"Blue Moon Promise" by Colleen Coble

{This is the last review of 2014! Wow! Stay tune tomorrow for the best books of 2014 while we welcome 2015!} 

About this book:

  “Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.
  Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh--a city girl--on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.”

Series: It is book #1 in the “Under Texas Stars” series. {I have not read book #2, “Safe in His Arms”, but I might one day after hearing that it’s much better than the first book in the series.}

Spiritual Content- Proverbs 16:9 at the beginning; Prayers; Lucy & Nate both say they’re Christians; ‘H’s are not capital when talking about God; Many Scriptures are quoted and Bible stories are mentioned.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘sissy’, two ‘stupid’s and three ‘hush’s; Curses are said but not written; a morgel (half-dog-half-wolf) and dogfight (semi-detailed); a Mention of a chicken being killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking and saloons; Indians are talked about a lot.

Sexual Content- a ‘wench’; Four semi-detailed kisses and Not-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss & Wanting more; Staring & Noticing; Seven mentions about a married couple sharing a bed, Four mentions of having kids and three mentions of a husband’s marriage rights; Sharing a bed (barely-above-not-detailed, but the emotions are there—noting sexual happens); Lucy is almost manhandled by a ranch hand (he wanted a kiss but she pulls a gun on him); An Indian offers ten horses for a little girl (he gets turned down); Love, an arranged marriage, falling in love, & the emotions (lots of those). 

-Lucy Marsh

-Nate Stanton
                                         P.O.V. switches between them & Jeb

                                              Set in 1877
                                                        300 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens- 

(and a half)

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

Eh. Can’t say that I enjoyed this book. Most arranged marriage books normally have a lot of Sexual mentions & hints and sadly, “Blue Moon Promise” was no exception. {The only arranged marriage book I actually liked was “Honor” by Lyn Cote. Click Here to see that review!} The only thing that saved this book from a flat-out one-star rating on all was the many Scriptures that were quoted. But still, it really didn’t need all that Sexual Content.

See y’all on tomorrow with a fun post!

*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.

"Out of the Storm" by Jody Hedlund

{To girls who are Under age 14! Do not read this review! It's not a good book! Let's leave it alone!}

About this book:

  “Having grown up in a lighthouse, loneliness is all Isabelle Thornton has ever known--and all, she assumes, she ever will know. But when her lightkeeper father rescues a young man from the lake, her sheltered world is turned upside down.”


Series: This is a novella and is considered #.5 in the “Beacons of Hope” series. Book #1 in this series will be reviewed in January.

Spiritual Content- Wondering if you’re in Heaven; A mention of Providence; Bible reading—which leads into three Scriptures being quoted; A mention or two of prayers; “God is the giver of life. And He’s also the taker. If He spared your life, then He must have something left for you to do.”; ‘H’s are capital in that sentence.

*Note: a “d*vilish”

Negative Content- Mentions of dead bodies & moving them (barely-above-not-detailed); Blood (semi-detailed); Removing bullets (semi-detailed); Fist fighting (semi-detailed); Knifes are aimed; Isabelle’s mother fell and broke her neck (not detailed);

Sexual Content- A very, very Detailed kiss that lasts almost a full page; Four Semi-Detailed and a Detailed kiss; Staring & Noticing; Staring at lips; Detailed Touches; Detailed & Semi-Detailed Embraces; Flattery & Flirting; Isabelle has to unclothe an unconscious Henry (semi-detailed, many blushes and she tries not to stare); Henry says “I promise I won’t try to seduce you (Isabelle).”; Henry suggests that Isabelle reads Song of Solomon (she doesn’t); Helping Henry put on pants (very-detailed); “He’d kept his hands off her—mostly”; a talk of a six month honeymoon & that the winter will give “us plenty of excuses to snuggle up together in bed.” {Eww! Did not need to know that!} Love, falling in love, & the emotions. (a whole lot of them!)

-Isabelle Thornton

-Henry Cole
                                         P.O.V. switches between them.

                                              Set in 1854
                                                        81 pages (approximately)

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Pre Teens-

New Teens- 

Early High School Teens- 

Older High School Teens- 

My personal Rating- 

Uh…how ‘bout no? This was my first Jody Hedlund book (okay, technically, it’s a novella, but still). Can’t say I’m impressed. Not with all that kissing and touching. I’m really shocked at the amount of all that in just 80 pages. So, just stay away from this one!

See y’all on Wednesday with the last review of 2014!

 

*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.

"Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana" by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss

{I hope y’all all had a Blessed Christmas! 

