At her Majesty's Request

Frantic shouts and cries awaken a young girl. Her West African village is being attacked. She is dragged out of her home and watches in horror as her parents are murdered before her eyes. The attacking warriors examine her and notice the markings on her face. They are the markings of a princess.

The girl is captured and held for a ritual in which she will be killed. Then, in 1850, on the very day set for her death, a British naval officer rescues her. She is christened Sarah Forbes Bonetta and taken to England. There she is presented to Queen Victoria, who decided to provide for the upbringing of this young, orphaned princess.
Walter Dean Myers discovered a body of letters concerning Sarah, and some actually written by her, in a rare book and ephemera shop in London. What he saw there fascinated him, and he set out to unearth the details of her unique and engaging life. He found an extraordinary story — of royalty, of race, of class, of belonging, and of identity. Now, after years of meticulous research, Myers unveils this arresting portrait of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, African princess.

I was thinking this book was going to be a work of fiction, yet its more like a "fact" book it's a book that just spells out the things they know about Sarah's life, through letters and diary's and even books. I still surprisingly enjoyed it, i normally don't enjoy books like that but did this one, the history behind Sarah and her life is very interesting and surprising at times. I would recommend this book to a young history lover, it's a rather short only around 150 pages long with rather large print it won't take long to read through. All in all a good read. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

What happened to Ivy

David’s younger sister Ivy, born with multiple disabilities, needs constant attention. She may be eleven years old, but in many ways she’s still a baby. She embarrasses him in public. She takes all of their parents’ focus, to the point where David wonders if they see him as anything more than a helper for Ivy. But despite it all, he loves her.

The summer days are following their usual pattern of taking care of his sister, doing chores, and trips to the cottage. The one exception is Hannah, the new girl across the street. Hannah makes David feel anything but routine. He wants to be around her all the time. And, amazingly, she seems to be into him as well.

Everything changes when Ivy has an accident while being looked after by her dad. As David wrestles with what happened to Ivy, he is forced to confront his own feelings of guilt, the meaning of mercy, and what can be forgiven.

I must say this book was nothing like i expected it to be, it seemed like it would be more about the greaf they felt and experenced after the tragic death Ivy. Yet it had to do with how much they felt guilty for anything they ever did or didn't to too Ivy or with Ivy while she was still living. I think that the reason behind her death is not right, and thats the main reason i disliked the book as much as i did, it also had a bad ending in my opionion. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Oliver Twist: A Radio Theatre production

An audio drama of the highest quality, Oliver Twist was recorded on location in London with an award-winning cast. This classic story will steal your heart as the timeless characters are brought to life in Focus on the Family Radio Theatre’s edition of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale. This amazing audio production comes on five CDs, with a bonus DVD that includes behind-the-scenes production footage and the documentary Modern Day Oliver. Purchase of the product also benefits Focus’s “Wait No More” adoption initiative. With cinema-quality sound and an original soundtrack, this audio drama tells the story of a young orphan sent from a child farm to begin life in a workhouse. After committing the unpardonable offense of asking for more food, Oliver is sent off to apprentice with a coffin-maker whose wife mistreats him. He runs away to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger and Fagin, who trains kids to be pickpockets. Despite his many trials and hardships, he finally gets his happy ending, bringing hope for redemption to all around him.

I love Radio Theatre productions, I have purchased and listen to several in the past and had high hopes set on this title, I was not disappointed! It was everything I love about Radio Theatre, it’s the same as reading the book, nothing has been changed or abridged, the music and voice acting in amazing. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. I received this title through Tydale House Publishers for review. I was not made to write a positive review, only to voice my honest thoughts about the title. Show More

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A Wreath of Snow

All Margaret Campbell wants for Christmas is a safe journey home. When her plans for a festive holiday with her family in Stirling crumble beneath the weight of her brother’s bitterness, the young schoolteacher wants nothing more than to return to the students she loves and the town house she calls home. Then an unexpected detour places her in the path of Gordon Shaw, a handsome newspaperman from Glasgow, who struggles under a burden of remorse and shame. When the secret of their shared history is revealed, will it leave them tangled in a knot of regret? Or might their past hold the threads that will bind their future together? As warm as a woolen scarf on a cold winter’s eve, A Wreath of Snow is a tender story of love and forgiveness, wrapped in a celebration of all things Scottish, all things Victorian, and, especially, all things Christmas.

I normally don’t read many books set in Christmas time yet this one caught my attention from the start, Liz Curtis Higgs is an amazing author I hope to read more from in the future. I would recommend this title to those who are looking for a short, yet wonderfully written Christian Christmas story with an historical setting. This book was written by Liz Curtis Higgs, published by WaterBrook Press. I received this book for review through blogging for books, I was not made to write a good review, only to publish my honest thoughts on the work.

Would you...read me to sleep

Would you… read me to sleep? Is a work of fiction for children, which promote Christian principles in a fictional form.  Leia and her father enjoy spending time with one another more than anything. They love taking long afternoon walks together. On these walks Leia enjoys many fun filled activities, treasure hunting being one of her favorites. Leia's favorite time of all, however, is at the end of the day when her father treats her to story-time. Then one night, Leia's father tells her the story of a wonderful and mysterious golden treasure. Will Leia solve the mystery and unlock the riches of this incredible treasure? Come along as a father and daughter spend a lifetime investing in one of the most beloved pastimes of childhood- story-time, and along the way, discover with them the awesome wonder of the greatest treasure of all.

I enjoyed having the chance to read and review this book, it really promotes the Christian principles that I stand for. The story was easy to follow along too, more for older children as it is a little to long for younger audiences. The book was beautifully illustrated by Alyson Harris. This book was written by George E. Edenfield, published by Golden Garden Publishing, Inc. I received this book for review through Bookcrash, I was not made to write a positive review, only to voice my honest thoughts about the work.

The Bridesmaid

The Latest in Chart-Topping Amish Fiction from Beverly Lewis

Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amish woman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare. 

Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amish man who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

This book ended differently than I thought I was going to but it was still another amazing book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. I have never disliked a Beverly Lewis book, she is one of my favorite authors and I have never disagreed with how she has ended a book like I have with others. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Amish fiction. I received this book for review by Bethany House Publishers; I was not made to write a positive review, the opinion expressed is my own. 

Secret Keeper: The Delicate Power of Modesty

EVERY WOMAN IS BORN WITH POWER!

We live in the age of low-rise jeans, belly-button rings, and backless shirts. Many girls and young women today could not even define the word modesty, let alone tell you how to live it out. Teen girls often ask:
Why can't I wear what everyone else is wearing? My parents are hung up on their old sense of fashion. Times have changed, why can't I? Isn't is really the guy's problem if he is tempted?

In a fresh and trusted voice, Dannah Gresh has a new message for them: modesty itself is a delicate yet formidable power. In Secret Keeper, she teaches that modesty not only issues a challenge for one man to romantically earn your virtue, but it also expresses your love for and obedience to God.

Includes The"Truth or Bare" Fashion Tests and Fashion Challenges that will resonate with a teen girl.
This book is a must have for any Christian girl who wants to know the reasons for dressing modestly and what the bible has to say about it. It also encludes tips on dressing modestly but fashionable, plus haw to make the clothes you already have into a modest fashion statement. I would recommend this book to all Christian young ladies.

I received this book for review through moody publishers