Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews. It's great for showing off the fantastic reads we added to our shelves in the last week!

I finally got to buy the amazing sounding Christmassy books that I've been waiting so impatiently for!

Books I Received
  
My True Love Gave To Me
Silver Bells Collection
Christmas in Snow Valley
(they are all by multiple authors, check out the Goodreads or store pages!)

what did you add to you shelves this week?

Blog Tour: Softly Falling by Carla Kelly

Softly Falling by Carla    Kelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Beautiful Lily Branson learns that her wayward father has lost his Wyoming cattle ranch in a card game to handsome cowboy Jack Sinclair, no less! When a series of deadly winter storms sets in, Lily and Jack must work together to save the cattle—as well as their hearts.

About the Author
Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for Borrowed Light and My Loving Vigil Keeping.

My Review
Softly Falling was a beautiful story that brought the hardships of the newly settled North America to life. I like learning about history, but through fiction is, by far, my favorite way because good books transport readers into the story; and that's just what Softly Falling did. I was right there shivering in the cold, learning about my new Wyoming surroundings, the people, perseverance, love, leadership, and life.

The characters were easy to like and relate to. Lily was so kind and caring, always knew the right thing to say or do, and possessed the determination to make it through whatever life threw at her. She had a special quality about her (reminded me of Elizabeth Thatcher in When Calls The Heart, or Where Courage Calls), that made everyone like her. Then there was the hardworking, kind, strong, Jack always with a plan, eager to learn, and a true leader. Each of the children were wonderful, and so were the other characters - Pierre, Preacher, Fothering, Mrs. Sansever, Will, her father, Franci aka, Freak (the cat), etc. They all had their own personalities, stories, and depth, and they all find a way into the readers heart. They definitely brought in some laugh out loud moments to shove out the seriousness of massive blizzards. I could tell you all about the characters, but I think you would learn so much more from them if you read the book yourself!

This book had layers and layers of depth, which I loved. There was a slow beginning, but the plot speeds up and it was a quick, captivating read with danger (life or death meets survival of the fittest), sweet romance, and fantastic themes. I want to be a teacher someday and I can only hope to be half as good a teacher as Miss Carteret!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Waiting On Wednesday: Double Date

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we share a book that we are waiting for.

Double Date by Melody Carlson
Publication Date: Jan. 20, 2015

Goodreads Summary
The girls of the DG have found that through the club, both their friendships and their dating savvy have grown. But all that is about to be put to the test. Despite their promises of secrecy, word has somehow gotten out, and new girls want to join the club. The reaction in the DG is mixed, but with the Christmas Ball coming up, they need to pull together to organize their double dates. The trouble is, how can they get guys interested in a dance that's become increasingly unpopular?

Why I'm Waiting
While I've never read the other books in this series, I have read a few of Melanie Carlson's books. Plus there's a Christmas Ball!

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we pick the top ten things that we choose for the topic of the week.

Topic: Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get
(there are so many)

        
Season of Fire by Lisa T. Bergren
Where Trust Lies by Janet Oke
Two Lies and A Spy by Kat Carlton
To Win Her Heart by Tamera Alexander
Let the Storm Break by Shannon Messenger
 Going Rogue by Robin Benway
A Gallagher Wedding by Ally Carter
Minding Molly by Leslie Gould
The Heir by Kiera Cass
 
Uncommon Criminals and Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

What sequels can't you wait to get?

Week of Wonder

Week of Wonder is what I call my Weekly Wrap-up. I will link up everything that I did on my blog this week - books I read, books I reviewed, what challenges I've added to, what I'm currently reading, all my other posts, etc. I will also let you know about any upcoming events that are coming up on my blog.

I'm a day late on my Week of Wonder post, but I had two posts going out yesterday and this was a really full blogging week, so I scheduled it for today!

Reviews
Becoming Beauty by Sarah Boucher (Blog Tour)
The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson
Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin (Blog Tour)
Amazing Hairstyles with Becky Porter

Other Posts
Top Ten Character I Wish Would Get Their Own Book
Waiting on Wednesday - A Knot In the Grain by Robin McKinley
Wonderland Weekend - Dystopians Make Us Thankful

What was your week like?

Wonderland Weekend: Dystopians Make Us Thankful

Wonderland Weekend is a feature on my blog where I pick a topic about how stories take us to "another world." Each month I have a new topic and will write about it every weekend of that month or just one or two weekends (whatever I feel like/have time for/can come up with). I would love for you to join me, so feel free to write about this topic at any time throughout the month and link it back to me - just have fun with it!

