Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick

Description:

Lily Walsh has spent all of her 24 years as a missionary's daughter on the Asian island of Kashien. Isolated from the western world, she devours the letters she receives from her brother in Hawaii. When her father reluctantly allows Lily to visit Jeff, she is thrilled-until he is called away.

Left with the Kapaia family, Lily awakens to a new understanding of God's love and of who she was created to be. Returning home, her deepening friendship with Gabe Kapaia and her faith are tested by her father's increasingly stern ways. Will her obedience cost her the desire of her heart?

My Review:

Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This beautiful love story is a classic for Lori Wick.  You have your conflict, your love, and the encouraging family.  But besides that, there is a great and enduring message of God’s love and his plans for us.

So what did I like about it?

·        I love how adoption is a constant message of this book.  I mean, I wholly believe in adoption, and the encouraging views of it (that also includes the difficulties) is absolutely wonderful.

·        I think that Gabe is an amazing man.  His love for God, his willingness to help Lily adjust to the way of America, and his faith in God’s plans are just too sexy for words. 

·        Learning about the Asian culture was pretty neat.  I don’t have a lot of knowledge about it, so to read about it in a book was pretty unique for me.

Overall, I think this book is pretty good.  Highly recommend this book.

Happy Reading!

Cana

Every Storm by Lori Wick

Description:


1945, WWII -- When Lieutenant Donovan Riggs experiences trouble with his PT boat, the sailors of "Every Storm "make an unscheduled stop...and a surprising discovery.

Lorraine Archer is an American teacher living and working in Australia. While on a flight with her sister, her daydreams are disrupted by the sounds of the plane going down. Lorri ends up alone on a deserted island in the Pacific. And just when she loses all hope of being found...Donovan and his crew arrive.

Neither Donovan nor Lorri suspect that their encounter is the beginning of something very certain...a future not left to chance, but to faith.

My Review:

Every Storm by Lori Wick

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book by Ms. Wick.  I read many of her other books, with my favorite being Bamboo and Lace, The Princess, and Sophie’s Heart, but this one comes into a close 2^nd. 

As with her other novels, this one is an uplifting book that refers to God and His hand in our lives.  Lorri is the victim of a plane crash that kills her sister. Donovan, aka Riggs, is a Lieutenant of a ship that is fighting in World War II.  The pain and the troubles they face as they fight to get back home safely are pointed out as reminders that God is with us where ever, whenever, and will not abandon us.

It also touches on the subject of fear, specifically the fear of losing those you love.  Because of the unexpected and violent death of her sister, Lorri is of course dealing with her fear of losing her family.  Working through this, trusting that she has no control in such things, is a steady theme throughout this novel. 

Other great points of this book are

• The underlying romance between Riggs and Lorri is of course a great reason to read it.  You want them to get together.  You can’t help it.
  
  
• The historical references were as reliable as possible considering this is a work of fiction.  As usual, Ms. Wick does her research, and does it well.
  
  
• I like how she brings back some slight references to another series of hers, The Californians.  Those were the first books I read by her, and it was nice to see those names again.  You kind of hoped to get some more references beyond the names, but still, it was nice.

Overall, this is a great novel, and I really enjoyed it.  I highly recommend this novel, and any other by Ms. Wick.

Happy Reading!


Cana

Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren

Description:


BOURNE picks up right where TORRENT left off...Find out what has happened to men returning from the battle, gravely wounded, to the Betarrinis, fighting for the men they love, and just who is hunting them next...  



My Review:

Bourne by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So first off, I have to say this:  I’m going to go find an Etruscan tomb, find some handprints and go back to Italy when knights were around and ladies were treated as precious creatures.  What better combination of yummy and yay can there be? 

So in Bourne, we start off where we left off in Torrent: clean up after the battle.  Since Gabi and Lia have always been traveling in the Etruscan tomb, they have never had to clean up.  The sorrow and the pain, the joy and hope of peace are what make this little novella so rich. 

A great thing about this novella is the budding/growing romance between Lia and Luca.  I loved how he is courting her, slowly persuading her to love him.  You can’t help but want them to get together.  Or just go back in time and steal him yourself.  :P. 

I loved how we got to know the characters better.  We learn more about Luca and his family and learn even more about Lia’s personality.  I love when you get to know a character you love better.

I think for me, the best thing about this novella is that the POV switches from Gabi to Lia.  The first three books were all in Gabi’s POV, and this novella helps guide us into the next book (hopefully coming out soon, because I can’t wait) where Lia’s will be the POV.  It was a great blend of an already known character blended with a character that you already know but are going to like.

