Tag: Christian

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.

Evermore

by Jody Hedlund

Terrific YA fairytale read by Jody Hedlund. Though I’m no YA, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wonderful characters, terrific story, suspense, and a fantastic backdrop with knights, kings, and queens the reader is drawn into an exciting tale of a Princess who needs to regain her kingdom and become queen.

Some surprising twists and turns make this an even better read. I love the important morals and choices that are made, and the message that is given to young readers through this story. 

I definitely am looking forward to the rest of the series, and I do recommend the novella that sets up the story. I rarely say they are necessary, but to get a complete picture I highly recommend reading the novella “Always” before reading this one.

I bought the paperbacks, and they are gorgeous! Go get your ebook or paperback and be enchanted into another time and place!

The book Evermore and the novella that begins the series Always.

Diamond in the Rough

by Jen Turano

Another just plain fun book from this author. I could sympathize with the main character. I’m a klutz…have been all my life. She gets involved in so many “catastrophes” that her grandmother is seeking help. Poppy is such a great main character, and I love the things that come into play from previous books…especially the mention of someone getting stuck because of an interesting bustle! This author is always sure to get giggles and outright laughter from her books. Reginald is wonderful opposite Poppy. The story, characters, and faith theme all combine for another winner of a read from Ms. Turano. No one in Christian Fiction produces a novel like hers. Go buy any of her reads…and have fun! This is one of her best yet.

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

Finding Lady Enderly

by Joanna Davidson Politano

BOOK BLURB

“Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London’s east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within–and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden. “

MY REVIEW

It’s another terrific read from Ms. Politano! Her books are terrific stories with vivid settings and wonderful characters. However, they are much more than that! The story the reader reads is a shadow of sorts of the true meaning of the words on paper. A type of allegory to get your mind thinking…what if this is me? Is this what I portray? 

I love how this author can write the most fascinating tales with double meanings. This is another book by this author not to be missed. Don’t miss the deeper meaning either

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

The Express Bride

by Kimberley Woodhouse

“…at twenty eight, he had nothing to show for himself except wealth. That thought in light of eternity didn’t make him feel like he’d accomplished much of anything.”

This is another terrific novel in the Mayflower Bride series! The characters are so well done and set in a fascinating historical setting. It had mystery, suspense, and a terrific faith theme. All the elements combine to make a book that I just wish had been longer.

I don’t want to say it’s my favorite in the series, but if it isn’t-it’s close! The authors notes on The Pony Express are interesting and not widely known so don’t miss those. Definitely do not miss this next book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series! 

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
“Why God had chosen to spare him when he’d been such an atrocious human being was beyond his comprehension. But he was grateful.”

“ Thank you, God. For forgiveness. For grace. For a wonderful mom and dad.”

Where Dandelions Bloom

by Tara Johnson

“But whether I live or die is Gods decision. Not Yours.”

Where Dandelions Bloom brings the Civil War to life through several interesting characters. The reader gets to see the war through the eyes of a woman who chose to face war instead of the awful man she was goi g to be forced to marry, through the eyes of a photographer who wants to tell the story through pictures, and following a young lad who signs up as well.

The picture of war isn’t pretty, and it’s effect can be damaging. It is always life changing. The authors characters are based in history. Quite a few women did sign up and fight in the Civil War, and she uses her research to bring a realistic plot to readers. 

Really liked the faith theme in this story. Various verses come to mind for Cassie as she strives to get through the difficulties that she faces. They give her perspective and strength. They even give her strength to do something she thought impossible.

The characters are well done, the story well told, and a faith theme that flows smoothly through the story and gives the characters an anchor. War isn’t pretty, and this book did a tremendous job of bringing out some of the real horrors that were faced….and the waste of lives that occurred. If you like historical fiction or love Civil War era reads, this is definitely for you. Ultimately, it’s a story of forgiveness and triumph through Christ and the love and forgiveness he offers.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you…
A hot tear escaped her lashes, tracing a warm path down her cheek. Yes, her father had abused her over and over again. He’d sliced her apart with his words, his fists…Forgiving him didn’t excuse him. But it would free her.” 

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

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.