(These will usually be bookish posts but sometimes they'll be more discussiony)

November Topic: Since Thanksgiving is this month, November's topic will be thankfulness and anything that has to do with thanksgiving!

~

Dystopians Make Us Thankful

Recently, we were having a class discussion in my College English class about dystopians, and that (of course) got me to thinking (since it is November) about how thankful I am that our world isn't like the dystopians present and popular in so many books. 

We were discussing how a dystopia is basically a Utopia gone wrong. In the pursuit of a perfect world, the leaders of dystopia's overlook a few majorly important factors about life in general.

~ Humans were created to have a mind of their own. We have our own thoughts, beliefs, opinions, ideas, and that is how God created us to be. If He wanted us to be like robots following the cruel whims of others, he would have made it so from the beginning!

~ We all have rights! A few "leaders" can't tell us what to say or believe because that goes against the first amendment - freedom of speech - but more than that we were created equally!

~ WE ARE ALL EQUAL! This should speak for itself!

~ We are meant to FEEL. From the emotions of hope and love to fear, empathy, and joy, and anger we are supposed to be able to feel it all.

~ Our Earth was created with all things necessary for life.

etc.

Dystopians should make us feel extremely thankful for our lives today, for the beautiful world we live in, for the Creator who made all things glorious!

In many dystopian societies, people are basically bound by iron chains and cloth gags to keep their opinions, thoughts, and beliefs to themselves, while they are ruled by German Nazi clones. They don't always have the resources necessary for survival. They lack the safety of a world without fear, and often they don't know what it feels like to not be scared for their lives during every waking moment. They are plagued by serious and deathly illnesses. They are not the hunters but the hunted. Their path is set out for them with no choice whatsoever in what they can or will do with their life.

Books that are dystopians make me so thankful for my faith in God and my family and friends. They make me grateful for our freedom of speech, religion, etc. that we have in the United States of America today, and those who have and continue to fight for our freedom. They make me even more appreciative of food, shelter, love, hope, joy, and education.

I'm so grateful for the opportunities that we have in our nondystopia world. We get to make our own choices, speak our mind, express out thoughts and opinions, help others. We get some choice in the path our futures will take. We get to follow our own pathways and not be forced onto roads we don't desire. We are able to make a difference!

This world may not be a Utopia (perfect world), but it's what we've been given, and face it - things could be a whole lot worse.

Let's be thankful we don't live in any of the dystopians we've read about because let's face it - that would be a complete nightmare. 

I, for one, am so thankful for the wonderful freedom I have to continue following God's plan for me!

What have dystopians made you thankful for?

Blog Tour: Where Treetops Glisten

 

About the book:

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime

Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In Cara Putman's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements---until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for a future?

Purchase a copy: Here

About the authors: 

 

TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including Chasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books including Shadowed by Grace. She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.

Website, Facebook, Twitter

My Review

I was so excited to start my Christmas reading with this anthology of three completely amazing Christmas stories! Each story was wonderful, unique yet connected, and perfectly Christmassy, which was just what I was looking for! I loved each one equally and don't even have a favorite.

The settings were interesting from delightful Lafeyette all the way across the sea to war infested Europe, all taking place within one family during WWII. These stories brought the time period to life and filled it with the faith, fear, hope, hard work, self discovery and Christmas spirit that is so inspiring from that time period! Each sibling had been affected by the war in different ways, different circumstances leading up to their story and what makes it so special, but they all have their family and Christmasiness (I'm not sure if I just made up that word or not, but I like it) in common. 

It was inspiring to read about the characters efforts to help with the war effort, I loved the special touch that the references to "new" Christmas songs being made brought to the stories, the feelings of Christmas, hope, family, faith, and self discovery, as these characters came to trust in their Savior again!

If you're looking for a great Christmas story(or three) of faith, hope, and family you must get this book - trust me there's something in it for everyone!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan-an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers that months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie's summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It's a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing to stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

My Review

First of all, Ally Carter really has a way with writing wonderfully gripping spy mystery novels!

Operative Higgins has been meaning to continue/finish the Gallagher Girls series for a while now, but hadn't gotten the chance because, as Operative Higgins, I've been chasing down evil members of secretive groups. Well, I finally got a chance to read book five, and I finished it very quickly because it seemed to be glued to my fingers and it's hard to catch evil operatives when you something slightly weighty glued to your hand! What can I say, I've always loved a good mystery!

