New Beginnings

            I realize it's been eons since the last time I wrote on this blog. Instead of just writing reviews of books- which I will continue to do- I also want to write about everything that relates to reading, writing and whatever else may revolve around that. I mean...YouTube videos that's poetic and insightful (not boring, I promise!) Or maybe an article on how to write better. I like unique and neat information, and I've been fortunate to run into some cool things. Perhaps, it'll be new to you and add to your life or maybe you've seen it before or read it before but now you know you're not the only one.

Who knows?

I also want to share my experience as a writer; starting and planning a novel from start to finish, what other authors have experienced, and going through publishing. Often, I feel like the bridge of the up-and-coming- writer and the published and well-known authors is distant and foreign.

What happens in between?
What did they do differently?

I'll probably blog about school also- I'm a Junior at Kent State University and I'm a Fashion Design Major. I know it's a pretty different career field to go into since I'm into writing so much. Why not become a a full time author? I guess my first answer would be because I'm scared. Living as a full time author isn't my ideal lifestyle (but that's not because it's not good- it is). I just happen to know myself enough to know that the second writing is now a job, it'll stop being a passion. I'm also a little bit naive, I know. I believe I can do it all if I work hard enough and pace myself. I want to publish successful novels and be a successful fashion designer. I don't know if I can do it all- but I'll leave my future to God.

What I do know is that I'll be blogging about it.

Anyway-

Here's to New Beginnings.

Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury

The first in the Forever Faithful series by Karen Kingsbury. Once you pick this up, you'll quickly find that you're not alone, and that you will never be.

                      Here's the summary:

 Hannah Ryan is the mother of two adorable little girls and the wife of a doting husband. Her life is perfect—until the night her husband and eldest daughter are ripped away from her by a drunken driver. Torn by grief and rage, Hannah finds her faith—like that of Jeremiah weeping over Jerusalem—tested to the limits. As she walks the long road of her own modern-day Lamentations, she must learn to forgive... and finally discover that God's mercies truly are new every morning. Sometimes the road home is only found by letting go.Ultimately, it is a kind prosecutor, a wise widow, and her husband's dying words that bring her the peace that will set her free and let her live again.


At first, I was hesitant to read this book. I hadn't read christian novels before and while I know I have strong faith I just thought they would be...well, boring. 


Obviously, I was wrong.


Through Waiting for Morning I've not only enjoyed a good book and broken my stereotype on christian novels, but I've gained something more important than I'd ever thought a book could give me. I've learned to mourn, to forgive, to let go and what I love the most- to discipline myself in the word. 


So, Hannah Ryan, is a normal devout christian mother and wife. She has two girls, a loving husband and an over-all great life. Her faith in God is immeasurable, but then again, why wouldn't it when God has been nothing but Good to her?

Everything changes, however, one unfortunate day when both her little girls and her husband have been in an horrible car crash. 


One minute, Hannah's in her kitchen, wondering what's taking her husband and kids so long to come back from their yearly summer fishing trip and the next...wham! Her life's a total mess.


Now, instead of having two loving daughters, she only as one who's growing distant by the second. And instead of her childhood love and best friend, Hannah finds herself sleeping alone at night.


But God's mercy is never failing.


Though Hannah is too blinded by range and anger to see it, God's always been faithful to her. He brings her Matt, a strong and faithful christian who also happens to the lawyer persecuting the drunk driver that killed Hannah's husband & daughter. And though Hannah wants nothing to do with God, it's only through him she will have the peace she's been waiting to receive ever since her life turned around. 


Many things happen to show Hannah that God is always on her side, even when horrible, unfair, and gut-wrenching things happen to us. Because the truth is, Bad things happen. Not, bad things happen to bad people...just, bad things happen. And what Hannah, and even myself, learn through Waiting for Morning is that when those bad thing happen...well, I'd rather have God on my side.


There is a happy ending to this story though, as there is happy ending in all of our lives. Even though the happy ending isn't what we want, or imagined, well, that doesn't mean that it's not an happy ending at all.


Reading this book, I figured that out.


Any ending with yourself and God on one side is a happy ending indeed.

So if you saw this book and were hesitant to pick it up, or if you're not sure you'll like it, don't let that stop you from reading this book. Not only will you not regret it, but you'll also find yourself swooning for a man like Matt, a love like God's and mostly, you will discover that God's grace is eternal. 


