2013 & This Blog

I don't plan to make any New Year's resolutions for myself this year. However, as I begin this year and think of the direction I would like to pursue regarding this blog, a few things occur to me:

1. I need a new layout.  This one is functional and modern, but not truly reflective of this blog.

2. Since becoming pregnant and the subsequent birth of my child, my time allowance for blogging was significantly reduced. In 2010, I had 95 posts. In 2011, I had 143 posts. In 2012, I had only 35 posts.

3. According to the Goodreads widget, I read 27 books which was only about half of my 52 book goal. This year I'll be lowering my goal to 26 books per year - that's one every two weeks.  I have a daughter who's about to go mobile. Enough said.  :)

4. I want to create more lively reviews.  To do this, I must insist to myself that I write the review immediately after finishing the book. Waiting 4-5 days, diminishes the book's effect and my reviews become more plain.

5.  It is time to pick up the pen myself. It is easy to edit and point out things that could make someone else's book better, but the truth is, I have never completed a book and I think I would have a deeper understanding of authors and books if I did. Not to mention, it would be great if I could actually publish something!

2013 Reading Challenge

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Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

For the first time in a long time, Lydia Pallas likes where she is. Her job as a translator for the U.S. Navy is secure and her cozy apartment is her haven. She enjoys the companionship of her coworkers and treats the occasional headache with a dose of Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. When Alexander Banebridge enters the picture, Lydia's orderly life is suddenly a lot messier. From his annoying habit of rearranging items on her desk to his revelation that Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup contains opium, Bane brings disorder, intrigue and danger to Lydia's ways. Lydia and Bane find themselves falling for each other, but their relationship is doomed by Bane's goal of ending the opium trade and his commitment to bachelorhood. When an innocent boy is kidnapped, helping Bane will test Lydia's courage and strength, but if she survives, their love just might have a chance to flourish.

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden was an intriguing read. I enjoyed the bantering between Bane and Lydia and appreciated Camden's creativity in her characters. Bane had a few quirky habits that made him refreshingly unique. I wouldn't consider this a suspense novel, but it did have some suspense that kept drawing me back to the story. I found the historical aspects of the story interesting. How sad that Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup not only existed and contained opium, but was marketed for teething babies. On a side note, I absolutely love the cover of this book It definitely captures the essence of the story. I recommend this book to fans of Christian historical romances.

I did not initially realize that Against the Tide revisits the Alexander Banebridge of Camden's previous novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill. I can't say if Banebridge appears in Camden's other novel, The Rose of Winslow Street, because I haven't read it. However, Against the Tide stands firmly as a single novel, complete with the necessary background information.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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 Christian Alphabet Book by Tracy Sands

The Christian Alphabet Book: Teaching Children about Jesus, Prayer, and the Bible by Tracy Sands integrates Biblical concepts with artistic letters and symbols that form “The Christian Alphabet.” Rather than a recreational story containing a lesson, the material in this book is more like a children's church lesson plan. Each page spread is dedicated to one letter of the alphabet and has Scripture verses, brief explanations of the verses and/or the concepts, questions for discussion, a sample prayer, and the alphabet letter which is made of various symbols that are related to Christianity. An index in the back explains the significance of each symbol and most include a Scripture citation. Appropriate for ages four and older.

I think most Christians will agree with the concepts presented in The Christian Alphabet Book. However, there is prominent Catholic imagery in some of the symbols that non-Catholic Christians may or may not be uncomfortable with. Examples include: a person praying while holding an ornate cross, halos around the heads of Mary and Jesus. I found the information about the Greek/Latin words and letters to be quite interesting. I think this book would best be used in a Catholic Sunday school or children's church setting, but could also be effective in teaching one's own children.

To learn more about The Christian Alphabet, visit its website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via PumpUpYourBook. 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."

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Withering under a load of burn out, Kate Donovan agrees to accompany her grandmother to Pennsylvania and spend a few months restoring the old house that her grandmother grew up in. Matt Jarreau, the handsome man her grandmother hired to renovate the house, is a loner. When Kate's innocent attempts at friendship with him are rebuffed, her stubborn heart refuses to let her stop reaching out. As tension grows between Kate and Matt, so does something else. A love that leads them to a greater revelation of God's love for them. As they both face career decisions and the pain of Matt's past, only a love stronger than themselves will be able to hold them together. Can they accept God's will? Or must they sacrifice their hope and love?

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade far exceeded my expectations. From the explanatory, yet intriguing prologue, I was hooked on the story line. I would love to see this book made into a movie. To me, it has has all the great elements: authentic characters complete with flaws and pain, a strong mysterious male, romantic tension between the two main characters, personal tension internal to each character, and redemptive love. Kate essentially sums up the theme of the book during a conversation with Matt: “He [God] never promised us that we wouldn't suffer. But He's too good just not to redeem it. And He does promise us that He won't leave us. That He'll be with us through the worst. That He loves us.” (Page 180) This theme, woven into both the plot and characters, is strong enough to touch the reader's heart. My Stubborn Heart is one of the best books I've read this year and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic fiction. I'll definitely be looking forward to more books by Becky Wade!

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."

To Love and Cherish by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Melinda Colson and Evan Tarlow are in love. And have been for some time without progressing towards Melinda's desirable goal of marriage. Melinda is sure that they are ready to wed while Evan is convinced that he must be able to financially support a family before he can propose. Thus, a stalemate ensues and Melinda, a lady's maid by occupation, once again leaves Bridal Veil Island to serve her mistress and anxiously await the next visit to the island. When Melinda hears that a hurricane has damaged Bridal Veil Island, she casts caution aside and leaves her position to find Evan. Evan is safe, but he once again stifles Melinda's efforts to push him toward marriage. As Melinda and Evan's relationship struggles, danger lurks nearby in rumors of a presidential assassination plot. Will Melinda and Evan's love survive?

To Love and Cherish by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller is a sweet love story, but I recommend renting it from the library before purchasing. Personally, I found it difficult to connect with the two main characters, Evan and Melinda, as they did not seem realistic to me and I never came to like either one. I actually liked the supporting characters better than the main ones. I also felt like the plot moved a little slow and even though it picked up in the end, I was never riveted to it. That being said, I did like the somewhat unique plot of a love relationship that was already established and needed to be maintained while waiting to move to the next level.

Click here to visit the publisher's website and read an excerpt from To Love and Cherish by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.

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."

A Perfect Pet for Peyton

For twins Peyton and Penny, this will be a birthday to remember. Joined by three of their friends, Peyton and Penny's adventure through Mr. Chapman's Perfect Pet Pal Emporium includes surprising animal encounters, eating Mythical Monster Sundaes, opening gifts, and finding their own perfect pet pals based on their personal love languages.

A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne, and illustrated by Wilson Williams, Jr. is based on Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages. As Peyton, Penny and their friends celebrate at Mr. Chapman's Perfect Pet Pal Emporium, they learn what the five love languages are and the characteristics of each love language. Though the concepts are explained in simple terms, children ages five to ten are probably target age group for this book. Still, the illustrations are beautiful and my five month old enjoyed looking at them. I thought it was neat how there were hidden insects on some of the pages. This adds a nice element that can allow for further child-parent or sibling interaction.

I absolutely would recommend A Perfect Pet for Peyton to parents. It teaches the principles of the five love languages and contains underlying messages about animal kindness, friendship, and love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher 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."