Cammie went through some rough patches in this book, both literally and figuratively speaking. She ran toward answers at the beginning of summer and also into danger. When she returns to the Gallagher Academy, no matter how happy she is to see her loved ones again she has to figure out what happened to her over the summer because, well, she just can't seem to remember. And those loved ones? Well, will her relationship ever be the same with her friends ever again - or will they ever forgive her? I enjoyed reading about her journey to uncover and discover new variables, how she dealt with her memory loss and teenage issues like a true Gallagher Girl, and about her and her friends.

I enjoyed the teamwork, the hope, the importance of family and friendship and what it truly means (to/for spies),the many twists and turns. As soon as I thought of an idea, Ms. Carter took it for a spin, which is totally awesome!  

I can't wait to read the sixth book, though I REALLY don't want this series to end. I have high expectations though!

Blog Tour: Amazing Hairstyles by Rebecca Porter

Amazing Hairstyles: From Easy to Elegant by Rebecca Porter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary

Tired of bad hair days? Popular hairstyle blogger Rebecca Porter teaches you the basics of braids, buns, and twists, and helps you combine them to create amazing hairstyles for any occasion. Go from drab to fab at any age with the easy, step=by-step tutorials in this essential guide.

About the Author

Becky Porter is the hands behind the hairstyles. Since starting her blog, BabesInHairland.com in 2008, she has been making the world a prettier place, one head of hair at a time. Besides having a passion for doing hair and teaching hair classes, she loves music, baking, and spending time with her family. She lives in Utah with her three amazing daughter’s and one patient husband.

My Review

The title says it all - these are so many amazing hairstyles in this book! I have tried a few of them and hope to try more of them soon! The author is detailed in her directions and uses clear pictures to depict what each step should look like. The directions were easy to follow and I found the pictures to be very helpful. There are also little hair tips and tricks infused throughout the book. From healthier hair to simple and intricate braids, to elegant updo's, for straight and curly hair - there's something for everyone!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Knot in the Grain

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we share a book that we are waiting for.

A Knot in the Grain: and Other Stories by Robin McKinley

Publication Date: Nov. 18,2014

Goodreads Summary

Magical stories set in alternate universes . . . tales of curses and gifts of healing . . . a wizard who has lost his powers . . . and a princess, a troll, and a teenage girl are featured in this diverse collection from Newbery Medalist Robin McKinley

In “The Healer,” Lily was born mute, but she has so great a natural gift for healing that the local midwife and healer takes her as an apprentice. One evening, riding home, she meets a stranger on the road who can speak to her silently, mind to mind. Overjoyed, she takes him home to Jolin—but Jolin can read the mage-mark on him and fears for Lily’s safety, for mages are not to be trusted.

In “The Stagman,” Ruen is a princess and will become queen on her name day—if her uncle, the Regent, greedy for the power that should belong to his niece, cannot think of a way to prevent it. And so he invents portents and a purifying ritual that involves chaining Ruen to a rock in an old place of sacrifice, not used since her great-grandfather’s day, and leaving her there alone. Night falls on her despair and in the flickering torchlight she sees the shadow of a man—or of a man with a stag’s antlers—or perhaps of a great stag.

In “Touk’s House,” a witch adopts a woodcutter’s baby daughter and raises her along with her own son, whose father was a troll. Erana grows up knowing she is loved, and loving in return—but on her seventeenth birthday she realizes she must leave her foster mother and her best friend and find where in the world she belongs.

In “Buttercups,” an old man marries a young wife and takes her home, but he feels unworthy of her vivid youth and risks all for a tremendous prize, in an act of what in his heart he knows is a betrayal of the wild magic that lives on his farm.

In “A Knot in the Grain,” Annabelle has no choice when her parents decide they will move to a small town upstate, the summer before Annabelle’s junior year of high school. She spends the summer reclaiming the neglected garden of their new house and reading books from the local library. She also finds a mysterious wooden box in a tiny hidden study above her attic bedroom: a box containing smallish, roundish, nobbly things Annabelle can’t identify, but which are faintly warm to the touch—and which seem to be curiously aware of Annabelle, her loneliness, and her longings.

Why I'm Waiting

Magic and multiple tales all in one! 

What are you waiting on this week?