Overall, I think this is a great little novella, with great characters, a good plot, and a wonderful blend of adventure and romance.  With that being said, I highly recommend it and am waiting on pins and needles for the next one to come out. 

Happy Reading!


Cana

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze

Description:


He leaned his head close to my ear and whispered, "Are you afraid?"

Chrystine had had more reason than any other time of her life, even when facing one of the rampages of her drunken father. But she wasn't afraid. And that was odd, because although Aaryn, the person asking her that question, was her best friend, he was also a vampire. In fact, she was surrounded by hundreds of vampires.

But they weren't your typical vampires. They were Stregoni Benefici, the good kind. Nor was Chrystine your typical elf. She was the Golden Healer, and she alone could save the Stregoni Benefici from the Dark Enchantress. But can Chrystine figure out the Dark Enchantress' secret and defeat the evil vampires without destroying the good ones as well, without destroying Aaryn? Can Chrystine unravel the dark secret Aaryn keeps so carefully guarded and show him that by choosing to serve good instead of evil, he is still capable of being loved and his past is forgiven?

Find out as you read for yourself the story of the first vampire.


My Review:

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chrystine is an elf with the golden thumb and golden toe. This means she is the ultimate natural healer. Aaryn is a fairy who was turned into a vampire a thousand years ago. And for those thousand years, he has been waiting for Chrystine, for only Chrystine can save all the Stregoni Benefici (the good vampires) by destroying the curse upon all vampires and by ending the reign of the dark enchantress that cursed them. Will she be able to save Aaryn, even though ending the curse could mean his death?


So, let me introduce you to the first novel about a Christian vampire. These vampires aren’t dead, they are merely cursed to be cold for eternity, sparkle the color of their eyes in the rain, sunshine, firelight, etc, and to need blood. The Stegoni Benefici have been living off an elixir made of special herbs that curbs the need for blood. Set in both our world (where magical beings are common every day creatures, and there are even schools and classes for them) and another world called Lamialle, it is easy to see how this could be true. If not for it being mentioned that Chrystine is an elf, you would think that this is a story about how an average girl can change the world(s).


Chrystine is a great healer and an elf, but she is a normal girl. Even she has problems. Her father is drunk and is becoming increasingly abusive. She has one friend who is in love with every boy, while the other friend hates boys and any relationships with them. She takes classes at the local college. And she loves Aaryn.


I love how Aaryn keeps asking Chrystine if she is afraid. Hmm… Like any person in a relationship, there is fear, but he is asking about a deeper fear. A fear of him being a vampire. A fear about what he could do to her. A fear about what he knows about himself. A fear about what she was born to do. But she keeps answering with no, she isn’t afraid, even without knowing the whole truth.


This novel almost reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia: Evil witch, brave girl from earth, a whole other world/dimension that must be saved. But it still has its own elements that set it apart. Ms. Schulze makes sure to make her story unique in how she portrays her characters. She also puts her own spin on creatures like vampires, incubi, elves, and so on.


I can definitely tell you Ms. Schulze loves and cherishes her friends, as all of her characters are named from the friends she mentioned in her dedication. I think that this makes the book special on a level that shows that she couldn’t imagine going on any adventure without her friends, including writing this novel.


Highly recommend, and looking forward to reading more by Ms. Schulze.




Happy Reading!


Cana

Legend of the Emerald Rose by Linda Wichman

Description:


King Arthur and his queen are dead and Merlin has vanished. Bound by Divine Providence but divided by distrust, Shadoe and Rayn must find a way to save the Isle of Might and themselves from the threatening evil. A tantilizing brew of fantasy, action, and romance.


My Review:

Legend of the Emerald Rose: A Novel by Linda Wichman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love any stories of King Arthur. There is something that seems so magical about that time. Well, Ms. Wichman takes the much beloved story and creates a wonderful tale of love lost, forgiveness and loved gained. Shadoe was just a teenager when Camelot fell, and he saw both Arthur and his queen fall under Mordred and Morgana. Just before Guinevere dies, he promised to take care of the Emerald Rose, the most important talisman in all of the British Isle. He is now a man with a past that he regrets, a present that he wants to end, and an unknown future. Emerald Rose Rayn is the adopted daughter of Lancelot, but does not know that she is truly the daughter of Arthur and his queen. Both Shadoe and Rayn have to get over their distrust of each other if they hope to save their people and themselves from the evil that is coming.


