Monday, June 17, 2019

The Number of Love, Roseanna White. (Book Review)



About the book:

 Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

My thoughts: 5/5 stars

 Spies and codes, and secrets, oh my!

  The Number of Love grips you at every page turn. A new secret, a new code, a dangerous spy mission, and sweet, beautiful love stories.

Simple, yet poetic. Funny, yet heartwarming. 

Not only was all the action super fun, but the characters were deep and diverse. These compelling characters really had a story to tell.
 Each one had a perspective on life. It was really incredible to view such an interesting period of history through these deep thinkers and feelers eyes.

  Margot was sarcastic, funny and a genius. She was generous, kind and is no like no other character I've met.
 
The same goes for Drake. Both were diverse and layered characters. 

Not one to waste air on useless words Margot is quiet,  determined and feels the need to be completely on her own.
 Buuuut then Drake walks into her life and everything familiar is swept away, replaced with exciting new adventures that might just lead to the most exciting adventure of all- love.

He is feeling, she is thinking. 
Combine the two and you'll get a really epic love story.



**I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are purely my own.**

-Rebekah 

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Pursued: A Testimony of God's Relentless Love, Felisa B. Jack. (Book Review)


About the book:

  
Shame covers your situation like a blanket, trapping and suffocating you. Your mind meditates on the question, "How can my circumstances ever change?" The answer is God's relentless love pursuing YOU! He loves you AND He can do something about your situation if you allow Him. Pursued is a powerful and transparent testimony of Felisa Jack's experience living in a domestic violence relationship that put both her and her son's life in grave danger. She shares how God was pursuing her during this difficult time; strengthening and encouraging her to walk out of that destructive relationship. Walking with her through her story will restore hope and faith in your life as well as open your eyes to see the ways God is pursuing you with His relentless love. 

My thoughts: 5/5 stars

  "Pursued" is a small yet ferocious story. 

The story of Felisa Jack is a sad, heartbreaking one, but with God Felisa teaches that you can have a happy ending. 

Felisa was a woman who longed for what every human longs for- love. To be loved. Cherished. Wanted. 
 She thought she'd found that in Michael. 

 Turns out Michael was just like the monsters in the Scooby Doo cartoons her son watched- destruction hiding behind a mask. 

What was once a fairytale turned into blood and bruises. Lies and hurts. 

 Felisa thought she was going to die. But God had other plans. 

 "God took everything that the devil meant for harm and turned it
around for my good."

This little book kicks Satan to the curb and reminds each and every person who reads it just how loved they are.

If you've ever been/ are in an abusive relationship, one, I encourage you to seek help. You do not need to stay. You are better than the lies your abuser tells you. And most importantly, God does not want you there. He loves you and wants to keep you safe. Trust Him.

Two, this book is for you.
 This book will remind you that you are so much more than the abuse. Pursued will remind you or maybe introduce you to the love of Christ.

I highly recommend this book.

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**




Saturday, June 8, 2019

Weddings, Willows and Revised Expectations, V. Joy Palmer. (Book Review)


About the book:

 Seventeen years after being orphaned, Apryl Burns and her twin sister Courtney have their own expectations for life. While Courtney continues to shine at everything, Apryl holds fast to the mantra that as long as her potato chip stash remains intact, then she’ll be fine.

But when their beloved grandmother ends up injured and unable to manage her struggling antique store, Courtney makes it their mission to revamp the business and save what’s left of their family’s legacy. Despite rampant doubts in her abilities, Apryl finds herself trapped under the weight of family loyalty as they transition to a wedding venue decorating service. Soon she’s forced to ask (translation: blackmail) their grandmother’s renter/handyman, Chance McFarland, for help, an arrangement that is made even worse by the fact that Chance is her former (ahem, and current) crush.

Chance knows a few dozen things about family loyalty, which is why he begrudgingly agrees to Apryl’s insane plan. While Apryl claims they’re archenemies, the girl Chance only glimpsed in their teens starts to emerge, stealing what remains of his heart. 

But expectations are a powerful thing. Amidst the glamorous weddings and swaying willows, can those old expectations be revised into something new?

My thoughts: 5/5 stars.

 So...um. Wow.  I am struggling to find the words to best describe this book.
 It was BEYOND good. Like, seriously. WOW.

 Apryl and Chance are phenomenal characters. 

My heart broke for Apryl as she struggled with insecurities, and as she played the comparison game with her sister.
 I related to her so much, and I felt like this fictional character got me.

 Her character's growth probably made me the most happy and proud throughout the book. She changed so much when she finally allowed herself to see her value. 

 Chance grew and changed as well. From the jerk that enjoyed picking on Apryl, to the kind hearted gentleman who grew to love Apryl. Well, they still picked in each other, but that's half the fun. 😉

 The story line was AMAZING. The writing--oh-my-word-incredible.

 I honestly can't describe how much this book touched my heart. It changed my heart for God and life and made me realize my value in my God in a way I've never seen it before. 

