Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Description:

Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father's rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole's plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family's legacy?

My Opinion:

An unexpected surprise! Based on the cover I assumed this book was going to be a straight forward comedy. Even from the description, a dagger? I thought, "this is going to be humorous." Even though there were some funny scenes, it was much more serious then I presumed. An the story pulled off the seriousness of situations quite well. I actually wanted to cry when I saw how past tragedies haunted Darius for over a year.


I loved how Darius made everyone who worked for him feel like family, and how he even called them as such. It was touching how much he cared for people and how quickly he took them on under his wing, even though it was more them carrying his weight for so long.


Darius and Nicole's romance came along pretty fast. I found it a little odd how for a while Darius refused to spend time around Nicole, then all of the sudden he can't be dragged away from her company. I thought the tension between their relationship should have been dragged out a little longer. The speed that everything transpired in was to quick for this story. But, after their relationship got rolling they were the cutest couple you could lay eyes on, and Darius definitely became swoon worthy.


There is nothing left that I could critique about Full Steam Ahead. One small thing that I would have done differently, but other than that. Beautiful story!!!


Stars: 4   

Abandoned Memories by MaryLu Tyndall

Description:
Something sinister lurks in the lush Brazilian jungle. . . .

It is 1866 and the fledgling Confederate colony of New Hope is Angeline Moore’s last chance at a normal life. Running from the law, she longs to make a fresh start in this new Southern Utopia. But a series of strange disasters threaten to destroy everything the colonists have worked for, and strange visions threaten to reveal a past Angeline is desperate to hide.

James Callaway failed at both doctoring and preaching, but he hopes that his move to Brazil will give him another chance to become the spiritual leader he so desires. He longs to create a world free from the immorality that plagued every street corner back home and ruined his life. And he believes Angeline is just the sort of refined woman he needs to keep him on the right track.

But something is amiss in New Hope: haunting visions, the discovery of crypts beneath an ancient temple, and an archaic Hebrew book, set the colonists’ fears on edge. When one of their own is murdered, a series of disasters leads them to believe God has brought them to Brazil to defeat an evil that, if unleashed, could wreak havoc on the entire world.


My Opinion:
Praise be to God for all he has done for us and giving MaryLu the idea for these stories! As I read this I kept begging that she would prolong the series and continue with a fourth book! I already knew the next budding relationship I wanted to see grow...*Cough Cough*... Thiago and Sarah... and the whole spiritual war concept was out of this world! I loved how at the end she mentions this being a play off of an actual legend that she heard about from man.


The story was constantly go, go, go- not many moments for the characters to actually take a breather, but the action was SO great. Not that what they went through is something that I would want to experience, because I wouldn't, but it sure made for an intense and tantalizing read.


Would it be bad for me to say that I underestimated this book? That I thought it would fall flat compared to the first two? BOY, was I wrong! The struggles that both James and Angeline went through were so real, and the visions that plagued them were relentless! I loved how this book showed just how far someone can fall if being tempted by the world, but then how with one choice- redemption- everything can change in an instant. Their way of thinking, their confidence, their joy, their forgiveness, and their love for one another!


The ending of the book, the last few chapters, was one of the best endings I have read in a long time! I can't quite describe what I was feeling during those moments I read it There was this part where MaryLu transitioned ingeniously between characters thoughts. The only way I can describe it was like 'head hopping', hopping from one persons thoughts to the others. Normally, I can't stand it when I only get a half page to a page of one characters thoughts, but at the time in the story it was perfect and added an anxiousness to know what was going to happen next. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, even though I was laying down in bed when I read the end.


I can't think of anything else to say, I just hope this review shows the emotion I felt while reading Abandoned Memories!


Stars: 5


P.S. I loved this series so much that I just started a pinterest board for the series. You may check it out here anytime you wish :) I hope you will! Just scroll down the right hand side of the page and you will come across quite a few pinterest boards that I have for novels that I have read!!!

~!!Nominated for the Sunshine Award!!~

                   
Yesterday, I was nominated for the Sunshine Award by Grace M. at Fictionally! Thank you so much for nominating me! It is an honor anytime someone shows me just how much they enjoy my blog. Even though where I'm at at the moment is cloudy and threatened by rain, this definitely brightened my day:)

~RULES~

 Thank the person who nominated you.
- Answer the questions from the person who nominated you.
- Nominate a few other bloggers.
- Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you nominated.
- Notify the bloggers on their blog.
- Put the award button on your blog.

