Candace

Longest secret ever!

Revisado: 09-20-15

I liked the overall story enough, but to be honest, I almost switched to another book about 5 times. The narrator was good, but she read so SLOWLY! It didn't bother me most of the time, and her voice was pleasant enough that I could deal with it, but it just made the book drag on even more.

I enjoyed the overall story, but it seemed like it could have been told in 6-8 hours instead of over 18! I almost cried when I realized there was a part 2 and had to continue on.

It was very romantic, and I enjoyed that part, though the heroine had a LITTLE too much trouble making up her mind. It was an easy listen and I enjoyed the mystery and the family. I felt that the Christian aspect was a bit forced, though. Like the author had the story all mapped out and then remembered she was a Christian author and threw in some Christianity.

I'm being extra harsh, but it's just how I felt while listening. Some parts moved along faster than others, and I found myself really intrigued at times, which is why I gave it 3 stars. I just think there was a lot of filler, a lot of extra description, and a lot of deviation from the plot that left me wondering why it was even in the book. Left me guessing for the most part, and left me wanting more and much less at the same time.

I expect a LOT from my Christian fiction. I don't make allowances for bad writing just because it's "Christian literature." Check out Tamara Leigh, or Francine Rivers. Much more intrigue, and I always wish the books were longer.... not shorter, as in this case.

That being said, this isn't my first book by this author. I enjoyed her other book, "The Silent Governess" so I will probably check out more by her.

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esto le resultó útil a 28 personas

A YA with CLASS!

Revisado: 04-03-15

After the first few chapters of Etiquette and Espionage, I bought the next 2 books in the series.(Both are great, and I've pre-ordered book 4) It's simply a brilliant portrayal of a fantastical steampunk universe, set in Victorian England.

You are completely immersed in a world with robots, hot air balloon ships, schools for evil geniuses and finishing schools for young ladies of (deadly) quality. Oh... AND Werewolves and Vampires.

Being set in the Victorian era, etiquette and decorum reign, which is hilarious along side the espionage part. The names are perfect, as some are completely ridiculous. (Lord Dingleproops? Mrs. Barnacle-Goose?) But you completely believe everything. The writing makes you love the characters, but also moves enough in the plot to make it thrilling! Sophoronia is one of my favorite literary characters now, but there are so many in the books to love! Soap, Dimity, Vieve! It's such a colorful and exciting world that I can't believe it's not more mainstream! It's excellently written, and surprisingly relevant. Very "Harry Potter-esque" I would say. The whole idea of the characters going to a secret school and taking strange classes in eye-lash fluttering, deception training, dancing and poisons.

Also addressed are the issues of race and class in an era where the divide for both was enormous. Done tastefully, historically accurate, yet very open to multiple things.

If you are tired of the Dystopian YA, switch it up from being a kick butt rebel heroine, to a young lady of quality! (Who honestly, is a kick butt rebel heroine.) :)

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Hurray for Daily Deals!

Revisado: 08-20-14

This is a book I wouldn't have purchased had I not seen it for sale on the Daily Deal. For $2, I thought I'd take a chance and boy did it pay out.

I was on a road trip so I was able to listen to it in it's entirety in one day. I laughed, I cried, I longed for the ending I wanted but couldn't see how in the world it would ever happen. It was an incredible LIFE story... Love, life, family, friends, coming of age...if it can be called that being about a guy in his late 20s. It was so enjoyable and definitely had it's twists and turns. There were predictable moments too, but not in a bad way at all. I loved the humor, the silliness, and the overall "realness" the story had. It felt like these were actually people that could exist, and they were people I wanted to know and hang out with. Well, all except for his Lincoln's friend Justin.

I liked that it was CLEAN. No graphic sex or anything of that nature. Justin had an obsession with the F-word though. But it was his character. I feel like we all know "THAT guy" and we all kind of despise that guy... but he had his moments. Just be prepared for a ton of cussing whenever he's involved in a chapter. I share my books with my parents, and this is one I WISH I could share, but I know they don't like swearing and would not appreciate listening to it, despite how good the rest of the book was.

SO. READ it. It was an easy listen, but with humor, romance, friendship, heartache, tragedy and gumption. Definitely a repeat listen, and a high recommendation from me. Enjoy!

