The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman – A Sweet Romance (5 Stars)

 Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

 

This was a very endearing romance.  But all romances don’t start off to a good start, and neither does this one.  Brooke Holloway, mother of two, has yet to get over the tragic death of her beloved husband even though it’s been two years.  Then Owen Sanders moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion in the town his ex-wife said she would love to live.  So he buys it himself to have what she gave away when she left him.  Fortunately for him, Brooke owns the local hardware store, and the romance begins.

There are many twists and turns in this romance and it will keep you reading long into the night because you just don’t want to put it down.  It’s bitter-sweet, precious, romantic, heart-breaking, and wonderful to see these two lives as they let go of their old fears and doubts and trust God for forgiveness and a future

I won this book through a sweepstakes on Goodreads and was not asked to do a review but I wanted to because I enjoyed the books so much!  And now the patrons in our Media Center will be able to check it out and enjoy it also.

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck (5 Stars)

Once Upon A Prince (The Royal Wedding Series #1) by Rachel Hauck (Zondervan) is a wonderful modern-day fairy tale!

Rachel Hauck is a very good writer and I think she has exceeded her best with this book. Don’t you just love the cover?  You know you are reading an exceptional book when you are totally drawn into the characters and they become “real people” and you feel “just like you are there with them”.  Am I crazy, no, I just love reading a great novel.  I loved this book even more because I live in Georgia and have visited St. Simons and visited Christ Church, so I could picture all the scenes just like I was there.

The book is about Susanna Truitt, who lives in St. Simons, GA and Nate Kenneth who is visiting the island for a vacation.  He rescues her when she has a flat tire and then hangs out with her and her family and even joins in and works at their restaurant, The Rib Shack, doing the worst of the worst odd jobs.  But he’s loving it and falling in love with Susanna.  Finally the truth comes out that Nate Kenneth is really Prince Nathaniel of Brighton Kingdom and their laws forbid him from marrying a foreigner.

He is called back home suddenly and then the trouble starts.  He loves Susanna, yet is being pressured to marry someone else with royal ties.  He doesn’t love her and in fact he doesn’t even like her.  The pressure is on and all he can think about is Susanna.  Back in St. Simon’s, Susanna’s life continues to spiral down and she keeps asking God what’s going on and surrendering to His will.

I won’t say anymore, but I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, no, great romance.  And it’s Book 1…that means there will be another book.  I can’t wait!!!!

I received this digital book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 ,“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This book is going on my July 2013 book order for the Media Center.  I know our patrons will LOVE this book.  Watch the book trailer:

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer

No Tales, No Lies, Just Mercy and Loyalty (5 Stars)

Randy Singer has done it again with his latest novel, Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales (Tyndale House Publishers)

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales…just the title draws you in wanting to know what tales these lawyers know that gets them killed.  Just think of all the “tales” lawyers have and can’t “tell” because of client confidentiality.  This book demonstrates a kind of loyalty to your clients, your friends, your partners, your family that most of us don’t usually equate with being a lawyer.

The book starts out 15 years earlier in Damascus in a prison interrogation room.  Sean Phoenix had to endure the agonizing sounds of the Syrians torturing his love, Fatinah.  He never broke, at least he never gave up secrets, but his soul broke and his heart was full of revenge to the American’s who let it happen.

Present day, we meet Landon Reed.  An ex-football jock who just spent two years in prison for a point shaving scandal while he was playing college football.  He’s released and his girlfriend and his little girl (who was born while he was in prison) meet him and they immediately go and get married.  Prison changed Landon in more ways than one.  He was redeemed by Jesus Christ and now has his heart set on being a lawyer to help people who need it most.

Landon passes the bar and is shown mercy by Harry McNaughten, who voted in his favor in the Character and Fitness Committee and McNaughten even offers Landon a job in his firm, McNaughten and Clay.

Now the ground work is laid and the real story begins.  A story of insider trading, sleazy lawyers, off-shore accounts, and the lawyers in the firm are being killed.  Why?  And what does Sean Phoenix have to do with any of this?  Landon remains in the firm and is determined to keep this case representing Elias King going and to find out the truth behind all the scandal and murders.  Only, will it get him killed?  What about the danger to his family?  Landon brings in an old football friend, Billy Thurston, a 300 pound NFL lineman to help protect his family.

