MY REVIEW
Carved in Stone by Camden is in an interesting time in history. I have watched documentaries on the Rockefeller and Carnegie dynasties so I’m familiar with steel and this time period. I enjoyed the history, plot. And characters. It was predictable but interesting enough to keep me in the book.
I felt more connected to the main female character, but I found myself wishing to know a bit more about her younger years. I liked the main male character, but I didn’t really like all of the rosary mentions that came up in regards to his character. I realize that some of it made it historical as Irish immigrants were Catholic, but it seemed odd in a Christian fiction book.
The history and its background was what really held my attention throughout this book. It was very well done.
I received this book from the publisher.All opinions are my own.
Category: Christian Fiction
Carved in Stone
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery
By Amanda Cox
MY REVIEW
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! It’s what I call “Women’s Fiction.” Three generations of mothers and their struggles and triumphs. Life…that’s the best way I can think to describe this wonderful read. Far too many secrets among family and how they play out in each of their lives. It is so realistic, heart wrenching, and heartwarming. Lynn Austin is one of my favorite authors, and it felt a bit like reading one of her stories. Love, marriage, birth, rearing children…all those things that are so important in life and in a women’s life are so well put on paper. People’s perspectives, motives, and choices- how they affect what kind of life we lead…and how people can be so very wrong in their perspective of someone else, even their own mothers. It’s quite a powerful story, really, yet so simply told. Beautifully told. I was thrilled with the characters, loved the split time,setting, and storyline. The Vietnam era isn’t a common one, though I have noticed more authors using it. I so enjoyed the story and writing that I hope to get this author’s first book as well. I believe I have found a new author to follow. If you love family fiction or women’s fiction, you really don’t want to miss this novel. It is definitely going on my forever shelves. This would make a great book club read….and a great re-read as well. Go get it. I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. |
To Write a Wrong
By Jen Turano
MY REVIEW
This was a slow starter for me, but that could have just been me. I was reading to get my mind of a ferocious headache which Daphne, the main character here probably would have said was a ridiculous idea. However, no one makes me laugh more than Jen Turano when it comes to books. I did eventually get into it, and I enjoyed her story.She has been my favorite character in this group.
Her outlandish wardrobe and growing vocabulary were marvelous and so enjoyably funny. Her hero was wonderful and perfect for her. I can’t say he was one of my favorite people, but he definitely did well in handling Daphne.
All in all, it was another fun story from Jen Turano. You can count on out loud laughter when reading her novels. They are so fun.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Chase
By Lisa Harris
MY REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very well done, the storyline engaging, the setting was great, and the faith theme was very well intricately woven as a natural part of the storyline. I really like friends to lover stories as they seem so much more natural.
The pace was good and well laid out. I had not read the previous book, but I hope to do so. I was able to read this one just fine as a stand alone novel. I really enjoy this authors books! There is a lot of action and fast paced scenes. If you enjoy suspense or mystery that are clean reads, you definitely do not want to miss this one.
A Lady in Attendance
By Rachel Fordham
MY REVIEW
This is my first book by this author. I have wanted to read previous ones just have a TBR that feels like it’s never ending so I hadn’t read one yet. I’m hoping to get her previous ones as I enjoyed this book. I had no idea what “lady in attendance “ meant, but I was quite surprised that was her title.
I really liked the characters in this book. Gilbert’s shy behavior was something to which I could definitely relate. His career was an interesting one, and I loved reading the author notes as to why she chose his profession.
The main characters were wonderful, the storyline turned out to have several surprises and much suspense. It’s difficult not to give anything away here, but I’ll just say that I was definitely surprised at the turn the book took. It held my attention, and I ended up staying up well into the morning hours to find out what happened.
The faith theme was incredibly strong, and it , in itself, brought about much change. It was incredibly well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing style and do hope to read more of her books soon. Definitely do not miss this story! It was such a sweet story with much to enjoy.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Power Play
By Rachel Dylan
MY REVIEW
This is the final book in the Capital Intrigue series. I enjoyed this book. The reader follows a main character and a secondary character. I enjoyed both stories. The characters in this series were really good. This was a good conclusion to the group of friends and their different jobs.
The plot and storyline were definitely engaging, the characters were great, and the action in the story really keeps the reader engaged.
I also enjoyed the faith theme that was done so well in the story. It was an intricate part of the story well woven into the plot. Rachel Dylan has become a must read author for me in the mystery/suspense category.
