Cadmean Victory

This book is truly a victory!

Cadmean Victory

By: Gloria Darlene Beers

Let me just start by saying that often times we all base books by the cover. Who doesn’t, and while this cover is intriguing it isn’t attention grabbing. But let me tell you what lies BEHIND the cover: EXCITEMENT!
This book is on my shelf of favorites as we speak. I am so surprised by this book I can’t believe that I thought it could be anything BUT!
At first it was a little dull with little attention grabbing spots here and there, but I kept on with it and I soon was not disappointed. I think it was well researched, and just when you think you know what’s going to happen you find yourself at the edge of your seat amazed!
　
This story starts following a young girl named Rebecca. She is completely spoiled by both her parents and puritan grandmother. To get her away from the tight hold her grandmother has on her the parents travel with her from England to the south in America where slavery is very much an issue. She visits relatives at the most beautiful plantation she has ever seen…Willows. There she starts having a fantastic time, and realizes that this is where her social life can really begin. She starts having young romantic feelings for her very handsome cousin Andy. As her parents watch her become increasingly arrogant they decide to leave immediately and gain passage on a ship. However while to sea there is a terrible storm and Rebecca finds herself washed ashore on an island. Upon awakening she finds herself face to face with an unknown tribe where she is terrified to learn her fate. As things unfold she meets in the tribe a woman named Nasundee who literally becomes her life-long friend and confidante. As one hardship after another unfolds and suprising twists take turn in Rebecca’s life she realizes that with perseverance and a great friend she can overcome anything. Going from riches to rags and back again this story will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you start it you won’t be able to put it down. One of the best novels you’ll read all year guaranteed!

I loved the main character Rebecca. I identify with her will to persevere. We all have hardships in life, and no matter how hard they are we must continue and do our best even when we feel that all is lost. The story line was great, and the unpredictability of it all just made the book even more alluring. I know I will find myself re-reading this novel again and again. If you would like to give this book a try, which I HIGHLY recommend, please visit this link for your purchase: http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/cadmeanvictory.html
　
　
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team in exchange for my unbiased review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Faithfully Uplifting

Billy Graham In Quotes
By: Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney

I would just like to start by saying that I don't usually read books on quotes, however I do enjoy Billy Graham so I decided to give this a try, and I really did enjoy it. It is so uplifting, and really gets you thinking. Plus we all love quotes, and it’s amazing how from a simple quote you can gain so much wisdom. Most of us even live by quotes.
This book is split up into topics, it covers just about everything and is Billy Grahams quotes on his take of bible verses, and what he believed. There is everything from addiction, anger, sadness, happiness, money, forgiveness, heaven, etc. PLUS all the topics are in alphabetical order so it is very easy to locate what you are searching for. And right now we are going through some difficult things and I found myself reading some of these quotes and they really were uplifting.
My husband couldn't wait to get his hands on this book when it came in the mail. He too read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I assume now it will become more of his book because as we speak he has it sitting on his bedside nightstand where he read some of the quotes before bed.
I think that people of all ages can gain wisdom and faith from this book. I especially think it would come in handy for a pastor when writing sermons or a church class to study together. This book is both thought provoking, and spiritually uplifting. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and there is a quote in here for everyone. And what's really lovely about this book is that the pressure isn't on to read it cover to cover, but you can use it in your everyday life. It would be a good book to keep on your nightstand or on a coffee table and when you have some you time pick it up and read on whatever topic you want some wisdom on. There are also some great footprints in here as well. It is all in all very truthful, and inspirational.

DISCLAIMER: I was provided this book for free through Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review. Opinions expressed are mine alone.

New Beginnings

Let me just begin by saying sorry for a long absence. Things have been super hectic for a long time and I hope and pray that they are finally going to simmer down. I have some upcoming reviews that should be coming soon. One is the quotes of Billy Graham and let me just say it is so uplifting! Anywho I am beat, today was my birthday and it was sure filled with some suprises and not drama free but I am thankful for this day and for all who shared it with me and for all the birthday wishes. God Bless.

