Hey all! Today's my turn to share with you what I've read in the past two weeks. :-) I was able to get in a total of 6 books. Not sure how good that is doing to some of you! :-P I'd love to hear how many y'all usually read in a week - feel free to leave a comment and share!

The Rhythm of Secrets was a gripping, emotional read! It was the first book I've read by Patti Lacy, and it won't be my last! Patti writes with a lot of feeling packed into each sentence, paragraph, and scene - you cannot help but feel for the characters in this book! If you want to read my review of this book, you can go HERE and read a very thorough review. While I wouldn't give this book to younger teens, its fine for mature readers. I found myself enjoying the read and learning something from within its pages.

Then I read DiAnn Mills new release, The Fire in Ember. That one was truly an exciting, adventurous read! It earned a place in my "Favorite Books" list! Ember was a tough little woman hunted by the past she longed to leave and forget - but it wouldn't leave her alone. The beginning of the book grabs your attention with force and doesn't let go until you reach the final chapter. It really was a great adventure - with a bit of mystery and suspense tossed in there for good measure. If you want to read my review of this book, you can do so HERE.

I read the Measure of a Lady all in one day. It was the first book I've read by Deeanne Gist...and it will probably be my last. The level of sensuality in the book was extremely high for a Christian book (I thought) and there were a few scenes that I actually felt the heat creeping up my neck - a big warning sign for me that I shouldn't be reading whatever it is I'm reading! lol I don't want to go into detail, but the book wasn't recommendable and there really wasn't a purpose or lesson to learn from this book - it was written simply to portray a romance between two people. So, if you like a book for the sake of romance...there are a few pretty steamy scenes in this book. But I do not care for this type of book. But that's just me! lol I am thinking about writing a review for this book...so maybe look for it in the coming weeks. :-)

Valeria's Cross was the next one I read. This one was co-authored by Kathi Macias and Susan Wales. While it was an amazing story, I found the writing lacking in some areas and the feelings a bit flat. One of the biggest examples is that when a character close to the heroine dies, it is often explained very quickly and with little emotion - I don't even have time to cry for the character, I'm just sitting there thinking, "They didn't just get chopped up...did they?" So...in this respect, it could have been better...more emotional. But the story in itself was amazing - and it was a true story! Very neat!

Next I read DiAnn's book before The Fire in Ember - A Woman Called Sage. While this took place before The Fire in Ember, and I therefore knew a lot of the outcome, I still enjoyed it. However, I would recommend you reading A Woman Called Sage, if you want to really enjoy the book! I knew how things ended up for a few things in A Woman Called Sage - and I would've love to be surprised. :-) But it didn't completely ruin the book before, I still enjoyed it to the limit. Sage was such a strong woman. And I really enjoyed this book because DiAnn didn't use the opportunity of Sage being a female bounty hunter to push feminism - a thing I can't stand in books. So, all in all, a wonderful read!

Lastly, I finished Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman a few days ago. I've never read a book by Kathryn before, so wasn't sure what I was in for. I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised. While it wasn't an edge-of-your-seat read, it still easily propelled the reader through the book and held a lot of good lessons on not running from your problems, second chances, and giving forgiveness and grace as freely as it was given to you. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and know it won't be my last one by Kathryn!

Well, that's all for today. I'll be back in two weeks with more books, Lord willing. :-) If you haven't forgotten my question from the beginning of the post, feel free to leave a comment and share! And if you did forget...well, I'll tell you again. *wink*

Doesn't that just leave you wondering what is going on? What is coming in the next sentence? Who is this Shade? Is he a good guy or a bad guy? And is this a trap as considered?
All this is answered in the pages following, diving you deeper into the mystical land of Alagaesia. 