We blogged yesterday too! Did you see it? Click here to see!}

About this book:

  “Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York City. But in 1889, the young woman rides the orphan train west to deliver the girls in her care to new families. After Julia’s final stop in Montana, she plans to kick the dust off her heels and head straight back east. But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, she learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be delivered—into the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new "bride." Julia turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from the marriage, but with no return fare, no home, and few friends, her options are bleak. What is God's plan for her in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?”


Series: Part of the “Love Finds You” series. Each book ends with a City, State. None are connecting, so you don’t have to read them in order.

Spiritual Content- Psalm 115:1 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted; Discussions about Scriptures; Many, many, many talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when talking about God; Two hymns are sung; Family Bible Time; Isaac is a Pastor & sermons; Strong Faiths & Learning.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a ‘idiot’, a ‘hush’, a ‘wretched’ and two ‘stupid’s; Curses are said but not written; Going into a saloon; Blood (semi-detailed); Guns are pointed & shot; Mentions of drinking; a Mention of dead jackrabbits & dead animals for food (semi-detailed); Trouble-maker children try to brand a mouse (you know, like a cow? The boy gets bit; semi-detailed);   

Sexual Content- a ‘strumpet’ and a ‘tramp’; A semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss & almost kissing; Touches (Barely-above-not-detailed); Barely-above-not-detailed embraces; Mentions of smoochin’; A baby is born (out of marriage, though) barely-above-not-detailed but there are hints; Mentions of a married couple that isn’t able to have kids; Mabelina used to work at a brothel (but she no longer is, but the aftermath is a large part of the story); Love, falling in love, & the emotions. 

-Julia Cavanaugh

-Isaac “Ike” Shepherd
                                         P.O.V. switches between them.

                                              Set in 1889
                                                        348 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

(and a half)

This was a cute book. I really enjoyed all the Spiritual Content—which there was a lot of! The one “complaint” I have is the back cover of the book. It gave me the impression that Julia was stuck with the old man. Which made me almost not read the book!

See y’all next Monday with a new review! :D 

*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.

Christmas Reviews Wrap-up & The Sunflower Award {CHRISTMAS EDITION}

Hi y’all! Merry CHRISTmas!! Or, as I’ve been learning to say: Shèng dàn kuài lè! 圣诞快乐! {That’s Christmas Happy or Merry Christmas in Mandarin! Cool huh?!} Since it’s Thursday, I normally wouldn’t blog but since today is very special, I am! :)

Let’s review what we reviewed this month! ;)

For Historical Christmas Books:

“Sleigh Belles” by Janice Hanna;

“Texas Christmas Brides” by Cathy Marie Hake & Kathleen Y’Barbo;

“A Texas Legacy Christmas” by DiAnn Mills;

“The Fruitcake Challenge” by Carrie Fancett Pagels.

For Amish Christmas Books:

“Naomi’s Gift” by Amy Clipston;

“A Plain and Simple Christmas” by Amy Clipston;

We even reviewed an Amish Cookbook and shared a recipe!

For Non-Fiction Christmas Books:

“Operation Christmas Child” by Franklin Graham;

“I Believe” by JoAnne Simmons.

For Modern Christmas Books:
“A Dropped Stitches Christmas” by Janet Tronstad.

For Our Pre-Teens & Younger:

“The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery” by BeverlyLewis.

Wow! We were busy this month! :) Something else happened this month…anyone want to guess? We were nominated for another Blogger Award! Thank you so much, Irene from the blog, A~Thought~Reflected! I hope you don’t mind that I’m changing it up a bit. ;)

But first, let’s answer your question! :)

 

1. Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters? Uh…this is awkward…but I haven’t read either of those. Much as my Momma wants me too, I haven’t even read Pride & Prejudice or Little Women (isn’t that by Austen? No? See! I don’t know!) I’ve watched both of those more times than I can count. Seriously. And, no, I’m not a big fan. I’ll stick with Julie Klassen & Sarah E. Ladd for my Regency books. ;)    

   

2. What is your top fav. flower, and why? Daisies & Cherry Blossoms. Those are the flowers I want at my wedding. Daisies because I have a sweet Beagle named Daisy (and, yes, I buy almost everything I see with Daisies on it. ;) ) Cherry Blossoms (or as I call them China Blossoms) because if you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ll know my Heart is in China. Also, fun story to show how the Lord works and the Asian influences on my life: I loved Webkinz from ages 6-9-ish. I had over a hundred when I finally stopped collecting. I loved them. I had every single one of them in my bed, everything you could unlock on the Website I had, each one had a full name (with a middle name), my Momma even made an Excel Sheet with all the info for each Webkinz on it…day I got it, it’s birthday and so on. I loved them. When I first joined and “built” my house the backyard needed to have that Cherry Blossom tree! But to my sad, little 1^st grade heart’s dismay, it cost 975 Kinzcash! Insanity! But, by the end of my Webkinz life, all the backyards were lined with Cherry Blossom Trees.

