking for a relationship, and while I'm not a mother searching for advice about how to raise my daughter, this book still touched me. Even singles can be tempted in this world to stray from the path they--and hopefully God--has chosen for them. So whether you're praying for God to bring you your knight or praying God will protect you from them, this book is full of helpful tips on how to become the best daughter of God you can be--or, if you're a mom, how to raise your daughter to become that woman.

Four stars!

Please note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Destiny Image in exchange for an honest review.

The Real Deal on Love and Men

Bestselling author Michelle McKinney Hammond (1.5 million relationship books sold) fields women’s questions on love, men, dating, and marriage. With her unique “tell it like it is” style and compassionate understanding, Michelle helps readers navigate the male/female maze, including:
“Get a Life”—Finding and creating opportunities to meet godly men “The Man/Woman Thing”—Understanding and appreciating gender differences “Closing the Deal”—Identifying deal breakers and deal makers while dating “Cheating, Lying, and Other Love Traps”—When to stay and when to leave “New Beginnings”—Gleaning wisdom from setbacks and then moving on “Marriage”—Exploring expectations and establishing traditions

Everyone wants a love relationship, so why is it so hard to find and keep? Michelle answers the question and explores the ins and outs of love. “It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty and find out what makes love happen…It’s time to engage our brains while following our hearts.
-summary and image from Goodreads.com

Again, I requested this book from NetGalley out of my own insatiable curiosity. But boy, was it fun to read. At school I'm surrounded by friends who want to get married (and I say, as long as I'm in the wedding party!), and I think this book would be perfect for them to read! I'm actually considering, whenever I have money (ha!) to buy a few of my gal-pals copies as gifts. This book was bright, engaging, and a fast read. But it had a lot of wisdom to offer, wisdom that is best not to dismiss because of the sparkly decor. This book delves right into the hard stuff--my eyes were certainly opened about certain things. While, again, I'm certainly not the target audience for this type of thing, I still found myself learning a lot to take away for the future. As well, it's good to learn wisdom so you can impart it to others. When any of my friends face challenges in their love lives, I hope to use what I've read from this book to help them through it, and be the best friend to them I can be in doing so.

I recommend this book to everyone who's old enough to dabble in romantic relationships, whether they prefer to be single or not. This book has something to give everyone so they can make the best decisions in their lives and live with no regrets!

Five stars!

Please note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: "A Most Peculiar Circumstance" by Jen Turano

Miss Arabella Beckett has one driving passion: to help the downtrodden women of America. Naturally, she supports the women's suffrage movement and eagerly attends rallies and lectures across the country. On her travels, she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need that goes sadly awry and lands both ladies in more trouble than they can manage. An independent sort, Arabella is loath to admit she needs help and certainly doesn't need help from an arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor.

Mr. Theodore Wilder, private investigator extraordinaire, is on a mission. A mission that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. By the time he finally tracks down Hamilton's sister, Arabella, he is in a less than pleasant mood. When the lady turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he soon finds himself at his wit's end.

When they return home to New York, circumstances force their paths to continue to cross, but the most peculiar feelings growing between them certainly can't be love. When the trouble Arabella had accidentally stirred up seems to have followed her to New York and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.
-image and summary from Goodreads.com

When I was in Chapters one time, I saw the first book in this series, A Change of Fortune, and almost bought it. But I ended up leaving the store empty-handed; one, because I'm a poor university student with almost no money to my name, and secondly, because while flipping through it something just did not grip me heart and soul.

Now I regret that decision after reading A Most Peculiar Circumstance.

There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this novel. The quirky, quick-witted characters, especially the women, had me chortling to myself with their antics. These were girls I would love to have as friends. Though many of them were the 'feminists' of their time, they were by no means women trying to become men. The whole point of early feminism was to bolster the woman into the place she deserved--not as an overlooked part of society, but a real factor in the world around them. It wasn't just to give them more opportunity for employment, but to render the world with more appreciation for women in general, whether they be 'working women' or stay-at-home wives and mothers.

This point was wonderfully shown in Turano's novel. Arabella, despite being a leading suffragette, loves pink, fashion, and has a very girly name. Yet she can still shoot a gun. And yet, although she's very brave, Turano shows she is very much human, with fears and desires all her own. She's not just some cut-and-paste character.

Another factor I adored about this novel was the relationship between siblings. Sister-sister, or brother-brother relationships are widely strewn across Christian fiction, but it was a breath of fresh air to read about Arabella and her brothers Zayne and Hamilton. They were so much fun together, with spats and yet so much love for each other.

