She Walks In Beauty a book review

Another book review from the books I receive from Bethany House Publishers.

She Walks In Beauty is set in 100 New York City. Debutant's, glitter, balls, and rich heirs dominate the book. Clara Carter is destined to win the hearts of high society. Though her Dad is manipulative and buying her way into the papers and high society. Clara is holding out hope for true love though, she doesn't want to conform to the mold of the day.

I enjoyed this book. Admittedly not the best I have ever read but I wanted to finish the book because I really didn't know how it was going to end. I wanted to know the ending and was looking forward to see how the author summed up the book.

Book Review- Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

I have been reading books that I received free to review by Bethany House Publishers. I am in the contemporary Christian Fiction Mystery genre and have really enjoyed all the books I have read. This is the third of the four given me.

Never Say Never takes place in Daily, TX. With real Southern charm Christian ladies out to have a good time on a cruise. Hurricane Glorietta has a different plan in mind. The ladies get rescued by a young lady who is searching for her place in this world, could it be Daily, TX?

I really enjoyed this book. Its a fun mix of drama, romance, and finding that God's plans are not always yours. You need to follow His design though and trust that all will work out for his glory in the end.

Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel

I have been receiving books from Bethany House Publishing to read and review. The latest was Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel. Its Christian Contemporary Mystery Fiction. Although the Christian parts are sparse and they seem to just be thrown in to make the book sell in Christian circles, the book itself was quite enjoyable. I am a mystery fan and this had a good amount of mystery and intrigue in it. It deals with the Baxter family in Upstate New York and the "Royalty" they represent. Hidden underneath though are secrets that end up ripping the family apart and creating the main themes of lies and betrayal, ending in forgiveness that is the crux of this book. Hunter's Moon was a good read and I would recommend it.

Beguiled- Deeanne Gist, J. Mark Bertrand

Finally! I have been looking and looking for a good read and this one fell into my lap. Bethany House Publishers sends out emails to interested parties and sends free books to those who would read them and write a review of them. I was so excited to receive this last group of books its contemporary mystery christian fiction. Beguiled was exciting although not heavy on the Christianity it was a really great book. Set in present day Charleston you have a beautiful heroine in a dog walker, a good looking reporter rescuing the damsel in distress, and the makings of a really great book. With a string of robberies that are to a Robin Hood theme, stealing from the rich to give to the poor, all pointing toward Rylee what is the innocent dog walker to do? You will really enjoy this book with its twist and turns through the historic streets of Charleston as Rylee and Logan try to figure out this mystery. Filled with romance, intrigue, and Christian background Beguiled is a great read.

Though Waters Roar- A Book Review

I have been receiving books from Bethany House Publishers to read and review. This is my next book review, Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin.

This book was very slow in its development. The time periods were Civil War and Abolitionist, with some Sister suffragist mingled in. The Author wrote jumping from one time period to the other and sometimes it was very hard to remember what character had done what. I couldn't get into the book I felt it was to slow. I am usually fond of historical fiction but this was a hard book for me to read and enjoy.

Derek's 7th Birthday

We celebrated Derek's 7th birthday last week. The official day of his birth is January 20, 2003. But in famous Sears style we celebrated almost all week long. With dinner on Wednesday night being chicken patty Parmesan, per Derek's request.

Followed with a Razzleberry pie from Marie Calendar.

Derek likes a berry pie, and although I am not afraid of pastry cooking I am not ready for a berry pie yet. So we instead went with the store bought berry pie, needless to say all were quite happy with the decision. Derek received a flashlight from Nathan, a "Nate the Great" book from Sarah, and a sleeping bag from good old mom and dad! To make life perfect he got Lego Star Wars in the mail from Michelle, one he didn't have yet and his birthday presents were a success!

Realizing that I hadn't make him a scrapbook in over 2 years I got right to work on a book for him and was able to finish it in time for our Saturday party that included both sets of Grandparents. Although we live with the Sears' we of course did not get a picture with them. That would be to easy! But we did get a Graeser Grandparent picture, right before Nathan used Grandpa Joe's legs as a slide!

Every Jedi has to have his own light saber was the theme for the birthday party. As accented by the 4' Light saber that I made with a girl friend on Friday night. We had a lot of fun with it. Derek's favorite color is green, and Yoda just happened to grace our napkins so there you have it. Star Wars is a particular obsession of my son's so we went with it.

To finish up the birthday fun we dined at Chuck E Cheese in Erie, PA. What a mad house. We had a great time though! It was supposed to be a surprise for Derek because he wanted a surprise so bad but thank you Sarah for blowing the surprise on Saturday morning. We come down stairs to, Mom and Dad I forgot that Chuck E Cheese was supposed to be a surprise," says Sarah. "No you didn't," says Derek, "You told me mom and dad don't want you to know but we are going to Chuck E Cheese for dinner tonight!" Ah yes the joys of having your 5 year old know a surprise! But luckily enough Uncle Jon and Aunt Jessica and Noah were meeting for dinner too so they could be the surprise. Until Tim blows that one buckling the kids in the car. Yes Derek we are sorry I surprise was not in the cards for you this birthday!

Over all I would say the birthday was a success. I can not believe that my son is 7, that he can read and write and spell and do math and so on. He is in first grade and I should believe that he can do all of this but its still hard to wrap my mind around. I do claim Phil 1:3 though "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you" Derek I do thank God for you every day! I love you buddy!