I love this story. Ms. Wichman takes this story and makes it so much more. We all know what happened to Arthur and Guinevere, but don't know the story of what happens after. And that is what happens. Shadoe is the son of Merlin, and he hates that everyone expects him to fill his father's shoes. He does his best to rebell, only to end up where he wants to the least-- Britain. Rayn has been trained as a warrior, to eventually rule a people, though she doesn't know her heritage. She is strong willed and she is quick to fight to protect her people. I love all the scenes with Rayn and Shadoe together. The chemistry jumps off the page and has you so engulfed in the writing, that you can't wait to see what happens next, but dread the book ending because you don't want it to end.


I also enjoy how Ms. Wichman made it so easy to relate to her characters, though they seem so far away, and so unlike us in the modern world.


With battles, romance, and even magic and ghosts, you can't go wrong with this story.


Highly recommend this book, and would love to see more from this author!



Happy Reading!


Cana

Torrent by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Description:

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.  

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.   But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.  

My Review:

Torrent by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever read a book that was soooooo good that you couldn't wait for the next book, and the next one after that? And then when you read that final page of the final book in the series, you want to weep because it was so good, and yet you have a great sense of happiness for reading the book, because it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. This series, and this book, was that for me. So let me tell you about it.


Gabi, Lia, their mother, and now their father have all returned back to Medieval Italia. It has been a year M.I. (Medieval Italia) from when they were there last, but much has not changed. Marcello has been waiting for Gabi, Luca for Lia. Getting use to having her dad back from the dead, trying to prevent her family and her from being capture, and having the romance of a life time with a real, honest-to-goodness knight in shining armor. But will history take its course and take away all they have worked and are working for?


So, first, let me just tell you, if I could find a time machine, I would go back to Ms. Bergren's imaginings of Medieval Italia, it is so beautiful. Now I've been to modern Italy, seen Florence and Siena, but nothing could compare to what I imagine it was when it was being built, or were only a hundred or so years old.
I love Gabi's character (and if I could find my own Marcello... Maybe even a Lord Greco, I'd be happy as a pig in slop!). She is strong of mind and spirit, she is independent, and will fight for what she believes is right. Of course like any modern woman thrown back in time, there will be trouble. I can't help but laugh when she occasionally gets herself into trouble.
Marcello is the man of my dreams, and personally, my favorite part of the whole novel is when Gabi asks Marcello to consummate their love before marriage, and he says that he wants to, but he won't. HOW HOT IS THAT!
In a book full of romance and action, there is a beautiful tale of how life moves, constantly changing, like a river (Like the series' title suggests). You can't just stand still, you will always keep moving towards the end.
Highly, highly, highly recommend this book and this series.

Other Books In This Series:

 

View all my reviews


Happy Reading!


Cana

The Island of Living Trees by C.L. Ragsdale

Description:

An island infested with trees that walk around, capture unsuspecting visitors and turn them into trees? An absurd fable unworthy of being taken seriously, unless that is you are a member of Irene's Eerie Adventures then it is Good TV and that is your business. Once again Irene Waters finds herself in the unknown territory of the sensational as she and her cameraman, Troy Stenson, visit Isla de los Árboles Vivos, or The Island of Living Trees.
Supposedly the island is under the curse of a banished Indian shaman who turned himself into a tree and does the same to anyone unfortunate enough to wear out their welcome on the island. Sensational tales abound, but actual facts, thanks to Reboot's consistently unreliable research department, are scarce. However, such minor details have taken a back seat to the sensational storyline. As usual.
As if animated trees were not enough to contend with, Irene is also facing issues of the human persuasion inserting themselves into the story.
Yvonne Ruben is an overzealous political candidate determined to protect an up to now unheard of species of island fox whose existence Irene suspects may be more wishful thinking than concrete in nature. Steve Parker, the superstitious boat captain who has a past relationship with Yvonne, wants them off the island before they even arrive. Brian Wells, an enthusiastic real estate developer thinks the island would be a good investment, putting him in direct conflict with Yvonne. Worst of all, there is Pepper Fierce, an environmentalist who insists her sole concern is the aforementioned island fox but whose attention seems solely fixated on Troy.
Things go from bad to weird (what else is new?) once the Reboot Team, Yvonne, Pepper and Steve arrive on the island. Troy's mind is on the charms of Pepper not the mystery, and for some reason he is nervous of the trees. Pepper seems intent not on finding her precious fox, but in turning Troy against Irene. Steve won't leave his boat, and Yvonne is merely tolerating the others. Then a member of the party mysteriously disappears, and everyone, with the exception of Irene, is certain they have been kidnapped and turned into a tree. Outnumbered and on defense, Irene must rely on the long distance assistance of her station manager Bernie Youngman to cut the tree myth off at its roots and solve the mystery.

