The Austen Escape

After years of following her best friend’s lead, Mary Davies finds a whimsical trip back to Austen’s Regency England paves the way towards a new future.

Mary Davies lives and works in Austin, Texas, as an industrial engineer. She has an orderly and productive life, a job and colleagues that she enjoys—particularly a certain adorable, intelligent, and hilarious consultant. But something is missing for Mary. When her estranged and emotionally fragile childhood friend Isabel Dwyer offers Mary a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in Bath, Mary reluctantly agrees to come along, in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways. But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes that she lives in Regency England. Mary becomes dependent on a household of strangers to take care of Isabel until she wakes up.

With Mary in charge and surrounded by new friends, Isabel rests and enjoys the leisure of a Regency lady. But life gets even more complicated when Mary makes the discovery that her life and Isabel’s have intersected in more ways that she knew, and she finds herself caught between who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who stands between them. Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings play out, and dancing ensues as this triangle works out their lives and hearts among a company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation.

My thoughts: I always enjoy Katherine Reay's stories, as she puts so many layers into her characters and their stories. The Austen Escape did not disappoint in that regard! I found that I enjoyed getting to know Mary as she goes on the adventure of a lifetime with her childhood friend. I would of liked a bit more to the ending, since it felt like it was a bit abrupt, but that could just be me and my love of details.;) I did love all the Austen details and wish I had a friend who would take me on a Austen vacation.;)Overall, this is a wonderful story to pick up and savor.
I received this title from the author in exchange for my honest review.
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Hinds Feet on High Places

Journey with Much-Afraid to new heights of love, joy, and victory!
For the first time, this beloved Christian allegory is a mixed-media special edition complete with charming watercolor paintings, antique tinted photography, meditative hand-lettered Scripture, journaling and doodling space, and designs to color. As you read and connect with the story of Much-Afraid and her trials, the pages of this book become a canvas on which to chronicle your own story, struggles, and personal triumphs.

Hinds’ Feet on High Places, with more than 2,000,000 copies sold, is a story of endurance, persistence, and reliance on God. This book has inspired millions of people to become sure-footed in their faith even when facing the rockiest of life’s terrain. The story of Much-Afraid is based on Psalm 18:33: “He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”

The complete Hinds’ Feet story is accented by 80 full-color paintings, photography, and hand-lettered Scripture.

My thoughts: It has been a long time since I last read this book, so I was thrilled to received this copy in the mail! The gorgeous watercolor illustrations add a whole new element to the classic story of Much-Afraid. I love that the illustrations help it appeal to my daughter, who has now enjoyed the story as well. Whether or not you have read this story before or not, I highly recommend this copy of the beloved classic Hinds Feet on High Places.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Jane of Austin

“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience - or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”
― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility


Just a few years after their father’s business scandal shatters their lives, Jane and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister Margot and Jane’s tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

But life in Austin isn’t all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.

While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune – retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected—Texas.

In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn't so far away.

My thoughts: Hillary is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to see that she was coming out with this modern spin on Sense and Sensibility! I thought she did a wonderful job of putting a modern spin on the classic story. It's fun to match up the characters from the classic with the ones in this modern re-telling. I highly recommend adding this one to your beach bag, since it is a fun read!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

God Bless Us Everyone

Charlene Dixon—called Charlie by family and friends—is devastated at the recent loss of her job.

For the last five years, the twenty-seven-year-old has blossomed as the activities director of an exclusive all-girls school. But when a misunderstanding with the headmistress leads to a pink slip right before the holidays, Charlie packs up her dreams and returns to her grandmother, Sis, who raised Charlie as her own in the mountains of North Carolina.

When Charlie arrives—broken and confused—Sis immediately puts her granddaughter to work behind the scenes of the local school’s Christmas play, A Christmas Carol. Charlie prickles at working with Dustin Kennedy, the drama teacher and her old crush from schooldays, but is even more put out at that the choice of the Dickens’ classic for the holiday performance. When she discovers her estranged father’s involvement her world turns on its head once more. But when Sis and Dustin encourage her to take a deeper look at the story behind A Christmas Carol, Charlie learns about trust, faith, and forgiveness and the needs of people in their own community.

My thoughts: This novella is a fun way to get ready for the holiday season! (though, I am not really ready to get into the Christmas spirit just yet. I do enjoy listening to Christmas carols year round, so I suppose reading this book isn't that different. lol. And, I still enjoyed it, despite the a/c still running) It is the sweet, modern day story of a young woman who's life begins to parallel Charles Dickens A Christmas Story. I loved the themes of love, forgiveness, and learning to live in the present, despite change.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Bard and the Bible

I am not usually one for devotionals, since I like to read a book all the way through and then move on, but I have to say that I have enjoyed this one! It is interesting to see the devotions that are a mesh of scriptures from the King James and quotes from Shakespeare. This is such a fun and unique devotional! It would make a perfect gift, especially for English majors.;) Though, this is an excellent devotion for people from all walks of life, as there is something for everyone in its pages.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.