This series was incredibly well written so do yourself a favor and get your hands on all three!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Nature of a Lady
By Roseanna M. White
MY REVIEW
This was a terrific mystery story with an engaging plot and lovable and despicable characters. It had all the right elements to make an enjoyable story.
I loved the mystery part of the story, and it was a pleasant surprise as this author is not known for mystery necessarily. It was very well done. I love the history in the book, and the setting is beautiful and so interesting with all the islands.
With such a wonderful plot and storyline, such creative characters, and a well done inspirational thread, the reader is kept engaged in the story and quickly turning the pages.
My favorite part is the spiritual mystery that unfolded in Libby. That story is beautifully and masterfully told.
I,too, was fascinated by the author notes. There she tells such an interesting story of how this story came to be. Do not miss reading those! I was so surprised at how the first part of this story was birthed.
Another wonderful novel from this author that will be on my forever shelves.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Paris Betrayal
By James R. Hannibal
MY REVIEW
The fantastic plot, wonderful characters, and well – paced story make for a read that is hard to put down!
I enjoyed the banter between characters and the characters themselves. This author always has fascinating characters in his stories. This book is no different. It doesn’t lay them out quite the same as previous stories, but the plot doesn’t make that possible. It’s pretty much about one guy.
My daughter and I are currently studying Job so it was easy to see the allegorical details in relation to the book of Job.
The plot of the story is fascinating…never read a story quite like it. I had originally given it four stars, but the moral that is taught here kept coming to mind as did several of the predicaments in which Ben found himself . If a book is closed, yet it still remains with me, then I can’t help but rate it well. This book did that for me. Highly enjoyable, some surprises, and great dialogue makes this book a winner. Do not miss it…or the other books by this author!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Dark of Night
By Carrie Cotten
MY REVIEW
Fantastic thrilling read from start to finish. It is always hard for me to jump into a book that isn’t totally reality. Two authors make it a bit easier, and this author is definitely one of them. I stay hooked for two reasons.
First, I want to follow the characters. They are incredibly well done and have shortcomings like us all. They grow through the circumstances in the book just as they do in our own lives. It isn’t all sunshine and roses, but God is there with us through those trials.
Second, I love the faith theme in this novel it is absolutely fantastic. Dealing with anger and learning to trust and obey God are things in which every Christian can improve. One can feel these emotions as the writer portrays them so well! A big bonus in putting in scripture. All of this is so well done and the faith theme is seamlessly woven in the story.
So now we fans eagerly wait the next book….and try to wait patiently…maybe this book should have dealt with that virtue!
PS. Just do yourself a favor and go to Amazon and get this book. This books imagery created a movie in my mind. It’s really powerful in so many ways.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Hope Between the Pages
By Pepper Basham
MY REVIEW
This is a beautifully written time slip novel. I really enjoyed this novel, and this particular time-slip novel holds a unique distinction in all that I’ve read. I can’t pick a favorite. I enjoyed the historical and the contemporary stories. In all the others that come to mind, I can easily tell you that the historical held the largest part of my heart. Both of these stories, however, are so fascinating in story and sweet In characters. How can I possibly pick a favorite?
I love the interaction in the historical story between the two main characters. The fact that they fall in love through books is fascinating. It is so well done! The backdrop is wonderful and the characters engaging.
In the present day story Max draws me. He has scars that he thinks will prevent anyone from seeing HIM. With his sweet character and thoughtfulness, he definitely underestimated himself. I’m in a wheelchair, and I thought the same. Then I met a man who saw me…and no friend of my hubby’s knows until they meet me that I’m handicapped. I’ll never forget my trip to get a wig before a brain surgery. The lady who runs the place looked at me ( while he was perusing the tables of hair) and said, “ He married you like THAT?” Yes…yes, he did. This is why I felt so pulled towards Max and his story. I understand the thought that what can be seen will override anything else. So many times in this world of beauties…that is true. The treasure is finding someone who values you…the real you.
This was such a well done, beautiful written story ( both of them)…so many characters that I loved…and the story itself is enough to keep the reader turning the pages. Add the wonderful fairy tales with the well written lovely characters, and you have a book that made my forever shelves…and is highly likely to be read more than once. This is at least my second favorite book by this author. Vying for Position is August and Jessica in The Thorn Keeper…a read that I still easily remember. Hope Between the Pages will be the same. Do not miss this beautiful story where the authors heart is between the pages as well.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.