The few things that threw me off a little were how some of the names were very similar--lots of names ending or beginning with 'a', and since I hadn't read the previous book to know the characters from there, at times I confused Agatha with Arabella and such.

Next, the use of the word "sputter" in its various forms was continuously seen throughout the novel. I think this is something the editor should have caught, because it occurred so often it threw me off a little.

As well, the romance is very predictable, but it is historical romance, so it's not like you don't know what's supposed to happen. Arabella and Theodore's growing fondness was cute, though from the book itself it seems a few of the actions on Theodore's part were the same as Arabella's brother in the previous book. While this makes for some laughs at the character's expense, in the writing aspect I can't help but wonder if this author keeps to a formula for every single book, just switching up the characters. That worries me a little.

However, I will still very much look forward to the next book from Jen Turano, A Talent for Trouble, when it's released later this year!

Four stars!

I received a copy of this book from the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the opportunity!

Book Review: Splendors and Glooms, by Laura Amy Schlitz

The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive. Clara Wintermute, the only child of a wealthy doctor, is spellbound by Grisini’s act and invites him to entertain at her birthday party. Seeing his chance to make a fortune, Grisini accepts and makes a splendidly gaudy entrance with caravan, puppets, and his two orphaned assistants. 
Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are dazzled by the Wintermute home. Clara seems to have everything they lack — adoring parents, warmth, and plenty to eat. In fact, Clara’s life is shadowed by grief, guilt, and secrets. When Clara vanishes that night, suspicion of kidnapping falls upon the puppeteer and, by association, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall. 

As they seek to puzzle out Clara’s whereabouts, Lizzie and Parse uncover Grisini’s criminal past and wake up to his evil intentions. Fleeing London, they find themselves caught in a trap set by Grisini’s ancient rival, a witch with a deadly inheritance to shed before it’s too late. 
--image and description from Goodreads.com


Splendors and Glooms is the type of book I wish I'd written. Set in Victorian England, rife with orphans and evil puppeters, mystery and magic, the story tells the tale of Clara, a rich girl whose supposedly easy life is not so easy at all, and Parsefall and Lizzie Rose, orphan apprentices to a puppeter who is more than he seems. The past of the puppeter and his connection to a witch named Cassandra and an intriguing stone called a fire opal draw the children into a web of treachery and evil magic--a web they may not escape.

While the book is not fast-paced by any means, I finished it within three days, grabbing it any chance I could get when I wasn't doing my chores or spending time with my family. The book is peppered with funny, touching moments that even out the sorrowful, eerie tone. Whether a kind constable or melodramatic landlady, the characters make this book feel as homey as a Charles Dickens novel--it makes the time period shine and come alive in the readers' minds.

The children are all superbly developed, often in surprising ways. While Parsefall and Lizzie Rose have a brother-sister relationship, it is by no means easy-going or overly affectionate. I found myself wanting to reach out and adopt these two sad children through the pages of the novel. Clara was by no means just a spoiled rich brat; she had a sadness and a story all her own, with struggles to overcome. And the names! Wintermute and Parsefall and Lizzie Rose--completely enchanting and otherworldly and absolutely WONDERFUL!

While I found this book in the Juvenile section of my local library, I think teenagers and adults alike would be charmed by this beautiful, haunting, and heartwarming tale. While it was not quite as eerie as I was expecting, it was a wonderful surprise to discover what truly lay within its covers. There were a few sprinklings of language here and there--taking the Lord's name in vain--that stop this book from being a complete five stars in my opinion, but I definitely recommend this book for those searching for something to remind them of the classics from childhood.

Four stars!

 

  

Book Review: Moonlight Masquerade, by Ruth Axtell

Lady Celine Wexham seems the model British subject. French by birth but enjoying life in 1813 as a widowed English countess, she is in the unique position of being able to help those in need--or to spy for the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. When Rees Phillips of the British Foreign Office is sent to pose as the countess's butler and discover where her true loyalties lie, he is confident he will uncover the truth. But the longer he is in her fashionable townhouse in London's West End, the more his staunch loyalty to the Crown begins to waver as he falls under Lady Wexham's spell. Will he find the proof he needs? And if she is a spy after all, will he do the right thing?
--image and description from Goodreads.com

Moonlight Masquerade was an interesting look into the Regency period, one that I especially love because of Jane Austen's books. Add that to politics, spies, and a sprinkle of romance, and I'm hooked.

