Tag: Christian

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

Michelle Griep


With a bit of the feel of a classic book based on the streets of London, a Robin Hood type woman who is definitely a force all her own joins forces with a policeman who seems to be her opposite. The banter in the story makes it fun. There is a host of interesting characters that gives you all the feeling of a big city and it’s underground, behind the scenes, in the darkness intrigue.

Michelle Griep weaves an interesting tale that takes you on a journey of the streets of London to meet fascinating characters and join a mystery plot with interesting twists and turns.

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

Flight Risk

By Cara Putman

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. This author has proven herself tremendously in this genre. The idea of the book is all about getting at the truth. That is definitely ripped from the headlines these days. It’s so hard to find truth amongst the lies. The plot was a fascinating one…one that kept the reader guessing as to where exactly the truth was.

I liked the characters as well. Savannah has a complicated life, but she tries to be there for her niece despite her incredibly busy schedule. She was easy to like, had far more patience than I would with many things, and was a mostly believable character.

Jett was like able, but a bit too stiff. I think by the end of the novel the reader knows him.The only real characteristic that sticks out is that he wants to print the truth and only the truth. That’s a terrific goal, but not everything is always as it seems. His character fell a bit flat for me as a hero, but I am positive many readers will not feel that way.

It does have a faith theme in the book…and of course, the entire book is about truth.

This book moves at a good pace, and I enjoyed it. I’m not much into the sex trafficking subject as it’s a difficult one.However, it is definitely current, and one that is a real problem. The book held my attention, and I eagerly await this authors next read.

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.

Chasing the White Lion

By James R. Hannibal

MY THOUGHTS

I thoroughly enjoyed this read! I’m not big on Star Wars or Star Trek, but this author keeps it real enough to make it plausible and entertaining. All characters and places exist…it is not a dystopian or other world book, I’m not a fan of those.

I really like the suspense in the book. It’s a bit different than some as the guilt party at the end isn’t a huge surprise. The reader, however, is kept guessing throughout the book about so many subplots and the plot itself.

I really think my favorite part of this book, despite the fact that I love suspense reads, is the group of characters. The reader really gets to know this group of weird to exotic people. I got the advice to read the first book in the series before starting this one. I agree. The reader will miss much if he doesn’t read The Gryphon Heist first. The relationships between the characters is so well done. The backstory of Talia is great as well.

This book isn’t just a “clean read “ either…the faith theme in this book moves this author to the top group of the suspense authors I read. I’ve read some, loved the suspense, but felt let down when no faith theme is present. The faith theme in this book is natural, and incredibly well done.

I really am thrilled to have found a suspense author that has a different style, terrific plots, fun and endearing characters, and a real and wonderful faith theme. This is an author I’m definitely going to follow, and this book is going on my forever shelves.

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

Out of the Embers

By Amanda Cabot

MY THOUGHTS

This was an enjoyable prairie type story with suspense on the side. I really fell in love with the characters, especially Polly. Evelyn is a wonderful heroine with flaws, but with a heart full of love. The story has a wonderful plot with a surprise near the end. The suspense really adds to the appeal of the sweet story.

It’s a wonderful plot line, though pretty predictable, the story is hard to put down. I enjoyed getting to know the main male character,Wyatt as well as a host of terrific secondary characters in the town.

This was another one with a nice faith theme woven through the story…a story of hope and forgiveness. The main characters had rough childhoods, but the circumstances were used to create strong and stubborn personalities. Ones that knew how to survive. People that knew their life stories were written by God.

I look forward to getting to know Mesquite Springs and it’s citizens better as the series progresses.

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

The Brightest of Dreams

By Susan Anne Mason

MY THOUGHTS


This was a terrific read by Susan Anne Mason centered on the little known history of children being brought from England to Canada to work. It showed the good and bad side of the program which I liked. Surely many who came must have profited from the program, but for some they were treated worse than hired hands. 

I also liked the contrasting of society here. It shows the difficulty faced by some as to how to behave now that society was so much different. One could work their way up, own land, and the rules of society were different in the New World.

The characters were incredibly well done. Quinten was such a gentleman and seemed like a very realistic main character. Julia grew throughout the story, and the reader feels empathy for her as she tries to make her way in her new environment.

I really enjoyed this series, and I will miss the characters. Once again, this was another read that had a good, strong faith thread that I really appreciated. It was incredibly well done by the author.

I’m looking forward to the next release from this author. She has a voice all her own in her books, and I enjoy them. 

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

The Runaway Bride

By Jody Hedlund

MY THOUGHTS

What another terrific read by Jody Hedlund. I knew nothing about the bride ships until her first book. I had to wonder what would make a woman do something that seemed so drastic…England to Canada. Not only do they plan on marrying someone they don’t know yet, but they are in a totally new country across many miles of seas.
Ms. Hedlund does a great job of answering those questions by using probable situations. I really enjoyed the main characters in this book…their faults and all. The struggling of class really wasn’t important in Canada…but that was how these women were reared.

Love the quotes from the pastor that enter Peter’s mind as he lives his life after Christ changed his heart which changed his actions. The faith theme in this book is a good one. The theme of loving all of God’s children is terrific as well. I want to point out this is an adult read, at least in my opinion. If you think you have someone young in mind for it, I do recommend reading it yourself first. It’s a terrific story, but not all stories were meant for all ages. The carefulness that Peter shows in the relationship is terrific, and that is what true love is!

The continuing story of Mercy from the first book was a special treat. I enjoyed hearing about the other characters as well.

The story has terrific and realistic characters, a wonderful plot, and a natural and well woven hope and faith thread. I really enjoy historical fiction as I learn much that I never learned from a history book. I even read an article by a Canadian that mentioned she had no idea of several facts in Canadian history that happened right in her own backyard until she read historical fiction.

I am so eagerly anticipating the rest of this series! It’s history come to life.

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

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.

Veiled in Smoke

Jocelyn Green

BOOK BLURB

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire–he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.

MY THOUGHTS

A beautifully written tale of a disastrous and difficult time in history. The characters are so real and as the book progresses, the hearts are unveiled as we come to know these characters and watch them grow and learn.

The setting is well done, the plot fascinating and compelling. A story I stayed up late into the night to read and savor.

There was something intangible in this book that just made it almost impossible to put down. Perhaps, like Stephen, I as a reader suspected something. I wasn’t even sure what it would be, yet I knew eventually the smoke would clear to reveal the truth of the narrative.

The history in this novel is fascinating. It was a instant grasp and such a wonderful part of the story to start out with a man from the Civil War. If ever a horrendous and unimaginable story exists, it’s that of Andersonville. I felt like it was pure genius by the author to weave that tale within this story.

It’s a book to inspire to persevere with God…and one I could pick up now and read it again as it’s so compelling. I’d still felt completely riveted to the story long after I had closed the book.

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

The Piper’s Pursuit

Melanie Dickerson

Book Synopsis

A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.

MY REVIEW

Once again, this author puts forth a fascinating YA novel. Though the plot is strong, I really felt that this book was character driven. Seeing Steffan change and grow is a pleasure in this book. He takes a very common route of rebellion against his parents which didn’t turn out too well, but his story is a fascinating one. The reader really comes to like him in this story, and the growth of his character and willingness to admit his faults adds a lot to the story.

Katrina is no damsel in distress, but she can’t conquer the evil alone. Her story adds much to the novel, and the reader definitely cheers for her as she strives to help her people.

Melanie Dickerson writes some fabulous young adult novels that are intriguing and fascinating. They may be just the books to get the younger readers in your home to begin a wonderful journey in the pages of a novel.

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