Tag: Fiction

Crosshairs

Patricia Bradley

MY REVIEW

Really enjoyed this novel. It was one of those that I had a hard time putting down. The characters were well done. In this series, the females were the main characters. There was good secondary characters in this one as well. The fact that the characters knew each other previously was something I really liked. It gave their relationship more depth than what usually occurs in a book.

The plot is interesting…and has several side trails throughout the storyline. The mystery holds some surprises even for the best reader sleuths. It also gives the viewpoint of one off the bad guys which makes the story intriguing.

There is a faith theme in the book, but not an overt one. That’s what I prefer in a book, but this was an incredibly fast paced book so the author did a good job with the faith theme as the book flies.

I somehow missed the middle book in this series, but each book stands well on its own. I hope to get the middle book as well.

Nicely paced, fast moving thrill ride with a back drop of faith and wonderful characters.

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

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The Heart of a Cowboy

Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in this series, Colorado Cowboys. It states it is Historical Fiction, but it really is far more a romance story

I liked the main characters in the story. I didn’t particularly care for their love story. There was a lot of physical attraction mentioned, and they kiss several times then decide to make nothing of it. I found that a bit strange for this historical time. Nowadays, that’s certainly a far more commonplace idea and happening. In the past, though, a kiss really meant something.

It was interesting to read how far they drove the cattle, the dangers along the way, what they did when water was scarce, and how they overcame other obstacles as they made their way on the Santa Fe Trail.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics in the story. They are interesting, really, for both the female and male heroine. There is more complexity in the hero’s story and family. I enjoyed getting to know Wyatt’s ( hero from the previous book) family in this book.

More history and deeper character development than romance is my “cup of tea”, but this book is a favorite among fans. For Jody Hedlund fans, her writing is vivid and detailed as always…and a bit of mystery to the story as well. So if you are interested in taking a historical trip on the Santa Fe trail, grab a copy.

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

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A View Most Glorious

Regina Scott

MY REVIEW

This was a fun, quick read. I really liked the main characters, and there are some wonderful secondary characters as well. They really come to life in the book. 

Lately I have really enjoyed the books that allow me to travel. The author does a great job with the setting and the history in the book.

The faith theme is a good one as well. It is quite strong in this book, and it is natural to the storyline. The book is a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the journey and seeing how things turned out for the characters.

An armchair travel book with wonderful, vivid characters; interesting and intriguing storyline, and an intrinsic faith theme is all wrapped up in a very enjoyable novel.

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

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A Deep Divide

Kimberley Woodhouse

MY REVIEW

I hadn’t heard anything about Harvey Girls until reading this book. The history of the restaurant chain was fascinating. I also enjoyed the historical characters added into the story. The author really did a great job of making the reader want to visit the restaurant and the Grand Canyon.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. The characters, plot, and storyline were very well done. The suspense keeps the reader turning the pages. The faith theme is a good one, and this read gets a higher rating because of it. The theme of over coming ones fears, and the scripture verses that are in the book do such a marvelous job of showing why we need not fear. The faith theme is an intricate part of the story, and it is so well done.

So take a trip to the Grand Canyon, learn some great history, and read about God’s Grace and love in this beautifully written story.

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

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Carved in Stone

Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

Carved in Stone by Camden is in an interesting time in history. I have watched documentaries on the Rockefeller and Carnegie dynasties so I’m familiar with steel and this time period. I enjoyed the history, plot. And characters. It was predictable but interesting enough to keep me in the book.

I felt more connected to the main female character, but I found myself wishing to know a bit more about her younger years. I liked the main male character, but I didn’t really like all of the rosary mentions that came up in regards to his character. I realize that some of it made it historical as Irish immigrants were Catholic, but it seemed odd in a Christian fiction book.

The history and its background was what really held my attention throughout this book. It was very well done.

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

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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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Hostile Intent

by Lynette Eason

MY REVIEW

WOW! This book I didn’t put down, and I finished it in a day. The suspense is well done. It builds and crescendos at just the right times. The romance was well done also as it isn’t a rush to love as many suspense stories are. This has a reunion of high schoolers in the mix.

The storyline is intriguing, the cast of characters engaging, and a revengeful bad guy that has an unreal plan he hopes to execute. 

I did figure a few things out before they were revealed, but that didn’t make the story any less spell binding. Putting this book down just for a few hours was difficult. The reader is drawn in from the beginning. Russia and its history have always been fascinating to me so I’m sure that played a part.

The group of characters are terrific. There isn’t as much fleshing out of characters on a fast paced read, but the author does a great job of doing it well so that the reader feels connected to the main characters. Having a small cast of characters plays well, in my opinion, in these types of reads. I was glad that I didn’t have to keep up with too many. I read the first in this series, but I need to get the second and third. This book stands on its own,though.

A terrific suspense read that I simply had to lose sleep to find out the answers. Don’t miss it.

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

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To Write a Wrong

By Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

This was a slow starter for me, but that could have just been me. I was reading to get my mind of a ferocious headache which Daphne, the main character here probably would have said was a ridiculous idea. However, no one makes me laugh more than Jen Turano when it comes to books. I did eventually get into it, and I enjoyed her story.She has been my favorite character in this group. 

Her outlandish wardrobe and growing vocabulary were marvelous and so enjoyably funny. Her hero was wonderful and perfect for her. I can’t say he was one of my favorite people, but he definitely did well in handling Daphne.

All in all, it was another fun story from Jen Turano. You can count on out loud laughter when reading her novels. They are so fun.

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

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The Nature of a Lady

By Roseanna M. White

MY REVIEW

This was a terrific mystery story with an engaging plot and lovable and despicable characters. It had all the right elements to make an enjoyable story.

I loved the mystery part of the story, and it was a pleasant surprise as this author is not known for mystery necessarily. It was very well done. I love the history in the book, and the setting is beautiful and so interesting with all the islands.

With such a wonderful plot and storyline, such creative characters, and a well done inspirational thread, the reader is kept engaged in the story and quickly turning the pages.
My favorite part is the spiritual mystery that unfolded in Libby. That story is beautifully and masterfully told.

I,too, was fascinated by the author notes. There she tells such an interesting story of how this story came to be. Do not miss reading those! I was so surprised at how the first part of this story was birthed.

Another wonderful novel from this author that will be on my forever shelves.

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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