I purchased this book and loved it from the very beginning
593248
I purchased this book and loved it from the very beginning. The characters are like real people with flaws and the obstacles that they have to overcome in life. I enjoy the alternating narrations between the 2 main characters. As soon as I finished reading this book, I clicked the link and downloaded the next book in the series (free with mailing list signup).
1658495
I absolutely loved this book. I'm usually not into historical fiction but loved this book. All I wanted to do was read the entire week. I loved it so much I checked out another book by this author and its as good as this one. I've found a new author I adore.
4242565
I must admit, I loved this book from the moment I knew it was coming out.

I read Cindy's blog for years and years, so I knew she could write. I knew she offered humor and grace. I listen to her podcast, so I knew she had wisdom to impart. I knew she loves Jesus and always points readers and listeners to him.

My friend Sally, from church, was at the CiRCE convention and book release. She brought me a signed copy home. She handed it to me immediately before the organ prelude began the worship service. I didn't get a chance to really get started until around 8.

The first thing I noticed was how beautifully the book was constructed. The cover is both beautiful to the eye and to the touch, smooth as butter. The pages are almost as luscious to the touch: heavy and smooth and to the eye: with a soft white color and easy to read font. CiRCE did a wonderful job producing their first book.

Cindy has written a beautiful book. A great deal of it is memoir - remembering her path. Always laced with humor and a point; she is excellent at telling the reader like it is, and then reminding them of God's grace to remove any perceived sting. Her personality shines through, one of my favorite quotes - because it is just so Cindy - is "I never could understand why anyone would plant zucchini when they could plant larkspur." (pg 54)

A great deal of it, though, is instructive born out of her experience. She learned some things educating 9 children at home (understatement), and she shares them with us.

Her voice is conversational and gentle, but don't let that fool you. She is saying profound things, "That is how love works. You work hard at it and one day the work becomes joyful. Ordo Amoris." (pg 81) and "Education is tethering our children to the past so that they are not adrift in the universe." (pg 129)

The end, though, the end is a challenge. It is her story and a challenge born out of it. She tells us, here's my life, here's what I've learned, here's where I believe God is calling me to go - won't you come along?

I read it in one sitting (essentially, I had read through page 6 before I got home). Before I started, I decided to read it straight through without underlining or folding pages. I made it to page ix before I had to. Cindy reminded me, "God is real. He is there. He doesn't just love your children; he loves you. I have been young, and now I am old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken." (pg ix, emphasis mine, I really needed to read that) I didn't mark a whole lot more - maybe 7-8 passages, not because I couldn't have marked things, but because I know I will return to this book again and again.

I knew I'd love Cindy's book, but I didn't expect I'd love it this much. I didn't know it would have such a deep impact on me. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
2076489
Accidental purchase that turned into an excellent read!
2432014
I must proclaim that I am not normally a Young Adult reader. I've struggled to read a couple and just couldn't do it. Not so in the case of Cassidy Jones! I loved the book from beginning to end. It's a wonderfully engaging read, perfectly appropriate for the age level it's intended for but so well-written and fun that any age can read and enjoy it.

I love Cassidy - she's adorable, totally 14 and completely courageous. Her hormones are raging naturally, then throw in the secret formula and watch out. All the characters are very well-drawn and her family life is believably wonderful.

Her newfound pal, Emery, is a combination of heart-throb and nerdy intellectual that's very appealing. Their interactions are so spot-on that I felt I was back in high school with them, struggling to get through the drama and trauma.

I highly recommend this book to adults - young and old - who just want to have a good time once in a while when they read. You'll love it.
3561264
This book captured me from the very first page and I couldn't put it down.  I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
82747
This is a great book! I loved it from the very beginning.

I really loved Abigail, I loved the way she was willing to step up in a time that women were pretty much expected to sit in the corner quietly and work on their sewing. She had opinions, strong ones, and she was willing to express them and even get into trouble for them when she acted on them. I also loved that she was willing to apologize when she needed to. And I loved the way she went out of her way to care for her invalid "aunt," and put herself into danger at the same time, because she believed that it was the right thing to do.

Abby's is the only point of view you see in the book, and she has a great outlook on things. It would have been really fun to see what Gideon's thoughts were, especially when she believed that he was a Tory and against everything she believed in herself. I did love the lengths that he went to to protect Abby in any way he could from the danger that was all around her.

I loved the plot of this one, it's full of danger, intrigue and I loved the romance aspect as well. This is a really well-done, fun book!

I was sent a complimentary copy of this book.
1720030
I've been meaning to read this book for a while now. I kept hearing what a wonderful book it is and I even went so far as to recommend it to others before I had read it myself (I'm known to do that - ask my "sisterz"!)