Questions asked of me:

1. The last t.v. show/movie you watched that is now your life. What is it? I am a complete t.v. addict, which makes this question a little hard. Many shows pretty much make up my life: Once Upon a Time, Arrow, The Flash (which hasn't started yet but I am super excited), Merlin, etc. However, for this question I am going to answer the murder investigation show BONES. It's been around for a while, but I just recently started watching it on Netflix and have watched EVERY episode through season 8 already! Why I watch it? Because of FBI agent Seeley Booth and forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan's budding relationship. LOVE THEM!
 


2. You're invited to a ball where you have a chance of meeting prince charming, but a fairy shows up and says she'll grant you your biggest non-romantic wish (example: book contract) if you do not attend the ball. Do you take her up on her offer, or go to the ball? I hope I would pray about it first, but I think I would go to the ball. I am a Romantic.


3. You're given a ride in a time machine to the future and are able to bring back any one book that you are now waiting to release. What book will you choose? I can't think to far in the future for this question, but I would go to whenever the release of Deluge by Lisa Bergren is. I have been waiting for this book for FOREVER, and the publishing date keeps getting postponed!!!


4. You're perusing your bookshelf when, suddenly, the back falls out and you see a secret tunnel of stone that leads to a place you cannot see, but you hear a battle in the distance. Do you check it out, or repair the bookshelf? Now doubt about it, I'm checking it out and might just stay awhile. Depends on what I see...


5. and 6. You have to spend the day entertaining one of your least favorite characters. Who is it and what do you do to amuse them? I have many enemy characters... I don't know if I could pick one to dislike the most. I will have to go with Paratore from the River of Time series by Lisa Bergren. Man that man make my skin crawl. AMUSE HIM??? HA!!!! Can't I just stick him in a cage like he's done with so many other people??? I'll be nice and give him a toy! If I did try to amuse him he probably wouldn't hear me very well anyway... ;)... (some of you might understand that).


7. What would you rather be able to do: fly, breathe under water. or blow fire from your mouth? Although all of those would be pretty nifty, I would have to go with breathing under water because drowning is one of my worst fears, if not, THE WORST! Don't try to take me swimming without a life jacket!


8. There's a villain, and the only thing you have to knock away the vile stuff he's about to use to turn you into a toad is... a book on your bookshelf. Which book is it? Does that mean I choose the book on my shelf that I like the least because the book would probably get ruined? Ummm... I don't know... and I don't want to bash anyone's work. *Shrugs Shoulders* Sorry. :/


9. What is your ideal animal companion? Dog, cat, dragon, chameleon, etc? Realistically? A dog! Fantasy wise? A Dragon! Or one of those huge flying birds from Lord of the Rings! (I don't know what they are called)


10. A grand dinner is held where you and all of your favorite characters are invited. Which two characters do you choose to sit between? MARCELLO- just so I can tell him how much I admire him. (I wouldn't try to steal him from Gabi, at least I hope I could restrain myself) and FORTINO (Marcello's older brother)- Because I love him, and so I could join the family!*SPOILER* (IF HE WAS STILL ALIVE!!!!!!) *Rolls on the floor and cries my eyes out*


These characters are from the River of Time series by Lisa Bergren.

My Nominations:

• Rebekah at Backing Books
• Chelsey at Charming Chelsey's
• Joy and Nancy at Fiction Hero Features
• Madilyn and Bethany at The Literary Maidens
• Caitlyn at Just Your Average Reviews
• Kate at To Read or Not to Read

Questions for my Nominees:

1. If you could enter and become another character in any book you have read, what story would you join and what would be your role in the book as a completely new character?


2. You come across a time portal where you can bring two characters from the past to our modern world... Which two do you pick to bring back and watch struggle to grasp our new world technologies and etiquette?


3. You have to spend a day entertaining one of your least favorite characters... Who would it be and what would you do to amuse them?


4. Pretend it's MCM (Man Crush Monday), which character would you pick to be your crush for the day, and what book are they from?


