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Audiobook Review: A Cry from The Dust

19 Aug

UnknownIn the shadow of the Mormon church, a 19th-century conspiracy is about to be shattered by a 21st-century forensic artist. In 1857, a wagon train in Utah was assaulted by a group of militant Mormons calling themselves the Avenging Angels. One hundred and forty people were murdered, including unarmed men, women, and children. The Mountain Meadows Massacre remains controversial to this day–but the truth may be written on the skulls of the victims. When renowned forensic artist Gwen Marcey is recruited to reconstruct the faces of recently unearthed victims at Mountain Meadows, she isn’t expecting more than an interesting gig . . . and a break from her own hectic life. But when Gwen stumbles on the ritualized murder of a young college student, her work on the massacre takes on a terrifying new aspect, and research quickly becomes a race against modern-day fundamentalist terror. As evidence of a cover-up mounts–a cover-up spanning the entire history of the Mormon church–Gwen finds herself in the crosshairs of a secret society bent on fulfilling prophecy and revenging old wrongs. Can a forensic artist reconstruct two centuries of suppressed history . . . before it repeats itself?

4381533Carrie Stuart Parks is an award-winning fine artist and internationally known forensic artist. Along with her husband, Rick, she travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement as well as civilian participants. She has won numerous awards for career excellence. Carrie is a popular platform speaker, presenting a variety of topics from crime to creativity.

My Impressions:

I now have a new must-read author! A Cry from The Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks is an excellent edition to the suspense genre. With a flawed, but relatable major character, well-drawn secondary characters and well-researched and detailed plot, this novel kept me listening, to the detriment of all else pending in my life! I could not get enough of Gwen Marcey!

Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist working on a reconstruction for the site of a mid-1800s Mormon massacre in Utah. It soon becomes apparent that her re-creation of one of the victims has triggered the interest of a number of groups — anti-Mormon activists and fundamental religionists. Gwen is soon plunged into a race to find out who is behind the murders and uncover a far reaching conspiracy. And while her personal life may be a little (ok, a lot) messy, she is at that top of her game professionally as she races the clock.

Gwen is a wonderful character. Parks has given her an impeccable professional background that has been impacted by a messy divorce with all its fall out and a battle with breast cancer. Recovery seems to be around the corner, until she is faced with a rebellious teenager, unforgiveness towards her ex-husband and a ruthless fundamentalist group determined to trigger an apocalypse. Gwen is resourceful and determined and becomes a mama bear when her daughter is in danger. The plot of conspiracies surrounding the Mormon church and fringe and splinter groups is intriguing and touched on a part of history I was not aware of. I was kept on the edge of my seat, while trying to guess just who was behind it all.

The audiobook version was very well done and the narrator did a good job with just the right amount of emotion mixed in.

All in all a great first book from another talented author. I am eager to read more! The Bones Will Speak has just released. Yay!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased the audio version from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Book Review: Centralia

17 Aug

519xgTW6z6L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Peter Ryan wakes up on a typical morning only to find his house empty, his wife and daughter nowhere to be found. His world is shattered after a phone call to a friend confirms the impossible: his wife and daughter died in a car accident he does not remember. Haunted by faint memories and flashes of details, Peter becomes convinced that something isn’t right and begins to question reality. When he discovers a note in his daughter’s handwriting, strange memories begin to surface that cause him to second-guess nearly everything he once believed. Suddenly armed men show up at Peter’s home, turning the mysterious puzzle of his past into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. On the run and unsure whom to trust, Peter has to discover what’s real and what isn’t . . . before he loses everything.

71p4CBCcmtL._UX250_Mike Dellosso is the author of seven novels of suspense and several short stories. He also writes family dramas under the pseudonym, Michael King. In addition to his novels he’s written for periodicals, websites, and is a regular conference teacher and speaker. Born in Baltimore, Mike now resides in Pennsylvania. He is also a colon cancer survivor and speaks often about dealing with suffering. Find out more about Mike on his website, http://www.MikeDellossoBooks.com.

