Lady Jayne Disappears

Synopsis: When Aurelie Harcourt's father dies in debtor's prison, he leaves her just two things: his wealthy family, whom she has never met, and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll. Her new family greets her with apathy and even resentment. Only the quiet houseguest, Silas Rotherham, welcomes her company.

When Aurelie decides to complete her father's unfinished serial novel, writing the family into the story as unflattering characters, she must keep her identity as Nathaniel Droll hidden while searching for the truth about her mother's disappearance--and perhaps even her father's death.

My Review:   Lady Jayne disappears, is a captivating, mystery, romance story that truly was hard to put down.   The author immediately pulls you into the story with her writing., twisting plots and really keeping the audience entertained.

 I couldn't wait to see what happened to Lady Jayne, and what would happen to Miss Harcourt. The storyline focuses on Miss Harcourt as she struggles to survive in the upper society of London while trying to keep her identity secret and solving the mystery of what happened to Lady Jayne.

I was fascinated by Aurelie’s character.  She had the loving, helping, a selfless attitude which was entirely contradictory of her family at Lynhurst Manor.    It was interesting to follow her growth as she familiarized to the family, how she tried not to fall into the ways of society; that is pleasing others and pride is more important that Godly morals and thinking of others.   We watch as Aurelie struggles to hold on to her values; How tough must it have been to go from penniless to having anything you wanted? 

Lady Jayne Disappears is a well-done debut, I certainly look forward to reading more from this author.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

She Reads Truth Bible

The She Reads Truth Bible aims to live at the intersection of beauty, goodness, and Truth. Featuring devotionals by the She Reads Truth team, and Scripture reading plans that include supplemental passages for deeper understanding, this Bible invites every woman to count themselves among the She Reads Truth community of "Women in the Word of God every day." The She Reads Truth Bible also features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization.   

Features include: almost 200 devotionals, 66 artist-designed key verses, 35 full-color timelines, 20 full-color maps, 11 full-color charts, reading plans for every book of the Bible, one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, carefully curated topical index, smyth-sewn binding, two colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note-taking.   

The She Reads Truth Bible features the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) text. Translated by more than 100 scholars from 17 denominations, the Christian Standard Bible features an optimal blend of accuracy and readability that’s faithful for serious study and written with a heart-stirring clarity that inspires readers to live and share it.

My Review:

This is another wonderful study Bible geared for women.  It has helpful and enjoyable devotionals to read, to help illustrate and understand the verses,; as well as to help us apply the word of God.

As I was perusing through this Bible, I found on each of the chapters, there is an outline and also a "going deeper", with more verses to read.  Using the CSB translation, which I like and prefer is easy to read and is understandable; easy to read.

Inside you find some very attractive illustrations  which I feel add to the beauty of this Bible.

Mine came with a hard grey linen hardcover, that can withstand almost any amount of use; it lays flat on my desk which makes it good for note taking, not to mention the wide margins.

In reading other reviews, I found complaints on the "thinness" of the pages.  I compared it to all my other Bibles 
and found no difference in the thickness.  The only thing I found is the verses are not written line by line, which for me makes looking up verses harder as the verse numbers are smaller and harder to read.

All in all a good study Bible which will sit on my desk and be used regularly.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey

Will a damaged reputation and desire for society's approval thwart the legacy of grace?

Tainted by scandal and forced to leave London for the quieter Brighton countryside, the Honorable Miss Clara DeLancey is a shadow of her former society self. She's lost the man she loved to another and, in a culture that has no patience for self-pity, is struggling with depression. A chance encounter brings her a healing friendship with the sisters of an injured naval captain. But Clara's society mama is appalled at the new company she's keeping.

Captain Benjamin Kemsley is not looking for a wife. But his gallant spirit won't let him ignore the penniless viscount's daughter--not when she so obviously needs assistance to keep moving forward from day to day. Can he protect his heart and still keep her safe?

My Review:    This is the third novel in the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series, it's time for  Clara's story.  For those who have read The Elusive Miss Ellison, you will recognize Clara as the woman who caused so much trouble for Lavinia and Nicholas.

Now Clara finds herself on the fringes of society, scorned by many after the 'scandal. She is completely at the mercy of the gossiping elite, and it doesn't help that her brother has made matters worse with his behavior.   Banished to Brighton for a time, she encounters the Kemsleys.  The Captain and his sisters. Once again, Miller captivates with old-fashioned discourse and all its understated distinctions.

 Once again  the author has written a wonderful, story that will make your head spin and keep the reader wanting more. There is adventure, jealousy, kidnap, revenge and of course romance.   But more than anything there is the story of forgiveness, redemption and the big one grace.      A story that shows a God that brings us restoration, second chances, and new beginnings.   We learn that there is more to life than social status, money or power, it is about God, His love, His forgiveness and showing that to others.

Forgiveness and guilt are the two themes that are presented in the storyline. Past behavior means we need to forgive ourselves and others.

I truly enjoyed this series and I certainly will look for more from this author!

 I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Women Who Move Mountains

Where would we be without prayer? Lost and alone.  Prayer is one of the most important tools that God has given us, he even says they are like perfume to Him.  God wants to hear our prayers, but often we are too busy, or just don’t know how or think we are unable to pray well enough.

Sue Detweiler uses this guide to help us exchange the obstacle of our life (our problems and tribulations, the dark times) for the promises of God.  She teaches us to pray with desire without the fear or insecurity that many of us have when it comes to prayer.  From this study, we learn to have that intimate close one on one time with God.  You will learn and discover what it means to become a powerful and effective woman of prayer, ones whose life is joyous and changing, not only your life but others around you.

 This book is a great tool for those looking to strengthen their prayer life.   It examines prayer at all levels. The examples from the Bible as well as the honest stories of ordinary, average women really assisted to illustrate the power we have when we go to God in prayer.

Amid our packed schedules and life's curveballs, our hearts long for more. We want to live and love well; we want to be a source of joy and life. The good news is that you can and the secret is found in the simple act of prayer.

With study questions and journaling exercises included, this is the perfect book to go deeper either on your own or with a group.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

An Inconvenient Beauty

This is the final book in the Hawthorne series; in this book, we concentrate on Griffith, Duke of Riverton, who thrives on order, logic, and control and he applies this tactic when he decides to search for a bride.  He's certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him but Frederica who has her sights set on another, is always setting up ways to put her beautiful cousin in Griffith’s company.

Isabella Breckenridge should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, her uncle will only help them if she'll use her beauty to assist him in his political goals. And sent for Isabella to come to London for this season’s society debut. 

Griffith, the main character in this book, and the Duke, the head of the family through the series, is the main theme in this book.   Griffith. takes his role as head of the Hawthorne line seriously while loving God and his family and being likable at the same time.  Like all of us, Griffith struggles with taking control of every aspect of his life, and he sees that matters of the heart cannot be completely planned out according to our will.

As in the other books in this series, you will be drawn into the family, their struggles, and triumphs and thoroughly enjoy every word.

Well written, easy to read, those who love historical fiction will love this book.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.