Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

Hope is no longer a concept Merry Ellison believes in. Forced on the run following her father's decision to support the rebels in their quest against King John, Merry relies on her wits, skills, and wariness to keep her and the surviving children from their village alive and safe from those who would do them harm. Yet, their whole life threatens to crash around them when ghosts of the past and present become all too living.

I am a sucker for historical fiction. I've admitted this many times and when I heard the premise of Sleiman's Dauntless featuring the teenage daughter of a slain baron around the time of Robin Hood . . . I couldn't resist. Better yet, I'm glad I didn't!

Sleiman's novel has some classic trademarks of the genre. A young hero struggling with their faith following a wounding, a love interest (or two), and a strong cast of supports to help move the plot along.

Instead of being annoyed by the presence of another love triangle, I was impressed at the honesty of Allen's journey.Wren's childhood innocence could have seemed an overused device to move along the plot but instead her essence continually delighted me as she turned up on the pages, proving a needed contrast to Merry's wounded guarding and Timothy's warring ambitions.

Merry, herself, provides the target audience (Dauntless  is classified as juvenile fiction) with a fascinating role model. She's brave, smart, and loyal while openly wrestling with her need for vulnerability and her views on faith and religion in a world that no longer makes sense. This issue, if memory serves, can be quite timely for readers in the target age range.

Overall, I appreciate Sleiman's work. The characters aren't perfect but there are lessons in their growth and struggle, even for those characters who choose poorly (sorry I refuse to give away the villain's true identity!) Much like Timothy's first encounter with the survivors the children of Dauntless naturally draw their audience in through the charm and honesty they continually manifest. The pacing felt natural -rushing where needed for extra anticipation and slowing in natural ebbs and flows. Sleiman is honest at the books end where fantasy and fiction collide but the end result is still a highly satisfying read.

I would recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction, youth fiction, and stories with a female lead.

I received a copy of this book through Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest opinions. The above review is my own.

The Lucado Treasury of Prayer

Every once in awhile you find a "library classic". It's the type of book that comes off the shelf with regularity as pictures and meanings resonate with family. The type of book that gets used with one sibling and the next, perhaps even on to the next generation.

Thinking back on my own childhood, I encountered a few of these books: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Velveteen Rabbit, and You Are Special  to name but a few.

With the Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers, Max and Denalyn Lucado offer up another library classic. Filled with pages of gorgeous, engaging pictures to enhance a collection of prayers both new and old, this treasury offers up an introduction to prayers for any situation. 

I was thoroughly impressed at the wide variety the Lucado's included in this newest offering on two fronts. First, the collection features a variety of prayers for different situations: morning, bedtime, thankfulness, holidays, and everything in between. When attempting to cultivate an attitude of prayer in children it is so helpful to have a collection which shows the value of prayer beyond bedtime and meals. 

Second, I was impressed to see a variety of different prayers from different spots in church history. In previous collections I have encountered there seems to be a temptation to amass a collection from a single, narrow time frame, Lucado's treasury is all the richer thanks to their willingness to expand.

The Lucado treasury is also a beautiful piece of work. My son and I were both enchanted as we turned the pages and found ourselves getting lost in the pictures which complete each page, offering a warm and friendly image for children to connect with.

After a long search for a suitable book on prayer to introduce our children too, I can easily say that Max and Denalyn have compiled a wonderful piece that would be a valuable addition to any family library.

5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

52 Life Lessons from Les Miserables

In 52 Life Lessons from Les Miserables, Bob Welch provides readers with a unique devotional/teaching resource. Over the course of 52, easy to read, and short chapters, Welch not only examines a well beloved tale recognized through print, stage, song, and film but challenges readers to think about themes of life and faith which can be gleaned from the words and notes of this beloved tale.

I loved the premise of Welch's book. Les Mis has long been one of my favourite reads and the opportunity to get a different perspective on the book and how it connects with life and faith was irresistible. As a busy mom, I appreciated the book's come and go nature, with each chapter falling between 2-4 pages it was simple to pick up as life allowed, knowing that each chapter was essentially self-contained and ready to be read in passing or mulled over while going about the day. Finally, even though a book merely a fraction of the length of the original cannot hope to cover everything I was impressed at the wide breadth of events and characters Welch managed to weave into 52 Life Lessons.While centered on Val Jean, many dear, familiar characters were recognized well principal scenes were highlighted.

My only disappointment was that with the length of the chapters, the ability for depth was also sacrificed to a degree. However, that said, I've struggled with this in many books since finishing college.

Overall, Welch has presented a strong offering in 52 Life Lessons from Les Miserables that will allow a wide audience to step into the world of a beloved classic while exploring their own faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Abigail's family is facing ruin and it's all her fault.

With the Foster's in need of a dramatic life change following a bad investment it almost seems too good to be true when a distant relation offers them the use of an estate for 12 months at an affordable price. Until Abigail arrives and truths and rumours involving vanishing relatives, unsolved murders, and hidden treasure begin to swirl despite the best efforts of someone to keep Abigail in the dark.



