Book Review – Page 11

Category: Book Review

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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Dreams Rekindled

By Amanda Cabot

MY REVIEW

Such a wonderful historical novel. I really enjoy Amanda Cabot’s historicals. This series has a great set of characters. I really like the main characters and the secondary characters in this story.

It’s a lovely historically complete with a mystery! I really like that added element to the story. The characters themselves kept me vested in the story, but the storyline itself is a strong one. I love the character growth that takes place in this novel. Several of the characters have growing to do, and I love how the author uses the circumstances to bring about the growth.

I connected very well with Dorothy. I never intended to marry. I thought that was God’s will for my life for several reasons, but God brought someone into my life that made it evident I had been wrong. Sometimes we have ideas of what our life should be, but choosing the path God wants is always the best choice.

I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters, but this novel got a full four stars because of the lovely faith theme that permeated this book. It was a beautiful faith theme and a strong one. Don’t miss out on this series. I’m loving it!

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

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Unknown Threat

By Lynn H. Blackburn

MY REVIEW

This was a terrific suspense read! The storyline itself is an adrenaline rush. It never slows down and has action from start to finish. The scenes of suspense keep the reader on the edge of his seat for the entire journey of the novel. In most suspense reads the storyline is the main thing that keeps the reader engaged.

In this book, I really enjoyed the characters as well. They are created so well, and they each have their quirks that make them endearing to the reader. The romance is minimal and fairly well done.I prefer little romance in my suspense reads. The characters feel like real people and their development is terrific. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well.

The faith theme is evident in this novel and well done. This is always important in a Christian Fiction book in my opinion.

A wonderful suspense novel that is not at all realistic, but much suspense and well done characters.

This book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Yours, Till Heaven

Ray Rhodes Jr.

I fly through fiction, but I like to savor non fiction. I spent far more time on this book than most. What I loved most is how they chose to labor together for Christ…each giving everything of themselves.

I enjoyed seeing the quotes from one spouse to another all combined into one book. If you are a voracious reader of Spurgeon then some of this may not be new. However, having two sides of a love story told in their own words is precious. A combination of letters, books, and friends quotes combine to give a good example of what a Godly marriage should be. Neither Charles nor Susie were perfect, and they both try to name and overcome their weaknesses together. They both suffered through health issues, but they encouraged each other as they walked this journey with the Lord. Their time apart was difficult, yet it strengthened them both. I really enjoyed the realistic approach of this book.

I would really recommend this book as a wedding gift, anniversary gift, or a gift for someone who enjoys Spurgeon.

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

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Network of Deceit

Tom Threadgill

Another terrific suspense novel from Tom Threadgill. I really enjoyed the first in this series…the second was not a letdown. This is definitely an author I want to follow. Pretty much everything comes to a nice close with plenty of surprises for a mystery lover like myself.

The characters are interesting, and I really enjoyed them and their quirks. Many times in a suspense read it’s just the story that keeps the reader turning the pages. Not true with this author. Both the intriguing characters and the suspense kept me in the book. Lots of twists and turns keep coming in this one.

My only complaint is that I’d like to see a stronger faith theme. Other than that, this is a story with wonderful build, terrific storyline, interesting characters, and I really loved the last sentence!

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

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The Prince of Spies

Elizabeth Camden


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.

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.

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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.

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Shadows of the White City

Jocelyn Green

MY REVIEW

Such a terrific story wound through all the exciting and educational exhibits that could be seen at the Chicago World’s Fair. It’s wonderful to revisit the characters in the first book of the series Veiled in Smoke.

There were several things that I really liked about this book. One being that the main character is older and single. That’s rather rare to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about a women that was close to my own age. It helps to relate to her much better. I also have an adopted daughter. She was adopted at four so we have had some difficulties faced that this book brings to light. Sylvie has a lot to learn about control, and through that the author brings a great faith theme that is so well woven into the story.

The book takes you on a trip to many fascinating exhibits at the Chicago fair. The history is fascinating, and I learned so much about all the amazing things one could see there. It must have been quite an experience!

It’s a wonderful mystery and a beautiful story of relationships, life, and faith. With the tale all interwoven with real historical characters and real exhibits in the Chicago World’s fair. Definitely recommend. This one will be going on my forever shelves. Another terrific read brought to readers by Jocelyn Green.

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

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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.

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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.

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