Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles, Book 1) by Lynn Austin

     Lynn Austin is a gifted writer and she has yet to disappoint me.  I LOVED her bible based series, Chronicles of the Kings, so I was super excited to hear that she was starting a new bible based series!  Austin has the ability to take scripture, history, and imagination, and weave them all so beautifully together, in a captivating and timeless tale. 

    I will be honest though, the first portion of the story was a much slower paced read for me.  Interesting but not gripping.  However, you know things are going to get better and sure enough you hit a point where you just can't put the book down.  The characters come to life and you can relate with their struggles.  You desire to see these people return to God and to put Him first, and you become frustrated with those who lack the faith and strength to do so.  All the while seeing that no one is perfect and yet, God still loves us all. With God it is so much more than following rules, it is about our heart! Do we find strength in following rules, do we turn from truth or do we love and depend on God?

    I believe that Austin gave us a very good depiction of the time, cultures, situations and characters with their struggles.  She portrayed life with all the good and the bad and brought forth the truth of Scripture in these circumstances. In the end I have to say, brilliantly done! I am looking forward to Book 2!

Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Book 3, Spa Girls Series) by Kristin Billerbeck

 

 

 

      I have to say this might be my favorite of the series!  Sure Poppy is quirky but she is lovable and even if you aren't into all the natural health stuff, I am sure you can relate to her in other ways.  Poppy has some things to step back and really look at.  Pride is depleting her of joy and enjoying all the blessings available to her.  She will, at some point have to pull that plank out of her eye but then don't we all at some point or another. 

 

    Not only is Poppy's journey filled with introspection and growth, but also with some pretty "hot" guys.  This will keep you guessing through most of the story as to who is really best for her and will she figure it out or continue going it alone. 

 

    I definitely sped through this one yesterday and was very happy with the outcome!  The characters, their flaws and strengths, and the story in general made for a very good read.  So pick up Book 3 to see if Poppy can make peace with her past and her present, while embracing all that God has for her now and to come.

 

A Girl's Best Friend (Book 2, Spa Girls Series) by Kristin Billerbeck

     In all honesty Book 2 just wasn't as good of a read (to me) as Book 1.  It was a little slow at first, but somewhere near page 60 things started picking up... However, I really found myself wanting to shake Morgan.  Yes, we all have our issues and no we are not perfect.  But sometimes you really need to open up your eyes and see what is before you, AND learn from your mistakes.  Granted part of the story is that Morgan will eventually do just that, but it was a little too slow going for me, and not quiet as humorous as Book 1.  That said, I know there are others who would not agree with me, as I have read their reviews online.  To some, this was their favorite book in the series.  I guess you will just have to read it for yourself to decide!

    I will add one last thought... She did wrap things up nicely in the end and left me with a smile and satisfied with the outcome. 

She's All That (Book 1, Spa Girls Series) by Kristin Billerbeck

 

 

 

     Still in the mood for some good, light hearted and humorous reading, I decided to open up She's All That, Book 1 in Billerbeck's Spa Girls Series.  I found it to be a delightful read.  It was a little slow going at first but you will soon find Lilly not only quirky and energized but also very lovable.  She finds herself in some humorous and trying moments but thankfully has the love and support of her "Spa girls" aka best friends.  Life is certainly never dull with Lilly and I am sure you will enjoy getting to know and experience life with not only her but with the other warm and engaging characters that make up this series.

 

    So pick up Book 1 to see if Lilly can not only find her footing in the fashion world but also to see if she can manage to learn to be, who God created her to be.  And somewhere along the way make room for a little romance! All in all I found this to be a fun read. One that I breezed through yesterday, enjoying the humor and wondering which of these three guys might be the right one for Lilly?!  AND would she ever like her hair!?!

 



Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning by KristinBillerbeck

 

 

   

    If your looking for a fun, light, humorous, flirty book in Christian chick-lit you've found it! I really enjoyed this read.  It was cute, quirky, fun and gave me some good chuckles!  Just what I was in the mood for. 