I won’t tell anymore, just like dead lawyers tell no tales, this blogger will not reveal anymore of the book.  You’ll just have to read it for yourself.  It’s a great book, one full of twists and turns and you don’t know until the end who’s behind the murders and why.  I love these kinds of books, ones that keep you guessing until the end.  Ones that are hard to put down.

If you have never read a Randy Singer book before, this is a good one to start with.  And if you are already a fan, then you’ll want to make sure you read this book.

Here are some links you’ll want to visit:

http://www.randysinger.net – Randy’s website

http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-8675-1.pdf – Read an excerpt of the first chapter.

http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/downloads/press_kits/RandySinger.mp4 – This is a video interview with Randy Singer that you don’t want to miss.

http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/downloads/press_kits/DeadLawyersAuthorQA.pdf  – A written interview with Randy as he answers ten questions.  It’s very good, don’t miss it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest opinion and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

We now have this book in our Media Center ready for checkout, so come on in and check it out!  You’ll love it!

A Prayer For The Devil by Dale Allan

Suspenseful Political Intrigue (4 Stars)

A Prayer For The Devil by Dale Allan (Emerald Book Company)

Luke Miller is a Catholic priest raised in the Jewish faith from a Jewish father, a Catholic mother, and his twin brother on the campaign trail with Brad Thompson who is running for president on a conservative platform.  Things look a little complicated, don’t they?  You don’t know anything yet!  The first chapter, actually the prologue, set the stage for the coming political intrigue that will keep you up reading.

I did like the main character, Father Luke Miller.  He’s caught in a difficult position and he’s determined to find out who is responsible for the actions that happen in the prologue (I’m not giving anything away!).  His concern for the homeless and his trust in certain people is awesome, but what would you expect from a priest.  I’m not Catholic so I don’ have any experience to pull from, but I really liked Father Luke.

There’s lots of action and it was hard to put down.  There were a very few cuss words scattered throughout the book, nothing bad, but I just wanted to mention it in case someone was really opposed to a few bad words, but like I said, it was mild considering what most secular books have today.   For this reason I will not be purchasing the book for our church Media Center, but if it doesn’t bother you, it’s your decision.  Like I said it was very little and mild.

I read the book in two days, it was hard to put down and I’m wondering if there will be a sequel.  I would love to follow Father Luke and his family and see what may happen a few years down the road.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from The Book Club Network for my honest opinion and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

“Jennifer” a Sweet and Precious Novella by Dee Henderson (5 Stars)

Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson (Bethany House)

The O’Malley family consists of seven young women and men who meet in an orphanage and make their own family, eventually adopting each other as siblings and taking on the name O’Malley.  This is a very unique series (a prequel and six other books), each book focuses on one family member.  The books are full of suspense, mystery, and romance.  And Jennifer is the one family member that doesn’t have a book “all to herself”.  She’s basically the backbone of the family in the way that she was the first to have a relationship with Jesus and she’s the love of the family.

Finally, Dee has written a beautiful novella about Jennifer and how she met and fell in love with Tom and how she came to know Jesus personally.  At first I thought the book was too short and I wanted more, but thinking about it, her story does continue throughout the series, so this book is kind of like the first few chapters in the series.  I’ll be content with this beautiful novella telling the beginning story of Jennifer.

It’s been several years since I read the O’Malley series and now I want to read them again, they are that good.  So this book does deserve a 5 star rating because it makes you want more and I’m so glad that the books are available to read and we don’t have to wait!

If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it.  The books are full of suspense, mystery, love, romance, devotion and falling in love with Jesus.   We have the entire series in our Media Center and now I’ll add this book to the collection.  Priceless!  You’ll love every word of every book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group & Bethany House for my honest opinion and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Reading, Reviewing and Encouraging Authors

wfbcmediacenter.wordpress.com

Hey, has anyone been reading some of the great books we’ve posted on our blog in the past few months?  I know some of you have and you would not believe how much the authors would love to hear your thoughts on their hard work.  So, write a review, it doesn’t have to be long, just tell them how much you liked it and how it may have touched your heart, or just made you smile/laugh, or kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to solve the mystery.

