Book Review: Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

I love Jody Hedlund's books and I was excited to receive a review copy of her latest book, Love Unexpected. It's the first book in her new series Beacons of Hope. Romance, inspiration and lighthouses! Perfect!

First thoughts:  This was a story with a rich setting and vibrant characters, just like I've come to expect from Jody Hedlund's books.

What it's about: It's about a young woman named Emma and how she finds the home her heart has yearned for in a most unexpected way, a marriage of circumstance. Just when she feels like she finally has what she has wanted most, rumors and doubt creep in. Who is this man that she has married and why does her neighbor feel the need to warn her about him?

What I liked about it: I loved the layers of the relationships in this story. There were so many deep connections. The first one you see is the relationship between Emma and her brother and then you see her connect with her new husband, Patrick, and Patrick's two year old son. The lighthouse itself adds a layer as it helps Patrick and Emma connect to each other. Then there is the layer of faith that helps the characters through the darkest secrets of the story.

What I didn't like: The timeline of events seemed rushed to me but I suppose they really would be rushed in a marriage of convince sort of setting.

Who I'd recommend it to: I think anyone who loves historic or inspirational fiction would love this story.

Word Wars!

It's time for the Word Wars blogfest! For the next three days I will be updating this post with my writing progress as I attempt to write copious amounts of words. If you want to join me you can sign up here or on Katie's Blog. It doesn't matter what you write, as long as you write (novels, grocery lists, letters to long lost pen pals, stories to entertain your toddler, whatever goes). You can also join in on twitter with #WordWars or on  the /r/YAwriters reddit-along. My goal for this war is 4,500 words. I'll be working on a MG sci/fi adventure. I normally write YA but I'm switching it up for fun :)

Day One

10:45- I'm up. I'm up. I never sleep till ten but we were having a campout in the living room and I found myself at the bottom of a blanket pile with sleeping kids all around me. It was very comfortable there!

11:40- 148 words. Hmm. But the ideas are flowing. This story is completely by the seat of my pants but I needed something that had no stress or expectations attached to it.

2:44- 25 more words... yup. But I went on a bike ride with my husband and kiddos so that was good! Now everyone should be calm and happy so I can write. I can hope, right?!?

5:50- I've written a few hundred words on my story over the last few hours. I'll tally them up later. I'm glad I chose to follow a random idea. It's fun being swept away by something new! A mysterious red headed kid just appeared in my manuscript. I'm wondering if he will be back. Now balance some more words and dinner.

9:01- I'm on the third scene of my story. I still don't know if it's going to be a short story or something longer but I'm having fun and using my writing muscles so I'm happy. The kids are in bed so I'm free to write. Yay!

9:36- 1,359 words so far today, not counting this blog... Now to do some laundry and dishes then hopefully get some more words down.

Day 2

9:10- I'm hanging out with my kids. Coffee will be done in five, then I will start generating some words.

11:27- So far I have had some coffee, read a few chapters of Lee Strauss's new serial Run Run Run (A Gingerbread Man suspense) and have written a seriously epic grocery list.

12:05- One scene down!

6:39- Groceries, a bike ride with the kiddos and dinner have all taken precedence but now I'm getting some more coffee and writing in.

7:46- I'm at just over 2,100 words for the past two days. I'm hoping to add more. My story isn't acting like a short story. Did I accidentally start another book? Yeah...

8:29- The kids are tucked in and I bribed myself with ice-cream. It worked. I wrote another scene.

10:24- I went for a walk in the rain to refuel. My goal for the next half hour is to finish the chapter I'm writing.

Day 3

9:55- Do I have to admit its P.M...
I spent the entire day cooking freezer meals with a friend so we can start the new year out with less stress. I had hoped to squeeze in some words. I haven't yet but I may still get some in :)

Join the Word War!

  My friend Katie Doyle at Writing, Reading and Life and I are hosting a Word War to help jump start  our 2015 writing goals! We'd love to have you join us.
We will be starting out with a twitter chat from 9 p.m.(EST)  until midnight (PST) using #StartWrite where we will talk about books, writing and any other crazy thing we think of. The actually war will begin on Jan.1 and go until Jan. 3. It's a live blogging event so the energy and motivation will be high, perfect for writing all the words :)

For more information or to sign up click here. (sign up has been extended so there is still time!)

To read Katie's post on any other questions you might have click here.

Class of 2014: YA Superlatives Blogfest Best in Show

How is it day four of the blogfest already!?!

Click here to learn more about this fun, bookish blogfest.

Favorite Cover

The dress, the clouds, the flowers in her hair. Love it.

Cutest Couple

Cress and Thorne

Perfectly lovable.

Most Likely to Succeed (Pick a Printz Winner)

This book has so much going for it and would appeal to fans of more than just fantasy. It has a Romanesque setting, political intrigue and romance. 

Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime

Heir of Fire had me reading until past 2a.m one night, but only for one night because I had to finish it that morning as soon as I woke up.

Best Repeat Performance (Favorite Sequel or Follow-Up)

I'm sure you know I love Heir of Fire by now but this book is also one of my favorite followups. 

Favorite Finale or End of Series Novel

None of my 2014 reads were series finales

Romance Most Worthy of an Ice Bath

Not sure that its ice bath worthy but I loved the tension between the characters in The Winner's Curse.

Broken Skies was pleasantly romantic too. 

Best Breakout Novel (Favorite Book by a Debut Author)

Both of these.

Best Old-Timer (Favorite Book Published BEFORE 2014)

Most Likely to Make a Grown Man Cry

One, Two, Three was packed with emotion.