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Expected More

Revisado: 08-07-14

I've been a HUGE Karen Witemeyer fan since I first read "A Tailor Made Bride." "Full Steam Ahead" didn't feel like the author I fell for in that first novel. While parts of the story were very good, I didn't connect with the characters as I had in her previous novels. It's something that I can't pinpoint, or put my finger on, but it was frustrating. I loved the historical aspect of the story, and the science behind the steam engines, but it seemed like so much was repeated, plot lines were emphasized and re-emphasized again, and I wanted more than that. Frankly, I expected more than that.

A big issue was probably the narration. Yet again, 2nd book in a row, an old sounding narrator for a book about young people. I honestly feel like had the book had a better narrator, one that didn't speak so slowly, or emphasize certain words the same way every time like, "Lafitte Dagger," it would have been smoother, and I could have connected more to the characters. Now, Carine Montbertrand was definitely not as bad as the narrator for "Stealing the Preacher." That's a book I had to return and buy in print. Looking back, I might buy this one as well and re-read it.

I felt like giving the overall rating of this book a 3 out of 5, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt by making it a 4. I enjoyed the story, I liked how the characters met and interacted, but there was a disconnect somewhere.

Definitely worth the credit if you're a fan of Karen Witemeyer, or enjoy a nice easy listening Christian romance. It's just not up to the level I expected based on her previous works.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Francine Rivers is the best for a reason.

Revisado: 05-06-14

As a HUGE Francine Rivers fan, I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed in her two latest books (The Marta's Legacy Series). While good books, I felt they lacked the connection to the characters that I'd come to love about her other books. Whether it was the narration or the writing, I felt disconnected and disappointed.

Bridge to Haven is back to the Francine Rivers I adore. Redeeming Love and the Mark of the Lion series are my favorites by her, and Bridge to Haven is in their caliber. I laughed out loud, I cried, and I sang along with the Hymns that I recognized. The setting is fantastic, 40s-50s California, with references to all the old stars. Aubra will connect to so many girls/women of today, who feel they need to change themselves in order to be loved, that they have to be perfect or be discarded. It's a wonderful, touching, at times tragic, and at times lusty (did I just say lusty in reference to a Christian romance!?).

Francine finds a way to describe what Aubra goes through in regards to her search for love (ie: what normally are referred to as sex scenes but really aren't in this book). You experiences what she does, and are in the situation, without the graphic-ness that a secular book would have. If that's an issue, please don't let it deter you from the book. It's integral to the story, and is very tastefully written.

It's the best book I've read in a very long time. Francine Rivers books are always a cut above the rest and have a realness to them, and a way of the workings of God that a lot of other Christian fiction books tend to ignore in place of their own agendas. Francine's books are there to show us God's love for us, and Bridge to Haven does just that in a well written, hauntingly beautiful tale of a young girl searching for love and her place in the world.

HIGHLY recommended. Well worth your time.

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Exactly what it seems, but so unexpected!

Revisado: 03-18-14

I hesitated buying it because it seemed cliche and just plain silly for a concept. But I found myself falling for the characters. And oddly enough, I was sold on the story. It became believable and sweet, romantic and real. The author created the world of Brighton and incorporated it into our world in such a way as to make the reader accept it without question.

Of course it's still a bit cliche, and silly, and a bit sappy, but while I don't usually like those things, I did in this story. I loved the characters and felt for them. It was a book that should have been just ok, but that I felt myself really enjoying.

Also, I thought she incorporated Christianity into it in such a way that made it part of the story. My pet peeve with Christian literature is when the author throws Christianity in as an afterthought. I like all kinds of literature, but if a Christian novel isn't centered on Christ, then what's the point?

Good writing, great characters, a sweet, romantic easy listen.

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

A Teen vampire story... but a FANTASTIC one!

Revisado: 03-17-14

I really enjoyed this book, FAR more than I expected. The story had me on the edge of my seat almost the whole time. INCREDIBLY action packed. I finished it in 3 days... and I haven't been on a road trip or anything! It took the place of television, especially the last day when I started and finished part 2. I was on the edge of my seat the last 5 hours. It was insane!

It's a great take on the vampire genre, bringing in the weird and intense differences between vampires and humans. It's got all of the elements of a great dystopian survivor story. It's very hard to explain or go on about this book without giving things away. LOTS of twists and turns! As I said, I couldn't stop listening and am planning on purchasing The Prey (book 2) when I finish writing this review.

