The Major’s Daughter

by Regina Jennings

My teenage daughter reviewed this book for the retail sites so I’m having her guest post her review here as well. This is the first time, but it won’t be the last. She has a love for reading as well so I hope to have her as a guest more often.

The Major’s daughter is a good read. The historical setting being the Oklahoma Land Run was well done and was my favorite part of the story. Oklahoma is finally being settled and treated as a state. ( I was born in Oklahoma, and I lived there seven years). The plot of who and how a town was settled was very good.

Frisco was an easy going person who only wanted a home. Caroline was a determined woman who didn’t want to live in her father’s fort. These characters were well written, but I didn’t really connect with them. My favorite characters were the secondary ones-Amber and Bradley.

The author fit Christianity well into the characters in the way they acted- nice and happy.

The author supplied the reader with many different storylines, and over all I truly enjoyed this book.

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

Echoes Among the Stones

by Jaimie Jo Wright

Once again this author brings another tremendous story. I really liked the characters of this story both in the contemporary and historical. I think I liked Imogene most. Collin is an amazing main male character because he isn’t the typical one. I really enjoyed his humor and wit as well as his wisdom. I love the difference in him. He fits the book so well. The book is morbid and sad, yet there is laugh out loud humor as well. The plot has twists and turns, one in particular,at least caught this reader off guard. 

I really felt the storytelling was terrific ,and I enjoyed both the present and historical stories. For me, that’s rare. Usually, i find the historical story much more appealing. This novel, though, had me deeply interested in both.

The faith theme in the book isn’t overly strong, but I enjoyed it and how well it was woven into the story. I felt the main part of it was the knowing we have is that God is in control, and there is a strong message of hope to be found.

This book really had all the elements of a good story! 

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

Silent Night Suspect

By Sharee Stover

BOOK BLURB

Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit…

All she wants for Christmas is to remember.

Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?

MY REVIEW

Terrific read! Really enjoyed this suspense novel. The characters are really well done,the storyline keeps the reader guessing, and the plot has all the good and essential twists and dangers necessary to keep the reader turning the pages. My teen daughter also enjoyed this read…light romance , heavy suspense- perfect combination!! 

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

Hereafter

by Jody Hedlund


“Perhaps real treasure lies not in the wealth deep in the labyrinth, but in the gifts God has bestowed upon us- gifts we can use for the greater good of the kingdom and the people.”

This series ended with the best book yet!! This book was fantastic. I loved the characters, the interesting plots, subplots and twists and turns of the story. The reader knows they are going to get the “Happily-ever-after.” This book, tho, isn’t entirely predictable…I love it for that! 

So much of want I would like to say gives away far too much. If you want to lose yourself in a book that is just plain a terrific story, go get this book and this series. It’s fantastic reading. I’ve never been a fan of fairy tale stories, but Jody Hedlund made me one with this book! So all I can say is read it. It’s the third in a series, and I highly recommend starting with the novella to get the full scope of the story.

The characters, plot, story, and faith theme make this a terrific, interesting, and enjoyable story.

“Now in the face of the biggest challenges yet, God was helping to unleash the gift.”

The complete series The Lost Princesses by Jody Hedlund.
All reviews of each book can be found on the home page.

A Pursuit of Home

by Kristi Ann Hunter

I’ve been waiting for Jess’s story, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was just as convoluted, mysterious, and exciting as Jess herself. There were beloved characters from previous books that added much to the story, but the character and skills of Jess really come through in this story.

Though the story is wrought with suspense and intrigue, Jess still is what makes this book so good. Her varied and amazing costumes, many talents, and backstory are fascinating. Her future uncertain

I really came to like Derek. He’s so far removed from what most thrilling main male characters are suppose to be. There is nothing overly exciting about him, but he’s content to be himself, which is rare. I’m no lover of art so that’s a foreign concept, but I loved that he knew so many interesting facts. He reminded much of my hubby…not exciting or thrilling, but steady and always there when needed. He really is a unique male hero, and that isn’t a bad thing.

