Stacking the Shelves ~ February

Here are all the books I have acquired this month: 

For review:

Ebooks:

Physical Books:

Check out what everyone else is stacking on their shelves at Tynga's Reviews.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Better All the Time

What I am waiting on:

Better All the Time by Carre Armstrong Gardener

When will it release? April 1, 2015

Why am I waiting? I really enjoyed the first book in this series, All Right Here. I am looking forward to finding out what happens to the Darling family.

Book Review: Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl

 

This romantic suspense story follows Sarah Miller as she tries to discover who her sister's killer is. At first the murder looks like a robbery gone wrong, but as the evidence reveals itself, this murder bears a striking resemblance to Sarah's parent's murder years before. Sarah and her friend Paul have to find out who the real killer is before he comes after Sarah.

I thought this story was fast paced and interesting. Every chapter seemed to have a cliffhanger that made me want to keep reading. I also liked the small town setting. Sarah's mentor Janet was a strong character that helped guide and encourage Sarah as she was making decisions and struggling with self doubt.

Unfortunately, I can't say I enjoyed the writing style. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and many of the conversations seemed forced and overly formal. I was hoping for a little more romance, too.

Overall, this was an entertaining read. If you like romantic suspense, you will probably enjoy this book. It does stand on its own, but there are spoilers for the first book in the series, Gathering Shadows. I would recommend starting with book one.

I received this book from Bethany House for free for the purpose of review.

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Book Heroines

Here are some of my favorite ladies in literature.

Jane Eyre ~ I want to be Jane when I grow up.


Violet Hayes ~ smart, clever, and very determined


Alice Grace Ripley ~ This girl puts up with a lot, and finally gets the adventure she has always wanted.


Susan Mitchell ~ No ordinary soccer mom


Julie Desmit ~ I have never rooted for anyone harder.


Camilla Deardon ~ My heart broke for her.


Jennifer Graham ~ This woman got her act together and became a funeral home director.

Anne Elliot ~ We need more people like Anne in this world.

Those are some of the women in books who have stuck with me. Check out more top ten lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ The Pharaoh's Daughter

The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

When does it release? March 17, 2015

Why am I waiting? I have been enjoying books set in ancient Egypt recently. I have read a book by this author before and enjoyed it. And, of course, the cover is beautiful and haunting.

Check out more upcoming releases at Breaking the Spine.

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Bookish Pet Peeves

I love reading. However, there are few things about the reading experience that can really bug me. Here are a few of my bookish pet peeves.

Names I can't pronounce ~ This happens a lot in the Fantasy genre. It bugs me. A LOT. I find it very distracting. I just keep reading it over and over, trying to figure it out. I know there's a glossary in the back, but who wants to flip to the back of the book every time there's a name.

Book two in a series ~ There are very few series I enjoy the whole way through. I don't know why I keep trying. They just start out so great. Then comes book two, and it's  a huge disappointment. I have to find out what happens, so then I read book three. It ends on a huge cliffhanger. Finally, four years later, I finish the whole series only to find the author is starting a spin off series with some of the secondary characters. ARRRGH!

Mass Market Paperbacks ~ They are too small, and they look funny next to the other books on my shelf.

Cover Changes ~ I'm not a big book collector, but I do like the books I have to look good together.

Gushy Love Stories ~ I generally don't read Romance novels. 

Finding the Kindle book on sale after I have paid full price for the physical book ~ This is my number one pet peeve. It bugs me to my very core. 

There are few of my bookish pet peeves. check out more top ten lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

Quick Lit ~ February

Here's what I've been reading and what I plan on reading next.


Like a Flower in Bloom
This was my read for Valentine's week. I am not a big fan of romances, but Siri Mitchell always writes one I enjoy. This one involved a smart botanist who cannot get the men in her life to take her seriously and a sheep farmer who can't get the botanist to take him seriously. Very cute and funny.


Secrets of a Charmed Life
This one will be on my favorites of 2015. I love Susan Meissner's writing. This one was even better than I thought it would be. Loved it!


The Club
This one was pretty good. I was asked by the author to review it. It has an interesting premise and lots of twists and turns. This time line was a little confusing, but I liked the two detectives working the case. If you like mystery/thrillers give it a try.


Women of the Word
I read this in one night. It didn't really say anything I hadn't already heard, but the writing was engaging. It's pretty much inductive Bible study, but simpler. It's definitely worth the read.

Currently Reading:

All Right Here
I'm enjoying this family drama, and looking forward to the next installment.

Up Next:

For Such a Time
I've had this one on my shelf for a while. I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Check out more Quick Lit at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Mist of Midnight

What I'm waiting on :

 

Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd

When will it release? March 10, 2015

Why am I waiting? I have enjoyed Ms. Byrd's Ladies in Waiting series. I love Gothic settings. I may have to pre-order this one.

Check out more upcoming releases at Breaking the Spine.

Top Ten Tuesday ~ It's a Love Story

It's February and love is in the air! Here are some of my favorite literary love stories.


Unrivaled ~ This one is set in a candy factory. Perfect for Valentine's Day!


Wonderland Creek and Until We Reach Home have very subtle and original love stories.

Here are a couple of classics I enjoyed:


And this is probably my favorite:

A Proper Pursuit has my favorite meet-cute ever.

Check out more top ten lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

Waiting on Wednesday ~ A Spool of Blue Thread

What I am waiting for:

A Spool of Blue Thread

When will it release? February 10, 2015

Why am I waiting? The only Anne Tyler book I have read is Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. That book was so engrossing and so bittersweet, I still think about it years later. I was excited to see that she has a new book coming out this year. I am hoping my library will be getting a copy. I love the simple cover art.

Check out more upcoming releases at Breaking the Spine.

Book Review ~ Beneath the Forsaken City

 

Beneath the Forsaken City is book Two in the Song of Seare series, and picks up where Oath of the Brotherhood picks up. You should definitely read book one first, or you will be hopelessly lost. This series follows Conor, a young prince, as he tries to save his world from the Red Druid. These books move quickly and have lots of action. I enjoyed this latest installment, and can't wait for the next book.

Beneath the Forsaken City has lots of twists and turns, and also good character development. There is some tension in the love story which is interesting. I would recommend this series for fantasy fans, and also for readers who are interested in trying fantasy. The books aren't very long, and the story is easy to follow.

I  received this book for free from Tyndale for the purpose of review.

Ten Tuesday ~ Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read Yet

Here are ten books I want to read, but, for some reason, keep putting off.

 

Check out more top ten lists at The Broke and the Bookish.