Book Review: Fire & Ice

Fire & Ice

by Mary Connealy

Bethany House Publishers

Bailey Wilde is an independent woman who lives her life without depending on others, even if she has to pretend to be a man to do it. Gage Coulter is determined to build a successful ranch. Bailey has something that Gage needs: access to the land that rightfully belongs to him. And Gage has something Bailey needs: land for her herd to graze. When he realizes that Bailey Wilde is a woman, things change. And when a surprise visitor comes to visit Gage, he and Bailey realize that together they might both get something they need even more: each other.

I liked Gabe and Bailey. Individually, they are great characters and together they are even better. Connealy does a great job creating characters that you want to read about, and who really want to root for! I’m always hesitant about reading the last book in a series. Will it end the way I want it to? Will my characters all get their happy endings? Overall, I was very pleased by the ending to the stories about the Wilde sisters, and I look forward to the next adventure that Connealy takes us on.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Chivalrous

Chivalrous

by Dina L. Sleiman

Bethany House Publishers

Gwendolyn is strong, heroic, and brave. But in the eyes of her father, she is merely someone who can marry well to keep the family strong. Allen of Elsworth is a man who has risen to the top, but who has never forgotten his roots. Both Gwendolyn and Allen have destinies they want to change and hardships to overcome as they try to find out where their true destinies lie. Will their destinies bring them together or tear them apart?

We know Allen from the previous book in the series, Dauntless. I think we really wanted to see where Allen ended up, especially since he didn’t get his happy ending that he probably would have wanted in the first book. And Gwendolyn is someone who definitely has a lot going for her, but has been knocked down by the world she lives in. Both heroes have things worth living for, and both need each other. What I really like about this novel is that it sets the stage for the next book in the series, which I will definitely look forward to.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

Journey Update

I've spent nearly two months completing my student teaching for certification to be a school librarian, and I'm about ten (school) days away from my last day at my final placement. It's been amazing how many people are so shocked to discover that, yes, you do have to student teach to become a school librarian. It's no different than any other teacher. So here are the top THREE reasons why I think student teaching as a librarian is important:

1. You get to learn from another expert! Spending time my with my cooperating librarian has really given me good, useful tips about my own skills as an educator and has given me so many opportunities to grow.

2. You are an educator! It's sad, but school librarians are often the "forgotten" educator. Their job is so much more than that of storyteller or book refer-er. The skills that can be taught in the library are useful for life outside of the library doors. The traditional role of the librarian has changed and will continue to change!

3. Student teaching is inspirational! It's a time to try things out, get help from other people in your program, and really figure out the type of educator you want to be. It's a time for growth!

Book Review: After a Fashion

After a Fashion

Jen Turano

Bethany House Publishers

It was Harriet Peabody’s birthday. But when a delivery goes awry, it seems that the only birthday gift she will get is unemployment. Oliver Addleshaw just needs to make a good impression on some important people in order to make a business deal. He just needs a temporary solution for a temporary situation.

When Oliver meets Harriet, he realizes that he might have figured out how to solve his problem. He proposes a deal to Harriet that will benefit them both and then they can part ways after the business deal. Neither of them expect anything more, until they realize that sometimes temporary solutions don’t always want to be just temporary.

Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors. Therefore, I get excited whenever I open a package and see one of her books, just waiting to be read and re-read. (Yes, re-read) And this book did not disappoint! I love how Turano develops her characters. Their backstories and personalities are often a little quirky (sometimes very quirky) but this is what draws me to her novels. Both Harriet and Oliver are independent people who find that they have to depend on each other for at least a little while. It was enjoyable to see how they change each other. Like any other Turano novel, I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting read a book that just makes you smile.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Sabotaged

Sabotaged

Dani Pettrey

Bethany House Publishers

Kirra Jacobs was only supposed to work the Iditarod race and get back to her quiet life. However, a twist of fate changes everything she knows. In order to save her cousin, she must work with Reef McKenna to solve the mystery about the group of people targeting her family. In the process, she will also be forced to confront a past she’d rather forget and a future she can only dream of.

This installment of the Alaskan Courage novels starts with danger and intrigue almost immediately. I is well paced, with complex characters who both struggle with their past. While I often find that some novels “de-mystify” their plot, this book actually caught me unaware at times, which I really liked and appreciated. Pettrey does a great job with the flow of the novel and dealing with the topic of Kirra’s past. I would definitely recommend not only this book, but this author as well, to anyone wanting a face-paced adventure.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

Stop! Now Read.....

Back in high school, we had this thing where the school would stop for about 10 minutes or so and everyone in the school would stop whatever they were doing and read.

What a concept, huh?

In your gym class? You stopped running and read.
In math? You put down that calculator and read.
Drivers Ed? Well, I'm not sure how that worked, but you get my meaning....

