Tuesday, November 19, 2013

"Christmas in Apple Ridge" {3-in-1 Collection} by Cindy Woodsmall



Series:  The Apple Ridge Series, books 1-3
 
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Book 1- ‘The Sound of Sleigh Bells’ by Cindy Woodsmall

“Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.
Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?”

Spiritual Content-  Psalm 4:8, Many Scriptures & Prayers are said.
                 
Negative Elements- N/A

Sexual Content- Two almost kisses that get interrupted.

-Beth Hertzler
-Jonah Kinsinger                                                     
                       P.O.V. switches between Beth & Jonah
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Book 2- ‘The Christmas Singing’ by Cindy Woodsmall

“After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.
Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.
Experience the holidays with the Plain folk and discover the power of second chances in this touching story from the author of the
New York Times bestseller, The Bridge of Peace.
Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when faced with unexpected circumstances, he makes up an excuse to end their engagement. He doesn’t want to lie to her, but he believes that telling Mattie the truth will be more hurtful.  
Brokenhearted, Mattie moves from Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania to Ohio, where she pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator. She finds a new beau—a man offering the secure relationship Gideon has denied her.  
When Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, she and Gideon must confront the suffering created by his dishonesty – and address the powerful emotions that continue to bind the two childhood friends.”

Spiritual Content- Scriptures & Prayers are said.

Negative Elements-
N/A

Sexual Content- A Kiss

-Mattie
-Gideon
                         P.O.V. switches between them & Sol
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Book 3- ‘The Dawn of Christmas’ by Cindy Woodsmall

“Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?”

Spiritual Content- Like the first two, Scriptures & Prayers are said.


Negative Elements- N/A


Sexual Content- Kisses

-Sadie
-Levi
              P.O.V. switches between them, Beth & Jonah

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 I really enjoy Amish fiction, and this one was very good! My favorite was the first one. :)


 

 
          
*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
*BFCG recommends this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

"Fifteen Minutes" by Karen Kingsbury {Blog Tour!}

The Author
Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury
Reviewed by Books for Christian Girls
Fiction Addict Blog Tours
Genre: Drama
Publisher: Howard Books
Pub Date: October 29, 2013

Karen Kingsbury’s new book asks the question: What Would You Sacrifice For Fame? 
(Synopsis from Amazon.com) "Zack Dylan made a promise to God and his college sweetheart as he left his family’s horse farm in Kentucky to compete on the popular reality television show Fifteen Minutes: If he makes it, the fame won’t change him. 


Overnight, Zack is the nation’s most popular contestant, a country singer with the looks and voice of a young Elvis. As his star rises, Zack is asked to compromise and quiet his beliefs, and also something more. Something Zack could never have imagined. Just as America is falling in love with Zack, just as he’s on the verge of winning it all, his choices lead him to the brink of personal disaster. 


At the same time, Reese Weatherly, a therapeutic horse instructor, is no longer sure about her relationship with Zack, or the wedding they had dreamed about. While Zack advances from one round of the competition to the next, an offer comes to Reese—one that will take her to a home halfway around the world. 


Then Chandra Olson—reigning diva pop star and one of the Fifteen Minutes judges—intervenes. Chandra has suffered so much public pain and private agony since her days as a Fifteen Minutes contestant. Now she wants just one thing: meaning. 


Can Chandra’s private losses help Zack find his way, or will his fifteen minutes of fame cause him to lose the life he once loved? Fifteen Minutes is a story of character, compromise, and the cost of having it all. A story that raises the question: Who are the real winners?"


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 Series: As of now, no.


Spiritual Content- Ecclesiastes 2:17, Philippians 4:13; All three main characters pray; Scriptures are quoted.


Negative Content- Kelly’s boyfriend smokes weed; a ‘crap’ said by Chandra.


Sexual Content- Kelly says she used to be “America’s Sexist Sweetheart”; Kelly says “Hey Sexy” to her boyfriend; Zach shares some kisses and then lusts after that girl; A (random) girl tweets Zach saying the spot in her bed is his.


-Zach Dylan
-Reese Weatherly
-Chandra Olson
                                              P.O.V. switches between Zach, Reese, Chandra & Kelly
                                                                       353 pages

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I truly enjoyed this book, but because of the sexual content, I had to lower it. “Fifteen Minutes” by Karen Kingsbury really got me thinking; fame isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.

 Fifteen Minutes is available to purchase from Amazon.com & is in stores now!
 

*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 as part of the Fifteen Minutes blog tour from Fiction Addict. I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.  Review copy provided by the publisher.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

"Fiery Secrets" by Stephanie McCall



About this book:

“When it comes to trial, God either spares you from it totally, asks you to walk through it, or delivers you from it by taking you to Heaven. Dr. Grace Taylor, a driven pediatrician and single mom, needs divine intervention if she's going to heal from the actions of her cheating, abusive ex-husband. But she never thought God would work through Chris Anderson, a tutor at the local learning center whose secrets keep him from opening up to her. Both Grace and Chris have been asked to walk through their trial by fire; they've come out alive, but they still smell like smoke. Despite fears and distrust, love begins to take root in their hearts. But their fiery secrets threaten to keep them apart, and blister their souls.”


 Series: As of now, no.


Spiritual Content- Daniel 3:18 in the front; Grace & Chris both pray & go to church; Scriptures are quoted.


Negative Content- Drugs & Alcohol play a major role in this book; Both main characters deal with their pasts of using one of these; Kyle drinks in his P.O.V.


Sexual Content- 1 hussy; Kyle used to beat Grace & Jacob, and flash backs are not so detailed, but enough; Kisses.

-Dr. Grace Taylor
-Chris Anderson
                                                              P.O.V. switches between Grace, Chris, Kyle & Jacob
                                                                       355 pages

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I liked how both main characters seemed real, they had flaws like all of us. Only thing was, some kisses & flash backs were a bit detailed.











 


*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.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

"A Bride for Keeps" by Melissa Jagears



 About this book:

“Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.

Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.

Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?



Series: ‘A Bride for Keeps’ #1. Has a Prequel ‘Love by the Letter’)


Spiritual Content- Verses from 1 Samuel; Prayers and Blessings over food are said.


Negative Content- N/A


Sexual Content- Julia’s past includes a man using her; A horrid man assaults Julia; Everett kisses Julia many times, and says he wishes he could cuddle with her, never in detail.

-Julia Lockwood
-Everett Cline
                                                              P.O.V. switches between them
                                                                       331 pages

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Just because of the Sexual Content, I don’t think it would be good for 16 and down. I did get tickled pink at this part:

It reminds me of the ‘Cinderella II: Dreams Come True’ movie, where Cindy in charge of a banquet, a banquet where Cindy wants commoners to be a part of, and there’s a lady named Prudence and when ever Cindy wants to do something different, Prudence always says: “It simply isn’t done.” I was giggling very much at this part in ‘A Bride for Keeps’.

 



 
*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.