You can log into your e-reader account and find the book and publish a review.  It’s pretty easy and the authors really do read these and they appreciate it.  So go ahead and jot down your thoughts or just start typing.

Thanks!!

Kingsbury, Strobel, Bunn-Free E-Books and Discounted Ones Too!

If you are a Karen Kingsbury fan, she has two complete series available for $1.99 for each book.  There’s also some other great books for free, so check them out!  Just make sure of the price before downloading them.

• FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel (she’s Lee Strobel’s daughter)
• FREE on Kindle and Nook:  Florian’s Gate (Priceless Collection #1) by T. Davis Bunn
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Leaving (Bailey Flanigan #1) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Learning (Bailey Flanigan #2) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Longing (Bailey Flanigan #3) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Loving (Bailey Flanigan #4) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Take One (Above the Line #1) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Take Two (Above the Line #2) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Take Three (Above the Line #3) by Karen Kingsbury
• $1.99 on Kindle:  Take Four (Above the Line #4) by Karen Kingsbury
• $2.51 on Kindle:  The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck.  I just finished reading this and plan on buying it for the Media Center.  It was a very good romance with an unusual twist…a 100 year old wedding dress that finds it’s way to four different brides over the century and their stories of romance.
• $2.99 on Kindle:  All in Good Time (The Guilded Legacy) by Maureen Lang.  We have this book in the Media Center and it’s VERY good.  Great historical romance.  You can read my review by clicking here!

FREE – Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle

This is fantastic…had to pass it along first thing this morning to make sure you all have a chance to get this while it’s free.  You can check out our guest review of this book here.  Thank you Tyndale House Publishers for this great freebie!

• FREE (May 5-8 only) on Kindle and Nook :  Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn by Melanie Shankle (this is also free on Apple, Christianbook.com, eBooks.com, kobo, koorong)

Rich With Georgia History

Sautee Shadows (The Georgia Gold Series #1) by Denise Weimer (Canterbury House Publishing)

I have read plenty of historical novels before, but none prepared me for such an extensive history lesson.  I was extremely impressed with the author’s knowledge of history concerning Georgia, the gold rush, the plight of the Cherokee Indians, slavery and the various opinions about it from Southerners to Northerners.  She had to have done extensive research in writing this book.  If you are a history buff, then you will really enjoy this book.  The novel jumps all over (New York, NY; Princeton, NJ; Newport, RI; Savannah, GA; Sautee Valley, GA; Habersham County, GA; Chatham County, GA; Montpelier, GA; Clarkesville, GA) from 1835 to 1855.  And follows four families as their lives eventually begin to intertwine with each other.

It did take me a while to get into the book, sorting out the different families and where they were from and going back and forth from families and towns and States.  But once I got the hang of it, I really got interested in the story.

If you live in North Georgia or Savannah you’ll find this novel interesting, because you’ll recognize the locations and historical landmarks.  I’m a Georgia girl and have visited Savannah and North Georgia, but now would love to go back and see if I can find some of the historical places mentioned in the book.

This is Book 1 in a series of 4.  The second book, The Gray Divide, will be coming out in September 2013 and will continue the story of these families as the States prepare for war.

I met the author, Denise Weimer, at a book signing at The Carpenter’s Shop in Athens, Georgia and she was positively delightful.  I enjoyed talking to her about her books.  I could tell she was really excited about Georgia history.  Now I know why…she’s very smart!

Monumental DVD by Kirk Cameron – History Like You’ve Never Heard Before!

This was awesome!  The BEST history lesson I’ve ever heard. I was not taught this in school and I’m “an old person”, so I know that the younger generation are not being taught the truth about the Pilgrims and the reason they came to America and all they suffered through for our freedom today.

Kirk Cameron was excellent in this production and it was beautifully produced with fantastic quality.  You will not get bored watching this documentary because Kirk is a great storyteller and the experts he interviews tell their part of the history lesson with excitement.