The entire school came together for a few minutes and read. When I was the student, it meant I got out of schoolwork for a few minutes and I loved it. But as an adult, as someone who wants to go into education, specifically library and media, well....I think about it a little differently. Yes, we spent a little time exposing ourselves to literature. But really, the big picture of it all, was we spent time reading together. Everyone! Students, teachers, administrators...the act of reading, not just the literature itself, unified us.We talk about the power of words and the impact of literature, but when people are able to share those experiences together, not just alone, it creates a sense of importance to an act that we often don't get to experience.

There are some days, when I'm at work, when I just wish that announcement would come over the intercom. Maybe one day, it will again.

Book Review: Beyond All Dreams

Beyond All Dreams

Elizabeth Camden

Bethany House Publishers

Anna O’Brien leads a quiet life as a map librarian at the prestigious Library of Congress. Having lost her father at sea when very young, these maps are a tie to the family that she lost. Luke Callahan is an ambitious politician who is determined to have his voice heard in Washington D.C. His fearlessness has caused him to gain a reputation, and he soon finds himself in need of a librarian to help him with his political climb. When Anna and Luke team up, neither is prepared for what happens next. As tensions mount, relationships are tested,  and a big mystery becomes unveiled as Anne tries to uncover what really happened to her father. In the midst of governmental secrets, can the truth be unveiled?

Elizabeth Camden has wormed her way onto my book-shelf with her past few novels. However, this book wormed its way into a special spot in my heart. As someone who has a Master of Library and Information Science degree, I cannot even begin to say how excited I was that this book was centered around a librarian (not to mention one that was confident and spunky!) and around one of the most famous libraries!

Camden does an excellent job of diversifying her characters. As mentioned before, I have read several other of her novels. Her characters are unique and flawed. Both Anna and Luke are flawed. Both characters develop throughout this story, which makes it all the more compelling to see where their friendship leads.  I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a little romance, history, and mystery all in one book. Or anyone who loves to read a book featuring librarians!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

Why I still Buy Books

Why do you still buy books? 

I'm a book buyer. It's true. I have nothing against those who choose not to. But whenever I hear this question, I do have to kind of refrain from rolling my eyes. Because, despite the fact that I am in the library field, I am a firm believer that the things that you spend your money on say a lot about what you value and who you are.

I buy books because I value the entertainment and enjoyment that they bring to me. By purchasing books, I am investing in the authors that spend time putting them forth into the world to be valued. 

And yes, although the library does offer books for free, there is nothing like being able to bring a book home, not worry about due dates or wait lists, and to be able to re-read it whenever I want (YES! I re-read, please don't judge) 

So whenever I hear that phrase, a little part of me just sighs. Yes! I still buy books.Print or e-book, it doesn't matter. And yes, I use my library! I relish in the chances I have to go and support them by being a patron. 

But I will always buy books. 

Book Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

The Secret of Pembrooke Park
Julie Klassen 
Bethany House Publishers

Abigail Foster bears the weight of her family’s financial misfortune on her shoulders. When the chance to inhabit an abandoned manor arises, she encourages her father to move their family into it, despite local dark rumors surrounding its past. But the manor is only as mysterious as the neighbors of Pembroke Park and Abigail soon discoveries that some mysteries can only be hidden for so long.

The sheer amount of pages threatened to overwhelm me when I first glanced at Julie Klassen’s latest book. Therefore, it sat on my shelf for a little while before I picked it up to read.

I fully regret that decision.

Despite its volume, I was immediately drawn into the characters and plot that Klassen weaved together. This book is a truly well done mystery, set in a historical time period, and is a perfect example to others that there can be a balance between the two. It is not often that I find myself surprised, and this book definitely accomplished that! I was second-guessing myself most of the way, and was impressed that, at its core, the book didn’t seem improbable unlike some mysteries. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who feels that they have been mislead or worn out by this genre. Give it another chance! You won’t be disappointed.

I recieved a free copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for this honest review. 

Happy New Year!

Okay, it's a day late, but what did you expect?

2014 was a fabulous year. I graduated with my MLIS, started a new program, read some awesome books, and got to spend some amazing times with my family. God has truly blessed me, and I am so excited to see what 2015 will bring. While I really don't like resolutions (not sure why, but I don't), I do have some goals that I want to begin this year, and hopefully they won't end when the year does.


The Big Things:
1. Speak less and listen more
2. Be more gracious
3. Appreciate what I have
4. Reach out to others
5. Practice patience

The Little Things:
6. Achieve my Goodreads goal
7. Finally complete the t-shirt quilt I started months ago
8. Figure out what I'm going to put in my picture frame
9. Clean my closet
10. Stop giving in to impulse purchases when it comes to clothing (probably should be higher on the list but let's be realistic, this one probably will get put off until next year again)