We Three Kings by John Pontius

We Three Kings by John Pontius

Dust Jacket:

"For six hundred years we have been living and dying because of our faith in someone that none of us has seen. Now that Christ is living on this earth, it is madness to not go and seek him."

When the signs of the Savior's birth appear in ancient America, the prophet Nephi witnesses another miracle—the Liahona starts working again. Now he must begin a quest that will take him far across the ocean to find the King of kings.

Join Nephi, Timothy, and Cephus on a journey that ultimately changes their lives—and the course of history—as they become the legendary Three Wise Men.

Masterfully written and wonderfully entertaining, this book is bound to become a family favorite for years to come.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Interesting adventure, cheap relationship, written for men.

The Good: So there are some really great things I loved about this book. It was really creative and thought out. It flowed pretty smoothly from actual scriptural account to fictional account. Some things were pretty far fetched, but when you get to fill in the holes, you can put whatever you want in there, right? I loved the interactions with the Christ Child. Nephi's journey to Jerusalem felt like a recreation of Lehi and Nephi's journey from Jerusalem, from the Liahona to the wickedness to the doubting and complaining.

The Not-So-Good: This book felt very man-fantasy-adventure. Though very creative and eventful, after lots of details, reasons, planning, purpose and faith our hero saves the day. Feelings are not pondered over and do not weigh heavily upon our characters but put into action. The romance is also underdeveloped. It would have been better left out. Instead it felt very, "Me, man. You, wife." On my soap box I'd say, don't bother including a relationship in a story if you aren't going to develop the relationship. She just becomes an objectified trophy at the end of his quest. I am sure 80% of the readers thought it was just fine.

Though interesting, I probably won't pass this book around.

Content: drinking, some (non-graphic) violence, scantly clad women

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

Dust Jacket:

From Amazon Top 100 Regency Romance author, Michele Paige Holmes, comes MARRYING CHRISTOPHER, a regency romance from the Hearthfire Romance series.

Having seen both his sisters Grace and Helen happily married, Christopher Thatcher is free to pursue his dream of life in America. With adventure in his heart and mind, he boards one of the first steamships set to cross the Atlantic in the record breaking time of only twenty-five days. Within the first two of those, his resolve—to avoid women and the complications they often bring to a man’s life—falters when he meets Marsali Abbott, a young woman with a past even more troubling than his own. Whether from years of habit protecting his sisters, or simply because he feels drawn to Marsali, Christopher chooses to help her and becomes her friend. As the truth about what awaits Marsali in America becomes evident, he is faced with a more difficult choice, one that will impact their lives far beyond four weeks together at sea.

Other Hearthfire Romances:
Saving Grace
Loving Helen


My Review: 5 Stars!

'Nurturing Love in Barren Soil' kind of book. Loved it!

Christopher is determined to be independent of his sisters, charity, and any woman. Embarking on a journey by steam ship across the Atlantic, at a time when these ships were brand new, he attempts to avoid the three other passengers on ship, all women. Even though Christopher is done taking care of his sisters and anyone else, he can't help himself but want to watch out for a woman, Marsali, who gratefully takes care of herself, even in horrible circumstances.

Among circumstances seemingly barren, an unexpectedly beautiful flower of friendship, true love, and admiration unfold. The nature of the characters provide all the nutrients needed to grow a loving garden and new life for Christopher. (Maybe corn or wheat is more manly than a flower, but you get the idea. Love that Christopher wants to be a farmer and work the land and that this first "crop" took root at sea. Did I say I love Michele Paige Holmes? Can't wait for her next book!)

Can be read as a stand alone BUT the first two books are so good. Just read them, too!

This book is clean and the characters inspiring. I would recommend it to anyone.

*Received a copy for an honest review.

Eye On Orion by Laura D Bastain

Eye On Orion by Laura D. Bastain

Dust Jacket:

Falling in love with your gorgeous new neighbor isn't a bad thing, but when he turns out to be the bodyguard of a princess from a planet nine billion light-years away, life gets complicated. Seventeen-year-old stargazer Holly Adams never imagined she’d find herself trying to prevent the overthrow of an alien government. When Jai and his sister Amira move into the house down the street, Holly is immediately drawn to them. Jai acts suspicious of her from the start, making Holly more curious about their oddities. When Holly learns they are from a different planet, she does what she can to help protect Amira from Shander, a man who wants to marry her by force in order to take over the kingdom her father rules. Mistaken identity, a botched kidnapping, and a first kiss that bonds Holly and Jai for life are hard enough, but when Shander believes Holly to be the princess, things get even more dangerous.

My Review: 5 Stars!

Wow! This book is Awesome! It is a stargazer's story - not exactly sci-fi. Filled with the wonders of two people coning together from worlds across the universe. This is a sweet YA story that is very creative and even believable. There is just enough reality and 'what if' weaving though the story line to keep you turning pages.

This story could be a stand alone but you will want to read the sequel to find out what happens to the rest of the characters. It is clean with some modest kissing. It is even somewhat educational as they talk about the stars, their stories, and the universe. I would recommend it for all ages.