Everyone should watch this film.  I wish it could be shown in public schools, because facts are facts, you can’t change history to suit your beliefs.  And hearing the truth about the birth of our nation is awe inspiring.

from Creative Commons and Wikipedia

Kirk did an extensive tour at the National Monument to the Forefathers at Plymouth, Massachusetts.  I’d never heard of this place and the history of this monument is amazing.

We now have this DVD in our Media Center, so I hope that each and every member of our church will come and check this out and watch it alone, with their kids, grandkids, friends…whoever (or should it be whomever 🙂 ) …just watch it.

I searched for a trailer to include in this post about the movie and I came across a rap song by, IV His Son, and I thought I’d spice up your Friday by letting you watch it.  Just sit back pat your feet, sway to the rhythm, or get up and do some moves yourself.  It’s a well-done video.

A Season of Tending (Amish Vines and Orchards #1) by Cindy Woodsmall (5 Stars)

Cindy Woodsmall has done it again and she keeps getting better and better.  This is Book 1 and the second book, The Winnowing Season, is out now and I can’t wait to read it.

Rhoda Byler is not your typical Amish young woman.  She senses things.  She has premonitions and the people in the Amish and Englischer communities are not happy with her.  They begin spreading rumors and causing her lots of trouble.  She has an acre on her family’s land and she has the greenest of green thumbs.  She can make anything grow and grow better and longer than anyone around.  But because of her herb garden and how she uses her herbs to help treat illnesses and the rumors associated with her premonitions, she is practically an outcast.

Then in a nearby Amish community, there’s a family who owns King’s Orchards and they are praying for a good crop this year to help out with the bills that have piled up from previous bad seasons.  As you can guess, Samuel King and his brother Jacob, meet up with Rhoda with a business proposal.

I won’t tell you anymore, because you just have to read this book. Since Book 2 is already out, you might as well buy it at the same time, because you’ll want to immediately pick it up and start reading it as soon as you finish A Season of Tending.

Cindy doesn’t write your “typical” Amish fiction.  Her books are just special and I have loved everyone I’ve read so far.

This book is our Women’s Book Club selection for May and we have it in the Media Center.  I will be ordering the sequel, The Winnowing Season, this month.  I can’t wait to read it!!!!

A Season of Tending by Cindy Woodsmall – Book Club Selection for May 11, 2013 Meeting

We will be discussing  A Season of Tending (The Amish Vines and Orchards Series #1) by Cindy Woodsmall  on May 11, 2013 at 9:30am at the home of Malinda.  It’s not too late to read the book and join us. We have the book in the Media Center so come in Wednesday night or Sunday morning to check it out . It’s a fast read, because it’s so good you just can’t put it down!

Note of interest:  For those of you who have been in our club for many years, you may remember we read The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall for our January 9, 2010 meeting held at  The Carpenter’s Shop with Cindy Woodsmall.  Brian Hill, owner of the Carpenter’s Shop, made all the arrangements  for Cindy to meet with us and it was a fantastic meeting with a fantastic author.

Below is a description of the book and I have also included a book trailer from YouTube about the book that you can watch.

From FamilyFiction.com

Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler’s unusual gift and her remarkable abilities to grow herbs and berries have caused many to think her odd. As rumors mount that Rhoda’s “gift” is a detriment to the community, she chooses isolation, spending her time in her fruit garden and on her thriving canning business.

Miles away in Harvest Mills, Samuel King struggles to keep his family’s apple orchard profitable. As the eldest son, Samuel farms with his brothers, the irrepressible Jacob and brash Eli, while his longtime girlfriend Catherine remains hopeful that Samuel will marry her when he feels financially stable.

Meanwhile, Samuel’s younger sister Leah is testing all the boundaries during her rumschpringe, and finds herself far from home in Rhoda’s garden after a night of partying gone badly. But Leah’s poor choices serve as a bridge between Rhoda and the King family when a tragic mistake in the orchard leaves Samuel searching for solutions. Rhoda’s expertise in canning could be the answer, but she struggles with guilt over the tragic death of her sister and doesn’t trust herself outside her garden walls.

