Jacob's Way by Gilbert Morris

When Reisa Dimitri and her grandfather, Jacob, are forced to leave Russia because of their Jewish heritage, they face challenges they never could have anticipated. To make money, Reisa, Jacob and their friend, Dov, travel from town to town selling items. Eventually, their path leads them into the South where they meet Sam, a devout Christian, and Phineas. Unfortunately, Jacob becomes ill and at the insistence of Sam, Reisa, Jacob and Dov are convinced to remain there. When returning one day from their sales, Reisa and Dov discover a man, Ben Driver, near death. Reisa and Dov bring him back to the house and Reisa nurses him back to health. As his health improves, romance begins to appear. But there are other changes occurring in Reisa's heart. Who is this Jesus that Sam speaks of? Could Jesus really be the Messiah they have been waiting for? And does this Jesus have a plan for Reisa that includes Ben?

I enjoyed Jacob's Way. I liked that the characters in the story were not generic, cookie-cutter characters. Although I think stereotypes can be enjoyable and have their place, I found it refreshing that the main characters had physical flaws and interesting backgrounds. I greatly enjoyed the romance involving Dov and Hilda, a reclusive neighbor. Such a sweet romance between two very non-traditional characters. A good read.

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

Bridget Barrington has shared her secret with only one person. Since the day she confided in Philippe Clavell, her feelings for the servant have grown from friendship to tender companionship to love. When Bridget's parents begin looking for a husband for her, she risks her pride and bears her heart to Philippe and her parents. But more than social status stands in the way of her love. Questions remain about Philippe's feelings and whether or not love can conquer extreme religious differences between the two families. When Philippe is released from his servitude, he returns to his family and Bridget's engagement to Edward Moorehead is finalized by her parents. Will the truth of Bridget's secret ever be revealed and is it possible her fiance is somehow connected?

Where Hearts Are Free is historical fiction that incorporates realistic elements of the persecution of the French Huguenots. I thought this was an interesting twist and it added tension to the plot. I enjoyed the story though I found some of the language peculiar. I suppose this is to reflect the time period in which the book is set.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

Lady Constance Morrow only boarded the ship because she wanted to bid her uncle goodbye. Unfortunately, a deceptively simple choice leads to her being kidnapped, sold as a tobacco bride and then won on a gamble by Drew O'Conner. When she is forced into a marriage of convenience, she remains convinced that once her father hears of her misfortune, he will bring her back to England. What she does not count on is the strong attraction between her and her new husband. But this is only one of many struggles that she faces. Will their growing love survive the struggles that rage inside each of them?

This was actually my second time reading A Bride Most Begrudging and I had the same opinion of it that I had the first time. I loved the story. It is well-written and the pace is perfect. There is plenty of romance and even the occasional moment of humor. I loved the characters and the depth that the author gave to them. However, the sexual overtones are so strong that they almost overpower the story. It's just a matter of personal taste whether or not that would bother a reader. Deeanne Gist is known for her edgy fiction and most of the time I love her books, but this one is actually my least favorite by her.

Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr

When Ruth Livingston's father is accused of murdering a prostitute, she is forced to leave her home and to assume a false identity as Widow Ruth Malloy. Ruth anxiously waits to hear the news of her father's trial and to be restored to him. However, the sudden disappearance of Ruth Livingston gives the newspapers reason to accuse her father of yet another murder. When reporters begin canvasing the small town she is in, Ruth must carefully weigh every move. In tending her small garden, she finds peace – at least until the cranky Jake Spencer moves in. Jake Spencer frustrates her and yet she finds a certain affection for him in her heart. What she does not know is that Jake is a newspaper reporter seeking to restore his professional reputation. As love's first bloom appears, will it be able to survive the secrets that both of them are hiding?

