Book Review- You Don't Know Me

Annalise has been in the witness security program for 20 years. Twenty years ago she left everything she knew and everyone she loves. For twenty years she has built the picture perfect family. Being the perfect soccer mom with homemade cookies and soon to be mayors wife, Annalise is far from the troubled teen she was. Know one, not even her husband knows that her testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. When her agent comes to town, Annalises' haunting past comes back to catch her. 

You Don't Know Me is your at the edge of your seat, suspense filled, comedy, and romance novel all in one. Susan May Warren complied a very emotionally drawn plot, that either had you crying or laughing. 

The Decker family was so realistic, from the mayoral campaigns, to the homemade dishes, even the volleyball games, it was a joy to journey with them through this wonderful story. I loved the family feel of the book. Each person adds to the web of deception, and intrigue on the readers part. 

Though waiting for the moment of confrontation, you are grieved at all Annalise has gone through in the past 20 years and week. You want everything bad to leave, but at the same time can't wait to fight the bad guys:) If the plot didn't sell you or the characters, then definitely the spiritual lessons. Susan actually had me crying at one point. How she used a sermon to convict/ reveal His love to Annalise was truly beautiful. Throughout the book we see many different forms of deceit and their different consequences. Though Annalises' lie was the main focus, I liked how how the author did not weigh her down and portray her as this big liar. By adding other characters with similar deception situations, created an equally balanced and spiritually building read.

Enter Today - 10/2-10/23!

 

Book Review- Queen of the Waves

About the book: 

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

My Review:

After 100 years we are still captivated by the Titanic, so much has been uncovered yet still so much is left hidden. The author took the many unknown facts about Titanic and made a gripping story of the power of love, forgiveness, mercy, and new beginnings. Though many books have been written about the subject, Janice was able to make Queen of the Waves unique.

When a pig farmer and aristocrat switch lives you know nothing good is going to come out of that, or will there? Janice has a way of keeping you very much in suspense. The continuos descriptions of the magnificent ship, allowed one to feel as if you themselves are aboard the floating palace. You could very well picture the grand stair case and the glass domed ceiling "looking like a pinch from a falling star, equal in brightness and beauty."The different dresses, hats, varying in style, color, and material were very well imaginable. Even the food could be pictured, the oxtails, oysters and the well cooked beef. Leaving you hungry for food and more of the book.

Though the Titanic, is a favorite era of mine, that is not what solely made this book great. Not even the the well described scenes, people, or happenings made this book stand apart. The focus on the redemption that Christ offers was made this book from just another Titanic story to a great read. Janice wrote with such conviction. Not like most books, Queen of the Waves did not have just one spiritual message but several that the reader could glean from. Feeding you spiritually, historically intellectually and making you laugh out loud, Queen of the Waves is a must read, getting 5 out of 5 stars. 

I received this book for free, from Litfuse, in exchange for this honest review. 

Meet Janice:

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

Find out more about Janice at http://janicethompson.com.

October

For the month of September I have done a poor job of being a consistent blogger. With the help of the Lord and my blog calendar, I hope to be more faithful. For the month of October, I also plan to be more structured. Some posts I have planned to do include fall: fashion, books, photography, of course book reviews, wordful Wednesdays, count your blessings and more! With God's help I will be able to conquer and do everything in He has planned for me to do. 

Have any suggestions how to overcome writers block?

Want to do a guest post on my blog or vice versa? Email me with specifics:) 

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -Albert Camus

"Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits."-Samuel Butler

"In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October, when the trees are bare to the mild heavens, and the red leaves bestrew the road, and you can feel the breath of winter, morning and evening -- no days so calm, so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air." -Alexander Smith

"Autumn mornings: sunshine and crisp air, birds and calmness, year's end and day's beginnings." -Terri Guillemets

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings: now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

All pictures from Pinterest!