"Mark of Distinction" by Jessica Dotta

About this book:

  “London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.
  When Julia discovers that Lord Roy Pierson, her guardian and one of most influential men in England, is the father she has never met, she begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well.
  Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan.”


 Series: Book #2 in the “Price of Privilege” Trilogy. (Book #1 “Born of Persuasion” here!)

Spiritual Content- In the middle of the book, Edward sends Julia his Bible and she looks at it and reads it; *Spoiler* Near the end, Julia (finally!) “surrenders”. *End of Spoiler*

Negative Content- Minor (Historical & British) cussing including: 3 ‘dash it’s, a ‘blast it’, a ‘blooming’, and many ‘what the devil’s, ‘why the devil’, ‘of the devil’, etc.; Drinking (wine, brandy & scotch to name a few); A few blood parts (One semi-detailed).

Sexual Content- Sexual Cussing including: a b*st*rd, a ‘hussy’, and a ‘wench’; Kisses (One semi-detailed, the rest are quick, not-really-detailed); Talks about Wedding nights (No details, just hinting); Seducing smiles

-Julia Elliston

                                         P.O.V. of Julia

                                              Set in 1839 (?)
                                                        432 pages

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 Pre, New & Early High School age Teens-

Older (17+) High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

This book was so very much like “Born of Persuasion”, the first book in this series. Like the first book, it was written in a first-person way, way, way  past tense (She mentions her grandchildren?!?)…other have said that Julia seems more like a narrator than the protagonist, I have to agree. Also like “Born of Persuasion” my mind was very confused, wondering “What in the world is going on in this story?!”. Oddly, the reader has to be fully awake (which I never am, since I read late at night), with a sharp mind to figure out what going on and fill in the gaps. I really do like the cover of this book though. Very pretty. :)

I’m undecided if I’ll read the next book in the series “Price of Privilege”, coming Spring 2015.    

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.

"The Path to Piney Meadows" by Gail Sattler

About this book:

“Running from his frustrating life, Chad loses his way on Christmas Eve and soon stumbles on the remote town of Piney Meadows. Before long, he falls in love with the people of the Old Order Mennonite community, accepts a job, and settles into the area. He is touched by the good people and their strong faith, even though he still has a lingering dispute with God. Most of all, he is fond of Anna. The more he gets to know her, the more he falls in love with her. But Anna is not happy in Piney Meadows. The Mennonite community is changing, but it’s not changing fast enough for her. She longs to move to Minneapolis to get a job, make her way in the world, and find herself. Chad doesn’t want her to go, but Anna can only see the freedom she imagines she will get in the big city. When she’s ready to leave he contemplates leaving with her, but a personal crisis shakes Chad to his core. Feeling let down by everyone—including God—Chad wonders if Anna will now desert him too.”


 Series: Has a connecting book “The Narrow Path” that should be read first. {Which I didn’t know about and, therefore, haven’t read}

Spiritual Content- James 1:12 in the beginning; Jeremiah 6:16, Psalm 103:2-4 and other Scriptures are quoted; Prayers are said; Talks about God, His Will, & trusting Him.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of the word “cr*p”; A man shows off his “chicken plucker” leaving him with a dead, featherless, headless chicken (Chad passes out and I know I would have too! I got a bit queasy just reading the little bit!).

Sexual Content- Chad says his car was designed to be “sexy”; A kinda detailed kiss & an semi-detailed kiss; Prior to the beginning of the book, Chad & Britney lived together (when they were dating & later, for a little bit, engaged) he says that they “always used birth control” *Spoiler* and he was shocked that the pregnancy stick was positive. Though near the very end of the story it’s revealed that she had an affair and that the baby is not his. *End of Spoiler*

-Chad Allen

-Anna Janzen
                                         P.O.V. switches between them
                                                              334 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens - 

(and a half)

High School age Teens –

My personal Rating- 

(and a half)

When I opened the envelope that obviously had a book in it, I didn’t  know which book it would be (I normally get between 4-12 books a week from Publishers & Authors—and yes, the Mail-Lady just loves me. ;) ). When I cut the package open and saw the cover I just laughed and laughed! I still crack a smile when I look at the cover! It’s so cute! (And after I read the book I understand now just how perfect it is for this book!) I can’t image a better cover for this laugh-out-loud read!  

Loved this quote on page 37! So true!

(I'm so not a camper!)

See y'all tomorrow with another review! :)

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.

