Truly…WOW! I don’t think I can do this book justice in a review. The love story is a beautiful one…I love the time they spent together, the qualities they like in each other, and the growth of both of the main characters. This book also contains fascinating history of Washington D.C. Everything from the historic building and construction to the historical ways of testing food preservatives on humans. I really enjoyed learning about that as well. With an intriguing and beautiful love story, fascinating history, and well done characters this book was a read that stole my sleep. I read it within 24 hours though I wished I could slow down and savor..I could not. This book definitely makes its way to my forever shelves and a book I will enjoy reading again. This entire trilogy is one of my favorite trilogies of all time. I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. |
Category: Christian Romance
The Prince of Spies
A Dance in Donegal
Jennifer Deibel
“In Him, there was never a promise of no grief on this side of heaven, but there was always the promise of joy. And she would await that day with a hopeful heart.” It’s a beautiful story and a beautiful setting. I really enjoyed the characters and the setting, but the faith, hope, and Biblical verses spoken at just the right time combined to be my favorite part of the novel. It’s wonderful to watch characters grow and to see a younger woman taking advice and help from an older wiser one. Moira and Sean both grow spiritually throughout the book which is a wonderful part of the story. This novel has some real life situations in it ( nothing is graphic, but it does contain adult elements), and it isn’t all predictable either which I like in a novel. This was an easy read for me, but an enjoyable one. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books from this debut author. I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. |
Endless Mercy
Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse
MY REVIEW
Oh how I enjoyed this well told story. I love stories that involve close family members, and that is so much what the reader gets in this series. They live together, work together, and help each other both physically and spiritually.
I love the characters in this story. Madyson and Daniel are both great as main characters, and who cannot help but like Granny! She adds so much to the story. The family unit as secondary characters really help round out the story so well. The book does have a difficult scene with an attack. It is not at all graphic, but it does affect, in my opinion, what ages should read it. It contains some adult themes in it. It was handled well by the authors, and it didn’t hurt my view of the story. It’s not the focus at all. I love how the family helps each other through the difficult times , sometimes with unwanted advice. However, it is given with love.
This book has a good strong faith theme that is an intricate part and well woven. It seems so needful for the story itself. Redemption, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are all a beautiful part of this story.
With a wonderful setting, lovable and relatable characters, and powerful faith theme, it was a terrific story. I’m so eagerly awaiting the next book!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Dreams of Savannah
Roseanna White
MY REVIEW
Dreams of Savannah had a good message in the book, and I enjoy watching characters grow throughout a book-especially as they come of age. The main characters need to grow in this book so that was nice to see. I also liked the morals portrayed in this book…the fact that we are all people that have a story, all equal in wanting freedom to pursue love and dreams.
The leering and untrustworthy men that are in the story…and their stories made for a difficult book to read. It makes it hard to dwell on the book once it is finished. Will the meaning of the message of the book and what the main characters learned throughout the book outweigh the constant difficult subject of untrustworthy, unfaithful men harassing women? I’m honestly not sure. I do know that occurred, but it felt as if that outweighed the love in the story. I’m hoping as I process this book that the good will outweigh the bad…and that perhaps I can put it on my forever shelves to reread or loan.
I did like the way the difficulties were fleshed out as to Confederate verses Union. Not everyone fought for the same purpose. That was a portrait that was well painted in this book. I enjoyed the secondary characters, and I found their stories just as interesting. The plot was well done, and the story very well written and researched.
The faith theme is very strong in this book, and it is probably what I liked most about the book-scriptures quoted, scriptures that affected the characters actions and heart, and scripture that had an effectual change.
The Civil War is something I’ve always seen both sides. My parents are Yankees, and from a place with very strong Union ties. I grew up in a place that has Southern ties and sympathies. The author handled the difficulties of the Civil War very well…I’m still thinking through somethings in the story. Though the back states it’s a “glowing love story” …it is really much more than that…and much that has nothing to do with love at all. It gives the reader much to ponder, but a couple subjects are things that are difficult to ponder. It is not at all graphic, but it is definitely a book with adult themes.
This author produces thought inspiring books. This one is no different.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
All Through the Night
By Tara Johnson
MY REVIEW
This was such a fantastic story! I completely fell in love with Cadence! The story is so well done, the characters are wonderful. They main ones are so easy to like, and I really connected with the cast here. The scenes can be felt, and I love the historical research that was put into the book.
The storyline and plot are thoroughly engaging. Some books written during the Civil War are so incredibly difficult. I felt this one was incredibly well done. The faith and hope message is so strong in this book, and it is intricately woven well into the story.