So I finally got a chance to sit down and read and that's exactly what I did - I read. Straight through. I stayed up until about 1:00am to finish it. That's how much I enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down.

So, Marianne is the kind of heroine I love. She is a kind, loving and fiercely loyal young woman. For her entire life she has always put her family first - even when it meant sacrificing her own desires. She's a peace-maker. But, she has a free spirit and a quick wit. I love that she grows and develops throughout the story - that she learns that you can still be loyal to your family and yet stand up for yourself too.

Philip - what can I say? He's right up there with Mr. Darcy. Granted, I had moments where I doubted his intentions and true nature, but he came through for me in the end. You can't help but love a guy who listens to what a woman says is truly important and then moves "heaven and earth" to get that for her - even knowing that it might mean great sacrifice on his part.

Simply put, I couldn't be more pleased with Edenbrooke. It is a delightful throwback to the writings of Austen and the Bronte sisters. I cannot wait to read more from Julianne Donaldson!

FYI: this is a sweet historical romance, no language or open-door scenes. But if kidnappings and duels are too much for your gentle disposition, you have been forewarned ;)

disclosure: I did NOT receive a copy for review, nor purchase this book, I borrowed a copy from my sister.
2620616
This was the first book that I purchased from this author and it was definitely worth it.  I'm a fan!!!
230237
This book touched my heart and gave me insight into my own struggles. I laughed and I cried, but most importantly I learned a little bit about myself. A wonderful book from start to finish. I've already bought my next book by Colleen Coleman.
3142647
Once I started to read this book, I could not put it down, every other plan faded and I just kept reading.  I loved it.  The author was able to make me fall in love with the the characters and feel their love without them jumping into bed a million times.  The passion these two felt was palpable.  Thank you for that.  The story line was a great idea and I could really feel both points of view.  I will be looking to purchase other books by this author.  Great job!
1100212
I don't give out many 5 stars. This book very much deserved it though! I loved it from the beginning. Clytie and Demon had fantastic chemistry and the heat just rolled off the page, singeing you with its glory. The byplay between the secondary characters and the primary's was fun and entertaining. I loved how Ben pushes Demons buttons. There is never a dull moment and I love how the author grabs you and takes you along for the whole ride. Not once does she let you go. Absolutely loved it. Can't wait for more. Just HAWT!
2846170
I absolutely fell in love with this story from the first chapter. And when it started to reference Doctor Who I was completely infatuated with the story. There is no fully moment in the entire book and it kept me laugh throughout.

The characters blended so well and mad me want to read more about each one of Adien team members and I especially fell in love with Meryn she was so enjoyable and funny.

I'm so glad this book is different from the books I normally read, it gave me a new and refreshing look on the paranormal romance. I hope the author continues to make the books in the series like this or even better. Can't wait to see what the next one have store for me.
4057497
This book started out being a page turner and I loved it from the start.  I purchased the.  Six columns of this book.
4815998
**I received an ARC of Little Moments in exchange for an honest review**

I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for a good love story and this one delivered! The author did a great job hooking you right from the beginning. I loved how it began with Roman as a a child and experiencing his tragedy. You get to know him a little and what he went through and then learn more about him in his teen years where we are then introduced to Melanie. Then we learn more about her and eventually we get to their developing relationship. By the time we got to that, I was already invested in both characters individually. It was ingenious character development! I loved it.

A author who writes in such a way that has me experiencing a range of emotions is one I will always recommend over and over. This book had me doing just that. I was happy, sad, rejoicing, all in one book. I really want to go into details about the things I loved most about the story specifically but I do not want to spoil it for anyone. Just read it and you will see for yourself. If you love a good heart warming love story, this is for you.
2620159
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book, and loved it from the start. Doralynn Kennedy knows her danger, keeping me worried and excited about these characters throughout. And she also throws in plenty of beauty and romance for us sentimental softies, from the gorgeous Irish countryside to gorgeous Irish actors playing Edward Rochester (and sometimes the Phantom of the Opera) in our heroine's vicinity. Something for romantics and suspense fans alike! An absorbing and lovely read.
2966084
"Then We Came to the End" is a really wonderful book.  I bought it thinking it might be a decent way to pass the time, but it was so more than that.  It was a surprisingly fun, refreshing read.  I have worked in offices and these characters are somehow people I know.  I recognized them.  They are you.  They are me.  They are us.  Although the office is an advertising agency and the characters are more categorized (such as the one who's hiding an illness, the workaholic and the one who's grieving the loss of a child) than "fleshed out," I grew to know them and care about them.  The best part of the book is the last line of the book.  And if you cheat and read it ahead of time, you won't understand it.  So do yourself a favor and read this book from the beginning.  Let it take you on the whole journey.

If for some reason you don't enjoy it as much as I did, I totally understand.  I just hope you also understand why this has become one of my very favorite books.