Contemporary – Page 2

Category: Contemporary

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Collision of Lies

By Tom Threadgill

MY THOUGHTS

This was a very well written suspense that had interesting characters, a lot of twists and turns, fascinating plot, and some interesting science as well.

I did put this book down a few times while reading which is unusual when reading a suspense story. It had times when it lagged a bit, but that does seem more realistic than some books where the speed exhausts the reader and makes for a totally unbelievable storyline.

I didn’t really connect with the characters, but I did enjoy the author throwing in their personality quirks.

My one big problem…this book is published by Revell…and at Amazon is listed as Christian fiction. If you are looking for the Christian part, you will not find it. There were so many scenes where a faith theme could have been so easily woven into the story…yet nothing. No God, no praying, just absolutely nothing that puts this in a Christian category. It was clean, and I was thankful for that. However, I like to see faith, hope, prayer and other aspects along those lines in my Christian Fiction.

Also there were a couple of things mentioned that weren’t really wrapped up completely. That bothered me some…I just wanted some answers that were not given. I know that happens in real cases, but one mention wasn’t brought to a conclusion…so just something that bothered me a bit.

So if you like Intense, complicated suspense without the romance and with the action…and like them clean-this is a read for you. I even googled some of the science stuff and shared it with my daughter who is in physical science…that is totally rare. Storyline reminded me much of the author , Lynette Eason, who endorsed it.

I was given this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Their Ranch Reunion

Mindy Obenhaus

BOOK BLURB

Single mom Carly Wagner is surprised to learn she’ll have to share ownership of the home she’s inherited with her first love–and first heartbreak–Andrew Stephens. The man who fled their tiny Western town is back and standing in the way of her dreams to expand her B and B. Now a successful businessman, Andrew has eight weeks to buy Carly out. But Carly’s too stubborn to persuade–and too beautiful to ignore. When fire ravages her inn and she and her daughter move in to their shared property, Andrew’s in over his head. Time is running out and Andrew must decide: leave and chase another deal…or stay and chase Carly’s heart.

MY THOUGHTS

I don’t always enjoy short reads…or romance reads. This book however was enjoyable. I liked the characters ( I’ll admit the little girl in this book stole my heart…so precious!), the plot was Hallmark type but still enjoyable, and the story was quite well done.

This was my first book by this author…and probably not my last. Really thought the book was sweet and well written.

There are quite a few brothers on this ranch so maybe each brother will get his story. I liked the dad, too.

I received this book from the publisher through Just Read Publicity Tours. All opinions are my own.

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End Game

by Rachel Dylan

MY THOUGHTS

This book is quite a ride so hang on to your seat!

It’s got a great plot that keeps the reader engaged to the last page. There are a lot of characters in this book, but the author did a great job of giving just enough suspense to be engaged…but not so much that you end up totally lost at the end. Yes, that has happened before. The never ending twists and turns are fascinating, and they also make sense. The plot seems a plausible one.

The characters are relatable and well developed. They don’t get lost in the suspense and drama of the read. I really loved that about this book. The romance was there, but well done not overdone.

I really enjoyed this book by Rachel Dylan. She has become an author I want to follow and must read. If you love mystery and suspense grab a copy of End Game…grab the book and take the ride!

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

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Collateral Damage

by Lynette Eason

BOOK BLURB

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others–but her days of helping military personnel are over. She’s got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she’s not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way–terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn’t there–but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can’t take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he’s not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack–and that her secrets go even deeper than his own–Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.

MY THOUGHTS

An intense fast paced read through most of the pages, lots occurs from Afghanistan to Tajikistan to the US. The suspense is held well through most of the book. Everyone from cops, to military, to eventually the FBI is involved in this one.

The characters are quite well done, and I really liked the main characters in this book. Though at times they seemed to act out of character, especially Brooke. They were military, though, so that isn’t perhaps unusual. The plot itself didn’t seem very realistic, and that was really the only negative to the fast paced romantic suspense. For me, the romance wasn’t too much so the ratio that is so frequently discussed about romantic suspense-well, this was just about as perfect as you can get for me.

I really liked how the author wove the faith thread into the book. In a fast paced suspense read that isn’t always easy. It was incredibly well done.

This was a great read that I would definitely recommend to all the suspense fans out there.

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

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Cross My Heart

by Robin Lee Hatcher

This is by far my favorite series by this author! A split time series with a family Bible that is the link between past and present is a terrific idea, and I love the stories that have been created.

This has a wonderful plot, a slow moving relationship, terrific characters and just a really sweet story…both of them so touching. The angst and horror of war with faith as an anchor; a sordid past with faith getting him through each day. Reading the notes written by the man who relied on his faith through the war and beyond.

This book will go on my forever shelves next to the first in the series.

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

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<i>The Memory House</i> <br> <h4>by Rachel Hauck</h4>

The Memory House

by Rachel Hauck

The author really delivers in this read! So much about life…it’s tragedies and triumphs, mountains and valleys, times of spiritual weakness, and times of spiritual growth and grace.

The characters in this book are very well done, and I was so glad that a big fight over a secret wasn’t the climax because that is rather overused. I read a lot so I tend to notice…plus it’s a constant Hallmark trope as well. This book breaks from the mold in many ways, for that, if for no other reason- it made this book stand out to me.

We adopted so that being a subject in the book also gives the book a special feel. This book has pretty much all emotions.

How people deal with loss is different for everyone, but there is only One who can make you live again! To me, that was much what the book was about…walking through the valleys, never forgetting them,but using them to continue to live.

I enjoy Rachel Haucks reads…this has to be one of my favorites by her. There were a few things I wish had been explored more or places where I wanted more remorse or a different emotion. This was a personal preference, tho, and this book was really well done with the plot and storylines. There is depth to this story that makes it a definite re-read…and some things on which to dwell. Definitely a book to read, savor, enjoy, and cause the reader to muse more about life…the messy, the tragedies,the lovely, and the ugly. It’s far more than just a romance read so go get your hands on this one!! Take yourself to another’s world and see if your perspective of things doesn’t change..at least a little.

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

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