Courageous

: Where Adventure and Romance Meet

Inspired by the vision of the Young Lady Sapphira, Rosalind of Ipsworth joins a group of men, women, and children as a defender of the cross, seeking to free captives from prisons near Tripoli. She gladly gives herself to the cause, as she's haunted by a tragic mistake and no longer deserves such joys as marriage and family might bring.

Sir Randel Penigree was reared to serve in the church, but dreams of protecting the innocent as a knight. Joining a crusade to escape humiliation at home, he finds himself drawn to Rosalind as they partner to train and protect a group of young adolescents. When they face political machinations, danger, and an unknown enemy bent on their destruction, they are forced to reconsider their priorities and the very nature of the God they serve.

My thoughts: This book was excellent! I loved the story and the history behind it, since it is a type of children's crusade that is brought together by Lady Sapphira. Fans of the series will enjoy reading more about Rosalind, who was introduced in Chivalrous. I love that Dina tackles difficult subjects with her series and handles them perfectly. While some of the subjects are for a little older audience (high school age), I think she handles sensitive subjects well.
I received this book from Bethany in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten: That Have Been On Your Shelf (Or TBR) From Before You Started Blogging That You STILL Haven't Read Yet

Honestly, I could probably have all marriage related self help books on this list, since I bought a bunch right before I got married (or, was given several for our wedding... Oops) that I haven't taken the time to read. We did pre-marital counseling, so there was a ton of info to read during the course and I kind of became burned out.;) But, I digress. I shall try to present a more diverse list.;)

1. Insurgent

I will be honest. While the first one was interesting enough, it didn't grab my attention enough for me to finish the series quickly. Someday, perhaps. Though, my TBR list is ever growing...

2. Allegiant

Perhaps someday...

3. Love and Respect

This one comes highly recommend from a lot of people and experts. I'm finally getting around to cracking it open! Mostly because we are doing it for a women's study group.;) It is excellent, thus far!

4. Operation Desert Light

I love Brother Andrew, so I really need to read this one!

5. The Professor

My sister loved this one, so I keep thinking that I will get around to reading it.;)

6. The Door in the Hedge

I used to read a lot of fairy tale re-tellings, but I missed this one!

7. The Rose of Winslow Street

While I have been blogging (and, before this blog, there was Livejournal) for quite some time, this book found its way to my Kindle before I started blogging about books. I enjoy Camden's books, so I need to read this one.;)

8. The Count of Monte Cristo

Somehow, I missed this one in my mad dash through the classics during high school and college.;) I wish I had taken the time to read it, since it would be harder to devote the time to it now, with two munchkins.:) Someday...

9. The Whitney Chronicles

My taste in books has changed, to a certain degree, so I may never pick this one up, though it still looks cute.

10. Listen

I loved Rene's other books, so I should pick this one up...

So, that is my list! It makes me wish I could just read instead of sleep.;) Perhaps then I could read all the books I would like!

When Death Draws Near

Gwen Marcey takes death in stride. Until she’s faced with her own mortality.


Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before Gwen can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others.


Gwen suspects a connection between the rapist and the “accidental” deaths that are happening around town, but the local sheriff has little interest in her theories. When her digitally-obsessed teenage daughter joins her, Gwen turns her attention to a second assignment: going undercover in a serpent-handling church. She could get a handsome reward for uncovering illegal activity—a reward she desperately needs, as it seems her breast cancer has returned. But snakes aren’t the only ones ready to kill. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?


In a thrilling race against time, When Death Draws Near plunges us into cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects.

My thoughts: I wasn't sure how I would like this story, since it deals with some horrible crimes. That said, I do think that Carrie handles the story well, not dwelling on atrocities.
I really enjoyed the religious side of the story, with Gwen going undercover to learn more about a serpent handling church that has lost quite a few of their members over the last year. I thought the characters were fascinating and loved learning some new things.
This is an excellent read that will keep you up late reading.;)
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Things We Knew

A tragedy from the past resurfaces in this tale of family secrets and reignited love.

After her mother’s death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother’s death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can’t remember a bit of it.

But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother’s best friend and Lynette’s first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can’t.

But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn’t want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.

As their father’s failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface—secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.

My thoughts: This one will keep you up late reading, since the story has plenty of mystery and intrigue! I had such a hard time putting it down, since Lynette's memory resurfaces slowly. The plot is interesting, and I also enjoyed getting to know each of her siblings with their personal struggles brought on by how they dealt with tragedy. This story is well written; I appreciated the depth of each of the characters. A must read for mystery lovers!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Loyal Heart

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.


Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.


After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda's home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip's name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.


Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He's mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.


He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn't prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this story and the uniqueness of the characters and their predicament. The story is an interesting look at life for a war widow, especially one who is thought to have been married to a traitor, is like. The story is interesting and I thought the characters were well written and come to life! I look froward to the next book in the series!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Service Tails

Heart-tugging true stories of the courage, faith, and loyalty of remarkable service dogs.

Not all heroic dogs wildly toss themselves into lifesaving situations. Some save lives simply by their incredible commitment to duty and service. Some lead the way to independence for people whose disabilities were supposed to limit their lives.

In Service Tails: More Stories of Man’s Best Hero, prolific author Ace Collins introduces us to leaders whose entire lives are wrapped in the banner of service. Their stories are remarkable snapshots of the value of vision and teamwork, as well as devotion to duty and unconditional love and acceptance–stretching the way we see both canine and human potential. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent collection of different stories of service animals. I love that the stories are true, which makes them all the more interesting. Ace Collins does a wonderful job with this collection.
While I am not an animal lover per se, you don't have to be one to enjoy this book and the stories in it.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

(un)Natural Mom

Do you feel like you’re the only mom who serves store-bought birthday treats, dreads school plays, and misses the days of going to the bathroom by herself?

Unnatural Mom gives you permission to say that mothering doesn’t always come naturally to you. Parenting expert and self-proclaimed unnatural mom Hettie Brittz helps you…

—Recognize how unrealistic our culture’s standards of mothering are
—Move beyond the myths of “supermom”
—Complete a profile to determine your own parenting style
—Understand and forgive the mothers who hurt you
—Embrace your capabilities as well as your challenges

Come find new hope in discovering that every mother has unique gifts. In Christ, the “unnatural” mom becomes the supernatural mom who is just right for her family!

My thoughts: There is so much mommy guilt and judging, that this book is just what mothers need! Hettie is very real and open about the mistakes she has made with her motherhood journey. I was struck by how God has used her unique situation for His purposes. I think that is the best part of this book, it does show how each of us are the best mother for our children.
The parenting styles are interesting to read about, though I feel like I am in kind of a mixture of a couple of them.
This is a wonderful book for mothers in all walks!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.