 
3. What is the best book you have ever read? The Bible of course! I really enjoy reading in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians.

4. If you could travel back in time, who/where would you visit? Hmmm….that’s a really good question! As important as the Bible days are, I don’t think I’d visit there because of the harshness of everything. But it would be really neat to meet my Lord and Savior. I’ve always been interested in the early 1900’s…so maybe there! As long as it’s in a city. :)

5. What is you favorite holiday? Why, Christmas, of course! :) But only when Jesus is the main focus of CHRISTmas.

 
6.  What is the most adventurous moment you have ever experienced? Um…there’s been a lot of them, I’m sure but now I’m blank!

7. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate! Yum!! Unless it’s with Apple Pie, then Vanilla.

8. What’s your favorite song? Way, way too many to list but here’s a post I did about Christian Music!

9. What flavor do you like best in a candy bar? Chocolate! With nuts! Reeses & Ferrero Rocher have been favorite of mine for a long time.

 
10. Fall or Winter? Or, C. Summer! Let’s go with C! I do not like cold weather! (Lower than 72 is too cold and better have snow! I’m in South Texas, y’all, it doesn’t happen.) I adore our 100+ degrees Summers.

11. Who is your fav. book/movie character(s)? Just check out books I’ve given 5 stars to. :) All my favorite names are from books (shocking, I know. ;) )  I tease my Mother that I'm naming my first daughter Grey, from “Jupiter Winds” and then Orinda from that book as well for another daughter. :) She's not happy about the idea and is praying for my future husband. ;) But I also like Eleanor from “A Beauty So Rare” and Cassia from “Million Dollar Dilemma”, so I like "normal" names too. Oh! And Thallium "Thalli" from “Anomaly”. My children will have the same problem I do...won't find those names on a key chain. ;)

What great question, Irene! Thank you so much for nominating us! :)
Here’s 11 facts about me!

    1.)          I have done 11 facts about myself times four and I’m completely out of facts. Completely. So, I’m   changing this up. I’m giving y’all a tour of our house, which technically are facts.  
    2.)          I’m awful at wrapping presents. Truly, I am! My Momma is great and somehow I missed that gene. Our Tree is not one of those fancy ones where it’s color-coordinated. It’s more of a Memory Tree. Full of Memories. :)

3.)          There’s pictures of my older sister and I, together and separate{Left}. There’s a church ornament that came from my Great-Grandmother’s home that is so close looking to the church my family goes to{Right}.      

4.)          Speaking of our sweet country Church, last night we had a Christmas Eve candlelight service outside. It was so pretty.

5.)          I like taking pictures of Christmas trees and not completely have them in focus. Making a “bokeh” effect. This was taken last night as well.

6.)   These are some of my favorite ornaments on our tree:

{From Top Left to Right: We have lots of Snowflakes on our tree, our pretty nativity, a new one that’s made out of a sweater my Grandma used to wear (this is her second Christmas celebrating with the Angels), Charlie Brown Christmas Ornament.}

7.)          Since we don’t have a mantel we hang our stockings on the “Dining Room Pass-Thru ledge”. (That’s a mouth full!)  

{Far to closest: Jesus’s, Memaw’s, Daddy’s, Momma’s, My Sister’s, Mine & then the doggie stocking!}

8.)          Our beautiful Nativity made by family members. {Not really accurate because of the wisemen, but we still love it.} And then I have a Precious Moments Nativity set as well. {Again, not accurate but adorable}

9.)          Our beautiful Nativity made by family members. {Not really accurate because of the wisemen, but we still love it.} And then I have a Precious Moments Nativity set as well. {Again, not accurate but adorable}

10.)          Since my Daddy works for Aflac we have Aflac Christmas duckies in the living room. My favorite is the Duck that’s dressed like a Christmas tree and the star lights up.

11.)          I went all “Pinterest-y” in the Guess bathroom and put 1930’s glass ornaments in a vintage Gumball machine.

And there you go! Some of our Christmas decorations! :)

Thank you so much for reading this post and I hope y’all have a Wonderfully Blessed Christmas!

Oh! And just for fun, here’s our Christmas Banner and Facebook Icon.

 

Merry CHRISTmas y’all and I’ll see y’all tomorrow with a new review! :)