WORD OF WARNING!
This book does have it's gross moments. The vampires salivate at the thought of humans (heepers) but they talk about how the drool runs down their chins and pools on the desks and floor. Thick blood dripping down their chins as they eat bloody raw meat drips into a bowl that fills up and they drink it at the end of the meal. There's also a couple VERY vivid descriptions about what happens to certain vampires in sunlight. I DID gag a couple times.

But all of that creates such an amazing picture of the world of the book, and I felt it added to the fear and intensity, although it grossed me out a bit.

Scary, exciting, mysterious and action packed, I don't understand why The Hunt doesn't have more of a following!

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Warning! Christian Literature!

Revisado: 01-25-14

There, you were warned. And that being said, this is an incredibly well written Christian book. After the prologue, my eyes were watery and I was just... "woah." More so than her other novel on here, "Perfecting Kate" (also fantastic, I highly recommend), this book has a LOT to do with God and the inner workings of the church, the fear of a split, the enormous pressure put on the family's of pastors and how, even though God forgives, people remember. Not a book to recommend to non-Christians. But Christians should definitely read this book.

Not only does it tackle the difficult business of modernizing a church, not alienating the older generation, but finding a way to bring everyone together, it's strong message on forgiveness is one that we all need a reminder on sometimes. And really, there is so much more. She completely captured church life, and the fear of "growing" a church.

I didn't find the book to be too slow. If it was paced faster, or abridged, you would miss the growth of the characters, why they change and why things happen, and the understanding of the characters' personalities. I like my books and movies to be about the characters, to know them, to feel their pain and their joy, and this book most certainly did that.

I was incredibly surprised by a pleasant find when I purchased "Perfecting Kate" on a whim. I have no idea what took me so long to get Splitting Harriet... Probably the idea of being disappointed after having my hopes up so high, expecting another great book. I needn't have worried. In all honesty, after just 2 books, Tamara Leigh has become my second favorite Christian author after Francine Rivers. Not only are her books fun and comedic, they are intense and deal with real issues. The integration of God into the lives of the characters and not just being an afterthought is what REAL Christian fiction is about. The characters aren't perfect, they struggle, and they overcome. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any Christian.

ps. There are many more books by Tamara Leigh, but they aren't in audio-form yet. I hope that this changes soon. I will definitely be purchasing the paperbacks of those and hope they become available soon.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Pleasantly Surprised

Revisado: 01-05-14

I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. I downloaded this book for a road trip I was taking and wanted something easy-listen. I've had a lot of thinking/action books lately and wanted something more simple. I enjoyed the back and forth between the past and the present. I could see where they were going with it a bit early on, but one part near the end did surprise me. It was a fun listen, worth your credit if you like Christian Romance. I'm very picky about my Christian literature because I like good writing, likable characters, and a plot that makes sense and makes me feel for the people involved. This book did those things and it was an enjoyable listen. The narration was also easy to listen to and pleasant. Best book ever!?!? No. Would I highly recommend it? Eh... I'd recommend it, but not highly. It was nice. Not an amazing work of literature, but I'm willing to check out more by this author based on this book.

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esto le resultó útil a 18 personas

Simple easy listen

Revisado: 11-02-13

Would you consider the audio edition of A Lady of High Regard to be better than the print version?

I think that the reader/listener would get the same impact of the story in either format.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was a simple easy listen. It's what I pretty much expected when I bought it. I just wanted something that I didn't have to put too much into while listening to it, and it did just the job. Cute sweet story with a bit of a mystery and intrigue to it.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't really say that one scene was my favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

The character seemed to repeat a LOT of the information over and over again. I don't think it was necessary to repeat the plight of the seamen's wives over and over again with each person that the main character talked to. It was at LEAST 5 people she relays the info to and each time it's the exact same description. As a reader, I found it a bit annoying and was like, "ok, let's just get on with the story already!" The same happened with other information and conversations throughout the book, which is why I gave the story 3 stars instead of 4.

The main character was a bit immature and slightly annoying. As smart as she seemed to be, she made some really dumb choices. Also, I expect a lot in my Christian romance stories, and as good as this one, it seemed a bit labored in the religious area. Like the author had the story and was like, "oh, I'm a Christian author... better put in some Christianity." It felt out of place instead of being an integral part of the story. It would have been the perfect opportunity for the main character to share the Lord with the seamen's wives who had been taken advantage of, and to have them all pray together or something, and for it to be spread in that way. But I feel this was a completely missed opportunity on the author's part.

Simple easy listen to a cute story. Some annoyances, but overall cute. I'll most likely get the rest of the series for the heck of it.

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