Tag: Fiction

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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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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All Through the Night

By Tara Johnson

MY REVIEW

This was such a fantastic story! I completely fell in love with Cadence! The story is so well done, the characters are wonderful. They main ones are so easy to like, and I really connected with the cast here. The scenes can be felt, and I love the historical research that was put into the book.

The storyline and plot are thoroughly engaging. Some books written during the Civil War are so incredibly difficult. I felt this one was incredibly well done. The faith and hope message is so strong in this book, and it is intricately woven well into the story.

I read this book at the end of 2020, and it is definitely one of the best of the year. Putting into words the story and message of this book isn’t possible. I highly recommend reading it for yourself.

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

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