Invasion by Jon S. Lewis ~ 5 stars

Invasion

Jon S. Lewis

C.H.A.O.S. series #1

Thomas Nelson

About the book:

Colt McAllister is drawn into a war against things he thought only existed in comic books.

After a car wreck takes the lives of his parents, Colt moves to Arizona to stay with his grandfather. There, an informant tells him that his parents were actually murdered because his mom, a journalist, was getting ready to write a story exposing Trident Industries.

Along with Oz and Danielle, his new comrades at Chandler High, Colt vows to uncover the truth. But the more they learn, the more bizarre reality becomes. Mind control, jet packs, and flying motorcycles only scratch the surface of what they discover.

Colt is recruited by a secret organization called the Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural. But the battle isn't just against an out-of-control giant corporation. A gateway to another world is opening, and the invasion has already begun.

My review:
I was pleasantly surprised with this book! It is definitely not my typical read, so I wasn’t sure what I would think, but I really enjoyed it! It was fast-paced, adventurous, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out. (Though, the fact that it’s going to be a whole YEAR before the next book comes out is kind of frustrating.) I was a little surprised at the basically non-existent faith factor in the book. I mean, it doesn’t promote secular ideals, but it doesn’t have a God-element, either. It wasn’t a big deal for me, but it might be for other people. All in all, this is a fun, interesting read, and I believe that it will go over well with fans of this genre.

Thanks to BookSneeze for my free review copy of this book.

A Suitor for Jenny by Margaret Brownley ~ 5 stars

A Suitor for Jenny

Margaret Brownley

Rocky Creek Romance series #2

Thomas Nelson

About the book:

Jenny Higgins is certain falling in love and finding a husband are matters of the mind. Her heart has other plans.

After their parents died, Jenny felt responsible for seeing that her two younger sisters were well taken-care of. Tipped off by an article naming Rocky Creek the town with the highest number of eligible bachelors, Jenny rolled into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two sister and then start fresh somewhere far, far away.

Jenny believe that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they'd taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband.

But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old-fashioned way--with men of their choosing. And the longer Jenny stays, the more her sense of control slips away. The town isn't living up to her expectations, her sisters are rebelling against her practical choices, and soon her own heart starts to betray her, as US Marshall Rhett Armstrong stirs emotions in her that weren't part of her plan.

To relinquish her control to God and calm her restless spirit, she'll need to give her foregone conclusions about marriage, love, and faith.

My review:
From the first pages to the very last, this book cracked me up! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this author. I was (kind of) expecting another boring prairie romance, but that isn’t what I got. What I did get is a book filled with hilarious antics, lovable characters, and an excellent plot. I loved every minute. I highly recommend this book, as well as the first book in this series, A Lady like Sarah.

Thanks to BookSneeze for for review copy of this book!

Sorry it took me so long to post, guys! Ugh. Rough last few weeks!

Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart ~ 4 stars

Love, Charleston

Beth Webb Hart

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

Charleston’s Anne Brumley has long dreamed of romance while ringing the bells at St. Michael’s, but those dreams are beginning to fade. Her sister Alicia and cousin Della encourage her to strike out and make her own way—after all, she’s thirty-six. But the tall redhead is sure God said, “Stay here and wait.”

Widower Roy Summerall has happily ministered to the country folks of Church of the Good Shepherd for years. So why would the Lord call him and his daughter away to Charleston—the city that Roy remembers from his childhood as pretentious and superficial? Surely the refined congregation of St. Michael’s won’t accept a reverend with a red neck and a simple faith.

Meanwhile, Anne’s sister, Alicia, struggles with her husband’s ambition which seems to be taking him further and further from their dreams of a happy family together. And Cousin Della’s former fiancé has returned to Charleston, making her wonder if she chose the wrong path when she married her gifted but struggling-artist husband.

Family, friendship, and faith converge in a beautiful story about how God’s transforming love works in the Holy City of Charleston.

My review:
Well, I have mixed feelings about this book. The author has a unique writing style that appealed to me, where she often includes little details that other authors would leave out. One unusual thing is that the “main” characters don’t even meet until you are over 150 pages into the book. But, the storylines for the other characters kept me interested, so it worked out alright.

There was one thing that I didn’t care for, and that would be Lish’s situation. It broke my heart to read what she was going through. Her storyline basically gave me a mixture of sadness and anger. But, in the end she is doing better and you have hope for her character.

So, mixed feelings. I can’t say that DIDN’T like it, but I can’t say that I completely ENJOYED it either. I would recommend this to the person who likes books that are a little different from your average read. It’s not a typical romance, or any other genre that I can think of.

Thanks to BookSneeze for my review copy of this book.

Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James ~ 4 stars

Love on a Dime

Cara Lynn James

Ladies of Summerhill series #1

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

In age of elegance and excess, Lilly Westbrook longs for a love both true and eternal.

Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, is a place of shimmering waves, sleek yachts, and ladies of leisure. Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons--dashing young men and the women who aspire to marry them.

But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.

No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beau who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.

But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security that everyone is depending on.

Now Lilly faces a double dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

My review:
I loved the storyline of this book. I loved the whole idea and the characters and the plot. However, the writing style left a little wanting, to me. For example, there were a few instances in the book where I thought the author could have taken advantage of the situation to evoke more emotion in the reader than she did. I did see great potential though, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for my review copy of this book.

An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller ~ 4 stars

An Honest Love

Kathleen Fuller

Hearts of Middlefield series #2

Thomas Nelson Publishers

About the book:

Anna must find the courage to tell Lukas the truth. Will he find the courage to forgive her?

Anna was once betrayed by someone she loved deeply. In an attempt to never be hurt again, she and her mother relocated to Middlefield, Ohio. It was the ideal place for Anna's broken heart to mend. In Middlefield, Anna withdrew from risk, placing all her attention on managing the new gift shop she and her mom bought.

When Lukas introuces himself, Anna can't resist her attraction to him. Though she finds herself falling in love, she's hiding a piece of her past in fear that their future will be destroyed if she tells him the truth.

But love can't be built on lies and the past comes rushing back to Anna in an irreversible way. Now Lukas must decide how he will react to Anna's betrayal. As they cling to their belief in an honest love, they realize it's a path they must walk together even as it leads to unexpected places.

My review:
I did not like this book as much as the first one in the series (which I loved), but I did like it. The writing was great. The author did a great job of portraying the Amish’s beliefs. I *loved* the secondary character’s romance, maybe even more than Anna’s. I would recommend this book to someone who loves Amish fiction.

Thanks to BookSneeze for the reviewer copy of this book.

Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman ~ 5 stars + Favorite!

**Make sure to check out my review of book one in this series, also posted today.**

Plain Pursuit

Beth Wiseman

Daughters of the Promise series #2

Thomas Nelson - Publisher

About the book:

Carley has given up chasing her dreams. Now her dreams are chasing her.

Carley Marek experiences culture shock when she visits her friend Lillian's family on their farm deep in Amish country. She'll get an article out of the visit--and maybe some of Lillian's newfound peace will somehow rub off on her.

Just when Carley is getting used to the quiet nature of the Plain community, Lillian and Samuel's son falls ill. But the local doctor who can offer the most help has been shunned by the community and forbidden to intervene.

As David's condition deteriorates, Dr. Noah determines to do whatever it takes to save the boy's life. Carley is caught in the middle--drawn to Noah, wanting to be helpful in the crisis--and confused by all their talk about a God she neither knows nor trusts.

Carley must decide what in life is worth pursuing...and what to do when she's pursued by a love she never expected.

My review:

Wow. For me, this book was a real tear-jerker. I cried so much! I was really touched by this story, and I love it. I really liked how this book shows that God works out everything for our good and that if we will let Him, the results of our bad choices can be turned into something great. These characters will start to grow on you, and they certainly did with me. I was so into this book that I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the next books in this series!

Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a copy of this book to review.

The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble ~ 5/5 stars + favorite!

The Lightkeeper's Daughter

Colleen Coble

Mercy Falls series, #1

Thomas Nelson- Publisher

About the book:

At a lavish estate in Mercy Falls, California, Addie Sullivan finds danger—and quite possibly the love of her life.

Growing up as the lightkeeper’s daughter on a remote island at the turn of the century, Addie Sullivan has lived a hardscrabble life. When a long-lost and wealthy relative finds her and enlists her to work as a governess at a lavish estate, she hopes to discover the truth of her heritage. But at Eaton Hall, nothing is as it seems. Not the idyllic family she hoped for, not the child she was hired to help, not even the aloof man she’s immediately attracted to. Soon she must turn for help to Lieutenant John North, a man who views her with suspicion.

As Addie edges closer to the truth, danger threatens even as her romance with John blossoms and together they unravel a decades-old mystery. As Addie faces down her enemy, she discovers that faith in her one true Father is all she needs.

My review:
The Lightkeeper’s Daughter is about a girl who grows up as (you guessed it) the lightkeeper’s daughter. When a stranger comes to their home with new and shocking information about her heritage, she decides to set forth on an adventure to find the truth about where she comes from, and the loving family she has always longed for.

I’ll admit that I was a little bit leery of reading this book as I’ve read some other things by Coble and haven’t liked them. I’m very glad that I did though, as this book is now one of my favorites! The Lightkeeper’s Daughter is full of adventure, intrigue, and romance. The last part of the book especially kept me entranced as the bad guy was found out and the story was finishing. I loved Addie and have decided that I need to be more like her and not be conformed by the world, and to speak the truth no matter what. She is a character that you will be sure to love. John is a wonderful, strong male character with lots of love to offer. I will definitely be reading the next books in this series.

Thank you, Thomas Nelson, for sending the book to me for reviewing purposes.