 

My Impressions:

I have read several of Mike Dellosso’s novels — all have been breathless suspense/speculative books that leave the reader slightly off-kilter. In Centralia, he has stepped it up a notch. Page-turning, with jarring images and ideas, this book is for those who want an adrenaline-laced read and a mind bending concept. This one kept me wondering to the last page and beyond.

Peter Ryan wakes up one morning with a memory like Swiss cheese. A confusing mix of holes and conflicting memories leaves him searching for his wife and daughter that others assure him died tragically months ago. But Peter knows that can’t be right, especially as gun-wielding assassins keep showing up. Images skirting on the edge of his mind give him flashes of insight and a muscle-memory of guns, martial arts, and strategy keep him alive as he searches for those he loves and the truth that may set him free or bind him forever.

Centralia is definitely not for the faint of heart. There are lots of scenes with gunfights, car chases, and hand to hand combat. One especially cringe-inducing scene involved a hot grill in a diner. Eww! And while the physical is front and center, the psychological aspects of this thriller may be the most disturbing. Peter is a complex character that the reader roots for from the beginning. Secondary characters aid in the advancement of the plot. One such character, Lawrence Habit, was the most intriguing — is he a good-guy or manipulative villain. Centralia is a Christian thriller, but is not preachy in any way. It’s compelling message of God’s faithfulness is woven seamlessly throughout. As Peter finds “they tried to take him away from God, but God just wouldn’t let go”. At the end of the novel, the reader is left with more questions than answers, literally and figuratively. The discussion questions at the end really helped this reader process what I had just read.

Fast-paced, with physical danger and psychological trauma, Centralia is recommended for those who like lots of action, twists and turns, and an intellectually challenging reading experience.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Pearl in The Sand

14 Aug

51ycWviNHOL._SX333_BO1,204,203,200_Can a Canaanite harlot who has made her livelihood by looking desirable to men make a fitting wife for one of the leaders of Israel? Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes.

Pearl in the Sand tells Rahab’s untold story. Rahab lives in a wall; her house is built into the defensive walls of the City of Jericho. Other walls surround her as well — walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness.

A woman with a wrecked past; a man of success, of faith . . . of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.

 

71ECfis7JBL._UX250_Tessa Afshar was voted “New Author of the Year” by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader’s Choice Awards 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. Her book, Harvest of Rubies was nominated for the 2013 ECPA Book Award in the fiction category and World Magazine chose Harvest of Rubies as one of four notable books of the year. Her novel, Harvest of Gold was nominated for the 2014 Christy Award. Tessa was born in Iran to a nominally Muslim family, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as cochair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last fifteen years in full-time Christian service in New England.

 

My Impressions:

Pearl in The Sand was my book club’s August selection and was a big winner. Tessa Afshar’s novel generated the most and best discussion we have had in a long time. Extremely well-written and meticulously researched, this retelling of the story of Rahab from the book of Joshua pointed to further scripture reading for our members — an important by-product of reading Biblical fiction. One of our members said this is one of the best books we have read, and we have been meeting for 13 years! We all loved this book and give it a very highly recommended rating.

Pearl in The Sand opens when Rahab is 15 years old and her parents, facing financial ruin, decide to use Rahab’s assets. At the prospect of becoming a prostitute, Rahab takes control of the situation and decides who and when. Betrayal from her family, especially her father, rejection from a former lover, and the years of being used by her customers, leaves Rahab feeling worthless. But rumors of a God who saves His people and overcomes all enemies, peaks her interest and she finds herself longing for an escape from the bondage of sin.

