Review of A Reluctant Queen

This is the story of the Biblical Queen Esther, with a twist. The author takes several artistic liberties to turn the tale into a work of fictional romance.

To be honest, I expected something more – something better – from this book. The book of Esther in the Bible always stirs my emotions and pulls at my heartstrings, but somewhere, I think the author just missed the mark for me on that majestic quality. I really wanted to like it, but I found it quite difficult to do so. I think I'll put this book aside and return to it someday at a later time and see if I change my views about it, because the story itself has so much potential.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.

Day 5: Favorite Quote

I love quotes that make me think "YES! I couldn't have said it any better!!" They just describe exactly how I feel at exactly that point in my life. This particular quote that I'm going to share today has been my favorite quote for many years now, because it always fits how I feel about life.

"If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." -- Dolly Parton

That's so true. Whatever point I'm at in my life at the time, it may seem like a lot of hard times and a lot of struggle, but I know that it will eventually work out for the best. In fact, that leads me to another similar quote, but this one is Scripture.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

No one promises that all things are good (that would be foolishness), but all things work together for good to those who love God! Praise the Lord for that.

Day 4: Meaning Behind My Blog Name

Ooh, good topic. Actually, my blog name comes from one translation of The Illiad that begins by invoking a mythical Muse this way:

"Sing, O Muse, of the rage of Achilles..."

Muses were typically invoked at the beginning of Greek and Roman authors as they began to write poems/plays/etc. to help the author in telling the story as it should be, so it seems like a good blog name to me! haha. I don't know why, but that line has always resonated very well with me.

Day 3: Favorite TV Program

I've already talked a bit about a few of my favorite television programs, but I'll give you a little list of my current favorites.

Touched by an Angel: My all-time favorite!
The Golden Girls: Lots of good memories with the (former) roommate on this one! It always puts me in an instantly better mood to watch this program, no matter how many times I've seen each episode.
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: Such a wonderful show! And woo, is Sully HOT! haha

Here lately, I've been watching a bit of Xena, Warrior Princess (another show used to watch when I was younger), and my mother watches a lot of The Waltons, so I've been watching it with her. Don't tell anyone, but I actually usually enjoy it. ha!

Return to the 30-Day Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Favorite Movie

Yes, as you can see, I'm finally returning to the 30-day blogging challenge now that I actually have time to do this type of thing. I have a few other things I want/need to blog about as well, but I'll just start with this. So, without further ado, my favorite movie is...

The Sound of Music!! I've watched that movie more times than I can count, and it never gets old! I consider myself to be quite picky when it comes to movies, but this particular one has everything I could ever ask for in a movie: music, romance, humor, life lessons, nuns (lol), and so much more. I adore it, and if I ever have children someday, you can bet that they'll grow up watching this movie and learning these classic songs!

Review of Promises to Keep

Roz is an eleven-year-old girl whose world has been turned upside down when her mother decides to leave her alcoholic father and move the family to a new home. There, the family meets an elderly stranger named Tillie, who makes a significant impact on all of their lives. Despite multiple warnings, all Roz wants is her father back, and she, along with a new friend with a similar wish, is determined for this to happen. Secrets form and grow beyond Roz's control, and the consequences of them teach her important lessons along the way.

I feel as though I can't say enough about how much I loved this book. I hadn't expected to like it this much, but I found almost immediately that once I started reading, I didn't want to put this book down. The writing itself is powerful and beautiful, and the story is a truly captivating one. At first, I found myself annoyed with both Roz and Tillie, each for different reasons, but to my delight, they both developed into lovable characters (despite Roz's constant need to learn her lesson – until the end, of course). All in all, this was an excellent book, and I've already been recommending it to others.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.

Review of The Seraph Seal

The Seraph Seal begins with Paul Binder being pulled into a complex mission of a search for answers from apocryphal prophecies of long ago that are finally coming to fruition in the year 2048. The story mixes fiction with fact to bring a new perspective on the end-times prophecies.

I really wanted to love this book. Really, I did... but I couldn't. I found the book long-winded and very slow-paced. I kept hoping that it would get better, but it never did. The basis for the plot line of the book is amazing, but it, very unfortunately, just didn't hold up in this case. I didn't feel that the writing style fit the potential for the story. I couldn't even finish the book, and that rarely ever happens, particularly when my expectations are as high as they were for this book.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.

Review of Save the Date

Lucy is an independent young woman who is the head of a transitional housing shelter for disadvantaged young women. Because of a painful history with a former boyfriend, Lucy is hesitant to share her heart again. Former NFL star and aspiring Congressman Alex Sinclair appears to be her complete opposite. When the two meet at a gala event, the media claims them to be a couple. Alex develops an idea that will help both Lucy in her efforts to save her home for the young girls and himself in gaining a seat in Congress.

This was a wonderful, well-written, and lighthearted novel from Jenny B. Jones. I had never read anything by Jones before receiving this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers, though I had previously heard of her work. I'm definitely not disappointed! The characters were likeable and realistic, and the story was painted in a way that really draws you in and keeps your attention the whole way through. I loved it.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.