First Line Friday - Renegades

Happy Friday!

There are a few authors out there that if I see a new book on the shelf at the store...I will buy it...No questions asked. Well, Marissa Meyer's books fall into that category. So when I promised my sister that I wasn't going to buy any books when we went into Barnes & Noble the other night...I had forgotten that this book released. Marissa Meyer writes Young Adult Fiction. The Lunar Chronicles is one of the most ingenious fairy tale retellings out there. And I recently reviewed Heartless here. Needless to say I am super excited to dive into this one!

Happy Reading!

Today’s first line is from...

Renegades
Marissa Meyer

We were all villains in the beginning.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Do you enjoy reading YA Fiction?

Head over to Hoarding Books to link up with your own FLF post! (Please keep it family 
friendly...Or note otherwise in the link up)

Keturah (Review & Giveaway) - The Sugar Baron's Daughter Book One - Lisa T. Bergren

My Rating

★★★ - I've been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow. (More Info)

About the Book

In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father’s estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

Although it flies against all the conventions, they’re determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined–and that’s just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world.

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

Learn more and purchase a copy!

My Thoughts

A couple months ago, the husband and I set sail on a cruise of the Caribbean. Needless to say it was an AMAZING experience! We had so much fun, meet some incredible people, and truly had the experience of a lifetime. So when this book came around, I had to snatch it up! 

Keturah has one of the most unique settings that I have ever read in Historical Fiction; 1773 in the West Indies. The sisters Banning have been through so much. They have lost both their parents, are threatened with financial ruin, and set sail "unchaperoned" all the way to the Caribbean to save their sugar plantation. 

I really enjoyed the unique setting, the island life of the 1770s, the cultural differences, the hardships, and the romance. The author does address the issue of abuse throughout the story. The pain, the effects, the healing process, which I found very well done. Although I can not relate to Keturah's situation, I know that many have, and I pray that God uses this story to speak to and bring healing to them. 

The reason for my rating is for the simple fact that the story moved very slow. I had a really hard time staying focused on the story while reading. My mind would wander too easily. The writing quality was good overall, just not a fast enough pace to keep me fully engaged.

If you are looking for a unique story, I would recommend you give Keturah a try. Just because it was too slow for me, doesn't mean it will be for you.  

I received a complimentary copy of Keturah from the publisher through Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Lisa T. Bergren has published more than 40 books with more than 3 million books sold combined. She's the author of the Christy Award-winning "Waterfall," RITA®-finalist "Firestorm," bestselling "God Gave Us You," and popular historical series like Homeward, Grand Tour, and more. She's also a recipient of the RT Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and three teen-and-older children.

Find out more about Lisa at http://lisatawnbergren.com.

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Keturah. Five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced March 13 on the Litfuse blog!

Tour Landing Page

Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Book Quotes

Book Quotes! I adore book quotes! When words on the page seep into your soul and take over your heart and your mind....Listed here are several of my favorite quotes from (hopefully) well known books! Thanks to That Artsy Reader Girl for hosting Top Ten Tuesday.

What is one of YOUR favorite book quotes?

First Line Friday - In Places Hidden

Happy Friday!

THIS.COVER!!!! Enough said right? Haha! I LOVE big hats (and I can not lie). I bought this one because I just needed it on my shelf! HOPEFULLY, I will get to read it soon. In Places Hidden is the first book in Tracie Peterson's new series, Golden Gate Secrets.

Happy Reading!

Today’s first line is from...

In Places Hidden

Tracie Peterson

Late November, 1905

"San...Fran...cisco! Next stop, San...Fran...cisco," the conductor called in a slow, elongated manner.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

What is one of your favorite book covers?

Head over to Hoarding Books to link up with your own FLF post! (Please keep it family 
friendly...Or note otherwise in the link up)

The Merchant's Daughter - Hagenheim Book 2 - Melanie Dickerson

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

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. (From Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Did you know that I love....like...LOVE....Fairy Tales? Well, now you do! And Melanie Dickreson's books are INCREDIBLE retellings of all your favorite fairy tales. I am still playing catch up with this series, but this is my seventh book of Mrs. Dickerson's that I have read. 

Set in the Medieval Era, Annabel and Lord Ranulf will steal your heart in this unique story that mirrors the story of Beauty and the Beast. From a nasty "Gaston" to a sweet young boy, and a caring housekeeper...The heart of the story reminds us that it is not our appearance or circumstances that define us...But our heart.

If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author whose two favorite time periods are Medieval, which she has combined with her love of fairy tales, and Regency England, which stems from her love of Jane Austen. She is a 2-time Christy Award finalist, a 2-time Maggie Award winner, winner of The National Reader's Choice Award for 2010's Best First Book, and winner of the 2012 Carol Award in Young Adult fiction. She earned her bachelor's degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children with special needs in Georgia and Tennessee, and English to adults in Germany and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing, hanging out on facebook, and being with her husband, two daughters, and two guinea pigs near Huntsville, Alabama. (From Melanie's Amazon author page.)

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Books by Melanie Dickerson on Bookworm Mama

Medieval Fairy Tale Romance

 Hagenheim