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

Erasing Time

Review by Curry

Erasing Time

by C.J. Hill

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Mild Violence

Summary:

Identical Twins, Sheridan and Taylor find themselves transported into the future and what they find is a very different world. Animals are extinct, religion is banned and almost no one speaks their language. Worst of all, they are stuck there with no way home and no one that they are sure that they can trust.  

Personal Review:

This book was quite enjoyable. It had things that I really really liked and others that I didn’t care as much about. What worked for this book is the world that the author created. It is fascinating and intriguing. I know that heyes loved that part too. I liked how the language had morphed over the years and now is a mixture of not quite english or spanish. I also liked the relationship between the sisters, it was realistic and sweet. This book also had some pretty funny parts. My favorite thing was probably how the sister’s spoke in sayings to confuse Jeth and Echo (That was super clever C.J. Hill!) I was also really drawn in by the girl’s convictions. I love a main character that has strong beliefs and holds firmly to them. That was very appealing to me.  The only thing that I did not care for very much was the romance parts of this book (which is usually something that I love.) However, I did not think that it was developed very well. It just kind of happened really fast, like: “I know we just met but... can I be your boyfriend?” (not an actual quote from the book) Haha. But other than that Erasing Time was really quite pleasant and fascinating. I recommend it.

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Echo in Time by C.J. Hill

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Matched by Ally Condie

My Fair Godmother

Review by heyes

My Fair Godmother

by Janette Rallison

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Fractured Fairy-tale

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

We have all heard it before. Jane is a nerd and no guys notice her, but wait actually she’s pretty and gets the guy she’s been in love with for forever. Fast forward… this story isn’t about Jane it is actually about Savannah; beautiful, popular, and couldn’t care less about school, Savannah. She’s just been dumped and humiliated. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar. She’s Savannah’s Fair Godmother. Fair because she takes a page from Savannah’s book when it comes to school work. Now Savannah’s miserable life is Chrissy’s extra credit assignment. Savannah gets three wishes to turn her pathetic life into something more. The problem is when a broken-hearted teenager that has no idea what she actually wants makes wishes granted by a fairy who didn’t pay attention in school and a disgruntled leprechaun, Savannah doesn’t get Prince Charming. She gets an evil step mother, ugly step sisters, and the middle ages.

Personal Review:

My book club just read this book for book club and everyone loved it. This book is written so cute and cleverly and all the characters are great. The author is so talented when it comes to making you like characters that are likable and ones that you normally root for. The romance is cute and clean. The morals made in this story are good morals that I want my kids to learn. i.e. “Well if you wanted a guy that is smart why haven’t you been developing that attribute in yourself” (Very paraphrased) This is a book that will have you turning pages all night and wishing for more. Which is great since there is a second one out and a third currently being written. But honestly if you like this book you don’t need to wait for the third. You can’t go wrong with anything Janette Rallison writes.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

-Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

-Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

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

As You Are

Review by Felicity

As You Are

by: Sarah M. Eden

Genre: Regency Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:  (back of book)

A horse breeder by trade, Corbin Jonquil is more at home in the stables than in the ballroom of his sprawling estate. Corbin is the quietest of the Jonquil brothers and has always faded into the background, contentedly unnoticed. When a mysterious young widow, Mrs. Clara Bentford, moves into the neighborhood, however, Corbin quickly comes to realize that being noticed has its advantages. But how to catch the eye of the lady? According to his brothers, Corbin need only make a few simple changes to transform himself into the object of any woman's desire dubious advice, indeed. Following a series of misadventures, Corbin and Clara slowly lower the facades behind which they've been hiding, leaving Corbin shocked by the horrors that haunt the woman he's coming to care for so ardently. When the menace of Clara's past threatens to tear them apart and tensions mount, will the couple have the courage to fight for the promise of forever?

Personal Review:

This is my new favorite of Sarah Eden’s books. Corbin is not your usual hero which makes him all the better. I also love how you get to see so many other characters from her other books. I suggest reading ‘Seeking Persephone’ if you haven’t already because my favorite part of this book is when the Duke of Kielder makes an appearance.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

The Lightning Thief

Review by Felicity

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)

by: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy/Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Greek gods (children born out of wedlock)

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Personal Review:

I loved the Percy Jackson movies that have recently came out so I decided to check out the books. I had a rough time getting through this 1st book, I think mostly because I had already seen the movie and I knew what was coming. I think this book is great for preteens, and I plan on reading some of the books that haven’t been made into movies yet because it is a fun fantasy story. However this is a case where I prefer the movie to the book.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling
Leven Thumps and The Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye

It's a Mall World After All

Review by Curry

It's a Mall World After All
by: Janette Rallison



Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

It's too bad they don't give out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, because I could graduate with honors in that subject.  No really.  Since I've worked there, I've become an expert on all things shopping-related. For example, I can tell you right off who to distrust at the mall:
  
1) Skinny people who work at Cinnabon.  I mean, if they're not eating the stuff they sell, how good can it be?

2) The salesladies at department store makeup counters.  No matter what they tell you, buying all that lip gloss will not make you look like the pouty models in the store posters.

3) And most importantly--my best friend's boyfriend, Bryant, who showed up at the food court with a mysterious blonde draped on his arm.

Yeah, I saw it, and yeah, I told my best friend all about it.

You would think this would mean trouble for Bryant, but you would basically be wrong.  Somehow, the evil boyfriend turned everything around, and now I'm the one who has to prove myself!  But I will. Even if Bryant--and more importantly his best friend, Colton--keep trying to stop me.

Personal Review:

Do not judge this book by it's cover! (or by the title) Yes, it is true that the title is cheesy and this is a teen high school book, but this is such a fun read for any girl no matter the age. If you are a female and you can read, then I recommend this book. Janette Rallison's writing is clever and hilarious. She has such a good way of making fun of her characters and yet making the reader understand them and fall in love with them. I like how the main character, Charlotte, was able to grow in this book. Heyes is actually the one that introduced me to this author, when I was in high school, and I love her! If you are like me and love cute romantic comedies but sometimes have a hard time finding clean ones, then you will love this book. Actually, you will probably love any Janette Rallison book.

- Curry

If you liked this, you might also enjoy:

All's Fair in Love War and High School by Janette Rallison
When the Bough Breaks by Kay Lynn Mangum
Slayers by C.J Hill