This book has a mild faith theme that grows and is woven well throughout the book.

I usually would read a book like this in one or two sessions, but I didn’t with this one. I’m not really sure why myself. Maybe I wanted to savor a book that wrapped up so many book friends, or perhaps I was pretty sure of part of the ending at least so I didn’t feel I had to rush through the book. I savored this one.
With a wonderful cast of characters, a country that needs saving, and a young woman coming into her own and discovering new things about herself, it all wraps up to make for a terrific novel well worth the read.

Take a journey with Jess-mostly to see what she discovers about herself and where her heart calls home.

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

“I know you can do it. You’ve had your time in the shadows. God has brought you into the light. Maybe it’s time to try living there. You might find that you shine.
Living in Light. What a concept.”

Foremost

by Jody Hedlund

Another fantastic medieval YA read by Jody Hedlund. So many interesting fairy tale events and characters, an amazing warrior hero, and a beautiful princess in need of safety. All the wonderful elements of a well told fairytale are wrapped in a beautiful book that has a cover as spectacular as the story. In this book, more than the previous, the reader gets a real feel of a fairy tale story.

The spiritual elements of forgiveness, self control, and selfishness are addressed in this novel. Maribel wishes to be a nun, and rosary beads are mentioned in the story- these staying true to the medieval times. The story itself holds more of a fairytale feel than the previous book, at least it did for me, and the reader gets a beautiful happily ever after. This book is a great addition to the story as a whole, and the series in no way loses its momentum. ( Which is saying something considering how well done the first book was written! ) I’m so looking forward to the conclusion of this series, though I know I’ll be disappointed when it’s over. However, a wonderful thing about books, they can be enjoyed over and over again.

Jody Hedlund has produced such a treat in these novels, and her writing skills come through magnificently. This had been a fantastically fun and adventurous series!

The Killing Tide

by Dani Pettrey

First of all I would like to thank Just Read Publicity Tours for their giveaway of The Killing Tide!!! I wanted this book so badly. Two reasons, I SO enjoy Dani Pettrey’s books…and secondly, my daddy was a Coastie. Growing up I always wanted to get stuff with their logo on it for my daddy. Do you know how hard that can be?? It’s like a forgotten entity…especially in Oklahoma, a landlocked state. However, my daddy was transferred there by the Coast Guard. Now that I live in DownEast Maine I hear A LOT more about the Coast Guard. That makes this series special to me. I entered several contests because my book budget was absent when this gem was released. Then life and health happens…and so Saturday I started reading this terrific novel…and Saturday, I finished. ( My Hubby says me buying books is a waste, but I do enjoy while reading them, and I sometimes re-read. Plus I collect them!😊 Books are never EVER a waste! ) Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and I’m thrilled and thankful I got to do so!

The characters are fantastic…and in an interesting twist some things about the characters you learn backwards ( just read the book, you’ll get what I mean). The suspense in this novel never ends. You jump in right from the first chapter…and just swim right through the book. Then BOOM, you are done! It’s a rush you don’t want to miss. Lots of action, just the right amount of romance.

My favorite thing about this book is how the author flows the prayers of the believers effortlessly through the novel. Just like I pray when faced with difficult things in my day. It made the characters more real and relatable to me. The faith theme is really good and just woven so well in the plot. The main female character really needed her head examined for some of her choices, but sometimes if your brothers underestimate you, you might just decide to try to prove them wrong! Not that I’d know anything about that at all. 😏

It’s a great book so run to the library, store, or the closest computer and get your eyes on this book!

I’m posting a more personal photo below. My daddy wrote a textbook called “Rules of the Road.” They put out quite a few editions because the rules change. If you click on the image it will take you to a page about the book. I use to have the textbook, but in one of our moves it didn’t make it I guess. Included is a pic of my daddy in uniform that was taken a few years ago.

Once again, big thanks to Dani Pettrey for writing a series about the Coast Guard and to Just Read Publicity Tours for the giveaway!

CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE AND READ ABOUT THE BOOK MY DADDY WROTE.

