February RAK

I'm participating again! It's been awhile, due to lack of money to send out books but I will be able to send out a few this month!

For those who would like my wishlist, it is here on Amazon. Not everything on there is book related, so feel free to ignore them if you wish :)

Also if you feel so inclined... my 21st birthday is the 28th of this month! I'm sure I will have quite a few books at the end of the month :)

IMM: 1/29/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

Gifted:
Book Journal (Thanks Kirsten!)

Borrowed:
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright (Thanks Jenna!)

For Review:
Mornings With Jesus Devotional by multiple authors
Words Spoken True by Ann Gabhart

Won:
A Tailor-Made Bride (and swag) by Karen Witemeyer (Thanks Katie!)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (Thanks Emma!) 

Mini Review and Blog Tour: The Shadow of Your Smile

The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

Release Date: December 16, 2011

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Genre: Christian Romance

Pages: 384

Format: eBook

Buy It: Amazon

Sometimes love requires a little forgetting.
A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re on the brink of divorce when an accident erases part of Noelle’s memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped them apart.

What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. What happened to her ambitions? Could she really be married to this grizzly man?

As she steps back into her role as wife and mother, Eli attempts to help with both humorous and heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will the secrets she discovers destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for the future?

I wasn't so sure about this book from the beginning, but I grew to love it! The drama and romance in this story pick you up and pull you right in. The setting is also perfect, with the icy winter weather adding to the cold situations in the story. Loved this book!

I received this book free for review from LitFuse Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

Review: The Merchant's Daughter

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Publisher: Zondervan

Genre: Christian Romance

Pages: 288

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

This is my first book by Melanie Dickerson, and I was not disappointed. This book drew me in right away, and I quickly became intrigued with Ranulf's backstory and how he came to be the cold person he was. The romance also wasn't a quick "love-at-first-sight" kind of love, which I greatly appreciated. Annabel even keeps a smart head and doesn't let her feelings get out of control.

Now that I've read this one, and I eager to read The Healer's Apprentice! This is definitely a must read for romance lovers.

I received this book free for review from Teen Novel Teen Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

IMM 1/15/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

I only got one Kindle book this week, so no vlog! Sorry!

Bought:

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Another giveaway!

Time for another giveaway post! These have been so many great giveaways lately, and I'm not gonna pass up on them! This newest one is a Kindle Fire and a $50 Amazon giftcard! Those who know me, know that I REALLY want a Kindle Fire, and who couldn't use more Amazon money? Check it out at Sparkling Reviews!

Review and Blog Tour: The Keeper

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Release Date: January 2, 2012

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Amish Fiction

Series: Stoney Ridge Seasons #1

Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.

Roamin' Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul's cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.
Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

Full of the plot twists and surprises her fans love, The Keeper is the first in a new series by bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Through touching family relationships and trials of the heart, Fisher's vivid characters grapple with yielding to God's will when it doesn't match their own.

I normally try to only accept books that I think I will enjoy. Why accept a book for review if I won't like it? Unfortunately this book didn't pull me in. I give each book I read 100 pages to catch my attention before deciding not to finish. I'm not sure what it was about this particular book, but I was just confused by the multiple story lines. I was expecting the book to focus on Julia and Rome, but it often switched between the other character's viewpoints. Also, I was just confused as to what the bees had to do with the story line. I love Suzanne writing however, and I will continue to read her books in the future.

I received this book free for review through a Revell Blog Tour. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.


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It’s a “Honey of a Giveaway” from Suzanne Woods Fisher! Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

• A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!