Review: Meant to be Mine

Meant to be Mine by Becky Wade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider; he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Oh.My.Word! My emotions immediately got tangled up in this book when Ty breaks Celia's heart in the second chapter! You want to really dislike him through out the rest of the book but he does have some really good qualities despite the fact that he's a moron when it comes to Tawny. (Thank you, Becky Wade, for giving the other girl a name I don't like - it makes disliking her even easier..LOL)

I adored Celia and Addie! Celia has done everything she can to make a good life for her daughter without apparently any help from her family (except Uncle Donny who I also really liked). She's strong and determined and a really good baker! :) And Addie really is a precious little princess! No wonder Ty finds himself captivated by these two when he re-enters their lives.

I love the sizzle between Celia and Ty as well as their back and forth banter. I also liked the journey they both take to God and forgiveness. Celia has to work through a huge wall of dis-trust because of Ty's actions the morning after they got married. And Ty has lived with the guilt of what he did so long that he still thinks he's unworthy of forgiveness or God. Thank God none of us are beyond God and forgiveness!

This book was better then the first (IMO) and I look forward to reading about Jake! I can't wait to see how she softens him up. :)

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Review: The Story Keeper

The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When successful New York editor Jen Gibbs discovers a decaying slush-pile manuscript on her desk, she has no idea that the story of Sarra, a young mixed-race woman trapped in Appalachia at the turn of the twentieth century, will both take her on a journey and change her forever. Happy with her life in the city, and at the top of her career with a new job at Vida House Publishing, Jen has left her Appalachian past and twisted family ties far behind. But the search for the rest of the manuscript, and Jen's suspicions about the identity of its unnamed author, will draw her into a mystery that leads back to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . and quite possibly through the doors she thought she had closed forever.

I love Lisa Wingate's books for the most part and there was no doubt this story kept me engaged. I liked Jen and the mystery that the slush pile manuscript pushed her into was great. I liked the story of Rand and Sarra intermixed with Jen's story. But I thought that the ending was rushed and not fully completed. You only get a vague idea of what happens to Rand and Sarra and you don't get a lot of romance development between Jen and Evan. And I like romance! :D

And then there was Jen's (Jennia Beth) family. Wow! That kind of cult religion is so very, very sad! That is NOT what Christianity is all about. It just hurts your heart to think people are treated and live that way. Definitely a sad note to the book.

All in all though, this was a good story with a delightful mystery and some family drama that will bring tears to your eyes.

This is the 2nd book in the Carolina series but it can be read as a stand alone. I don't think there was much character (if any) connection to the first book, The Prayer Box.

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Swag Racer Swag Code EXTRAVAGANZA

On your marks…

Get set…

GO!

We’re off to the races in a quest for earning more points called SB. We are rounding each turn and flying through straightaways with one goal in mind. Earning more gift cards. We’re almost nearing our Daily Goal and we can see the checkered flag being waved but we just need a few more SB to get us over the hump.

We think we have just what the doctor ordered to make it to victory circle:

Swag Racer Swag Code Extravaganza!

When: Wednesday, August 26th

Time: 9am to 8pm CDT (10am - 9pm EDT)

What: 6 Swag Codes throughout the day worth a total of 30 SB

Where: Swag Codes will appear on various Swagbucks social media and on their website including:

     Watch
     Surveys
     Back to School Shop Page
     nCrave
     Search
     Instagram

So rev up those engines and get excited!

Please note: The above times are for US only.

All codes will be valid for one hour after they are posted on the various Swagbucks pages listed above. I'll also post the codes here on the blog in the comments section so don't worry if you don't know where to look on their website and social media pages. Just come back here to the blog right after each new code is released and we'll have them posted here.

What's a Swag Code Extravaganza? Occasionally, Swagbucks will throw a big Extravaganza where they give out multiple Swag Codes in one day along with other fun ways to win bonus SB. Once you see the code, you then copy and paste the code into the Swag Code box at the top of the homepage of Swagbucks.com HERE. Look for the circle with the words Swag Code next to it.

