Masquerade by Nancy Moser

Eighteen eighty-six, New York City: Charlotte Gleason, a rich heiress from England, escapes a family crisis by traveling to America in order to marry the even wealthier Conrad Tremaine. She soon decides that an arranged marriage is not for her and persuades her maid, Dora, to take her place. What begins as the whim of a spoiled rich girl wanting adventure becomes a test of survival amid poverty beyond Charlotte's blackest nightmares. As for Dora, she lives a fairy tale complete with gowns, jewels, and lavish mansions--yet is tormented by guilt and the presence of another love that will not die. Will their masquerade be discovered? Will one of them have second thoughts? There is no guarantee the switch will work. It's a risk. It's the chance of a lifetime.

Masquerade starts off like any girls typical dream. A girl, about to marry one of America's wealthiest heirs. The only downside is that she has never met this man. I absolutely loved this book. The way the author crafts such a tale takes a typical situation from the 1800's  and twists it in such a way that a reader cant help but keep reading. My favorite character was Dora just because she represented someone who was thrown into every girls dream. She got to live in the fairy tale, even if it wasn't for long. I loved the way Moser crafted the friendship between the two girls. This book was one that made me feel what Charlotte was feeling. What she is forced to do makes you feel bad for her to an extent where you feel like you are experiencing it yourself. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in historical novels. It is truly a fairy tale twisted.


This book was provided by Bethany House.

You Changed My Life by Max Lucado

"If someone has changed your life for the good, now is the time to celebrate by letting them know how much they matter.

Oftentimes true heroes of faith don’t stand out in the world, but they have made a lasting difference in someone’s life—they’re a hero to someone. This gift book celebrates their story by first providing a dedication beginning with “You changed my life by___” to be written in detail by the giver to the recipient. To follow are stories told by Max about others who have answered the call of their convictions and took steps of faith (both big and small) resulting in lasting change in the lives around them. It’s a message that honors the person who receives the book, and inspires us all to see that real people with remarkable hearts can change lives."

You changed my life is a collection of stories, all written by people who have been truly touched. It reveals incite associated with the good of the world. It is inspiring to know that there is still some good in the world. The book also has beautiful illustrations with each story. The quality of this book truly touches the soul.This book would be a great stocking stuffer, its small but it holds much to it. Although i am not religious, the overall message to this book is one that has long been forgotten by man kind. This book will reignite hope for all. 

Note: This book was given to me for review purposes. This review is my own opinion and I was in no way compensated for writing a good review.   Book provided by booksneeze.com

Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Mans Soul by John Eldredge

Wild at Heart is an amazing book which enters you into the heart of a man. John Eldredge describes the desires of a man, and ultimately leads the reader on a journey to it. He also indulges in the idea of a society which lacks fathers and overprotective mothers.

This book greatly influenced my perception of men and the way that they perceive things. I really and truely did love this book. Some parts of the book did confuse me, but in the end the whole message of the story came together.

It was a huge eye opener to why men act the way they do. It also helped me grow as a person and learn to accept why men are the way they are. I would recommend this book to both women and men. It is a book that can help those who are confused, or just wondering, to understand the world around them.

Note: This book was given to me for review purposes. This review is my own opinion and I was in no way compensated for writing a good review. 

Spooky Little Girl By Lauren Notaro

Lucy Fisher is a woman with many problems. After arriving home from her Hawiian vacation with her best friends, she finds that her boyfriend has tossed everything she owns onto her front yard. He changed the locks and disconnected any relationship with her. Lucy then looses her job because of false accusations made against her by a woman she doesn't even like. Lucy's biggest problem however is that she is dead. After a fatal accident with public transportation, Lucy finds herself in a world she doesn't want to be in. She must go through Spooking school in order to make it to the other side. Little does she know that her spooking assignment is one that takes her back to where she began.