My Review:

The Island of Living Trees by C.L. Ragsdale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, yet again, we watch a wonderful mystery for Irene and Troy. Going to the Island of Living Trees, they are there to see if it is true that an ancient shaman is turning people into walking trees. You get to meet a politician, an animal activist, and a crusty charter ship captain.

I loved this one almost as much as the first in the Reboot Files series. Irene and Troy prove that they are human with the few little fights that they have. Also, the way this story moves is a bit faster than the first, just because the island gives a more "secluded" feeling. Within the first couple of chapters, you are trying to figure out who is the mastermind behind the living trees.

Also, the intrigue about who is the Secretary, and who is keeping the Reboot files gets deeper as Bernie gets a call to warn him about the file. Hmmm, who are they?

As a whole, great short story. Looking forward to more from the Reboot Files!

View all my reviews

The Mystery of Hurtleberry House by C.L. Ragsdale

Description:

Most people would be excited to be hosting their own TV show. However, most people do not work for Reboot, a television station better known for employing the rejects of the “legitimate media” than the quality of its programming.
Such is the fate of Irene Waters, a once promising Christian reporter struggling to recover from a counterfeit scandal that ruined her career and left her questioning her trust in God.
As her employment options are limited, she finds herself assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called “Irene's Eerie Adventures”. She and her cameraman, the talented but reckless Troy Stenson, are quickly dispatched to their first assignment, a rumored haunted house. At first glance their subject, Hurtleberry House, does not look promising even for the less than ambitious goal of “Good Television”. Putting aside the nonsensical name, the house is undergoing major renovations making filming itself a challenge. Even worse, the residents are cliché and the ghost is camera shy.
Fortunately for the Reboot team, all is not as it first appears as circumstances soon take a turn for the weird if not the supernatural. For Irene soon discovers that everything they thought they knew about the house and its ghost has been brought into question with the apparent goal of tricking a low budget TV show into coming out to film. But why and who is behind it? The flamboyant owner who appears to be a true believer in the family ghost? Her sensible sister with the grating personality who seems determined to protect her flamboyant sibling? The helpful but cranky elderly caretaker who could have ulterior motives? Or the handsome, but oddly redundant handyman who appears to have few skills and no apparent part in the renovations?
Irene will have to draw upon her until now unknown deductive skills and renewed faith in God to solve the real mystery of Hurtleberry House. A goal somewhat hampered by her efforts to curtail, with varying degrees of success, the enthusiasm of her cameraman to exploit the sensational. Whether it actually exists or not.

My Review:

The Mystery of Hurtleberry House by C.L. Ragsdale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So if Nancy Drew was a Christian who grew up to be a news reporter for an obscure network as a debunker of ghosts -- This would be her story.

Irene Waters is a news reporter who is trying to heal after what her last network did to her. Troy Stenson has a bad habit of putting himself into dangerous situations. Together they are teamed up to debunk the story of the ghost of Hurtleberry House.

I love how you think you know who is the villain, but until the last 20 or so pages, you don't know exactly. I think it gives a great beginning to the Reboot Files series. Also there is an underlying mystery that you have to continue the rest of the series to figure out... I really want to know who those strange people are at the end of the book!

You will get to learn some big words (Irene says a lot of them), and you will even get to learn the meaning of hurtleberry (read the book or find a dictionary to find out).

The great thing about this book/novella is that is a quick read, but it is even quicker because you are trying to figure the whole thing out! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a quick read and loves a good mystery.

Cana

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Early Review: Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Description

Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and
comely lass, who captures Gavin’s heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.

The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well. When a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. As Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God’s love is more powerful than any human force on earth.

My Review:

Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Serena and her mother have been living in secret exile after Serena's father tried to kill her for her seizures (he thought they were a sign of evil). When Gavin goes to the town where Serena and her mother lives to help protect the new laird, he is surprised that he finds someone he is interested in. But so much will happen to keep them apart, what with murders, fires, and even a 2nd love interest. Will they get to live and love each other, or will someone not make it?

