Take ten

This week, the Broke and Bookish subject is ten characters I would want to check up on. You know, to see how they fared after their adventure wrapped up.;)

1. Anne Elliot from Persuasion
She is just so sweet and likeable! It would be fun to see how she fared ten years after the story ended. I bet she has several children and is still as kind as ever.;)

2. Emma Woodhouse from Jane Austen's Emma
While not as sweet of a character as Anne, I bet we would find that marriage and motherhood suits Emma, since it has probably softened her selfishness.

3. Jo March of Little Women
We get to catch up with her in Little Men, but she has always been a favorite.

4. Katniss Everdeen
Because really, what happens after everything calms down?

5. Elara
6. Wilha both from The Princess in the Opal Mask
I enjoyed both girls in this story! It would be fun to catch up with them and se how their royal duties are going.

7. Samantha Moore from Dear Mr. Knightley
One of my favorite stories! I would love a sequel. ;)

8. Raine from The Dandelion Field
There is so much more to this story! Especially after the baby is born.:)

9.Abigail from Paper Hearts
I love the main characters in this story! I can sympathize with her struggles with owning a business and would love to see how that is going.

10. Raina from Always on My Mind
I didn't think I would love this book as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the peaks at her continuing story as the rest of the series comes out.

So, there is my list! Are any of your favorites on here? Who should I of included?

13 Women You Should Never Marry

Instead of being a how to guide, this book serves as a wonderful guide for men on the type of women to watch out for. All of us have our flaws, but Mary Colbert does a wonderful job of amplifying those flaws in her examples to show men what types of women to run the other way from. I like that at the end of each chapter about the personality, she gives a list of things that should be red flags, caution signs, and then the characteristics of a virtuous woman in comparison, so that men looking for love, and their friends/family can help see the signs. This book is a fun one to read! Even though I don't have any sons yet, I hope to someday, so I was reading this from more of a mother's point of view. I think there is still a lot of good information in here for women, since I am sure most of us can relate to some of these women. This book is a great reference for those looking for a marriage that will be well suited and last a lifetime. I very much enjoyed Mary's way of writing, since she didn't try to make herself look amazing in the process.;) Two thumbs up!
If you are interested in seeing what the 13 women are like, check out this article.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Enough Already

Recognize your own outer and inner beauty as defined by God, not the media or others.

Most women know that God loves them, but might he love them more if they finally lost that last ten pounds, or got their hair to lay right, or finally found a pair of jeans that looked good and let them breathe? Well, maybe God doesn’t care about jeans, but women do, and all the talk about inner beauty hasn’t kept all of us from staring into a mirror and taking an inventory that never quite measures up. Enough Already will:

—Elevate the soul-freeing, spiritual truth that God is the Creator of beauty and that women are called to appreciate and care for themselves as his own.
—Enable women to accept God-given beauty so that when they look in the mirror they see his handiwork, not their flaws.
—Equip women to win the ugly struggle with beauty once and for all.

My thoughts: Most, if not all, of us struggle with insecurities about our physical appearance. With humor and personal experience, Barbara address those and encourages women to see God’s masterpieces, rather than the flaws. I love how she instantly puts readers at ease, with her sense of humor. This is a great book for women everywhere!
I received this book from Lit fuse in exchange for my honest review.

Buried Secrets

After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales—and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

My thoughts: Irene Hannon's mysteries are always a fun, easy to pick up read. I enjoy that she draws readers in from the very start, and that her books are easy to get through in an evening/late night or over a couple of days. This is a huge plus, since they are hard to put down!
"Buried Secrets" is no exception. The story sucks readers in from the get go and keeps on turning pages until the very satisfying end.
The characters are fun to get to know in this story, and I'm thrilled that they will most likely make appearances in the rest of the series!
If you would like to read an excerpt, check out the author's site
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

A Mother's Greatest Gift

You don't need to be an expert to be a good mom; you just need the Lord's help. Learn how to seek out the best parenting Guide the Holy Ghost in this insightful and inspiring book. With personal stories, research, and interviews, this is every mother's must-read handbook for finding answers and keeping the Spirit in her home.

My thoughts: There is nothing like becoming a parent and realizing that you really don't have a lot of the answers like you thought. That is where a strong relationship with God comes in, to help guide parents in raising their children! With helpful insight, Scripture verses, and LDS literature to back up her points, Heidi Poelman offers encouragement to mothers. I enjoyed her thoughts on the power of a mother's prayer, as well as her honesty about those times God doesn't answer our prayers. This is a wonderful resource and source of encouragement for mothers! While it is geared towards LDS women, it would be encouraging to any mother.
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman

A Contemporary Drama of Family Lies and Forgotten Loves

After her father and stepmother’s accidental death, Kelli Huddleston sorts through their belongings and learns a shocking secret. Years before, her father faked his death during a boat wreck at sea–and faked Kelli’s as well. He’d run from a wife, a son, and a daughter back in Tennessee, meaning Kelli has a family she’s never known.

She’s already cashed the payout on her dad’s life insurance check and looks at it as her ticket to a new life. The lure and puzzle of digging into this hidden past is too much to resist, and she soon finds herself in Tennessee. When the trip threatens to open doors to the past better left shut, and her plans for the future are threatened, Kelli must make an agonizing choice that will change her life forever.

My thoughts : I was thrilled to receive this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review! The story opens with Kelli picking up the pieces after a fatal car accident killed her dad and step mother. As she sifts through their things, she discovers that her father lived a lie. As she puts the pieces together, she discovers family she thought had been lost.
What an interesting story! The mystery drew me in from the get go and I had a hard time putting the story down! While some may be able to figure out early on what happened, the story still has a lot going on. The characters are wonderful and I thought the story had some well written discussions on faith, especially considering what the characters go through.
Two thumbs up!

Take Ten

This week, the top ten topic is ten books that have recently been added to my TBR list.
1.Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman
This one looks like an interesting mystery about a young woman who finds out she has a family she never knew about until after her parents die. It looks likr an excellent mystery!
2.Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon
Another fun mystery in the stack by my bed.;)
3.The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem
I don't get a lot of book suggestions from friends on Goodreads, but this one came recently. And, from a trusted source. ;)
4.part 2 in The Journey of the Heart serialization by Colleen Coble
I'm not sure how I feel about this one, since the synopsis gives away a lot of the story.
5. The Pharoah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews
This one just looks excellent!
6.Summer by Summer by Heather Burch
With warmer weather coming, this one looks fun.
7. The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker
I have mixed feelings about her dad's books, but this one is dystopian, do I will be trying it!
8. The Persecuted by Angie Brashear
Another interesting looking one!
9. The Chance of Loving You
This is a compilation of novellas by various authors I enjoy, so it should be fun.
10. Maggie Bright by Tracy Groot
This one looks like a neat, historical based story.