New to Swagbucks?  If you don't know about Swagbucks yet, it's the largest rewards website that gives people free gift cards for the things they do online. You earn points called SB for online activities and then you can cash them in for gift cards to places like Amazon, CVS, Paypal, Starbucks and many more options!

How do you get these super SB? Each time you need to search for something online, use the Swagbucks search engine on their website (instead of Google). I actually have the Swagbucks toolbar installed on my desktop and it places a search box right on my screen making it super easy to search. You will randomly get awarded SB just for doing the searches you used to do using Google. There are also a number of other ways to earn SB including taking surveys, answering polls, watching videos, playing games, referring friends, using their online shopping portal, special Swag Code events and more. Swagbucks also posts additional bonus codes on their Facebook, Twitter and blog pages each day.

New member bonus Swagbucks sign-up code!

There's never been a better time to join Swagbucks! It's free to sign up and new members get 70 additional bonus SB when you join HERE and enter code SMILINGBOOKS by August 31st (click the text that reads "I have a sign-up code" as you are signing up and enter code in all caps). Since all new users get 30 SB when you sign up, you'll start off with 100 SB! That puts you well on your way to the 300-500 SB needed for a $3-$5 Amazon gift card. PLUS if you join right now and earn 300 SB by August 31st, you'll get a bonus 300 SB! Bonuses will credit by Sept 10th. (See more about this in this blog post.)

And since today is an Extravaganza day you have the potential of making up to an additional 30 SB if you follow the codes posted here in the comments. Yay!!

To sign up for Swagbucks, click this link and join me. www.swagbucks.com/refer/RSSMILES And don't forget to use the code SMILINGBOOKS for 70 bonus SB if you join by August 31st!

Review: Not By Sight

Not By Sight by Kate Breslin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With Britain caught up in WWI, Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, has declared himself a conscientious objector. Instead, he secretly works for the Crown by tracking down German spies on British soil, his wild reputation and society status serving as a foolproof cover.

Blinded by patriotism and concern for her brother on the front lines, wealthy suffragette Grace Mabry will do whatever it takes to assist her country's cause. When she sneaks into a posh London masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice, she never imagines the chain of events she'll set off when she hands a feather to Jack.

And neither of them could anticipate the extent of the danger and betrayal that follows them--or the faith they'll need to maintain hope.

This was a really good book! The story flowed smoothly and you are drawn into it from the first. There are twists and turns that you don't anticipate. And although the espionage and intrigue is more behind the scenes, it does fuel aspects and attitudes in the book. Most of the book focuses on Grace and Jack's relationship. And although Grace can be quite feisty and Jack can be somewhat grumpy, they develop a sweet relationship that will make you laugh and cry!

I really liked the character of Grace. She's fiercely patriotic and although she's a wealthy suffragette, she's willing to work hard to help provide for the troops. She's a little naive but she does show character growth during the story. She's loyal to her friends and is caring and giving to everyone she meets.

Jacks's character is a little less likable but the reasons for this are understandable and he does mellow as the story goes on. I loved how he supported and encouraged Grace to be more descriptive of what she was seeing in order to enhance her novelist aspirations. Grace, in turn, helps Jack to start living again and to not be afraid of the future.

When the espionage escalates and the danger becomes real, the betrayals will force Jack and Grace to make decisions that will change their lives. They also learn to lean on their faith in God to bring them through the hard times.

*Thanks to Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*


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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     THE AUTHOR     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Kate Breslin

A Florida girl who migrated to the Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin was a bookseller for many years.  She is the author of For Such A Time and lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington.  Find her online at www.katebreslin.com

Review: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.”

Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?

As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other. Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after?

I enjoyed this "destination wedding" book by Beth K. Vogt. The story of Vanessa and Logan is written with a lot of depth and feeling. The back and forth between their past and the present could get a little confusing but it was necessary to explain their past history.

