Until the Dawn

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 9.5/10

Bethany House Publishers 

A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in 

her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners.

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land.

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?

My thoughts:

When this book arrived in the mail, I was so seriously excited. Elizabeth Camden rarely disappoints, and her book 'Against the Tide' is one of my favorite romance book, so I think that it is safe to say that I was giddy with excitement when I got this book. and I can say definitely say that when I did finish this book I was not at all disappointed. It was ridiculously addictive and I finished it in a day and a half. 

Sophie was a fun person to read about and I loved how she stood up to those who barked commands to her, the only thing that I thought was a bit off about her personality was her positivity, she was like crazy positive and nice, but I think that she was written to be that way and the story line would have to be completely changed if she wasn't, so after the first 2 chapters I just accepted it as part of the plot. I really loved Quentins character although I probably shouldn't have been so ready to as he is not very nice, but he was just so strange and rude on the outside that it intrigued me to fid out what was on the inside. 

As far as negative things go the only thing I have to say is that the mystery in the book was a bit hard to follow for me, but that doesn't mean it has to be the same for everyone. but I really have nothing else to say about this book, except that you need to read this a least once in your life.

My rating: 9.5 out of 10

Leah

A Refuge at Highland Hall (Review)

Author: Carrie Turansky 

Genre: Historical fiction, Romance

My Rating: 9.5/10

Blogging for Books

Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War I, she travels to London to help her sister Kate with the eight orphaned children she and her husband, Jon, have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.

Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of chasing Zeppelins in France, he feels its unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he cant help admiring the pretty warm-hearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.

As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships of war. but being a RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout from those experience pushes Alex beyond Pennys reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war?


A Refuge at Highland Hall was an wonderful read, and I got it done in no time at all. It was a sweet book filled with history which made me one happy girl!

 It didn't only have on story line but like...5 going on all at once and it was so fast paced I couldn't put it down.
When I first got it it felt like such a thick book, but so much happens in so little time, that I actually wished it was longer. It was filled with such realistic characters that you couldn't help but feel comfortable reading it.

Penny Ramsey's character was excellent and very normal, none of the fiery-temper or the to-sweet-to-be-true stuff. She was very sweet and didn't live in denial of her feelings.

Alex Goodwin was the pleasant, good-looking, visitor to the Ramsey household, and the author didn't waste any time getting to the point of what was going on through his head. He is brave and sensible, but at times just reminded the reader that he is human and is not the perfect guy.

The little love story going on between the ladies maid and a German prisoner was ADORABLE!
It was so to the point, and they were never in doubt of their feelings. It was the strong kind of love that help them get thought difficult times even though they don't know each-other that well.
The stories between the two married coupes and all was just perfect.

I loved this book and was sad when at last I had to close its covers, but I am so glad to have this darling little read on my bookshelf

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Love Everlasting (Review)

Author: Tracie Peterson

Genre: Historical Romance

Bethany House Publishers  

Growing up in a Seattle bridle finishing school never prepared Abrianna to become one of those brides, but now Wade Ackerman, who has always been the reliable boy next door, is indicating he wants to be more than friends. and even the people closest to Abrianna believe Wade is the man she should marry. So why is she having such a hard time choosing between Wade Ackerman and Priam Welby.

Watching Welby's relentless pursuit of Abrianna is making Wade's blood boil. Welby can offer her wealth and security, but what about character and integrity? Surely Abrianna can see past Welby's smooth tongue and fine clothes. Can't She?

 Caught between the devil and the boy next door, either choice she makes will change Abrianna's life forever.

Tracie Peterson has been one of my favorite Historical Romance writer for a very long time, and it took me no time at all to decide that I wanted to read her new book.

Love Everlasting is a wonderful romance book if there ever was one, It is not to mushy-gushy and it really was a very delightful read. I did especially enjoy Abrianna's character as I felt like I could relate to her. I haven't read any of the Brides of Seattle before this one and I absolutely would go and pick them up sometime. This is the 3rd book in the Brides Of Seattle series and I can't help but wonder what the others are like. 

The only con that I could find with this book, was that I felt that the first half of the book lacked a little bit of action and it seemed a bit drawn out. But that was no big deal and I didn't really care to much about it.

My Rating: 9 out of 10

I received the book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

A Walk in the Woods (Review)

Author: Bill Bryson

Genre: True story, Travel, Adventure 

My Rating: 2/5

Middle aged Bill Bryson, is back in America after 20 years in Britain, and decides to reacquaint himself with the land he now lives in by walking the 2,100 mile Appalachian trail.  So with an acquaintance from years back they set of on this hike of a lifetime. With the stunning views that is provides also come extremely unusual situations.

Yes this book did indeed provide more than one laugh, and it did seem as though I was on this journey myself. It was vividly written and had a very authentic 'green' feel to it. I did like the fact that this actually happened to the author, and it was written in the very realest sense. I liked the writing style and it was easy to read. 

And as for the reason I did give this such a low rating. The language was...not good. I usually excuse language when it is in true stories, but it was so excessive in this book and I just felt like it would have been pretty easy to just say something like 'he cursed' instead of inserting in the actual curse word. I came across the fist curse word in page 4 (I think).. YIKES!!!!
And also there were a couple inappropriate scene that I felt kinda grossed out about. 