As the lines between business, love, and family begin to blur, can Rhoda finally open up to a new life? And what effect will this odd, amazing woman have on the entire King family?

Unbreakable (Road To Kingdom #2) by Nancy Mehl (5 Stars)

This second book in the Road To Kingdom series is even better than the first! It’s one of Nancy Mehl’s best, and I’ve like everything I’ve read of her’s, but this is probably her best yet!

Set in the Mennonite town of Kingdom, we get to know more about some of the secondary characters in the first novel.  Hope Kauffman is set to marry her childhood sweetheart, Ebbie Miller in just a few months.  So why is she starting to have feelings for Jonathon Wiese?  While she’s trying to sort out these feelings, someone has started targeting churches in surrounding towns and burning them down.  But certainly their secluded town of Kingdom won’t be affected.  But one day while returning from a trip to a nearby town, Hope is run off the road by a maniac in a red pickup truck.  There’s no telling what would have happened if Jonathon hadn’t come along in his truck and faced the maniac down.  This sparks their feelings for one another and also causes a lot of  hurt and drama back in Kingdom. Now Kingdom and it’s citizens are targeted by hate crimes and the suspense deepens as the acts of violence escalate.

This book also brings up the question of how Christians should protect themselves.  The Mennonites beliefs of no violence was being questioned by outsiders and some of the members themselves.  Do you completely trust God for His protection or do you take measures to protect yourself?  If someone was attacking your wife or child would you just stand back and pray or would you do anything you could to protect them yourself.  This question was an on-going theme in the book and really presented both sides very well.  And no one answer is the right one. But more importantly it comes to forgiveness…will you forgive those who harm you?  Will you pray for them?  Will you give them a Christian witness of the love of God?  After a terrible event, Hope had to face this and as the Elders were praying thanking God for His protection, she was wrestling with some hard feelings.  “I started to say amen, but something else popped into my mind.  I had to wrestle with my flesh for a few seconds before I could say it out loud.  “I forgive these men, Lord,” I said finally.  “They need you.  I pray their hearts of stone will become hearts of flesh, tender toward you.  Help them, Lord.  Forgive them.”  Sometimes it was hard to forgive, but holding anger in my soul toward the men would only make the wound they’d caused last longer.  Their hate had caused enough pain.  I wouldn’t allow them to move in and build an altar in my heart.”

I read this book in a day, because I could not put it down.  The action was non-stop and between wondering who Hope would finely decide to marry and wondering who was out to get her and the town, kept me guessing until the very end.  I could hardly wait to find out who she really loved with all her heart and wants to spend the rest of her life with. I wasn’t sure until the second to last page.  Whew!  This was one time I almost read the last page before I finished the book just because the suspense was killing me.

We have the series in the Media Center, so come in and check them out.  If you are not a member of our church I would highly recommend you either buy, download or borrow these books.

I found a YouTube video interview with author, Nancy Mehl, and she was talking about the first book in the series, Inescapable.  I’ve included it below because it gives you some insight into the creation of the series and how Nancy researches her books.  I think you’ll enjoy watching this interview with Nancy Mehl.

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell – (Delicious Historical Christian Romance! 5 Stars)

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell (Bethany House Publishers)

This is the first book I’ve read by Siri Mitchell and it won’t be my last!  She is an excellent writer and I can’t wait to read more of her books.  In this book, set in St. Louis, Missouri in 1910, she wrote each chapter alternating between the two main characters.  Lucy Kendall, her parents owed City Confectionery and Charles Clarke, his father owned Standard Candy Manufacturing.  Rivals in every way.

Lucy had just returned from a year touring Europe only to find her father sick in bed with a bad heart and the company failing and her mother planning on selling.  All her hopes and dreams were wrapped up in Fancy Crunch and the hopes of creating a new and delicious candy to wipe her competitor out of business.  She was shattered.

Warren Clarke, owner of Standard Candy, had a past of his own, along with a family he had deserted long ago. His son, Charlie, was 7 years old when his father abandoned him and his mother and sisters and they lived in poverty.  All the while his father was rich and living the good life.  But Mr. Clarke had a change of heart and sent for Charlie to come and share in his business.

