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