Celibate in the Suburbs

Blue Moon Promise

Amanda — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:15:30 +0000

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble appears to be the first novel in a new series. It is the story of Lucy Marsh who finds herself orphaned after the death of her father. She works hard to keep herself and two siblings together. When she loses her job and place to live, she is left wondering what will become of her family. An old friend of her father appears on her doorstep with a proposal to marry his son, Nate, by proxy and move to Texas. With no other choices before her, Lucy agrees and the story begins.

I enjoyed this story and the characters in it and I do look forward to future installments that tell the stories of minor characters that were introduced. However, this is a story of a marriage of convenience. While enjoyable, this is to be a recurrent plot line by several Christian fiction writers these days. Colleen Coble’s Lonestar novels were also all marriages of convenience and had I not read most of those recently, I probably would have enjoyed this one more. With that said, I do enjoy historical fiction and this fits the bill. I liked the mystery aspects that were added and the interaction between characters.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing me a free copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Bittersweet Surrender

Amanda — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:48:38 +0000

Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt is the story of Carly Westlake, owner of the Mocha Day Spa where clients receive their spa treatments in chocolate. Carly is coming out of a dark place in her life as her husband left her in the middle of breast cancer treatment. Her best friend and dad passed away one month apart. Her self-image is shattered. Carly is determined to live life to the fullest again. With the help of family and dear friends, Carly begins to take charge of her life.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It did seem to move a little slowly at points, but managed to wrap up nicely. Personally knowing a breast cancer survivor, I could fully relate to the body image issues that Carly struggled with in the book. I appreciate the message of making one positive choice at a time in order to achieve a goal. I must admit that I would love attending a chocolate themed spa…it sounds amazing.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

The Christmas Singing

Amanda — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:52:22 +0000

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall is a novella about Mattie Eash who had her heart-broken by her childhood best friend, Gideon Beiler. Mattie tries to move on with her life by moving to another Amish community six hours away where one of her brothers lives. She opens a cake store that is soon doing very well. Mattie even begins dating and finds security in her comfortable life. An accident at the store causes Mattie to return home where her path crosses Gideon frequently. A tense relationship between the two exists as Gideon tries to figure out if he should reveal the truth about their breakup and Mattie tries to forgive a man she feels she no longer knows.

Since it is a novella, the story moves along quickly. Readers can relate to both Mattie and Gideon because of the emotion and consequences behind a decision made in an attempt to protect a loved one. I enjoy that Cindy Woodsmall includes recipes at the back of her books and I look forward to trying the strawberry cake recipe this summer.

Thanks to WaterBrook Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a favorable review.

christmas cookies and holiday hearts…

Amanda — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:35:04 +0000

I’ve once heard it said…”It’s not what you eat between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s what you eat between New Year’s and Christmas.” Here’s hoping that true:

I bought cute cookie trays that make typical sugar cookie cutout shapes. I dipped peppermint Joe-Joe’s in high quality dark chocolate candy coating and sprinkled crushed candy canes on top. The cake balls have been the hit of the year so far. The mice cookie is a recipe that my sister found several years ago and they are still a family favorite. I made pumpkin rolls last weekend, but they are already in the freezer.

It’s a good thing my treadmill and I are on a first name basis!

Merry Christmas!!

the Accidental Bride

Amanda — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:26:30 +0000

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter is the second book in the Big Sky Romance series. The story focuses on Shay Brandenberger who is a single mom struggling to raise her daughter while maintaining the family ranch. Shay has not had the best luck in love and unfortunately the entire town knows it. She agrees to play the part of the bride at the annual Founder’s Day wedding reenactment. Unbeknownst to her, a last minute groom change brings her face-to-face with her high school sweetheart who left her at the alter fourteen years ago. Through the help of the town matchmaker, their old, unused marriage license is on hand that day and gets mailed to the state by mistake; making their “I dos” legally binding.

