Saturday, February 28, 2015

An Uncertain Choice by Jody Hedlund

Blurb

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.
  • Pages: 252 pages
  • Publisher: Zondervan
  • Release date: March 3, 2015

              Review

Lets just take a moment to appreciate that cover. And maybe another moment to acknowledge the awesomeness that is Jody Hedlund writing a Medieval YA. Not only does she have some amazing Historical's under her belt, but An Uncertain Choice promises to be a smashing success as well. 
Once again, Hedlund strikes a literary homerun! 
Rosemarie is an innocent and dreamy eyed-heroine. Living her life with her parents vow hanging over her head has sheltered her in ways, and made her stronger in others. She's not completely prepared to deal with three overzealous suitors. Although they are very charming suitors...Each man has a certain likeability to him, and I was a tiny bit afraid I would end up liking the wrong one. But Hedlund handled the love triangle (love square?) with grace. I especially enjoyed the historical aspects that were interwoven through out the story, adding just enough backstory to make it intriguing without bogging the storyline down.
A tale of love and honor set against the 1300's, but with just enough of the whimsical to make it sweet and sigh-worthy. An Uncertain Choice was a fantastic read, and I really recommend you go pre-order it right now. Aren't you happy to have plans for Tuesday now? ;)


The Vow by Jody Hedlund
 Need something to read before An Uncertain Choice releases Tuesday? The Vow is a prequel, and sheds some light on Rosemarie's past. I definitely recommend reading this short, sweet novella! Go here to buy it!


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Return to Exile (a Review)






About the book:  

Return to Exile (Howard Books, January 2015)

How far would you go to save the ones you love?

Six years ago, impossible circumstances forced Dr. Lisbeth Hastings to leave behind the love of her life, not just in another country, but in another time. Her work as a top-notch epidemiologist and parenting her little girl helps alleviate the pain, but at night when her exhausted head hits the pillow, images of her beloved Cyprian haunt her sleep.

Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He's lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage, but when Cyprian's true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept Lisbeth and Cyprian apart created too wide a chasm to bridge? In the midst of a new epidemic and rising oppression, will their love be the most costly fatality? Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this spell-binding adventure of star-crossed lovers captivates with every turn of the page in this electric continuation of The Carthage Chronicles.


Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1wSugdd 

Review 

Thanks to a long standing love of YA (hello love triangles and happy endings), this book was a bit tough on my sensibilities. Lisbeth has hardened even farther in this second book, and is even more grown up- if that's possible. Yet, even with the fact that I relate with her character very little, this book drew me in just like the first book. At first, I was a little wary. I knew with Gentry's writing style, I would probably end up mad at the characters or crying for the characters (yep, you will too). But I just had to know. It was so worth it. Because even though I prefer something much more fantastical with a magical ending, this book was hard. Not bad hard, but good hard. Because sometimes stuff happens in life that messes up your plans, and messes up your life. And you move forward, with God's help and some chocolate. This book made me mad and sad and all sorts of crazy, but it exuded one message. God is greater than the mess Lisbeth, Cyprian, or me and you can ever get in. He's got it. Even if your in the midst of some serious early-church persecution...