Review & Giveaway: Baroness by Susan May Warren

Baroness by Susan May Warren

Summerside Press / 2012

Amazon / Goodreads

About the book:

Coming of age in the turbulent Roaring Twenties, two daughters of fortune can have anything they possibly want—except freedom. Expected to marry well and take the reins of the family empire, Lilly and Rosie have their entire lives planned out for them. But Lilly longs to flee the confines of New York City for the untamed wilds of Montana. Her cousin Rosie dreams of the bright lights of the newly emerging silver screen. But following their dreams—to avant-garde France, to dazzling Broadway, to the skies of the fearless wing walkers—will demand all their courage. 

When forced to decide, will Lilly and Rosie truly be able to abandon lives of ease and luxury for the love and adventure that beckons? At what cost will each daughter of fortune find her true love and a happy ending?

My rating:

My thoughts:

Just like Heiress (book one in the Daughters of Fortune series), Baroness was an emotional ride. There was so much sadness, but also some happiness. =)

Baroness is mainly about Lilly (Esme's daughter) and Rosie (Jinx's daughter) and their quest for love/journey in life. While we do see a little of Esme and Jinx, it's not much.

It took me a while to figure out who everyone was in Baroness because it's been a while since I've read Heiress, but after that I thoroughly enjoyed the book - although there were a few times I reread sentences because there was so much detail!

Even though I loved Baroness, at one point I got to where I dreaded reading more because I knew what was going to happen - and I did. not. want. it. to!! However, I also had to keep reading because I needed to see how it would end and I just loved the story!

With another cliff-hanger ending, Baroness, book two in Susan May Warren's Daughters of Fortune series, leaves me anticipating Duchess, book three!

If you like novels like this - that grab your attention and emotions - and don't mind there being some sad moments, than I would definitely recommend it, but first read Heiress (if you haven't already). I think they are best read in order.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. *

Book Giveaway!!

Enter to win a copy of Baroness by Susan May Warren!! US and Canada only.

Enter by filling out the Rafflecopter below (here is a tutorial, if you aren't familiar with Rafflecopter). The mandatory entry is to leave a comment on this blog post - after you do that, the other entries will become available. 

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Review: Protecting the Princess by Rachelle McCalla

Protecting the Princess by Rachelle McCalla

Series: Reclaiming the Crown (#2)

Love Inspired Suspense / Feb. 2012

Amazon / Goodreads

About the books:

A series of explosions took out the royal motorcade and threw the country of Lydia into chaos. Princess Anastasia missed her limo, and doesn't know what has become of the rest of her family. Whisked away from her native country for her protection, Stasi is dismayed that her life is now in shambles. But at least she's not alone. Kirk Covington pledges to keep her safe. He's a royal guard...and the man she's spent years blaming for her brother's disappearance. Now she'll have to trust him with her life—and her heart—in order to regain the throne.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I read Princess in Peril (book one in the "Reclaiming the Crown" series) back in February of this year and loved that book! Protecting the Princess was just as good, if not better!

In Protecting the Princess we get to see Anastasia's story first hand - including hearing about some things Princess Isabelle was doing. I found that very interesting because we got to see the things Isabelle did first hand in Princess in Peril.


I personally loved getting to read Anastasia's story and finding out what happened to her before, during, and after the attack on the Royal motorcade. There was suspense and romance, making for a great read!

I liked a lot of the characters in Protecting the Princess. Anastasia and Kirk would have to be my two favorites, but Linus and Jason were also great!

The romance in Protecting the Princess was wonderful! I especially loved how Kirk and Stasi grew up together and how he's had feeling for her for years... but because she's a princess, he knows he is not of her station.

There was so much to this story I loved! Personally, I think Protecting the Princess would be great on its own and you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy it. I recommend this book if you enjoy romantic/suspense books - it's great! I am very much anticipating the next book, Prince Incognito, which is Alexander's (Isabelle and Anastasia's brother) story - it just released this month!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

~

Here is the link to Royal Peril, an exclusive short story prequel to the Reclaiming the Crown series: http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=1655&chapter=1

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PLEASE Comment ~ Review & Giveaway: The Next Target by Nikki Arana

The Next Target by Nikki Arana

David C Cook / 2012

Amazon / Goodreads

About the book:

It only took one bullet. Austia's friend and student fell dead. And with a glimpse of a newspaper headline, the young and recently widowed Austia knows more about what happened than the police. From that fatal night, Austia’s secret outreach to the U.S. Muslim community—in the guise of English language classes—becomes a target. Local Muslim extremists set their sights on ending her ministry and even her life. And the women she ministers to will be next.

