The Apothecary's Daughter

by Julie Klassen

Genre: Regency Romance, Young Adult, Adult

Rating: Clean

Summary:

As Lilly toils in her father's apothecary shop, preparing herbs and remedies by rote, she is haunted by memories of her mother's disappearance. Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond --- of travel and adventure and romance.

When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for --- the truth of the past and a love for the future?

Personal Review: 

I loved this book. What I like about Julie Klassen's books is that they are very well paced. She takes the time to develop her plot lines and characters, there isn't too much going on, and yet it never gets boring. And what girl doesn't like a well written romance? Good Read!

-Curry

If you enjoyed this you might like:

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore

Head in the Clouds

Review by Felicity

Head in the Clouds

by: Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Christian/Historical Romance

Rating: Y

Content: clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.

Personal Review:

The best way to describe this book is simply that it is a Cowboy style Jane Eyre. Confession: I never liked ‘Jane Eyre’ so luckily for me this book isn’t really the same story but it has that feel.  Karen Witemeyer has a wonderful way of using the lawless west (namely Texas) as a wonderful backdrop to romances filled with christian values.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Gods and Kings

Review by heyes

Gods and Kings

by Lynn Austin

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Literature, Historical Romance

Rating: Y

Content: I am calling this book clean. However there is Idol worship, and violence, and religious stuff.

Summary:

Gods and Kings is the story of King Hezekiah, heir to the throne of King David. When his evil father plots to sacrifice him, Hezekiah's mother, Abijah, searches frantically for a way to save him. But only two men can help her, and neither of them seems trustworthy. In a time and place engulfed by violence, treachery, and infidelity to Yahweh, Abijah and her son must discover the one true Source of strength if they are to save themselves and their country. Book 1 of Chronicles of the Kings. (Goodreads)

Personal Review:

So I loved this book. Being Christian myself, this book especially brought the Old testament to life for me. But you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy this book. It is only considered Christian literature because it is based off of scriptures in the Old Testament, when really what is the Old Testament but a history book written from various peoples’ points of view? (an inspired history book, but history none the less.) I thought that this book was written very well. Lynn Austin has many books in different genres and this series is my first of hers but I am excited to read more. There is idolatry in it, even sacrificing children to Molech(fire), the King has concubines, and Assyria is gross. I still give this a clean rating because none of it is glorified, it is true to the time period, and you learn about it in history before you can reach this level of reading and its history.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
-The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

Once Upon a Prince

Review by Felicity

Once Upon a Prince (Royal Wedding #1)

by Rachel Hauck

Genre: Christian/Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess─just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.

Personal Review:

Ok so I loved this book. I would say it is a clean religious version of the movie The Prince and Me. Maybe a little cheesy and completely unrealistic but so cute. What girl hasn't dreamed of being a princess at some point. I could read this story again and again.

-Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Princess Ever After (Royal Wedding #2) by Rachel Hauck

Stealing the Preacher (Archer Brothers #2) by Karen Witemeyer

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

The Fairest Beauty

Review by Felicity

The Fairest Beauty

by Melanie Dickerson

Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales, Christian, Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean (spend night together unchaperoned which is pointed out as not good)

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be Sophie's one chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what.

Personal Review:

I do enjoy Fractured Fairy Tales. I like most of what the author did with the story of Snow White. However I found it too preachy for my taste and there were, surprisingly, a lot of scripture references that I didn’t feel really added to the story. Still it is a fun romance.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

What the Doctor Ordered

Review by Curry

What the Doctor Ordered

by Sierra St. James

Genre: Romance, Christian: LDS Fiction, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: (From the back of the book)

They've never been out on a date. They can barely speak a civil word to each other when they find themselves in the same room. But Aunt Bertie, who is not crazy, just -eccentric- knows that John and Ellie belong together, and she's doing all she can to further their cause. When Ellie comes to Colton Idaho, to spend the summer with Aunt Bertie and prove to her parents that her aunt doesn't belong in an assisted-care facility, the confusion begins. Bertie's determination to marry Ellie off to Dr. John Flynn leads to a hilarious string of miscommunications in this delightful romantic comedy

Personal Review:

Sierra St. James is the pen name for another author that I really like (Janette Rallison.) She uses Sierra St. James for her LDS fiction novels. Although I love all of her novels, I wish that she would write more under this pen name. There are only three books that I know of under Sierra St. James. Anyways, What the Doctor Ordered is my favorite Sierra St. James book. It is really funny, and yet also has some tender sweet moments. The romance in it is well developed, and who wouldn’t like the guy in this? he’s a doctor! haha :) Great romantic comedy type book.

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Masquerade by Sierra St. James

A Love Like Lilly by Kay Lynn Mangum

Luck of the Draw by Rachael Anderson

The Bronze Bow

Review by Curry

The Bronze Bow

by: Elizabeth George Speare

Rating: Y

Genre: Historical Fiction, Inspirational, Young Readers, Young Adult

Content: Mild Violence

Summary: (from goodreads)

This gripping, action-packed novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a fierce, hotheaded young man bent on revenging his father’s death by forcing the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel’s palpable hatred for Romans wanes only when he starts to hear the gentle lessons of the traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community . . . and ultimately, as Jesus says to Daniel on page 224: “Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.” A powerful, relevant read in turbulent times.

Personal Review:

This book won the Newbery award in 1962 and rightfully so. This is a great book for all ages. Elizabeth George Speare is great at writing realistic historical fiction books. I loved this book because it is both exciting and touching. This is also a great book for boys (cause we all know that it can difficult to find books for boys.)  Read it!

-Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

Review by heyes

The Secret Journal of Brett Colton 
by Kay Lynn Mangum



Genre: Romance, Drama, LDS Fiction, 


Personal Rating: Y.

Content Review: Religion: Some Latter-Day Saint/Christian Themes

Short Summary: This is the story of sixteen year old Kathy Colton, who resents her deceased brother that succumbed to cancer when she was a toddler. Her family seems to think that he was perfect and doesn't have time for her. She happens upon his journal that he left specifically for her. Through reading his experiences and through her own in tutoring popular football player, Jason, who happens to be a Mormon, she learns the importance of family, friends and nurturing faith. 

Personal Review: Don't worry no spoliers. I really loved this book. You can see Kathy's life change from being cynical and unhappy at home with her family to seeing her really see things in a different light and being grateful for what and who she has. You don't have to be Mormon or LDS to like this book. But have a box of kleenex nearby.

-heyes

If you like this book you might also like:
A Love Like Lily by Kay Lynn Mangum
Just One Wish by Janette Rallison
Charly by Jack Weyland