I felt like this was defiantly an adult book, and for someone who LOVES travel and adventure 


 I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review 

xoxo
Leah

Rare Bird Review

Author: Anna Whiston-Donaldson (Author Bio)

Genre: Heartache, Hope, True story

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Donaldson family has an ideal life, two kids, vacations, friends and family, the whole shebang, until their whole world gets turned upside down on a ordinary September day in 2011. Their 12 year old son Jack and 10 year old daughter Margaret go outside to play with the neighbor kids when a freak flood carries away their precious Jack. The rest of the family is left to struggle trying to come to grips with what has now become their new life.  This book is a true story of a mothers loss and her family facing impossible tragedy, and their journey to find the enduring hope that can only be found by coming to the Creator.

This book was a very deep, raw and straight forward read. I enjoyed reading about how this family dealt with the tragedy that came upon them, It was a book filled with emotion and heartbeat and for that I love the fact that I own it.

There was a little bit of language that I did not appreciate, but when I read true stories I tend to dismiss it due to that fact that It actually happened so it makes the story real and does not leave anything out. Some of the religious aspects I did not agree with, but that is all personal opinion. It was a little hard to get into and it seemed like it was allllllll about the emotion so I (a 15 year old) got a tiny bored with it. 

Overall this is a very...True.... story, I can't think of any other way to put it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a little tear- tugging, and to witness the beauty of finding Hope.

I got this book for free in exchange for my honest review

xoxo
Leah 

A Noble Masquerade

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Bethany House Publishers  

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to voice her opinions and be carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out in letters to her brothers old friend, The Duke of Marshington. Since she's never actually met the man, she has absolutely no intention of ever sending the letters and is completely mortified when her brothers mysterious valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.

Shockingly, the breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend on but whose behavior get more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family estates come to light, one thing is certain. Miranda's heart is far form all thats at risk for the Hawthorne and those they love.

Reading this book was a pleasure and I thought it was really well written. It was funny, cozy and sweet. I mean come on who doesn't like a little romance, spies and feisty ladies.

It was a little long and drawn out, and I would have liked it to be a little more elusive and mysterious, but I did like the way the author drew up the characters.

The end was a bit to mushy-gushy kissy-squissy. 

But the fact that is the first book in a series is seriously exciting, and I wouldn't hesitate to pick up the sequels as soon as I can get my hands on them.

But as a whole, if you like romance, and cuteness you should defiantly pick this book up.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

xoxo

Leah   

Avenue of Spies

Once in a blue moon, a human picks up a volume and finds that gold has been woven into a book. Avenue of Spies by Alex Kershaw is the rawest book I have read since Laura Hillenbrand's 'Unbroken'. History of any kind has always interested me immensely, and I am very often disappointed, so as I opened up this book, my expectations were not high. But as I adjusted to the style of writing that Alex Kershaw uses, I found myself feeling ten times more intelligent for reading this book.
I didn't give this book a five star rating because at times, my fifteen-year old-self felt like I was trudging through sticky swamps of facts and dates that seemed to rush over me like a title wave. There are quite a few parts of the book which are a bit heavy, nudity, violence, abuse etc. but I dismissed that because I feel like the facts of war and history should never be omitted in life, and that is what made this book so raw and real. 
I am not putting a summary of this book in my review because there is to much to say and the book says it all in such blunt forwardness that I don't think I can give a summary without giving it all away, and I don't think I could adequately write it to meet the story of the book itself. However I will say that if you are looking for a book. This, my friends, is a book, and I am proud to have it gracing my bookshelf. 
Its a story of a family that survived a war. 
All the facts are there, however gruesome.
What more could you ask?   

Author:Alex Kershaw
Genre: WWII, Nonfiction, Biography. (More Info)
My Rating: 8.5/10

I received this book for free from Blogging for books for my honest review  

xoxo
Leah

The Mapmakers Children: Review

The Mapmakers Children

Sarah McCoy 

Sarah McCoy illustrates with a clear and vibrant pen the story of two women with very different lives. Sarah Brown plot takes place in the 1850 during a time of heavy conflict between the North and South but with a heart for helping runaway slaves she uses her gift of art to aid runaways with the Underground Railroad system. Eden Anderson is miserable and feels alone and dismal at the way her life is turing out to be, married but with out children, Eden makes one more attempt to save her struggling family by moving and trying to end her sorrow. 
These stories of both women are very diverse, Sarah lives a dangerous life in which she is forced to be strong, and to make decisions that break her heart , while Eden life is full of raw emotions and personal turmoil. 
I am a HUGE fan of American history and was extremely excited to begin reading this book, and the first chapter seemed to promise full history accounted woven within the story of these ladies, but I was very disappointed when, as I kept turning the pages, I found the book to be mostly just two stories connected to each other by one micro-thread. Though well written, besides mild language and some unnecessary details, I didn't feel as if I learned anything from this book. 
When my sister asked how I liked it I said I thought it really wasn't worth her time.

Author: Sarah McCoy (read more about her here: Author Bio)
Genre: Novel, History (More Info)
My Rating: 4/10

I received this book for free for in exchange for my honest review.
 

Welcome

Welcome!! Since you are here I can only assume that you are (like me) a book devotee. And again if you (like me) are ALWAYS looking for a new, wonderful, heartwarming, soul gripping book,  you are at the right blog. This is a blog dedicated to the exquisite side of life called Books. So sick around and read some of my reviews so maybe I can guide to the book of your dreams or warn you about the bizarre and totally cringe-worthy books out there.
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xoxo

Leah