The Crown of Rosemund by Michele Ashman Bell

 

Anduron, 1498

The king and queen are dead, murdered by one who will stop at nothing to rule. But the young princess—Rosemund—has survived, spirited deep into the forest by her parents’ most trusted advisor. There, she finds refuge in a small cottage and a new life, one in which she must play a role that will ensure her survival. Soldiers are combing the countryside searching for the lost princess, and they will not rest until she is found—and eliminated.

Rosemund’s strength grows as she trains for battle and endures the hardships and dangers of peasant life. When chance brings Maxwell, a young man from the nearby village, into her life, Rose finds in him an ally and a friend. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, the time has come for Rose to reclaim her birthright, and in a court controlled by a vengeful new ruler, she must play a deadly game of politics in order to seize the throne that is rightfully hers.

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I really love the cover of this book and I have to say that this publisher is crushing it with novel covers overall.  They are so unique and connected to the story, just like this one is.  I'm a fan.

The Crown of Rosemund is a mixed bag for me.  I guess I was expecting something a bit more than I received.  The first half of the story is slow.  So slow and so repetitive.  It was a struggle sometimes to stay connected.  I didn't ever feel an emotional connection to any of the characters so the plot really had to be the primary motivator for me to read.  The second half of the story got better and picked up in pace a bit.

I really liked the transformation of Rosemund from insecure, sheltered princess to a strong, resilient young woman, ready to fight to be queen.  The last bit of the book was my favorite because it was where Rosemund really steps into her role as leader and queen.  She bands people together and takes her castle and her position back.  There are some good fighting scenes and it felt climactic for sure.

I'm not really sure of the target audience for this book.  After reading, I would say the younger set because of the age of Rosemund (about 16) and how the story progresses.  The romance isn't really a romance, just a friendship for most of the book.  Everything stays pretty surface and as an adult, I was really hoping for more.  So, maybe this book would be better suited for the younger YA crowd?  That would make more sense.

3/5 stars for this book.

Content:  peril, some violence and fighting.  One chaste kiss at the end.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Wish Me Love by Michele Ashman Bell + $25 and Book Giveaway

Charlotte Wells does not date. After surviving a broken engagement, she’s taken a leave of absence from the social scene. So when her best friend and coworker, Jack, challenges her to get back in the game, she’s not so sure she’s ready to play. But ultimately, curiosity gets the best of her, and Charlotte accepts the daunting challenge: she will attempt to have fifty first dates in her effort to find “the one.” Unfortunately, she quickly realizes that the dating pool mostly holds clown fish as she goes on one lousy outing after another. Without a good man in sight as summer ends, Charlotte cuts her losses and sets her sights on a fun-filled trip to her cousin’s destination wedding in Brazil.

Brazil is a land of beautiful sights and delicious offerings—including Max, the charming brother of her cousin’s new husband. Max has all the makings of a Prince Charming in soccer cleats, and Charlotte’s happily ever after seems to be within reach. But love is a funny thing, and soon Charlotte finds herself wondering: could it be that her true love has been right in front of her all along?

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First of all, I really love this cover.  It's so bright and happy.  And, like the character in this book, my grandma had lilacs in her yard and I loved them.  I planted a lilac bush in my yard and it always reminds me of her.  

This is an LDS fiction book.  There are religious elements in it- more than just casual Christian mentions.

I loved the characters in this book.  I think Charlotte and Jack are fantastic and I would love to have them as my friends!  They have so much personality and it's well defined so that I feel like I know them.

The book takes a location change to Brasil and it was fun!  It made me want to visit there myself.  I loved the bracelet and wishes part of the book too.  It made Charlotte's life feel a bit magical.

The story lost some momentum for me in the middle when the more religious elements came into play.  I'm a religious girl, but I felt like this just slowed the story down and went on too long.  That's just me though.  The HEA ending happened VERY fast.  Over in an instant.  I guess I just wanted more between the couple AS a couple- I waited so long for it.  No epilogue.  <sigh>  It's okay though.  I really did enjoy this book for the most part.  

Content:  Just the religious themes mentioned above.

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Schedule:

*Sept. 18^th: http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 19^th: http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/,http://thethingsilovemost.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 20^th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/, http://readingismysuperpower.org/

*Sept. 21^st: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 22^nd: http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ 

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Extreme Measures by Michele Ashman Bell + $25 and Book Giveaway!

Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family’s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature—and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret’s twisted puzzle . . .

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 Ahhhh!  What happens when an old lady goes psycho?!  Very bad things.  Oh man, this was a good book with one very creepy woman.  Seriously, crazy stuff.  But I liked it!  ha.

This is a very plot driven book.  That isn't to say that the characters weren't developed or anything because they were great, but I was definitely more connected to the plot.  I was desperate to find out what was coming next.  What was going to happen?  What was Emma going to do?  And that Margaret. . . wow.  CREEPY PSYCHO!!

I tore through this book- couldn't put it down.  It was good stuff.

This is an LDS fiction book.  The main characters are both LDS and some religious beliefs are talked about.  My thanks to Covenant Communications for allowing me to read and review this book for them.

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