5. If you were to Direct and Produce one of your favorite books, what would the book be and who would you cast as the main characters? (If you can, please provide pictures)


6. You find yourself in the middle of a battle, what is your weapon of choice?


7. If you were born in medieval times, what would you want your name to be and why?


8. What T.V. show/movie has overtaken your life of late?


9. Do you have an odd skill or do you do anything that some people would consider 'out of the ordinary'?


10. You must spend a day doing a job that you know you would absolutely despise, it's the worst and you don't understand why anyone would actually want that job. What is it? (I thought of this b/c of watching the T.V. show Dirty Jobs not to long ago). LOL

For Everyone Else: Feel free to answer any of these questions in my comments section and also feel free to ask me some of your own questions! Have a wonderful day! :)

Dakota Child by Linda Ford

Description:

Trapped in a North Dakota blizzard, single mother Vivian Halliday's prayer for herself and her child is answered. Rescue comes in the seemingly terrifying form of Billy Black, the hulk of a man feared by all the townsfolk. Yet in the home he shares with his ailing mother, the handsome, gentle giant warms her baby's bottles and sings sweet lullabies that lull even Vivian to peaceful sleep. When the storm abates, will she still seek the life that led her back to the village?

My Opinion:

This was probably the best Love Inspired book I have read to date. The writing was done so well I felt like I was actually reading a full length novel. The conflict and solution were both very well thought out and played almost perfectly throughout the story. I loved the characters and their own individual quirks and personalities. I haven't yet read anything quite like this.


Some things I didn't like so much were how 'big' Billy was made out to be and how quickly the sub-plot was taken care of. The way Billy's size was made out to be made him sound like he was a FEE-FY-FO kind of giant. I would have to realistically think of how big someone could actually get, so I didn't picture him like the size of a fairy tale giant.


The sub plot had to do with some legal issues and how Vivian signed some papers that she shouldn't have. About a chapter after she addresses her concerns the problem is taken care of, even though it was made out to be an issue that I thought was going to take longer to solve.


Over all this was a really good read, specially for a smaller book with a short time to fit a story line into. With some minor flaws I still believe that this is a book worth reading.


Stars- 4

***GIVEAWAY***

On another note, go check out a GIVEAWAY I have set up for Remnants: Season of Wonder by Lisa Bergen! You won't want to miss it! You can go directly to the giveaway by clicking HERE>>>.

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund

Description:

It is 1814 and the British have taken hold of Mackinac Island and its fort, forcing American residents to swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a voyageur--a fur trader who left his family home to find freedom and adventure. He's been gone five years and when he returns, his family's farm is at the mercy of the British invaders.

Torn between the life he's grown used to and guilt over leaving his brother and mother, he's drawn back into the loyalist fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique Mackenzie, a beautiful local girl who's been befriended by the daughter of the British commander. As tensions mount and the threat of violence increases, both Angelique and Pierre must decide where their loyalties rest, how far they will go to find freedom, and how much they will risk to find love.

My Opinion:

If I could give this book 3 thumbs up I would! Based on the cover I was nervous to read the book. It's a beautiful cover so I don't why, but I had an inkling that I wouldn't like it. However, that was not the case! This book in fact is probably my NEW favorite by Jody Hedlund, or at least a close tie with The Preachers Bride!


This book was so fun to read! Not that it was comical the whole way through, because it wasn't, but I felt like I was actually there with Angelique and Pierre. I felt like I was walking right beside them, going where they went, seeing what they saw right at their side. Like I was looking over their shoulder. This book had great perspective and it completely drew me in.


Pierre and Angelique's banter was hilarious! I caught myself rolling my eyes and laughing at Pierre's cocky comments more than a couple times, but I couldn't stop myself. I also loved that Angelique would reply in a cocky or sarcastic way. It was something that I would have done! As long as both people know they are joking, it's fun to poke fun at each other once in awhile. Who feels the same?


Both Pierre and Angelique's struggles had a huge impact on me. Angelique was striving to be better than the reputation the women in her family had, while all Pierre wanted to do for the longest time was get away from his family all together. Also, for years Angelique thought she was failing at her goal, while Pierre came to realize that his goal was completely wrong to have in the first place. Throughout the book they both come to terms with the fact that they are who they are, flaws and all, and that all they can do from here on out is be the best they can be for themselves, and for each other. And that God would give them the strength and grace they needed to know that they were not the disappointments they thought they were.