    Sarah Claire is a character that you will see come to life and one you will be cheering for as you see her struggle to stay true to her Christian beliefs, find herself in her new job and maybe see her dreams come true!  There are times you will want to shake her for her wishy washy ways of seeing herself.  At times she wants to be more than she has been told she is; she wants to believe there is good and wonderful things for her.  Then again, she will get down on herself and believe she is a "have-not" and that she is undeserving of the chance she has before her. 

    Amidst her struggles and hilarious circumstances you will find an encouraging and hope filled story.  Wonderful characters and some nice & clean but sizzling romance top it all off to be a delightful, light read that will leave you smiling.



Glittering Promises (Book 3, The Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren

 

 

     This was an exciting and wonderful series for so many reasons... great characters, a really good plot with some unexpected surprises, adventure, romance, a little suspense and some good faith lessons to boot!  I found that Book 3 really had a little more spiritual reflection points and lessons within it's folds.  Cora is finally coming into who she really is and that her identity is not based on where she is from, what she accomplishes, others acceptance of her nor her circumstances but that her identity is found in Christ alone. 

 

    I have to admit there were moments you would find me grinning as I flew through the pages.  And then you would find me at other moments distraught!  I wasn't sure at one point I liked what she was doing with the story and a few of it's characters.  There seemed to be some incongruities between what was transpiring in the prior books and then in book 3. HOWEVER, Bergren had me dashing through the pages to see what would happen next!  A few things were maybe hinted at earlier in the story but you were never really sure.  All I have to say now is that I applaud Bergren for her masterful tale and for leaving me very happy with the ending!  Actually, my only regret is that the series is over... Might I request a short novella to be written!  I would love to see what happens next with Cora and the rest of the crew!  Maybe it could be a novella based on one of the other characters that brings us back into the lives of those we have come to care for and cheer on!  Well, that is probably a good sign of not only a great story but wonderful characters, when you can't stand to say goodbye!

 

An exciting, fast paced and pleasurable read!

 

 

 

Grave Consequences (Book 2, The Grand Tour Series) by Lisa T. Bergren

 

 

     Another exciting, pager turner by Bergren!  Grave Consequences picks up where we left off in Book 1.  You are pulled into the story quickly, wondering what will happen with Cora, Will, Pierre and the others on this grand journey.  The characters, the plot, romance, danger and more will capture you and propel you through the pages.  As much as I wanted to savor the story I found I couldn't slow my reading pace down.

 

    I will admit in a few places I did do some skimming of sentences.  There were a few repetitive themes of Cora with her struggle over Will and her love for him and how she felt about Pierre.  And there is so much I would like to say on this subject,  but since I don't like spoilers I will try to say enough not to give too much away.  Bergren has created two suitors that readers can easily cheer for, which makes it hard as you are not sure who you want her with and at times you may lean more towards one than another.  But just like Cora you will find they are both pretty wonderful guys.  I am not sure how Bergren is going to work this all out and hoping I like the outcome.  I am not thinking that it will be a shocker who she ends up with, but at the same time Bergren has some more work to do to get me, the reader happy about the ending.

 

    There was excitement and danger lurking for the group throughout this novel.  You will see hints as to where Bergren is heading with the storyline but not enough to know how she will bring everything out into the open and work things out.  I also have to add that there is one part in the story where one of the characters mentions believing in God but that going to Church is a few times a year thing.  This had me hoping to see maybe in Book 3, some heart changes and spiritual growth for this character.  In another novel maybe seeing another character's light and life shine being an influence.  Not that God and praying to Him is not a part of this book, it is - but it is not a big theme of the book.  Really, you see Cora struggling with finding out who she is deep down and sorting through does she have to be and do what others ask and/or expect of her? Cora will have moments of introspection.  Is she clinging to her past and who she thought she was?  Is that the real her?  Has this trip and lifestyle changed her?  Can she be open to the opportunities presented to her? Will she be open to what God has for her and let Him lead her?  Circumstances are funny things... you can let them define you, trap you or you can let them refine and strengthen you, propelling you into more.

 

    More and more excitement, romance, & mystery stirred in with a dash of suspense add up to a great read!  Enjoy!