There are so many positives to this novel. First off, there are a lot of what ifs that Afshar posits. She creates a plausible story line by being faithful to the Biblical narrative, incorporating the customs of both Canaan and Israel, and creating characters who develop and grow in a natural way. Of course the main characters of Rahab and Salmone take center stage and are very compelling — their love story is sigh inducing! But the secondary characters are well-drawn and just as important to the story. Afshar’s narrative moves quickly and keeps the reader turning the pages. Spiritual themes of forgiveness, mercy, and grace are expressed in creative and poignant ways. We recounted many favorite scenes from the book that are excellent examples of God’s love and care for His people. God is shown as “impossibly holy and ridiculously merciful” — I love that phrase! Sexual sin and its consequences are explored in a realistic and sensitive manner. Afshar handles the pain, shame and burden that many people carry even after receiving forgiveness.

With beautiful themes of God’s love and mercy, characters that are real and relatable and a writing style that cannot be beat, Pearl in The Sand is one we say is a must read!

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Great for Book Clubs.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

10 Aug

UnknownWedding bells and storm clouds collide in the first engaging novel in a brand-new series about destination weddings, the power of love, and the possible mishaps and missteps that happen on a couple’s journey down the aisle to “I do.”

Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?

As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.

Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after?

BVogt-319Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A 2015 RITA® Finalist and a 2014 Carol Award finalist, Beth is a contemporary romance novelist with Howard Books. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014. In 2015 she introduced her destination wedding series with both an e-novella, Can’t Buy Me Love, (May) and a novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love (June).

Find out more about Beth K. at http://bethvogt.com.

 

My Impressions:

Beth Vogt is at the top of my list of contemporary romance authors. She always manages to add just a little bit more, a little something special to give her novels, a touch of wisdom and grace. Crazy Little Thing Called Love, the first novel in her new Destination Wedding series, is no exception. Combining a fun location, a long lost love, and a message of reconciliation and sacrifice, this book is one I can highly recommend.

Vanessa Hollister is getting married, again. After a disastrous first marriage at the age of 18, now 28-year old Vanessa is older and wiser and is ready to settle down with the safe and practical Ted. But a return to the scene of her first wedding, Destin, Florida, stirs up old feelings and emotions especially when she runs into her first husband. Circumstances keep throwing them into each other’s path. Is it just coincidence or is God in the center of everything?

While the beach setting is perfect for a summer read, Crazy Little Thing Called Love draws its strength from the characters. Both major and minor characters are well-developed and feel like old friends. One couple in particular, the Wrights, is a great example of sacrificial love in marriage. Old wounds and insecurities are exposed, and Vanessa and her ex-husband Logan struggle to overcome their weaknesses. The book is told in a mix of present day and flash-backs which adds a depth to the story.

No spoilers here, but two scenes in the book are especially touching. One scene involves teenage Vanessa and Logan. An oh no! scene turns into an oh yes! moment — something you would want to share with your teenaged son or daughter. And a surprise wedding ceremony twist brought tears to my eyes.

If you are looking for a feel good romance with some spiritual depth, then Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a perfect choice.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens to adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Howard and LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

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Book Review: Hope Harbor

8 Aug

51wiX-IuOqL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives — including their own.

 

 

irenepicbio1(From the author’s website.) Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than 45 romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books have been honored with two RITA awards—the “Oscar” of romantic fiction—and she is a six-time finalist. Her books have also won a Daphne du Maurier award, a Carol award, two HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a Retailers Choice Award and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. One of her novels was also named by Booklist as a top 10 inspirational fiction books of 2011. In addition, she is a Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. She is happy to say she has no regrets!

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

 

My Impressions:

Irene Hannon is well known for really great romantic suspense fiction. She is one of my favorites in that genre. But she also excels at contemporary romance, and her latest novel, Hope Harbor, is an excellent example! With well-drawn characters, a wonderful small-town setting, and a message of hope and reconciliation, this novel provides more than pure entertainment. Not your run-of-the-mill fluffy romance, Hope Harbor gives the reader a touching reading experience that will last well after the last page is turned. This one comes highly recommended.

Michael Hunter travels to Hope Harbor, Oregon to find himself again after the death of his wife eighteen months before. Regrets have him weighted down. But a collision with a bicyclist, an invitation from the town hermit and a prophetic message from the owner of the local fish taco stand puts him on a path that can only be described as God-led.

