Booking it ~ March 2013

I love participating in Booking It.  It is a good reminder to read, and keep reading.  As an added bonus it gives me some way to keep track of what I've been reading.

I read Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn.  I love sweet romance stories, and this one was great.  You can read the rest of the review here. 

If you haven't read any of Dani Pettrey's novels yet, you should.  She is a great new author and I have enjoyed both of her books - 3 and 4 are due out soon.  Shattered is the one I read this month, it is adventure, mystery and romance all in one.  Besides all of that it uses the Alaska beauty as it's backdrop.  Check it out.  More on Shattered here. 

I keep an eye on all of the freebie sights and download books for the kindle when I can find them.  This month I read Sea Captain's Promise and I enjoyed it.  It wasn't the best book that I had ever read, but I did enjoy the story of redemption.  One man stood firm in his faith and held to his convictions and the life of another man was changed because of it.  It is another romance, but it is very different in style from the other two I read this month.

I also read a book to preview for a 16 year old boy.  I read The Lightening Theif by Rick Riordian.  I loved it.  I have some qualms, I do not ever want the One True God to be ignored or slighted in any way.  These mythical gods are NOT real, as a work of fiction this is great.  Riordian is a great writer and some of your young guys may really enjoy this story. It's a story of hope, adventure and friendship as well as the journey to adulthood.  I do not propose that it is appropriate for 12 year olds to "galavant" across the country on quests, but as a story, I did like it. 

Unveiled - This is the story of Tamar.  Francine Rivers took the biblical story and fleshed it out so that those of us with imaginations that are less bold could see what it may have been like for her.  It was well written and well done.

Unashamed - The story of Rahab.  Again this biblical story is given a new perspective.  It was great to read what it may have been like for both sides at the battle of Jericho.  I never thought about what it may have been like in that time. 

I hope you have had a great month and got a chance to read some great books.  Come back and share it at Life as Mom's Booking it!

Shattered!

I love reading books for Bethany House. They have consistently sent me books that I enjoy and that I have felt good about passing on to others. Shattered was no different. I loved it from the first moment I picked it up.
If you read Dani Pettrey's first book, Submerged, then you have already been introduced to the characters in the book, but even if you haven't, I think you'll enjoy it. Shattered is Landon and Piper's story, but more than that it is the story of a sister's trust and faithfulness, and a story of redemption.
This story has suspense, love, action, and consequence. From the moment I picked it up I was enthralled with it. In the moments that you aren't actively following the murder investigation, then you are following the love story. Mrs Pettrey, you have knocked this one out of the park. Thank you.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy to review. 

Sweet romance novel

I love Robin Jones Gunn, and the way she handles romance.  It is sweet and light and makes me think about the way I handle my life. This book was one that I had read before, but it was great to reconnect with the characters again.  If you read the original Christy Miller series as a teenager (or later) you may recognize some of these characters. This is book 5 of the Glenbrooke series, the book is Clouds
This is a sweet story that starts with a first love and follows it years later after life has separated the couple. Can love bloom again? Or has life driven these two people to far apart?
If you want to learn more about Robin Jones Gunn and her books series check out her website.  You can find a copy of Clouds on amazon or your local book retailer. 
Thank you to Waterbrooks Multanomah for providing me with a review copy.  My opinions are my own.