So, I started reading this book, and I was immediately struck by how Ms. Taylor gives an idea on how seizures might have been seen during Medieval and Renaissance times. A person with such an affliction could be considered possessed or evil. She has a great way to add a mystery to the book, without it being over powering. Throughout the whole thing, I was pretty sure I knew who was the villain, but it was nice to still not be sure.

The book has a great theme of trusting in God, even when all the bad in the world comes crashing down on you, but without the Bible beating that some Christian fiction can do. You cheer on the hero/heroine in hopes that they will save the day and get to live happily ever after. But you also want most of the issues solved by the end of the book. Both of these were equally fulfilled, though the issue with the seizures would never be completely solved. That gave it a taste of real life, which can, and was, refreshing.

As a whole this was a good book. There are a few times where I was confused because Ms. Taylor will refer to a conversation that the main characters supposedly had, but I don't remember ever reading any of those conversations or even a synopsis of them. Also, there were some times where they refered to events and even the facts on why the MacKenzies were there in the first place were a bit hazy even in the middle of the book. Again, those holes don't take away from the story, it just frustrates me :-/

Overall, this is a great and easy read.

Cana

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Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Description:

Highland Blessings is the story of a highland warrior who kidnaps the daughter of his greatest enemy and clan chief to honor a promise he made to his dying father. Bryce MacPhearson, a highland warrior, kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. While Akira’s strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment when he forces her to wed him, hoping to end a half-century-old feud between their clans. While Akira begins to forgive, and Bryce learns to trust, a series of murders leaves a trail of unanswered questions, confusion, and a legacy of hate that once again rises between their families. Clearly, a traitor is in their midst. Now the one man Akira loves no longer trusts her, and her own life is in danger. Can Bryce look beyond his pain and seek the truth? Will Akira discover the threat against her before it’s too late? How will God turn a simple promise into bountiful Highland blessings? 

My Review:

Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Akira gets kidnapped on her wedding day, and ends up having to marry the century old enemy clan Chief, Bryce. There is a long row of murders, one including her own brother. Through it all, you are wondering if there will be a happy ending.

You really learn to like the characters, though I personally wanted to throttle Akira just a bit, because she is a bit headstong. Bryce is, of course, a stubborn man who would love to end the feud that has been tormenting the 2 clans for over a century- a feud that no one really remembers why it happened. Think of this as the Scottish Hatfields and McCoy fight.

There is a mystery on who is killing the people from both clans, and you are wondering if the good guys are actually the bad guys or is there someone who you haven't met yet trying to cause all these problems. You keep reading in hopes that a character you like doesn't get killed off.

For a first novel, I was impressed with Ms. Taylor's work. It was well written, with only a few holes that I would have loved to have filled in. The major "hole" for me was the agreement that Akira and Bryce had-- Abstinence until she agreed to consumate their marriage. The problem for me is that there was never a definite end to this agreement, but at the end of the book she is pregnant. Now, I took sex ed and realize that you can't get pregnant by holding hands or kissing, but I would have liked at least one chapter to have Akira say "Hey, you big lug! I love you and our agreement can now come to an end."-- Just say it in a Scottish brogue. That would be all it would take for me to make the leap from no sex to pregnancy.

Otherwise, it is a good book. I do recommend it, and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Taylor.

Cana

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Dragonlight by Donita K. Paul

Description

The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war inflicted on its citizens by outside forces–as well as from the spiritual apathy corroding the Amarans’ hearts. With Kale and her father serving as dragon keepers for Paladin, the dragon populace has exploded. It’s a peaceful, exciting time of rebuilding. And yet, an insidious, unseen evil lurks just beneath the surface of the idyllic countryside.

Truth has never been more important, nor so difficult to discern.
As Kale and her father are busy hatching, bonding, and releasing the younger generation of dragons as helpers throughout the kingdom, the light wizard has little time to develop her skills. Her husband, Sir Bardon–despite physical limitations resulting from his bout with the stakes disease–has become a leader, serving on the governing board under Paladin. When Kale and Bardon set aside their daily responsibilities to join meech dragons Regidor and Gilda on a quest to find a hidden meech colony, they encounter sinister forces. Their world is under attack by a secret enemy… can they overcome the ominous peril they can’t even see?


My Review

DragonLight by Donita K. Paul

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This final (5th) book in the Dragonkeeper Chronicles ties up all the loose knots that have been building through the past 4 books. Bardon decides that Kale and he needs to get out of the house, mainly because she is too dense to realize she is prego... Again, I'm not her race, but REALLY? Kale is a bit anti-quest, but decides to go along with her husband.

