Fate, Choices and Soul Mates--"Her Choice" by Penny McIntosh--Review

My Review

“Her Choice” by Penny McIntosh is a novel about fate, choices and soul mates.  Ms. McIntosh employs magical realism in this contemporary story, with a good dose of romance as well.

From the first line, Ms. McIntosh hooks the reader into this cleverly crafted story.  The writing is amazing.  Lucy, the main character, is fun and relatable.  She needs to find out who she is and where she belongs.  In between deciding between her boyfriend and his best friend, Lucy learns a lot about life and herself in the process.  She learns about choices and when we make wrong choices, we can try to make something good from them.  Most of all, she learns where she belongs and to live fully in the present.

Fans of romance and contemporary stories (with a little magic on the side) will love this book!

Content:  I give this book a strong PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are:  the words “hell,” “crap,” “sh*t,” “bastard,” “as*,” and “bi**h” are used; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; talk of “getting into a woman’s pants,” sex, and “getting laid”; people drink alcohol; a woman is called a “whore”; there are scenes leading up to sex and then pillow talk afterwards; sex outside of marriage.


Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.

About the Author 

Penny McIntosh is a stay at wife, and mom of three. She has a degrees in Religious Studies and Teaching, and has always been drawn to the mystical and the unknown (something she tries to incorporate into all her books). She is an avid reader, and finds that the silence of the twilight hours offers the most inspiration for writing.

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Bride Ships, History and Romance! --"The Runaway Bride" by Jody Hedlund—Review

My Review


Are you looking for a swoon-worthy read with lots of heart?  “The Runaway Bride” by Jody Hedlund is exactly that.  This book is the second book in the “The Bride Ships” series but can be read as a standalone. 

"The Runaway Bride" by Jody Hedlund tackles some fascinating subjects—one being “bride ships.”  Prior to reading this book, I did not know anything about this subject.  I loved reading about Arabella, an aristocrat from England in the 1860s, who rode on a bride ship to Vancouver Island.  Like the author states in her author’s note, I was interested to read about what might make someone take this journey. 

In addition to Arabella, there is Pete, a hero that many ladies will swoon after.  He is the town’s baker in this wild new land, and he has a soft heart.  He cares about the Natives, even though many look down on them, especially during the smallpox outbreak.  He defends them and helps them.  This book shows that we are not all that different, despite our race or our class.  There are so many divides during this time period, but the characters of this story learn that the Lord looks not at the outward appearance, but at the heart. 

I really appreciate the faith aspects in “The Runaway Bride.”  Arabella has been through a lot in her past and she is able to learn that God can use one’s suffering and pain to help others in the same situation.   Pete and Arabella learn to not live life according to the expectations of others but to find direction from God alone.  They also experience lessons in courage and forgiveness.  What a wonderful and encouraging read!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are: mention of half-naked natives; a woman was physically abused and she has flashbacks; people drink alcohol; a man struggles with desires of the flesh; a man tries to force his attentions on a woman; a brief scene of a man beating a woman.

Rating:  I give this book 4 stars. 

I want to thank Jody Hedlund and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author 

Wife, mom, teacher, author, kisser of scraped knees, encourager of the downtrodden, guzzler of coffee, and, most importantly, passionate follower of Jesus. 

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Visit the Story of Esther in a New Way--"Star of Persia: Esther's Story" by Jill Eileen Smith—Review

My Review


"Star of Persia: Esther's Story" by Jill Eileen Smith is a retelling of the book of Esther from the Bible.  I love the story of Esther and Esther as a person.  She has always struck me as being so brave amid some very scary and life-threatening circumstances.  This retelling by Ms. Smith does a wonderful job of bringing this well-known story to life.  I love entering Esther’s world and the opulent world of the palace.  Ms. Smith transports the reader to the biblical time period.  I especially love how she makes these characters come to life, with fears, thoughts and motives.  I especially enjoyed reading more about Queen Vashti.  "Star of Persia: Esther's Story" makes me appreciate the biblical story even more and I loved reading the story from my Bible along with the book.  Fans of biblical fiction and the story of Esther will especially love this retelling.

Content:  I give this book a PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are: talk of sharing a bed; concubines; mention of people sleeping together; a man is said to be a drunkard; fade-to-black married sex; talk of sleeping together; a steamy scene when Esther first visits the king, but no sex.