I read this book at the end of 2020, and it is definitely one of the best of the year. Putting into words the story and message of this book isn’t possible. I highly recommend reading it for yourself.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Storing Up Trouble
By Jen Turano
Another fun and wonderful book from Jen Turano! The characters are so incredibly fun, funny, and have faults like all of us.
The storyline is funny, but there is also the suspense side that really keeps the reader engaged. The plot and storyline are well done. The reader will laugh out loud at the tremendous fun in the book, be totally swept away with the fun of the story, and eagerly follow the suspense side to find out what is going on that the reader can’t see!
The faith theme in this book is slight, but the story itself is all about becoming a better person…and growing up, so to speak.
Once again, Jen Turano has produced a tremendously fun read which is definitely needed during this time. She really does write a genre all her own.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Traitor’s Pawn
By Lisa Harris
MY THOUGHTS
A good suspense read with a believable plot line, interesting story,and terrific characters. It also had a rather emotional surprise towards the end that I didn’t expect to happen. I really liked the main character in this story, Aubrey. She wasn’t an emotional type, was incredibly analytical when thinking through the case before her, and she wanted serious relationships only. I could really relate to her and how she looked at the world. Her viewpoint was relatable and the reader could really build empathy for her. Jack grows on the reader. I didn’t fall in love with him right at the beginning, but he proves himself as the plot moves along. He gives a lot of good, Biblical advice to Aubrey. The faith theme in this book mostly comes from discussions between the two main characters. I really like spiritual dialogue in my reads. It tends to provoke more thought than other ways a faith theme is introduced. It isn’t an incredibly strong faith theme, but the elements of hope and forgiveness is there. God and his power over all things is brought into the picture as is stories from the Bible. I always like it when an author can put a good faith theme in a fairly fast moving suspense read. I actually hate to admit it, but I think this is my first read by Lisa Harris. I certainly don’t plan on it being my last. This had a good pace to it, believable storyline, loved the characters, and a faith theme. I enjoyed and recommend this read. I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. |
The Thorn Keeper
By Pepper Basham
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MY THOUGHTS
Writing this review is hard because what does one say about a book that touches the heart so deeply, expresses Gods message so clearly, and may bring a tear or two! This is that kind of book! It is truly beyond my ability with words to describe. Catherine and David become family to the reader, as we struggle with them in their new found relationships. The reader feels the emotions and heartaches of the characters very strongly. Catherine has her new relationship with Christ which totally changes her. This part of the plot is so powerful and sweet! David is a wonderful hero who goes through personal changes and some incredible difficulties that only serve to make his character stronger. The relationship between the two of them will have you sighing and your heart in knots. The romantic tension is indescribable, and the way they grow together is splendidly done. It all builds up to beautiful and breath taking crescendo! A magnificent read that pulls the strings of one’s heart, refreshes one’s spirit, portrays redemption so movingly, and leaves the reader pondering the powerful message weeks after the novel is done. A must read! I was given this book by the author. All opinions are my own. |
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The Joy of Falling
By Lindsay Harrel
MY THOUGHTS
A book that has so much emotion…and has my mind spinning. Books that make me think about life,and how a God wants us to live it…books that make me introspective are usually the five star reads for me. This gets those stars because I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while!
The three main characters are really well done. The book goes back and forth between the two sisters-in-law’s point-of-view. I really liked that because it gives an insight into two people both experiencing the loss of a husband, but even they do not understand each other as they walk through the emotions of it.
The plot is an interesting one, and I loved running back when I could. The place is unique, and I enjoyed that. For me,though, it was the characters that kept me turning the pages.
The shared mother-in-law was a source and pretty much the source for the faith theme.There were some great quotes from her that really make the reader think about their standing before God and how we think about Him.
So in the end with my connections felt to the characters…and the faith thread that brought a lot of thought about God, His ways, and learning from them, this book makes my forever shelves.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The House at the End of the Moor
By Michelle Griep
MY THOUGHTS
Another fantastic novel by this author!
I really enjoyed this book…one of the best parts is that it is so different from the other reads I’ve had of late. The suspense and mystery is well done with several twists and turns. The plot and storyline keep the reader turning the pages.
I also really liked the characters. Part of it is light hearted and funny…the Michelle Griep that you see in Out of the Frying Pan comes out in this read to make some wonderfully fun moments. There is also a lot of sadness and reality in this read as well. The characters aren’t perfect…but so perfectly written.
This book also puts forth a strong and wonderful faith message which is lacking in much of Christian Fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed it in this read, and it is well woven into the storyline and characters.
This is a terrific story…one which has a spot on my forever shelves!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.