Review: The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert

5 Stars!

This new release by one of my all time favorite authors was one of my most anticipated reads of 2015. Having read all of Katie's previous books, I knew this one was bound to be incredible, and it did not disappoint. Once again I was spellbound by Katie's amazing ability to make me feel for and relate to all of her characters, even ones that I have seemingly nothing in common with! Is it possible to feel a deep kinship with your sisters and brothers in Christ, even if they are fictional characters? The answer is yes, it is. And that is exactly what Katie Ganshert. Carmen, Ben and Gracie were all excellent main characters (I can't choose a favorite!) and I found myself rooting for them right from the get-go, I also loved Eli, he was so sweet it made me melt numerous times. The premise of restoring a rundown motel to its former glory was incredibly unique and very intriguing, I especially loved all the memories that Carmen flashed back to from her and Ben's relationship that had taken place there at The Treasure Chest motel! This was such a great story, I can't stress that enough! I loved this book, which is clear seeing as how I read it from cover to cover in two days! My only complaint is that I felt that the very ending seemed a tad bit abrupt, I would have really liked an epilogue, but I have my fingers crossed that maybe these characters will make an appearance in Katie Ganshert's future works! This author's books always challenge me in my own relationship with Christ, sometimes they make me examine things about myself that I would rather not look too closely at, but they always, always leave me inspired, refreshed and with a renewed depth in my own relationship with God! 

I would like to thank Katie Ganshert from the bottom if my heart for writing such amazing books! And I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve for us next! 

I received a free copy of this books from the publisher through their Blogging for Books program in exchange for honest review. Which I have done, the above is my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Monthly Reflections #23

My goal for April was to read 5 books and I am SO happy that I was able to exceed that!

1. Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

2. Blur by Steven James

3. Retribution by Lynette Eason

4. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

5. Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter

6. Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler

7. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

Until I Found You, Blur, and Retribution were my favorite reads of April

For May my goal is to (Hopefully!) read ten books!

Top Eleven Favorite Authors, plus bonus topic!

Top Eleven ALL TIME Favorite Authors 

The best I could do was narrow it down to Eleven in three different genres! 

Suspense/Romantic Suspense:

1. Dani Pettrey

2. Steven James

3. Lynette Eason

4. Irene Hannon

5. Patricia Bradley

Contemporary:

6. Katie Ganshert

7. Melissa Tagg

8. Susan May Warren

9. Becky Wade

Historical:

10. Karen Witemeyer

11. Sarah Sundin

Bonus Top Twelve Books on My Spring TBR Pile.

Since I missed participating the week the Spring TBR prompt was offered, I decided to post my list now. These are in no particular order!

Chance of Loving You by Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert and Susan May Warren-I love SMW, have read and enjoyed one of Terri's books in the past and this will be my first time reading one of Candace's stories-

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade-I can't wait to read the latest installment of one of my favorite series-

Dauntless by Dina Sleiman-This one looks interesting-

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson-I can't believe I've only read one of this author's books, I'm looking forward to this one-

Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon-Another new release by one of my favorite authors that I can't wait to get my hands on-

Always on My Mind by Susan May Warren-It feels like I've been waiting forever to read Casper's story-

No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason-Yet another one I can't wait to read-

Revelation by Jennifer Hartz

The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert

Season of Fire by Lisa T. Bergren

A Match Of Wits by Jen Turano

Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman

Top Ten Characters I'd like to Check In With!

Top Ten Characters You'd Like To Check In With (meaning, the book or series is over and you so just wish you could peek in on the "life" you imagine they are leading years down the line after the story ends).

1. The Taylor family from The Guardians of Justice series by Irene Hannon

2. The Cash family from The Women of Justice series by Lynette Eason

3. Matthew and Miranda from Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

4. The Archer family from Short Straw Bride, Stealing the Preacher and A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer

5. Dominic and Serena from When A Heart Stops by Lynette Eason

6. Lydia and Bane from Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

7. Ronnie and Will from The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

8. The Cullen family from The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

9. The McKenna family from The Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey

10. The Lane family from The Culper Ring series by Roseanna M. White

Monthly Reflections #22

I'm not sure what my goal for March was but I think it was to read 7 books! 

The books I read were:

1. A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano

2. The Giver by Lois Lowry

3. Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

4. Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson

5. From the Start by Melissa Tagg

6. Thornyhold by Mary Stewart

7. Waltz into the Waves by Sarah Holman

8. How a Star Falls by Amber Stokes

9. Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris

My favorite read of March was absolutely From the Start! It was sooo incredibly amazing!!! :)

April is probably going to be a pretty busy month for me so I'm going to set a low goal of 5 books! Though I've already read  and enjoyed one book in April, Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin. And I'm currently reading and really liking Blur by Steven James!

Review: How a Star Falls by Amber Stokes

5 Stars!!!

I loved this story! It is a unique, delightful story unlike anything else I've ever read. The premise was so fun! I haven't read much NA fiction in the past, but I found myself relating to so many of the character's struggles in this book! I have been a fan of Amber's writing since she released Bleeding Heart, and really looked forward to reading How a Star Falls since before its release, I'm so happy I finally made time to read it! As well as reading the Kindle version I also listened to the audiobook version, the narration added so much to it, I was swept even further into the amazing world of the story. A world I did not want to leave! It was also wonderful to get to hear Derrick's voice telling the story. 

I highly recommend this book, and if you enjoy audiobooks you should definitely pick up an audio copy of this one, the narrator makes the story come even more vividly to life! Amber Stokes has crafted another winner with How a Star Falls and I simply cannot wait to read any and all of her future releases! 

I received a complimentary audiobook copy of this story from the author in exchange for an honest review. Which I have done. My review was not required to be positive, all thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own! 

Monthly Reflections #21

I believe my goal for February was to read either five or six books, I can't remember which! 

The books I read in February were:

1. It Had To Be You by Janice Thompson

2. Unleashed by Jennifer Hartz

3. The Vow by Jody Hedlund

4. Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

5. An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund

6. How To Catch a Prince by Rachel Hauck

7. Love on the Mend by Karen Witemeyer

I enjoyed all these books and it is absolutely impossible for me to choose a favorite! 

In March I hope to read at least books hopefully several of these that are on my top kindle TBR! 

1. Blur

2. Smitten

3. Until I Found You

4. Worth the Wait

5. Hidden Agenda

6. The Healer's Apprentice

7. Dauntless

8. From the Start