Monday, April 30, 2012

Forever Faithful: The Complete Trilogy


















Forever Faithful: The Complete Trilogy

by Karen Kingsbury

This book is a compilation of Karen Kingsbury's Forever Faithful series books - Waiting for Morning (which I reviewed last year), A Moment of Weakness, and Halfway to Forever. The first book Waiting for Morning, tells the story of Hannah Ryan, who loses her husband and daughter in a car accident. A Moment of Weakness is the story of Jade Conner and Tanner Eastman, and Halfway to Forever wraps up the series with Hannah, her new husband Matt Bronzan, and Jade and Tanner's story.

I really enjoyed this series. I had read A Moment of Weakness a time or two before, but had never read Halfway to Forever, mainly because it sounded kind of depressing. I have to admit the book was pretty depressing until the last few chapters. But I still enjoyed wrapping up the series and finding out what happens to Hannah, Matt, Jade, and Tanner. The only other criticism I have is the weight of the book itself. While it might seem like a good idea to package 3 of Karen Kingsbury's books into one, it wasn't very practical for carrying, and holding it for long periods of time was not comfortable (ideally I like to have a book that is easy to hold and "curl up with").

I would give this series a 4. But if I had to individually rate the books, I would give Waiting for Morning a 5, A Moment of Weakness a 5, and Halfway to Forever a 4.

About the author:


After graduating from college in 1986 with a degree in journalism, Karen became a full-time reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Her first book, Missy’s Murder, was based on a murder story she covered in Los Angeles as a reporter. She sold a version of the story to People magazine in 1989. A New York agent read her People story and asked her for a book proposal. The book hit stores in 1992. She then wrote three more true crime novels. Next she wrote four collections of answered prayers and miracle stories before transitioning to inspirational fiction in 1998.
Her first novel, Where Yesterday Lives, was a real challenge for Karen to get published. Although publishing companies said they liked the story, they were not sure what to do with it since it didn’t contain foul language and had no sex scenes. Finally, the Christian publishing house Multnomah, published her novel and gave her a multi-book contract. Her books made a real connection with contemporary romance fans. Since her first novel, Karen has written more than 40 faith based novels, many of which have hit #1 on national lists. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print.
Dubbed by Time magazine as the “queen” of Christian fiction, Karen receives tens of thousands of letters from readers who say that Karen’s fiction has dramatically changed their lives. These letters and e-testimonials of improved marriages, spiritual awakenings and new found hope have enabled her to formally trademark her work Life-Changing Fiction™.
Karen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Don. They were married in June, 1988 and have six children, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. You can read her Adoption story
They celebrate their faith daily by laughing, loving and living life to the fullest. You can contact Karen at.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Friday, April 13, 2012

Baroness


















Baroness

by Susan May Warren

Yes, this is another book review I wasn't required to write! But since I did a review on Heiress, the book that preceded this one, I thought I should follow up on my excitement for the series! I certainly wasn't disappointed with this second book!

Baroness picks up a few years after Heiress left off. It jumps into the stories of Lillie Hoyt (daughter of Esme Price Hoyt) and Rosie Worth (daughter of Jinx Price Worth). The two girls are 19 years old and on a vacation in Paris in the Roaring 20s. When Paris becomes more a place for broken hearts for the two girls, Lillie ends up trying to go back home to Montana and Rosie goes back to New York City.

Like the first novel, I found myself not wanting to put this one down - though, I have to admit that I liked the style of Heiress a little better. Again, I found myself drawn to the way Susan May Warren created her characters so "real," with faults just like you and me. I am really hoping she writes a third novel - though I have looked at her website and Amazon and haven't found a title or synopsis yet! I definitely recommend this one!

About the author:


Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.
Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)
A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com.


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Heiress


Heiress

by Susan May Warren

It's not often that I review a book for which I wasn't required to write a review. But this book was so good, I feel like I can't not write a review! This one has been on my list for some time, ever since it came out back in September. I love all of Susan May Warren's books and I didn't want to miss this one!

Esme Price is a debutante heiress whose father owns the New York Chronicle. Her father wants her to marry the wealthy Foster Worth. She wants to marry for love, which she doesn't feel for Foster. Jinx (Jacqueline) Price is Esme's younger sister, forced to put off her debutante status until Esme gets married. When circumstances arise that allow Esme to get out of marrying Foster, what will she do?

I absolutely loved this book. I loved and hated that the book was cut up into chunks that featured Esme at one point and Jinx at another. Just as I was getting caught up in what was going to happen to Esme, it was back to Jinx's story! But this really is a good thing, and a great way to sweep the reader up into the story. Susan May Warren really does an outstanding job creating her characters and making them come to life.

I was halfway through the book when I knew I was going to have to buy the second book in the series, Baroness. I did, and it is on my Kindle, waiting for me to start it!

I give this book a "5" and can't wait to continue reading this series! My friend Becky wrote a review of the book too. You can read it here!


About the author:


Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.
Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)
A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com.