Shadow Mountain

Review: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

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01 aclo This has to be the one of the most unique books I have ever read. Unique in the sense that I’ve never read Steampunk before. All the talk of gears and ray guns and such was just wild for me. Now toss in vampires, werewolves and ghosts and you have the making a crazy story. Not to mention romance, cuz of course I need romance in my stories. This was just plain fantastic.

When Lucy decided to visit her cousin, Kate, she thought she was there to merely help her get well. She had no idea that she was about to get sucked into such drama. From pushy relatives to ghost hauntings, she has more on her plate than she ever thought possible. Last thing she wants is to deal with a mean, yet handsome, man who seems to be everywhere she looks. I liked Lucy. She had spunk. She wasn’t going to let anything scare her off until she figured out what was making her cousin sick. Not even the big bad beast could move her along.

Miles was fun to watch. Yes, he had is secrets. Yes, he was brash. But he cared for his family and was trying to do the best for them. In the ways of the “beast” it was sweet to see him fall for Lucy, even though he didn’t want to. He tried to protect her and push her away, but she wasn’t taking any of his crap. These two were too stubborn to not connect with each other.

The best part of this book is that it’s clean. As with all Proper Romances, this story has nothing to hide. Teens to adult can enjoy this story without worrying about sexy scenes. I look forward to letting my daughter read this when she’s ready.

I’ll admit, I had no idea what I was getting myself into here. I have no idea what’s “traditional” steampunk and what isn’t. I still don’t know. But what I do know is that I completely enjoyed this story. And if all steampunks are like this one, then I know I found another genre to add to my TBR.

~Melpomene

Buy Beauty and the Clockwork Beast HERE.

Review: Forever and Forever by Josi S. Kilpack

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01 for Oh, how my heart is happy!! I must admit when I first picked this book up, I kept wracking my brain to who this Longfellow was. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. So I googled it and found my answer and was greatly distraught afterwards. I’m not one for book spoilers and that basically told me how his story ended, not how the book ended. I realize Forever and Forever is their love story, but to know the final part, was almost more than my heart was prepared for. So I sat down and read with a heavy heart and began their journey.

When we first meet Fanny, she’s an 18 yr old with not a care in the world. Very young and immature at times. Most women her age were looking for husbands, but not her. She was content with living under her father’s roof and off his money. She wasn’t cruel or evil, mind you, just very immature. I found as I was reading, I really wanted to shake some sense into her. She was making me so very angry with her attitude towards Henry Longfellow.

Henry was a widower and a professor, when he first laid eyes one Fanny. I loved him instantly. He loved and lost and you knew he wasn’t just going to give his heart away to anyone. He wasn’t even looking for anyone, until he stumbled upon Fanny. Slowly he started to fall for her and spent 7 years convincing her to give him a chance.

And forever and forever,
As long as the river flows,
As long as the heart has passions,
As long as life has woes;

The moon and its broken reflection
And its shadows shall appear,
As the symbol of love in heaven,
And its wavering image here.

As I said before, I knew how their story ended, so I spent most of the book quite angry at Fanny for dismissing him so easily. He was so romantic with his poems and books. She didn’t deserve him, but he loved her and was patiently waiting for God to change one of their hearts. By the time I was done, I had tears flowing. She wasted so many years being stubborn. I’m just glad they had time at all.

Now this book isn’t classified as Christian romance, but it could be. God is mentioned a few times, but it’s a very good balance. Religion was a very important part of this history, so I find it refreshing.

Forever and Forever is my first book by Josi, but I know it won’t be my last.

~Melpomene

Buy FOREVER AND FOREVER.

Review: A Lady’s Favor by Josi S. Kilpack

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01 alady I just finished this sweet romance and my heart is so very content and happy. A Lady’s Favor is short novella that will have you swooning and smiling all over the place.