There were so many times I just wanted to slap Logan...lol. But there were also times when I wanted to shake Vanessa! Like I said above, there's a lot of emotion in this book. I loved Vanessa's re-connection with her high school friend Mindy. Mindy is the kind of friend we all wish and hope for. And of course I didn't like Ted at all!! Vanessa's desire to feel safe and grounded in one place really blinds her to the character of Ted. I enjoyed the secondary characters of Logan's team. They are like family to Logan and just want him to be happy. As Vanessa and Logan re-connect, they'll need all the support they can get to overcome the hurts of the past. You might need some tissues towards the end of the book! :D

All in all, a very well written book and I look forward to reading about Logan's sister Caro in the second book!

*Thanks to the publisher & TBCN/BookFun for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

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Review: Through Waters Deep

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

My expectations were high for this book. Even though I have only read 1 other book by this author, it was awesome and I expected the same from this book. So while I did really enjoy this book, I must say that it didn't just grab my attention at first. Even though the mystery thread started right away, it still took a while to build to the main story. However, once I really got into the book I had a hard time putting it down. I loved how Jim and Mary start falling in love through time spent together as friends. They've known each other since high school but Mary was always eclipsed by her vivacious friend Quintessa. As Jim gets to know Mary he's drawn to her quiet yet adventurous spirit. Now, if nothing gets in the way, they might just find love for a lifetime.

Mary and Jim both do a lot of changing and growing in this book. Jim is easygoing and kind of floats along in life. He learns the hard way in several instances in the book that he has to find a way to be bold and assertive sometimes. And Mary is beyond modest - she goes out of her way to fade into the background and never be put into the spotlight. All because of a childhood incident that caused her to be afraid of being "prideful". And yet she has these talents and desires and enough adventure in her that she yearns sometimes to be more free with her life. She learns throughout the book how to balance her fear of being prideful with using the talents God has given her.

The mystery in the book was not very suspenseful but it did speak to the times and the prejudices that were very strong at that time in history.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and fully intend on reading more of Sarah Sundin's books! :)

*Thanks to Revell Reads for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

About this Author:
Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the author of the upcoming Waves of Freedom series (Through Waters Deep, coming August 2015), the Wings of the Nightingale series (With Every Letter, 2012, On Distant Shores, 2013, and In Perfect Time, 2014), and the Wings of Glory series (A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow). She also has a novella in the WWII Christmas collection Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook, 2014).

A mother of three, Sundin lives in northern California. She works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women's Bible studies. She enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers' groups.



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Swagbucks - Bonus 300 SB!

Have you ever heard of Swagbucks? They're a completely free, no strings attached site that rewards you for all of the things you're already doing online. Search, Watching Videos, Playing Games, Taking Surveys, Shopping and more - as you do these activities, you'll earn points called SB, which are reward points that you can redeem for all sorts of gift cards in the Rewards Store. You can download their toolbar or download their OS and Android apps for more opportunities to earn. Choose the activities you like or have time for - how much you earn is up to you! 

Swagbucks is how I support my book habit!!  :D   I've used Swagbucks for four years and I rarely go a month without getting at least one $5 Amazon gift card just for using their search bar and shopping links!  Other popular choices are Paypal and Starbucks.  You can do the same!  

There's never been a better time to join Swagbucks!  New members get 70 additional bonus SB when you join here and enter code SMILINGBOOKS by August 31st (click the text that reads "I have a sign-up code" as you are signing up and enter code in all caps).  Since all new users get 30 SB when you sign up, you'll start off with 100 SB!  That puts you well on your way to the 300-500 SB needed for a $3-$5 Amazon gift card.  PLUS if you join right now and earn 300 SB by August 31st, you'll get a bonus 300 SB!   Bonuses will credit by Sept 10th.  


To sign up for Swagbucks, click this link and join me. www.swagbucks.com/refer/RSSMILES  And don't forget to use the code SMILINGBOOKS for 70 bonus SB if you join by August 31st!

