Book Review - "The Creole Princess"

Book Description from the publisher:


Torn between loyalties to family and flag, one young woman is about to discover that her most important allegiance is to her heart.

It is 1776, and all along the eastern seaboard the American struggle for independence rages. But in the British-held southern port of Mobile, Alabama, the conflict brewing is much quieter--though no less deadly.

Lyse Lanier may be largely French in heritage, but she spends most of her time in the company of the ebullient daughter of the British commander of Mobile. When a charming young Spanish merchant docks in town, Lyse is immediately struck by his easy wit and flair for the dramatic. But is he truly who he makes himself out to be? Spies abound, and Spain has yet to choose a side in the American conflict. Is Lyse simply an easy mark for Rafael Gonzalez to exploit? Or are his overtures of love as genuine as Spanish gold?

With spectacular detail that brings the cultural gumbo of the Colonial Gulf Coast alive, Beth White invites you to step into a world of intrigue and espionage from a little-known slice of the American Revolutionary War.


Beth White is the award-winning author of The Pelican Bride. A native Mississippian, she teaches music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.


My Review:
This is the second book in Beth's Gulf Coast Chronicles series and I feel like it is an excellent addition to the series.  Lyse is torn between loyalties and conflict is all around and within her heart.  This story dives right into the drama and the scene is set, both the summer heat and the tension and fear.  The historical details are so complex in this book and it really brought this time period to life.  Also, I loved the style of writing as the story is told by several characters and I really liked this approach as I felt like I got to know the characters better and was really a part of the story.  This is great historical fiction that historical romance fans will not want to miss out on. 


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Dauntless"

"Dauntless" is book 1 in Dina L. Sleiman's Valiant Hearts series.  This is a Robin Hood type tale and full of action, adventure and love.  Although it is teen fiction, it is still enjoyable for adults to read and I found myself engrossed in the story.  Lady Merry is an enemy to the throne and Timothy is hoping to capture her in order to make a name for himself as he is the ninth child in his family and wants to be his own person.  Thus begins a grand adventure that is not exactly as planned.
This is fun, exciting book that is filled with adventure, loveable characters and a great setting. 


*Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Better All the Time"

"Better All the Time," a Darling Family novel, written by Carre Armstrong Gardner is a feel-good story that will draw you into the lives of these sisters.
Sephy is a caretaker, that is her identified role in the family and she has found her niche just being a part of the background and caring for others.  However, Sephy begins to look at her own life and begins a journey of change.  Amy is also beginning a new chapter in her life as well, but not everyone seems to be as committed to the project as her. 
These two girls are the main focus of the story; however the entire Darling family is a part of the story.  The family dynamics are well-written as they are realistic and portray struggles and triumphs within a family. Carre has a great style of writing as the story flows well and the writing is so descriptive bringing the setting and characters to life.


*Thanks to the Tyndale Blog Network for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Buried Secrets"

Irene Hannon's start to her new series, Men of Valor, is excellent and fans of romantic suspense do not want to miss out on!
"Buried Secrets" begins with a tragic event and then the story jumps ahead years when the event comes to light.  Lisa and Mac meet as they are both working this case and they find a mutual attraction simmers between them.  However, they have their own pasts as well.
I really loved this book; it was hard to put down once I started reading.  Mac and Lisa are both such great main characters and I love the parallel story as well with Jessica and Erika and the struggles in their lives, both current and their history together.  Mac's brothers add an additional element to the story as well and I am looking forward to their stories.  Also, I have to mention the amazing job the design team did with this cover with the textured design to it; wow!  This is a must-read book and I am looking forward to book #2 in the series coming out next spring!


*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"Double Cross"

"Double Cross" is the second novel in Diann Mills' FBI: Houston series and I absolutely loved it!  This is a book that you will not be able to put down once you start reading. 
Laurel is investigating a scam and it leads her to an individual from her past.  Daniel is trying to protect his grandparents from becoming the latest victims of a scam and his job as a police officer throws him into working with Laurel but also into the midst of danger with her. 
There are twists and turns and not knowing who to trust and if people have changed or not making this an exciting read.  Diann Mills is a must-read author for those whom enjoy suspense with a touch of romance.


*Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Rethink Inner Beauty with Barbara Roose’s ‘Enough Already’ and a Weekend Getaway Giveaway

Learn how to recognize your own outer and inner beauty as defined by God, not the media or others, in Barbara Roose's new book, Enough Already. What would it take for you to believe you are enough already? Most women know God loves them, but might he love them more if they finally lost that last ten pounds, or got their hair to lay right, or finally found a pair of jeans that looked good and let them breathe? Well, maybe God doesn’t care about jeans, but women do, and all the talk about inner beauty hasn’t kept all of us from staring into a mirror and taking an inventory that never quite measures up.

Barbara is celebrating the release with a giveaway! One reader will receive a cash card and writing supplies for her own inner-beauty weekend getaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card for your own inner-beauty weekend getaway
• A notepad/pencil set for your inner-beauty quiet time
• A copy of Enough Already

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 12th. Winner will be announced April 13th on Barbara's blog.

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

Book info

About the book: Enough Already (Abingdon, March 2015) Recognize your own outer and inner beauty as defined by God, not the media or others. Most women know that God loves them, but might he love them more if they finally lost that last ten pounds, or got their hair to lay right, or finally found a pair of jeans that looked good and let them breathe? Well, maybe God doesn't care about jeans, but women do, and all the talk about inner beauty hasn't kept all of us from staring into a mirror and taking an inventory that never quite measures up. Enough Already will: -Elevate the soul-freeing, spiritual truth that God is the Creator of beauty and that women are called to appreciate and care for themselves as his own. -Enable women to accept God-given beauty so that when they look in the mirror they see his handiwork, not their flaws. -Equip women to win the ugly struggle with beauty once and for all. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Eqr5Tw About the author: Barbara Roose is an African-American, wife, mother, and pastor with a passion for creatively communicating God's truths in a manner that is relevant and easy for people to apply to their lives. In February 2002, she joined the staff at Cedar Creek Church in Perrysburg, Ohio. Currently, she is the Directional Leader and Pastor of Spiritual Formation. For the past eight years, she has had the privilege to serve as periodic teaching pastor to 10,000 (average) weekly attendees. Since 2010, she has spoken at various women's conferences in the U.S. and Honduras. In October 2012, she was a guest speaker for best-selling author and former Women of Faith speaker, Nicole Johnson's Seasons Weekend Experience. Barbara and her husband, Matt, have been married 21 years and live in Toledo, Ohio. Find Barbara online: website, Facebook, Twitter My Review: I really enjoyed Barbara L. Roose's book, "Enough Already."  This is an excellent book for individual reading, but also for a small group to read and discuss together.  This is filled with so many thought-provoking points and so many reminders of what true beauty really is.  Barbara makes so many valid points throughout the book and I am looking forward to reading back through it and really taking my time reading through it this time. There are personal reflection questions, bulleted lists, tips and group discussion questions throughout this book; I loved these aspects as I was really drawn into the book and it became very personal to me. This also makes me more aware of the message that my daughter and other girls receive on a daily basis.  I highly recommend this book. To read other reviews included on this blog tour, go here!  *Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

"trisha's table"

"Trisha's Table: my feel-good favorites for a balanced life" is a great collection of recipes and a must-have for fans of Trisha Yearwood.  This is packed full of recipes that have gorgeous pictures to go along with each recipe.  Each recipe has a little story to go along with it as well as tips from Trisha.  There is a wide range of recipes from hummingbird pancakes to dill pickles to crepes to chocolate orange cake to brownie batter cookies.  Trisha shares her philosophy for eating which is eating and making healthy choices 80% of the time and splurging 20% of the time.  I really enjoyed looking through this cookbook and I plan to try so many of these recipes. 


For more information about this book, go here!


For more information about the author, go here!


"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."