Bianca is under the constant attention of a very pompous, Lord Strapshire. No matter what she does, she can’t sway him away. Even though she hasn’t spoken to Mathew, since the embarrassing “incident” a few years ago, she has asked for his help, in trying to persuade Lord Strapshire to move along.

Mathew is still quite embarrassed from causing Bianca such comfortableness, years ago, but he is thrilled to be asked for his help, even if it’s only to repay his debt to her. But soon he quickly realizes that he isn’t playing a game and he doesn’t want her to think that anymore.

I loved Mathew. He was a great friend to her and I liked being in his head. Watching him go from acquaintance to friend to more, was so much fun. He may have done foolish things, but when it counted he stepped up and helped her out.

If you like sweet romances, I highly recommend A Proper Romance titles. They will make your romantic heart happy.

~Melpomene

Buy A Lady’s Favor.

Review: My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen

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01 my “Friendships are often to be found in unexpected places and should be cherished and nurtured.”

Every now and then, I need a sweet romance. I need a book that will send my heart all a fluttering, like it’s filled with a million butterflies. My Fair Gentleman was just that book. I was swooning and smiling the whole time. There may have even been a tear or two.

From the first moment I laid eyes on Jack, my heart was smitten. I could tell that he has lived so many years with the hurt of being disowned by his grandfather, it’s taken it’s toll on him. He puts up this strong front, but if you look close, you could see the cracks inside. He did everything he could, for his mom and sister. And just when he was about to set sail on his very own ship, his life was flipped and he was forced to change everything to protect them.

Ivy is doing a favor for her grandmother. She needs to help Jack and is family get reacquainted with a life they should’ve always been leading. Teaching women to be gentile? No problem. But turning a sailor into a gentleman, well that may prove a bit troublesome.

Jack and Ivy were so much fun to watch. She is used to a certain level of decorum. But being around Jack, she realizes that decorum is sometimes overrated. They make each other laugh, which is not normal. He teaches her to relax a bit, and in doing so, her heart starts to fall. But she knows she can’t do anything, for he is an earl who needs to find a bride. A bride that isn’t her.

Not everything went as smooth as they’d hoped, but they were there for each other. Watching these two care for each other, in their times of need, was beautiful. To see their feelings grow was perfect. She knew she couldn’t have him, but it’s hard to tell your heart to stop. I wanted to whisper in her ear and tell her that it’s going to be ok, if she just stopped and really listened.

“Jack,” she whispered brokenly, “you are unfair.”

“No, my lady, you are the one who denies not only yourself, but me as well.”

I am a HUGE fan of these Proper Romance books. They are not specifically Christian themed books, but they are very clean. I have read a few in the PR family and have greatly enjoyed them. In fact, my 14 yr old is a huge fan also, and she isn’t one for romance. The difference about these romance books is that the romance itself isn’t overpowering. It’s slow and innocent and not uncomfortable. Whether you’re a reader of romance or just looking for a clean story to recommend to teens, this book, among the rest of the Proper Romance stories, are right up your alley.

~Melpomene

Buy My Fair Gentleman (Proper Romance)

Teen/YA books

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Have you noticed lately that the YA books seem to be creeping into the NA realm?? Well, as a parent of a couple of tweens, I sure have. And let me tell you, I am not one bit happy.

I don’t want to shelter my kids too much, but I would like them to remain innocent for as long as possible. There is no reason for YA books to have excessive language or sex in them, whether or not it’s a closed door scene. I’m not trying to be a prude, but I have a real problem with this. It seems that all the books geared toward girls, have a heavy dose of romance and many go a bit overboard. Since my almost 13 yr old daughter wants to read “more YA and less ‘kids’ books” (her words), I wish there were more teen books out there. I have been reading a few with her lately and here are a couple that I think are absolutely perfect tween/YA books.

Now, a couple of these are christian romances, but they’re teen romances. These kids don’t need to read about adult feelings and emotions. They need to be kids and be silly, not be subjected to books about things they can’t possibly understand yet.