There are three main characters in Hope Harbor, all with past choices that have led to deep regret and guilt. All have in some way failed in crucial relationships. Michael, Tracy and Anna feel like real people — neighbors, friends or family. Their struggles with God and others ring true to life. Their development throughout the novel is measured and realistic — just the right pacing for the novel to be believable. The strength of this novel is the way in which the characters’ doubts, questions and wrestling with God are portrayed. The setting is perfect — a small Oregon coastal town with enough citizens to make it interesting and enough closeness to make the reader want to visit — again and again. The only thing that would have made this book better would have been a recipe for cranberry nut cake — I have got to find one!

Hope Harbor is a winner! Not just a romance, it is an exploration of broken relationships and the God who can rebuild and restore.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Revell for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Among The Fair Magnolias

6 Aug

51mx7tavsmL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_In the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history, four Southern women—destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war—face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart.

An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray

When Russell Champion returns to Broken Arrow, he’s determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother’s homestead, he discovers she’s very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love

Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser

Emily has a secret: She’s in love with one of the freedmen on her family’s plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

 

FairMagnolias-320.pngTamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impression and The Inheritance. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award.

A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels.

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list.

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls entertainment with a soul. For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams.

Find out more about Alexander, Gray, Love, Musser at http://www.thomasnelson.com/among-the-fair-magnolias.

 

My Impressions:

Four talented historical romance authors come together to bring stories of hope and love set amidst the change and turmoil of the American South in the mid-1800s. Each novella-length offering in Among The Fair Magnolias is what you would expect from Dorothy Love, Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray and Elizabeth Musser — heart-filled stories featuring characters to cheer for. For fans of historical romance, it doesn’t get much better than this!

All four novellas are set in the American South either before or after the Civil War. Change comes swiftly, and the characters learn to reach for their dreams as they rebuild their lives. Settings include South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas and give the reader an insight into the challenges faced by those living in this era in our country’s history. Main characters scale obstacles in their lives as they reach out to their true loves. The authors tackle such issues as race relations and the mending of a splintered North and South. Strong faith messages run throughout, as the characters struggle with family duty, worthiness and purpose. I enjoyed all four of the stories and am glad that Thomas Nelson brought these authors together for this project.

Perfect for fans of historical romance, each standalone novella is a quick read, yet with a depth of characterization and plotting usually only found in full-length novels. A good bet for end of summer reading.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE. 

(Thanks to LitFuse and Thomas Nelson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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Two for The Road — The Mysterious Affair at Styles and Lord Edgeware Dies

4 Aug

Agatha_ChristieMy husband and I hit the road in July to clean up and close on a condo our youngest son used while in college. Goodbye to an era, but an opportunity for new things. We had plenty of listening time as we traveled across the southeast and chose two Agatha Christie novels to keep us company as the miles rolled by. Here’s my take on them.

 

UnknownThe Mysterious Affair at Styles. In her first published mystery, Agatha Christie introduced readers to her Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. When the wealthy mistress of Styles Court is murdered, Poirot is on hand to wade through the confusing clues and long list of suspects! A classic whodunit.

 

 

 

 

 

51c7yF0kdyL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_Lord Edgeware Dies. The Queen of Mystery has come to Harper Collins! Agatha Christie, the acknowledged mistress of suspense—creator of indomitable sleuth Miss Marple, meticulous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, and so many other unforgettable characters—brings her entire oeuvre of ingenious whodunits, locked room mysteries, and perplexing puzzles to Harper Paperbacks. When Lord Edgware Dies a most unnatural death, detective Poirot must solve a most confounding conundrum: if the obvious killer, the slain peer’s spiteful wife, didn’t do it, who did?