A great song that really shows the depth of this books is hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.
<--- 


Lamentations 5:21-22
Restore us to you, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old; Unless you have utterly rejected us and are exceedingly angry with us.

Redeeming Love a Novel by Francine Rivers

    I could not put it down. The second I finished reading Redeeming Love, I picked it up again. 


Anyway, here's a description on the awesomeness that is this Novel: 

 ~ California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.  Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.  A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. Over 1 million copies sold! ~


The story starts with the prologue, which is Sarah's story about her childhood. Then, we enter into 1850 California and we meet Angel. She's very different from Sarah- colder, defiant, and well, a harlot. But having been through what Sarah's had to go through, it's not wonder that Angel is the girl she is now. 


So how do you save a girl that's so far down the wrong path?


With God of course! ...and Michael Hosea.


I love how Mrs. Rivers wrote this, but more than that, I love how this novel portraits the kind of Godly man I want, without making it seem too...Amish(?)


Michael Hosea is man after God's own heart. He's gentle, but full of strength; Kind and warmhearted, but no fool. Michael sees Angel one day, a random day, and knows from that second that he's going to marry her. He knew right there and then that she was woman God ordered from him.


And even after he found out she was a prostitute, he still loved her endlessly. 


Of course, that wasn't the real problem.


The main issue that Angel has to deal with is coming to terms that even after all she's done and been through- she's still worth loving, and is capable of loving someone back. 


Micheal successes in marrying Angel (lol barely!) but it happens anyway. As they learn more about each other, they become closer. Micheal calls her different names- each fitting to the person she is and well, she wont tell him her real name. She runs away several times, and everyone (except this one time...) Micheal brings her back. Each time she runs away, she's not only running away from Micheal, but from what's doing to her. 


And what is Michael doing to her? Well, he's loving her. The best he knows how and the way he loves God.


The only time Micheal didn't run after her was the one time that Angel didn't run away because of her fear of loving Micheal, but she ran away because she understood that love means sacrifice. 
Micheal didn't run after her this time because he knew it was of God's will. 


I'm going to write out a little expert of this, so y'all can really know what I mean. This is when Angel has left Michael again, this time for good. Micheal is chopping wood, agonizing over his wife and asking God about why he shouldn't go after her:  (The bold part is God)


"Why have you forsaken me", Micheal asks


Beloved, I am always with you, even to the end of time


Michael slowed his frantic work and sought solace in God's word. I don't understand anything anymore, Lord. Losing her is like losing half of myself. She loved me. I know she did. Why did you drive her from me?


The answer came to him slowly, with the changing of the seasons.


You shall have no other gods before me.


That couldn't be right.


Michael's anger grew. "When have I worshiped anyone but you?" He raged again. "I've followed you all of my life. I've never put anyone before you." Hands fisted, he wept. "I love her, but I never made her my god"


In that calm that followed his angry torrent of words, Michael heard- and finally understood. 


You became hers.


[No copyright infringement intended. ALL works belongs to Francine Rivers- Redeeming Love. Pg. 383]


Okay, after that Angel is thrust into a world without Micheal and the valley and that's where she faces her  past and comes to terms with who her God is. She meets other people who, like Michael, believe in God, and is able to become a light in a world filled with darkness- a beacon, for all to see. 


She becomes, for lack of better words (and for a pun ;)...she becomes an Angel. 


Reading Redeeming Love has done something special to me. Something that no other book has ever accomplished- well not in this way. After reading this book, not only did I pick it up and re-read it again and again, but I also picked up my Bible and read the first 5 chapters of the book of Hosea- which, by the way, Redeeming Love portrays.  The Lord is truly at work in this Novel and Mrs. Rivers is such a talented writer! All through out reading this Novel, all I could think about is how I want a man like Micheal Hosea. A man after God's heart. A man, with all his flaws and imperfections, God loves and truly cares for...


I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I'm truly jealous of Angel. But it's no matter. I'll simply pray for a man like Micheal Hosea. 


A man after God's heart.


Extra: I noticed that there are different editions of the Novel. In honor of the 20th year the Novel has been selling, the newer version (the one with the cover like the one on top- the one I read) is different than the original book. So, I'll have two different links for each edition of the book. Here's the Original link from Amazon Amazon- Redeeming Love (Version 1) 
Here's the one that's newer- for the 20th aniververry(!!): Amazon- Redeeming love (Version 2)


Wanna know more about the author? Check out her website: Francine Rivers


Liked this book review? Thanks! Don't forget to comment about the review :) 


~Stay blessed y'all!~ 


Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
-Proverbs 19:21

The River Of Time Series: Book 3.1- Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren

Eep! I love it, I love it, I love it! Bourne, though an e-novella, is just as grappling as the three books before it. And this time...wait for it...Lia's POV is written too!

