Review: Heiress by Susan May Warren

About the book:

The beautiful heiress daughters of newspaper magnate August Price have been given everything their hearts desire. But what if they want only to be loved—without an enormous price tag attached?

When one daughter pursues a desirable marriage, she secures for herself a comfortable and glamorous life. But among the duties of privilege, will she find the happily-ever-after she seeks? Her sister rejects the trappings of wealth, choosing instead to build a new life on the still-untamed frontier. Will independence bring happiness, or has she left her heart behind in New York’s glittering society?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, each woman discovers that being an heiress just might cost her everything—including the chance for true love.

My review:

They can buy anything they want— fame, power, beauty, even loyalty. But they can’t buy love.

Talk about an emotional ride! ‘Heiress’ took me through so many ups and downs I was reeling by the time it ended. There were enough plot twists to keep me guessing throughout the entire book and the ending truly surprised me.

 The story focuses on two sisters, Esme and Jinx Price. Esme, as her father’s heiress, is expected to marry well and further the family but this couldn’t be farther from what she wants. She has always dreamed of being a journalist and someday running the family paper. All Jinx wants is to be debuted into society and cannot understand Esme’s lack of interest in gowns, jewels and attending parties. Both girls end up with exactly what they thought they wanted.

 Esme and Jinx really struggled with the idea of being blessed and had a lot of personal growth to do before their stories were finished. The story felt very realistic and was well written. I didn’t want to put the book down and found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading.

 This was my first Susan May Warren read but it certainly won’t be my last. I can’t wait to start Baroness and find out what happens! I would recommend ‘Heiress’ to anyone who enjoys a good historical read.

Great Julie Lessman Giveaway!!!

Megan over at Hardcover Feedback is having a wonderful interview/giveaway with Julie Lessman!!! If you've never read anything by Julie I would recommend her in a heartbeat and this is a great chance to get started! Here are a few pics of Julie's upcoming releases:

A Love Surrendered: Releasing October 2012!

A Light in the Window: This one is a prequel to The Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series and is set to release in November 2012. *This will be available only as an ebook*

Love at Any Cost: Unfortunately this one isn't coming out until April 2013 =(

Review: Prophet by R.J. Larson

About the book:

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she's much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as Parne's elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

Yet she can't imagine living without Him. Determined to hear the Infinite's voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite's word to a nation torn apart by war. There she meets a young ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela battles how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.

My review:

From the very first page Prophet had me hooked. I flew through the story, all the while dreading reaching the last page. The plot was fast paced and the action was believable and not overdone. I truly enjoyed the characters from the hero and heroine to the wonderful destroyer horses that provided smiles throughout the book.

Ela was a likeable heroine who had real flaws and doubts. This made her very relatable and easier to connect with. She cared deeply for the people she brought the Infinite’s message too and I also enjoyed being a part of her close relationship with the Infinite. Kien was a very loveable character. He was witty and charming, as well as a gentleman. His relationship with “Pet/Scythe” was always enjoyable and brought a smile to my face. My favorite characters, however, were Ela’s adorable little sister Tzana and their destroyer “Pet.” These two were so fun to read and I didn’t want to say goodbye to them.

While categorized as a young adult read I think the book will appeal to Christian fantasy readers of all ages as well as those who enjoy historical/biblical fiction. Prophet has easily been one of my favorite reads this year and I’ll be eagerly awaiting Judge, the next book in the Books of the Infinite series.

Review: Garden of Madness by Tracey L. Higley

Garden of Madness is the story of the Babylonian princess Tiamat, daughter of King Nebuchadnezzar. The king has been struck with madness and for seven years has secretly roamed the Hanging Gardens like an animal. All seems secure for the royal family until the unthinkable happens. When a palace noble is found brutally murdered and the king’s safety is threatened, Tia begins a quest for answers and discovers truths she never could have imagined. With the help of two Jewish captives, the wise man Daniel and Pedaiah, the brother of her late husband, Tia enters a world of palace intrigues and closely guarded secrets to protect the king she loves.

          Right from the get-go I was drawn into this story. The mystery and secrets swirling around the palace kept me guessing throughout the entire book and once I thought I had it all figured out, the author would throw another twist. Tia was a wonderful character to read. She is flawed and I liked that about her. At times I wanted to shake some sense into her and then later I was smiling with her or cheering her on.

I thought the romance in this story was very well written. It wasn’t overdone and the relationship builds, believably, over time. This book had darker elements than the previous books in the series but I thought the author did a good job of portraying the heaviness of these situations without overdoing it. So far this has been my favorite read from this author and I would absolutely recommend it!

Book Update

Tracey L. Higley is the author of several amazing books including Pompeii, Guardian of the Flame, City of the Dead and Marduk's Tablet. I'm currently reading her newest release, Garden of Madness, and so far it's great! I think it's her best work so far and hope to have a review up soon.

In November of this year Thomas Nelson will be re releasing the first book in her Seven Wonders series Shadow of Colossus and the new cover is so absolutely gorgeous that I had to share it. The book will be released as Isle of Shadows and I think the new title fits perfectly with all the lies and intrigue swirling around ancient Rhodes.


As a courtesan, Tessa of Delos enjoyed unparalleled luxury and influence. But even in the grand palaces of Rhodes, she felt herself a prisoner.

On the island of Rhodes, 227 BC, Tessa of Delos has served for ten years as a hetaira-a high-priced Greek courtesan-to a wealthy politician. In that time, she's lived in luxury, but as a virtual prisoner, serving at her master's whim. Though intelligent and beautiful, Tessa has learned to numb herself to all desires for freedom and love.


But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free-if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible. She joins forces with unlikely allies-a Hebrew houservant named Simeon and Nikos, a seafarer who wants to work in the house of Tessa's owner.


As Tessa seeks freedom for herself and for those she is beginning to love, forces collide that will literally shatter the island's peace, bringing even the mighty statue of Rhodes, Colossus, to its knees.

A powerful story showing how the love of God can transform and bring back to life a soul jaded by sin and grief.



Thomas Nelson / November 2012 / ISBN: 978-1-4016-8744-1 / Pages: 400 / Paperback: $12.99

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