Along the way, they discover some amazing things about themselves, their friends, and the little child growing inside of Kale.

But of course, where ever there is a quest there is evil, and this is an evil that is ancient, since before the 5 races came to Amara. You can't help but wonder, will they succeed?

Beautiful imagery and definitely some crying and laughing moments.

Highly recommend!

Cana

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Dragonfire by Donita K. Paul

Description

Three years of strife have passed since Kale and Bardon freed Paladin’s knights. Now, fiery dragons scorch their beautiful countryside as an evil husband-and-wife wizard duo battle one another for supremacy. The people of Amara just want to be left alone, hoping the conflict with disappear. But Paladin is dying, and Bardon and Kale–now married–must accept fateful assignments if their land is to survive. Will their efforts turn the tide against their adversaries?

They face a deadly threat–and a challenging choice.

Kale’s responsibility is to find, hatch, and train an army of dragons, and she tackles the daunting task–until she is shocked by a betrayal. As the Amaran countrymen seek escape, she must search for her husband, family, and friends while organizing an underground movement to weaken the enemy. But when the end draws near, Kale must choose between two dismal destinies.


My Review
DragonFire by Donita K. Paul

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In the 4th installment of the Dragon Keeper Chronicles, Kale and Bardon must battle once again to save their country, their people, and for their's (and their people's) faith in Wulder. There are a lot of battles, a lot of loss, but through it all comes the story of hope.



I must say that this was the hardest book to read. There are several characters that are lost to death, and even at one moment where I just needed to put the book down to cry. But the theme of hope in the most hopeless situation, that healing can come even when you are at your most broken and the darkness is surrounding you still rings through. It also takes on a deeper thought about how our own faith in God can effect our leaders and our own country. Without faith and hope, we have nothing to keep us from falling into death (spiritually, mentally, and emotionally).



Highly recommend!

Cana

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Dragonknight by Donita K. Paul

Description

Trapped in an evil spell… can the knights of Paladin be rescued?

Before vowing his allegiance to Wulder as a knight, Bardon heads to the mountains for solitude. His life is suddenly complicated by a woman and her granddaughter, N’Rae, on a mission to rescue the woman’s son trapped in a chamber of sleep. Bardon learns that more of Paladin’s knights are imprisoned–and suspects one of them is Dragon Keeper Kale’s missing father.

The secret is in their hands–and hearts.

The band travels north, uncertain of their destination and encountering numerous perils. When they unlock the chamber, they discover a dozen knights–who cannot be awakened. The journal holding the secret to rousing them is in an unknown language. How can they find the help they need, and overcome even graver obstacles, to rescue the knights?
Return to the land of dragons and magic you discovered in Dragonspell and DragonQuest, in this finely crafted and memorable work of fantasy fiction with a core of eternal truth.


My Review

In the 3rd installment of the Dragon Keeper Chronicles, we are primarily getting to see Bardon (Kale comes in much later into the story).  He goes to a cabin to rest and relax after a lot of work, and instead gets pulled into a quest (I don't know about you, but if after 3 tries of getting rest I get pulled into ANOTHER quest, I might stop trying to rest :).)  AS it is, Bardon meets several people along the as as he tries to save dozen of knights that if they aren't awakened in tiem will die. 
This is a great story of how just because we plan things one way, that it doesn't have to happen that way. Bardon is an orphaned knight of Paladin, trying to follow the ways of Wulder and wanting to live his life.  But he knows that honoring Wulder's plan when it isn't his own is still the best way. 
Fantastic on how the way the character of Bardon loosens up from where we first meet him in Dragonquest. 
Highly recommend this book!

Cana

Dragonquest By Donita K. Paul

Description

A New Quest Begins

A dragonkeeper of Paladin, Kale is summoned from the Hall to The Bogs by the Wizard Fenworth to serve as his apprentice and tend his newly hatched meech dragon, Regidor. But Kale isn’t going alone. The Hall is sending a student to monitor her performance and report back to the scholars. Worst of all, it’s Bardon–an older boy Kale finds irritating, but who at least can hold his own in a sword fight.

New Friendships Are Forged

Meanwhile, the Wizard Risto has seized another meech dragon, bringing him dangerously close to gaining the power he seeks. So with only a motley band of companions, Kale sets out on a desperate quest to rescue the second meech, to free those dragons already enslaved, and to thwart Risto’s devious plans. It’s up to Kale to lead the search and to embrace the role that’s rightfully hers. But will her efforts be enough to save the land of Amara from the dark future that awaits at Risto’s hands?