What I loved about Moonlight Masquerade was how much I enjoyed the characters. Celine and Rees complimented each other well--Celine especially drew me in with her kindness and wit. Despite her aloofness due to her social standing, her head was very interesting to be in. And watching Rees struggle between loyalty to his country and the woman he loved had me feeling really bad for him. Their attraction and the journey they follow as they grow closer had me breathless at moments with the beauty and sincerity of their attachment. I could completely understand their affection for one another, and if I were a lady of high standing with a butler like that, I'd probably throw away my chances at high society for him, too. ;)

This book was full of sneaking around, complete with costumes and a masquerade ball scene that had my heart thumping. However, I felt as though not a lot happened in this novel, and there was no sense of urgency. The bad guys were a little too obvious, and as nobody really got hurt I did not feel as though any one was actually ever in any danger. This disappointed me a little because I feel as though this could have gone above and beyond the average 'regency romance' book. I've read A Tales of Two Cities by Charles Dickens about the French Revolution; that book makes you DIE for the characters because you know people are going to die and happiness comes at a cost. That is one of the things authors have to balance with the romance when they tackle the French Revolution, because it was a bloody time and the aftermath of it was mentioned but not really shown in this book. I don't love sorrow any more than anyone else, but I think that might have heightened the tension and made the love story all that much more satisfying in the end.

Despite all this, I truly did enjoy this book and I'm looking forward to the companion novel that focuses on a very minor character from this novel and her journey to true love.

Four Stars!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Revell and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Their generosity has in now way affected the contents of this review.

Book Review: By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson

Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan's owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince--more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan's head cause him to fear he's going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison--only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible.
--image and summary from Goodreads.com

By Darkness Hid is the first in the Blood of Kings trilogy by Jill Williamson. It is told in dual points of view, chronicling the adventures of Achan Cham, a lowly Stray who dreams of a better life, and Vrell Sparrow, a young noblewoman fleeing from a disastrous match with a despicable prince. Their stories intertwine in very interesting ways throughout the course of the novel.

It is very difficult to find Christian fantasy that has it all: faith, adventure, a dash of mystery and romance. The first book had it all, in varying amounts. While the story it tells has been told before in different ways, I enjoyed the characters and the author's realistic outlook on love. Though the main character, Achan is thwarted time and again and your heart breaks along with him. However, this is only the first book in the trilogy and there is lots of room for his character to grow and come into a happier ending.

Vrell, on the other hand, was just my type of girl--a girl who did what she had to do to survive, without embracing the mindset that often comes with it. She stayed compassionate while also being brave and practical.

One thing I am slightly concerned with are the amount of tropes used--the girl disguised as a boy, the return of the king, etc. However, I definitely still enjoyed it, because those archetypes are still powerful time and again. Well, the return of the king one, at any rate. Personally, I would have hated being in Vrell's position.

The author has put a lot of work into this book, and it shows. She's mapped out her world very well visually, though some of the details included bogged down the pace of the book tremendously. The number of chairs in a given room isn't something I'm usually concerned with. But I loved exploring the various corners of Er'Rets with the characters; I felt as though I were in Skyrim or one such other of my younger sister's fantasy video games--the world was very easy to immerse oneself in.

By Darkness Hid is a wonderful read for those Christians who want fantasy that isn't all abracadabra, and gives insight into how to handle the Christian walk as though it truly were an epic adventure. The characters struggle just like any real person would. That being said, non-Christians may enjoy this series too, if they don't mind the obvious Christian worldview of the story.

All in all, a promising start to a series that I hope will only get better!

Four stars!

Book Review: Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Rose Red trusts no one with her secret. She hides in the forest, her face veiled in rags, shunning the company of all save her old father and her nanny goat. Her life is bleak and lonely.

Until she meets a privileged young man sent to spend his summer in the mountains. Headstrong young Leo startles everyone by befriending Rose Red, and together they begin searching for the monster rumored to be stalking these lands.

But the hunt, which began as a game, holds greater risk than either imagines. Soon both are forced to test their trust in each other as a far more terrifying scourge puts their entire land at risk.
-image and summary from veiledrosenovel.blogspot.com

Veiled Rose is the second book in the series "Tales of Goldstone Wood" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Having read Heartless, I came into this novel with a predetermined dislike of Lionheart, one of the principle characters. By the end, my view of him had changed and I even started to like him.

