The Red Siren (Charles Towne Belle Series #1) by M.L. Tyndall

After falling in love with M.L. Tyndall's story, Surrender the Heart, I decided to read some of her earlier works.

I started with The Red Siren, the first in the Charles Towne Belles series. After her oldest sister is forced to wed an unfaithful and cruel man, Faith Westcott pledges to protect her two other sisters from a similar fate by becoming a part-time pirate (a secret to everyone except her crew). She becomes especially determined to raise a fortune when she discovers her father wants her to marry a conceited, self-absorbed man.

Dajon Waite, who is in the British Royal Navy with the girls' father, is forced to become their temporary guardian since their father is leaving on assignment. This becomes a problem for Faith - who stole Dajon's father's boat 5 years prior. Even worse, Dajon now hunts pirates...especially the Red Siren, the pirate who now uses his father's ship as her own.

Unfortunately, I had a very difficult time getting into this story. I never came to like Faith or Dajon or find them to be very sympathetic characters. At first meeting, Faith steals Dajon's ship as he tries to help what appears to be a damsel in distress. Faith is a manipulator and Dajon is easily manipulated.

However, M.L. Tyndall writes beautiful, descriptive scenes and has characters that develop spiritually in a smooth, realistic manner without being overly preachy. She also isn't afraid to have the lead characters display passion towards each other as they fall in love, creating sincere, sweet romances.

Although I am not sure if I will continue with this series, I will definitely read other novels by MaryLu Tyndall.

This book was provided for review by NetGalley.

Experience God as Your Provider by Brian Kluth

In this inspiring book, Brian Kluth explores the road to financial stability – but not through investment strategies; instead, he explains that depending on God as your provider is the true path toward financial security.

The book is broken into the following three parts:
1. Recognize God’s Provisions
2. Receive God’s Principles
3. Respond to God’s Plan

Kluth uses many biblical references throughout the book, grounding his advice in Godly principles. He also uses many personal anecdotes as examples and as evidence of God following through on His word.

I found this book to be incredibly motivational. It really pushed me to rethink how I spend my money – am I really being as generous as God has called me to be? Even more so, am I being generous with the other things God has given me? Such as with my time, talents or with the items I own. This book also challenged me to really depend on God for all my needs and to keep my eyes open to all the ways He provides for me on a daily basis.

More than a book on finances, this book will dare, encourage and teach you to experience God as your provider. I really recommend this book - especially for Christians as the author tends to write with a Christian audience in mind.

This book was reviewed as part of the NetGalley review program.