The Secret of Pembrooke Park falls into one of my favourite genres thanks to its older British setting, however, to my surprise, it was the mystery that made this book a winner in my eyes. It takes a rare plot to keep me guessing these days and Klassen skillfully allows plot twists that surprised even me to appear throughout the book at, in retrospect, were the most interesting of points.

With the story's themes of romance and mystery dominating the pages I was hopeful for some strong characters to keep me interested, especially after only Abigail managed to catch my eye from the Foster family. Thankfully, a full cast of character at the estate including staff, the Chapman's, and neighbours down the road provide a colourful enough town to believe a mystery of this scale could actually occur in it's given setting. That said, it was truly Abigail that kept me turning the pages. Her intelligence and her character made her such an easy character to journey with through the story that it was easy to enter the world through her efforts and take part in Pembrooke.

I was also happy that the mystery never took second stage to the romances which came and went throughout the book. Although Abigail had two suitors by the end,  they relationships actually naturally evolved through the mystery and the events which were taking place. I won't give away which suitor Abigail chooses but I was definitely satisfied with the end result.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park  is a well crafted mystery that should appeal to a variety of readers thanks to it's involvement of different literary genres.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

I received this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review the opinions are my own

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Time Traveller by Joanne Harris

As a loyal Whovian I was excited for the chance to review a story based in Classic Who (doctors before Eccleston's 9th).

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Time Traveller takes place as the 3rd doctor is counting down until his next regeneration having been fatally poisoned. Recognizing his time is almost ended he attempts to find companion Sarah Jane when the TARDIS reroutes him to an idyllic town with a terrible secret driving it's everyday life.

The premise itself is quite Whovian in nature and it's always interesting to explore the mind of the doctor as he proceeds towards regeneration. However, given the twist ending, this book was simply too dark for me given where I am in life at the moment.

I enjoyed the build and pacing of the story, watching this doctor reason out what was happening in the little town. I also found it interesting as one more familiar with modern Who to see personality traits which have followed the Doctor throughout his regeneration.

Given the book's sensitive ending (and the inability to warn readers as it spoils the story) I would hesitantly recommend this story as it's ending may be more than some Whovian's were expecting.

I received this book in exchange for my honest open through NetGallery.

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

As a noble daughter and elder sister, it is Margaretha’s duty to marry well.
Surely it isn’t her fault that none of her suitors came close to being the husband she desires. Lord Claybrook seems her best option despite his high tastes and cold eyes, so why is her attention held fast by an injured, nameless boy who claims destruction for her family should she marry the foreign Lord?

I thoroughly loved The Princess Spy! It has adventure, plot twists, romance all wrapped up with an almost fairy tale vibe, providing an intriguing journey that I wish could have continued. Dickerson helps readers connect with her characters by providing them depth and life. Margaretha continually grows into her role as a young noble from the insecure and overtalkitive girl she was before the story’s events came to pass, growing through love as well as her faith both key elements within the story’s composition.

I was also surprised how unobtrusive the faith elements were woven into the story’s overall narrative. With Margaretha as well as Colin, the inclusion of their faith and reliance seemed believable and realistic for two young adults learning to stand outside their parents’ households.

I would highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion through BookLook Bloggers. The opinions are my own.

The Brickmaker's Bride

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion, the opinions in this review are uninfluenced and my own.


Every once in awhile you get asked to read a book and, after a double check, you get excited because you recognize the author! Most of the books I review on here are complete surprises, unheard of authors, possibly different genres, and usually I'm pretty excited by the results.

Judith Miller, on the other hand, author of The Brickmaker's Bride has seen my bedside table since high school, and, although I've never found her books overly challenging, it's always like coming back and catching up with an old friend.

Brickmaker's Bride lands on some of Miller's strong point. It's set in West Virgina just after the civil war (historical fiction being, in my opinion, Miller's best). Laura, is a strong, likable female character learning to navigate a very male dominated society following the loss of her father and provider.
Ewan on the other hand is a recent immigrant easy to connect with as he struggles to bring one side of his family together while remaining above the ploys and ethics of the others.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book, Miller has always provided a good pacing and with Brickmaker's Bride it didn't just suit the story but helped give a feel to the setting of the story and the lives of the characters.

The tension within the plot was believable and most readers, myself included, could easily find people they have met who embody the different qualities, displayed by the main cast (although I could certainly do with some more of the liveliness found in the twins. Two of my favourite characters by far and perhaps a smidge underused)

Some readers may find the end wraps up rather neatly, as does much Christian fiction, however, I found Miller's  work refreshing in that not every character had their story-lines neatly wrapped up. There were still quirks, prejudices, and pain that was left unresolved while making sure the story had a complete ending.

All in all I felt this was one of the better reads I've had with Miller in recent years and recommend it to fans of this genre

4 out of 5 stars.