Book Review ~ Where We Belong

Product Description

During the Victorian era of 1892, sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian women. They enjoy adventure and end up in the Sinai Desert to find an important biblical manuscript with their butler and ladies' maid in tow. The travelers are hit with a dangerous life threatening sandstorm and now they question what has shaped their lives up to this point.

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HELLO EVERYONE!!!  It has been a loooong time!  First off, happy November!  I hope you are all enjoying autumn/fall.   Today, I am here to do a book review for you all.  This book was much bigger than what I thought it was going to be.  But in the end, I'm glad it was.

This book goes back and forth from the "past" to the "present" of their time.  I liked how you not only see the characters grow, but you see all the things that shaped them into who they are.  The book is divided into sections, starting with the oldest sister, Rebecca.  It moves to Flora, then Petersen (the "butler"), then Kate, and back for the ending with Rebecca.  

I didn't mind this set up at all.  I did think that it was interesting that quite a bit of the book (I believe most of it) is set in the past, but that is understandable.  The reason being is that when you first start the book you are thrown right into the Sinai desert with two sisters, two servants and not a clue as to why they are doing this (other then the description telling you that they love adventure).

Let's talk about characters, shall we?  I loved both Rebecca and Flora.  They are both so different, yet they compliment each other.  It was really nice to read a book with two sisters and to see how much they truly love each other.  Rebecca is spunky, fearless, and loves adventure.  Flora is sweet, soft hearted, and kind.  As for Petersen, I felt for the guy.  I thought his story was very sad, but has a sweet ending.  Kate...was my least favorite.  Her story is sad as well, but I didn't know it till towards the end.  At the very end it was better, but for most of the book I didn't like her. 

I love how Christian based this book is.  The sisters are very strong believers (which I love!) and their saying is "God knows when the end of our days will be. We have nothing to fear."  <3 

Honestly, this is such a lovely book with so much in it is not very easy to review.  There are so many good, Godly principles.  So much to take away and apply to our own lives.  God has a special plan for each of our lives, He will always take care of us, and He is always with us.  Truly, a lovely book, with a beautiful story. I enjoyed it immensely and I highly recommend it!

5 out of 5 stars

Content: There is a scene in a brothel, but nothing happens to the character.  However, it is mentioned that the girl next store was entertaining someone.

*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

And the Winner is...

                                                                Drumroll please...

And the winner is...

MISS WOODHOUSE!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Miss Woodhouse!!!  You have won the giveaway!!!!  

Would you please comment your email address?  If you'd like, let me know if you don't want it published and it will be for my eyes only (since I monitor all the comments). :)

Congratulations again!!!  And thank you to everyone else who entered!!!! :D

Book Review // The Assault

Publisher's Description

The Next Wave of Stories in the Harbingers Series Arrives

Cycle 2 of the Harbingers series continues the story of four gifted strangers brought together to fight a growing darkness.

In Bill Myers's "The Revealing," the team finds themselves in Rome trying to retrieve the mystical spear Hitler once owned--the very spear that pierced Christ's side. This task will take them from hidden chambers inside the Vatican to a mysterious seaside cave with powers they could never expect.

Frank Peretti's "Infestation" unleashes a microscopic evil on the world that deceives, blinds, kills, then spreads. The Harbingers team must confront a monster bent on seducing and destroying mankind.

In "Infiltration" by Angela Hunt, the team is wounded and barely holding together. Forced to split up, they realize their investigations have led them into dangerous waters.

Alton Gansky's "The Fog" unleashes a supernatural mist unlike any other. There are vicious things in the fog that kill whatever they find. One team member realizes that the ultimate sacrifice may have to be made.

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I reviewed the first 'cycle' of these books, Invitation and loved it.  When I saw that I could get the second 'cycle', The Assault to review, you bet I requested it.  

If you don't know, these four authors, Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky teamed up to each write from their characters point of view, each with a completely different story.  

The Reveling by Bill Myers. 

In Bill Myers book, he writes as Brenda, the tough tattoo artist.  This book is set in Rome.  From the Vatican to the underground catacombs and back up to the beach where a strange familiar house lies.  The team experience's strange things inside the house and beyond.  A fast paced, exciting adventure for sure. 

Infestation by Frank Peretti.

Frank Peretti writes from the Professor's point of view.  When the Professor finds out his assistant, Andi is in an Mental Facility in Florida, him and Brenda go to find out what happened.  Of course, Tank does show up.  Andi is seeing things they can't and she acts like they aren't there.  This book was probably my favorite of the four.  It was very interesting and kind of creepy at the same time. But that's what I liked about it.   Super interesting, fast-paced book.