After reading the first in this series, A Cowboy’s Touch, I was super excited to get this book in the mail. It did not disappoint. I love the characters and the storyline. Denise Hunter has the ability to bring the chemistry between the main characters to life. Shay’s pride and stubborn streak is completely believable and you can’t help wanting things to work out her way. I look forward to the next installment of this series.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Full Tilt

Amanda — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:59:19 +0000

Full Tilt by Creston Mapes is the second installment of the Rock Star Chronicles. It continues the story of Everett Lester, the former lead singer of DeathStroke, who has recently become a Christian. Everett and his wife, Karen, are living in New York so that Everett can be close to his brother Eddie’s family. Eddie’s remaining son, Wesley, blames Everett for his brother’s death and has vowed to make Everett pay. As Everett reaches out to help Eddie overcome his gambling addiction and Wes to kick his drug habit, Everett gets pulled into the darkness of their lives and finds himself at odds with the local mafia. Everett is getting ready to start his Living Water tour which are free concerts across the nation that showcase his new music that gives glory to God. As the persecution continues, Everett must find a way to do what God has called him to do.

Overall, I liked this book. It was not as gripping as the first in the series, but it was good to see the further development of Everett’s character. I liked that as a new Christian, Everett still had struggles and had to choose every day to cling to God’s word and promises. I look forward to reading the final book in the series.

Thanks to MediaGuests for providing me a free copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Smitten

Amanda — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:31:35 +0000

Smitten is a series of four short stories by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter that focus on a small town named Smitten. For years, Smitten has been kept alive by a mill that employed the majority of the men in town. When the mill closes, four best friends come up with a scheme to save the town. Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese decide to capitalize on the town’s name, which has been a source of teasing, and turn Smitten into the love capital of the East. Despite resistance from the men in town, the ladies forge ahead with their plans and lo and behold become smitten themselves.

I enjoy all of these authors so to find them in one book is a pleasure. I can only imagine the fun they had on this project. Each story moves quickly and the characters are adorable as they carry out their plans. It’s a great escape for those ready for a little romance. The thing that always gets me about short stories is that I find myself wanting more, but that’s a good problem to have. Pick up a copy of this book and let yourself become smitten.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol

Amanda — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:10:14 +0000

Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol by Cresten Mapes is the story of Everett Lester who is the lead singer of a the wildly popular band, DeathStroke. Everett’s rough childhood and disbelief in God take him down a dark path. Despite having everything money can buy, he’s still not happy. He looks to many different things to fill the void, but cannot seem to find what he’s looking for. When his music and words start to lead many fans away from God, one Christian girl begins to pray that God will change Everett Lester’s life and the battle for his soul commences.

Within the first chapter, I was completely hooked. The plot line was riveting and the intensity was well-paced. The character development was so well done that I can’t wait to read the next two novels in this series. The spiritual warfare that occurs throughout the story is mind-blowing and yet totally believable. As the truth behind events are revealed, the reader can’t help wondering how it will all turn out. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. If you like thriller books, then this is a must read.

Thanks to MediaGuests for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write an honest opinion.

Restless in Carolina

Amanda — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:53:52 +0000

Restless in Carolina by Tamara Leigh is the story of Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan. Bridget realizes that her family’s estate is going to be sold off and she is trying to make it happen on her own terms. She is an environmentalist and wants to find an environmentally responsible developer who will keep the land in tact as much as possible. Her sister and cousins are on her to move on with her personal life. Bridget’s husband died four years ago and she has not fully recovered from the loss. Bridget has cut herself off from God and is unwilling to consider following in love.

Tamara Leigh just may be a new favorite author. I loved this story and could not put the book down. This book is part of a series and I am looking forward to going back and reading the previous books. The characters are engaging and the story builds momentum right from the start. I enjoyed the family history storyline of a current generation trying to make up for the past actions of the man who built the family fortune at the expense of others. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book.

Thanks to Multnomah Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a favorable opinion.

The Crossing

Amanda — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:24:22 +0000

The Crossing by Serita Jakes is the story of two adults who were part of a horrific event in their past. Claudia Campbell and Casio Hightower were high school students riding home on a school bus after a major football victory. While their bus is stopped for a train to pass, a gunman enters the bus and kills the cheerleading coach. Claudia was extremely close to her cheerleading coach and Casio got shot when trying to intervene. Ten years later, both Claudia and Casio struggle to put the past behind the unsolved murder and are gripped by panic attacks that cripple their ability to move forward with their lives.

This book is gripping from the start and keeps the momentum going until the last page. The story gives a glimpse as to what a person suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome experiences on a daily basis. Random things in ordinary life trigger flashbacks so vivid, that the person is literally unable to move. Claudia grew up in church and since the accident has kept her distance from God. This novel is about finding God’s grace and healing in the midst of dealing with past trauma. Truly an excellent read.

Thanks to WaterBook Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a favorable review.