The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson - a review

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, is a retelling of the story Beauty and the Beast.  In this story Annabel is the daughter of a once wealthy merchant.  The story begins after Annabel's father has passed away and she, along with her mother and two brothers are being held accountable for not doing their fair share to help the community of Glynval.  It has been determined, by the town, that in order to pay their debt, one of the family must become an indentured servant to the new lord, Ranulf le Wyse, for three years.  It is rumored that the new lord is terrifying and beastly.  In the meantime, one of her brothers has decided she should marry the local Bailiff, an old friend of her father's who has promised to pay their debt to the town for Annabel's hand in marriage.  Annabel decides that she will be the one to become an indentured servant to the new lord as it would be more pleasant than marrying the likes of Bailiff Tom.  She dreams of the day her servant-hood is completed and she can move to a nunnery where she can spend her days reading the Holy Writ.

This sets the story for Annabel and Lord Ranulf le Wyse.  What ensues is a sweet love story along with some mystery and danger thrown into the mix.  I found Ms. Dickerson's retailing of the story of Beauty and the Beast quite sweet and enjoyable.  Annabel and Lord Ranulf le Wyse were characters that were quite believable and endearing to the reader.

I haven't really read many books set during the time period of the 14th century, basically, because it was never my period of choice.  I picked up The Merchant's Daughter simply because I heard it was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, my favorite all time fairy tale.  I must say I have a new appreciation of books set in this time period and I may just have to pick up another book down the road.

I would definitely recommend The Merchant's Daughter to anyone wanting a good Christian book offering a sweet love story with some intrigue thrown in.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 stars!!!

***** I would like to thank Zondervan for supplying me with my review copy of The Merchant's Daughter.  I received my copy for free, in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.   I received no monetary compensation for my review. *****

Smiles & Blessings,

Not This Time by Vicki Hinze - a review

Terrorist attacks, a kidnapping, a blood soaked mattress and a sweet love story all loom within the pages of Vicki Hinze's book Not This Time, the third book in her Crossroads Crisis Center series.

Having read the first two books in the series, Forget Me Not and Deadly Ties, I couldn't wait to read Not This Time.  To be honest, out of the three books in the series, Not This Time is my favorite.

Not This Time is a story rich in believable characters that take the reader on a fast paced, extremely suspenseful journey.  The twists and turns within the story keeps the reader guessing until the very end.  I must say I was not disappointed in the outcome of the story.  I'm not sure if there will be another book in this series but I would definitely love it if Ms. Hinze came back with at least one more.

If you enjoy good Christian fiction that has believable characters and is filled with love and suspense, Not This Time is a book for you.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A a 5 star scale - 5 stars!!!!!

I received my copy of Not This Time from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Blogging for Books.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.  No monetary compensation was received.

Blurb from back of book:

SMALL TOWN SCANDAL.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ATTACK.

WHO AMONG THEM IS THE TRAITOR?

Sara and Beth have built a multi-million dollar business together, but their once solid friendship is now strained.  Beth is leery of Sara's husband, and when he is kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.

     Then their small town of Seagrove Village is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn't know who to trust.  Someone she knows is linked to the attack, but who?  Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center?  In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past.  She knows she shouldn't fall in love with him, but she can't resist or even explain their bond.  As her world unravels around her, she wonders, is it possible to be beyond redemption?

Smiles & Blessings,

The Discovery by Dan Walsh - a review

Have you ever opened up a book and from the very first sentence, been drawn into the story to the point where you feel like you're part of the story?  It has been a rare occurrence for me, but The Discovery by Dan Walsh was just such a book.  The first sentence, "I remember...I was supposed to be sad that day." grabbed me and never turned lose.

The Discovery is two stories in one.  The story of a young aspiring writer, Michael Warner and his wife, Jenn, and the story written by Michael's grandfather, Gerard Warner, a Pulitzer Prize winning, multi-published author.  At the beginning of The Discovery, Michael's grandfather has passed away and Michael soon learns of his inheritance, part of which is the last 'story' his grandfather had written.  This story is entitled An Impossible Love and is about Ben Coleman and Claire Richards.

Mr. Walsh has a true gift in creating characters that come to life on the written page.  From the first page, his characters pulled me into the story.  When Michael begins reading An Impossible Love I felt like I was sitting right beside him reading over his shoulder.  It was a phenomenal experience to say the least.  

I have read everything Mr. Walsh has published to date and I truly believe that The Discovery is his best yet.  If you like good Christian Fiction with romance and suspense then you will love reading The Discovery, I guarantee it.  It is such a wonderful book that I would love to see Hollywood take an interest and put it on the big screen as it really is that good! 

On a 5-Star scale - 5 BIG stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Donna Hausler and Revell Publishing for my review copy of The Discovery.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

*Available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group*

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Press Release for The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with readers long after they turn the last page.

The Discovery tells the story of Michael Warner, whose grandfather, literary giant Gerard Warner, leaves him his Charleston estate. An aspiring writer himself, Michael settles in to write his own first novel and discovers an unpublished manuscript his grandfather had written, something he'd kept hidden from everyone but clearly intended Michael to find. Michael begins to read an exciting tale about Nazi spies and sabotage, but something about this story is different from all of Gerard Warner's other books. It's actually a love story.

As Michael delves deeper into the story he discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, The Deepest Waters and Remembering Christmas. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more information.

Smiles & Blessings,

New Winner Selected for Blue Moon Promise!

to 

LINDA!

She is the new winner of Colleen Coble's Blue Moon Promise.  

Smiles & Blessings,

Winner of Colleen Coble's Blue Moon Promise!

to 

Merry 

the winner of Colleen Coble's Blue Moon Promise.

I have emailed Merry & she has 48 hours to respond with her snail mail address or a new winner will be chosen.  Thank you all for stopping by and entering the contest.  

For those who didn't win, you really should pick up a copy of Colleen Coble's Blue Moon Promise.  It really IS that GOOD!

Smiles & Blessings,