And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh~ Review by Michelle Pell

You will love how Dannah Gresh tackles the tough issues of physical and emotional purity in her newly-updated version of "And The Bride Wore White." Dannah uses pages from her own journals, testimonies of real-life success stories, and celebrity interviews to bring to you the "7 Secrets to Sexual Purity." Not only does the author give practical ways to maintain your purity commitment, she presents lies the devil will throw at you and she teaches you how to defend yourself against his lies. Aside from the cute cover and stylishly-designed inside, Dannah uses her God- given talent to teach girls about their true value, encourage them to speak boldly, and equip them for tough situations.

Every teen girl should read this book and join the thousands who've learned and embraced the "how to wait" skills.

Masquerade by Nancy Moser~ Review by Michelle Pell

Have you ever wished your life was different? Charlotte Gleason does. Even though she lives a privledged English lifestyle, she is bored by the endless parties and meaningless flirting.

When her parents arranged for her to marry a wealthy American business man, and ship her away to the states, that is the last straw in Charlotte's eyes. On the boat to America, Charlotte, or Lottie for short, thinks of an absurd idea: what if her traveling companion and lady's maid, Dora, poses in her place? Her future fiance has never seen her, and neither him nor his family would ever know the difference. If they were to switch places, Lottie would get the adventure she longs for, and Dora would be able to experience a life of glamour and riches.

But considering all the lies and deception required to make their plan work, will either Lottie or Dora ever be comfortable to be themselves? Will they ever realize that true love only flourishes in honesty and trust?

Rekindled - Tamera Alexander Review by Michelle Pell

On Christmas morning, Kathryn Jennings awakes to find only a note from her husband which read, "Kathryn, gone to northern pastures. Back by week's end."
When a day turns into a week which turns into months, Kathyn is determined to keep up the hope that her husband is still alive. But when her husband's body is found, that hope weakens but she still has a strong feeling that her husband Larson is still alive.

Larson wants to give his wife everything. That's why he has worked so hard to keep their ranch running, despite the hardships he has run into. It is for that reason that he left Christmas morning to seek out a new deal that would help their ranch. Little did he know the great tragedies he would face.

When he returns will Kathyrn be able to look inside to the man he has become and love him? Or will outward circumstances and appearances prevent both their love from flourishing?

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury~ Review by Michelle Pell

Brad Cutler’s life is finally falling into place. He’s about to marry the girl of his dreams and he’s climbing the corporate ladder at his Manhattan ad agency. Anyone would say that Brad has the fairy tale life, but on the inside Brad is falling apart.

A decision he made ten years ago has come back to haunt him. As memories of his high-school girlfriend and innocence lost come flooding back, Brad can no longer be sure of his future. All he knows is that before he can start the next chapter of his life with his fiancée, Laura, he must attempt to repair his heart. He knows the only place to find healing is to return to Holden Beach in search of his first love and search for forgiveness both of them need, but neither has ever known.

Will the repercussions of what happened long ago tear Brad and Laura apart? Or will the healing and forgiveness Emma, Brad and Laura need, give them a freedom to live the rest of their lives in peace?

Read the first chapter: http://www.scribd.com/doc/21356828/Shades-of-Blue-by-Karen-Kingsbury-Chapter-1

Watch the Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYyuYSNBCMY

Lady in Waiting by Jackie Kendall & Debby Jones ~ A Book Review by Michelle Pell

Lady in Waiting ~ Jackie Kendall & Debby Jones

Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right

*Expanded Edition: Includes Journal and Study Guide

5 out of 5 Stars

Original Text:  Waiting for God’s best can be hard, but if your single days are spent preparing for the day you will marry, they can be some of the best years of your life. Using the story of Ruth in the Bible, authors Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones present practical advice about becoming ladies of reckless abandonment to our Savior, diligence, faith, virtue, devotion, purity, security, contentment, conviction, and patience. But obtaining all these virtues may seem overwhelming. That is why the authors depicted how to put each one of these virtues into practice through Ruth’s amazing story. This book opened my eyes to the amazing woman of God Ruth really was. I learned about her commitment to her mother-in-law, her diligent service, her faith in God, and her pure attitude toward the opposite gender.

Study Guide: In the back of the “Expanded Edition” is a powerful study guide. It takes each chapter and gives scripture references along with thought-provoking questions to help you dig deeper into the Book of Ruth and the rest of God’s word. Purchasing the “Expanded Edition” is worth it just for this aspect.

Forty-Day Meditational Journal: “The purpose of the meditational journal,” say the authors, “is to introduce you to a fresh and exciting way of enhancing your personal life and enriching your spiritual journey.”