Infiltration by Angela Hunt.

Angela Hunt writes as Andi.  The Professor's smart assistant who sees patterns everywhere.  After what happened in Infestation, Andi isn't quite herself yet.  The team stays at a house the Professor has rented out, learning more about their enemy and recuperating a bit.  I didn't like that Andi got hypnotized, but Tank was against as was Daniel.  But in the end, it was bad idea.  And I don't think she'll do that again.  Otherwise, another interesting book.

The Fog by Alton Gansky

Alton Gansky writes as Tank, a big loveable ex football player.  He is the only one in the team that believes in Jesus (I don't know about Daniel.  He is a ten year old who sees angels and doesn't talk much).  In The Fog, the team is in San Diego.  They go to a party of a retiring architect.  It's in a tall building and after an earthquake there appears a fog down below.  But what is in the fog is far more disturbing.  There are monsters that swim through the fog and...basically eat people.  And soon the fog is steadily rising. Through an act of bravery, Tank risks his life to save others.

These books are fast-paced, fascinating and edge of your seat thrillers.  They are a cross between sci-fi and thriller. One thing that did bother me was that in 'The Revealing', the Professor asks someone if they are "part of a special needs program," because they were saying he couldn't see someone.  I didn't appreciate him saying that.  Otherwise, I enjoy these books very much.  I hope they keep going.  

5 out of 5 stars

*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Two Years Ago (And a Giveaway)

It was on this day two years ago I posted my second post and continued blogging.  I had published my first post in March, but hadn't posted again till...August 8th, 2015.  It's hard to believe that I have had a blog that long.  Time sure goes by fast!

I feel that I have accomplished a lot having this blog.  I have made friends, been able to share some of my life, and my style came forth.  I give this blog the credit.  I even got to meet one of my blogging friends, Mary!  Which was AWESOME!!!

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I would like to thank each and everyone of you.  Thank you for reading my lil blog.  Thank you for your sweet comments.  They make my day. <3  And thank you for being my friends.  In honor of my blog's two year anniversary, I have a little giveaway/drawing.

If you win, you shall receive one vintage postcard, one vintage hankie, and three brooches.  Only one winner.  Must be in the US to participate.  

Now, how do you enter?  Just leave me a comment below saying that you'd like to enter the drawing.  If you leave a comment and do not mention the drawing, I shall not enter you.  One entry per person.  Sorry, a lot of rules, but you get the idea. ;)  

Giveaway will end Tuesday, August 15th at midnight.    I shall announce the winner Wednesday, August 16th.  Thank you all!

Thank you again for following my blog. <3

Many blessings,

Morgan

An Unexpected Hiatus//Life Update

Hi...remember me?  Yeah, it's been awhile.  Well it's official.  I haven't posted in a month!  What?!  How did that happen??  I mean, it's not like I didn't try to write, I did.  But I never finished a post and thus they never got published.

How has your summer been???  Mine has been going great!!  Busy, but great!  I've been swimming, went to some movies, got to go to Tahoe for the day to meet someone very special...any guesses who I met????  Well, if you guessed Mary, then you were right!!!!  Yes, it is true.  I was blessed to meet the author of Sunshine and Scribblings, Ms. Mary herself.  It was AMAZING!!!  She was super sweet and nice and ahh...it was such a lovely time.  "I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob."  Well, minus the crying part. ;D Kudos to you if you catch that quote!  And of course, we took some pictures.  Here we are together.

And yes, her hair is lovely. <3  And also yes, I'm a little petite. :D

Remember when I told you guys the story of seeing the soldier coming home at the airport?  I mentioned that we were getting a puppy.  Well, technically she is still a puppy, but she is a biggy girl!  Everyone, meet Beatrice.

She is an English Bulldog.  Ain't she pretty?  She's a little love (well, when she wants to be ;)).

A little bit of an update on reading.  I've been working on The Circle by Ted Dekker.  I'm already on the last/first book Green (if you've read them, you know what I mean ;)).  I have also read some of Peter Pan.

I am also knitting a sweater!  It's from a 1940's pattern.  I really hope it turns out.  This is the first time I've used a knitting pattern.  So, we'll see what happens. ;D

And some pretty exciting news...I'm going to be modeling vintage clothing!!!  I am SUPER excited!!  There is this lady I follow on Instagram that isn't too far from where I live.  She is an Etsy seller of...you guessed it, vintage clothing.  After some talking back and forth, I am going to go to a photo shoot at the end of the month.  Eeeepppp.  So excited!

Well, I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!  I guess I'll end this Veggie Tales style.

"Remember, God made you special.  And He loves you very much.  Bye!"