We'd love to hear what's the first line - or paragraph - of your current read. Feel free to share it with us in the comments! Are you liking the book so far? Was the first few lines enough to grip your attention? We're looking forward to hearing from you! :-)

Romance:

Violence:

Fear/Horror:

Overall Opinion:


KATY'S REVIEW:

It was such a touching story of Ellie’s sorrow in losing her children. I can’t imagine the feeling of not knowing if your child would ever live to reach adulthood. It goes to show you how hard life was back then for our ancestors. Along with reading about Ellie’s struggles and trials, her husband is also drawn into the main plot of the story. While his wife is enduring her own trails, Matthew is also experiencing hard times as he travels through a wavering faith in his capabilities to minister as a Pastor to the people of Beldon Grove.

As far as the plot goes, I was enthralled in the book and I never felt like the story lagged. The twists and turns that popped up during the book kept me guessing! I was continually hoping for a good ending for Ellie and Matthew’s troubles – and I was extremely satisfied!

The story was clean, sweet, true, and touching for any teen who enjoys reading historical fiction. Ann Shorey is a very talented author, mixing together a complex story about a character whose faith is wavering. But, with the help and guidance of the Lord, the hero/heroine learns and understands the way the Lord works, and by the end of the book their faith is stronger than ever! I love a book that leaves me with a lasting impression, and The Promise of Morning is just that kind of book! I can’t wait until her next book is released!

A few weeks ago I read Pearl In The Sand and was awestruck at the powerful message it held.


Rahab had a hard time getting over her past and embracing the future. Though she believed that God forgave her, remarks from other people lowered her self confidence and trapped her in the past. Salmone realized this eventually and immediately wished to take back some of the things he said to her, though they were kindly meant. I won't be telling you what was said as it may spoil some of the book if I explain it to you, but after Salmone realized how Rahab feels, he does his best to strengthen her and prove to her that he loves her, regardless of her tangled past.


After trying several times and failing, Salmone gets his perfect chance when Rahab looses one of the beloved pearl earrings Salmone gave to around the time they married. When they go out onto the roads looking for it, Salome finds it in the dirt, slightly coated in dust. When he tells Rahab that he's found it he informs her that it is dirty and useless now. She proceeds to argue with him and procliam that it  just needed a little cleaning up and special care, but that it's worth was still the same. The reaction was exactly what Salmone wanted. He told her that she was the pearl - the one that had been dirtied and uncared for and tossed aside afterwards. But her worth was still the same. She still meant more to him and to God than she realized.


The same is true for all of us. Though we may have a terrible, sin scarred past, God still holds us just as dear. Though we are dirtied and distorted, are value remains the same.

Something important to remember. :-)

Just yesterday I read Valeria's Cross and while I didn't think it was amazing, it wasn't bad either. I confess that I felt like it was a historical document being told to me instead of a Historical Fiction about Valeria's life. At the end of the book I discovered that Valeria's life was true. Interesting find! So I figured it would be perfect for today's post - I enjoyed the historical truths it held! :-)



Since Valeria's adventures during her lifetime are numerous, I decided to go with just one major even in her life - the martyrdom of the Theban Legion. This marked such a big part of Valeria's life! What is the Maryterdom of the Theban Legion? Well, I will tell you! :-) It is when a whole legion of Christian soldiers for Rome refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. When Diocletian, Emperor of Rome, heard about it, he ordered a decimation - one tenth of the soldiers were to be slain.

These soldiers willing relinquished their weapons and allowed themselves, without a struggle, to be beheaded instead of sacrifice to the Roman gods. When Diocletian sent them another request after the deed was done, asking them to join in the sacrifices. They refused. He ordered a second decimation...and then a third. The remaining soldiers of the Theban Legion sent a letter to the Emperor, explaining why they could not participate in the sacrifices because of their Christianity. After much pressure from those he counseled, Diocletian signed the orders that the entire Theban Legion be put to death. And so they were, every last man of the Theban Legion.

Some people believe that this story of the Theban Legion is just a legend, but the remains of 400 men have been found in the area where the murder of the Theban Legion took place. And the Catholic Church recognizes the event as fact.

So...that is the sad story of the Martyrdom of the Theban Legion. It's a sad story, but true and it is found within the pages of Valeria's Cross. If you are interested to read more of the Theban Legion and Valeria's story that connected her so much to this tragedy, check out your library or buy it on Amazon here!