Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Secretly Smitten By Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt



Secretly Smitten is the second book in the Smitten series, written by the authors in a collaborative process made into 4 novellas.  The basic premise of the Smitten series takes place in a town called Smitten, an old logging town that reinvents itself into Vermont's love capital.  

These novellas center on 4 women; Anna, and her 3 daughters (Tess, Zoe and Clare.)  As they go through the ups and downs of  life and finding love they work to solve a mystery about a past romance of Grandma Rose's.  Apparently she was engaged to a soldier, thought to be MIA, until one day they discover his dog tags in Grandma's attic. They all go on a wild (and highly entertaining) goose chase to answer their questions.

I  liked this book.  It is an easy read, but full of fun, comforting stories.  It is a little slice of feel-good, knock your socks off romance and adventure.  The characters are fun and lively, and the town of Smitten becomes more endearing with each chapter.  Well done ladies!

Here is a link of my review of their first book, Smitten.  Equally as good, and all about how Smitten came to be a love capital. http://simplychangingchapters.blogspot.ca/2011/12/smitten-by-by-colleen-coble-kristin.html

4 Stars Out of 5

This book was provided to me for free by BookSneeze contingent on a non-biased review.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Isle of Shadow by Tracy L. Higley

Set in the Greek Island of Rhodes, this historical novel is set right between the Old and New Testament.  Tessa of Delos, an ancient-day escort and enslaved by the powerful politician Glaucus finds herself in the precarious position of trying to cover up his accidental death.  She meets Nikos, a slave who has the ability to turn her stone heart into a living one and unravel her feelings.  She finds a friend in Simeon, a kind Jewish head servant who seems to know about a kind of freedom she has never heard of.  Surrounded by powerful men, can she out-plot them to cheat her destiny and change her future?

Greek history is a fascinating topic in itself, but when coupled with Tracey Higley's writing abilities and insights, it is a great read.  A few twists and turns makes for some suspense, but I liked the characters and their heart journey's the best.  I even stayed up late to read the ending, I really needed to know what would happen to Tessa!

Another one of Higley's books (which I liked even better) is called Garden of Madness, http://simplychangingchapters.blogspot.ca/2012/03/garden-of-madness-by-tracy-l-higley.html  I have to say I am becoming a fan of her work!

I received this book for free from BookSneeze contingent on a non-biased review.


Monday, January 14, 2013

Here's Lilly by Nancy Rue

This is a delightful book designed for elementary age girls.  My 6 year old daughter and I read this story, about a spirited 6th grader named Lilly Robbins.  Its main theme and message centers around true beauty and what that really looks like.  

One day at school, Lilly takes part in a presentation by a women in the modeling industry.  After receiving some positive attention about her looks, she becomes obsessed with an upcoming modeling contest, and ends up loosing her true self in the process.  

I loved this book because it shows how even the main character (who generally has a decent head on her shoulders) can get caught up in vain pursuits.  It is so difficult for girls to receive positive messages about body image in a way they will really identify with, and I like how Nancy Rue combines fiction and non-fiction in these series to really drive home a message of biblical beauty.  

But I will really give my 6 year old the vote on this one, and she "loves it!"

This book was provided to me for free by Booksneeze, contingent on an unbiased review.