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Edenbrooke, by Julianne Donaldson

This is one of my daughter’s absolute favorite books. I had to go out and order a signed copy for Christmas last year, because she had to hold in her hands. She was in love with this book.

To quote my review, “This book was so full of sweet romance that my eyes were prickling the whole entire time. I fell in love all over again. I feel like twirling with my eyes closed.”

I think I may need a reread of this one soon. Go HERE to read my full review.

Up next is another by Julianne. This one is my favorite of hers.

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Blackmoore, by Julianne Donaldson

Is it possible to have too much love?? Well, this story surely did.

For the last 20% of the book I don’t think my tears stopped falling. This story was about love, love, and more love. Love that hurts. Love that rips you up. Love that puts you back together.

I loved the emotional turmoil and the gut retching feeling I had. Although I almost had to stop, it was too much for me.

I think my daughter even shed a couple of tears. I love books like this.

Go HERE for Clio’s full review.

Up next is my daughter’s all time favorite. She even read it twice in two days. If I’d let her, she’d keep reading this one over and over again.
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Eyes of the Woods, by Eden Fierce

This is a paranormal YA romance that was written by a 14 yr old!! So I knew it would be perfect for daughter. ANd I was right.

“The action was fantastic! My nerves did get the better of me a few times. I was so very curious to what happening, I couldn’t put it down. There were a couple of sad parts that may be hard to read. But as I thought about what these kids watch on TV or video games, they would be used to things much worse.”

Go HERE for my full review.

This is our current read.
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Matched, by Ally Condie

I read this series a few years back. So I don’t remember much of of it. I know that it’s romance, but I don’t remember any sex. So far we are up to chapter 10 and so far, she is dying to read faster. I’m pretty sure this is a safe read, but I’m not taking any chances. So as I read for myself, I am sneaking in 5-7 chapters of this each day.

It’s a dystopian book, so there isn’t any language I have to deal with. I love most dystopians, for that very reason.

I’m hoping to review this, when I am done. Meanwhile go HERE to grab a copy for yourself.

Well, I am off to read. I’ll keep you posted, if I discover any more. And if you find any, please let me know!

~Melpomene

Buy:
Edenbrooke: A Proper Romance

Blackmoore (Proper Romances)

Eyes of the Woods

Matched

Preview: Hope Springs(Longing for Home #2), by Sarah Eden

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1 After I read Edenbrooke and Blackmoore, I was on a mission to find similar books. So when I stumbled upon this author, I was very excited to read one of her books.

I can honestly say I’m kinda glad I never read the first book. This book ended so perfectly. I think I might’ve been mad if I had to endure the possible love triangle in the first one. I wasn’t sure who was more perfect for Katie, in the beginning. But after a bit I figured out who I liked.

Katie has lived a very hard life, filled with much suffering and death. I was struggling with hearing it all myself, and watching her go through much more. I swear, the last 15% of the book, my nerves were shot and I spent the entire time with tears glistening in my eyes. I know times were tough, but I never even imagined one person going through so much.

The love triangle was perfectly written. Katie has had no one to look after her, for so long, she really doesn’t know what she’s feeling or how to deal with those feelings. I truly felt bad for Joseph and Tavish as they both were vying for her affection, while all this was going on.

Watching the town, on the verge of self destruction, was heart breaking also. These people just didn’t want to let go of their prejudices and live peacefully. So property damage, stolen property, and physical injuries were just a part of their problems.

Katie tried everything in her power to get things turned around. She knew if something didn’t happen, someone would eventually get killed in the crossfire. Sadly, she was right. That was part of where my tears came from. Devastated.

By the time the ending came around, I was emotionally drained, but that’s the way I like my books. I can’t wait to see what else Ms. Eden has in store for us.

I received this ARC, for an honest review.

~Melpomene

Release date: February 14, 2014

Preorder Longing for Home, Book 2: Hope Springs – A Proper Romance