Let's All Be Brave by Annie Downs

When I saw Annie Downs' book Let's All Be Brave as one of my options for books to review on BookLook Bloggers, I was thrilled. I went to college with Annie and know her to authentic and funny. I expected her book to be the same, and I was not disappointed. What I did not expect was to weep through a large portion of the book.

I can't even say why, exactly, this book made me weep except that it hit me in my tender spot. You know, the place where God has already been poking and prodding. My "word" that God gave me at the beginning of this year was BRAVE. I have had, as we all do, many chances to practice being brave this year, but in reading this book I feel God's summons to me was taken to a new level.

Let's All Be Brave challenges and encourages, awakening old dreams while inspiring new ones, highlighting big acts of bravery while applauding small ones. Even in reviewing this, I feel myself shiver with anticipation for opportunities that I know are coming my way. Chances to say yes and dive into the unknown as well as the difficult known.

I definitely recommend Annie's book. Even if you don't read something in it you've never seen before, you will be reminded of many truths and opportunities you will want to grab hold of for the future.

I gave my opinion on this book in exchange for a free copy from BookLook Bloggers. My opinions are my own.

Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot

I picked up Prelude for a Lord to review from BookLook Bloggers, and I'm so glad I did. I almost passed this book up because I had never heard of this author, and now I'm disappointed that this was Camille Elliot's first book because I wish there were more I could read by her! I've always loved historical novels, but I've decided I especially love the Regency era, which is the time in which Prelude for a Lord is set.

Alethea Sutherton, a twenty-eight year old musician, finds herself fighting both the rules of society and the men in her life for control over her own destiny. Women playing the violin in this time period is considered vulgar, a fact that does not deter Alethea from her love of the instrument. However, when Alethea finds herself endangered by the obsession of one determined to own her precious violin, she must trust a man she would much prefer to dismiss. 

I loved the characters in this book and hope that Camille Elliot will pick up in books to come where she left off with some of the supporting characters. I would definitely recommend Prelude for a Lord and that you keep your eye out for more books by Elliot.

 I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for my honest opinion.

Spirit Bridge by James Rubart

I reviewed both Soul's Gate and Memory's Door in this same series, and my review here for Spirit Bridge is much the same. I loved it. As with most book series, the first book, Soul's Gate, was my favorite. While Memory's Door and Spirit Bridge didn't rock me the way Soul's Gate did, they were both excellent.

In this book, the Warriors Riding continue their journey of traveling into the supernatural realms to set people free and fight the enemy from the inside out. Two new characters join in the fight, but the Warriors first have to decide if they are truly on their side.

As with the first two books in the series, I gained new perspective about the spirit realm and what the battle of the unseen looks like. I would recommend this book, but only after the first two books have been read.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in return for my honest opinion.