Love's First Bloom is a sweet story of a woman who is faced with seemingly impossible challenges and finds solace in her true friends and her flower garden. I enjoyed the characters in this book, but I thought the plot moved a little slow. It is definitely still worth reading. The budding romance and the unanswered questions will keep readers coming back to finish the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris

Emily McCarthy thinks she has had all she can take when the orphanage she lives in sells her to a rancher who wants a wife. With no income and no family, Emily can not refuse the wishes of the orphanage and the rancher. At least this way, she will have a roof over her head. When she is kidnapped during a stagecoach robbery on Christmas Eve, things surely can not get any worse. Her kidnapper, Luke Sullivan, despises her future husband, Bart Axel, and brings Emily to the New Hope Orphanage. For the first time in the ordeal, Emily is given a choice. She may not like Luke Sullivan, but she definitely is not going to marry Bart Axel if she does not have to. Living at the New Hope Orphanage brings many new experiences to this city girl – including a chance for true love.

The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris is a good read for anyone who likes historical romances. Quite honestly, I did not want to put it down. I read it in two sittings. The character of Luke Sullivan was intriguing and very likeable. I enjoyed the humorous parts of the book, especially during the first half when Emily strongly disliked Luke.

My only complaint is that I wish the book had been longer. I would have loved to see more development of Luke Sullivan's spiritual relationship with God. There were tidbits mentioned about it all the way through, but it seemed like they were side notes to the plot. It was one of those books that is marketed to the Christian market and it mentions God occasionally, but if you took out all the times God was mentioned, the main plot could have stood on its own as a secular fiction book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Frankenstein (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Victor Frankenstein is driven by his hunger for scientific knowledge and accomplishment. What he can not know is that one day, after he creates a living, breathing being, he will regret his scientific pursuits. This created being is hideous and rejected by all who meet him, including his creator. Rejection leads the creature to become a monster filled with despair and rage. In a futile attempt to pacify the creature, Victor agrees to create a female companion, but finds that he is unable to finish the task. At Victor's refusal to create the companion, the monster is filled with hatred and commits additional murders. The only recourse for Victor is to pursue his creation and destroy it.

This is not a book I would have chosen to read on my own. It was required reading for my current British Literature class and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Mary Shelley used three characters to narrate during the story: Captain Walton, Victor Frankenstein and the creature. I thought the chapters narrated by the monster were particularly interesting. They developed the character of the monster beyond just a hideous, killing machine. It gave insight was to why the monster behaved in the way he did. I suspect that Mary Shelley may have been making a statement about children. The creature craved love, affection and acceptance, just as all children do. Yet, when rejected and deprived of natural affection, the creature became a monster filled with pain and anger.

Mary Shelley was the daughter of writer Mary Wollstonecraft and the wife of poet Percy Shelley. I especially liked how Mary Shelley used some of her husband's poetry in the narrative of the story. The story behind the creation of this book is also unique. Mary and Percy were part of a small group which agreed that they would each write a ghost story. After being unable to think of a plot, Mary Shelley conceived the concept of Frankenstein during a resting period when she was neither conscious nor completely asleep.

This particular edition included an Introduction, Further Reading, Notes on the text, the Author's Introduction, a Preface by Percy Shelley and appendixes featuring works by others that were part of the group that committed to writing ghost stories.

Amethyst by Lauraine Snelling

Amethyst's decision to travel to Medora is born of her desire to find her nephew, Joel, and her desperation to temporarily get away from her alcoholic father. After finding Joel, discovering a shocking secret, and making new friendships, Amethyst's plans are altered. No longer does she desire to return home. In Medora she has found a new life for herself and is enjoying the changes within herself. Meanwhile, Joel's father, Jacob Chandler has plans of his own. He has loved Opal Torvald for months and is simply waiting for her to reach the appropriate age.

Amethyst picks up literally right where the third book left off. I definitely would not read this book without first reading Opal. And if possible, I would recommend reading all three books in the series prior to reading Amethyst. I was happy to finally get a small note about Belle's reaction to the burning of the Dove House. Not much was said, but at least, it was not so open-ended as it was after the second and third books in the series. In Amethyst, both Amethyst and Opal both undergo a lot of character development. The romantic relationships in the book added an element that was not really explored in the previous book due to Opal's age. However, in this book, that element really came forward and the story gave a fitting end to the Dakota Treasures series.

