Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Stand-Alone second book in Royal Wedding Series

Regina Beswick never dreamed of faraway places. She’s happy with her life as a classic car mechanic and owner of a restoration shop.

But an unexpected visitor and the discovery of a fairytale, drawn by her great-grandma, causes Regina to wonder if she might be destined for something more.

Tanner Burkhardt, Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg, must convince the strong-willed Southerner, Miss Beswick, that she is his country’s long-lost princess. Failure could destroy his reputation and change his nation forever.

As Regina and Tanner face the challenges before them, neither are prepared for love to invade their hearts and change every thing they believe about themselves.

However, when a royal opponent nearly destroys Regina’s future, she must lean into God and trust He has sovereignly brought her to her true and final destiny

My Review:

4.5 Stars

Princess Ever After is the second book in Rachel Hauck's Royal Wedding series but can be read on its own.  Like the first book, Once Upon A Prince, this is a modern day fairy tale that will delight many. Rachel Hauck packs a ton into this book and really keeps the story moving.

I just loved Regina, a simple girl from Florida who enjoys fixing up old cars. She felt like a real person and was completely blindsided when she found out her heritage. While many people dream of being a real princess she felt like she was already living her dream. This fact just makes the story that much more real, sweet and fun. I loved the message that came out of the book that we are meant for more, as in God has so much more in store for us if we just trust Him.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good, sweet romance story. What women, girl, and young lady doesn't enjoy reading a fairy tale!

* I received this book through Litfuse Publicity for the purpose of this review. Thank you!


Monday, April 7, 2014

What Follows After by Dan Walsh

About the Book:

Genre: Comtemprary Fiction

In 1962, life was simple, the world made sense, and all families were happy.
And when they weren't, everyone knew you were supposed to pretend.

For the past year, Scott and Gina Harrison have been living a lie. While they show up at family get-togethers in the same car, they've actually been separated for over a year. To keep up the charade, they've even instructed their sons, Colt and Timmy, to lie--to their grandparents, their teachers, and their friends.

Colt, for one, has had enough, so he hatches a plan. He and his little brother will run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt's house in Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents get back together. But when things go terribly, terribly wrong, Scott and Gina must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their marriage.

In this emotional story, bestselling author Dan Walsh takes you on a journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life--love, truth, and family. With profound insight into the heart of a hurting child, he reminds us that a time will come to look back on hard times and smile, because we'll know that what follows after . . . is not what we expected at all.

My Review:

4.5 Stars

What an emotional and great story this is. I loved the setting of 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis (a period I never lived through and do not know much about). The country is in turmoil and fear over what might happen while the Harrison's are dealing with their own personal turmoil and fear. This story is not a simple beach read but a deep emotional story that leaves you with a great message, satisfaction and hope.

I really enjoyed this story and loved the message of God's perfect timing. When you put your faith in Jesus things don't happen by coincidence but happen because God knows what he is doing and puts people where they need to be for it to happen. I also enjoed how the story starts in the present, then goes back to the past and ends in the present. In the end, just loved this book and Dan Walsh is an excellent story teller. I know I always look forward to reading another book from him.

* I received this book through Revell Reads for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

One Lost Sheep Children's Picture Book

About the Book:

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Classic Bible story with vibrant art and lyrical rhyming text from established and successful author Rhonda Gowler Greene.

“Ninety-eight…ninety-nine…” The faithful shepherd realizes that one of his one hundred sheep is missing and sets out to find it. In playful rhyme, prolific author Rhonda Gowler Greene retells Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep that loses its way on the mountain side. Under brambles, behind rocks, the shepherd looks until he finds it again. Children will delight in this fun and engaging tale illustrated by Margaret Spengler as they learn that God, like the faithful shepherd, will never let them stray.

My Review:

4 Stars

This beautifully illustrated book will help teach children the well know parable of the lost sheep and how each and every one of us is important to God. They rhythm, almost song like, makes it fun and easy to read out loud. I loved that each page only has a sentence or two and makes it easy for young kids to follow the story. Kids of all ages will love the pictures. This will make a great book to add to any child's library.

* I received this book through booklook bloggers for the purpose of this review.