Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

This enjoyable read from new author Katherine Reay is delightful for any fans of "Daddy Long Legs" or anyone who appreciates a good, easy read with charming characters.
Samatha Moore is a survivor, after a brutal childhood and being tossed about in the foster care system she longs to get into a graduate writing program and when an anonymous benefactor she dubs "Mr. Knightley" makes that dream possible with the only stipulation being that she write him to update her on her progression she is beyond thrilled. As Sam writes Mr. Knightley  over the course of her studies she learns a lot more about herself and as she befriends a young hurting teen and learns to find her own voice. When Sam finds out who Mr. Knightley really is will that hurt or help her become what she want to be?

I really enjoyed Mrs. Reay style of writing and look forward to reading more books by her.Overall I really enjoyed this book,the only downside being that she majorly ripped off the Daddy Long Legs idea so I knew what was coming,but she did make the journey to get there most enjoyable.

A Grimm Legacy by Janna Jennings

Yet another YA novel I was able to review from Netgalley that was an enjoyable read.I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series as the book kind of left you hanging.
Andi saw herself as an ordinary teen, but when she and 3 other young people wind up in a world where animals talk and fairy tales really do come true they realize that this world is anything but normal!

I really enjoyed this book and liked how it was told from all of the 4 young peoples perspectives as it made it more well rounded and enjoyable.I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes fairy tales and interesting YA books.

Dating,Dining and Desperation by Melody Carlson

I have always enjoyed Melody Carlson's books as they are enjoyable,easy reads with a good message and the 2nd book about Daphne Ballinger was no exception.
When we left Daphne in the first book it was looking like she was well on her way to fulfilling the stipulations of her Aunt/ Grandma's request to be married within a year as things were beginning to develop with her and her lawyer Jake, but just when she thought things were getting serious Jake abruptly leaves on vacation without telling her and she finds out his ex-wife went along too,is it possible she was reading into something that never existed?
As Daphne tries to navigate her love life, the grand entrance of a new neighbor and a motherless little girl threatens to overturn her already crazy life.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series,as always it kept me guessing about who Daphne will end up with, which is in no way resolved in this book!
The only down side to the book is the fact that there are a ton of guys coming out of the woodwork in this book,I cannot believe someone who only had one serious relationship suddenly has 5+ guys interested in her,still the book is a charming read and it does not turn me off from the story at all.

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

For anyone who is a fan of Downtown Abbey or is just a fan of the Edwardian era, this is a delightful YA book. I personally found this book to be enjoyable and sweet, I was glad that it was YA appropriate without a bunch of junk or drama in it.
Lady Charlotte Edmonds feels neglected and bored,as the only daughter of a wealthy family she is expected to marry well, but the young man her Mother is pushing at her seems stuffy and boring. What Lady Charlotte longs for is adventure and romance, but will she be brave enough to embrace the opportunities that are thrown at her?
Janie Seward is a practical, hardworking servant who is afraid of change. When it looks like her Mother might leave her to work elsewhere Janie is afraid what other changes might come to pass.
When a long lost relative of Lady Charlotte's shows up, things around the manor are about to change and as Lady Charlotte and Janie befriend each other the find that they have more in common than they ever though possible.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical YA read that has interesting characters, a good plot and is clean.

10 days without by Daniel Day

This is a little book that packs a big punch! In a world that is all about comfort, this book is a great reminder that we need to step out of our comfort zone and realize that so many people do not have the many things that we take for granted.
Daniel Day felt like he was just going through the motions in his Christian life and was loosing his fire and passion for the gospel. What he was inspired to do was for 10 days at a time, go without something, whether it be shoes,media, a coat,etc.While doing this Daniel blogged about his experiences to help others be more aware.

This is a great read for anyone who has been feeling apathetic and wants to live a life fuller than you are now.This would make a great book to read as a family, in a book club or to give as a gift.

Pilgrimage by Lynn Austin

I am a huge fan of Lynn Austin fictional work so I was excited to read her work of non-fiction and I thoroughly glad that I did! Lynn Austin is very honest and authentic in this book as she candidly talks about her struggle in her Christian walk where her spiritual life felt flat and is experiencing empty nest, all of that is about to change as she goes on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands to walk where Jesus walked.

As Lynn walks the places that Jesus walks she is able to experience the scriptures in a new and enlightening way.I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good nonfiction book where they are able to see the holy lands through the eyes of a very talented author who describes everything in rich, beautiful details.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in return for my honest review.

The Global War on Christians by John L. Allen Jr.

This is a hard hitting, eye opening book that I highly recommend to anyone who thinks that the persecution of Christians is a thing of the past. This is no a good, comfortable read, but is rather a great, eye opening, make-you-feel-uncomfortable kind of book.
Too many people think that persecution of Christians is something that is not our world today, but as author John Allen points out that is a misnomer and there is a whole lot more persecution going on than just in Muslim countries but it affecting places in Europe, Africa, Asia,etc.
So if you are looking for a great book to wake you up and realize what is really happening to Christians today I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher but the views expressed are entirely my own.

Where courage calls by Janette Oke

Janette Oke is the first Christian author I ever read,I remember my Mom loved her books so when I was 12 or so I started reading them and I have been a fan ever since. I was absolutely delighted to find out that Janette Oke and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan collaborated once again and brought such a delightfully sweet story.
Beth Thatcher has grown up in a life of privileged and due to her weak constitution her Mother thinks she is unfit to teach in the wilds of Canada, but Beth is determined to teach on Coal Valley a mining community. As Beth follows the Lord's leading's in her life she finds that God has a lot more in store for her than she imagined for the town of Coal Valley is not what she expected, most of the women in town are widows from a mining accident and there is a lot of ignorance and hard feelings. As Beth tries to teach the children and make an impact in the community she is tested and tried. Beth's love life is complicated as well as two Mounties vie for her hand, one her childhood tormentor Edward and quiet, strong Jack, will she know to whom God has for her?

This book was a sweet, enjoyable read one that I would recommend for all ages, reading it made me realize why Janette Oke is one of the most famous Christian authors and why she is beloved by so many.