Author – Page 4

Category: Author

A Beautiful Disguise

by Roseanna White

MY REVIEW

This book felt much different to me than the author’s other books. It has the mystery, interesting character group, and life among those with money. The interesting part, of course, is the fact that among the wealthy is a circus and two who love the trapeze and other acts that are done in a circus. To an extent, I enjoyed it. However, I had a hard time finding it believable.

It just seemed to be a bit of a stretch to find trapeze artists and circus animals among the “rich and famous.” It just didn’t seem at all realistic. I did enjoy the characters in the book-both the main and secondary characters were interesting. The storyline itself and the mysteries are what kept me turning the pages.

The faith thread in this book fits in well with the story, and it is well done. It isn’t like anything I’ve ever read before, and I do enjoy different books. If you like something a bit different, give it a try. It is a fun read. It kind of had a touch of Jen Turano in it, and I love her books.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Countdown

by Lynette Eason

MY REVIEW

Enjoyed this story! I liked both characters in this story. The fact that it wasn’t an “Insta love” type story made it even better. I like far more suspense than romance, and I felt the author really delivered in that area.

The suspense was well done, and it was very well paced. The storyline itself was engaging and kept the reader turning the pages. It felt like a bit of a slow start for me, but I didn’t mind that at all.

The faith theme was well done and very intrinsic to the story. It’s hard to get a good faith theme in the suspense genre so it is always well appreciated when it comes through so well.

This had a wonderful cast of characters, a terrific and fascinating storyline, and a good faith theme-all the elements that I really enjoy in a suspense read. I have really enjoyed this series, and I’m rather sad to see it end. It did finish with a fantastic novel, though.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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With Every Memory

by Janine Rosche

MY REVIEW

I found this book wasn’t what I expected. Perhaps my expectations are irrelevant, yet they are there. I’m seeing a big theme come through in many of the “Christian” published books lately so my reviews are a bit like a broken record. Even my teen daughter noticed that.
This book could have had a truly powerful faith theme, but it didn’t capitalize on it. The characters show up in church, but that’s about it. In so many places the family could have turned to God or the scriptures for help and strength. That part was disappointing.

I didn’t find myself liking the characters. They were incredibly selfish in many ways, but occasionally acted out of character to care about someone else. The teen story was a bit more understandable. They aren’t adults yet so obviously don’t behave like adults. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but the fact that Xander and Avery were left alone so much and spent so much time in her bedroom alone-that was just weird to me. I didn’t like the touch on adult humor either.

I think the grandmother was maybe suppose to be funny, but I found her bitter and mean. There was a heaviness to this book that could have been better with more of God’s presence in the families life. Maybe the grandmother was the light hearted part? I don’t know.

The writing itself was well done. The parts I read to my daughter-she said the same. This author is very good with words and writing to try to touch the reader. The topics that have a warning I felt were handled well in this book by the author. How one rates a book like this I’m not sure. This is definitely going to touch readers in very different ways.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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This is Where it Ends

by Cindy K. Sproles

MY REVIEW

This was a different way to present a story. I enjoyed the look back and the thoughts Minerva had as she approached the end of her life. I really enjoyed the writing style, and the sweet relationship that occurs between the elderly lady Minerva and the young man Del. I love how the author gives the facts of the past to the reader through Minerva’s point of view.

The characters and secondary characters are well done, and I was surprised by who turned out to be the bad guy in this story. The storyline flows very well, and I didn’t want to put the book down.
The scenes written on the farm were beautifully done, and it sure put the reader in the setting. Minerva’s thoughts really bring the story alive for the reader, putting the reader in her shoes so to speak.
My one disappointment was I felt that the faith theme could have been incredibly strong in so many places in this story. It did have hope and forgiveness in the storyline. It definitely wasn’t missing a faith theme. I just wished at so many places throughout the book that it had been stronger-just my point of view.
I love these kinds of stories. Ones that make one think, where everything isn’t sunshine and roses. The realizations to which the main character comes are very well done and powerfully written.
This is an emotionally touching read with life lessons learned and realistic characters and storyline.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Counter Attack

By Patricia Bradley

MY REVIEW

I was so glad to get this book and review it! Patricia Bradley always writes such good books, and this one doesn’t waver from being well written.