The Hunger Games Book Review~ Michelle Pell

The Hunger Games ~ Suzanne Collins

5 out of 5 stars! Amazing!

Oh my, I don’t think I can fit enough praise, as this book deserves, into just one review! At first, I was a little hesitant to read this series because I’m not a huge fan of fantasy and that’s what I thought this book was. But it was so much more….

Set in the country of Panem, where the ruins of North America once existed, this is where the government, working in a central city called the Capitol, holds power. This story is about sacrifice, survival, betrayal, and the power of love.

Katniss Everdeen is just a girl living in District 12. But she has one huge responsibility on her shoulders. She has to support, and ultimately keep alive her mother and dear sister, Primrose.

She does this by going out every morning and hunting, then taking what she’s hunt and trading and selling it, even though it goes against all the rules and she could go to jail, even die. Just for trying to keep her family alive. But when her sister is chosen to be the tribute for the next Hunger Games, Katniss makes the ultimate sacrifice for the ones she loves. She volunteers to go, as a tribute, in her sister’s place. “In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual event where one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts surrounding the Capitol are selected to compete in a televised battle in which only one person can survive.”

During the next few days, Katniss is trained in survival skills, and even how to act in public because the Games will be filmed on live television and the whole world is required to watch. These weeks of the Games, will be some of the hardest times of her life. Nothing, nothing could have prepared her for what she’s about to experience, and she can’t trust anyone. Not even herself.

Will Katniss be able to survive and outwit all the other tributes, or will she become just another person one the dead list?

Did you know that Michelle LOVES Reese's?!

Like Dandelion Dust~ Michelle Pell

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6olxrZUJs

As four-year old Joey sat on the living room floor, playing with his trucks, he had no idea that the conversation that his mother, Wendy Porter, was having on the phone in the kitchen would potentially change his life forever. On the other hand, Wendy almost couldn’t believe her ears! Joey was adopted and the call was from a social worker in Ohio. Joey’s birth mother wanted her son back! She said it was a mistake, the father never legally signed the papers. And now, after almost five years she wanted to remove him from the only home he’d ever known? This couldn’t be happening…could it?

Wendy and her husband, Jack will stop at nothing to keep their son. But Wendy had no idea how far Jack would take it. Will Jack’s crazy scheme to save their child work, or will they not only lose him, but their family and everything they’ve ever known.

 

Did you know that Haylie and Michelle were friends before Lilies started?! They met on Susie.com

Michelle's Top Books

Non-Fiction

“Paperdoll” (Natalie Lloyd)

This book is fantastic! Natalie talks about real issues girls in our culture today are struggling with, like the pressure to be perfect, loneliness, betrayal, self-image, and placing our worth in guys. Then she parallels them to the story of the Women at the Well in John 4 and shows how similar we really are to her. And just like Jesus reached out to her in her time of grief and need, He reaches out to us each and every day. A perfect book for a girl’s small group or for personal study.

“The Fitting Room” (Kelly Minter)

Join Kelly Minter as she dissects Colossians 3:12. She gives a new meaning to each of the virtues listed in the book and gives meaningful and practical advice as well as insight for applying them to our own lives. Another great book for a small group or personal study.

“Dreaming of Dior” (Charlotte Smith) Charlotte Smith had already owned more than enough fabulous dresses in her lifetime. She had lived life to the fullest in London, Paris, and New York, something I can only dream about. Then she found out she had inherited a priceless collection of vintage clothing from her godmother. “But when she unearthed her godmother’s book of stories, the true value of what she had been given hit home. This wasn’t merely a collection of beautiful things; it was a collection of lives.”

Classics

“Sense and Sensibility” (Jane Austen) Immerse yourself in Jane Austen’s brilliant tale of two sisters searching for love. One is ruled by sense and doing the best for herself and family even when it might be hard. The other, governed by her heart, allows it to lead her on a journey that will change her life. Join them as they struggle through poverty, betrayal and hurt.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” (Harper Lee)

A seeming simple story of a girl growing up in a small town in Alabama, this book will truly capture your heart. When Atticus Finch’s wife died he was left with two children to raise. Grow up with Scout and Jem, and let the lessons they learn and the struggles they encounter, touch your life as well.

“Christy” (Catherine Mitchell)

After hearing a missionary speak at her church about the dire need for volunteers in the Smoky Mountains, Christy signs herself up, not fully aware of what she has just gotten herself into. But when she leaves her fancy home to live in a “cabin in the woods,” she believes it’s to teach to children. But she soon finds out, God sent her there to be taught some lessons the best school in the country couldn’t teach.