When Lucy and Charlie meet the first two times they had no idea who the other one was, they just knew that sparks were flying.  But when they found out they were rivals, the sparks really flew and they weren’t the romantic kind either!

All the trouble each one got into during the next few months competing with each other in business got totally out of hand.  Serious and funny all mixed together to make the sweetest story of how God can bring rivals to peace with each other and with Himself.

This was a very good book, full of romance, humor and some mystery all mixed together and I could hardly put it down.  I read it in two days and wish I had read slower because when the book ended I was not ready to put it down.

I received this book from Bethany House Bloggers Program for my honest opinion and did not receive any compensation for a favorable review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I have donated this book to our Media Center and we also have several other books by Siri Mitchell, which I will be reading soon!

Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock (4 Stars)

Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock (Bethany House Publishers – release date May 1, 2013)

I was drawn inside this book in the first paragraph “No one has been by this way for years, but as I step up to the porch of the old abandoned lodge I’m certain I hear music.  Music and laughter.  Footsteps and telephones ringing.  And a thousand voices coming not from far away but from long ago, reaching me now the way the light of a burned-out star reaches earth thousands of years after the star itself is gone.”  I was hooked by this narrative and wanted to know more about the music, the laughter, and why it’s been so long since she’s been back.

It’s 1978 and Eve, now a grandmother, has retuned to the Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge with her grandson to search for a box full of special memories she left behind years ago. While in the attic, Sean, asked his grandmother to tell him about when she moved to Mercy, Ohio and the Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.  And then she steps back in time to tell the story. It was1931, Eve was 17, and moved with her parents from St. Paul, Minnesota, full of fugitives, gangsters and bootleggers to Mercy, Ohio to stay with her Daddy’s brother who owned the Lodge.  Her father lost his job and was forced to ask his brother, Cy, for a job and place to stay.  Eve was happy to leave, she hated the crime and felt she was so much better than the lawbreakers in St. Paul. She was ready to get to Mercy, a place that was perfect, filled with law-abiding citizens and all other good things she imagined.  Little did she know that her “perfect little dream” was far from perfect and she had a lot of growing up to do that Summer.

It was a lot of narrative and I prefer more dialogue, but there was enough dialogue to keep me interested.  And Ann Tatlock does have a way with words and she kept me interested in the story.  It was a good story and one I’m sure readers will enjoy, but at the end of the novel, which came too soon for me, I felt that some of the characters were left underdeveloped and I want to know more about them.  Such as her uncle’s stepson, Jones, who the locals called “devil eye” because he was an albino with red eyes.

There is excitement, love and redemption.  Eve learned a lot about people and herself that Summer and was often reminded of her Daddy’s favorite Bible verse, 1 Peter 4:8 “For love shall cover the multitude of sins.”  Her cousin, Jones, told her one day, talking about Michael O’Brannigan, who Eve said was just another criminal like Al Capone “That’s right.  He was a criminal, not the devil himself.  No one’s completely bad, Eve.  Don’t you know that?”  But Eve liked good and evil, black and white, she didn’t like that gray area that she was soon to be drawn into.  Had she known, she might have stayed in St. Paul.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.  But when it ended I felt a little cheated, just to share such a small part of Eve’s story, I felt like there should have been so much more.  That’s why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 star.

I received a free digital copy of the book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Free E-Books – April 1, 2013

I just got the word about these freebies from Tyndale House Publishers this morning and one (and it’s a good one too, check out my review) is ending today, so I wanted to get this post out early so you would be sure to download this great book.  And the other two look interesting, one for men (sports) and one for the history buff (Holocaust).

• FREE (TODAY April 1, 2013 ONLY) Kindle and Nook and several other e-readers :  All in Good Time (A Gilded Legacy Novel #2) by Maureen Lang.  I received this book free from Tyndale House for my honest opinion (and donated it to our Media Center).  And if you go to our “Book Reviews” tab you’ll be able to read the review…it’s a great book and you don’t have to read the first book in the series in order to read this one.  It was free yesterday (didn’t get the notice until today) and today.  Don’t let this one slip you by.  If you like an historical romance with some suspense mixed in, you’ll love it.
• FREE (now through April 6, 2013) on Kindle and Nook and several other e-readers:  Impact Player by Bobby Richardson.  For the sports lover!
• FREE (now through April 6, 2013) on Kindle and Nook and several other e-readers:  The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister. For history buffs.

