Wednesday, November 30, 2016

"Edenbrooke" by Julianne Donaldson



About this book:

  “Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Edenbrooke” series. (But I believe there’s only a #.5 for the rest of the series.) 


Spiritual Content- A mention of religious books; A couple mentions of places in the Bible; A couple mentions of being blessed; Mentions of a rector;
*Note: A mention of an unholy interest in an activity; A mention of something damning; A mention of a devil-may-care attitude; A couple mentions of the devil himself chasing someone; A couple mentions of Marianne feeling like she’s in heaven because she’s in love; Mentions of the heavens (“Good Heavens”, “Heaven forbid”, etc.).


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘drat’ and a ‘stupid’; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Marianne & her sister don’t have the best relationship; A robbery, pain, blood, passing out & an abduction (up to semi-detailed); Fighting, kicking, a gun us aimed & shot (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of an accident & death (barley-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, shooting, someone being shot, blood, injuries/wounds (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of knives, blood & threatening to slit throats; Mentions of threats; Mentions of a duel; Mentions of gambling, betting & horse races; Mentions of wine, brandy, drinking & a drunk; Mentions of (“gross”) saliva & wounds (barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of liars, lying, & lies; Mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of hunting; A couple mentions of a favorite dog that died (no details); A mention of a dog getting shot in an accident (it’s not said what happened afterwards).


Sexual Content- two hand kisses, an almost kiss, two not-detailed kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed (forced) kisses; three semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; An urge to kiss a man, wanting to kiss and touch & mentions of it (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Heat/Warmth, Embraces, Hand holding & Shivers (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Nearness & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Love letters; A man threats to touch Marianne and she won’t let him & mentions of it later (nothing happens, barely-above-not-detailed); Many blushes, flirting & a flirt; Many mentions of a flirt, flirting, blushes & noticing; Mentions of immorality, thinking men are off carousing and seeking pleasure through conquests (thinking sexually, but they aren’t; no details); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & kissing “rakes”; Mentions of longing & desires; Mentions of ruin reputations, improper acts and scandals, & chaperones; Mentions of romance & lessons in romance; Mentions of broken hearts; Mentions of girls gaining attention from boys & men; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of hand kisses; A mention of a man sweeping over a woman’s figure; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
            *Note: A few mentions of animals mating.

-Marianne Daventry, age 17
                                     1st person P.O.V. of Marianne
                                            Set in 1816
                                                 264 pages

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Pre Teens-
New Teens-
Early High School Teens-
Older High School Teens-
My personal Rating-
I do have to admit that I’m disappointed that there isn’t more faith content…that would have been much better! The author thanks God in the acknowledgements, but there’s no prayers or mentions of going to church—which was such a social event back then, so that effects the rating on this book. Some parts didn’t seem historically accurate, but there were quite a few humorous parts. Plot wise, I found the first half to be the best & personally really liked Marianne and her personality. I can’t recall if I’ve read a Regency in first person point of view before, but this one was very witty and sarcastic, which was different. It did get kissy near the end, which I didn’t think was needed, but I over all liked this book. I plan to look in to what else the author has written. (Also, very pretty cover!)


See y’all on Friday with a new 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.

Monday, November 28, 2016

"The Cherished Quilt" by Amy Clipston



About this book:

  Tragedy tore Christopher’s world apart. But Emily believes there are enough pieces left behind to stitch together a beautiful new beginning.
  Emily Fisher is eager to meet the new employee at her father’s shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. But when Christopher Hochstetler arrives, his cold demeanor freezes her attempts at building a friendship.
  Longing for a fresh start, Christopher travels from Ohio to Bird-in-Hand to work at his uncle’s shop. Christopher’s heart is still wounded from memories of home, and making new friends is the last thing on his mind—he knows the pain that comes with losing those you love. When Emily is kind to him, he tries to remain distant, but he soon finds himself stealing glances at her throughout the day.
  When Christopher shares his tragic reasons for leaving home, Emily decides to make a quilt for him as a gesture of their friendship. The two are quickly falling in love when a family emergency calls Christopher back to Ohio without warning.
  Emily finishes the quilt, in spite of her pain. But when Christopher receives it, will he have the courage to follow his heart?”



Series: Book #3 in the “Amish Heirloom” series. Review of Book #1 Here! and Book #2 Here!


Spiritual Content- Prayers; A Scripture and devotional is read & quoted; Church going; Many talks about God, His plan, being worthy, joining the church, forgiving, faiths & healing; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Chris says he lost his ability to talk to God when something tragic happened & doesn’t think God can forgive him (he does pray later); Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of a devotional, Scriptures & reading; Mentions of churches, church going, church services, youth groups, sermons, hymnals & a bishop; Mentions of Amish beliefs, baptisms, joining the church, those who left the faith & shunnings; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of sins; A few mentions of thanking & praising God; A couple mentions of a painting of an angel.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘idiot’, five forms of ‘dumb’, and forms of ‘stupid’; Nightmares (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a death, nightmares, & blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of other deaths; Mentions of a fire; A few mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of jealousy.


Sexual Content- a cheek kiss, an almost kiss & a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering & mentions of a cheek kiss & an almost kiss; Touches, Tingles, Hand holding, Warmth, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Staring, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch, embrace, kiss, & be kissed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of blushes; Mentions of dating, boyfriends, girlfriends, & attraction; Mentions of flirting & crushes; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of kissing & being alone (nothing inappropriate happened); Mentions of and talks about what’s appropriate & what’s not (no details); Mentions of love & falling in love; A few mentions of hand holding; A couple mentions of a boyfriend who cheated on his girlfriend; A couple mentions of a mother who died in childbirth; A mention of hormones; A mention of a married couple kissing; Attraction, love, being in love & the emotions.

-Emily Fisher, age 20
-Christopher “Chris” Hochstetler, age 23-24
                                  P.O.V. switches between them
                                                        320 pages

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Pre Teens-
New Teens-
Early High School Teens-
Older High School Teens-
My personal Rating-
{Add ½ star for those who have read the previous books in the series}
Reading an Amish Clipston book is like cuddling with a fuzzy blanket and having a cup of tea—you have those warm, fuzzy feelings in your chest. Every time I read a book by this talented author I think “she’s done it again!”! Another sweet couple & their story. Because, really, she does it wonderfully every time and “The Cherished Quilt” was no exception. I think this may even be my favorite Amish novel by her yet! Emily is such a sweetheart and I felt so connected to her. I just loved all the faith parts and goodness, that epilogue! I’m so excited for the May 2017 when “The Beloved Hope Chest”, the final book in this series (bittersweet!) comes out.


See y’all on Monday with a new 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 author for this honest review.