Thursday, May 29, 2014

The Shores of Bountiful/Loralee Evans

Synopsis:

    "Elizabeth is devastated when Lamanites attack Zarahemla and her betrothed is killed in battle. Her friend Joshua, whom she has known since childhood, is equally crushed; both by the anguish he shares with Elizabeth, as well as his own guilt that he could not save the man she loved. But together, the two find comfort in their shared grief.
     Shemnon, a Lamanite, is a man with many years and many scars, both inside and out. Despite his hatred of what he believes the Nephites to be, he is not without honor, and his heart not without compassion. When he meets Elizabeth, he can't say why she seems so familiar, or why her eyes seem so much like those of the daughter he lost years ago.
     Elizabeth does not know how she remembers the old Lamanite either, for she is certain she has never met him in her life. Neither does she fully understand her changing feelings for Joshua as the wounds upon her heart slowly heal, and the caring between them gradually develops into something deeper.
     But before Elizabeth and Joshua can come to an understanding of what their friendship has become, a new danger threatens their people. This time from within the walls of Zarahemla itself, causing even more troubles for Elizabeth and Joshua and those they hold dear, threatening to destroy everything that matters to them."

Review:

    The first book that started my blog was called "The Birthright" By Loralee Evans. To this day it is still one of my all time favorite books. The Shores of Bountiful Is a great addition to that first book. You have Elizabeth and Joshua this time and get some mentions of Mariam and Jacob from the first book, but this book is all about Elizabeth and Joshua's relationship.
    I love reading stories that take place during the Nephite and Lamanite times. Even though a lot of the characters are fiction, the events that took place are real (like the start of the Gadianton robbers).
   Following Elizabeth during her time of grief, following Joshua into the throws of battle, the emotions are high, but well worth it! This book is also about family and finding the love that lives with you, even through some of the darkest hours of life.
    If you are in the mood for some history, romance, drama, a battle or two then pick up this book and Loralee's other books. 

Friday, May 16, 2014

What is Hidden/Lauren Skidmore

Synopsis:

    "In a land of masquerades and mystery, Evie is a mask maker in Venesia, where masks represent rank and identity. When a cryptic bandit strips away Evie’s mask and destroys her home, she goes into hiding at the palace to find both a new identity—and revenge."

Review: 

    I have always been a fan of the Cinderella Story, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it! Evie is a strong heroin who loses almost everything towards the first part of the book. Aiden, her best friend is the only person who knows she is still alive. Aiden is still a mystery to Evie and he always goes off subject when the subject turns to him. Can these two work together to find the man named the Chameleon, who stole everything dear to her? Truth's will be revealed, hearts will be broken, but love conquers all!
    I enjoyed the plot, and the characters. It left you satisfied, yet ready for the next book. (there better be another book!) For me I was able to figure out a lot of the truth's that were hidden from Evie way before she finds them out, within the first couple chapters. I don't know if the Author planned it to be that easy to figure out or not, and found myself a bit frustrated when it took Evie almost the whole book to figure certain things out that seemed so obvious to me. 
    If you want fantasy, suspense, drama, and love and enjoy Fairytale romances, then this is the book for you!