Thank you, Tyndale, for providing these and other great free book downloads each month.  You’re great!!!!

 

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter

Smitten (Smitten Series #1) by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter

Ok, here goes…I was completely “smitten” with this book! I don’t usually like romance-only novels, but I decided to give this one a try. Since I am the director of my church library and I’m always on the lookout for all genres to please our patrons and I kept seeing this book advertised and checked it out from our local library system. I was immediately drawn into the “save the town” campaign and even though the romances were predicable, I still enjoyed the process of seeing them finally admit to each other of their love. But what really made me a believer was the town’s effort to change it’s whole look in order to save the town after the mill closed down. I was excited to see how each of the four women pulled together and made the town (including the men) see their vision of making Smitten, Vermont a romantic getaway. I loved how each person was drawn to the Lord in seeking His will and deciding to trust Him and not their plans. I wanted to move to this fictional town and open up a Christian book/gift store and go with the theme! Even though I love historical, suspense, mystery-type books with just a little romance thrown in, I really did enjoy this book and I know a lot of our patrons will love this book also. I have bought both “Smitten” and “Secretly Smitten” to add to our collection in our library.

Damascus Countdown by Joel C. Rosenberg

This is the final book in the Twelfth Imam Series by Joel C. Rosenberg and it’s bittersweet for me.  I could read about David Shirazi and more international intrigue for several more books, but I don’t know if my nerves could take anymore!  This is the kind of book that takes you inside the pages and you experience it all and sometimes I had to just lay it aside to take a breather and relax.  Joel Rosenberg really knows how to write and take a reader captive with his storyline and characters.

If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, The Twelfth Imam and The Tehran Initiative, don’t read this one until you do. It’s definitely not a stand-alone novel.  They all build on each other and the characters grow and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep you dizzy!

In this final book, David Shirazi (aka Reza Tabrizi & code name Zephyr) is on a doomsday mission that takes him straight into a nuclear bomb.  He is having to deal with tragic family issues and finally coming to terms with his feelings with, Marseille Harper, a childhood sweetheart.  But he’s a long way from home and no time to deal with it because he is jumping from country to country trying to outsmart the Twelfth Imam and try to stop a complete nuclear disaster.  And honestly, you can’t anticipate everything that happens to him.  So just sit back, hold on, and read until you are tense and can’t catch your breath and put the book down and relax with a glass of iced tea and cookies…then you’ll be ready to pick the book back up and go full throttle again!

I loved Dr. Birjandi, the best scholar of Shia Islamic history and secret follower of Jesus.  When he is teaching two new converts and answering their questions as to what the Bible prophecy is concerning Iran and Damascus I was spellbound.  I have never heard it explained in a way that made so much sense.  I have actually taken notes and put it in my Bible inside the Book of Isaiah to keep as a reference.  I know that the author, Joel Rosenberg is a very highly respected teacher in this area and he always seems to be right on with his interpretations of Bible prophecy.

I have read some of the lower ratings on Amazon and I do hope that they won’t stop you from reading this series.  Yes, you should know right up front that this is an extremely Christian work of fiction.  And yes, Jesus Christ is mentioned a lot…for me that’s what makes this book so wonderful.  I loved it when David witnessed to his friend while they were right in the middle of a firestorm and headed toward certain death.  David asked his friend, Torres…”if we don’t make it through this thing–and you know as well as I do there’s a real chance that we won’t–do you know where you’re going?”  “What do you mean?”  “I’m saying when you die, whenever that is, do you know if you’re going to heaven or hell?”  and then David explained, in the best way I’ve read in a novel, the plan of salvation.  That’s what it boils down to…do you know?

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.  It’s a thrill-a-minute, riveting, suspense filled book that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire 465 pages! Whew!  What a ride!