A thick web of deceit closes in around Austia, and her circle of friends becomes smaller by the day, even as she finally opens herself to the idea of falling in love again. But who can she trust? Facing a spiritual battle that proves more treacherous than it at first seemed, Austia’s convictions are tested to their limits and her heart becomes primed for breaking. She must ask herself: how much she will risk to stay true to her herself, her faith, and to the lives of the women she serves?

My rating:

My thoughts:

The Next Target was a really suspenseful and intriguing read. There were a few things I personally didn't like (i.e. Jesus appearing in Fatima's dream, Austia getting the response "Trust Me" when she was praying, etc.), but other than that, I really enjoyed it!

At first, I wasn't sure what to think about Zaki (whether to like his character or not), but as the story progressed, I found myself liking him more and more - he may even have been my favorite character in The Next Target.

While there wasn't much mystery (it was pretty much known who the "bad" guy was), there were a few tiny twists/surprises that I liked along with the little bit of romance.

It isn't really a surprise to me that I enjoyed this novel, I've enjoyed other books that are slightly similar to The Next Target (having to do with terrorists, etc.). One other thing I really liked was how I got to know the Muslim religion and some of their customs a little bit better.

The Next Target was a great read and I recommend it if you like suspense books or books that deal with terrorism.

*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the publisher for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Book Giveaway!

PLEASE COMMENT on this post (even if you don't want to enter the giveaway). If I'm one of the two bloggers with the most comments, I'll win a Kindle Fire courtesy of David C. Cook publishers!

Enter to win one of three copies of The Next Target! This giveaway is only open to the US and Canada.


Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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Weekend Report (#32) and Giveaway Winners!

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Weekend Report is where I share what I accomplished (book-wise) the previous week! Feel free to join along and post your own Weekend Report on your blog/site. If you do, please leave the URL in a comment below.

Note:

I am so sorry for posting this so late! The internet has been acting up and I haven't been able to get online much (if at all)... I may not be able to get online that much in the coming days also, so if I seem missing, that is most likely why. :(

What I'm currently reading:

On page 17 of 212

I am really enjoying this so far! :)

On page 21 of 324

I've heard great things about this book! I'm not that far yet, but it's good! :)

On page 119 of 212


I like this, but there is one thing I really did not like. What is it, you might ask? Well, it was a letter written to the reader signed by "God". Call me strange, but I don't like it when books, movies, etc. sign something as written by God when it's not. It's like putting words in God's mouth.


What I've read this week:

Really enjoyed this! Will be posting my review tomorrow soon (with a giveaway!).

4 stars:

I really liked this book. It made me think about technology and its influence on me. Also, one thing that really stuck with me was instead of playing a game online, I should play games with my family/friends more. :)

A great book that definitely made me think!

*I got this book when it was free on Amazon Kindle. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

5 stars:

I loved Divergent! There were a few things I didn't like - God's name was used a lot in ways I don't like/find irreverent, H*ll was said a few times, and there was one very heated scene where I was like Should I keep reading or skip ahead? because I wasn't sure what was going to happen between the characters. Thankfully nothing happened in that way (although it was mentioned).

I don't read many mainstream novels, and I think last year I only read three (The Hunger Games trilogy). While I enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy, I think I might have liked Divergent even more! :)

*I borrowed this book from the library - I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

4.5 stars:

Like Divergent, Insurgent was very gripping. The same things I didn't like in Divergent were in Insurgent;  use of God's name in ways I find irreverent (i.e. Oh My ***, etc.), some curse words were used (h*ll. b*st*rd), and there were some heated scenes.

One thing that really annoyed me with this book, though, was that it seemed at times inconsistent - like when a certain character gave his gun to someone, then he has it back, then the person he gave it to has it... and that is just one of the things in this story I found inconsistent.

That said, I did love the story and therefore am giving it 4.5 stars! :)

*I borrowed this book from the library - I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

What I think I'll read soon: 




Heresies is a THICK non-fiction book! So you might see it mentioned in my Weekend Report's a lot!

 I really enjoyed Sandra's other book, To Die For, and I look forward to reading this book!

Reviews posted this week:

Flirting with the Forbidden by Steven James

Current Giveaways!



Enter to win Sanctuary for a Lady by Naomi Rawlings! Open Internationally! Here is the link to enter.



Enter to win the first three books in Tracy's Seven Wonders series!! (Shadow of Colossus, City of the Dead, and Guardian of the Flame) This giveaway is only open to the US. Here is the link to enter.

Giveaway winners!




The winner of Split Sense is...

Elizabeth (Liz)!




The winner of their choice of one of the books listed in post is...

Liss!




The winner of Stardust by Carla Stewart is...

Sharon!

Congrats!!

Winners have been contacted. They have 48 hours to respond, otherwise another winner will be chosen.

So that's what I accomplished (book-wise) this week, what about you? Please share in a comment below. :)

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