Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 20, 2013

We are still busy with grandkids. We all enjoyed church this morning. I'll be saving the sermon notes for another day. Instead I want to share a quick message that was shared by our events announcer today.

He noted that if you light a match or candle or flashlight at lunch time it barely shows. But as twilight comes on the light is more noticeable. Then when it is really dark the little bit of light may be considered radical. As society around us becomes darker -- in the sense of personal morals, Biblical commitment and doing what is right in God's eyes instead of our own eyes -- may we prove to be radical lights in a darkening world.

I've chosen this song to fit this message:

We Shine!

Verses for today:
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Lord, I pray that I may be considered radical in my service and sharing for You!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Sharing Beyond Books #122 October 19, 2013 Comment Giveaway

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

Hey everyone! I am pulling this together while watching movies with the Grand kids. :-) Almost cookie time!

Six - seven of us picked Thanksgiving as our favorite part of autumn. Three people like the leaves, and a couple like decorating and Halloween too. Some like fall festivals and pumpkins and scottsgal likes the fall football!

Most of use acknowledge that we are multi-taskers but two are single taskers. fredamans and CarolL noted that as moms we almost have to be multitaskers! And Liss and a couple others mentioned they are single minded when reading!

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #121 comments is: #10 fredamans (I think you've had a winning week!) who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #122

Q1. Marjorie asks: How do you feel about talking and texting on cell phones while at table at a wedding??

A: I have to agree that such behavior would be rude. I see people texting during dinners out and I think that is rude too. And then there are those who think it's okay to text during movies - it suits me if they are banned from the theater. :-)

Image found at OnTheJob.

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Do you read the back material such as Author's Bio, Reading Guide, preview, excerpt or first chapter for next book??

A: Most of the time I do read the end portions. Lately I have found some interesting material. I don't always read previews or excerpts, first chapters of the next or prior book though.

Image found at Fine Books & Collections.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Marjorie asks: How do you feel about talking and texting on cell phones while at table at a wedding??

Q2. My bookish Question this week: Do you read the back material such as Author's Bio, Reading Guide, preview, excerpt or first chapter for next book??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone

This is an emotionally charged read where the characters have to overcome pain and guilt to find romance.

The Christmas He Loved Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake)
by Juliana Stone

Series: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 24, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1402274831
ISBN-13: 978-1402274831

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
"Will appeal to readers of Cathie Linz and Susan Elizabeth Phillips."—Booklist
All he wants this Christmas is her...

In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire with those you love. For Jake Edwards, it's also time to come home and face the music. He thought there would never be anything harder than losing his brother. Turns out there is: falling in love with his brother's widow, Raine.

Ever since they were little, Jesse was the Edwards brother who was always there for her, and Jake was the one who knew just how to push her buttons. Raine can't imagine a life without them, which is why it was doubly decimating when Jake left town after his brother's sudden death. Now he's back and she doesn't know whether to be mad or thrilled. Maybe both. Or maybe it will be the perfect chance for both of them to finally find happiness again.

Review:
Raine is a young woman who has curled into grief after the death of her husband, Jesse. But there is more pain that she is carrying that isn’t revealed fully until late in the book. Raine grew up as a tag- along following neighbor twins, Jesse and Jake Edwards. Jesse was the serious twin although he also was a risk taker and mischievous. Jake has always been the more vibrant twin but he and Raine seemed to be combative, always going head to head in argument and discussions.

Jake came back alive from the middle east combat and is shrugging with his own guilt. He wasn’t able to save his brother who seemed to have thrust himself into danger. When Jake returned he realized that he still, as always, wanted what he couldn’t have – his brother’s woman, Raine. Jake panicked a year before when he took off after being with Raine briefly.

It is clear that Raine and Jake have deep feelings for each other. It is also apparent that they need to work through a lot of pain, grief, misunderstandings and even secrets before they might have a chance to come together for a future.

There are additional supporting characters that add to the emotional trauma. Jake’s parents are also coping with the grief and loss and on top of that his father has been ill for the past year. Raine’s mother, who spent most of Raine's youth ministering to starving children overseas, is back and asking for a chance to be a mother. Jake has come home with a friend, Lily, who is fashion-model beautiful but also emotionally damaged. These people add different conflicts and stresses to Raine and Jake’s already strained relationship.

