After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1) - Jen Turano

Jen Turano is one of the authors I end up anxiously waiting for her next book to come out.  This is the first book in a new series called A Class of Their Own.

Harriet makes hats for a living, but she dreams of having her own shop someday, one where working class women can get a nice dress that’s affordable.  When her boss sends her to deliver some hats at the home of the wealthiest man in town, she’s reluctant to go but has little choice.  Since it’s her birthday, she’s praying for something wonderful, but instead she ends up attacked by a young socialite and losing her job.

Oliver thought he had the right woman lined up to grace his arm during a business deal with a duke, but she ends up being on the dramatic side.  Knowing that Harriet has lost her job, he decides to offer her the position of his companion, but she refuses.  He can’t understand her reluctance, but he’s not really laying on the charm.  Eventually, he offers her enough she’d be able to open up her own shop and she finds herself agreeing.

These two are good together, but their difference in stations makes a relationship seem out of reach.  There’s also the matter of Oliver’s seeming ignorance of the plight of the working class, which irritates Harriet to no end.  She ends up enlightening him on a few occasions and opening his eyes to the world around him.

Turano writes with a wit that never gets old.  Almost every situation Harriet ends up getting herself into ends up in a disaster.  She asked for something wonderful, but only seems to be getting grief in return.  With the appearance of her criminal aunt, she feels that Oliver would be better off without her.  Oliver, on the other hand, is starting to think less of his fortune and more of the unusual woman who’s stealing his heart.

I loved this book.  I found myself smiling more than once and laughing out loud a few times.  To me, this was My Fair Lady turned into a happily-ever-after fairy tale.

You’re set up for the next book, In Good Company, which is about Millie, a soul that’s determined to improve herself.  She’s a bit of a disaster at times as well, but I look forward to more from the author.  In Good Company comes out in July.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Trouble with Patience (Virtues and Vices of the Old West #1) - Maggie Brendan

This is the first book in a new series by Maggie Brendan.

Patience is somewhat new to town.  She's inherited a boardinghouse from her grandmother and left her controlling mother to venture out on her own.  It doesn't take long before she comes up against the local sheriff and sticks her nose in his business.  He intrigues her, but she's not sure how he feels about her.

Jed isn't proud of his past.  While he didn't do anything illegal, he's haunted and his past isn't done with him yet.  He doesn't want to be attracted to her, because he feels he doesn't deserve love.  Eventually, his past will come back and affect his relationship with Patience.  It's just a matter of time before she learns the truth and you're just waiting to see how she'll react.

Patience is fond of writing devotionals for others, but the more she writes, the more she comes to realize that she hasn't always been taking her own advice.  She's urging others toward forgiveness, but is she going to be willing to forgive when she has the chance?

This was a pretty good book but probably not my favorite by this author.  I felt that the end was drawn out unnecessarily, and I found myself skimming the last bit of the book.  Other than that, it was a cute story about forgiveness and finding love with an unlikely person. I'm not sure when the next book is due to come out, but I'm keeping my eye on this author.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wolfsbane (Discarded Heroes #3) - Ronie Kendig

Wolfsbane is the third book in the Discarded Heroes series.  The first two are Nightshade and Digitalis.  After this book is a fourth called Firethorn.

Canyon Metcalfe has been trying to turn things around.  Contrary to his called sign, Midas, it seems like everything he touches falls apart.  He's taking the rap for a failed mission and is doing his best to keep his mouth shut.  When a senator's daughter is saved by Canyon's brother, he meets a woman that catches his interest with her strength, but his brother has called dibs on her and uses Canyon's past to make him back off.

Dani has escaped from a man who raped her for months.  She's brought back evidence that the government should be able to use against him.  Instead, her loyalties are questioned and she might even be tried for treason!  She sees a kindred spirit in Canyon, and when he finds her trying to harm herself, they share a secret that draws them closer together.

The only way to clear Dani's name is to take her back to Venezuela, where the monster lies in wait for her.  Canyon is part of the team that vows to keep her safe, and he promises not to leave without her.  Dani is drawn to Canyon, but he pulls back numerous times, and she's doesn't know why he doesn't pursue the electricity between them.  She doesn't understand his past and how he's trying to make things up to his brother.

This was a pretty decent book, but it wasn't my favorite of the series.  It might have been the rape aspect or maybe how far things go between Canyon and Dani.  There was one time where I thought the scene was overly descriptive, but overall, Kendig does a great job telling a wonderful story.  I'd give this book 3.5 stars.  Still looking forward to reading Firethorn, the story of Legend.  I still recommend reading these in order, but you could read this one alone.  Good Book!

