January - March 2020 Reading

This poor blog has been neglected for a while. But with all the extra time I have now I've been working on getting new posts up. I figured I'd go ahead and do a quick review of all the books I've read so far this year. Then I can just update monthly after that. You might want to grab a drink because this is a review of 17 books.

If you ever want to follow along with my reading, you can find me Goodreads: craftychicgirl. If you click on the title of each book in the reviews below it will take you to the Goodreads page for that book.

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ONE DAY IN DECEMBER
I heard about this book from someone on Instagram that I follow. She described it as like reading a holiday Hallmark movie. I immediately went to Amazon and purchased it to read during the holidays. But then I lost it and didn't find it again until January. But really, I love Christmas so I can read or watch a holiday themed story anytime. This book however I think I only made it to the second chapter before I put it in the discard pile. I was shocked that it already had used as much language as a rated R movie.

0 of 5 stars

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INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Sometime in 2019 I had decided I wanted to learn more about intercessory prayer. I'd asked for some book recommendations on facebook and this one was recommended several times. There were some chapters that I really enjoyed and others I just breezed through looking for the highlights. At the time when I read it, I remember several getting several new thoughts on prayer from this book...but now I can't recall a single one.

3 of 5 stars

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THE MIRACLE MORNING
I am definitely not a morning person. So I am always reading blog posts about becoming better at getting up ready to make the most of my day. I ran across this book and it had great reviews. But it did not motivate me in the least. Though honestly...I'm not sure any book truly could motivate me in that area.

2 of 5 stars

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THE 3-DAY EFFECT
This sounded so promising from a scientific point of view. How does nature change our minds? I know that God created our world for us to enjoy. And I truly think that sitting by the ocean, driving through the mountains or strolling through a garden can have create a mental change in us that can in turn create a physical change. In this book the author goes on excursions with groups for several days and interviews them to document the changes they feel. I think it is a good starting place I just wish that it had been a bit deeper, less language and more God focused.

2 of 5 stars

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MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY
A great Christian historical fiction. Light but the story still had depth. A baker who must try and find a husband in order to save her business. Plenty of drama along the way to pull you in wondering how it will end. I quite enjoyed.

4 of 5 stars

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THE BILLIONAIRE'S ALTERNATE MARRIAGE
Contemporary Christian fiction. This was either a free read of $0.99 is how I actually ended up with it. I did not have high hopes for this book at all. But it ended up being a cute read.  Twin sisters in love with the same guy, yet only one admits to being in love. Years later they find themselves living across the street from him only now he owns a tech company and is quite wealthy. A quick marriage to help a child produces lots of questions as to how everyone will proceed. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone book.

4 of 5 stars

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SKYWARD
YA dystopian fiction. Spensa, a young girl, who's father was a pilot wants to be just like him when she grows up. The only problem was her father was a disgraced coward by all accounts and everyone thinks Spensa will do the same if given the chance. Can she even make it into flight school with her family's history still on everyone's mind? This was a cute read. It's book #1 in the series. I enjoyed listening to it but I'm not eager to proceed to the next book.

3 of 5 stars

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THE SHIFTING FOG
Historical fiction. Kate Morton has become one of my favorite authors. I love how she weaves a story together. Though at times I almost get lost as to who is speaking or what year the character is in. But in the end it creates such layers that make the story feel full. This story surrounds one eventful evening and the death that occurred. How everyone gets there and the consequences of that night form the layered story. Plenty of "upstairs/downstairs" stories along the way.

4 of 5 stars

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223 ORCHARD STREET
Christian historical fiction. Katie crossed the Atlantic to New York City make a new life for herself and eventually for her little sister. But when her sister Shannon arrives Katie faces new troubles to get her sister home. In steps the young doctor who once offered Katie hope. Will this new meeting intertwine their lives together forever or just long enough to save her sister? One of my favorite reads so far this year.

5 of 5 stars

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THE 30-DAY MONEY CLEANSE
I listened to this as an audiobook. It might be better for me to read it and work through it. I ended up getting lost and finding it boring.

2 of 5 stars

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THE KISS OF DECEPTION
YA dystopian fiction.  Princess Lia chooses to defy her family and runs from the marriage that was being forced upon her. As she hides out in a small town working as a tavern waitress she encounters two young men, one the prince she fled from and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Which one is she falling in love with? Amidst all of this there are also secret languages and the mystery as to whether she has "the gift of sight" like her family claims. Book #1 in series
THE HEART OF BETRAYAL
Book #2 in series. Now we know who is the assassin and who is the prince. But is it all for naught now that Lia has been kidnapped and taken to her enemy's kingdom? How will she escape? Is her gift growing stronger or is she only playing it up to cause fear?
I really enjoyed both of these books. In fact I'm currently waitlisted for book #3 from my library.

4 of 5 stars

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STELLA BAIN
Historical fiction. This was so promising. An amnesiac nurse during WWI. What secrets does she hold? Will the doctor and his wife be able to help her remember? In the end her story and how quickly it unfolds just left me bored.

2 of 5 stars

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SAFE HAVEN
Fiction. I've never read any Nicholas Sparks books, but I think I've seen all or nearly all of the movies made from his books. Safe Haven is one of the movies that I really enjoyed. So I thought for sure I'd just love the book...because books are always better. In this case...no. Honestly I thought the movie was much better. I hate even admitting that but it was true for me. I will say, I think the movie followed the book very well. But I guess seeing the characters come to life in the movie added more than the book could offer.

3 of 5 stars

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ABIGAIL
Christian historical fiction. This book started out good. A minister ends up in a town that is lost and without hope. He wants to restore the church building thus helping to restore the lives of those in the town but he needs help. He recalls a church secretary, Abigail, who is now a widow and asks her to come and join him. Once there she of course encounters the handsome Chad who quickly becomes her thorn. Here's where it took a sharp turn for me...they get caught up in a tornado that takes them back in time to the days of King David. Ummm...that's a hard no for me. I kept reading hoping it was just a dream she had while being knocked out, but no. At that point I lost all interest in the book, though I did finish it.

2 of 5 stars

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THE BOOKWOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK
Historical fiction. Loved this. Gave me some of the feels of the book Christy by Catherine Marshall. Set in the mountains of Kentucky, a young girl with blue-tinged skin works as a librarian delivering books all through the mountains. No one knows what causes her skin to be blue except it's a family trait and people see her as being worth less than others. Very interesting story and especially as the part about the blue-tinged skin was based on actual facts.

4 of 5 stars

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THE BEAUTIFUL
YA historical fantasy. I think that the reader of the audiobook drew me in more than the actual story. The way she read some of the parts was very alluring. Young Celine has recently moved to New Orleans. She has secrets she is trying to hide. Living with other girls in a convent she chances upon a young woman in need of a seamstress. Celine offers her services and encounters a world of darkness including the charming and wealthy Sebastian and detective Michael.

3 of 5 stars

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- Jessica