Meanwhile, Rose Red is a very loyal, easily likeable protagonist. Her goat, Beana, is simply delightful, and I found her a very fun addition to an otherwise very serious, thought-provoking novel. This is not the average fairy tale in that everyone's dreams come true--quite the opposite. Some people's dreams are very dangerous, and the novel makes one reconsider their own desires and how they might affect others around us. When the last page ended, I was very grateful that I had the next book, Moonblood, on hand.

That being said, I found Veiled Rose a bit slow in the start; it took me a few weeks to get to the halfway point. (Please keep in mind that I'm also a university student and have lots of other things on my plate as well.) But as soon as I reached that halfway mark, things started happening and I got sucked into the story. I was absolutely riveted--the Netherworld through which Rose Red journeys is both mysterious and chilling, and Lionheart's quest over many lands is long and interesting. I especially enjoyed his encounter with a young emperor, whom I hope we will see again in later books--he's so interesting I'd love for him to have his own book!

Another thing I must say is that in one of the blurbs, this story is described as 'romantic'. If you read that before starting this, it may be a tad misleading. There is definitely love in this book, but it's not of the all-consuming kind. It's merely a facet of these characters, and ends up being realistic and intricately woven into the characters without being overly angsty. Each character loves in layers and various strengths, and often are confused over their feelings and keep their true feelings to themselves. I appreciated this realistic approach by the author.

Lastly, I must confess that though she is one of the villains, I loved Lady Daylily. I found her dilemmas heartwrenching and could empathize with her struggles. Again, Anne Elisabeth Stengl has written a compelling villain that points out our own failings as humans while also tugging at our heartstrings. I hope Daylily finds a happy ending and that her story is far from over.

In the end, Veiled Rose may not be my favourite book of the series, but it is definitely worth its weight in gold and certainly deserved its Christie Award. And it is sure to entrance those who wander into the world of Goldstone Wood!

Four Stars!

**I received this book for free in a contest on Anne Elisabeth Stengl's blog (www.anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com), but that has not affected my review in any way.

Book Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

This review is also posted on my goodreads.com account: The Writer of Dream Things.

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when four cloaked horsemen capture Lugh, Saba's world is shattered, and she embarks on a quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the outside world, Saba discovers she is a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba’s unrelenting search for Lugh stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization. 

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetic writing style, and an epic love story—making Moira Young is one of the most exciting new voices in teen fiction.

--image and description from Goodreads.com

Blood Red Road threw me back to the feel of old Westerns--and I loved it. I thought the atmosphere of all the dust and the desert and the ghost towns was absolutely fantastic.

However, there were definitely things I thought could be improved.

For the most part, I loved the interaction between Saba, Emmi, and Lugh. Saba's feelings towards Emmi felt realistic given the situation, and I loved watching them grow closer throughout the book. But Emmi started grating on my nerves when she just wouldn't listen to Saba--not once--and it kept getting them into trouble. You'd think she'd learn.

I also loved how the action wasn't too gratuitous. For the most part, the book was fairly fast-paced; there was always something happening. However, some of the things, like Saba finding the Lugh's necklace in the Wrecker settlement right before it would have been buried forever, just came together a bit too neatly for Saba. 

Then, at times, the pacing of the book was just too slow. The beginning was really fun and I read through the first third very quickly. But once they reached Hopetown, my interest started to dwindle.

Which leads to my next point.

The characters. I think the reason I found the book slow at times is because other than Saba and Emmi, the rest of the characters just weren't fully developed. They were just names. When Saba makes friends with the Free Hawks, I wondered why. It's like I just blinked, and it happened. I just didn't connect to any of them, which made it hard when Epona and Ike died.

Which leads to my next issue. The romance.

The heartstone part threw me for a loop. As well, I felt that Jack and Saba didn't have enough time to develop their relationship. It was insta-love on his side, and... I don't know what it was on hers. I liked them, but it just bothered me how well they seemed to know each other after so little time. They didn't even talk that much either, but there was Saba claiming to know his true self. Excuse me, what the heck? Maybe I'm just too cynical...

Lastly, there were too many unexplained things. The stars, DeMalo, the entire background of their world. But I'm not too bummed out about this, because that's what sequels are for!

Note that I'm also not a fan of dystopias, but this one's western background reeled me in. Plus it's by a Canadian author! Woot! So for those looking for a book bursting with action and a sweltering-hot atmosphere, Blood Red Road might be for you!

4 stars!