Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

About the Book
Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others—namely, her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story—by giving that story to a complete stranger.
Sam is, to say the least, bookish. An English major of the highest order, her diet has always been Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. The problem is, both her prose and conversation tend to be more Elizabeth Bennet than Samantha Moore.
But life for the twenty-three-year-old orphan is about to get stranger than fiction. An anonymous, Dickensian benefactor (calling himself Mr. Knightley) offers to put Sam through Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.
As Sam’s dark memory mingles with that of eligible novelist Alex Powell, her letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional. While Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, old secrets are drawn to light. And as Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.
Reminding us all that our own true character is not meant to be hidden, Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

My Thoughts
It is so hard to try to collect my thoughts on this book. Mainly because I read the first third then we had a couple crazy weeks so I didn't finish it till three weeks later but also because this book is unlike any other and it's hard to explain!

As I started to read I found myself enjoying the story but it wasn't till Alex showed up that I began to love it. Alex was by far my absolute favorite part of the whole book! Every scene he was in made me love it a little more! All the other characters including Sam but Alex was my favorite. I loved watching Sam grow through everything and the relationships she was able to form. In the end I absolutely loved this completely unique book and I can't wait to read the author's next one!


About the Author
Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in Focus on the Family and the Upper Room. Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. Dear Mr. Knightley is her first novel.
Learn more about Katherine at: http://katherinereay.com/

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
• Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 

Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.

So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

Friday Memes 11/29

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Do you leave a link back to your blog when you participate in weekly memes?

My Answer:

Since almost all the ones I participate in have linkys I do leave my link and the one that doesn't I usually leave my link in the comments!

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

(Since I haven't been able to read the past couple weeks I have already used the books I'm reading so my sister Becky shared her beginning and thoughts!)

My older sister, Paige, has always been a fashion freak. When we were little, she actually forced me to play Barbies with her. Of course, she'd get mad when I'd transform my doll into "Adventure Barbie." My scrappy doll with her messy hair liked to jump out of burning buildings, rescue lost dogs, and do bareback rides on my model horse, Prancer. But like most girls, Paige only wanted to dress her flawless every-hair-in-place blonde Barbie in one outfit after the next as she played "style show." I should've  known Paige might attempt to turn her fashion fetish into a career someday, but who knew it would happen so soon? Or that she would drag me along for the ride?
Premiere by Melody Carlson

Becky's Thoughts
Intriguing. When I first picked the book up I didn't have much time and only planned on reading the first sentence. In one paragraph Melody tells you exactly who Erin is (laid back, witty, and in possession of a good sense of humor), what her relationship with her sister was like, and where the story's headed. It pulled me in and kept me reading.

End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram Read-A-Thon Sign-Up

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

So many of my blogging friends are signing up for this read-a-thon that I just couldn't resist joining too! Even though I am only 4 books away from my goal and only have 6 books on my TBR! I am borrowing some books and have some that I want to reread so that's probably what I'll be doing! I'm hoping to read about 10 books and participate in as many challenges as I can!

Waiting on Wednesday #90: For Such A Time

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

For Such A Time by Kate Breslin
Bethany House-March 25, 2014

About the Book

In 1944, blonde and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz. 

Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy. 

Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself? 

Why I Want It

A Esther story set during WWII?! Yes please! I love when authors take biblical stories and put them in other time periods and WWII is my favorite time to read about! I can't wait till this comes out!

Top Ten Bookish Things I'm Thankful For

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Authors-I am so very thankful for all the hard work that authors do to give us such amazing books!
#2. Blogging Friends-I have made so many friends through the blogging community and I am very thankful for all of them!
#3. Review Books-Since I rarely have a lot of spare money I am extremely grateful for review books! It is so amazing to be able to get so many of my favorite author's books and it gives me the freedom to try new authors!
#4. Cheap Books-For the same reason listed above I am so thankful for second hand book stores and online stores like amazon, half.com, and abebooks that allow me to find the books I wasn't able to get for review at affordable prices!
#5.-Giveaways-I absolutely love when I have the chance to win a book that I really want and I love it even more when I actually win them!
#6. Book Swaps-I love being able to send the books that I didn't enjoy as much or have extras of to my blogging friends and get books I really want to read in exchange! And all it costs is the price of shipping!
#7. Pretty Book Covers-Few things make me happier than really beautiful covers! There are some that are just so gorgeous that I can't stop looking at them!
#8. Authors Who Connect With Their Readers-I get so happy when authors reply to my comments and emails and I go through the roof when they comment on my reviews of their books! I still remember the time when my absolute favorite author commented on my review of her book-I could not stop smiling!
#9. Authors Who Connect Their Books-I love when authors have characters from previous books pop up in their new stories! It's liking an old friend surprisingly showing up and it's awesome!
#10. Authors Who Can Make Me Laugh&Cry-Especially when it's the same book! It is amazing how authors can completely wreck your emotions yet still have you declaring your undying love for the book!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #98

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:
The only things besides recipes I managed to read this week were my daily devotional and the Bible. We had our craft and bake sale this Saturday to raise money for a well in an Indian village with no clean drinking water, and for the A21 Campaign against human trafficking. We baked almost sun up to going to bed all week so I barely had to time to sit, let alone read! But it was worth it in the end and we raised enough for one well and several hundred dollars for A21!

What I am currently reading:

Can't wait to finally get around to reading these two!

What I hope to read this week:

This week is going to be rather busy too with Thanksgiving and some babysitting jobs but I'm still hoping to get to these two! Probably couldn't have pick two more different ones!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #97
Top Ten Series I'd Recommend to Teens
Waiting on Wednesday #89: Dancing with Fireflies

Friday Memes 11/22

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 11/22

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

You won a 5 minute shopping spree from your favorite book store! What will you grab?