 I cannot thank V. Joy Palmer enough for writing this book that truly changed my life, made me laugh hard and caused my heart to swoon.
 
 So thank you, for the Gilmore Girls quotes, and for turning my heart to Christ's and truly making me realize my worth. 

 The faith these characters have is inspiring  encouraging and a reflection of the author herself. 

 Palmer writes with humor, (Did I mention I was laughing hysterically?) faith and characters... of a different kind. 

I absolutely, 1000% recommend getting this book! Weddings, Willows and Revised Expectations will make you laugh, your heart swoon, and definitely refresh your love for Christ. Or lead you to Him, one or the other. 😊

*I received a free copy of this book from the author, I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.*

-Rebekah 



Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Love, Lace and Minor Alterations, V. Joy Palmer. (Book Review)



About the book:

 Isabel “Izze” Vez, bridal consultant extraordinaire, has been helping brides find The Dress for years. She loves nothing more than helping make wedding dreams come true…but sometimes the happy endings grate on her. How many times can a girl discover someone else’s gown without dreaming of the day it’ll be her turn to wear one? 

When James Miles Clayton walks into her life, he represents everything Izze can’t handle: change. He’s determined to bring the Ever After Bridal Boutique into the black…and to prove to Izze that she should give him a chance.

But if there’s anything Izze handles worse than change, it’s trust. She may have a few issues—fine, she knows she does. But will they keep getting in the way of any chance of her own Happily Ever After? She wants to trust God to give her those dreams of love and lace, but that’s going to require some…minor alterations.



My thoughts: 5/5 stars

 As I sit down to write this review, I have a hard time conjuring the words to explain what I'm feeling. 
 This book was.. Incredible. That word lacks when it comes to this story but I cannot summon one that fits this story more correctly. 

Simple, yet poetic. That's Palmer's writing style.
 Love, Lace and Minor Alterations was cute and lighthearted, but also soul touching and life changing. 

 The characters were beautifully written in all their flawsome (Flaw filled and awesome) glory.

 Izze is sweet, hilarious, strong willed. She's stubborn and has some deep trust issues. (I get it girl.) 

  Even though she hates change, she went through some major soul changing moments. 
 By the end of the book she'd become a whole new version of herself, and I don't think anyone's complaining. 

Miles was also a wonderful character .
 He was witty, kind, and can hold his own when it comes to Izze.
 He was flawed just as much as Izze, and that made him an even better character. 

 The book had serious, heart-felt scenes dashed with humor. Sweet and light while simultaneously being soul touching and heart breaking. 

Palmer writes with such grace and poetic beauty. In one particularly beautiful scene I just immediately thought - WOAH. 

 Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Stunning. Magnificent. Incredible. Fantastic. Amazing
Lovely. Outstanding. Awe-striking.   Those are just a few adjectives to describe this wonderful book. 

It had great supporting characters, amazing faith defining moments, and ultimately my spiritual life was changed because of this book. 


I definitely recommend if you're looking for a book that will make you cry from laughter, wipe a few tears of sorrow, and ultimately fill your heart with love, and renew your passion for Christ. 

 Grab your Copy now!


-Rebekah Lewis 


Thursday, May 30, 2019

Wooing Cadie McCaffrey, Bethany Turner; Revell blog tour + Review.


About the book:
After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn't love her in the "forever" way she loves him, Cadie believes it's time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.

But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie's favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It's a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

Bethany Turner is back with more of the heart and humor readers love. Anyone who enjoys a good romance or binges romantic comedies on Netflix will devour this delightful story.


My thoughts: 5/5 stars

Ummmm... so I really, really loved this book!!
I fell in LOVE on the first page!!

The adorable, witty banter between Will and Cadie made my heart swoon!

Will wasn't the only one wooing. No, Bethany Turner wooed my heart with her words until all of my soul belonged to her.

 Her words are poetic, yet simple. Awe striking in a way you don't even know hit you!


 The characters, the story, it was alllll amazing!!

 Will, ohh Will. Beautiful, flawsome, hilarious Will. 
 He was so clueless, so adorable, so sweet, that you couldn't help but adore him!

 Cadie was funny, kind, strong, and maybe just a little bit hard on Will.

 I looove them!!

   This book was flawfully, perfect in every way, except... there was a sex scene.
 Hear me out though.

 Two characters had always striven for purity from the beginning of their relationship. They made a mistake.

 The scene was not explicit.
   The action was deeply regretted by both characters.

 The scene's purpose was more of why you shouldn't have sex before marriage, than anything of an unclean nature.

 There were some intense kissing scenes throughout the book.

 Wooding Cadie McCaffrey was a little predictable, but still totally adorable while simultaneously being totally heart touching.

It was heartwarming, and sweet, and cute and beautiful and sweet and cute and sweet and... You get it.

I'm so in love with this story!!

I 100% recommend grabbing this book NOW!!


**Thanks so much to Revell for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

-Rebekah ❤️





You like what I thrifted?

I've gone thrifting a few times this month so here's some of my favorite finds from each trip!                                      ...