It's The Bee's Knee's

Lilies In Moonlight
By: Allison Pittman
　

The Bee’s Knee’s

After reading this novel I can assure that Allison Pittman is now one of my favorite authors. I absolutely ADORED this book! Everything about this book is wonderful. The feel of the cover is just so velvety and soft that I had to double check sometimes that I was indeed holding a book! And the story is so fascinating and REAL that I felt as if I was there the entire time watching real occurrences unfold before my very eyes! It was just so beautifully written, delivered a great message, and I could NOT put it down. I found myself rushing through daily chores just to be able to read more of this novel! If this was a movie as well I would definitely be there opening day to see it, and it is such a great story that it would indeed make a terrific movie!

I think this book is so easy to relate to. Especially the main character Lilly Margolis. A flapper who rebels against her mother’s stern Christian ways and lack of love she finds herself in many different places following different men. Yearning for love she has hope in every relationship and throws caution to the wind taking up with them. Will she realize that God is the only one who’s love should matter? As a salesgirl for Dalliance Cosmetics Lilly finds herself at an immaculate rather high class home and meets the senile yet charming Betty Ruth Burnside. However finding that her mere watered down cosmetics are not good enough for the kind old woman Lilly rushes out expecting never to return. A rather unsavory friend Dina takes Lilly along to a party, and there Lilly has too much to drink and finds herself facedown in the backyard garden of millionaire Cullen Burnside and his senile mother. Lilly suffers from a sprained ankle and bruised body so the Burnside’s take her in and nurse her back to health. Finding love within the Burnside’s home Lilly is reluctant to leave. She becomes almost best friends with the senile Betty Ruth Burnside and gives the woman so much joy that she becomes indispensable to the Burnside household. But with Betty Ruth’s memory quickly faded her son and heir Cullen wonders just how long Betty Ruth will know Lilly. What if she wakes up one day and has no idea who Lilly is or where she came from? If that day comes will Lilly leave quietly and be able to let them go? And will Cullen himself be able to LET Lilly go?
 Every character in this book will touch your heart, even the very minor ones. I think there is a relatable character in this novel for everyone. There is just so much kindness, love, reality, etc in every character and setting. I was amazed and this is definitely one of the best written novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I HIGHLY recommend this book, and it is by far the BEST book I have read this year. I was so eager to find out the ending and yet reluctant for it to end! It is definitely going on my shelf of favorites, and I hope you’ll give it a chance as well. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Pick up your copy of this book today by VISITING THIS LINK<<<available in print or eBook

Disclaimer:Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Dangerously Courageous

Isabella
The Belle Of Ironwood
A Novel by: Andrea Wren

I must admit this novel came as a huge surprise to me. At first it was very slow and sort of boring, but then it really picked up. And once it picked up I was pleasantly surprised that I just DID NOT want to put it down! It is definitely a book that you want to give the chance even though it takes awhile to really pick up. You won’t regret it. This novel is definitely making a place on my bookshelf of favorites. Now there are some parts that I just did not understand or follow well. For instance there are parts that sort of just skip ahead without much warning, and then the main character finds herself reminiscing on times past and it sort of throws you back and forth. Usually I don’t like this, and find it a huge downer of any novel, but surprisingly when happening in this novel I didn’t find myself lost at all. It was really easy to understand what exactly was going on, and I didn’t feel like I was way off track. Once the novel picked up I was totally immersed. I dreaded putting it down, and looked forward to picking it back up again. There are many things one can gain from reading this wonderful debut novel: strength, courage, respect, perseverance, faith, etc. I think the author, Andrea Wren, did a wonderful job, and I am mightily surprised that this is her first novel. I look forward to any other novels she may write, and hope there are more in the future from her.

In this debut novel we follow Isabella Carbet from the age of fifteen throughout her entire life. Sent away by her parents in hope of protection in a drastically changing world and a better life her journey starts rather unfortunately when she is kidnapped and sold into slavery before she even really gets the chance to begin her life’s journey. Isabella becomes sold into slavery and experiences heart-wrenching hardships and misfortunes, as well as finds friendships and love that sustain her through terrible times. Persevering through what most believed the impossible Isabella doesn’t give up the hope or fight for freedom nor does she allow herself to be browbeaten into giving up her passion for teaching. At all costs she remains herself and lives life the best she can, carving out a life for herself. This book holds intrigue, romance, struggle, a great sense of history, courage, admiration, and you will literally feel as if you are right there with Isabella the entire journey. Due to Isabella’s suffering there is placed a generations long curse that needs to be lifted, and the journey to find those responsible and seek forgiveness is truly something to behold.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. All opinions expressed are mine alone.To purchase your copy of this book please visit this LINK