 

 

 

My Impressions:

Hercule Poirot makes his first appearance in The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Captain Hastings calls on WWII refuge Poirot to step in and solve this locked room murder mystery. In Lord Edgeware Dies, some years have passed by, but the duo of Poirot and Hastings are still solving mysteries. Both books are classic Christie with lots of suspects, daunting clues and Poirot and his little gray cells. I really like the relationship between Poirot and Hastings. There is genuine affection and friendship between the men, but Poirot always manages to get a little dig in about Hastings limited abilities. My husband and I had a fighting chance to figure out whodunit, and we were definitely on the right track. But the endings of both novels provided enough surprise for us to say “so that’s how it was done!”. Hugh Fraser is the narrator of both audiobooks and again does an excellent job.

Another successful trip made more enjoyable with the addition of Hercule Poirot! I recommend both books for mystery fans.

Recommended. 

Audience: adults. 

(I purchased both audiobooks from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: The Curiosity Keeper

31 Jul

51cs6r4WiYL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

Chapter 1

SLadd-318Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

 

My Impressions:

For fans of well-written Regency novels, you cannot go wrong with a book written by Sarah Ladd. The Curiosity Keeper is her 4th novel and the first in her new Treasures of Surrey series. Combining rich historical detail, a mysterious stolen gem and characters to cheer for, this romance is one that I can recommend.

Camille Iverness is confined to the curiosity shop her father keeps. Surrounded by strange, yet valuable wares and hemmed in by the dirty streets of London, Camille yearns for the open countryside of her youth. After being attacked in the shop, she finds herself in the company of a young gentleman nothing like the men she is accustomed to. But his search for a stolen ruby and her father’s shady business dealings may keep her from the fulfillment of long held dreams.

While Ladd does a good job of creating a decidedly seedy London and a bucolic Surrey village in The Curiosity Keeper, the characters are what really make this novel. Both Camille and Jonathan Gilchrist are children at odds with their families. Both desire independence and cultivate an aura of confidence and calm, but they really long for the intimacy denied them. Both are unconventional for their time, yet both seem very natural in their reactions and feelings. Without divulging too much, I also found the ending is a bit unconventional, and definitely refreshing  — extremely fitting for Camille and Jonathan’s story. The mystery of the stolen ruby provides a great framework to explore the characters’ true values and is perfect for the developing romance. The faith message is natural, without being preachy, and I loved how Ladd ties in the legend of curses and blessing surrounding the ruby with God’s word.

The Curiosity Keeper may be a Regency romance, but it owes a lot to the gothic elements found in the novels of the Brontes and Wilkie Collins. So if you are a fan of those classics, you will probably love this one as well. The best part is that this is book 1 in a series — more stories to come. Yay!

Recommended.

Audience: older teens to adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Litfuse and Thomas Nelson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Direct Hit

30 Jul

51eyMvsk64L._SX332_BO1,204,203,200_The jagged blast of high explosives rips through the evening air. In the sky over East London the searchlights criss-cross in search of the enemy.

On the first night of the Blitz, a corpse is discovered in a van in the back streets of West Ham. Detective Inspector John Jago recognizes the dead man as local Justice of the Peace Charles Villiers. But then a German bomb obliterates all evidence.

Villiers, not a popular man, was both powerful and feared. As the sirens wail, the detective must start matching motive to opportunity – and it doesn’t help when his boss foists an intrusive American journalist on him.

Jago soon discovers the dead man held many secrets, some reaching back to World War I. A lot of people wished Villiers dead – and an air raid is a good time to conceal a murder.

 

1___Mike Hollow studied languages at Cambridge, then worked for the BBC and then Tearfund. Now a freelance writer and editor, he lives in Basingstoke (England) with his wife Margaret. A popular poet, his work has been widely performed and has appeared in many collections.

 

My Impressions:

I have just found another favorite mystery author! With Direct Hit, Mike Hollow has written an entertaining and educational (that really is a big plus for me!) novel set during the first days of the London Blitz. Fascinating historical detail and cultural insights, a well told story and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end added up to a book I highly recommend. I am looking forward to more from this talented author.