Spooky Little Girl had both its good aspects and its bad. The book started off very slowly. When reading it, it felt as though I was never going to get to the point of the book. This however changed after Lucy died. You are taken on an adventure into a world no one would have ever had thought to look. I absolutely loved Lucy's character, my heart truly went out to her. When all of the pieces finally fit together, everything made sense. I as a reader had an "ah-ha" moment. The journey Lucy takes to acceptance is one that everyone should follow. Anyone who loves comedy mixed with a little sadness and romance should read this book.


Book provided by Bookdivas.com 

Mercury By Hope Larson

Josey Fraser and Tara Fraser are your average American girls. They have boy issues, they worry about what they wear, and they don’t get along with family. The only thing is, that they live one hundred and fifty years apart. Josey meets a mysterious man, Asa Curry, who claims to have found gold on the Fraser Farm. Tara is dealing with moving in with her friend after her own house burned down. Josey quickly falls for mysterious Asa and soon realizes he is not the man that everyone thinks he is. Tara finds a pendant that turns out to be one of the greatest finds of her life.

I really did like the story line of this book. I was surprised when I opened the book and found pictures in the place of words. I loved how the author differentiated Tara and Josey’s point of view with different colored pages. The story did go slow and it was a bit confusing at some parts. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read.

Book received from bookdivas.com

The Clearing By Heather Davis

Amy was a teenager in trouble. After experiencing an abusive boyfriend, Amy goes to live with her Aunt Mae. Life in this small town is not all that she is used too. Sure there are parties, and popular kids, but there is also an eerie mist that resides in the back field of Mae’s home. Amy doesn’t think that this town is the place for her, until she met Henry, a boy who talks, acts and dresses differently than any other boy she’s known. Amy is stunned when she finds out just how different Henry is. On his side of the mist its 1944. Her presence brings happiness to his life, but it also risks his very existence.

When I first received the book, I was really excited because of the cover. The art beautifully portrays the storyline. My favorite character was Henry for many reasons. Not only is he well-mannered within this novel, he also portrays the perfect man, minus the vampires. I loved how Amy and Henry bonded throughout the book. The book however did have a very slow ending. I kept anticipating a big event that never really came. I loved the ending though. Heather Davis threw in a twist that definitely caught me off guards. I would recommend this book to anyone into romance novels. 

Book provided by BookDivas.com

Need by Carrie Jones

Zara White is an average girl, the only problem is that she thinks a man is stalking her. After the death of her stepfather, Zara is sent to live with her grandmother in a cold town in Maine. This town isn’t all that it seems, for it hides clues to her families past. With the help of her friends, Zara discovers that the stalking isn’t who-or what she thinks it is, its something much more that she could ever imagine.

This book was amazing. The storyline was fast paced and filled with turns no reader would expect. My favorite character would have to be Zara. She is self sufficient and strong willed, something every girl should follow. The way Carrie Jones writes keeps you at the edge of your seat. I would recommend this book to everyone, no matter what genre you read, this book is one you cannot pass up.

Book was provide by Bookdivas.com

Token of Darkness By Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Sorry it's been such a long time, school has pounded me with tons of work. Hopefully I can get back into things.

Cooper Blake is your average teenager, until he is involved in a car accident that almost claims his life. His life is in ruins as he watches his football career shatter, and his social life fall. Cooper, however, begins to experience strange things, including a mysterious girl by his side. All Cooper knows is that Samantha is a ghost, and that he is the only one that can see her. No one understands Cooper after the accident; he is no longer the man he once was. That is until Cooper talks to Delilah, one of the most popular students in the school. He learns that she has her own ability, the ability to see ghosts. He also meets Brent, a loner who seems to have his own secrets. With their help, Cooper uncovers secrets that make him realize that Samantha is not all that she seems to be.

Wow. That is all I can say about this book. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ writing has a way of sinking its teeth into you and talking you along for a ride. At times in the book, I actually felt bad for Cooper, going through such an experience with no one to help him. I felt his pain as describe in the pages of the book. Samantha did have a tendency to annoy me but it was understandable under the conditions she was put. My favorite character would have to be Brent though. For me, he seemed like the unexpected hero. He was funny and yet knew that he had a responsibility. Over all, I loved this book. I recommend it to everyone.

Book provided by Bookdivas.com