Review of ‘Until That Distant Day’ by Jill Stengl

Until That Distant Day is a very dramatic story. It goes from one extreme to the next and brings you on a true ride through Paris. Jill is a true story-teller and almost right away I was drawn into the story.

However, I was almost as quickly taken out of the story by all the French words and large uncommon English words. I studied very little French when I was in school, so I could fairly well piece together what was being said despite not fully knowing what each word or phrase meant in English.

I got to read this story as a file on the computer and so I didn’t know Jill had included a French glossary until after I had stumbled my way through and around the words I did not know. If I had the physical book in hand, I think it would have been a better help because then I could reference the glossary in the back.

Truth be told, I am not sure how many people will actually read the whole story because of all the French and the big English words. People who read a lot probably will have no issue reading this, however, I think some who don’t read as often or have a great education may have a fairly difficult time.

It is not that the story is not good because it is! – but it is rather exhausting trying to figure out what the French means or what the uncommon English words mean.

The characters are well described, the story has the strength to tug at your heart. My favorite characters are easily Leonie and Etienne (hopefully I spell his name correctly). I didn’t really care for Pascoe – in fact, there were moments when he flipped personalities so much it made my head spin.

There were moments I cried, a few moments I chuckled – but overall, I never fully got into the book the way I like to. In fact, if I am honest, I skimmed over the last hundred pages or so.

In short, it is a very well written novel with lots of dramatic twists and turns, the characters are well thought out and well written, but I found it to be simply a story and not a captivating work of art.

I give it a 3 ½ out of 5 and hope others find it to be more captivating than I did. However, Jill does have a talent for writing and I think she should continue to develop it.

Review of 'Caught in the Middle' by Regina Jennings

Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy.

The cover of this book makes me laugh - mostly because it reminds me of myself - and it actually describes the plot very well.

My favorite character is easily Nicholas Lovelace (though I find that a strange last name... not that I have room to talk since I am a writer myself and come up with some odd ones also.). I love how he pursues Anne despite her determination to push him away. Too many guys nowadays are scared to be the one who pursues the woman. The pursuit of a woman is not following her around and asking her out for years on end when she has told you repeatedly she is not interested. It is a fine line and Nicholas walks it well.

There is a lot of stuff happening within the first five or six chapters, it was kind of overwhelming. In fact, I almost wasn't sure if I would finish it because it was kind of boring and far too much involved at first. I am glad I pushed through though and finished the book because I genuinely love the characters.

All the background stuff about the bridge and the judge I skimmed over. I was more interested in the characters, how Anne and Nicholas interacted, how Anne fell in love with Sammy. My heart broke a little for Anne towards the end though I will not say as to why because I hate spoilers. However, the ending was beautiful.

Now since I was a bit bored I normally would give it a three or a four, but the relationship between the characters and the ending caused it to be boosted back to a five! Wonderful book!

Five out of Five stars! :)

Review of 'Destination Unknown' by Amy Clipston

Destination Unknown is a perfect book for those going through an 'identity crisis' because it is about a girl who goes through one and how God, friends, and family can all help you with it if you are willing to reach out to them.

Whitney and Taylor were good characters all around, but my favorite character was easily Emily. I adored all the talk about books though. (hello, book obsessed!)

There was only one problem I had with the story. All through out the book it was very real with the situations the characters were put in, the drama that developed, the relationships as they changed. However, the end was tied up like a neat little package.

I am all for happy endings, but this was just too perfect. It made all the real stuff seem pointless to have it end perfectly. Nothing in life is ever that perfect. I don't know I guess I was just expecting something different with how it ended.

Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot and give it a solid 3 1/2 stars. If the ending hadn't been so neatly tied together it would have gotten a higher rating from me. Teens will definitely like this book though.

Review of 'Minding Molly' by Leslie Gould

I got a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.