Although I was leery of the emotions as I started the book, I did become engaged and enjoyed the story. I wanted Jake and Raine to move along quicker to a point where they could accept their love and help heal each other. Of course, a big part of the story is their struggle to get to that point. There were a couple of gaps that bothered me, some more minor than others. Lily’s trauma was never explained although I suspect that is for another book. But the big gap was with Jesse’s mind set. There were hints that things weren’t right between him and Raine and there was a disclosure that he might have had a death wish but the reason was never discussed or revealed.

The romance is strong when they come together and there are a couple of intense scenes. These were nicely handled so they were not offensive and could be skimmed if the reader chooses. I felt that there could have been more depth in the characters. It was as if I was exposed to the top surface of pain and confusion and that dominated throughout. Still, the writing was strong and the momentum helped me ultimately enjoyed the book.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to US or Canadian addresses.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 25, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after October 25, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Saturday Snapshot October 19, 2013 - Grandkids Visit

My DH and I are watching two of our grandchildren this weekend. I went to bed early and have been up with the kids this morning. I was going to skip posting this morning but decided I would show you what we were up to.

Yesterday I walked around the garden to find some items to harvest.

This morning my granddaughter helped me gather

before it rained harder.

There are decorative gourds, some sweet potatoes,
one watermelon and two green peppers.

Our grandson was watching National Geographic while we picked out goodies.

Then P-Pop made pancakes!

I had a great time visiting last week and hope to get to today -- in between watching the kiddos.

A big Thank You to Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Book Review and Giveaway Link: Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen

This is a lovely, sweet romance with hints of the Prince and the Pauper.
Just Ella
by Annette K. Larsen

File Size: 3414 KB
Print Length: 294 pages
Publisher: Hidden Falls Publishing (August 14, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
ASIN: B00EK7R5ZW

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 14, 2013
A Proper, Clean Romance.
Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she’d imagined.

"I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me."

Review:
Ariella is a princess who longs to be loved for herself...just Ella. No one knows that side of her. She doesn’t even have friends since she can’t mingle with others in her kingdom. She has a special camaraderie with her father, the king, as he shares history and explains political aspects of ruling when she visits in the library in the afternoons.

As she is nearing her sixteenth birthday Ella knows that there will be a big celebration with neighboring nobility coming to the festivities and some thinking about making alliances. One young prince, Jeshua, has shown particular favor towards Ella but she doesn’t like his arrogant, sly attitude that shows more interest in himself than in others.

Ella seeks refuge in a hidden room in the garden maze where she meets a young gardener, Gavin. He recognizes her as nobility by the way she speaks and carries herself. But she introduces herself only as Ella, and a gentle friendship begins before he realizes fully who she is. Ella begins to spend time in the garden, reading to Gavin as he works. Sometimes they chat about life as he tells her about village traditions. Then he even takes her on a surprise exploration, sneaking outside of the palace grounds.

When an excursion outside of the palace results in an attack Ella must explain that Gavin didn’t attack her but rescued her. Now that that her secret friendship is exposed, Gavin is banished, her father is angry and so Ella loses the two she cherished most.

Ella is sad and distraught but finds a way to share her desire to help others. She continues to avoid Jeshua even as he increases his pursuit. Then she is devastated to learn that Gavin has become engaged. But what can she expect? They are of two different worlds and Ella must learn to let him go.

There is danger and intrigue as Ella is kidnapped. She learns the identity of her kidnappers but is afraid that her parents won’t believe her and Gavin will get blamed instead. If there is any chance for Ella to be with Gavin they are going to have to take risks and sort out the misunderstandings that abound.

I liked Ella’s down to earth, caring personality and enjoyed the gentleness of her friendship with protective Gavin. I really appreciated the maturity that Ella learned as she dealt with the pain of lost love and loneliness. I also liked how she sought more than an idle life of royalty and wanted to make life better for the people.

The writing has an easy flow and the story is full of emotional depth. There is a very nice ‘afterward’ where the author explains the inspiration for the story and gives snippets and tidbits about certain characters or scenes. Although I was not enthralled, I would say the story is enchanting and a good read for those who enjoy stories of star crossed love with a happy ending.