Swagbucks Swag Code Alert!

Hey everyone — Swag Code Alert! 
Here’s the new Swag Code available on Swagbucks.com:

Code: GetSchooled
Amount: 3 SB
Time: Thursday, Aug 6 from 10am PT - 11am PT (12pm CT - 1pm CT / 1pm ET - 2pm ET)



Make sure to go to Swagbucks on your computer or Mobile app to get your free SB before time runs out! If you don’t know about Swagbucks yet, it’s the largest rewards website that gives people free gift cards for the things they do online.  See section below.

In addition to earning points called SB through the search engine, playing games, watching videos, taking surveys & more, they also like to give out Swag Codes for bonus SB! Redeem these limited-time-only Swag Codes whenever you see them, and you’ll get your gift cards even faster!

To sign up for Swagbucks, click this link and join me. www.swagbucks.com/refer/RSSMILES

Have you ever heard of Swagbucks? They're a completely free, no strings attached site that rewards you for all of the things you're already doing online. Search, Watching Videos, Playing Games, Taking Surveys, Shopping and more - as you do these activities, you'll earn points called SB, which are reward points that you can redeem for all sorts of gift cards in the Rewards Store. You can download their toolbar or download their OS and Android apps for more opportunities to earn. Choose the activities you like or have time for - how much you earn is up to you! 

Swagbucks is how I support my book habit!!  :D   I've used Swagbucks for four years and I rarely go a month without getting at least one $5 Amazon gift card just for using their search bar and shopping links! You can do the same!

Review: The Pharaoh's Daughter

The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Anippe has grown up in the shadows of Egypt’s good god Pharaoh, aware that Anubis, god of the afterlife, may take her or her siblings at any moment. She watched him snatch her mother and infant brother during childbirth, a moment which awakens in her a terrible dread of ever bearing a child. Now she is to be become the bride of Sebak, a kind but quick-tempered Captain of Pharaoh Tut’s army. In order to provide Sebak the heir he deserves and yet protect herself from the underworld gods, Anippe must launch a series of deceptions, even involving the Hebrew midwives—women ordered by Tut to drown the sons of their own people in the Nile. 

When she finds a baby floating in a basket on the great river, Anippe believes Egypt’s gods have answered her pleas, entrenching her more deeply in deception and placing her and her son Mehy, whom handmaiden Miriam calls Moses, in mortal danger.

As bloodshed and savage politics shift the balance of power in Egypt, the gods reveal their fickle natures and Anippe wonders if her son, a boy of Hebrew blood, could one day become king. Or does the god of her Hebrew servants, the one they call El Shaddai, have a different plan—for them all?

MY REVIEW:

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was very well written and I had no problem being absorbed in it. I was drawn to the thought of knowing more about the biblical story of the Pharaoh's daughter that drew Moses out of the Nile. However, I had a hard time liking very many of the characters in this book. Anippe is always being deceptive or manipulative in some way or another. And her sister was crazy and so angry all the time. I understand that the depravity and evil in Egypt played a big part in the actions of the characters but even the good guys kept things from their friends and families. This is a book with a lot of depth, a lot of politics, some romance, real fears and struggles, and redemption. It's definitely not an easy story to read. I'd like to read another book by Mesu Andrews to see if I would enjoy it more.

*Thanks to Blogging For Books for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

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MORE INFO: The Pharaoh's Daughter at www.waterbrookmultnomah.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mesu Andrews’ deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the biblical world alive for her readers. Her first novel, Love Amid the Ashes won the 2012 ECPA Book of the Year for a Debut Author. Her three subsequent novels, Love's Sacred Song, Love in a Broken Vessel, and In the Shadow of Jezebel all released to great reader enthusiasm. Mesu lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Roy.  See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight

Website: www.mesuandrews.com
Facebook: Mesu Andrews
Twitter: @MesuAndrews