Minding Molly was the first book I have ever read from Leslie Gould (though I own the other two - just haven't read them yet, but definitely am going to!) and it was the first Amish book I have read because of this I had a little bit of a tough time adjusting to Mamm for Mom and Dat for Dad as well as Denki for Thank you, but I adjusted fairly quickly.

The characters are quite captivating and I enjoyed almost all of them. Beatrice irritated me a little with her constantly complaining about Molly and Hannah was rather annoying due to her being so rude to her best friend - Molly. Maybe it is because Molly was the main character, but I felt bad for her being clearly misunderstood.

I mean, her dad had recently died and they were all acting like she was a terrible person because she was trying to stay strong for her family and keep the farm going. Yes, she was a bit too bossy and yes, she could have lightened up - but the other characters (in particular Hannah as her best friend) should have understood her whole life had been thrown into a complete tailspin and she was trying to stay above water.

Like I said, maybe I relate to Molly somewhat and that is why I got irritated with her friends and family.

Anyway, I really liked the way Leon and Molly interacted and the way Leon was from Montana. He seemed like a very good character though I wish there was a bit more of him in the book because it would have been good to see more of what caused Molly to fall so hard for him so quickly.

Overall, it was a cute story and I enjoyed it - but her friends and family really could have understood what was going on a bit better than they did. Perhaps that is a way different people respond to situations like that - I don't know.

I give it a solid four stars.

Review of 'Stranded' by Dani Pettrey

I got a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

This was the first book by Dani Pettrey that I have gotten a chance to read - Wow, was I missing out! She isn't a good author, she is a great one! I am definitely planning on going back and reading the first two books of the Alaskan Courage series.

To tell the truth, I was a bit concerned about reading Stranded only because it was the third in the series. Generally, I try to read series in order for I don't like feeling confused about things - such as how exactly Darcy and Gage knew each other.

It was fairly easy to put together, but I was a tad confused for the first few chapters. Once I put the backstory together, I quickly found myself really caring about the characters and what happened to them.

I loved the friendship aspect between Darcy and Abby (even Darcy and Piper) - it felt like a true friendship. There was a wonderful mix of romance, friendship, suspense, and mystery. Darcy and Gage are two characters I won't forget anytime soon.

The cover is amazing, but then again I am obsessed with Alaska scenery so that shouldn't surprise anyone that I love it.

Overall, I give the book 5 out of 5 stars and I am happy to say that it is able to be read in the series, but also by itself.

Review of 'Little Red Lies' by Julie Johnston

I got a copy from a good reads contest - 

I truly don't know what to say about this book... it has an interesting idea for a plot, but it was slow and really kind of boring. There were moments I was interested and moments I wanted to know what would happen, but overall I felt like I was just reading because I had to. 

The characters didn't keep my interest except for her brother. Also, the book just stops. It felt as if there was no point to reading it for nothing seemed to be really tied up. 

I don't know, it was okay. I am glad I read it, but it was lacking a lot for me. I am going to donate it to the library in hopes that someone will enjoy it more than I did. 

However, I love the cover. It is cool. 

2 stars out of 5.

Review of 'Made to Last' by Melissa Tagg

I got a copy from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg hooked me from the first page. Miranda - aka: "Randi" or "Rand" - has such a likeable charm and personality. While I read I felt like I knew her and her story as if it were my own. I laughed, I cried, and I even felt her confusion. Melissa has written a fantastic character and it just gets better! 

Blake - aka: Blaze - was so much fun, Brad really cared, Izzy was adorable, and the rest of the "small" characters were perfectly captured. 

Matthew - what else is there to say except I have a new fictional crush! ;) Okay, okay. Give me a second... Ah, here is something - he is a wonderful Uncle. I loved the fact that Melissa wrote about the deaf and hard of hearing. My older sister is HOH and it was a joy to read a book about kids with that. Made my heart happy.

This book is easily one of my favorites and has a nice place on my bookshelf! I can't wait to read more from Melissa Tagg! 

5 stars!