“Shanty by the Sea” by Kelli Pizarro

 

“Shanty by the Sea” by Kelli Pizarro

Novella

Review copy from the author

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About the Book:

Scarlett Cooper’s goals in life up to this point have been simple enough: run The Little Latte coffee shop by day and finish a novel-in-the-making by night. When her creative writing juices dry up, she visits the local bookstore for inspiration and leaves with a flier promoting an upcoming writer’s retreat in Cape Cod.
When announced as a winner, Scarlett crosses the state line from New Hampshire into Massachusetts. What she doesn’t realize is the retreat is themed The Great Writers of History, and she has been selected to play the part of starving artist Charles Dickens.
Hilarity ensues as Scarlett dresses in costume and competes against two fellow writers playing the parts of Jane Austen and William Makepeace Thackeray, spends her nights in a tiny shack on a cliff overlooking the sea, and finds herself developing feelings for a local man hired to tend to the retreat pet: a decrepit donkey named Janet.
Although things at the retreat don’t run as smoothly as Scarlett had hoped, and the competitive nature of the other writers tests her in a way reminiscent of Job who lost half his donkeys (one of which was probably named Janet), she learns that no amount of adversity is worth letting go of one’s dreams. 

 

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I loved how this book was written. It was very witty, and fun, and easy to follow along with. I was already laughing by the first page, and I really liked the main character, Scarlett! The plotline of her going to a writer’s retreat was great fun and I felt indignant against some of the things that happened to her too – got rather involved. ^.^

The only thing that I wasn’t quite as in love with was the romance – I admit I was expecting a different ending, and while this ending was sweet, I had hoped for a different result (aka, love-interest). The romance was written well and I did like it, I just was kind of surprised by the turn it took in the second half when I rooted for a different turn. :) But yes, very fun, clean story, and I really liked the author’s writing style – would love to read more by her in the future!  Plus the cover is beautiful!!

“Babel: The story of the Tower and the Rebellion of man” by Brennan S. McPherson ~ Book Review

 

“Babel” by Brennan S. McPherson

Biblical Fiction

Review copy from the author

My rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

About the book:

A sweeping, epic retelling of the story of the Tower of Babel. . . 

More than a century after the worldwide flood, Noah, now the forefather of the living world, works peacefully in his vineyard until tragedy tears apart his relationship with his son, Ham. 

Years later, dark prophetic dreams inextricably link him with a young man carrying scars from a painful past, and a young woman who longs for acceptance yet harbor secrets darker than either of them imagine. 

Will Noah face the role he played in the slow unraveling of his family? Or will everything collapse when they meet the evil attempting to swallow the world at. . . the Tower of Babel?

 

My Thoughts:

 

I love Biblical Fiction, but I can’t say I’ve ever read any centered around Noah, or the Tower of Babel. Therefor this was a unqie story, and written with delightful talent.

Everything leading up to the fall of the Tower of Babel was so fascinating and the characters themselves so complex.

I felt it was a very good representation of an event we don’t read a lot about in Biblical Fiction.

There was a lot of pain, and growth, and understanding even amidst a time of turmoil.

There were a couple aspects that were disturbing, as they deal with the utter darkness and depravity of pagan-worship and what happens when a person turns so wholeheartedly away from the Almighty. But they were written well, and necessary to the storyline.

Truly, this book was very fascinating, and I enjoyed reading it and seeing how it all unfolded. The ending thread of redemption was lovely, and I felt I became attached to the central characters through the reading of it.

Definitely will be reading more from this talented author!

(I’d also like to add that I appreciated the “note from the author” in the beginning very much – I always respect when an author turns everything back to God. )

Recommended for ages 18+

“Finding Lady Enderly” by Joanna Davidson Politano – Book Review (I loved it!!)

“Finding Lady Enderly” by Joanna Davidson Politano

Review copy through the publisher/author as apart of the launch team

My rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I loved this book, so so much. It meant so much to me, the message and everything, because it is something I am learning too – my identity in Christ. During the reading of it, I even wrote a poem that, if Rania were real, I’d love to share with her. I will include it at the end of this post, but first read on for the description of this beautiful book and my “official” review! :)

 

 

About the Book:

Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London’s east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within–and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

 

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

Oh my word, this book. Wow. It floored me in its gentle beauty and remarkable message. It is no coincident that I read it when I did, and took my time to savor it, for the message lined up with what God has been showing me lately, and that just blessed me so much.

I fell so utterly in love with this story, that it will long remain on my favorites shelf. How it is written is so beautifully smooth and captivating, and the plot was fantastic as well, with characters that will just sweep you off your feet.

Truly, I don’t know how I could write a review that would do this book justice. I loved it so much. Dear sweet Rania went through such a journey. And that ending! Not quite what I was expecting, but so much better and full of redemption. Gorgeous prose, amazing characters, and truth about identity that is sure to bless any reader who stumbles into its pages.

The absolute heart that is woven through the story is touching, and that it all shines back to our Creator, is astounding. I’m so in love with this book and its characters. The author did a beautiful job, and I am in awe of her ability to turn it all back to God. <3

I marked SO many places in this book that it would be nearly impossible to share them all. I so badly wanted to make a graphic for each one, but our computer has been so slow that I’m not sure I can even get one made. But the quotes were fantastic and I will savor them for a long time. Hopefully I can get them typed up soon and perhaps I will devote a special post to them in the near future. :)

My Worth // by Raechel Lenore

I’m building my courage

One strand at a time

I’m lifting my head

by the inch

Healing can come

not all in a wave

but in soft whispers of strength

A Change slowly happening

A change still occuring

My eyes ever upward I raise

Coming to learn

and coming to know

that I reside in a place of grace

Beauty and truth,

they shine from within

they rely not upon another soul

I need not look to another’s face

to know my worth is whole

A crown slowly forming

upon my head

I let it there reside

Not knowing its strength

yet feeling its weight

I’m learning to accept it as mine

My worth to you I do not owe

My worth secure within me

I used to look towards anothers face

to change what grew so simply

Freedom’s glance

feels just wihin reach

and I’m starting to stand taller now

Knowing I am enough on my own

this truth is a new beginning, allowed.

I’ll raise my head another inch

I’ll lift up sparkling eyes

I’ll look into my reflection close and say ‘You are dignified.

My Father has put His crown on you

to His children He has given all

The garments are complete on you

Dignified and without pall

Raise up, you daughter of courage

raise up and continue to mend

Your worth is not held by anothers hands

Your worth is found in Heavens stead

You are worth

all on your own

You are worth and enough

You are a beauty

a pearl all desired

treasured by heavens touch.’

My worth is not measured by others opinions

my worth does not fluctate by anothers whims

My worth cannot be tossed by the wind

when I’ve found it secured within.

I do ask that you respect that this poem I shared belongs to me and is copyrighted as such. I would be pleased as punch if you wanted to share it linking back to me, just please don’t steal. :) Thank you!!