Review: When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

5 Stars!!!

I have adored this series since the very beginning of Through Waters Deep. So, I was very much looking forward to this third book! Quite honestly I really didn't like Quintessa very much in the two previous books and I did find myself feeling a tad skeptical that she would ever grow on me, I needn't have worried, in Sarah Sundin's masterful hands Tess became a fantastic heroine that I very much liked and was rooting for from the start of her story! It was great getting to know Dan, we have only seen him briefly in the first two books so it was wonderful to see him grow and become the amazing hero I knew he would be! It was awesome to see how Dan and Tess's personalities while very different were perfectly matched. 

I loved When Tides Turn, though this is one series where I find it impossible to choose a favorite!

Once again I was blown away by the amazing historical details, (I've said it before and I'll say it again, in general World War Two is not my favorite historical time period to read about) I absolutely adore Sarah Sundin's books, I am always swept away by the fabulous details and I never feel like I'm reading the story but instead  that I am living in the 1940's alongside the characters for a little while, which I love!

I loved the updates that we got on Jim and Mary, and Arch and Lillian, it did make me a little sad to have to say goodbye to the Avery family though! 

I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read more of Sarah Sundin's work in the future! 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. No review required. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Review: Enjoy by Trillia Newbell

3 Stars!

I have some mixed feelings about this book, on one hand there were some excellent moments in which I was in some cases reminded of things in a slightly new way as well as times that certain things that I had read or heard over the years finally made sense to me in the way this author broke it down for the reader. But on the other hand I found myself often feeling like it was expected that I would have forgotten from one chapter to the next that the reason I enjoy God's gifts is out of love for him and all that He has done for me, in other words, enjoying all the good gifts from God is more about enjoying, worshiping and glorifying Him and growing in my relationship with Him rather than just focusing on the gifts themselves. This truth spoke to me deeply and blossomed in my heart the moment it was first written in this book, but I did get a bit frustrated that I kept being reminded of something that was already at the forefront of my mind and heart, something that I hadn't yet forgotten. I realize that perhaps this was because the book is designed to be read over a number of weeks, but since I got this title to review I ended up with only a couple days to read it. If I had the time to read it over a longer time span then I don't think I would have been at all frustrated with that bit of repetition because I realize it is necessary if you are only reading a chapter or so a week. I don't often read non-fiction, but when I do I personally prefer to get a conversational vibe from the author (even when discussing very important things) and while there were definitely moments in this book where I did feel like the author was using a conversational tone, there were unfortunately also times where I couldn't help but feel as those I was being talked at rather than to. 

Overall though I am glad I read this book and I do plan to re-read it in the future, perhaps reading just one particular chapter that speaks to my life at a certain time. I definitely did get a lot of positive information from this book that truly spoke to my heart and I do look forward to turning to it for reminders when I am in a place in life where the truth I know may feel out of reach. 

If this book sounds interesting to you then I do recommend you give it a try, but I would suggest reading one chapter a day or a week rather than all at once in order to give yourself time to reflect and soak in the truth presented in that chapter.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. No review required. The above review is my honest opinion of this book. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Review: The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

5 Stars!!!

I had read and loved two of Kristy's novels (The Butterfly and The Violin, and The Ringmaster's Wife) prior to reading this one. And while I think The Ringmaster's Wife will probably always be my personal favorite, I absolutely loved The Illusionist's Apprentice from the very first sentence all the way to the end! The premise totally intrigued me from the moment I first heard about it, and I was most definitely not disappointed by this book! I loved both Wren and Elliot, they both had such painful pasts and it was wonderful to watch them overcome their pasts together and learn to trust in God and each other. I have always been fascinated by Illusionists, and I loved getting to learn about Wren's profession as well as all the fabulous historical details about Harry Houdini! Two of my favorite genres are romantic mystery/suspense and historical romance and I absolutely love it when I find a book in which these two genres collide, such was the case with this book and I absolutely loved it! It was so neat to read a story that featured the FBI back when it was still relatively new. I must say that the 1920's are not in general one of my favorite time periods to read about, but as I have adored both this author's books that have been set in the 20's I am more open to reading about that time period and if Kristy Cambron continues to bring that decade to life through her fabulous writing I will always jump into those books with both feet! Going back to the suspense for a minute, I believe this is Kristy Cambron's first time writing a suspense element like this and I can say that she did an amazing job (I hope she writes more suspense in the future) there were so many surprises along the way that I did not see coming and one in particular that made me hang my head and cry out an anguished, No! 

Overall, I absolutely adored every single moment of this book, as soon as I finished I found myself wanting to re-read it, it's that good!!! 

I highly recommend The Illusionist's Apprentice, it not only has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf, but it will also be on my list of favorite reads of 2017!

I cannot wait to see what else Kristy Cambron has in store for us! 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook bloggers. No review required. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Review: For Love & Honor by Jody Hedlund

5 Stars!!!

I've been loving these books ever since the first one released and I remember being so excited when I learned that we would get a chance to see each of the three handsome knights find love and happiness! While I was thrilled at getting to read Bennet's story I was also a bit saddened that this is the last book in the series (At least as far as I know) forcing me to say goodbye to these characters that have become like friends to me!

I really liked Sabine, and thought she and Bennet were a perfect match. It was so cool that we got to see both Derrick and Collin again in this book! 

This book was truly fabulous on so many levels, but I think the message about learning to love yourself and see the beauty that God sees in you was my favorite thing about this book, it is a reminder that I need pretty much daily and the message really spoke to where I am right now in life!

I don't want to risk spoiling anything so I will just say that Jody Hedlund has written another fabulous YA that I absolutely loved! And highly recommend, all of the books in this series can standalone but I would recommend reading them in order to fully grasp their awesomeness! I can't wait to read any and all YA books this author writes next! 

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher to help promote it. No review required. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.