Yellowstone Yondering

Terriers and Bison and bears! OH MY! (Yes, I just twisted a line from Wizard of Oz.) Kayla’s adventure in Yellowstone is filled with her crazy antics and broken rules, much to the dismay of Alexander, a go-by-rules park ranger. Both characters are downright lovable despite their flaws.

 I won’t dwell on the storyline, as you can get that from the well-written blurb. What I would like to convey is the great storytelling by the author, Kristen Joy Wilks. This story grabbed me right from the beginning and I honestly could not put the book down. As I got deeper into the story I loved the faith inspired moments and the self-growth from both Kayla and Alexander. 

I definitely disliked Kayla’s former friends that she accidentally comes across in Yellowstone. It really showed how far Kayla had come from her old ways.

This story is filled with heart-melting moments, gasp-inducing terror, and rib-tickling laughter. What a mixture! What I enjoyed most about Yellowstone Yondering was the faith inspired lessons that were so integrated into the storyline that it didn't come across as preaching. 

 

 

5 stars

 

I won this book in a giveaway. I am so blessed! All opinions in this review are my own. 

The Lost Castle

The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron takes place within three time lines. Sleeping Beauty, a ruined castle in France, ties all the time periods together. 

Avaline, Viola, and Ellie are the heroines who make up the castle's history during present day, WWII, and the French Revolution, Each storyline centers around strong women.

I enjoyed the theme of family, following your heart, and faith through turmoil, but most of all, I loved the romance in each time period. 

This novel provides a lot of history without info-dumping. The mystery component is obviously intriguing, and told in a very beliveable way. This novel delves into the lives of all three heroines, and their tenacity and bravery. I highly recommend this read.

4 Stars

ARC compliments of Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

The Christmas Star

The Christmas Star by Robert Tate Miller seeped into my heart the moment I started reading. The narrative of the main character, Paul Bennett, was so real I could hear his voice tell of young love, hope, faith, and despair. My heart broke when he suffered a loss so severe, I was left wondering how he would survive it.

This story is full of faith, though not preachy. It’s filled with undying love, though not sappy. This story holds a wonderful balance of both. In my opinion, it is the most unforgettable Christmas story I have ever read. The author entwined present day with days long ago. This depicts how timeless the story of Christmas is, and how it impacts the world today. The setting in The Christmas Star has a small-town feel, with vivid characters. The story is heart-felt and filled with hope…until hope is snuffed out of Paul Bennett’s life. His weaknesses overshadow his strengths when he turns to drinking. His self-alienation pushes everyone out of his life. Even God.

I loved the story, it’s characters, and the beautiful message of faith. Through all of Paul's struggles, God shines, providing a new beginning that leads him out of the depths of pain. The path is not without obstacles, but it is illuminated by the light of the Christmas star. 

I highly recommend this book.

5 Stars

ARC courtesy of Net Galley. All opinions are my own.