Book Review ~ Unraveling by Sara Ella

Publisher's Description

"A sequel that outshines its already brilliant predecessor." —Nadine Brandes, award-winning author of the Out of Time trilogy

What happens when happily ever after starts to unravel?

Eliyana Ember doesn’t believe in true love. Not anymore. After defeating her grandfather and saving the Second Reflection, El only trusts what’s right in front of her. The tangible. The real. Not some unexplained Kiss of Infinity she once shared with the ghost of a boy she’s trying to forget. She has more important things to worry about—like becoming queen of the Second Reflection, a role she is so not prepared to fill.
Now that the Verity is intertwined with her soul and Joshua’s finally by her side, El is ready to learn more about her mysterious birth land, the land she now rules. So why does she feel like something—or someone—is missing?
When the thresholds begin to drain and the Callings, those powerful magical gifts, begin to fail, El wonders if her link to Ky Rhyen may have something to do with it. For light and darkness cannot coexist. She needs answers before the Callings disappear altogether. Can El find a way to sever her connection to Ky and save the Reflections—and keep herself from falling for him in the process?

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O. My. Word.  What a book!  For any of you who don't know, this is the second book in the Unblemished trilogy by Sara Ella.  And boy, oh boy, was it good (I'm still having a book hang over wishing the third book, Unbreakable was out).

It took me a little bit to try to remember who was who with some of the characters.  Cause there are quite a few to remember.  I also wish that there was a family tree or something so that it is easier to make connections with who is related to who.

The characters were great.  Of course, if you read my review for Unblemished, you know how much I loved Ky (And I still do.  So, so, MUCH).  But this time, I loved El as well.  She is unsure of herself and yet is stronger in this book.  I like the change in her.  She was a great character in this book.  And Joshua...well you just have to read the book to find out about him. 

The different worlds are cool.  Nice to see some other reflections.  It was honestly an awesome book.  I love the scenes with Ky and El.  They are just so...ah...I just love them together. <3  I also liked that this one was different from the first book.  In the first one they are trying to stop Crowe and save Eliyana's mom.  But in this one, well, you'll see. ;) 

I was so happy when Ky finally entered the picture.  He is only really in the book the second half.  The first half...well, you'll have to read it to find out (sorry, don't want to spoil anything :)).

I am loving the Unblemished trilogy and I cannot wait for the third and final one.  I can't believe I have to wait till May of 2018!  This book left quite the cliff hanger (well the first one, too, but this one maybe even more).  A bit of a suggestion, don't read this book without reading the first one, you will be VERY confused.

Overall, this book is another dive into the Reflections and visiting other worlds.  It's about friendship, courage, and love.  Well done Sara Ella!

5 out of 5 stars

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review ~ High as the Heavens

Publisher's Description

Page-Turning Intrigue and Romance from an Up-and-Coming Historical Romance Talent
In 1917, Evelyn Marche is just one of many women who has been widowed by the war. A British nurse trapped in German-occupied Brussels, she spends her days working at a hospital and her nights as a waitress in her aunt and uncle's café. Eve also has a carefully guarded secret keeping her in constant danger: She's a spy working for a Belgian resistance group in league with the British Secret Service.

When a British plane crashes in Brussels Park, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to discover she recognizes the badly injured pilot. British RFC Captain Simon Forrester is now a prisoner of war, and Eve knows he could be shot as a spy at any time. She risks her own life to hide him from the Germans, but as the danger mounts and the secrets between them grow, their chance of survival looks grim. And even if they do make it out alive, the truth of what lies between them may be more than any love can overcome.

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High as the Heavens is set during WWI.  It was an interesting enough read with some twists and turns in it.  Some of it was a bit boring and slow.  I didn't care for at the beginning of the book that the chapters went from present to past to present and so forth.  Simon was sweet, kind, and very patient. Eve was brave, smart, and courageous. Also, Eve went through some very horrible things that may be disturbing for some readers.

However, I cannot say that I was super attached to the characters. I did find it interesting that she worked for the British Secret Service as a spy.  Like I said, there are some twists and turns, but the book for the most part was a bit slow for my taste, but at the same time wasn't dull.  There is a scene towards the end that was more fast paced that I enjoyed.

The book also has quite a bit of kissing and descriptions of feelings, flutters and so forth (though I do understand why).  And quite honestly, I didn't care for the ending.  The war was still going on and things didn't quite "tie up nicely" so to speak.  

Overall, it's a story of love, forgiveness, and mercy. Also, I found it cool that she based Eve after three real life women of WWI. If you enjoy romance set during WWI, you will like this book.

*best for more mature readers

3 out of 5 stars

*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

P.S. HAPPY JULY!!! *fireworks**