Vendetta - Book Review

Good day, sweet friends!

I am dropping in to share a book review,

but wanted to let you know that I am still currently enjoying some quiet time
{ you can read about that here }.

Oh, how I miss you

 and I look forward to returning to blogging in a week or two.

Until then. . .

Love and hugs!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel

on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force.

The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years,

is the driving force in her work.

When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene,

Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past.

The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal,

and she is not the hunter. . .but the hunted.

With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files,

award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice

that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.

My Thoughts

I am new to Lisa Harris and her work

and found her to be a talented author.

While this book was good and gripping in some parts,

it wasn't exactly "amazing."

I was drawn into the storyline from the first chapter,

but as I got closer to the middle of the book I was a little disappointed

with how mediocre the story had become.

The plot was somewhat exciting, but average and left me with thoughts of,

"I've already seen or read this type before."

I want something new and fresh when it comes to suspense.

Don't get me wrong, the book is very good and enjoyable, an easy-read,

but I would have liked more twists and turns,

more fast-paced drama and intrigue,

more action and "wow moments."

I simply felt Vendetta was lacking a little bit. . .just a little.

I am certainly not giving up on this series 

and after reading the first chapter of the second book 

I am already captivated by what comes next for Nikki Boyd.

As for the characters in Vendetta, they are strong and well-developed.

Kudos to Lisa Harris for forming and portraying 

interesting and intricate personalities in the main characters.

In my opinion this book is a 4 star book.

** I was given a free copy of this book from Revell Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received. 
Thank you Revell! **

About the Author
Lisa Harris is a Christy Award winner
and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times.
The author of nearly thirty books, including 
Dangerous Passage, Fatal Exchange, and Hidden Agenda.
Harris and her family have spent twelve years living as missionaries in southern Africa.
They currently live in Mozambique.
Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com

Quiet Time. . .

Reset yourself.

Collect yourself.

Breathe.

Be still.

Sweet friends,

the time has come for me to be still. . .to take some time to be quiet.

I am weary and I feel as though I can't get up to speed with my blogging.

My blog visiting has fallen by the wayside

and it's all I can do to get a post up during the week.

Sometimes a break from your routine

is the very thing you need.

I am going to take a break, dear ones.

It may be for a week, two weeks, or quite possibly four weeks.

it simply depends on how long it takes me to rest up {{smiles}}

I love blogging 

and 

I love you, sweet friends.

I know a little break is just what I need to revive and refresh my heart and mind.

Every once in a while 

we need to strip and disconnect 

from the loud urgent things

and connect to the quiet and most important.

I am ever so thankful for each one of you

and I greatly appreciate your faithfulness in following The Enchanting Rose blog.

YOU are my joy and you make blogging extra wonderful and special.

I will be back soon as I can't stay away for long :)

I hope you will be here when I return. . .

I will continue posting on The Enchanting Rose Facebook page

while I'm on my break so you can follow along there if you don't already.

And my Etsy shop, Rose Petal Blessings, will remain open. 

There will be lots of new items including Christmas delights

coming in over the next couple of weeks.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart 

for understanding my need for a small break.

You have my love and appreciation.

{{{hugs}}}

See you soon! :)

P.S. -You may see a book review or two on the blog while I'm "away."

The Imposter - Book Review

A heart once deceived should not be easily fooled again. . .

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out:

she was going to marry John and live happily ever after.

But as her plans crumble before her eyes, she struggles to face an uncertain future.

When a widow asks for help starting a new business, Katrina agrees.

She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose.

What she doesn't need is attention from Any Miller, 

a farmhand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed-

and who always seems to say the right thing and be in the right place, at the right time.

Is Andy for real or too good to be true?
She's been deceived once before, and she isn't planning on experiencing it again.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back

to Stoney Ridge for a tale of love, uncertainty, and trusting God to write your story.

My Thoughts

This is the first book in The Bishop's Family series.

Okay, I'm just going to come out with it. . .

this wasn't my favorite book from Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Yes, it was good. . .

Yes, the storyline flowed well. . .

And yes, the characters were all enjoyable.

Let me explain. . .

The back cover says the book is mainly about Katrina and Andy Miller,

but the farther I got in the book the more "misleading" I thought the description was.

Each chapter seemed to jump from one character to another

and I understand that books have many characters,

but it seemed like the two main characters in The Imposter 

were David and Birdy, Katrina's dad and friend.

I felt myself anticipating the next chapter in hopes of reading more 

about Katrina and Andy, but more often than not I ended up reading about David and Birdy

and was left disappointed that Katrina was put on the back burner.

