Review: The Shepherd's Prayer

The Shepherd's Prayer by Richard M. Barry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This excellent book has become an annual CHRISTmas story to read. Well, actually, I listen to the audio version each year as I wrap presents. I first listened to it several years ago with my teen girls. It made me think about some Bible scenes differently. I have and will continue to recommend it. It will also continue to be a tradition at CHRISTmastime.

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Review: Thief of Corinth

Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will do a full review a little closer to the release date, but I will say that I loved this story and its characters. Tessa Afshar has written yet another winner! She has become an author that I just pre-order the book when I know she has one coming out because I just know it will be good!

August 7, 2018, Release Day review:

The short review: I loved it! Buy it! :)

The more detailed review:

I have thoroughly loved all the books by Tessa Afshar that I’ve read, and I plan on going back and reading older ones I didn’t find out about until I had read the newer ones. Matter of fact, I’ve already purchased the other ones to read instead of just borrowing them from the library.

Thief of Corinth is a great story. Although it is set in the 1st century, it will feel very relatable to those in the 21st century. Have you ever sought approval from a parent or grandparent, felt you needed to prove yourself, wanted to fit in? Are you a child of divorce? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then you’ll be to relate to Ariadne, the main character.

This story has it all...adventure, romance, betrayal, redemption, plot twists, and a timeless message of hope. I particularly liked that actions had consequences and that Ariadne’s struggle to come to faith was realistic.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction (especially those set in Biblical times), books with redeeming themes, or books with a strong female lead.

I received a complimentary copy of Thief of Corinth from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. This review is my honest opinion of the book.



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Review: The Orphan's Wish

The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Orphan’s Wish (Hagenheim Fairy Tale Romance series #8)
by Melanie Dickerson


Release Date: June 26, 2018

My rating: 4.5 stars

SUMMARY: After being orphaned and doing what he can to survive, you Aladdin is rescued and raised in a land far away from his birthplace where he meets Lady Kirstyn and becomes her friend. Through the years, their childhood friendship grows.

MY THOUGHTS: You may think you know the story of Aladdin, but author Melanie Dickerson takes his story and reinvents it. My teenage daughter is a long-time fan of Melanie Dickerson and has read everything Ms. Dickerson has ever written. My daughter told me time and again that I *must* read these reinvented fairy tales and that they are *so* good! Well, I never quite got around to it. When I saw NetGalley offer up the newest of the Hagenheim fairy tales, I jumped at the opportunity. After reading The Orphan’s Wish, I must admit my daughter is right. I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling and want to read more of them.

4.5 stars for the entertainment and enjoyment. I knocked a half star off, as the romantic struggle dragged on a bit too long for me.

Even though this is the eighth book in the Hagenheim Fairy Tale Romance series, I felt the story could easily be read and understood without having read the previous tales.

This book is recommended to anyone—tween to senior citizen—who likes fairy tales with clean romance.


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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.


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Review: The Captured Bride

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3)
by Michelle Griep

Release Date: June 1, 2018


My rating: 5 stars

SUMMARY: This third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series can be read without reading the first two. (But, if you’re into family trees, you’ll want to!) In this book, Mayflower descendant Mercy Lytton is a scout in the wilderness of New York during the French and Indian War. Her father was a Mohawk Native American and her mother was British. During a mission, she encounters traitor Elias DuBois and must work with him to help deliver a shipment of gold to the British.

MY THOUGHTS: This is my first story by this author, but I think I’ll be looking up some of her other books. I really enjoyed it because of its historical adventure, clean romance, and interwoven Christian faith. I especially liked Mercy’s development throughout the story in regard to her mother and in finding where she fits in her world. The twists and turns of Mercy and Elias’s adventures kept me turning the pages.

I ended up buying two copies of the paperback. One copy was for my church’s library, and the other is for a giveaway for our library’s monthly drawing. I decided to purchase the giveaway copy because of the author’s note at the end of the book. The story was partially based on the legend of the lost French gold, a well-known local (Minerva, Ohio) story.

This book is recommended to anyone who likes frontier adventures, clean romance, or genealogy. I’m looking forward to book 4!


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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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Review: Fawkes

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fawkes
by Nadine Brandes

Release Date: July 10, 2018

My rating: 5 stars

SUMMARY: Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone. He lives in 17th century London, in the midst of a color war where the Keepers think the Igniters caused the Stone Plague and the Igniters think the Keepers did it. Thomas becomes mixed up in the plot to install a new king because his father says it will end the plague.

MY THOUGHTS: This historical fiction-yet-not-historical-fiction is so unique. It’s set against real events during the Gunpowder Plot of the 17th century, and yet it is also a fantasy story. What a brilliant idea. I want more of this hybrid kind of story! I enjoyed the plots and twists, the Christian undertones, and seeing Thomas grow and change and develop his own opinions. Definitely gets 5 stars for originality and for keeping me turning the pages while giving me something to think about it! I would have like to have seen a bit more explanation of things in the beginning, but as the story unfolded the knowledge came.

This book is recommended to anyone who likes historical fiction and/or fantasy or who is interested in a hybrid of the two.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

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Review: No Less Days

No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a thought-provoking story and I love books that make me think! I may not agree with parts of the story, but neither can I offer a better solution. I actually read this book in 2 sittings in a 24 hour period. I believe it will be one not soon forgotten. I hope there's more of the story coming soon.

I intend to read more of this author. I've got her book Seek and Hide sitting on the shelf beside my reading chair. I will be buying No Less Days for our church library...it should spark some interesting discussion. It would be great for book club.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review other than getting to keep the e-book.

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Review: The Little Siren

The Little Siren by J.M. Stengl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a review of the entire Faraway Castle series to date. (Cinder Ellie 0.5, Ellie & the Prince #1, The Little Siren 1.5, and The Siren & the Scholar #2). Ellie's stories can be read separately from the Siren's stories, but the stories do take place at the same time and overlap. You can snag the prequel story The Little Siren at the author's website...you'll want to read it before The Siren and the Scholar.

This is a delightful series set in a world of cars and cell phones and resorts, yet has the feel of a fairytale kingdom of yesteryear. In this world, you'll find new takes on old stories, such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid (and coming later this year, Sleeping Beauty). You'll also find romance and mystery.

As a parent, I appreciated the "lightness" of the romance...hand-holding and a few kisses, no more. :)

I look forward to the next book(s) in the series. Recommended for tweens, teens, and lovers of all things fairytales.

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