On to the Next Part

So, it happened. Earlier this month, I walked across that stage and got my diploma. Finishing my Master's Degree is a great accomplishment, but I have made the decision to further my education. I will be going back to school (!!) and getting my Certificate of Advanced Study in K-12 Librarianship. Yes, that means more late night, studying, and all together hecticness (is that a word?) but I can't wait!

Book Review: Undeniably Yours

Undeniably Yours
Becky Wade
Bethany House Publishers

After her father dies, Meg Cole returns home to his ranch to take over the business and ranch that she has inherited. Doing so requires her to work alongside Bo Porter, the man who runs the the family racehorse farm. Meg is hesitant to begin a relationship again, but will overcoming her past help her begin a new future with Bo?

I had read a book by Stephanie Wade before, and I enjoyed this book, too. I thought that her characters were well developed yet complex individuals. Despite Becky's obvious financial security and social status that can sometimes make her hard to relate to for readers, she was still down to earth and likable, and her relationship with Bo seemed natural and sweet. It was definitely worth the read, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary romances.

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

Busy Semester=A Little Behind on Book Reviews

Into the Whirlwind
Elizabeth Camden
Bethany House Publishers

Mollie Knox is a businesswoman who has met her match in a determined lawyer, Zack Kazmarek. After years of only doing business together, the catastrophic events of the Great Chicago Fire bring them together in an entirely different way. As they try to heal and rebuild from the fire, Zack and Mollie have to learn to adapt to the changes in their new lives. Amidst tragedy, pain, and hard choices, can a relationship rise from the ashes?

I started this book but had to put it down for a little while when life got busy. However, when I restarted it, I could not put it down. With any book about the Chicago Fire, I expected the climax to happen towards the end of the story. Therefore, I was a little shocked when I realized that this isn't a story about surviving the fire itself. The real surprise in this book is that it begins with the fire, and the real story truly happens afterwards. I kind of expected that it would be boring after the fire, but it wasn't. Camden continues to develop her characters, and makes readers cringe as they realize the harshness of what it took for Chicagoans to begin to heal from such a tragedy. Any reader who loves romance and adventure will love this book, and I would highly recommend any of her other novels, too.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Love in the Balance

Love in the Balance
Regina Jennings
Bethany House Publishers

Molly Lovelace was supposed to have her happily ever after with Bailey, but he just isn't in the right place to support a family. And in 1879 Texas, marrying the right man can be the difference between a life of struggles and a life of social importance. When a wealthy stranger seems to sweep her off her feet and offer her the life she's dreamt of will she make the right choice?

I had read Jennings' previous book Sixty Acres and a Bride and absolutely loved it. I was so happy when some of the characters from that book reappeared in this one. It took me a few chapters to empathize with Molly, but I began to warm up to her and truly began to find myself captivated by the directions the book took. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a love for romance and historical fiction. I encourage anyone to also pick up Sixty Acres and a Bride for additional reading.

I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Most Peculiar Circumstance

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano
Ladies of Distinction #2
Bethany House Publishers


This engaging second installment in the Ladies of Distinction series is sure to be a hit!

Miss Arabella Beckett is an independent, driven woman whose goals to help fellow women sometimes land her into trouble. But when she finds herself in jail, and help comes in the form of Theodore Wilder, a private detective, she is not pleased. Theodore was merely helping out a family friend by tracking down his younger sister. Little did he know that the woman he was tracking would bring so much trouble into his life and have views so differently than his own. How can two people with such very different views tolerate each other, much less fall in love?

I absolutely loved this second book in the series. Jen Turano has created witty, engaging characters that will delight any reader. I finished this book in one sitting because I had to know what would happen! While predictable at times, it was still entertaining enough to continue reading. I appreciate Turano's strong lead characters, as well as the secondary characters who keep you wondering who will be in the next book. I cannot wait for the third book!

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

Book Review: The Guardian

The Guardian
Beverly Lewis
Bethany House Publishers

Jodi Winfield is going through a hard time. After losing her sister and her job, she finds herself estranged from her fiancé and losing her faith in God. While spending some time housesitting in Lancaster, she believes that the time away will help her heal. But when she finds a young girl abandoned on the side of the road, little does she know that finding Sarah would bring her into a close knit Amish community, and ultimately help her to find her faith again.

I found The Guardian to be an uplifting story of how two very different families could be brought together and help each other grow. It was a little slow at first, but readers will want to see what happens to the characters as the story develops.

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

Reflection Bragging

Well, it's been a year. Literally. Last year, about this time, I was preparing to go to library school boot camp. Yes, boot camp. I know that some people might roll their eyes when I use that term "boot camp" because in their minds I read, laughed, and sipped coffee that week while on a mini vacation with sixty of my fellow classmates.

They were wrong.

I worked that week. Probably more than I worked in the past few years since graduation from Trinity. And, looking back from my midway point, I appreciate the experience and the ambition that it inspired in me. I earned my credits that week. And I'm proud of them.

So, if you are looking to begin a career in library and information science, I encourage you to take the leap. Maybe you will be fortunate enough to experience boot camp for yourself. And when you get to your midway point, you will be able to do some reflection bragging like I did. Good luck!