My Review

As a new quest begins for Kale (she really would rather stay at school at the Hall), she goes to help with Regidor, the Meech dragon that has hatched.  Wizard Fenworth is a hoot as usual, and then they have to go about some fighting, as well as discovering that she isn't an orphan as she thought and who her mother is.
This book has a lot of wonderful moments where you really hope that Kale will just smack Bardon upside the head, but you know where it is going.  They like each other, and discover that they are a better team together than they are apart (does that make sense?  It is like there is no "I" in Team.... Yep).  Kale learns that she has some new gifts (who doesn't as you grow up?), and Bardon learns to accept himself as he was created, not as what others expect.  You also get to meet new dragons, a new character taht will keep you laughing, and some older characters that you loved already.
Highly recommend the book!

Cana

Dragonspell By Donita K. Paul

 Description

One Dragon Egg Holds the Key to the Future.

Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.

A Desperate Search Begins…

A small band of Paladin’s servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fenworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begun to suspect…

My Review

First of all let me say that I LOVED this series of books. I've read them all over and over again. 
So Kale who was raised as a slave in one culture/race finds out that because of her gift to find dragon eggs she is to go to serve Paladin. But before she can make it to the city, she is whisked away by a quest party that needs her help.  On the way she has to learn to trust others, trust Wulder, and trust that her gifts are important just the way they were given to her. 
Kale is a character you love from the very beginning.  She is sweet, though she has no understanding who Wulder (the God figure in this allegory) is and why He would love her so much.  She also has to learn how to use the gifts that Wulder blessed her with and learn to work with the comrades that she has. 
I also LOVE how Ms. Paul creates not just 1 race, but 10 races in all: the high race and the low (often considered evil) race.  Her descriptions of them and how each one differs but are somewhat similar is amazing.  You can't help but want to actually meet all of them.
There is points for why we need to forgive, the power of finding our place within God's will, and the joy of friendship. 
Highly recommend this book!

Cana

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter

 Description

She wrote the book--literally--on finding the right mate. But does she really understand what love's about?
Five hours before her Nantucket beach wedding--and on the eve of her big book launch--celebrity marriage counselor Kate Lawrence has everything in place.
Everything, that is, but the groom. She might not have a career, either, when her nationwide audience finds out their marriage guru has been left at the altar.
Enter Lucas Wright, who offers to stand in for the missing husband-to-be and marry her. Kate's desperate enough to agree--although she's sure this Mr. Wright is completely wrong for her. But can they pull it off? And why would Lucas marry her in the first place?
Could it be that "Dr. Kate" doesn't know the first thing about love?
An inspiring tale of enduring love set in romantic Nantucket.

My Review

The Convenient Groom (Nantucket, #2)
byDenise Hunter

Dr. Kate, expert on marriage and famous author and couselor, is about to get married. But at the last minute, her soon to be husband backs out and leaves her standing at the alar about a few hours before the wedding itself. Lucus (who has loved her for a while unbeknowst to Kate), stands in as a "convenient groom" to help save her career. Of course, through any good romance book, Dr. Kate begins to fall in love with Lucus. Then the unexpected happens, and there is the threat of this marriage of convience ending.

So, I have now read this book twice, and it is agood book to come back to every once in a while. I really like how Denise Hunter adds little snippets of Dr. Kate's "book", because it always makes the chapter funny when you see neither main character using the advice. Then of course the best part for me is when Lucas moves Kate into his home (since they have to make it look like they are in love, and that it isn't a marriage of convience). I can imagine the face she makes as she realizes she, the neat freak on the verge of OCD, has married a messy bachelor with a large, hairy dog. Yep, makes me laugh just thinking about it!
The description of Nantucket is beautiful, makes you really want to go there.

Highly recommend the book, and it definitely a re-read.      

Cana

Thief by Linda Windsor

 Description

Exiled in shame and wounded in battle, Caden O’Byrne accepts a mission of penance—to search for his healer’s long-lost daughter. At worst, he’ll finally get his death wish. At best, this could be God’s second chance. But the lovely minstrel Sorcha wants no part in him, his newfound God, or the rescue. In fact, she’s robbed him blind—to help finance her work of buying young captives and returning them to their families. She’s also gone into debt and promised to marry a man she doesn’t love—all for the chidlren’s sake. But before she and Caden can sort out the situation, a treacherous murder forces them to run for their lives…together. While Caden’s rekindled faith is tested, Sorcha wonders if his God is real. If so, can a thief like her dare hope for His mercy? And do the two of them have a chance of reaching home—Sorcha’s real home—alive?

