Agnes Gray Review

Agnes Gray by Anne Bronte is a Victorian classic. It follows Agnes as she sets out to become a governess and the experiences she goes through.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. This was a lovely book. Agnes was such a pleasure to get to know and follow. The characters she meets are all so different and varied. All of Anne’s characters feel so real and substantial. This book has the feel of an autobiography (especially in writing style and tone) and I can understand why people have speculated about there being true autobiographical elements in the story.

The themes were interesting and thought provoking. I liked the look into parenting and castes and the value of moral living. I especially appreciated the look into faith during the Victorian era, especially the positive view of faith.

I was surprised to find how fast paced the story was as the action is quite minimal. This is very much a character driven story, but I loved that. It felt very real to life and therefore, relatable. I am so glad that I picked this book up and look forward to reading her other novel.

The Rancher's Holiday Hope Review

The Rancher’s Holiday Hope by Brenda Minton is the 4^th book in her Mercy Ranch Christian contemporary series, but can be read as a standalone. This is the story of veteran Sierra who is a wedding planner and focused on healing emotionally from her past and Max the brother of Sierra’s current client. Max is fully focused on work and repaying his family for standing by him through his rough past. They are brought together over this holiday season and touch each other’s lives.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. This was a quick and sweet holiday read. It was very well written. The story kept me interested and reminded me of Christmas time without feeling overdone.


The characters were all interesting and complicated people making their way through life. I really enjoyed the theme of hope for them. Their faith seemed honest and realistic, but not preachy. The romance was sweet and heartwarming. Even though it only took place over about 1 month, their romance didn’t feel rushed.

This turned out to be just the right amount of serious and honest life with holiday activities. I look forward to seeing more of what this author has written.

Snow Bride Review

The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber is a contemporary novel about a woman named Jenna who has always been the practical one, but she met a man on the internet and has decided to leave her home and job to go to Alaska and marry him. However, on the way, a gruff and unfriendly man named Reid sits next to her and when he discovers who she is heading off toward, he makes it his mission to stop her. Now she is stuck in his one-woman town with a snow storm blowing in.



I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. It was a cute, funny and quick read. The characters were quirky and entertaining. However, they were all just a bit too much so (especially as pretty much every single one of them were some extreme or another). They didn’t feel realistic.

The plot was fast paced and kept me interested from beginning to end. Again, it didn’t feel very realistic, but it was funny. This was a good book to read as a light filler (which I need from time to time). I wouldn’t recommend it for heavier or more in-depth/ profound reading, but it is a good quick and entertaining read.

Snowflake Sweethearts Review

Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky is a Christian contemporary fiction novel about Annie, a single mom returning to her hometown and Alex an old secret flame who needs a live-in caregiver for his grandmother.



I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars. It was pretty meh. The writing style was smooth and easy to read. It does have the occasional odd description but overall was comfortable and familiar. However, I found it extremely slow. I really had to slog my way through.


The characters were not really believable, nor particularly likeable or relatable. I never felt invested in their stories. Their faith felt shallow and thrown in without it seeming authentic or realistic. 
The story line was slow moving with not much really happening. As for what did happen, much of it felt unrealistic (like every single guy she met being interested in her). Furthermore, it is supposed to be a Christmas story but the first 2/3 of the book happen before and during Thanksgiving.  Overall it was quite disappointing. 


I feel like the concept of this book and the skeleton of the story have real potential, but this didn’t rise up to it.

December Overview

It has been a long time since I have posted, but I am trying to do a come back. So, this was a fun reading month for me with all the holiday books and I am really looking forward to 2020.



Christian Fiction:

The Rancher’s Holiday Hope by Brenda Minton (contemporary)

Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky (contemporary)

Christmas Mail Order Brides by Carrie Turansky, Vickie McDonough, Therese Stenzel & Susan Page Davis (historical)

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita Paul (urban fantasy)

The Captain’s Christmas Family by Deborah Hale (historical)

The Baron’s Governess Bride by Deborah Hale (historical)



Historical Fiction:

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

Her Christmas Earl by Anna Campbell

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas



Classics:

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde

A Child’s Christmas in Wales & Five Poems by Dylan Thomas

A Family Christmas by Various



Contemporary:

Dashing through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Buffalo Valley by Debbie Macomber

The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts

Merry and Bright by Jill Shalvis



Poetry:

Poems for Christmas Day by Donald Williams

Warm Memories and Thoughts of Christmas by Diane Chamberlain



Fantasy:

Flamebringer by Elle Katherine White



Short story collection:

My True Love Gave to Me by 12 various authors



Picture books:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore

Olaf’s Night Before Christmas by Walt Disney Company

Good King Wenceslas by John Mason Neale

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Christmas Cookie Day by Tara Knudson

The Legend of St Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall

Daniel Deronda Review

Daniel Deronda by George Eliot is a classic novel. It follows two people: Daniel Deronda, a young man raised as the ward of a wealthy British aristocrat with no knowledge of his heritage and Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful yet poor young woman determined to get all she wants out of life. We follow them on both of their searches, where their path’s cross and the effect they have on each other’s lives. 

I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. As expected, the writing style and quality were lovely. There is something about these classic works that is noticeable in the very way they are written and I find it quite enjoyable to read. The only thing I didn’t like was the quotes before every chapter; they felt jarring and pulled me away from the story, instead of adding to it (especially when in a foreign language).

The characters were fascinating. Some you dislike (and like to dislike them), others draw your sympathy, and still more are so heartwarming and wonderful. I can’t possibly go through all the characters and tell you what they made me feel, but my feelings about them were so diverse that it enhanced my pleasure in reading about them. I also really enjoyed the growth we got to see and how they responded to all they went through.

The story line dragged at the beginning, especially since it focused on Gwendolen (who I don’t like). We don’t really get to see Daniel until chapter 14, but that is where my interest really picked up and I began to truly enjoy it. The pacing wasn’t the best, it sped up and slowed down a bit, but thankfully it wasn’t too extreme or I would have DNFed the book. Overall, I loved the story with the redemption arc and the soul searching and the characters figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.

Overall, a simply lovely read and it makes me want to read more by Eliot. Maybe I will get to one of her other works soon.

Side note: If you didn’t know and / or it interests you, George Eliot is the pen-name for Mary Ann Evans

April Overview

This month I decided to do the OWL’s readathon and had a blast. Overall, it was quite a heavy reading month for me and I have enjoyed every minute.

OWL’s readathon:

Ancient Runes - The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson (Christian historical)

Arithmancy – All the Stars Look Down by Grace Draven and Elizabeth Hunter (fantasy)

Astronomy – The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith (children)

Care of Magical Creatures – Two Shy Pandas by Julia Jarman (children)

Charms – One True Loves by Taylor Jenkens Reid (contemporary)

Defense Against the Dark Arts - Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier (fantasy)

Divination - Anomaly by Krista McGee (Christian dystopian)

Herbology - My Foolish Heart by Susan Warren (Christian contemporary)

History of Magic - Having Her Boss’s Baby by Susan Mallery (contemporary)

Muggle Studies - Geekerella by Ashley Poston (contemporary)

Potions - This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter (fantasy)

Transfiguration - The Light Within by Grace Draven (fantasy short story)

 

Christian Fiction:

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck (contemporary)

Fantasy:

The Caller by Juliet Marillier

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

The Force of Wind by Elizabeth Hunter

A Fall of Water by Elizabeth Hunter

Building From Ashes by Elizabeth Hunter

Contemporary:

Smooth-Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Mail Order Cowboy by Maisey Yates (novella)

Brokedown Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Bad News Cowboy by Maisey Yates

The Snow Bride by Debbie MacComber