The story starts of right where Torrent left us. The battle is now over and the girls, Gabi and Lia, and their parents are in for a shock as they deal with the aftermath of the battle. Since they've always escaped back to their time after major battles, they've not really experienced what life is like after a battle, and Gabi, being Marcello's wife and the Lady of the castle has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders now- and it's not as simple as being a She-wolf ;)

Lia's learning the ropes as well and figuring out where she fits in her new world. She hasn't exactly grasped Gabi's mantra on "life", but she's about to...

A new danger as risen up for the She-wolves and their family- poachers. Since the band of brotherhood came to the Forelli's help, the Fiorentini will stop at nothing to find and kill every remaining member. Then, there's the little problem that lies between Gabi, Marcello, and Greco- what's a girl to do when she's got her husband on one side, and a man who's feelings she can't reciprocate on the other?

Awkward...

My favorite part of this, however, was Lia's take on things. Having been so used to and comfortable with Gabi's point of view on things, I'll admit- I wasn't so sure I'd like Lia's POV.
But I couldn't have been more biased, or wrong! Lia is every bit as amazing and daring as her sister. I love how Mrs. Lisa stayed true to her writing style but showed the difference and similarities between the two sisters. I find that when writing different point of views in the same book, it's easy to write the other person similarly. But she didn't. Lia is her own person, with her own opinions and thoughts.

She's not as taken away with her new life style- but nevertheless, she's glad she's there- as her sister. I can understand that- in fact, Lia's take on things is a refreshing and helps to understand the difference between the sisters. And then, of course, his her relationship with Luca.

Can you say, "HAWT?" :D

They make me swoon, ache, and giggle.

The two of them end up on a little adventure, and not only does it bring them much closer, we learn more about these characters too. Like, did you guys know that Luca had a sister? Yep. I didn't, either.

That's all I'm going to say [I don't want to reveal too much...I fear I already have :O ]

Although I love Marcello and Gabi's relationship sooo much, Lia and Luca have a bit of magic of their own.

All I'm going to end with is this: It might be a short story, but it is packed with HUGE drama, action, and adventure that is going to be hard to forget. Mrs. Lisa, does not disappoint.

This amazing, e-novella is available for Kindle, Nook, Sony and major e-readers for $2.99!!!
And if you don't have an e-reader, don't fret! You can always download it on you mobile for FREE, and then just buy the book :) You WILL NOT REGRET IT!! 


If this is your first time checking out this blog, and are not familiar with the River of Time of series, then check out my blogs for the first three novels:


Waterfall - Book 1
Cascade - Book 2
Torrent - Book 3

I'm now counting the days until the fourth book, Tributary, comes out this summer!! *happy dance*
I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Anyhoo, that's all :)
~*~ Stay blessed yall!

The River Of Time Series: Book 3- Torrent By Lisa T. Bergren

The third book in the series, but hopefully not the last, Torrent, BLEW MY MIND AWAY!!!!!