Opal by Lauraine Snelling

After the burning of the Dove House, Ruby Torvald married Rand Harrison and moved to his ranch. Ruby's younger sister, Opal, loves ranch life. At 14, she can shoot, rope, train horses and participate in roundup. Unfortunately, a little thing called school keeps getting in her way. One day after leaving school early due to a headache, she decides to take a detour on the way home. It's a decision that changes her life forever. Her friend, Atticus, ends up injured and is taken away from Medora. As she struggles with guilt and uncertainly, she comes to find that she is being shaped by a God who can make her more than a simple ranch hand.

In Opal, the author takes us deeper into the character of Opal Torvald than either of the first two books in the series do. I thought she did a remarkable job of demonstrating the difficulties of Opal's situation and her personal growth without losing all of Opal's childhood innocence. The one thing I did not like about the book was that the author never addressed what Belle's reaction to the burning of the Dove House was. Belle was mentioned several times in the book, but never was her reaction noted. Somehow, I kept expecting it to come, but I got to the end and it never did. Other than that, it was a easy, comforting read. The storyline is actually much more complex than the synopsis above, but for sake of brevity, I gave the broad overview. Several new characters were introduced, including one who is extremely interested in Opal. I think the complexity really drew me in and made it all the more enjoyable.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

In Outlive Your Life, Max Lucado takes readers on a journey though the book of Acts. The early church lived out their lives in tangible ways that impacted other Christians as well as non-believers. Why should Christians today be any different? Do you want to do something that has a lasting affect? Can anything be done to improve the condition of third-world countries? Should we care about changing our own society? If you want to make a difference in the lives of others, then you are invited to outlive your life!

Every time I opened this book, it was like sitting down with an old friend and having a nice, comfortable chat. This is the fourth book I've read by Max Lucado and, like the others, I was challenged, uplifted and educated. The facts mentioned in the book about poverty and hunger were very sobering. Yet, at the same time, the author always provided a probable solution to challenge and encourage. The author used real-life examples and there was a study guide in the back of the book that provided questions for contemplation as well as ideas for putting faith into action. Because the chapters were not overly long and the author's use of language was enjoyable, I found that this book integrated very easily with my personal devotional time.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Boy Who Changed The World by Andy Andrews

The Boy Who Changed The World tells the story of a man who invented special corn seeds that provided food for millions of people. But this man could never have invented the seeds without the help of the vice president, who never would have been interested in plants if he had not spent time as a child with a brilliant science student. And had the brilliant science student never been rescued from a kidnapping, he never would have known the child who eventually became the vice president who encouraged the inventor to create these special seeds. So who was really the one responsible for providing the food for millions of people? It's called The Butterfly Effect and it's the concept that everything we do affects everything else.

In The Boy Who Changed The World, Andy Andrews tells the story of this inventor who created the special seeds of corn to feed people. He narrates in a style that will engage children and is simple enough for young children to understand. The artwork on the cover and inside of the book by Philip Hurst is well done. I would recommend this book for ages 5 and up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions is otherwise known as The Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect is basically the theory that everything that is done affects everything else, no matter how insignificant the first thing to be done is. Could a butterfly really flap its wings and set molecules in motion that would eventually result in a hurricane forming on the other side of the planet? It sounds almost ridiculous, but the theory was highly intriguing and eventually substantiated by scientific research.

In The Butterfly Effect, author Andy Andrews explores the implications of the butterfly effect in the lives of human beings. Andrews narrates the tales of two men whose actions changed the world forever. One is a school teacher from Maine who served in the Union army and refused to do nothing when it seemed failure was eminent. The other is the story of a man who invented a hybridized corn used to save millions of people from famine. But had that man not known the vice president, and had the vice president not known a brilliant science student, and had the science student not been saved from kidnapping, the last man never would have invented the hybridized corn. Such is the butterfly effect lived out in real human beings. The author concludes with the assertion that everything that one does matters, not only to that person, but to the entire world.

This book is in the format of a gift book. It had a lovely cover and beautiful illustrations inside. It would make a nice present for anyone, but especially for students and graduates.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."