The Chapel Car Bride // Wow It's Been So Long

HEY, GUYS. Um, yeah... it's been like two and a half months. *grins sheepishly* BUT I HAVE SOMETHING TODAY.

SO, I just wanna let all of you know that I plan on starting a new blog at some point, but right now blogging has just taken a backseat. Life is busy, and school keeps me on my toes, so any extra time is spent doing other things. I'm still trying to stay active in the blogosphere, however, and, even if I don't comment, there's a chance I've read your post - cuz my phone won't let me comment if someone else already has?? (I have no idea.) BUT I'm here with a review, AND, who knows, maybe I'll start blogging again in the not-too-distant future, but for now? You can find me on Google+ (Hangouts), Goodreads, and Pinterest - I'm still around, I promise! 

(Scroll down and I've included an update of sorts *nods*)

Now, for the review! It's kinda short, but I ran out of words... *shrugs cuz that's bad for a writer*

The Chapel Car Bride by Judith McCoy Miller
Rating: 2 stars

The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller was an okay read. The story didn't really pan out for me. Here's why:

The characters felt like they needed more depth. There were certain struggles, yes, but they seemed somewhat trivial. Luke was my favorite for a while, but in the end kind of disappointed me. Hope was rather naive and she once almost lied to her father so that he wouldn't send her back home (not okay). Kirby, the antagonist, though the most dimensional, also felt somewhat shallow. From the way things started, I was picturing him to be a villainous guy, but then as the story progressed he was more of a spoiled, undisciplined only-child who wanted his way. I feel like that sounds harsh, but that's the way it came across.

Another thing was the climax - it fell flat. There was quite a bit of build up, only to have the whole situation pretty much wrapped up within a few pages. I guess I just thought is was going to be more dramatic? It felt sudden - too sudden and a bit too easy. There were multiple areas where the author was hinting at trouble, only to have it dissolve quickly. I feel like this story also, just in general, needed more depth, more plot. I was interested for a bit, when the tension was slightly building, but it never really grabbed me. The beginning was pretty slow, and the end too fast.

Overall, there were times when I was enjoying it, but it wasn't for me. However, the concept was unique, and you could tell the author did her research! Thumbs up for that. I would probably recommend this to somebody who wants an easy-going, historical fiction novel!

Thanks to Bethany House for sending me this book for review! The thoughts above are entirely my own.  

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What I've been doing lately:

• I BEAT CAMP NANOWRIMO - so yes, did that
• STARTED A NEW NOVEL - this happened extremely suddenly in January. I sat down out of frustration, typed out a page and a half, sent it to Julia, who liked it and ended up pushing me to keep writing and turn it into a novel. SO somehow a random one-sentence story idea I got while driving has morphed into this story I so like with all these cool imaginary humans. For now I'll just say it's Sci-Fi/Dystopian - totally surprised myself there! (Maybe you'll get to know all about it sometime... *runs off without saying more*)
• CAMPED AT DEVIL'S TOWER, WYOMING - with my older bro and his family. I got to see my nieces and nephew, one of which, Ava, was born in September of last year, and GUYS she is so adorable! 
• TRYING TO FINISH SCHOOL - I have one book left in math, then next year is Algebra 2 *would much rather do that than Geometry*
• Read my dear friend's FIRST NOVEL and got to shove sticky notes throughout it and write out hearts at the cute scenes
• WATCHED multiple Signed, Sealed, Delivered movies - which is so great because that show is legit the best
• GOT A NEW PHONE - that has a really nice camera. I was so happy about that because I've been wanting a camera too so it's a win-win.
• AM PARTICIPATING in Ted Dekker's Forgotten Way Meditation challenge - on day sixteen, and this has honestly changed my perception of God. IT'S FANTASTIC. Go read it now.  
• DID MY FIRST SPRINT IN NANO - and wow they help with getting your word count in!
• CUT MY HAIR
• WATCHED A MOVIE with Mikayla over Skype (we're cool like that)
  

• FINISHED six categories in the reading challenge - (which I was going to post on and then didn't O.O) It's going kinda slow for me this year! I'm currently working through the trilogy category with Rachelle Dekker's Seer series. 

Well, that's a very brief overview of my life lately. XD Hopefully I'll see you all again soon *vanishes*

Okay, but first...

Did you do Camp in April? How'd it go?

Have you read the Seer series?