We have both fiction series by Joel Rosenberg in the Media Center and we also have his non-fiction book, Epicenter.  If you are a member of our church, come on by and check these books out and start on an amazing adventure.  If you are reading this blog from around the country or even around the world, you can purchase these books, or maybe your church has a Media Center and you can check them out.  Also, you can check your local/state libraries to see if they have them to check out, I know Georgia libraries have them.  Happy Reading!

All in Good Time by Maureen Lang – Great Book!

I believe this is my first time reading a book by Maureen Lang and it won’t be my last.  She is a gifted writer who draws you into the book immediately and doesn’t let you go until the end…and then you want it to keep going!  She develops her characters wonderfully and gives a Christian perspective to the story without being “preachy”.

Dessa Caldwell is on a mission to help women in Denver who have no other choice than to work in a brothel.  She is not the least bit condemning because she knows that but for the grace of God she might be in the same place.  Her desire is to carry out her dear friend Sophie’s dream to open a home near the very district the women work, so she will be close enough for them to learn about her and her desire to give them other options.  To learn that beauty is from the inside and that beauty comes from God.  But she has a problem, getting money from donors and a loan from a bank is hard for a woman with no means of paying back the loan…especially in the 1887!

Henry Hawkins is a young handsome owner of a local bank, who keeps to himself and has quite a reputation for not being the least bit friendly.  He has a past he is trying to atone for and forget, yet it keeps creeping back and holding him back from moving forward.

Of course, you can figure out by now that Dessa comes to Henry for a loan and she gets the loan and you can probably go ahead and figure out the ending.  But what happens in-between is a wonderful story that is woven together with the lives of so many other people, a few women who have taken refuge in Pierson House and a villan, Turk Foster, who has his own agenda, and many others.  The excitement builds with each chapter and one quote sticks in my mind from the end of the book:

“She (Dessa) caught back such thoughts, as if Sophie herself were there to scold her.  “We may question the circumstances God allows to draw us to Him or to teach us, but we must never question His love. His will is known to those who seek it, all in good time.”

I highly recommend this book.  After reading this book, I discovered that there is another  book in The Gilded Legacy Series that came first, Bees in the Butterfly Garden, and thought I had missed out on a previous story with the characters.  But I have learned that this series is comprised of stand-alone stories that can be read in any order.  I have the first book and am looking forward to reading it and then I would like to read the Great War Series by Maureen Lang.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

I am donating this book to the Media Center and we also have Bees in the Garden, the first book in the Gilded Legacy Series.

The Survivor (Crime Scene: Houston #2) by DiAnn Mills

The Survivor by DiAnn Mills was a great read.  Full of mystery and suspense with a wonderful love story between the main characters, Kariss and Tigo.  Kariss is a fiction writer with a past history of getting herself into trouble while writing a book.  This time, Dr. Amy Garrett, approaches her to write her own horrible abduction story, an unsolved case, into a novel.  Exactly why is she wanting to do this is Kariss main question.  But she is intrigued by the story and is led into a world of danger.  Her former love and FBI agent, Tigo, is pulled into this case for several reasons, but his love for her is never failing.  Will the two of them be able to resolve their previous issues?  God certainly has His hands on their lives to work our their problems and bring out the truth.

It did seem that Kariss put herself in more danger than she needed to…she is hardheaded and would not listen to Tigo’s advise about being safe.  But if she had, there would not have been much of a story line.  Because a lot of the danger and trouble she got herself into was because of her stubbornness in not following directions.  I did get a little bit mad at her at times and thought “oh my goodness, just stay inside and do what you are told!”  But it was still a great book and I enjoyed it.  It was hard to put down and I had a hard time trying to “figure it all out” before the end of the book.  I like books that keep me guessing.  And this book did just that.

But, don’t make the same mistake I made.  I read this book first, not realizing it was a sequel to The Chase.  There were a lot of previous situations that happened in the first book that would have been very helpful to know while reading this book.  I can’t wait to go back and read The Chase and see how all this began.  So, please read The Chase first and then hurry and grab The Survivor and read it.  You’ll be glad you did.

I will be ordering both books for our church Media Center soon.

I received a free digital download of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.