May 26, 2016 | By: Cynthia Marcano

From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden

From This Moment
Author - Elizabeth Camden
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Yep

Back Cover...

Romulus White has tried for years to hire illustrator Stella West for his renowned scientific magazine. She is the missing piece he needs to propel his magazine to the forefront of the industry.

But Stella abruptly quit the art world and moved to Boston with a single purpose: to solve the mysterious death of her beloved sister. Romulus, a man with connections to high society and every important power circle in the city, could be her most valuable ally.

Sparks fly the instant Stella and Romulus join forces, and Romulus soon realizes the strong-willed and charismatic Stella could disrupt his hard-won independence. Can they continue to help each other when their efforts draw the wrong kind of attention from the powers-that-be and put all they've worked for at risk?

What I Loved...

I love when I come across a book that offers everything I enjoy in a Christian Fiction (romance, comedic moments, swoon-worthy heroes, emotional tidbits and of course Jesus mixed all in) but also adds an element that I have rarely read. From This Moment not only adds intrigue but also a 19th-century touch of CSI.

What I Liked...

Elizabeth Camden isn't a series writer and usually writes stand alone books. She does however, write prequels. As expected the characters from the prequel are also in From This Moment and bring such a new level of story writing to this book. I really enjoyed Summer of Dreams (the prequel) and was so excited to read all about the lives of the characters after their storyline. In fact, it was not a cheesy happily ever after but a real and enjoyable journey for those characters as well as the main characters Romulus and Stella.

Other...

I always love Elizabeth Camden's covers and this one is no different.

There are two reasons why I didn't score this book a 5 out of 5. First, both of the main characters are repeatedly described and labeled as conceited and shallow. Personally, I thought that diminished my desire to love them when I kept being reminded how shallow they were. Don't get me wrong, I liked Romulus and Stella and enjoyed their chemistry. I just didn't love them.

Second, I found a lack of Christianity of either main character. Yes, Christianity is in the story, but it was almost an after-thought for the main characters.


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.


May 23, 2016 | By: Cynthia Marcano

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Hand In His by Cynthia Marcano

Hand In His

by Cynthia Marcano

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May 18, 2016 | By: Cynthia Marcano

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer


No Other Will Do
Author - Karen Witemeyer
Rating - 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Yep

Back Cover...

She Trusts Him For the Job, But Can She Trust Him With Her Heart?

Men are optional. That was the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts taught her and why she established Harper's Station, a women's colony that offers a fresh start to females in need. But when a dangerous and shadowy assailant tries repeatedly to drive the women out, Emma is forced to admit they might need a man after all. One who can fight. And there is only one man she trusts enough to ask.

Malachi Shaw has finally earned the respect he's always craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's telegram arrives, he rushes back to Texas to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.

As the danger intensifies, Emma, Mal, and the ladies of Harper's Station must choose between safety or risking everything to fight for their future.

What I Loved...

True to all other Karen Witemeyer, No Other Will Do, has many of the things I love in a novel; laughter, action, Old West and romance.

There is a part of this part that is so swoon-worthy, I think I melted right on the spot.

What I Liked...

Lots of great characters. Witemeyer did a great job with the vast community of women in Harper's Station. I could clearly picture them all. A lot of intrigue. I flip flopped back and forth trying to figure out who, what and why.

Other...

Cover is cute.

I deducted a half star because I wasn't in love with either the hero or the heroine. Don't get me wrong, I liked them. I liked them apart and together, but I didn't LOVE them.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series in which the characters have already been introduced.


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Revell Book Publishers. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.


May 7, 2016 | By: Cynthia Marcano

Magnolia Duchess by Beth White


Magnolia Duchess
Author - Beth White
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Probably

Back Cover...

Fiona Lanier is the only woman in the tiny Gulf Coast settlement of Navy Cove. While her shipbuilding family races to fill the demand for American ships brought by the War of 1812, Fiona tries to rescue her brother who was forced into service by the British Navy.

Lieutenant Charlie Kincaid has been undercover for six months, obtaining information vital to the planned British invasion of New Orleans. When a summer storm south of Mobile Bay wrecks his ship and scatters the crew, Charlie suffers a head injury, ultimately collapsing in the arms of a beautiful mermaid who seems eerily familiar. As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide.

But when political loyalties begin to collide, they'll each have to decide where their true heart lies.

What I Loved...

Fiona Lanier is a fun heroine to read. Unpredictable and often unladylike, Fiona brings this story to life in the midst of American History turmoil.

Character Charlie Kincaid isn't far behind. He isn't your typical hero and often times I wanted to strangle him but only because I cared about him as a character. Strange, I know.

Like the other books in this series, I love the interracial relationships throughout this book and the series. Especially that race wasn't always an obstacle in each love story (in the entire series). Sometimes it was and sometimes it wasn't an issue at all.

What I Liked...

I have always loved American History and author Beth White, puts the reader right in the battlefield. Literally. I don't know much about Lousiana/West Florida history so a few times, it was a bit overwhelming but I got through it.

Other...

I have read, Magnolia Duchess's predecessor, The Creole Princess, so I was familiar with a few of the characters that made appearances in this book and were ancestors to the current characters, but holy moly, there were LOTS of family ties that were overwhelming. Charlie Kinkaid even joked about it and I couldn't agree more. I believe Beth White has a family tree posted on her website. I wish I had seen that BEFORE I read the book.

The cover is beautiful and ties in with the others in the series. I didn't quite picture Fiona that way, but it's still a nice cover.


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Revell Book Publishers. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.


May 1, 2016 | By: Cynthia Marcano

Review: Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar


Land of Silence
Author - Tessa Afshar
Rating - 5 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: ABSOLUTELY! 

Back Cover...

Before Christ called her daughter . . .

Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body . . . and soul?

What I Loved...

I have waited so long for Tessa Afshar's next book and with my heart bursting, I can say it was worth the wait. Land of Silence is a must read for anyone looking for a story of redemption and God's awe inspired greatness. To my recollection, this was my first fiction book with Jesus as a character and I was a little worried. My anxiety was in vain. Afshar made his love for us leap off the pages in such a real and simple way, without fluff. She didn't change what the bible says (in case you are wondering).

Within the first three chapters, I was already emotionally invested as if I were halfway through the book. A book that can make me cry (several times), laugh, and make me fell like I am living amongst the characters, is always a book that I like. But a book that does all of that and speaks to my spirit, is one that I love.

Main character Elianna took me on a journey with her. The book is written in 1st person. It made the story so much more powerful. I loved when she loved. I hurt when she hurt. I was scared when she was scared. I rejoiced when she rejoiced.

You all know how much I love swoon worthy moments and there were a few of those too!

I KNOW I will read this book again and have added it to my list of fave books (with Afshar's other books).

What I Liked...

Afshar made the characters so real and flawed. She didn't change who they essentially were to tie up "loose ends" and make everything so happy and perfect. Instead, Afshar used the messiness of her realistic characters to write a story that us flawed humans can relate to, still give God glory and still enjoy the story. The plot was satisfying rather than unrealistically happy-ever-after.

Other...

The cover is beautiful.

I stood up all night to finish this book. It's that good.

Get this book. You won't regret it.


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. The opinion of this book is my own and I was not paid or compensated for my review.