Book Blog – Page 18 – The Biblio Life

I received this box last week, but didn’t want to spoil any unopened Christmas gifts so I waited to reveal the goodies within until now! The Bookish Box was created by the team over at Appraising Pages and is a monthly subscription box that perfectly describes itself! Unlike other book boxes, this subscription does not include a novel each month, but instead, features a shirt designed by Appraising Pages as well as a variety of 3-5 high quality and usable home, beauty, and fashion items inspired by everyone’s favorite books and characters! The December theme was “Yule Ball,” and being a Harry Potter fanatic let me tell you – I was not disappointed!!

This box was a purchase for my self and own use. It was in no way sponsored by or provided by a third party.

Subscription Details:

The Box: The Bookish Box
The Cost: Starting at $29.99 plus s&h, upgrades/add ons are available for additional $$$
Discounts: Varies by rep, 10% off your first month
What’s Inside: All boxes include a shirt and 3-5 home, beauty, and fashion items designed around the month’s literary theme

Our Thoughts:

I ordered this box as immediately upon hearing the theme announcement back in early November! Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was my absolute favorite book in the series and second favorite of the films (closely following the third installment, Prisoner of Azkaban). The Yule Ball was one of the most magical scenes, I can only imagine how amazing winter and Christmastime at Hogwarts would be!

Anyway, back to the good stuff! I purchased a one-time Nightmare Before Christmas box back in October (which was also amazing but I didn’t get around to posting it here) and I was pleasantly surprised, I’m so happy I gave this one a chance too!

There are three things that that make this box extremely desirable to me – the fact that every single item included is usable (you’ll find that as a reoccurring theme with me) on a day to day basis, the amazing and unique literature inspired themes that they come up with each month, and last but not least the plethora of customization/add on options! That last one pertains specifically to the shirt, but the day when a theme comes along that I can’t live without, I will be the FIRST to upgrade to a hoodie!

Unboxing & Contents:

December’s box contained 5 items, including the shirt designed by Appraising Pages. As always, there was a lovely little description card detailing the items and where they came from, as well as their retail values. I think that the value idea is useful, if nothing else so that you can compare cost to value and determine if it’s worth it or not (to you, everyone has the right to their own opinions of course!). I estimated the value of the entire box to be worth over $55, that’s almost double the cost of the box!

These were a few of the smaller bookish goodies inside, although I wouldn’t say anything but the pin was actually very small at all! It was difficult to take a picture of the pin without a horrid glare, but it’s gorgeously crafted & very well made! The candle included was a 6oz-er, which is bigger than most sample candles I’ve ever ordered. It smells magical, much like what I’d like to think Christmas at Hogwarts would. That glorious travel mug you see has a poster of the band that played during the Yule Ball, the Weird Sisters! I was actually in the market for a new mug, problem solved!

The lovely bookmark below was crafted by one of my favorite bookstagrammers, the very talented @lexyolivia! I am assuming each box received the same bookmark, it’s so pretty I am afraid to use it in fear of ruining all of its glory *cringes*.

And last but never least, the wonderful shirt design by the team at Appraising Pages. Part of me was hoping that this would be some sort of wonderful bookish quote, but then I remembered I swore of wearing shirts with text because of my ehm, graciously proportioned upper half, and then I was very pleased with their work! After a closer look, I saw that the wreath is flecked with brooms, flying snitches, and Sorting Hats – I wonder if there is a way to decorate a real wreath with this much magic? And it’s sooo soft.

To say that I am pleased with the contents of The Bookish Box‘s December box would be an understatement. I am too huge a Harry Potter fan to underrate my excitement at the practicality of these items and their magical qualities. I may wait around until another box catches my interest to continue subscribing, but until then I’ll go back to my room where it smells of Christmas at Hogwarts and admire this month’s bookish treats!

Title: The Cottage (Secrets of the Shetlands #2)
Author: Michael Phillips
Pages: 416
Release Date: October 4, 2016
Genre: Christian Fiction
Summary: When Loni Ford is informed that she has inherited property in the Shetland Islands, she laughs. She wants nothing more than to sell it and be done with it. But when she arrives in the North Sea enclave, she is stunned to find that “the Cottage” is not at all what she expected, nor is David Tulloch, the man most of the islanders believe to be the rightful heir.

The locals could hardly be more surprised that the heir is a woman–and an American. Loni, in turn, finds the islanders quaint and a bit behind the times. Expecting David to be as provincial as the rest of his clan, she discovers that there is far more to the man than meets the eye. And there is something about the peaceful atmosphere of the place–and the character of its most prominent citizen–that soon gets under her skin.

Beneath the peaceful surface, however, change is threatening the island of Whale’s Reef. David’s cousin Hardy Tulloch, whose claim to the inheritance now in Loni’s hands was backed by oil investors, has not been deterred in his aim to control the island. But his co-conspirators have plans of their own, plans that put Loni’s very life in danger.

TRB Review – 4/5

The fantastic Scottish accents and gorgeous Shetland scenery combined with good hearted humor and a riveting storyline keeps you hooked from the first chapter!

I did not have the chance to read the prequel to this novel, Inheritance (Secrets of the Shetlands #1), but without any prior context I can happily say that it was a pleasant and compelling read regardless. I honestly don’t know that you even need to read the first book to follow the character development, but it’s always a good idea to go in order!

It took me quite a while to get to this review, which was a mix of my own and other sources faults. I am so glad that I read it though! It’s not often in an ever growing world of erotica and paranormal romance publications that we find a decent Christian Fiction novel. What I quickly learned to like about Michael Phillip’s writing is that he weaves a fantastic story while teaching valuable lessons, he takes the time to define and develop his characters, and keeps your wheels turning all the while.

“A wise man knoweth when he has contracted foot-in-mouth disease.” – The Cottage, Michael Phillips

Loni Ford really resonates with me because she is a kind hearted but very driven woman. She has a great career and has worked hard to get herself there, so when her life is turned upside down by the surprise inheritance in the Shetland Isles, her reaction is of no surprise to me! She develops beautifully, and is very easy to relate to. Her struggles are human, and her thoughts were way too similar to mine!

The story really gets gripping toward the middle/latter half of the book, so much builds on the struggles of the town and the new threats by Hardy Tulloch that you just want to keep reading! It was very difficult to put down, and it even has me considering starting from the beginning with book one and continuing with the third installment! This is a very lighthearted read that can be enjoyed any time of day, but prepare yourself for endless hours of not wanting to put the book down!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

MICHAEL PHILLIPS (b.1946), one of many in a rising generation of spiritual offspring of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and the legacy of the Inklings, has made it his life’s passion to promote the teachings of these giants of the past.

Michael Phillips is considered to be one of the most versatile and prolific Christian authors of our time. To those unfamiliar with his work, the question, “What kind of books does Michael Phillips write?” has no easy answer. He began his distinguished writing career in 1977 with several non-fiction titles. Since that time, he has authored over twenty non-fiction books, most notably dealing with the nature and character of God and the Fatherhood of God. After turning to the writing of novels in the mid – 1980s, Phillips has penned some sixty fiction titles of great variety. The enormous breadth of his faithful audience is testimony that his writings are universal in their appeal. Most of his series have been best sellers in the Christian market.

To find out more about this author, visit his website and Facebook page!

You can purchase The Cottage from one of your favorite online retailers below:
Amazon, Baker Book House (Bethany House), Barnes & Noble, and Book Depository

Tag: Book Blog

The Bookish Box, December “Yule Ball” Unboxing

Book Review: The Cottage by Michael Phillips