First Love Forever-Romance Collection

by Susanne Dietze, Cynthia Hickey, Marcia Gruver, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Martha Rogers, Lorna Seilstad, Connie Stevens, Jennifer Uhlarik

Lots of wedding bells ringing in this beautiful collection by Barbour House.

This book has such sweet stories in it! For anyone who likes historicals and short stories you will definitely not be disappointed. They are sweet and touching. Each other tries to write a complete story in short format which is not an easy task.

His Anchor by Carrie Fancett Pagels is especially compelling. It’s wonderful characters, touching storyline, and an incredibly done novella. I was hooked to the last page…and was so disappointed when it ended. The one sad thing about a story. It has a terrific happily ever after.

If you are looking for some historical romance stories don’t pass up this collection. It’s incredibly written and the cover is gorgeous,too.

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

Once Upon a Dicken’s Christmas

by Michelle Griep

REVIEW OF FIRST NOVELLA- 12 DAYS OF BLEAKLY MANOR

This is a short quick novella. I rarely thoroughly enjoy novellas as I did this one! There is so much mystery, suspense , intrigue, and romance packed into the pages of this enjoyable read. I’ve had it for a while, but I wanted to wait until closer to Christmas to read and review.

If you like novellas and shorter stories,I highly recommend this read. Great and interesting characters, much is hidden to be revealed at just the right time, and romance blossoms as well. Truly, this book is so well done considering the size…less than 200 pages. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable mystery read so go get it!!

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

REVIEW OF SECOND NOVELLA- A TALE OF TWO HEARTS

Another fantastic Christmas Novella from this author. I will readily admit that I’m not a fan of novellas, but I so enjoyed the first in this series, and I was eager to read the second.

Wonderful characters, great story, lovely faith theme, and much Dickens as well. To top it all off, of course a happier ever after….maybe for more than one thinks.

Terrific story.

I won one book and received one from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

MY REVIEW OF THE THIRD BOOK-THE OLD LACE SHOP

A wonderful Christmas novella by Michelle Griep! She creates fascinating stories even in novellas. That’s no small feat since I’m not a big fan of them. Such a sweet story…and I always love children in books! A sweet read that’s enjoyable,fun, and some wonderful Christian morals enter twined in the story. The little girl touched my heart.

This collection is a wonderful touch of Christmas for any reader. I thoroughly enjoyed each unique story…so go get it to enjoy a wonderful feeling of the Christmas spirit.

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

The King’s Mercy

by Lori Benton

Lori Benton is a must buy author for me! She has such beautiful prose that sets the stage for her books. I savor every word in her books. I hate to admit this, but I’m sure you avid readers have sorta skimmed pages?? Am I the only horrible person that tends to do this in the slow parts of books?? Any guilty? Well , I am. However, finding a book written by Lori Benton is a treasure to savor…no skimming.

Her characters jump off the page and as I lose myself in the book, it becomes a movie. I fall in love with some characters, I cheer on for the right guy to win the fights, I cringe at the rudeness of others…I’m there, “a fly on the wall” watching it all. That is a Lori Benton book.

I think this book has the strongest faith and Christian theme than any other of her books. Now, I can’t promise that because my memory is faulty, but to me…it feels like the struggle Alex has with his Creator and Christ presents a terrific and strong Christian theme that makes it stronger in its spiritual message than in her other novels. It’s terrific…it even follows the story of a character in the Bible. Nope, no spoilers here…so just go get it and read it to find out.

Of course this book has its villains,too. Although it isn’t clear always who they are. One is a cruel man who takes advantage of younger women and children. This part of the storyline is difficult, but it is definitely a problem they encountered much during this time period…and sadly something our world still deals with because we live in a cursed world. The author handles this subject with great care, but I did want to mention it as some can’t handle stories like that. In the end there is joy and peace for those who seek the Lord…and justice for the villains.

It’s a wonderfully told story of love and redemption. The storyline is so different because it isn’t all a happily ever after exactly…but peace definitely reigns at the end…for the characters and the reader. Please don’t miss this beauty of a novel.