My Review

Thief: A Novel by Linda Windsor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caden,outcasted and punished for crimes against his family, is given an opportunity to change his life by bringing home a lost child (though now an adult) to her widowed mother. Sorcha, kidnapped as a child, now recues children brought in to be sold as slaves and return them to their families. Together they must prove their innocence and learn to rely on God and each other to survive through the dangers they must face.

In this second book in the Brides of Alba series, Linda Windsor has done it again. By using her gift of writing, she opens up her readers about a time in history where Christians lived and experienced God in ways that we may never have thought of. In every way, she does her best to follow the best historical information and does a wonderful job of giving her sources so if you want to further your own study of a time most Christians don't even realize exists.

Highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to the last one come summer 2012!

Cana

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Healer by Linda Windsor

Description

Sixth-century Scotland—in the time of Arthur….

“The Gowrys’ seed shall divide your mighty house and bring a peace beyond the ken of your wicked soul.”

Her mother’s dying prophecy to the chieftain Tarlach O’Byrne sentenced Brenna of Gowrys to twenty years of hiding. Twenty years of being hunted—by the O’Byrnes, who fear the prophecy, and by her kinsmen, who expect her to lead them against their oppressors. But Brenna is a trained and gifted healer, not a warrior queen. So she lives alone in the wilderness with only her pet wolf for company. When she rescues a man badly wounded from an ambush, she believes he may be the answer to her deep loneliness. Healing him comes as easy as loving him. But can their love overcome years of bitterness and greed…and bring peace and renewed faith to the shattered kingdom?

My Review

 Healer: A Novel
byLinda Windsor

In the first of the Brides of Alba Series, Brenna is an orphan that is living the life of an outcast because of a prediction that her mother gave.  As a gifted healer, she cannot leave the injured man lying by the lake, even though today is the annual hunt for her.  As it turns out, Ronan, the heir and enemy, is the injured man that Brenna helps.  As they learn to love each other and to break the feud created so many years ago, they must also fight for their lives as there are those who want both dead. 
Let me say that I love Linda Windsor's books, and this one is added to my list of favorites.  Her characters are well-rounded and there are points that you just want to crawl inside the book and have a wonderfully long conversation with them (granted sometimes that is because you are yelling at the book, "What are you thinking? That is NEVER going to work!!!!").  I love that there is a bit of mystery on who is friend and who is foe, but even your enemy can become a great ally when faced with darkness. 
As with her other novels, it is well researched and full of well thought revelations that help us as modern Christians see and think as those who were Christians hundreds and thousands of years ago.  I especially love her bibliography and her glossary, both of which are big help if you are unfamilar with 6th century Scottish. 
Highly recommend this book, and I have plans on re-reading it.

Cana

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Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

 Description

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

My Review

Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gabi and Lia are at it again. This time, they take their mother with them (I can't say I would want to take my mother with me if I wanted to be with my "prince charming", but it does add some interesting situations for this story). Marcello has waited several months (his time) for Gabi and Lia to return. When they do, there is celebration, but people are still after them. The City of Florence and their leaders want Gabi and Lia's heads, while Siena celebrate their victories. But there is more. More battles, more betrayls, an introduction of the plague. There is little down time in this novel, and the adventure and tension of war keeps the pages turning.

I'm looking forward to the last book, though I think I shall also mourn the loss of more from Gabi and Lia. Highly recommend, definitely worth the read.

Cana

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Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

 Description

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

My Review

Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a knight in shining armour? To live in a time where there was only a chamberpot and women were not meant to lead, but follow their father or husband's every wish and decree? Well, Lisa T. Bergren does a wonderful job in portraying what it would be like to go back in time as a modern woman into Medieval Italy. I loved Gabi, her whole personality was tremendously strong and amazingly complex. Who wouldn't want to have a knight, but would we really be willing to sit back and let him protect us? Historically, there are some differences, but Bergren does a wonderful job to make it all blend away to where you cannot see the difference between historical information and author's perogative.

If you are looking for a good read, where there is adventure, romance, and sword fights, this would be a definitely good book to read. Only downside is this is 1 of 3, so once she publishes the last book (come on November) this will be it for this very interesting trilogy.

Highly Recommend!

Cana

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