Book Reviews

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay Rating: 5/5

As I was browsing on the internet yesterday looking for some more books to read (like I don’t already have enough on my “to-read” list), I came across Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley. I vaguely remembered hearing about the book through NetGalley but I don’t believe I was able to get a copy of it ahead of time. It’s been out for a while now and I’ve pretty much heard only great things about it. Since I love all of Jane Austen’s books, I was intrigued and wanted to read this book. I noticed on Amazon that I could get a copy of the book for FREE by signing up for their Kindle Romance newsletter ($9.99 value) so I said to myself, “Why not?” Haha. I decided to start reading last night and basically, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up all night, but I had to know what happened at the end. So here’s my review…

Samantha (aka Sam) Moore grew up in the foster care system after being abandoned by her parents outside a post office. Constantly switching from the group home, Grace House, to multiple foster families, she grew up trying to escape the harsh realities of her life through reading, through her books. Her favorites, of course, were her classic romances, but Father John of Grace House also introduced her to mysteries. She is incredibly well read and intelligent. Through a grant, she has the opportunity to attend the prestigious journalism graduate program at Northwestern University; however, she must write letters to her anonymous benefactor going under the pseudonym, Mr. G. Knightley. She was fired from her last job after being told she wasn’t able to connect with her colleagues – as a foster child, she had gotten that same comment when she failed to connect with her foster family. Through her letters to Mr. Knightley, Sam is able to bear her heart and discover the strength to overcome her fears of letting people in. Her professor challenges her to write from a more personal point of view since she seems so distant, even in her writing. When she’s in defense mode, she starts quoting lines from her favorite classics (mostly Austen) and envisioning herself as the different heroines (or heroes); she hides behind her beloved literary characters without exposing who she is. Sam must learn who she is and who she can trust to let inside her life. She meets some amazing characters challenge her views on life – who give her hope while scaring her to death. Ashley, a fellow graduate student, becomes her best friend and potential Emma. Josh, her new boyfriend, is one she believes is her Colonel Brandon. Retired Professor Muir and his wife take her in as their own daughter, having never had children of their own. Kyle, a fellow foster kid, becomes her running partner and the one who gets her to open up and write about her true feelings. Alex, the famous mystery author, becomes a friend and confidante. Mr. G. Knightley, the anonymous donor, becomes one of Sam’s dearest friends. Will Sam succeed in opening her heart? Can she find a way to write in a more personal way? Can she find a way to trust when she’s been hurt all her life? Can she find the One who heals and makes whole?

Seriously, I loved this book. Sam is full of amazing quotes from some of my personal favorite classics. She expertly has quotes for every situation, every retort. She is brilliant but also uses those quotes to distance herself from those who would be her friends. As the reader, I’m brought into her world from the first person point of view. At first her letters were a little hard to get into, but I found the groove and couldn’t stop reading. I guessed the ending before I was halfway through but I had to read to the end to see if I was right. For being Katherine Reay’s first novel, it’s beautiful. I loved every second. The characters were flawed and so real. I definitely cried a few different times. My heart went out to Kyle and his struggles. I got so caught up in Sam’s world I didn’t want the book to end. The religious thread is subtle, in my opinion, and I don’t think it would offend anyone; however, the thread is beautifully woven throughout the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the classic romances. You won’t be disappointed. Rating: 5/5.

Here’s the book trailer for the book:

March 25, 2014 by Kim Book Reviews

GET IT: Inspy Kisses Collection #1 on sale for $0.99 Kindle edition!

So I just received an email from one of my favorite authors, Camy Tang, and she contributed to this brand new novella, Inspy Kisses, First Kisses! Yay! For a limited time, the novella is only $0.99 for the Kindle or other e-book version of preference, so get on it! Also, if you purchase the book, you can send a FREE copy to a friend aka send a kiss! Details can be found here.

From the website:

Enjoy this collection of love stories with a theme of FIRST KISSES. The First Kisses collection includes:

From New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author Linda Goodnight comes a new historical romance The Rambler’s Bride
In 1870’s Kansas, Widow Esther North will do most anything to save her land from her powerful cousin and the coming railroad-even kiss a stranger! The kissing cowboy, Jericho North is bent on revenge from his brother’s widow, and the will hidden in his pocket is all he needs to make it happen. But he hadn’t reckoned on a baby…and neither he nor Esther had reckoned on love.

From USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author Janet Tronstad comes a new retro romance Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Cafe
Janet pens a brand-new Retro Café Sweet Romance starring a 1950’s truck driver (Buddy) and a waitress (Penny) who both have enough trouble without everyone in Webster’s Crossing thinking they are falling in love.

From #1 Amazon Bestselling author Debra Clopton comes a new contemporary romanceHer Mule Hollow Cowboy
Rescuing a beautiful cowgirl from being trampled has professional bull rider, Cliff Masterson, dreaming of romance, home, hearth and that first kiss…but Maddie Rose has had enough people in her life leave and she’s not willing to risk her heart on a rambling cowboy—Sparks fly when these two are near. Can the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow help this couple find their happily ever after?

From #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Margaret Daley comes a new romantic suspenseDeadly Hunt
All bodyguard Tess Miller wants is a vacation. But when a wounded stranger stumbles into her isolated cabin in the Arizona mountains, Tess becomes his lifeline. When Shane Burkhart opens his eyes, all he can focus on is his guardian angel leaning over him. And in the days to come he will need a guardian angel while being hunted by someone who wants him dead.

From fan favorite Camy Tang comes a new romantic suspense Necessary Proof
Alex Villa became a Christian in prison, and because of his efforts to help stop a gang producing meth in Sonoma, he has been set up for the death of a cop. Can computer expert Jane Lawton find the evidence that will prove his innocence before the gang eliminates them both?

From fan favorite Lacy Williams comes a new contemporary romance Kissed by a Cowboy
Former shy-girl Haley Carston is back in Redbud Trails, Oklahoma, to care for her dying aunt. She didn’t count on cowboy Maddox Michaels, her high school crush and the man who might just bring her dreams of marriage and family back to life…

Watch the trailer!

March 18, 2014 by Kim Book Reviews For Fun

Book Review: Stranded by Dani Pettrey Rating: 4.5/5

As much as I love going to the library in my hometown, it usually lacks the Christian fiction that I love to read. But when I was browsing the “New Books” section, I came across a book cover that looked like a Christian book. I don’t know what to say except that I can recognize certain book covers as a Christian book. It’s a gift. I know, right? Having never heard of the author, I read the back of the book for a teaser. I saw a review by Dee Henderson, who is one of my favorite authors, and decided to give it a try. I was a little hesitant to read the book since it was the third book in the Alaskan Courage series, but my risk paid off with an exciting story that I can’t wait to read more of.

A former undercover investigative reporter, Darcy St. James, is pulled back into the secretive and complicated life she left behind when her old college roommate and colleague, Abby, asks for her help in her latest investigation involving an Alaskan cruise liner and its excursions. However, after Darcy arrives posing as an adventure journalist, she discovers her good friend missing. Is it a coincidence that someone had fallen overboard the same night that Abby went missing? Darcy is determined to find her friend by befriending any of the crew who will help her out. Can she find out what had Abby so frightened? Who can she trust?

Meet Gage McKenna. He volunteered to be the on deck activities coordinator representing his family’s outdoor adventure company. He leads the excursions and has the clients’ lives in in his capable hands. Having met Darcy (in the previous book #2), Gage and Darcy have an interesting history and sizzling chemistry, but after 5 months of radio silence, can they pick up where they left off? Is Gage the only person on board who Darcy can trust, or will he blow her cover? Gage cannot stand the fact that Darcy has returned to subterfuge. He hates her job and all the lies, but he can’t seem to get her out from under his skin. His need to protect and watch over her could get them both into trouble, as well as endanger his family and the other clients. Will they be able to set aside their differences and discover the awful truth – what Abby was investigating? Can Gage let go of his bitterness and turn to the One who forgives and gives life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting mystery thriller. It has everything a girl could want – adventure, mystery, suspense, and romance. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and their thought processes. They weren’t perfect; they had doubts and struggles. They were real and identifiable. Getting to know the McKenna family made me want to read the previous books in the series. Pettrey also set up the main characters for her next book, Silenced, and now I need to read that one too but it doesn’t come out till May 2014. From my brief look into the author, this is only her first series and third book and I’m super impressed. She has a gift.

I rated the book a 4.5 of out 5 because as much as I enjoyed the book, I was still able to put it down in the beginning. The beginning hooks the reader but it wasn’t quite enough for me to stop everything and finish the book right away. There’s a beautiful thread of God’s love and forgiveness that’s woven throughout the book without getting too preachy. I definitely recommend this book because it has something for everyone.