Farewell to Paperbackswap

I've been a member of Paperbackswap since April 2007.  In that time, I've traded many DTB books, but with the upcoming changes, I've decided to cancel my membership.

In the past, you posted a book.  When a person requested that book, you sent it out (paying for the shipping of course) and you got a credit.  With that credit, you could request a book from another member and you would get that book for free (if you don't count the money you paid to ship out the original book in the first place).  It was basically a place that brought together people to trade books.

Then it started to get complicated.  You have choices when you ship.  You can pre-print the shipping label.  They charge you $0.55 to do that, but I would do it for the convenience and to help them out.  Also, to buy PBS money (the money you use for the shipping label) you have a $0.50 transaction fee.  So, over the years, the little fees have been stuck in there unless you went the post office.

On February 15, Paperbackswap is switching from being "free" to charging for the chance to trade books with other members.  Instead of being able to use your credits to simply get a book, you'll have to pay $.49 per transaction to use your own credits.  If you print out your shipping label, you get a "free" credit, but since you're paying the $0.55 already, it's not really free.

You can pay $20 annually and get your trades for free, but you're going to have to get 40 books to make that cost effective.  The other choice is $12, and you get 30 free swaps. There's also some nonsense about how many books you can have on your Wish List, but I think that's a minor issue.

With the amount of swapping I end up doing, I've sent out many more books in the past year than I had wishes granted.  Overall, the service has gone downhill for me.  They've been starting to nickel and dime me for a while now, and this is just the last straw.

Personally, I have been trying to replace many of my DTB books with the digital versions. The credits I was using on the site was to supplement books in my church's library, but those wishes haven't been granted in a while and it's just not worth it for me.

I am trying to use up my credits one last time and then my account will be closed.  I am an advocate of finding ways to save money while still reading books I love, and Paperbackswap no longer fits into that category in my opinion.  I won't be recommending it any longer.

Farewell Paperbackswap.  You started out good, then made yourself WAY too complicated...

The Heart of Adventure Sweepstakes - Dani Pettrey

In celebration of the release of Dani Pettrey's new book, Sabotaged, you have the chance to win some amazing prizes!

The grand prize is a $250 gift certificate at Hotels.com.  Next up is a donation to the animal rescue, shelter or veternarian of your choice.  Third prize is a survival sled packed with goodies.  

The giveaway started on February 2nd and runs until the 22nd.  Wnners will be announced February 23rd at DaniPettrey.com.  So, head on over to The Heart of Adventure website and enter now!

If the sweepstakes doesn't catch your eye, make sure you check out the book, Sabotaged.  It's the fifth and final book in the Alaskan Courage series and a great read.  I enjoyed it a lot, and you can read my review HERE.

I recommend both the book and the sweepstakes - what have you got to lose?!

Remember the Lilies - Liz Tolsma

In the past, I’ve read Snow on the Tulips, a novel about the Dutch Resistance in WWII.  There’s another book out that I haven’t been able to read called Daisies are Forever.  I liked Snow on the Tulips, so I was excited to read this one.

Manila.  WWII.  Rand used to be a nightclub owner, but now that the Japanese have taken over the city, he lives in the internment camp with so many other men, women and children.  He has plans to escape, but those plans fall through and he’s sent to a horrible prison where he is tortured.  When he is let go, he winds up in the hospital to recover.

Irene works in the censor office and learns that part of the message she prepared for Rand is missing a vital part.  She sees that he’s taken prisoner, and when another, more threatening message is sent to him, she knows he needs to see it.  Her aunt is sick and she uses her visit to inform Rand that he’s in danger.

A man named Covey begins to threaten and blackmail Rand and, later on, Irene.  He wants power over their lives and knows things about them no one should know.  Holding the secrets over Rand’s head, he believes he’ll take control of Rand’s nightclub business.  He threatens to expose Irene’s deepest secret and ruin her friendship with Rand.  Will they eventually embrace the truth and each other?

This book takes part during the war in the internment camp.  There’s a lot of savagery, brutality and cruelty mixed in with the hope of God’s deliverance and the power of forgiveness.  It was a little more on the depressing side than I’m used to reading, but the hope of a happy ending kept me going until the end.  There’s a small author’s note at the end giving you a little bit of the history that inspired the story and overall, I was glad I read it.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.