Month: April 2023

Book Review · Books

The Lioness Of Leiden by Robert Loewen

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Step back in time to the 40’s in the Netherlands when World War II is in full swing. A young woman named Hetty didn’t want to merely stay on the sidelines. She wanted to help out the resistance in her county, but not all of her assignments are tame. This historical fiction novel takes you on a journey with Hetty on her different assignments and the assortment of characters that she meets along the way.

I found this novel to be slow going at first. Maybe I’m too old fashioned, but it seemed out of character for Hetty to have an assortment of lovers while her boyfriend could possibly be out there still alive. I get we all have needs. Another thing that stood out to me was something an eight year old character said that to me would be more along the lines of something an older teen might say, but not an eight year old. Over all the book does get better the further you get into the story.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Lioness of Leiden by Robert Loewen from Greenleaf Book Group, care of Smith Publicity in exchange for my honest feedback. The views expressed are my own and my own choice.

Book Review · Books

So Close by Sylvia Day

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Kane is a devilishly handsome man who has become a shell of who he once was after his wife, Lily comes up lost at sea when she decides to go out and sail her boat. He has numbed his grief by the occasional one nighters, but they just aren’t her. To comfort himself, Kane has paintings of her in his snazzy penthouse. In his bedroom there is one specially placed so that he can gaze on her when he goes to sleep and when he wakes up. His home is a mausoleum of sorts dedicated to her.

One day as he’s stuck in NY traffic he spies a woman who looks like the spitting image of Lily. He can’t help himself. Kane yells out her name and the woman in question turns to him in recognition and runs to get away from him. In the process of trying to get away from Kane, she gets hit by a car. In order to protect this possible Lily Kane has guards stand to keep an eye on who comes and goes to see who he hopes is his long lost wife.

When Lily recoups from her coma she insists that she is his Lily. Will Kane and Lily be able to rebuild their marriage and relationship? Where has she been since she was presumed dead? Not everyone in Kane’s life is thrilled his wife has come back from the dead.

This thriller is intense. If you enjoy psychological thrillers you just might enjoy this story. This is my first book I’ve read by Sylvia Day and I’m pleasantly surprised with her skill of storytelling. If you are a fan of Sarah Pinborough, then I think you will become a new fan. This novel had me hooked from the start.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of So Close by Sylvia Day from Ronin House, care of Smith Publicity for my honest feedback. The views expressed are my own and my choice.

Book Review · Books

The Answer To Anxiety by Joyce Meyer

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Anxiety is something we all face either in tiny increments or large portions that paralyze us in abject fear. One person who has dealt with this affliction throughout her life is Joyce Meyer. In The Answer To Anxiety, Joyce walks the reader through what can aid us in dealing with our anxiety. Joyce provides 5 keys to help us not be anxious: 1. Don’t be anxious. 2. Prayer 3. Thankfulness 4. Enjoy peace

Joyce walks through each key, how we can apply them to our life and what the Bible says about each one. I know I am not supposed to be anxious, but I also think we can start to make it our default setting. I know for me I think I tend to pray more than I do be thankful. As for trying to have peace with myself and others, that key can be challenging at times.

I found this book to be helpful. I know that I can get so wrapped up in whatever I’m anxious about I forget about all that I have and all that is going right in my life. If I work on shifting my focus to thankfulness then I’m turning it from it being about me through worrying to it being about Him, who has given me everything I have.

If you are looking for a short book on anxiety you might find this book helpful even if you aren’t a believer, though being a believer does make a difference. Disclaimer: myself or Joyce Meyers are not doctors, psychologists or therapists.

I received my complimentary copy of The Answer To Anxiety by Joyce Meyer from FaithWords, in exchange for my honest feedback. The views expressed are mine and my own choice to provide.