Saturday, March 29, 2014

Book Review: Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Back Cover: 
Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.
The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?


The Positives:
This has to be the best book I've read so far this year! I read most of it in less than a day. I couldn't put it down!
The author does an amazing job making you feel for her characters. Every part of the book, I was feeling heartbroken for Dinah and Amos. I would get frustrated at them when I needed to. I got choked up when Dinah accepted Christ. 
Dinah and Amos's romance was so sweet and I love it that they didn't kiss until their wedding day. I sometimes got frustrated at Amos when he learned Dinah's secret and was angry at God and Dinah. 
I loved Dinah's friendship with Ruthie. Even though Ruthie had her problems, I loved it when Dinah and her became great friends. 
It had a great ending and I was so happy for them! 

The Negatives:
Nothing negative at all!

Overall:
This was an amazing book about God's love and forgiveness and I definitely recommend it!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Author's Website
Read Chapter One

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

March Favorites

Welcome to March Favorites! Here are a few of my favorite things I found this month.
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

1// I found these bookmarks on Etsy and I knew I had to share them!
2// Being a crocheter, it's always fun to find something that corresponds to my craft.
3// Blue, Doctor Who related nail polish? Yes please!
4// I totally love this shirt and I will get it once I get more money. ;-)
5// Washi tape is my favorite! So pretty!
6// I found a bunch of pictures printed on dictionary pages like this and I totally want a wall of them!
7// These are from my Etsy shop and I think they're the prettiest things I have on there.
8// I love this and want to get a couple of them to dress up my buns.
9// Washi tape covered journals and pencils! They are totally cute and awesome!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Book Review: Echoes of Mercy by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Back Cover:
When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.   
Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?


The Positives:
I LOVED this story! The characters gripped me from the start. Caroline was an amazing heroine! She was strong, but not in a feminist way. The pain she had gone through made me care for her even more. Noble and Annamarie were the best and godly role models I have ever read about! 
Caroline and Oliver's relationship was one of the best parts of this book! It was interesting and was so sweet. 
I loved Letta, Lank, and Lesley! They were a fun part to the story and their relationship with the rest of the characters was very well done. 

The Negatives:
There was nothing wrong with this book, except for the fact that the climax was long in coming and was very short when it did come.

Overall:
This was an amazing book! I wanted to stay up all night reading it. I can't wait to read more the authors books in the future!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Author's Website
Read First Chapter