*Grins like an idiot* I'm praying that Ms. Lisa gets to continue writing about Gabs and Lia and their adventures for a while, preferably until the end of time.

~~~*~~~

Here's the Synopsis for the book:

When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.   

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.   But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.  

~~*~~~

I love it. I don't even know what to say other than I LOVE this book! Which means I'm going to have spoilers so **READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!**


Gabi, Lia, and their mother have found a way to save their father (!!) :O *gasp* Yup. So, remember that surprise in end of the last book? THIS IS IT! And just like Cascade, it starts of right where the book last ended. The girls have now gone back in time (again) to Medieval Italy with their father. So of course, there are a lot of different types of problems they encounter right from the get-go.

Like, how do they explain to their father why they've been acting so strange towards him, and why they all know how to fight (exceptionally well) with swords, bows and arrows, and spears?
Then to add to their problems, they've came back a year ahead from the last time they were there last. This holds a lot of problems for Gabi. She wonders if Marcello still feels the same way towards her, and if he does, what does the future (past?) hold for them? And her family?

Another great problem the Betarrinis have to face is the reality of the Black Plague. With Gabi's heart laying with Marcello- in 14th century Italy, how will they face the possibility of loosing one another to a illness that has no cure?

But, of course, their problems don't end there. A year as passed since last battle between the Firenze and Siena, but the outcome of that war has changed something in the future, so now, Gabi and her family are acutely aware of the impact they have on the future.

The threat that immerses in this book, however, has nothing to with that. Fortino- Marcello's elder brother, is still held captive under Firenze and while Marcello wants nothing more than to get his brother back, and has tried all sorts of diplomatic and sane way to get him back, nothing has worked. So of course, when Gabi persuades Marcello to try again, in a less diplomatic and sane way to save Fortino, more unfortunate situations unravel for the she-wolves.

For one, the only way Firenze would give Fortino up is if Marcello surrenders the She-Wolves (Gabi & Lia) and we know Marcello wont let happen. Other sorts of problems also arise though; now that Gabi and Marcello have established their relationship, how will they convince Gabi's family that staying in 14th century Italy is right? And when Gabi has to depend on Lord Greco to get her out of a mess, why does she end up questioning herself and his loyalty?

Man!! This book, is by far, my favorite! I mean, I loved the last two books, but Torrent has got me reading parts over and over and over again!

I loved the ending, it's peaceful, but it hints of a new sort of adventure ahead. By the end of the book, Gabi, who's been through so much trauma in this book, Lia, who's learned what sacrifice truly means, and the rest of their family have grown so much, it's incredible. I feel like I've been on  the best sort of journey with all of the characters and I love it.

This book in particular made me swoon, hurt, and pray for Gabi. I don't want to say too much without spilling everything, but the only thing I can say is that if you've already picked up Waterfall and Cascade, you'll ADORE Torrent.

If you're not sure about the first two books, check out the blogs I did on 'em!
Blogging Waterfall
Blogging Cascade

Click here to check out the website of the author, Lisa T. Bergren

The Facebook page for the River of time tribe ^.^ Facebook- River of Time

Here are a couple of cool interviews I found!

Interview with Lisa T. Bergren

Interview with Gabi

Interview with Marcello

I'm hopping to get my hands on the new e-book, Bourne, and once I've finished reading it- I'll have that review up too!

~Stay blessed everyone! <3

The River Of Time Series: Book 2- Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

     The Ladies Betterrinis are back! And better than ever with gut wrenching action, romance- love, like never before..and their mother?


     Yep. That's right, in book 2 of the River of time Series the girls go back in time to medieval Italy with their mother!

Here's the synopsis:

Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.

But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

****

**If you haven't read Waterfall, read at your own risk! Spoilers Ahead**

Okay, so this book starts of right where the last one left of. The girls have now made the jump back to their own time and have discovered that the portal holds healing powers. Now that they're back in time their problems have sort of changed. Especially for Gabi- whose heart is calling her back to Medieval Italy, back to Marcello.

As the girls persuade their "only facts and scientific logic" kind of mother to follow them back in time, Gabi must also prove to Lia, her younger sister, that Medieval Italy is somewhere she too, could be happy.

The second they arrive, they are greeted by allies, and swooped back to Castello Forelli. After their last battle, all of Siena has been waiting to celebrate these girls. Think of Italians as we know them, in our era- full of love, celebrations, and one of the best types of cooks we know, right? Well they've got nothing on the people from Medieval Italy! So for a while, Gabi, Lia and now their mother are enjoying one of the ups that living in that era provides.

But of course, Gabi, Lia, and their mother are some sort of trouble magnet in Medieval Italy.

Mercello's engagement to Romona has now dissolved, but Romana and Fortino- Marcello's older brother- are now intended and seem to be happy...but why does Gabi still have a sense of forbidding when it comes to that girl and her family?