Teen Fiction

“The Katie Weldon Series” (Robin Jones Gunn) Did you read the Christy Miller series? Ever wonder what happened to Christy’s best friend, Katie? Well here’s your chance to find out: Katie struggles with discovering God will for her life regarding her college major and the wonderful relationship she’s currently in. Join Katie on the up and downs of college life and the seemingly unnecessary drama each of us seems to encounter everyday of our lives.

“The Maya Davis Series” (Erynn Mangum)

The brilliant second series from Erynn Mangum, this one is just as amazing as the first. Maya’s life seems to be going just dandy, that is until her roommate starts dating her high school roommate, her rival brother moves back to town with his perfect wife, and her best friend, Jack, starts acting strange around her. Maya has to return to God for the guidance and direction she needs, along with the strength to deal with struggles everyday life.

“Brides of Webster County” (Wanda E. Brunstetter)

There are four books in this series and each one as great as the next. Wanda E. Brunstetter introduces new concepts in Amish books, and brings the variety that I find many of them are lacking these days. You will love her heart-felt portrayal of family, love and following God’s leading in your life.

Historical Fiction

“Daughters of Boston Series” (Julie Lessman)

Set in the early 1900’s, Julie Lessman takes you on a journey from Boston to Ireland and back several times. Filled with intriguing twists and turns, you will be plunged into a wonderful story of longing, trust, betrayal and the importance of family.

“Roses for Mama” (Janette Oke) When both her mother and father die, fourteen year old Angela Peterson and her older brother Thomas, are left to raise the younger ones. But as the children grow, the questions and challenges intensify, and at times feel overwhelming. She does not know a bigger challenge is yet to come.

“She Walks in Beauty” (Siri Mitchell)

Clara Carter lives in New York City in the 1890's during the Gilded Age. As a young lady, just about to make her "debut," her days are filled with what most girls would love: dress fitting, shopping, dancing lessons, and suitor. But Clara is different. She doesn't find pleasure in all the balls and operas, but just feels stress. Stress to be the most beautiful, the most accomplished, and the one everyone is taken with. Pressured by her father and aunt to acquire the most-eligible bachelor in the city, also to deny her best friend, Clara feels pulled in every direction. Will Clara give up the only man she ever loved and her one true friend, just to please family?

Fantasy

“The Mysterious Benedict Society” (Trenton Lee Stewart)

“Princess Academy” (Shannon Hale) When the royal officials come to Miri’s village on the rocky slopes of Mount Eskel, Miri was not prepared for what they were going to announce. A somewhat modern-day version of the story of Esther, Miri is taken down to the valley, along with all other girls in her village, to partake in a season of training; training to be the next princess. Miri finds herself confronting the bitter rivalry among the girls and her conflicting desires to be chosen as the next princess. But when danger comes to the academy, it is Miri who must find a way to save her classmates – and the future of their beloved village.

“A Wrinkle in Time” (Madeleine L’Engle) On a dark and stormy night a stranger comes to the Murray house and beckons Meg, her Charles Wallace and their friend Calvin O’Keefe on a “most dangerous and extraordinary adventure – one that will threaten their lives and our universe.”

Did you know that Michelle loves vintage jewelry?!

Peculiar Treasures ~ Robin Jones Gunn

Being the maid-of-honor for her best friend, Christy’s, wedding, was one of the best moments in Katie Weldon’s life. And she catches more than just the bouquet at that wedding. She receives an offer that will be the beginning of a completely new phase in her life; one that just might point her in the direction she’s been searching for.

Katie is a senior in college and has changed her major multiple times. She just can’t seem to find the right fit. She calls it her “major dilemma.”

But becoming the new Resident Assistant at her college has provided her with more than just something to do. The new friendships with her Resident Director, Julie, and partner RA (resident assistant), Nicole have her provided her with what she feared she’d been missing when her best friend Christy finished college.

Through the help of Julie, Katie is able to truly forgive her parents for all the pain in her childhood and learn to rely on God and find her identity in Him. And when she does that her future is made clear.

But there’s still one problem: that of her almost- boyfriend Rick. He seems to be content in the relationship they have, while she is ready for the next level of commitment. Also, through a series of events, Katie finds that she doesn’t trust Rick as much as she thought, because of her under-lying pain. Will Katie be able to forgive and forget, like she did with her parents? Or will her in-ability to trust, tear her and Rick apart forever? 

Did you know that Michelle's style is a mix of vintage, romantic, bohemian, whimsical and professional?!