"Born of Persuasion" by Jessica Dotta

{Please read this review with caution for younger eyes}  

About this book:

  “The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.
  With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.”


 Series: Book #1 in the “Price of Privilege” Trilogy. {Book #2 “Mark of Distinction”’s reviewing coming on Wednesday.}

Spiritual Content- Julia says her father embraced “the Enlightenment”, later says he was a “famed atheist” and that she, very adamantly, does not believe in God; Julia calls Edward a traitor many times for becoming a vicar and joining the church; Lady Foxmore asks Edward “Why is the atheist allowed to eat unharassed?” to which he replies “Leave her be. At least she does not claim to embrace Christ while ignoring His {capital ‘H’ mine} teachings as most here do”;  Edward tells Julia that not all vicars “are like that one”…who “that one” is and what he did we do not get told;

Negative Content- Minor (Historical & British) cussing including: a “bed*mning glare”, a “blimey”, a “blooming”, a “darned” and many “how the devil”s, “what the devil”s and calling people “the devil”; Julia says her nursemaid “had to drown a sack of unwanted kittens”; Julia is ticked at Edward (for “abandoning” her for the church) and when she & him are alone a boy sees them and Julia hopes “that one mind might be free”; Julia says her father always had “a cruel gleam in his eyes”; Comments about “gods” (“this night was a gift of the gods”, “he looked like Morpheus”, etc.); Drinking (wine, brandy & scotch to name a few), Julia does not feel well in the morning after drinking and has a hangover.

Sexual Content- Sexual Cussing including: a b*st*rd;  Julie has a flash-back and says “(14 was) certainly old enough to enter a betrothal, which had already been promised me when I when I reached this age”; Julia says that memories of her and their kisses would haunt Edward “working in her favor”; Rumors go around that Julia & Mr. Macy are sleeping together (they are not, but do come close); Mr. Macy says he “advises anyone desiring to learn the art of seduction” to read a novel written by a women; Julia notices “two blotches that resembled bruises” the next morning after one of her & Mr. Macy’s kissing-fest; Five detailed & very detailed kisses (One almost becoming a s*x scene); *Spoiler, read only if 16+* After she & Mr. Macy are married, Julia breaks into a cold sweat and Mr. Macy notices and says not to tell him that she fears her “wifely duties” and she thinks in response that she only feels “trepidation {a feeling of fear about something that may happen} at the thought of consummating our marriage. It wasn’t just his touch I dreaded, but the finality of the act” *end of spoiler* Making it another almost s*x scene.

-Julia Elliston

                                         P.O.V. of Julia

                                              Set in 1838
                                                        435 pages (though I’m reading the kindle version)

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 Pre, New & Early High School age Teens-

Older (17+) High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

{I have never written so many words for a review!}

Oh my. I had never read a “Christian” book (quotes around that because there really wasn’t much Spiritual content besides Julia being atheist and telling everyone so) with so much sexual content! I’m mean, good grief Charlie Brown! It also took about half the book to finally get the writing style…it’s first-person with past tense being like this story happen years and years ago..?

I’m currently reading the second book in the series (as I got it from the publisher and have to review it) whose review will be up on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, we have another book (which really liked!) review's coming up tomorrow! :)

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"Echoes of Mercy" by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About this book:

  “Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.
  When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.
   Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?”


 Series: Has a follow up book, “Just As I Am”.

Spiritual Content- Romans 11:28 in the front; Many Prayers & Scriptures are said; Caroline has a strong Faith & witnesses to many and Oliver is interested in having a Faith; Many talks about God, His Will & trusting Him.

Negative Content- Some blood (not-detailed) parts.

Sexual Content- Different ladies who work at the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory say the Mr. Hightower pinches their bottoms and tries to kiss them!; Gordon (Mr. Hightower) hints at “private meetings” with different female workers; One or two (not detailed) kisses.

-Caroline ”Carrie” Long

-Oliver “Ollie” Moore/Dinsmore
                                         P.O.V. switches between them, Gordon Hightower & Letta

                                              Set in 1904
                                                        333 pages

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 Pre Teens- 

{Because of Gordon Hightower}

New Teens- 

{Because of Gordon Hightower}

High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

 

I enjoyed this book so very much! Not only was it set in one of my favorite eras—it centered around something very close to my heart--caring for orphans. Caroline has such a compassionate heart and a fire for having every child go to school- because of her own childhood. 

See y'all on Monday for another review! :)

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.