Most Pleasant Surprise (Didn’t Think I’d Like It But Totally Did)

I won this one and I figured I'd like it ok but I saw it as a space filler while I waited for other books at the library. I dropped everything and devoured it and am now stalking the author's page while I wait for the sequel. 

Most Creative Use of a Love Triangle

It starts out predictable. Or so you think.

Sleeper Hit (Novel So Awesome I Wish It’d Been Hyped More)

 I just now realized this book is from 2014. I read a galley of it last year. I LOVED it but I've never seen it on any list, blogs or anywhere else. It wasn't a happily ever after sort of book, but was rich in history, culture and dance. Reading it gave me a similar feeling to the one I had when I was a child and read Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O' Dell.

Favorite Outlier (Best 2014 Picture Book, MG, NA, or Adult Novel)

This book is inspirational fiction and I love how it was different from the other's I've read in the genre. It was part contemporary, part historical, part mystery and had romance and humor.


Thanks for hosting:
• Tracey Neithercott
• Katy Upperman
• Alison Miller
• Jessica Love

What's Up Wednesday

It's time for What's Up Wednesday!

WHAT I'M READING

 Thanks to the YA Superlatives Blogfest (and the library trip it inspired) I am reading about 15 books. I will have to narrow that down I think but I keep picking up different ones and next thing I know, I'm reading. I'm slowly finishing Blue Lily Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater. I always take her books slowly. The writing demands that I take the time to let it's beauty soak in. I purchased the Legend of Holly Claus by Brittany Ryan (thanks for the recommendation Erin and Jaime!) and I am going to start it as soon as school is out for the holidays. Hopefully it will help me transition from home school mode to Christmas mode.

Oh, I did finish Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas over the weekend and I read Jody Hedlund's latest, Unexpected Love. 

WHAT I'M WRITING (+ ONE WRITING GOAL) 

I didn't meet my goal the way I intended it to be. I wanted to write on my WIP every day, which I didn't, but I did write "something" most days. My goal this week is to write 15 minutes every morning before breakfast. Evenings aren't working as well with so many Christmas activities going on. 

WHAT WORKS FOR ME

I tend to be a social writer. I love blog hops and twitter chats and find it all to be very motivation. My friend Katie Doyle and I are hosting a "live blogging" event over the New Year. Please check it out. We'd love to have you join us!

What Else I'm Up To

I'm getting ready to pack up the school lessons and bring out the baking ingredients and craft supplies. The kids have friends coming over to make Christmas decorations later this week and we have company coming on the weekend to have a Polar Express/Hot Cocoa party! I love Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

YA Superlatives Blogfest ELEMENTS OF FICTION

How is it already day three???

Most Envy-Inducing Plot

 We Were Liars

I didn't see the end coming but when it did my mind raced to all the hints, foreshadows and I stepped back in awe. 

Most Formidable World

Heir of Fire
I would seriously be terrified to live there. Is there anything or anyone their that wouldn't try to kill me? I'm not sure...

Most Wanderlust-Inducing

Broken Skies
I'm not sure why, maybe because there was lots of traveling in the story, but it made we want to travel (and seek out alien strongholds).

Loveliest Prose

Kiss of Deception
The whole book was beautifully written but the passages
 from the past were particularly striking. 

Most Dynamic Main Character

Kestrel for The Winner's Curse
This girl has some serious presence going on.

Most Jaw-Dropping Conclusion

We Were Liars
wins this one for me too.

Best Performance in a Supporting Role

Rowan from Heir of Fire
He's such a strong character and he added so much to the story.

Best Use of Theme 

Since You've Been Gone
The entire book was an inward journey as much as it was an outward one.


Thanks for hosting:
• Tracey Neithercott
• Katy Upperman
• Alison Miller
• Jessica Love

Class of 2014: YA Superlatives Blogfest POPULARITY CONTEST

 I went through the books I've read this year and realized a huge percentage of them were written in 2013. I also read the first book or two in several series that had releases in 2014. Some of my choices will be from these slightly older books.

Villain I Love to Hate
Manon Blackbeak from Heir of Fire. 
Scary, nasty and somehow oddly human and intriguing. 

Most Likely to Become a Rock Star

Ronan from The Raven Cycle

He has the moodiness and attitude to pull it off.

Favorite Parental Figure
This is old, old old. Well, not that old. The movie came out in 2014 anyway...
I loved the parents in If I Stay.

Most Likely to Start a Riot
Thorne from Cress

Biggest Flirt
Aedion from Heir of Fire
I didn't read a lot of books with flirty characters but Aedion seems to fit.

Coolest Nerd
So this isn't YA or new... but my favorite nerd from a book I read this year is Lincoln from Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. I laughed so hard during that book and what's more nerdy then falling in love with a girl you haven't met because you read emails for a living?

Fashion King and/or Queen
Drawing a blank...

Character I’d Most Want For a BFF
Kestrel from The Winner's Curse.
Tough, smart and I think she'd still be fun to go shopping with.
And don't laugh but I'd take Rowan from Heir of Fire as a BFF too. I LOVED his character and who wouldn't want a seriously fierce and loyal fae warrior as a best friend?

Character I Wish I’d Dated in High School
Um, perhaps Chaol from Heir of Fire or Kaden from The Kiss of Deception. I like the fierce, protector type apparently (Can you tell I didn't read much contemporary this year?).

Most Likely to Become President
I saw someone else put Ganesy from The Raven Cycle and now I can't picture anyone else in the spot. He's perfect.

Quirkiest Character
Cress from, wait for it... Cress.
How can you not be gloriously quirky when you spent most of your life orbiting in a satellite?

• Tracey Neithercott
• Katy Upperman
• Alison Miller
• Jessica Love