Things take a turn for the worse, however, when Gabi is forced to choose the sentencing of Lord Paratore, their main enemy in Medieval Italy. Then, a new force of enemy emerges- one they can't fight of with armor or swords. The Black Plauge.

Then, a mysterious new character enters the picture- Lord Greco, and Gabi finds it hard to trust him. Is it because she feels a certain way toward him that makes her uncertain? Or because is loyalty really is hard to define?

Many things are taken into account for these girls as they enter back into Medieval Italy for the second time. They have to fight through illnesses, fight for their lives, and as they find themselves in the heart of an enemy camp, things only take a turn for the worst.

But through out all of this chaos, there is love, friendship and the deepest kind of loyalty one can find. Gabi and Mercollo's love grows deeper, both girls find a new and better sense of relationship with their mother, and dare I say it...Lia finds love too! (Maybe...she's iffy on that).

Plus, there's a added shocker at the end of the book. I totally didn't see it coming, but I'll just tell you this...you wont see it coming either. And if you do, you'll like it- it's good surprise...a happy surprise...

So through all the perils and danger, and trauma the Ladies Bettarrinis find themselves in this time- and trust me, it's alot!- they find, as Gabi describes it, life. Life the way it was meant to be lived- to the fullest, life through God, and life with love.

Now, who wouldn't some to live life like that? I know I would!

So, if you've read Waterfall, and are wondering if you should plunge into Cascade, you should! (Thought at this point, I'm sure you don't much need convincing ^.^ ) and if you're new and are wondering what a good, YA historical romance and action packed book is like, pick up The The River Of Time Series- you wont regret it.

To read the blog I did about Waterfall, the first book in The River of Time series, click this:
Blogging Waterfall

For the official website of Lisa T. Bergren, the awesome author of these books, click this one:
http://lisatawnbergren.com/books/

Oh, and check it out, I found the website for fans of The River of time: http://www.riveroftime.mobi/

Do you have a facebook? If you do, be sure to "like" the River of Time and the awesome characters that are in the book!
https://www.facebook.com/riveroftimeseries

And guess what else- Gabi, Lia, Lord Greco, Lord Marcello, and Sir Luca have Facebook pages too! I love it, though I am a little perplexed by how they have Facebook in Medieval Italy...but hey, I love the little bits and pieces they give about what goes on their world, so I ask no questions. Here are they're Facebook links!

Lord Greco
Gabriella Betarrini
Lord Marcello Forelli
Evangelia Betarrini
Sir Luca Forelli

I've just finished, Torrent, the third book in the series (and my FAVORITE!) so stay tuned for that blog! 


-Stay blessed, y'all! =)

The River Of Time Series: Book 1- Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

    Hey, Ya'll! The Pink Reader is back, with an astonishing new book. I recently received the first 2 books of The River of Time Series for my birthday just 5 days ago. I already finished the first book, Waterfall, and I'm currently devouring Cascade, the second book of the series.

   I've never heard of Ms. Bergren or her books before having Waterfall, but I'm so happy that she and her wonderful books entered my life. Waterfall, the first of the series was grappling from the very beginning. 

Here's the synopsis for it:

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world? 

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces. 

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

~*~

Okay, so the book starts of with the prologue, which details the archaeological background of Gabi and Lia's parents, then it shifts from modern time Italy, to 14th century Italy! 

Gabi and her sister, Lia, have some how, mistakenly, time traveled to the past and when Gabi arrives- she's alone. Through her quest to find her sister, Gabi falls in love with the extraordinary Prince, Marcello, and she finds herself on a  bigger adventure than she ever dreamed of. 

Of course, this modern teenage girl still finds herself caught in-between modern, day to day trouble like the rest of us- even in the 14 century, like dealing with zealous girls with powerful parents and of course, the joy and pain that comes with love. Gabi also experience some daring adventures we- unfortunately- don't have. Like the rise or fall of an entire city being on you're shoulder. 

Yeah, things are very much different in 14th-century Italy.

Going back in time does something different to Gabi however, and she can't shake it of. She's thought- and learned, loved- and is loved back, and most of all, found a sense of religion- though she wasn't even looking for it.

So after TONS of thrilling adventures, nearly escaping death, and saving her just as equally enticing sister...what is it that's keeping Gabi from leaving this foreign, but so familiar, time?

You've got to read it to find out. 


I'm telling you, even if historical romance isn't your thing, pick the book up anyway- you're bound to find something you love about it. Maybe it'll be the action, or the drama, or even the romance.


 There's something in it for every one.

Lisa T. Bergren <--Author

To find out more of these thrilling books, check out the Facebook fan page, which has tons of info on the books and sneak peaks to read!

https://www.facebook.com/riveroftimeseries

Interested in the book already? Well, here is a little somethin', somethin' to help you deiced if you want to plunge into the Waterfall (Hehe, pun intended ;) 

Here's the link for the prologue and first chapter: 

http://www.scribd.com/David%20C%20Cook/d/46485013-Waterfall

I'm still reading the second book, Cascade, at the moment (&& Loving it!) so stay tuned for that review!

-Stay Blessed!

<3 Pink.Reader