If you haven't guessed yet, there is really nothing I can judge or criticize about this book. I LOVED IT and I recommend it to everyone who has the slightest interest in it!


Stars: 5


***SIDE NOTE***

Go to my last post that is a GIVEAWAY for an ARC copy of REMNANTS: Season of Wonder by Lisa T. Bergren!!! You can find it by clicking HERE, or just scroll a little ways down the page!!! Thank you!!!!

ARC copy of Remnants: Season of Wonder ***GIVEAWAY*** US ONLY

I am so excited today to tell you all I received a hard cover copy of Remnants: Season of Wonder along with a Remnants T-shirt and a few knick knacks in the mail today!!! So Exciting!!! The best part, which is for all you guys, is that I already had an ARC copy of Remnants in my possession and I am going to be giving that away to one of you lucky winners! Here's a little about the book if you have no idea what it is:



Description:
In the first book of the new futuristic dystopian series from author Lisa T. Bergren, the chosen remnants must work to redirect humanity’s course.

THEIR ARRIVAL WAS FORETOLD FOR YEARS….

Andriana is a Remnant, gifted as an empath and one of the Ailith, destined to act as humanity’s last shield against the horrors that now plague those who remain.

After years of training in stealth and warfare, Andriana and her Knight protector, Ronan, are finally ready to answer the Call and begin the life they were designed for. But as they embark with the other Remnants on the first of their assignments, they quickly discover that the world beyond their protected Valley is more dangerous than they imagined.

The Sons of Sheol will stop at nothing to prevent Dri and Ronan from rescuing anyone sympathetic to the Remnants’ cause. And as the Remnants battle the demonic forces, still other enemies close in. Dangers intensity, but so do Dri’s feelings for Ronan–the one emotion she is not meant to feel. In the midst of their mission, Andriana must find a way to master her feelings. Or risk compromising everything…

Bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren presents the first book in her new YA futuristic dystopian series—The Remnants Novels—fitting in with the current dystopian trend in the marketplace.
_______________________________________________________________

My Review of the book can be found by clicking HERE>>>

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Wind Dancer by Jamie Carie

Description:

Raised in a British-held frontier town during the American Revolution, Isabelle Renoir is not like other women around her. A free spirit, she dances in the moonlight as a praise offering to God and is more at home fearlessly taking her long rifle and knife into the woods for adventure and inspiration. But Isabelle's latest journey may be more than even her strength can handle when a huge storm throws the raven-haired beauty off course and into the path of rugged American spy Samuel Holt. After matching wits and denying their passion for each other, they are attacked by Indians, held prisoner, and forced to watch the horrific killing of Isabelle's brother. Now together but in captivity, they must fight spiritual forces that no knife or rifle could ever conquer in order to be free

My Opinion:

I forget how much I love books with Indian culture in them. Their ways, even though I don't believe in them, are so captivating. Their lives draw me in to where I actually feel like I am experiencing the life of the tribe. I liked how even though Isabelle knew the Indians as her enemy she still found a way to enjoy herself at the camp. She was triumphant through everything they did to her and the others. She reminded me of Job from the bible, through all the suffering she still praised God at any point possible. She rebelled against the Gods of the Indians and worshiped Christ through the Indian tribes own ways.


I liked the characters in the story, they all played their parts well. I loved how even the enemy in the story had a likable side to them, showing that some people are misunderstood and giving their full side of the story as well as the main characters. I also liked how Samuel was like 'The Prodigal Son' in the book, it actually was a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting to meet any of his family in the book, but I am so happy that the part with him and his father was added in the story. It definitely portrayed Gods love for us the way I see it. 


I did not like how easy it was for both Samuel and Isabelle to scape the Indian camp. I expected more fighting and battle scenes before they found their freedom. However, they got away with barely a knick, if that. I also didn't like how some parts in the book were written, I kept on thinking that I missed a word or phrase on a page, but when I went back I realized I didn't, it was just written weird. 


Overall, this was a great book with minor flaws. I would definitely recommend it!


Stars: 4