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Revell and Jill Eileen Smith for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author 

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Daughters of the Promised Land, the Wives of the Patriarchs, the Loves of King Solomon and Heart of the King, the nonfiction When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams, and Star of Persia, Esther’s Story. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

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A Fun and Handy Accessory for every Household! --Magnetic Leather Pen Holder—Review

My Review

I love these Magnetic Leather Pen Holders!  They are great to keep your pens and pencils handy so that you’re not always trying to find something to take notes with or write with.  I know for me; we are always losing pens and I can never find one when I want to add something to the grocery list.  This pen holder will go perfectly on our refrigerator next to our grocery list.  It’s also great for writers and book reviewers, like myself.  I can now have a pen handy for when inspiration hits or I need to take notes on my current review book.  I put it on my metal library cart in my study, right by my reading and blogging area.  These are very well made, and they look great.  They can also fit more than one pen or pencil.  I highly recommend this product and my husband is already trying to steal mine!

 

I want to thank Heyrtz for the complimentary product for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.  

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An Amazing Book on Marriage and Communication--"With These Words" by Rob Flood—Review

My Review

“With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life” by Rob Flood is a great resource not only for marriages but for any relationship.  I often find marriage books redundant, but this one is great because it talks about one of the most important (in my opinion) aspects of marriage—communication.  Now that I am a mom of a teenager as well as a wife, I am always eager to improve my communication in my different relationships.  There are a lot of relatable stories that the author shares.  I love that he uses Scripture to back up his points.  There are some great takeaways and practical ways to implement his knowledge.  At the end of each chapter, there’s a “Bottom Line” and “Discussion/Reflection Questions.”  The questions are great if you want to do this with a spouse, small group, or just reflect on it by yourself. 

One chapter I especially like is called “The Tool of Prayer.”  It talks about how to practically make prayer a regular part of your marriage and how important prayer is in our relationships.  I’m excited to implement some of these wonderful truths!

Content:  This is a clean read.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.


I want to thank Rob Flood, New Growth Press and Read with Audra for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author 

Rob Flood, MAR serves as a Community and Care Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA. Prior to pastoral ministry, Rob served as a writer for FamilyLife, a division of Cru. He is the author of With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life. He and his wife, Gina, have six children and live in West Chester, PA.

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An Inspiring, Encouraging and Fun Book for Teen Girls--"Be Loved" by Emma Mae Jenkins—Review

My Review

I LOVE this book!!  "Be Loved" by Emma Mae Jenkins is a beautiful hardback book written in a format made to look like a scrapbook or journal.  There are little snippets of encouragement from Emma with lots of doodles, photos, Scripture and prayers.  Emma Mae is such a joyful person; one can’t help but feel encouraged and inspired after reading the book.  You can just feel her love for the Lord.  Emma Mae and her book are vibrant, relatable, genuine, encouraging and vulnerable.  Her story will especially resonate with those who have grown up in a Christian setting and those who have struggled with perfectionism, but I believe it will still be an encouragement for girls from all walks of life.  I think girls in Middle School and High School will discover and embrace their uniqueness and be challenged to live out their faith with boldness.  I myself am no longer a teenager, but I LOVED this book and found it to be still applicable to my life.  I’m excited to give this book out as a gift and to check out more of Emma Mae’s content.

Content:  This is a clean read.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.


I want to thank Emma Mae Jenkins, New Growth Press and Read with Audra for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author 

Debut author Emma Mae Jenkins is a social media influencer, writer, speaker, and YouTuber with the sole purpose of leading others into a relationship with Jesus, sharing this chain-breaking freedom, and being a vessel of God's Word. Emma Mae chronicled her journey through high school on social media and has inspired thousands of young people to live their faith freely and with courage.

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Ms. Dickerson Nails it Again with this Fairy-Tale Retelling--"The Piper's Pursuit" by Melanie Dickerson--Review

My Review

"The Piper's Pursuit" by Melanie Dickerson is the tenth book in Ms. Dickerson’s “Hagenheim” series.  This is a series of fairy-tale retellings set in a non-magical medieval world.  This story is a loose retelling of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.”  

There are so many things to love about Ms. Dickerson’s books.  I love that this quest-like story involves a mystery as well.  Who is the mysterious beast and why are children disappearing from Hamlin?  

Our main characters, Katerina and Steffan, work together to fight evil and figure out the mystery.  I love both characters and their personalities and I think they have a great chemistry.  Each grows personally throughout the story.  Ms. Dickerson gives these characters some great dialogue and quips that had me smiling as I read.  As in a lot of Dickerson’s novels, the characters pray when in danger.  They learn about finding their worth in Christ and not by the things they do.  There are some heavier subjects in this novel than in some of the past books of the series.  Katerina has a stepfather who is abusive to herself and her mother.  Dickerson deals with this topic with great care and sensitivity.

I love this story and can’t wait for the next book!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating due to the topic of abuse.  Some examples of the content are: gruesome descriptions of victims of the beast; there is a controlling and emotionally and physically abusive husband and father; allusions to alcoholism in a character’s past; child slavery; a man suggests having his way with a girl.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

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