An announcement of sorts

Good day to you, my much appreciated blog-followers! :)

As the title states, I do have an announcement to share with you all. And it’s rather large, in the sense that I didn’t think that I’d do this. But I’m content with this decision, because I know it is directed by God and He has shown Himself SO awe-some in every sense of the word. So my news is this:

 

I will no longer be reviewing books at the rapid pace that I have been – that I’ve been known for. In fact, I’ve gotten off several of the Book Review Programs. I’m taking a Sabbatical. (such a fun word, is it not?). The reason for this, in short, is that it is what the Lord has guided me to recently. It’s definitely time for a break. See, when I read and review books I am analyzing the book so I can justly review it, but by doing this constantly, I have formed a habit of being analytical in everything – and that is leaning on my own understanding, not God’s. It’s thinking through every little thing when I should have faith instead.  And I want to lean wholly on the Lord’s understanding instead of my own, and so I am obeying Him in this step back from reviewing.

 

 

Truthfully, it is a relief. Yes, I have loved this season of reviewing – it has been a great experience! But I am now ready for a new season. I will still be reading (of course!) but at a more leisurely pace, and I won’t necessarily being posting reviews of every book, as the amount of review books I receive will be just about nonexistent.

However, I will be finishing out with the reviews I have already committed to, so there are a couple yet to come. And I’m not banishing myself from all book reviews, just really stepping back.

 

It’s a big change for me, I’ll be the first to admit it. I am a reviewer. But now, it is: I was a reviewer. My life doesn’t need to hinge on reviewing, and a breather will be nice!

I’ll still do my best to keep up with my blog here, and I’m still apart of some blog tours coming up. I’m just also going to be doing a lot of “de-stressing” which means de-cluttering, etc.

 

So, here’s to a new season! Thank you for understanding. :)

 

 

Another year past/2015

Hello! Today is the last day of 2015. I hope it was a good year for all of you! And I hope 2016 brings lots of blessings and lessons from our Lord too. :)

I am going to do my yearly post of books I read over the past year…so, here we go! I’m showing them from the latest I read to the first I read back in January of 2015. Each image should bring you to their GoodReads page and my review if applicable. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brothers-in-Arms byJack Lewis Baillot

 

 

 

 

 

    

  

 

Most of them were very good, and some were so-so, and other’s weren’t a favourite. But ultimately, I had a very good reading year! Top ten favourites? Hard choice! But here are SOME, in no order:

“Resistance” and “Half-Blood” by Jaye L. Knight

“Not Abandoned” by MacKenzie Morganthal

“Brothers-in-Arms” by Jack Lewis Baillot (not published yet)

“The Fragrance of Geraniums” and “All Our Empty Places” by Alicia G. Ruggieri

“The Tomb” by Stephanie Landsem

“The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest” and “Golden Braid” by Melanie Dickerson

“Better than Peanut Butter Ice Cream” by Kristen Krueger

“Through Waters Deep” by Sarah Sundin

“Rise of the Fallen” by Chuck Black

“Dauntless” and “Chivalrous” by Dina L. Sleiman

Okay, so I realise I cheated a little and did more than ten, but there are only ten lines, so… :D

Some Honourable Mentions:

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Waltz into the Waves by Sarah Holman

A Dream Not Imagined by Shantelle Mary Hannu

The Tethered World by Heather FitzGerald

Side by Side by Jana Kelley

For the Joy Set Before Us by Erica Fye

Annnnnd there were more I enjoyed. :) But I will end here. What books were your favourites of the year? Could you pick just a few? :D

Here’s to more reading in 2016!

NetGalley Book Review: “Dauntless” by Dina L. Sleiman

http://www.amazon.com/Dauntless-Valiant-Hearts-Dina-Sleiman/dp/0764213121/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1423776864&sr=8-1

“Dauntless” by Dina L. Sleiman   #1 in the Valiant Hearts Series (releases February 24th 2015)

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Review source:NetGalley

About:

Where Legend and History Collide,
One Young Woman Will Fight for the Innocent

Born a baron’s daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father’s failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village–a group that becomes known as “The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest.” Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he’s forced to reexamine everything he’s known.

My Thoughts:

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book – it was so very good. Not that I didn’t think it wouldn’t be, but the depth that it had was so lovely to discover!

I read it on my Kindle, so it seems long at times (I had to listen to for the end half because my eyes grew tired, but I didn’t want to stop!), but it was all really well written and carried through. Each character was marvelously strong, and yet vulnerable at the same time. I loved Merry – she was an inspiring character; strong, yet weak, and her realization at the end was perfect. I won’t give away anything though. :)

I must say, though, I think my favourite character was Allen. Talk about a strong, spiritual leader kind of guy! He was so encouraging, and so faithful – and strong in his faith in the Lord. There was this one part towards the end that really touched me, amazed me, and brought me to tears through the demonstration of his faith, and the results! Wow! This author knows how to write. I was very impressed. :)

Between Timothy and Allen for Merry, I actually rooted for Timothy, because those two I thought were more suited for each other. I sure hope though, that as this series progresses, Allen gets his own story!

The only thing I wished could’ve happened, was that Merry’s belief in God could’ve returned stronger and that have been the main focal point of the end. The end was still handled well, it was just a bit on the ‘mushy’ side. ;) Nothing bad at all – it was sweet. I just was hoping for a more conclusive ending for her relationship with God.

But yes, this was a fantastic story, one I greatly enjoyed and would recommend! Very medieval-y and Robin-Hood-esque which I loved! It was an adventure. :)

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review which I have given.