John Jago is a Detective Inspector (DI) with the London CID. The war hasn’t been going well for England with the retreat from Dunkirk a few months before. Now the Germans are dropping bombs on London, inciting fear and dread in its citizens. Add to the fact that his crime scene is now a bomb crater, Jago has his hands full uncovering the murderer while spending sleepless nights in his Anderson shelter. But Jago is a man dedicated to truth and justice and always finishes what he starts.

Direct Hit introduces us to main character DI Jago. He is definitely a man of his time, shaped by his childhood and the trenches of France during the Great War, Jago is a bit cynical, a bit shell-shocked. A bachelor, yet not a confirmed one, he is dedicated to his job. The list of suspects in this case is long, forcing Jago to criss-cross East London and beyond. I really enjoyed the variety of characters Hollow created — young working class men with communist leanings, upper-middle class businessmen, career civil servants, unsavory criminals, wives and mothers — all with motive and opportunity for murder. With an obvious eye to historical detail and rich description, Hollow creates a very vivid London during the Blitz. I had no trouble feeling a part of the story. Hollow adds an American journalist, Dorothy Appleton, to stretch and grow Jago, causing him to examine his beliefs. There is not an overt faith message in Direct Hit. In fact, both Jago and Dorothy are not believers at all. But both are dedicated to uncovering the truth and seeking justice — I expect them to search for more answers in coming books.

While Direct Hit is genre fiction at its best, it is also a great novel for a book club. There is so much to discuss — historical events, the effects of war on those on the front as well as at home, and just what is Truth. The mystery keeps you guessing to the end and there is definitely a twist that provides much to think about.

All in all a great mystery novel. I highly recommend Direct Hit. Be sure to visit the author’s website for interesting info about the novel’s setting and time period.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Great for Book Clubs.

To purchase this book, click HERE. 

(Thanks to Lion Hudson and Kregel for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Children’s Corner — Believe Storybook: Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

29 Jul

51CfYW0AbqL._SX381_BO1,204,203,200_Presented by bestselling author and pastor Randy Frazee, the Believe Storybook shows children how they can think, act, and be more like Jesus. With 60 Old and New Testament stories from the Bible that showcase the themes, combined with captivating and dramatic illustrations by Steve Adams, children and adults alike will be inspired to become more like their Savior and the person they were meant to be.

The Believe Storybook is part of the national church-wide program led by bestselling author Randy Frazee that shows children how they can think, act, and be more like Jesus.

 

Randy-FrazeeRandy Frazee is senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of The Connecting Church, Making Room for Life, The Christian Life Profile Assessment, and Renovation of the Heart Student Edition.

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Frazee and his wife, Rozanne, have four children.

Visit Randy’s website at http://www.randyfrazee.com.

Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton’s first published work was a note passed to a boy in elementary school. You would have thought that this most embarrassing moment would have stopped her writing career. But instead, Laurie is the author of thirty five books and author/illustrator of two more. Laurie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and two daughters and loves writing surrounded by horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and five turkeys.

My Impressions:

I am so impressed with Believe Storybook that Zonderkidz has published. This beautifully illustrated book brings the Old and New Testament together to explain to kids (and adults) just what and why Christians believe. Divided into 3 sections (Think, Act and Be Like Jesus) with a total of 30 chapters, this book explores the key beliefs of the Christian faith through questions, Bible stories and commentary. Each chapter begins with a a Key Question, such as Who is God? The narrative then includes an Old and New Testament story illustrating the idea. A Jump to Jesus transition between stories shows kids how the Bible fits together. The chapter ends with The Jesus Answer — a reiteration of the Key Question with Jesus as its focus. A Key Verse allows for Scripture memorization, an important part of knowing just what and why you believe.

I wish I had had Believe Storybook when my kids were younger — it is an informative and entertaining way to teach your kids about God. And in this world where Christian beliefs are under attack, parents need all the help they can get!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: ages 4 and up.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

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