There was so much potential with Katrina since she was going through a lot in her life

and I had high hopes that the author would dive into her life.

Maybe in the next book???

Katrina's character fell a little flat for me 

and I truly believe it's because she was not brought into the picture very often.

Andy Miller was so-so for me.

Kind, yes. . .thoughful, most definitely. . .memorable, I suppose.

I wanted more from Andy and Katrina - maybe my expectations were too high?

David, Katrina's father, is a thoughtful and kind man 

and I appreciated his steady faith in the Lord.

Birdy is oh-so-endearing and instantly warmed my heart

with her innocent and sweet ways.

David and Birdy go together like two peas-in-a-pod

and I found myself rooting for their relationship

rather than the main characters, Katrina and Andy.

I will end this review with a refreshing paragraph from the book

and it will show you why I fell in love with Birdy. . .

Birdy is right!

He wanted to shout to them.

All around you, God's great book of creation is being preached.

Lift your heads!

See what God has given you on this beautiful September morning.

Signs of his glory, his wonder, his ability to make something beautiful out of your life.

Lift your heads!

You're not alone in this journey.

{ The Imposter - pg. 102 }

** I was given a free copy of this book from Revell Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received. **

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Series,

the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series,

as well as nonfiction books about the Amish,including Amish Peace.

She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series,

The Adventures of Lily Lapp.

Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, 

a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting.

She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines.

She lives in California.

Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com 

The Bishop's Son - Book Review

Two men offer Leila two very different futures.

Will she choose with her heart or with her faith?

Leila Lantz has been in love with Jesse Glick from the day she first saw him

at his father's store, but she can't make sense of his intentions.

One day he wants to come courting, the next he seems to be putting distance between them.

Jesse may be the bishop's son, but his faith has been wavering of late.

If he is so unsure, is it fair to give Leila false hope for a future he doubts he can provide?

Then there's Will, Jesse's cousin.

He has been trying to keep his feelings for Leila a secret,

but he also knows Jesse is wrestling with his faith.

Would declaring his feelings for Leila be in her best interest 

or simply serving his own selfish desires?

Leila knows she can choose Will and be secure in her own future.

But when her heart speaks, it's Jesse's name she hears.

When will God make His will known to her?

Could leaving everything she knows - even her own faith -

be part of God's plan?

My Thoughts

This is the second book in the Amish of Bee Country series.

You can read my review on the first book The Beekeeper's Son

by clicking here.

First of all may I just say that I find Kelly Irvin's writing quite refreshing.

This is only the second book that I've read by her

and just like with the first book that I read I was left with a smile on my face

and encouragement that blessed my heart.

From a young age I have enjoyed reading Amish novels

and I find their beliefs and way of living quite fascinating.

I believe Kelly Irvin does a wonderful job of portraying the Amish

and I commend her for thoroughly researching the subject that she is writing about.

Once again the characters of Bee Country are heart-warming

and ones you will think about even after the book is done.

Typically {at least for me} when there are two men vying for the attention and heart

of one particular female character I tend to lean towards one or the other.

That was not the case with Jesse and Will

as I found both of them endearing in their own unique ways.

I found myself torn between the two of them just as I imagine Lelia was.

And Leila. . .what a precious young woman with a fire and passion for the Lord.

I loved seeing Leila grow in her faith throughout the book

and I appreciated the author using the characters to share about faith in Christ.

A faith that comes through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. . .

a faith that is received simply by believing on the name Jesus.

My only complaint {I'm sorry that I even have one}

is that I wished the Christians presented in this book would have been,

how do I say this, a little "less worldly."

Two characters in particular, Colton and Tiffany, are outside friends of Jesse and Lelia,

and they are Christians on fire for the Lord,

but there was a moment in the book when they were at the movie theatre 

and they were very "touchy" with one another including kissing. . .

As followers of the Lord we have the wonderful and blessed opportunity 

of presenting Jesus Christ in our daily lives

and when an unmarried couple is touchy and doing things that are saved for married couples

what is that saying to others around us. . .

As believers we are called to glorify God in all things.

This is my personal opinion and conviction and I am simply being honest.

I understand that not everyone feels this way. . .like I said, this is my personal view.

Other than that one page about Colton and Tiffany 

I found the book to be wonderful and very inspirational.

** I was given a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers

for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and no other compensation was received. **

About the Author

Kelly Irvin is the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series 

and the New Hope Amish series.

She has also penned two romantic suspense novels,

A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine.

Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-six years.

They have two young adult children, two cats, and a tank full of fish.

In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and read books by her favorite authors.

Tea Cup and Mug Exchange #7 Link Up

Happy day, sweet friends!

It's time for the 7th Tea Cup and Mug reveal!

First of all may I just say THANK YOU

to each lady that participated this time.

There was a grand total of 151 women from around the world 

{Switzerland, Germany, South Africa, England, Canada, Italy, America, Australia}

that joined the adventure and what a beautiful adventure it was.

The Tea Cup and Mug Exchange has become my "baby"

and even when there are a few "hiccups" along the way

I am always honored to host this event.

I absolutely LOVE hearing the stories of women forming friendships 

through the exchange and it blesses my heart to hear of the joy and pleasure 

of someone receiving a box of tea cup or mug love.

Each exchange is precious to my heart and already I am looking forward to the next one

which will likely be sometime in March or April of 2016 {{smiles}}

So thank you ladies for making this exchange possible and extra lovely.

You bless my heart and life.

Before we take a look at the pretties that everyone received 

I would like to announce the winner for the giveaway.

This giveaway is for the ladies that joined the 7th Tea Cup and Mug Exchange

and in order to enter each lady was asked to send me their tracking number 

for the package they sent.

I added the names to a pretty bowl and had my son picked one out.

The blessed winner is. . . Kathryn!

You can visit her blog The Writer's Reverie

Congratulations, my dear!

You have won the lovely items that are shown in the picture collage.

A handmade flower bouquet, tea cup coasters, shabby paper tags, a sweet porcelain bird,

and a lovely frame with some lace and shabbiness added to it.

Since I have your mailing address I sent your goodies off yesterday :)

Now let's move onto the reveal!

There were several ladies that participated that don't have blogs

so they sent me a photo of their delights and I have added them to this post for all to see.

For the ladies that have a blog they were asked to write a post

sharing their new goodies

and at the end of this post there is a link-up where each lady can add her link.

That way we can visit each lady.

I hope you have your tea cup or mug in hand with a drink of your choice

because it's time to relax and enjoy. . .

You may want to grab a cookie. . .or the entire cookie jar

since you'll be here a while :)

Have fun, my friends!

P.S. -I would check back periodically 

because the ladies will be linking up throughout the week-

you wouldn't want to miss anything now would you? :)

* * * * * * * * *

To Julie G. - From Susan W.

 To Julie G. - From Sherry

To Erin - From Abigail

To Christy - From Mikki

To Deborah D. - From Kelly

To Andrea - From Claudia

To Linda R. - From Kimberly

To Sue - From Carol

To Peg - From Lynn B.

To Lynn A. - From Angela

To Sandra G. - From Michelle

To Kimberly - From Pam

To Juanita - From Viola

To Merri - From Jule

To Sarah A. - From Lisa O.

To Liza - From Susannah

To Dana - From Maggie

To Maggie - From Sarah E.

 To Tricia - From Jacqueline

To Lisa - From Lyneen

To Lora - From Erin

To Elizabeth S. - From Andrea

To Sam - From Lynn B.

To Betty - From Laurel

To Jo Anne - From Ronny

To Paula - From Liza

To Sandi - From Vinca

To Sherry - From Linda R.

To Jule - From JeNee

To Patti - From Susan

To Susan K. - From Peg S.

To Mary E. - From Jennifer E.

To Sarah E. - From Elizabeth S.

To Sarah E. - From Libby

To Jodi - From Mary E.

To Jodi - From Sarah J.

To Lisa B. - From Linda L

To Gabriele - From Joanne

To Emma - From Natalya

To June - From Mary Jo

To Jacqueline - From Dana

To Glory - From Sarah

To Barbara - From Cynthia

{ Mug from Cynthia }

To Cynthia - From Adria

To Claudia - From Janelle

To Claudia - From Val

To Val - From Melissa

To Val - From Merri

To JeNee - From Jennifer B.

To Melissa - From Susannah

To Kelly H - From Sam

To Sarah S. - From Sophia

To Viola - From Donna P.

To Donna - From Sandra W.

To Salinn - From Laura

To Linda L. - From Sandi

To Diane - From Christy

To Laura T. - From Joy

Once again, THANK YOU to all of you ladies for participating.
You warm and bless my heart
and it brings me much joy knowing your enjoyed yourselves.

Please keep in mind that the 8th Tea Cup and Mug Exchange
will be next March or April.
I would love to have you join the fun.

Love and hugs to each one of you!