Fiction – Page 5

Tag: Fiction

A Cowboy for Keeps

By Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

I’m not a huge western fan, but I am a Jody Hedlund fan so I wasn’t about to miss out on her latest novel. I could relate to this in some interesting ways. I’m not a sick 11 year old as Astrid is, but I am a disabled and mostly homebound wife and mother. The thoughts of being a burden are frequent. Also, trust me, people do tire of a constant cough. My reactive airway disease causes an awful cough that annoys even myself. The feeling of being a burden and making life more difficult for those I love is definitely not a rare one for me.

The plot and storyline are simple and an easy read for me. It’s message and faith theme were good. It had a bit more romance than I tend to like in my historical fiction books. I love learning history, and I didn’t feel that happened in this book. I am not sure why, but I didn’t feel as if I traveled to Colorado. I’m not a big fan of constant physical attraction being a large part of a story which it was in this one. It’s just my personal preference, but a deeper storyline and historical details are things I find appealing in a book.

I did like the characters. I hope we learn more about Judd as the story continues. He was such a special part of this story with wonderful wisdom and wit. I just fell in love with Astrid! She is so trusting and fun…yet ornery and feisty. I love kids in books! Another aspect I liked was that Greta was very capable on a ranch. Many stories have a wimp of a woman who has a hard time adjusting…not true with this character.

Good characters, faith theme, and an interesting story has me waiting for the next book in the series.

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

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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.

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Storing Up Trouble

By Jen Turano

Another fun and wonderful book from Jen Turano! The characters are so incredibly fun, funny, and have faults like all of us.

The storyline is funny, but there is also the suspense side that really keeps the reader engaged. The plot and storyline are well done. The reader will laugh out loud at the tremendous fun in the book, be totally swept away with the fun of the story, and eagerly follow the suspense side to find out what is going on that the reader can’t see!

The faith theme in this book is slight, but the story itself is all about becoming a better person…and growing up, so to speak.
Once again, Jen Turano has produced a tremendously fun read which is definitely needed during this time. She really does write a genre all her own.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Forever Hidden

by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse

BOOK BLURB

For Havyn Powell, growing up on her grandfather Chuck Bondrant’s dairy outside the 1904 gold-rush boomtown of Nome, Alaska, offered all she needed. She had the love of her mother, two sisters, and grandfather. But now, at 23, Havyn realizes the stability of her life may soon vanish. Havyn is determined to find a way to keep the family together, but her grandfather’s health is declining and everyone seems to be holding secrets from each other, including the handsome, dark-haired stranger who recently arrived.

John Roselli arrives in Nome looking for a steady, consistent job. He has grown tired of the promises of getting rich quick and just wants an honest job with honest pay. His grandfather once knew a Chuck Bondrant, and so when John arrives at the dairy, he’s quickly offered a job–and a path to more if he wants it.

Havyn’s plan for helping out the family means using her beautiful singing voice and her sisters’ musical talent at a local roadhouse. They’re an immediate hit, and it looks like her plan will be a success. But the spotlight brings with it dangerous eyes that covet Havyn and are jealous as she and John grow ever closer. But will they realize the peril before it’s too late?

MY THOUGHTS

Forever Hidden is a sweet yet heart wrenching story of three girls who are sisters. Three incredibly talented and opinionated girls. The characters are definitely what draw the reader in to the pages. They are incredibly well developed, and they each have their own wonderful personalities with flaws to which readers can relate.

The setting of a dairy farm is well done. We have goats that we milk and use that milk to make cheese so I really enjoyed that part of the story. We use to have seventy chickens or so, but honestly I can’t say I was overly fond of them. We hope to get some in the spring, and their mention throughout the story makes me eager to get maybe six. I have never been able to raise chickens for eating either.

Just as in life, there are surprises, tests of faith, forgiveness, and hope. The faith theme is strong in this book, and I greatly appreciated the Godly truths woven in the story. This book gave me the feel of a prairie romance with a bit more realism and Alaska( which obviously isn’t a prairie!) .

I’m eagerly awaiting the next read in this series.

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

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End Game

by Rachel Dylan

MY THOUGHTS

This book is quite a ride so hang on to your seat!

It’s got a great plot that keeps the reader engaged to the last page. There are a lot of characters in this book, but the author did a great job of giving just enough suspense to be engaged…but not so much that you end up totally lost at the end. Yes, that has happened before. The never ending twists and turns are fascinating, and they also make sense. The plot seems a plausible one.

The characters are relatable and well developed. They don’t get lost in the suspense and drama of the read. I really loved that about this book. The romance was there, but well done not overdone.

I really enjoyed this book by Rachel Dylan. She has become an author I want to follow and must read. If you love mystery and suspense grab a copy of End Game…grab the book and take the ride!

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

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