From the start it was a little bit slow, but once you get to know the story a little bit better, you understand why it started that way. The characters were well written. Liked Alexis story and how the romance between her and Nathan was slow and built up.
One of my favorite parts of the story was of Alexis and her grandparents. A sweet relationship to which I can relate.
The suspense was very well done, except for the fact that I knew who it was before about 50 pages in. (Maybe that’s just because I read mystery a lot, but it didn’t take me long to figure it out.) I kept on reading to follow the main characters story, and why and how the person did the deed.
The faith theme was there, but a bit lacking in depth. This book, since it moved slower than some suspense novels, could have had a better one, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the nice easy read, as I always do of Patricia Bradley!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Man of Shadow and Mist

By Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW

Loved it! It was a rare five star read for me. I had two main reasons for that. This was incredibly well researched, and I learned quite a bit from this story. That is always a goal when reading. It also had a wonderful faith theme that really resonated with me.

The characters are incredibly well done as this author is known for doing. Rosa is wonderful and so accepting and compassionate. James grows throughout the book which I thoroughly enjoy following.

The mystery/suspense held a surprise for me. The storyline was intriguing…so much so that I could not put the book down. I read all but the first fifty pages in one sitting. It is such an incredibly well written book.

This author always impresses me with her stories, and this book didn’t fail to disappoint. Highly recommend.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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In the Shadow of the River

By Ann Gabhart

MY REVIEW

I do not recall having ever read a book with the setting on a showboat. That made this story quite unique. The author makes the setting come alive. I am a homebody and love “nesting”, but I could feel the draw of the setting as I read the book. The boat and the entertainment was fascinating.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. There is quite a bit of character growth in Jacci and Gabe. They both face difficulties, and those are used to test their faith.The faith and hope theme are well done and woven well into the story. Yes, the story is predictable, but it’s interesting and enjoyable getting to the conclusion.

I wasn’t surprised by much of the mystery/suspense in the novel, but there were one or two interesting twist and turns.
This author writes such interesting stories, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Murmur in the Mudcaves

By Kathleen Denly

MY REVIEW

This was my first book by this author, but I don’t expect it to be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. This was fourth in the series, but the book held up well on its own.

The characters are well done and were fun to get to know. Bridget and Gideon are fleshed out well, and the secondary characters add much to the storyline. The main characters have growth throughout the book which I always like to see.

The storyline is interesting, and I’d never heard anything about mud caves. Learning things from a book is always fascinating. It was a bit predictable but enjoyable.

This book had a good faith and forgiveness theme that I’m always looking for in my choices of a novel. The faith theme tied in very well with the characters and story.

Adoption is an element in the book, and that is a subject very dear to my heart. We adopted our daughter, and she keeps in touch with birth family so much of this was believable and touching.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend. It reminded me of some of Karen Witemeyer and Regina Jennings novels.

I received this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

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The Swindler’s Daughter

By Stephenia H. McGee

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this novel. The story was interesting, and I enjoyed the character growth shown in the book. The main character has a lot of character growth throughout the book. Much of that character growth is the result of an older woman who is so helpful as a mentor.

The main male character also experiences character growth throughout the book. He realizes how blessed he is, and what is really important in life. This is kind of a coming-of-age story.

I liked the setting. It was well done. The storyline itself was interesting, and the secondary characters were wonderful. The mystery adds even more interest to the story. If you like a lot of romance it isn’t found here, but I prefer other strong elements in my stories.

The story itself increased in stars because of the well done faith theme. In inspirational fiction, a good faith theme isn’t as common as it use to be. The author did a good job of making it intrinsic to the story and the characters.

With wonderful characters, an interesting storyline, and a good faith theme this was better than I expected. I definitely recommend.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Long March Home

By Marcus Brotherton, Tosca Lee

MY REVIEW

I was glad to read about the March of Bataan. I hadn’t learned of it previously. My conundrum in reviewing is that it was published by Revell, a Christian publishing company. This book was gritty, crass, swearing, and other elements not expected in a book published by Revell. In doing the review a content warning was given to us as readers. Much of the content I expected as it is a war novel. All the elements in this novel are typical of a regular war fiction book or even a non fiction traditionally published book. I expected a much stronger faith theme and no cussing. The fact it came nowhere close to those expectations was very surprising to me.

It is a heart wrenching and highly disturbing war novel. The authors did a good job of bringing the horror of war to the pages of the book. I wouldn’t recommend this book for just anyone as it is a bit tough to read. I read their purpose for writing it, I believe they accomplished it.

If you are looking for a clean book, I don’t recommend it based on some content. I only expected better than that because it was published by Revell. This book needed to be in the traditional publishing world. The authors brought to the reader the story of the March to Bataan. It is a subject more people need to know. The Pacific part of WWII isn’t as well known. My grandfather fought in the Aleutian Islands. He was a medic, but he was involved in hand to hand combat as well. I probably would not know as much about that part of the world war if it hadn’t been part of our family’s history.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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