My Answer:

This is hard for me! I usually shop at bargain stores and so you never know what you'd find. But if I had just five minutes I'd grab as many of the Christian books I recognize as I could. And if I already had them I could give them to my siblings and friends!

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

I will not throw up...I will not throw up...
Eighteen year old Marceline Murphy set her overnight case on the O'Rourke's wraparound porch and pressed a quivering finger to the brass doorbell, a battalion of butterflies barnstorming her stomach.
A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman

My Thoughts
I haven't actually started this one due to being busy from the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed but I picked it to do for my book beginning because I cannot wait to read it! So my very first thought was giddy excitement over the fact that I have this book! As for the actual beginning I'm pretty sure I know why she's nervous but I'm very interested to see how it plays out!

Waiting on Wednesday #89: Dancing With Fireflies

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter
Thomas Nelson-March 11, 2014

About the Book

Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

Why I Want It

This author is fantastic and I have enjoyed all of the books I've read of her's including the first in this series. I am interested to get to read Jade's story!

Top Ten Series I'd Recommend to Teens

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren

The Homelanders by Andrew Klaven

The Charmed Life by Jenny B. Jones

A Katie Parker Production by Jenny B. Jones

Fairy Tales by Melanie Dickerson

Anomaly by Krista McGee*

*Only Book 1 is out right now!

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

Sweet Seasons by Debbie Viguie

The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton&May Vanderbilt

Halflings by Heather Burch

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #97

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:
A big fat nothing! I was so busy this week that I barely managed to read a couple pages of a book!

What I am currently reading:

I'm at pretty much the exact same place in these as I was last week!

What I hope to read this week:
I am going to be baking all day every day this week so I'm pretty sure I won't get a word in!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #96
Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign
Waiting on Wednesday #88: Love Comes Calling

Friday Memes 11/15

Stacking the Shelves

Sunday Songs #

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 11/15

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Do you accept books for review only from publishers or do you accept book review requests from authors as well?

My Answer:

I have accepted a few book review requests from author. If the book sounds good then I want to read it regardless of where it comes from. Though I do have a bit of a problem with saying no so if I can't come up with a legitimate excuse not to review a book then I usually find myself agreeing.

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Tom was in heaven when the phone rang. At least, he thought it was heaven. He'd never been there before, and the look of the place surprised him. It wasn't what he was expecting at all.
Nightmare City by Andrew Klaven

My Thoughts
A typical Klaven beginning! Sucks you in and makes you wonder what the blimey is going on!

Waiting on Wednesday #88: Love Comes Calling

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell
Bethany House-February 25, 2014

About the Book

Ellis Eaton has always felt she's been a disappointment to her stuffy, traditional Boston family. Her sights are set on something entirely different: Hollywood. Though she's captured the eye of Griffin Phillips, she knows that "dutiful wife" is one role she can't picture herself playing--even if he makes her head spin and her heart quicken. Besides, Ellis seems to make a mess of any situation, despite her good intentions. She's simply not worthy of an up-and-comer like Griff.

When a look-alike childhood friend begs Ellis for a favor, Ellis finds herself working shifts at the city telephone exchange. At first Ellis believes this will be the acting practice she needs to prepare for life in the movies, but the job is far more complicated than she'd ever imagined, and Ellis finds herself in her usual scrapes. After accidentally overhearing a call that makes her blood curdle, Ellis fears for Griff's safety. Then handsome policeman Jack Flanagan comes to the scene, adding to the mayhem. With her job on the line and her heart all a-muddle, Ellis unexpectedly discovers what might be her role of a lifetime.

Why I Want It

 I have enjoyed the few books I've read of Siri Mitchell's and this story sounds like such fun!

Top Ten Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This was actually rather hard for me to find ten covers mainly because a lot of the ones I wanted to redesign have already been redesigned. So I came up with 7 and my sister Becky picked two so there's only nine but oh well!

Prairie Promises by Kelly Eileen Hake

Yeah these just need help!

Men of the Saddle by Lori Copeland

These covers are almost identical and boring!

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

I'm just not a fan of the dress!

So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones

I have nothing against this cover it's just that the other two in this series have animals and this one would have worked perfectly to  have a dog!

Sean Donovan by Lori Wick

This model is just completely wrong! She looks nothing like the heroine is supposed to!

The Homeward Trilogy by Lisa T. Bergren

They cut off the heads, need I say more!

Inside Story by Susan Page Davis

Can't really say why I just don't like this cover and I think the guy looks like Tom Hanks!

Becky's Picks

Viking Quest by Lois Walfrid Johnson

She likes the first book but the others need work!

Trade Winds Series by Linda Chaikin

This series' covers are just so 90's (I was too lazy to get the other two covers) and could use an update!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #96

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

Well it was less than I was hoping for but still a pretty good week. The Wall Around Your Heart just wasn't for me but I did really like Paige Rewritten!

What I am currently reading:

Still working on these two and it's not for lack of enjoying them I just haven't had the time!

What I hope to read this week:

Since this is the last week before our crazy baking week leading up to our annual bazaar and bake sale I will be trying to get a lot of crocheting in which means not a lot of reading time but I'm hoping to at least be able to start this!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #95
Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait to Read
Waiting on Wednesday #87: It Had to Be You
The Wall Around Your Heart by Mary DeMuth
Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma
Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum

Friday Memes 11/8

Julie Lessman Contest on Her Blog!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!